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We all know about baby milestones. Babies grow and develop so much during the first couple of months that everything that they do is fascinating and a huge deal. Be it them learning to crawl, stand up, smile or simply roll over, we can’t get enough of keeping track of their growth and doting down every milestone they meet. But what about those milestones that a first-time mom hits? After all, the mother and the baby grow up together in so many ways. For every milestone that your baby hits the mother gains new insight into her little one and learns new lessons that will help her become a better parent. So it’s safe to say that they hit milestones of their own alongside their precious babies. So what are these milestones and how do they coincide with those of their baby? If you’d like to know more about this topic, read on!
1. Mama Milestone: Responsibility
Baby Milestone: Birth
That’s right, the first milestone of motherhood is bringing your baby into this world. As soon as your little one has arrived, every mother knows that they are no longer the main character of their own life. And sure, after an exhausting delivery all you might want to do is eat, sleep and never move again but here you are, getting up to feed your baby and rock them to sleep for the 6th time today. As soon as there is a new member of the family that depends solely on you to supply all their needs, your needs take a bit of a backseat. The realization that you are now someone’s mother can fill you with fear and joy simultaneously. But it also alters you and makes you more responsible than you have ever been before.
2. Mama Milestone: Empathy
Baby Milestone: Getting Hurt
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Empathy is an extremely important part of being a mom. In fact, on most nights with your newborn, it may be the only thing keeping you from simply ignoring your baby’s cry and going back to sleep. Even if you weren’t very maternal before becoming a mother and didn’t do much other than offer some medicine when one of your friends was ill, this may change drastically after you have your own little one to care for. After all, this is the only human who’s poop, pee and projectile vomit you would willingly deal with. Which means that their wellbeing is of utmost importance to you. And this is what keeps babies alive when they are most vulnerable.
3. Mama Milestone: Joy
Baby Milestone: Showing Love
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This has gotta be our favorite milestone. After all the stress of the birth and learning to keep your baby alive, you can finally relax and enjoy your bond with them. You may have derived joy in mundane things like going for a walk every evening or getting a facial at a salon once a week. And it’s perfectly fine if you still do. But being acknowledged for all the blood, sweat and tears you’ve put in in the form of a loving and affectionate baby is unparalleled to any other feeling in the world. At some point, your baby is going to want to reciprocate all the love you’ve shown to them. They’ll put their arms around you just to cuddle or attempt to give you kisses. And we’re sure that these are the moments that will make everything worth it.
4. Mama Milestone: Patience
Baby Milestone: Learning To Eat Solids
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As your baby grows they start to hit newer, more challenging milestones. One such milestone is finally switching over to solid foods after months of only drinking milk or formula. But this transition may not be as smooth as you’d expect. Your baby could be a picky eater and may need to be convinced to try anything new. This is also the time in which you test for any food allergies that your baby might have. So patience is a virtue that moms learn to exercise liberally at this stage.
Babies are unpredictable and stubborn. Sometimes the only thing they insisted on eating all week is something they can no longer stand looking at. And other times, anything you try to force down their throat just won’t go down. And that’s when moms learn to conceal fruits and veggies craftily in order to ensure that their babies get all their nutrients. It can be frustrating to constantly come up with new dishes and combinations of flavors to entice your baby, but that’s when all your patience comes into play.
Every mother loves her baby and learns new things on a daily basis. You and your little one are exploring this new dynamic together and are reaching milestones alongside one another. This is why it’s so important to celebrate how far you have come and appreciate all of the hard work you’ve already done.
