My Confession: I Love Having a Newborn

I’m curious to know the answer to one, simple question: If you are a new mom, are you thankful? 

Or just simple minded?

Whether you just had baby 1 or baby 5, that’s a question that applies to all parents who just welcomed a newborn into their family. 

Your newborn is a miracle – the birthing experience is nothing short of a miracle, and the opportunity that you have been placed with to parent yet another child is absolutely amazing.  You have been entrusted with the care of a new life – what’s not to get excited about?

Baby 5 was born for us last week ~ and what an incredible experience. In fact, the birth of every one of my children was gratifying, but there was something about this last birth that just blew the others out of the water. Perhaps it was because we were more intentional with our wishes during this pregnancy.

These days, it seems like many new parents complain – both sarcastically and humorously actually, about having an infant.   Sure, the new one may be a beautiful bundle of joy… but it’s also a time when you are always tired, constantly in a panic, at the mercy of postpartum depression, in pain from attempting to breastfeed, or in the bathroom often trying to cope with the bleeding that comes from giving birth.

Babies are a miracle. But for many, the experience is nightmarish.

All you have to do is look at some of the most popular parenting sites for Facebook headlines that act as click bait to get you to read and respond – readers find the honesty appealing. … their honesty is relatable for many.  

Head to any library or bookstore and you may find well written books from parents who write about the experience of being a stay at home parent, the experiences that come with a newborn – or, kids for that matter.  They all focus on the terror of the birthing experience – the hysterical things that go along with having kids – their experiences with kids – from fertility to traveling, working at home, and everyday life.  Sometimes you can find the same humor on many parenting blogs that pop up routinely on Facebook.

While I enjoy some of this writing….I can’t say I relate TO this writing. I absolutely LOVE having a newborn. So much in fact, I have had 5 newborns over the last 9 years. 

Over the last 9 years, that love of newborns and kids in general has never faded.

From the moment my children were pushed out, they commanded all of my attention – as they should.  Breastfeeding was easy and painless from day one for all my children – far from today’s norm.    I did not experience postpartum depression.  I didn’t get the baby blues. And I was more than excited to be able to hang out with my kids for the first few weeks with the focus on staying “in” the house instead of going all over.

(Have I ever mentioned that I LOVE staying home?)

I was never bored at home, even though we spent the first few weeks between the kitchen, living rooms, bathroom and laundry room. I wasn’t super weak from blood loss – in fact, my strength was back to normal just hours after giving birth and I was back home the next morning cooking meals and working on laundry/cleaning.

It didn’t bother me that I was slightly behind in my household upkeep.  … and that I had gotten just a few hours of sleep the night before. As long as I don’t sit down too long, I don’t risk falling asleep during the day.

Am I alone?

I was extremely lucky to have easygoing children – – all 5 of my kids have been easy to please, none of have been screamers. Nobody was colicky… and everyone latched on easily when breastfed.  Nobody ever needed to have follow up care, and we never had to deal with medical issues.  It was just a gratifying experience .

While I have been blessed with great birthing experiences, the after birth has changed with each child – family and friends were thrilled with baby 1 – but with each child, the parenting horror stories ensued.  … from breastfeeding horrors to lack of sleep, the inability to handle your time effectively with 5… your lack of energy will lead you to not feel like cooking (ever..), and constant trips to the doctor for care.

The list could go on.

Which makes me wonder if there is anyone else who truly thinks that the birthing and newborn experience truly is an enjoyable time?  

Or perhaps it’s that a truly happy new mom without any problems isn’t relatable and as such, won’t make as much of an interesting story to read.