It’s only been a couple of months, but I’m already navigating the familiar chaos: rocking in an overstuffed chair a bit too vigorously, holding a fussy infant, and grappling with rising waves of anxiety.
New motherhood feels like a roller coaster ride fueled by fluctuating hormones, unexpected fears, and overwhelming self-doubt. I constantly misplace my keys. I’m burdened with a new set of responsibilities: a baby, diaper bag, wipes, pacifier, and postpartum anxiety.
As I reach for my new phone to send another all-too-familiar message, I text my partner, who is outside grilling with friends. “She won’t sleep,” I type with one thumb. “I’m at a loss. She’s too fussy to stay awake, and she won’t eat. I’m so exhausted, and I don’t know how to manage while she’s screaming.”
The response? “Who is this?”
In my sleep-deprived state, I had mistakenly messaged a wrong number. I can’t even recall my partner’s phone number.
“Sorry, I meant to text my partner on my new phone. My bad!” As I compose a message to the right contact, my phone buzzes again.
“Wow, you must be really tired. New baby?”
“Yep! She’ll be 8 weeks tomorrow!”
Three dots indicate a longer reply, then: “Just so you know, it gets easier. I have three kids, and right now, I’m relaxing on my porch with a glass of wine, enjoying the sunset. It truly gets better. Hang in there.”
Tears of gratitude fill my eyes.
Reflecting on that random wrong number encounter today brings back emotion. That stranger didn’t have to respond, but her words were exactly what my anxious heart needed.
As a new parent, exhaustion takes a toll (this isn’t news, I’m sure). You struggle to find your footing; fatigue overwhelms your body. I once felt so drained I accidentally discarded a bottle of freshly pumped milk. I recall the bone-deep fatigue that made it impossible to lift my baby from the bed—only to discover my hands were clutching sheets while my infant slept peacefully in her bassinet.
This profound exhaustion made me dread nights alone when my partner traveled. Battling postpartum anxiety, I feared I wasn’t equipped to care for an infant solo.
Such fatigue clouds your ability to brush off unsolicited advice. Nowadays, I can smile and respond confidently to comments about parenting. However, as a new mom, that confidence was nonexistent; my mind felt foggy. I fixated on phrases like, “If you stay calm, your baby will too,” or “Just wait until she starts crawling!” It seemed I was bombarded with advice as soon as my pregnancy was evident.
This is likely why I cherish the kindness of that wrong-number stranger. Instead of offering dismissive clichés like “sleep when the baby sleeps” or “just wait for teething,” she provided a genuine affirmation.
It gets easier.
New parents, particularly those with little ones, take note: You can reach out to me anytime. I understand—your baby won’t sleep, hates the car seat, and caring for an infant can be overwhelming. You might feel lost and would do anything for four uninterrupted hours of sleep.
If you reach out, here’s what I’ll assure you: It gets easier. Each milestone, from the first smile to the first laugh, word, and step, signifies progress. With every moment, your child becomes a little more independent, and so will you.
It gets better.
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In summary, new motherhood is a journey filled with challenges, but it’s essential to remember that it becomes easier over time. Seek support when needed, embrace the moments, and trust that both you and your baby will grow more confident and independent.
Keyphrase: New motherhood support
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