Reflecting on My First Child’s Birth Before the Smartphone Era

pregnant woman sitting on bed in blue dress with coffee mug

If you’ve recently welcomed a baby into your life, you likely have an abundance of photos documenting every moment. From the instant your child entered the world, their life has been meticulously recorded and shared with friends and family. A simple grab of your smartphone allows you to capture and preserve those precious moments. It’s a true blessing.

My youngest is five years old, and I have a snapshot of her from nearly every day of her life. While in the hospital with her, I took a staggering 266 photos, and that’s just my collection—without including those taken by my husband, her grandparents, or other visitors. In fact, I have more pictures of her early days than I do of my eldest son’s first few months. That realization brings me some sadness, but it certainly wasn’t deliberate; my oldest is simply a product of his time.

My first child is now 13, born in 2008, a time when smartphones and social media were not integral to our everyday lives. My husband brought along a bulky camera to the hospital to capture moments of our firstborn, and we took a handful of photos that have become cherished memories. Back then, it didn’t even occur to me to take countless pictures; that simply wasn’t the norm. And although it was only a short while ago, it feels like a lifetime regarding how we document our daily experiences. I didn’t spend my time taking multiple shots to achieve perfection; I was too busy gazing into his eyes and savoring his newborn scent.

Most of the photos I have of him as a baby are etched in my memory. My husband gifted me a shiny red Kodak Easy Share camera, which felt like a significant luxury back then. We didn’t have much money, and I was grateful to have my own camera to record his life. It was remarkable to take a picture and download it onto my computer. If I felt particularly proud, I’d share it on Facebook, which seemed much simpler in those days. Yet, looking back, I find myself wishing for more advanced technology.

While it was nice not to feel pressured by social media, I also missed the chance to document his life extensively. I don’t have short clips of his first steps or recordings of him saying words in amusing ways. I must rely on my memories for those experiences. Yes, being present has its merits, but it doesn’t diminish my yearning for more of those early memories.

As I had more children, technology improved. I received my first iPhone shortly before my second son was born in 2010. Even then, I wasn’t capturing as many moments as I do now, but there are still many more memories stored than with my first son. I recorded his first bites of food and moments of him giggling like a little elf. I even have him singing along to “Call Me Maybe” at the age of two.

My third son, born in 2013, marked the beginning of a new era for documenting my kids. He was showcased on Facebook just hours after his birth. With him came a commitment to capturing daily moments through pictures and videos. I was blogging and sharing on social media multiple times a day, as were many others. It became a lifestyle that continues today.

When my kids are older, I hope they understand that the differences in the amount of footage from their childhoods reflect the limitations of technology rather than a lack of love or interest. I don’t love my eldest son any less; in fact, our bond is perhaps stronger because those moments were solely for us.

Had technology been a little more advanced back in 2008, I would have countless more recorded memories. While I do feel a tinge of sadness for not having as many photos and videos, I don’t regret the absence of social media validation during my first child’s early years. Those times were pure and focused on our connection, not the outside world. My photos were for my family and me, making them incredibly special.

I don’t harbor any ill feelings towards smartphones and social media for what they’ve become. Without those changes, I wouldn’t have the fulfilling job I cherish today. Yet, as I reminisce, I can’t help but feel a bit wistful that my older boys don’t have the same digital footprint as their younger siblings. I can’t alter the past or the technology of that era; I must appreciate what I have and trust my memories. The sights, sounds, and scents from my early days as a mother in the mid-2000s will always hold a special place in my heart, even if they aren’t captured on my phone.

If you are interested in exploring more about the journey of home insemination, check out our other blog post here. For more information on artificial insemination options, visit Make a Mom and Cleveland Clinic for a comprehensive understanding of the process.

Reflecting on My First Child’s Birth Before the Smartphone Era

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