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Being first timers - husband and I, with a baby




There is a first time for everything. Most first time things just make me nervous or excited. But being first time parent has been nerve wrecking, anxiety filled, scary thoughts, and nightmarish times added with a pinch of excitement as well.

As parents, my husband and I didn’t know what to expect once the baby is born. It was as if God had decided to hand over a little slithery baby in our hands just in a span of night. And that’s how it really was. One day we’re all full of excitement and talks about the future, the next day our hands are full of diapers, wipes and burp cloths (which is still the same)… and at least a thousand other things on our mind. I am the kind of person who needs my cell phone, glasses, a novel, a chewing gum, a notepad, a pen and water beside my bed every night. And I am very specific that I sleep only on my side of the bed every night (my husband isn’t even allowed to even try to take my side, try as he may).

Of course, after the baby came, I needed only ONE thing at night. Diapers!!! Loads of them as if my life depended on it. And it did, for the major part. And I have stopped thinking about what side of the bed I want – even the floor will do now. And only – only if the baby gives me permission to sleep at all.

To top it all, we had no idea what to do with this little baby with his slimy little body. I didn’t even know how to carry him properly. My husband wouldn’t even try (for fear of dropping him) lifting him until he was a month old.

Of course, this is not it. Battling with endless questions about the newborn, my husband and I googling frantically for answers that might help us understand the million dollar question – Why is the baby crying? With my mother and MIL who are experienced mothers offering advises from time to time, while us sometimes heeding to their advice and at times ignoring them, thinking that they were giving us old time suggestions that do not work in this century. Nevertheless, their suggestions have been extremely helpful.

Humans have been delivering children since ages, duh, that’s how you and I are alive. Yet, with the grand entrance of a baby, our worlds shifted upside down in just a night as if we were the only ones who have ever had a baby.

Life is a long and a different learning process. I had always thought I was done with learning when I moved out of college but that’s when the real lessons began. And when the baby came, it felt like the biggest lesson of all. When we held the baby, we knew we had become parents to this newborn but we didn’t know this – what do we now that we are parents? We needn’t have worried for the baby knew exactly what we were supposed to do. The baby gave us lessons by crying, sleeping and eating endlessly letting us wonder in our heads the same question – what’s happening inside this little body of his?

To be frank, we didn’t get all our questions answered. Sometimes, we had multiple answers to one question. Can you imagine the confusion? We just took it one day at a time with the baby leading us day and night as he progressed from week to week.

I think it has been fun so far. Being a first time parent is definitely the most adventurous daring roller coaster ride anybody could ever think of riding on.

Bottom-line: Always, always listen to people who have had children. It may not always work but it’s definitely good to listen. (From an experienced new mommy).

About the Author Chital Mehta loves to explore new books. After becoming a mother, she started this blog to share her experiences as a mother. Apart from being busy with her baby, she makes times for writing, reading and watching movies. She has authored 4 fiction novels. You can find details on her facebook page :Chital Mehta facebook

Write to her : chitalmehta1987@gmail.com

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