Before entering motherhood, I was convinced that I was destined to be the perfect mom. I envisioned a smooth transition into parenting, where everything would fall into place effortlessly. I pictured myself strolling through town with my baby securely nestled against me, and I was certain that breastfeeding would magically restore my pre-baby physique.
Reality, however, had other plans. My attempts at babywearing did not yield the graceful image I had in mind; the carrier I chose made me feel more like a football player than a nurturing mother. As for breastfeeding, it seemed to have no impact whatsoever on my metabolism, despite my efforts to nourish my little one every three hours.
To complicate matters further, I had to navigate the unpredictable nature of public interactions. Why was I not warned about the bizarre behavior of people when they encounter a newborn? No one prepared me for the way strangers abandon all social norms in the presence of an infant.
My first child arrived in November, just before one of the harshest blizzards Brooklyn had seen in years. The weather was frigid, and the streets were covered in snow, largely unplowed. The city’s mayor was vacationing in Bermuda, leaving new parents like me in a bind. Consequently, my baby spent his early days as a shut-in. Apologies, sweet boy.
Being a shut-in can make one feel quite isolated, and coupled with the anxiety that comes with new motherhood, it can feel overwhelming. Add to that the alarming tendency of people to insert their fingers—often filthy—into a baby’s mouth, and you have a recipe for distress.
I often wondered why anyone would think it’s acceptable to place their hands near an infant’s mouth, especially after just handling subway poles or other questionable surfaces. “Oh, look at this adorable little one! I just got off public transit, but let me share my germs with you!”
Then there are social gatherings where the well-meaning but ill-informed friends insist on holding your baby. “Oh, you must be exhausted! Here, let me take him. I could just eat him up!” And before you know it, an entire newborn hand is being sucked on by someone with a chronic cold sore. What a relaxing environment to enjoy my glass of wine!
For those expectant mothers out there, perhaps you will thrive where I struggled, embodying the nurturing figure you always envisioned. But heed my warning: dirty hands will make their way toward your baby’s mouth.
If you’re looking for ways to manage this invasion of germs, consider researching some effective strategies. While you embark on your parenting journey, you might also want to explore resources like Make a Mom’s at-home insemination kit or the BabyMaker home intracervical insemination syringe kit combo to assist in your family planning. Also, for a comprehensive understanding of the IVF process, check out this excellent resource on Parents.com.
Summary
Motherhood can be riddled with unexpected challenges, including the peculiarities of public interactions surrounding newborns. While one may envision a perfect parenting experience, the reality often includes navigating the uninvited attention of strangers and their unsanitary hands. Embrace the journey and arm yourself with information and strategies for both parenting and family planning.
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