Crying of the thought of your baby growing up

[mommabear14]

New mam here.. my baby is 8 months old tomorrow and I just find myself crying so much especially when she’s sleeping next to me on a night because I get reminded she isn’t going to be a baby for long and I’m going to miss her so much as a baby, and I feel her slipping away. Time is going so fast and I cant help but cry, I’m excited for her to grow but I’ll never have her like this again and its slowly breaking my break… is this part of being a mam these feelings or have I got a problem? It’s the most gut wrenching feeling ever, mixed with anxiety

I think it's usual to a degree - but crying is perhaps a sign that it's hitting you harder than most.
Could you speak with your HV or GP maybe?
Our children's babyhood slips by quickly but as my baby is now 18 years old I'd say there's lots to look forward too.
Take care of yourself.

Thanks for the comment. I appreciate the advise. I can’t wait to watch her grow and look forward to things but I find myself crying, especially when she’s sleeping

I wouldn’t say that was normal at all. Time to reach out for some help.

I do think this is normal to an extent. I have a 6 & 7year old and I get a bit emotional about how fast they are growing up. I am already worried about them leaving home 🙈 But them growing up and getting their own little personalities etc is also really fun and amazing to watch. You wouldn’t really want a baby that never developed or grew up! You do grow as a parent when your children grow.

if you are really tearful you may need some post natal mental health support , as many new mums do. It’s taken very seriously and in my region you get fast tracked for help. I had post natal anxiety and have spoken to so many other mums who’ve had MH problems with babies / young kids. It’s really common.

It’s normal to some extent but here’s the best bit, they grow into amazing adults with humour, careers, wacky hobbies, their own expressions and are equally brilliant and amusing. Of course there’s some tricky bits but theres some tricky bits at every stage!

I miss my baby and I miss my toddler and I miss my little girl who had just started school. But I adore my 10yo and I can wait to meet all the hers to come.

Totally normal. Take loads of videos to look back on but love the child in front of you x

I felt like this when mine were babies, especially newborns. It faded as they got older (and less cute!) They are teens now and I don’t feel like that at all.

I have to say, as far as the pre-toddler stage goes, 8-12 months is my absolute favourite age. They are just glorious! So, yes, enjoy it. But there are so many other lovely ages too. My baby has just popped her head in and asked if I want to go for a walk with her to the bakery for a coffee and pastry. She is 18, and absolute perfection. I adore her and her brother and sister beyond words. Yes, I miss the babies they were, but every age is amazing. You have so much to look forward to.

Agree with other PP, normal to feel emotional about then growing up, every time my DC hit new milestones or learn something new or become independent in little ways I get slightly tearful. However, the amount you're crying sounds a little more than "normal", reach out to GP or HV or mental health services. Might be a little postnatal depression or postnatal anxiety x hugs x its hard 🫶

We all know the baby years go quickly, and suddenly you have a toddler. However, crying over the fact your baby won't stay a baby long, isn't normal. It's normal to feel nostalgic, when they get older, and miss the time when they were a baby. You need to talk to your Health Visitor or GP, as this could be a sign of PND. PND can hit at any time, within the first few years of giving birth. It's important you seek some help from medical professionals.

It’s totally normal! Remember you are all still full of this post partum hormones that will be sending your hormones into overdrive. Mines almost 15 months old now and we still contact nap, you only get these moments for a short time. Be proud of yourself for helping this little human grow x

I don't think that feeling goes. Mine are 8 and 10 and I still occasionally cry about them growing up 😅

Their childhoods are going so quickly, genuinely makes me sad that I don't get to keep then for longer

I think this is normal, to an extent, OP. I felt very sad at the thought of my babies no longer being babies. I'm certain there were tears. Now, I adore the adults they have become and I'm very much enjoying supporting them to make their own way. I'm very proud of them and enjoying more freedom to do things for myself. Every stage of motherhood is special imo.
Mind yourself though, with hindsight I had maternal anxiety when the kids were babies. I should have sought help rather than feeling shame that I was finding it tough.

I think I felt like this for a bit when my children were young. Now my children are 19 and 8, sometimes I think fondly back to their baby years with all the cuddles etc. I don’t wish they didn’t grow up up. Children are so much better as they get older. Instead of just being a parent and having to do stuff that is for them you get to do stuff you genuinely enjoy with them. We are planning our snacks for the England semi final tonight, have summer passes for the family at ninja warrior which a really fun, watch tv programs together that we all enjoy. You get to have real conversations with them- talk about (certain) current events (my 8 year old had a lot to say about 16 year olds being able to vote).