Feeling so sad about baby turning 1 (happy too though)

[Ernestwanda]

Just want some support about how I’m feeling from other Mums!
My first baby, my DS is turning 1 next week. I’ve really looked forward to it but this week I’ve been hit by an overwhelming sense of sadness, panic even that he’s officially growing up. It’s to the point I actually feel sick looking at his tiny baby photos and long for him to be so small again - but at the same time I’m enjoying the developments and am so excited for what he learns next!
I know it’s normal from a quick google search but I’d love some reassurance from other Mums. What helped?
I’m sure once his birthday has been I’ll feel better but it’s just like this looming confirmation the first year, though so stressful, a massive learning curve, and hard work, all the wonderful bits like his first smile, sleeping on me all the time, relying on me for breast milk, being all snuggly in his little onesies is all over.

Ah I felt exactly the same, my son turned 1 earlier this week ! I also feel sad as I’m returning to work. I think it’s fine to feel sad as it is an emotional time but also try to enjoy it. We planned a special family day out to the zoo and then once he was in bed we had a nice curry to celebrate we’ve managed a whole year as parents ! And I’ll be having some champagne this weekend. Celebrating it has helped me feel better about it.

Try to enjoy it but it’s also ok to feel sad xx

Just enjoy what you have now or you will regret it..in the blink of an eye he will be 3,4,5 etc.and you will be wishing he was 1 again.

@Keepyourginup I know that... it’s not a rational issue it’s an emotional one. I absolutely am enjoying this stage as he’s into everything and has developed so much during lockdown which I think has made time speed up so much more!
@BellaNutella88 thank you 💖 it’s hard isn’t it. I just cannot believe it’s been a year.. people always tell new mums enjoy it they aren’t small for long but in the midst of sleep deprivation and figuring out a new identity as a mum it’s hard to truly appreciate those words. I look at photos and wish I could step back just for a day, just enjoy one more day of me and him when he was so small. I’m sure once his birthday is here I’ll have a few emotional moments and then I’ll be embracing toddlerhood, it’s just the numerical confirmation and the anniversary of his birth is a definite “he’s not a little baby anymore” 😭

@Ernestwanda totally understandable. I hated the first 6 months and found it rest tough so for me there is some guilt that I didn’t enjoy it then. All valid feelings and emotions but as another poster said - enjoy this time as soon you’ll be missing little one being 1 ! Xx

Oh it’s lovely when they’re one. Honestly, DD20mo is the most adorable she’s ever been - once she hit about the 14 month mark she got a lot more fun to be around.

I will be crying when she turns 2, I expect!

Thanks all for your support. Am feeling a lot better now - haven’t cried all day! Think I was just floored by how quick the year had gone. DS fell asleep on me earlier (bad teething and refused nap) so that helped - he’s so curious and independent that I miss the times when he just wanted to snuggle his Mummy! But I love the little person he’s becoming and it’s so fascinating seeing him learn new things everyday. It’s just one of those things! He’s also tall (97th centile) so I suppose that’s making him look older

I felt the same and the only thing that helped really was time- seeing her get a bit older and finding that I enjoy her just as much now as I did when she was a baby.

DS is 9. I cry every single birthday. I am so proud of him and all the things he is, but I mourn the bits of babyhood that I won't see again.

@dannydyerismydad oh don’t - that’s probably how I will be. Mourn is the correct word even though I’m fully aware how lucky we are to have healthy children! Im feeling better about it, by making a pact with myself to really be in the moment and enjoy time with DS as best I can. I read something beautiful earlier but so heartbreaking and true, that each day your baby goes to bed it’s like they’re slipping further away, gaining more independence. Pre-baby I expected it to last longer, I don’t know why - never had babies in my life before I had one so I sort of thought the baby stage lasted more like two years 😂 by that I mean all the development Ds has made I honestly thought it would be slower paced. I never anticipated the complexity of emotions I would have as a parent, it’s a proper rollercoaster