The first year...

[Elderflower0820]

Hi, I'm curious as to what the best and worst things are during baby's first year?

Sleep deprivation

Yup

Getting through it alive!

Seriously though, before 6 months was awful and I didn't enjoy anything apart from going back to work. Things get easier for me as she becomes more independent, so sitting at 6 months, crawling at 9 months etc. Watching them grow into a little person is the best bit. She's nearly 14 months now and an absolute joy mostly. I'm really looking forward to the future with her.

I won't regale you with the worst bits because I'll be accused of being too negative. It's very dependent on what kind of newborn you have (they can be chalk and cheese) and your own temperament.

Baby is six months. The worst thing has been adjusting to a new life that revolves around her instead of around ne. Minimal time to myself, naps and feeds and nappies dictating my every day - everything she needs comes first 99% of the time and I am mourning my old life I'm honest.

Best thing is making her laugh. It's addictive.

Best things:

• introducing friends and family to this gorgeous little baby you’ve made
• watching them grow and develop, their firsts (smile, roll, tooth etc)
• feeling like a proper little family (if you have a partner) and meeting other mum friends in the park etc
• making them laugh, finding things they love

Worst!

• sleep deprivation which can be fine (DC2- slept through from 6 months, 2 night feeds from birth dropped to one then to zero easily) or horrendous (DC1 for whom the first 18 months was a hazy blur of crap sleep
• losing your identity and feeling like all anyone cares about or you can care about is the baby instead of your old self
• anxiety and stress of worrying about babies (you can worry about everything!!)
• weaning (I HATED weaning but I don’t know anyone who hated it as much as me)

All in all they get better as they get older I get so much joy from DC1 who’s almost 4 but equally the baby days are just so lovely and snuggly so try to enjoy the ups and downs! 100% worth it all.

Sleep deprivation was the worst, followed by feeling like my brain has turned to mush/losing my career identify. Best bits are his grins, nothing compares, and my heart being full with such joy. I am immensely grateful every single day.

Best - he was like a drug to me. I was high as a kite bordering on manic. Never been so happy in my life.

Worst - express feeding, intrusive thoughts, germ phobia - oh the worry!!! I even took a soiled nappy to show the horrified Dr as the colour wasn't to my liking.