The best parts of the first year as mama 

Month #1

The first month is filled with lots of sitting on the couch, cradling, feeding and cuddling your baby. You are performing patterns throughout the day until bedtime. The best part of the first month for me was the reward of a happy baby. When I would get her to sleep for each nap time, during a feeding (whenever it would go well) and right after a diaper change. This first month is all about meeting your baby’s needs and resting as you recover from their entrance into the world. 

Month #2 

The second month is a lot like the 1st, in fact not a lot changes. You feed, cuddle, change, repeat. But as your baby starts to learn the routine, you are able to predict nap durations so you can squeeze in a quick shower, or munch on some snacks. The best part of the second month for me was getting myself into a groove of taking more care of myself. Isabella napped in her swing for 45-60 minutes, so I was able to make Jackson a meal, or have a shower. We seemed to have some things better figured out. 

Month #3

The third month is when things seem to change just a bit. Naps might shorten, feedings might be getting better or worse, and everything that was predictable was shifting. But the best part of the third month for me was having a solid bedtime routine for Isabella so that she already know what to expect and would sleep a solid 4 hour stretch before a night feeding. She also slept well at this stage, and I’d like to think it had a lot to do with all the sleep associations I gave her from the start to help her know it’s bedtime, so that her days and nights weren’t mixed up. I’m so thankful to this day that it wasn’t an issue right from the start. 

Month #4

The fourth month is when a switch goes off. Suddenly your baby is easier, out of nowhere. They are more aware of their surroundings, they seem to hang on your every word, and even find you hilarious at times. The best part of the fourth month for me was that Isabella wasn’t always crying anymore. She could lay on my nursing pillow beside me and be content. She either watched me, or the tv, or found objects fascinating enough to try and hold onto them. Motor skills start to make an appearance and you get so excited for your baby when that little fists hold a toy. This is when Isabella was getting more enjoyable and night sleep was still going well. 

Month #5

The fifth month is where things really change again! For most babies, this is where they start to sit up, assisted. And very soon, with lots of practice, unassisted, while playing with a toy. They also start to become more engaging and wanting to be apart of any action. With Isabella, she hated laying or being reckoned in her bouncy chair or swing so she would sit up-right. She also learned how to go from knees back to bum. This skill really helps your baby practise moving around more so they can soon crawl. Oh and the babbling! Babbling and saying sounds really take off. The best part of the fifth month for me was hearing how boisterous Isabella could be. Also sleep, started getting really bad here. Frequent wakings, unable to get back to sleep no matter what I did. I knew sleep training was a possibility. 

Month #6

The sixth month is where bad sleep can finally turn around, if you’re willing. It’s the age most recommended for sleep training to begin. The best part of the sixth month for me was when I sleep trained Isabella, and our nights became ours again. Plus Isabella was getting her sleep and not cranky in the mornings. This month had its down side too, feedings were frustrating because we started Isabella on solids but it wasn’t going well. She didn’t like any purée I fed to her so I was very discouraged from trying anything new. Buying those pouches was wasting money and making food from scratch was a waste of time. It took months to get Isabella interest in food. As this wasn’t the “best” part of the sixth month, it was still a milestone month for Isabella that took her to half way through her first year. Seeing my baby grow up before my eyes has helped me make it through the tough months. 

Month #7

The seventh month is the time that a baby is normally learning to crawl, or at least trying to. They are getting ready to be on the move. And once they figure it out, the real fun begins! Baby proofing, playpens, and finding them in the bathroom unraveling all the toilet paper when forgot to use the playpen. Isabella is mischievous but she’s so smart, she knows where she’s allowed to play, like in her room with the toy basket or her brother’s room with his books at her reach. I allow it, I want her to feel free to explore, and she’s learning so much from it. 

Month #8

The eighth month has so much more development. I found that each stage seemed to happen sooner for Isabella than expected, like sleep regressions or developmental milestones. Babies are all different and go through their own timelines so don’t ever worry that your baby isn’t at the right stage yet. The best part of the eighth month for me was watching Isabella pull up to standing position more and more. She wasn’t ready for any first steps but she definitely loved to stand and bounce in place, strengthening her leg and feet muscles. Watching your baby strive and learn new skills is the most rewarding part of the first year. 

Month #9

The ninth month is where meal time gets to be more fun and experimental. At least for me, it was. I found myself to be a bit more daring with what I served to Isabella, when it came to solid pieces. I gave her scrambled eggs, avocado, banana, and some toast with peanut butter. She went from barely liking food to loving it. Manipulating bits of food in their mouth with their tongue allows babies to learn what to do with it and actually helps prevent choking. A child unsure of that skill has a higher risk of choking on anything that goes in their mouth. Chewing food becomes more important than just swallowing. The best part of the ninth month for me was being able to give Isabella food we were all eating finally and also seeing the progress of her other developments. By this month, it was Christmas time and Isabella started walking with her walker toys. 

Month #10

The tenth month just flew by for us. That happens, your baby is so much busier and so are you! You’re able to do so much more around the house or with your baby that don’t feel so isolating. Even on cold winter days that drag on and keep iyou inside, you will find there is so much more excitement going on. If you haven’t already, start introducing baby puzzles and blocks to your baby, because now they get way more interesting! Placing pieces in the right order isn’t going to happen yet but your baby will watch you do it, over and over, and that is really getting their little brains working. In no time, your baby will know where those pieces go and will be able to get it right. The best part of this month for Isabella was watching her wheels turn and play with toys, examine buttons, wave paper in the air, scream and cheer at her brother, and be settled in her naps and nighttime sleep better than ever. 

Month #11

Here was are! In the eleventh month, Isabella is already going through a slight regression in sleep, where her naps take her longer to settle, her second nap in particular has been a battle a few days in a row, and nighttime has been taking her longer to get to sleep. Sometimes 20 minutes, whereas before I could count on 5 minutes. It’s not a huge deal, she doesn’t fuss at bedtime luckily, but it’s something I’ve taken notice to. I know exactly why this is happening. The 12 Month Sleep Regression. Isabella has always been early with these regressions, because she learns a new skill pretty quickly. This is always a good thing. Sleep regressions should only last a few days. As long as your routine is consistent, nothing will be thrown off and new habits won’t take over. I never change nap time routine, even if it gets difficult. I don’t skip a beat with it, because the more consistent you are, the sooner the regression will pass. So far, the best part of the eleventh month for me is that Isabella is settled well into our days and nights, she is about to start going to a babysitter a few days a week so mama can work (from home) and she has already taken her first steps! This is the reason for her sleep regression: new developmental skill! She gets to practice her skills during the day so I can feel this regression making an exit any day.