insideSUSSEX Magazine Issue 06 - August 2015 | Page 52

BABIES+KIDS

NEW PARENTS:

expectation vs. reality
By the end of 40 long weeks of pregnancy, when our feet and ankles have swollen, our backs are
aching, and seemingly every one of our favourite foods (not to mention drinks) are on the banned
list, it seems only right, as expectant parents, to make plans. The problem is most of these plans
are binned along with the first dirty nappy because although you and your partner may well
know exactly how long the little one is going to co-sleep, breastfeed, or crawl for before they
walk, someone always forgets to tell the baby… B Y L I S A M A R I E L A M B

Expectation
To have an un-medicated, uneventful labour and
birth that goes exactly according to the birth plan.
Reality
Un-medicated? Maybe (although there’s no
shame in having the drugs. All the drugs).
Uneventful? Possibly. A birth that goes exactly
according to the birth plan? Perhaps. But it’s not
always the case, and although the medical staff
will do their best to stick to what you want, when
it comes to birth it’s really down to the baby. So
prepare your plan, but don’t get stressed if you
need to go off piste a bit.

Expectation
Breastfeeding will be easy – baby and mother
will take to it straight away.
Reality
Breastfeeding is hard work and, for some, it’s
not the way to go. Sometimes baby won’t be
able to latch on due to various medical reasons;
sometimes mum will have trouble lactating, or
producing enough milk to keep the little one fed.
And even if both mother and baby get the hang
of it straight away, it’s still not all fun and games.
Illness, soreness, tiredness (of which there will
be plenty) can all wreak havoc with even the
best-laid breastfeeding plans.

Sometimes it works the other way, though. Some
mothers and their babies thrive so well on
breastfeeding that they continue to do it even
after they had planned to stop. You’ll never know
until it’s time to try!

Expectation
The sleepless nights will never end. We are going
to be tired forever.
Reality
In truth, those sleepless nights hit hard. At the
beginning. Eventually, though, be it a month
down the line, a year, or more, they will end. The
world won’t have, though. Everything changes
when a baby comes along, and yes, you will be
exhausted. Sleeping when the baby sleeps, asking
family and friends for help, and taking shifts when
possible will all help.

Expectation
Weaning will be great – and I’ll make everything
from scratch.
Reality
Babies often find weaning tough. They’ve been
used to just one thing – milk – for six months or
so, and now, not only are they being introduced
to new flavours, but they are being asked to eat
them differently too. Textures, tastes, and teeth

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are all getting in the way of what is often expected
to be an easy milestone in childhood.
As for making everything from scratch, if you
have the time, then go for it. It’s great to mix and
match flavours and you know your baby is getting
exactly what they need. Make the food in batches
in advance and freeze if it’s easier. And for those
who don’t have the time: not to worry. Again,
don't beat yourself up; readymade baby food
goes through rigours tests and checks, and has
all the nutrients baby needs to grow up strong
and healthy.
Beware, though: by the time your baby reaches
around two years old, their taste buds go through
a major shift, and the things they liked before
could be the cause of tantrums now. That goes
double for vegetables, since the changes can
make them taste bitter. The good news is, by
the time they reach four or five, those taste buds
should have settled back down again.

Expectation
To get everything right the first time.
Reality
No one gets it right the first time. Sometimes we
never get it right. But getting it right and being a
good parent aren’t necessarily the same thing…