There’s no doubt about it, life changes a whole lot the second you become a mother. Your days are suddenly split into four hourly chunks of changing dirty nappies, feeding the baby and tiptoeing around the house in the hope that they’ll nap for just ten more minutes. With children comes mess and washing and stuff. You are suddenly responsible for a teeny tiny person who relies on you to cater for her every need and so inevitably this journey we call motherhood has an impact on you as a person too. Inspired by the lovely Lyndsey’s recent post, I thought I would share with you some of the ways I have changed since becoming a parent.

I am more confident

In so many ways! First off, I am confident in my decisions – every single one of them. Before when faced with a big decision  I would spend unspoken amount of times going over and over which way to go and whether I was doing the right thing. These days I am much better at just trusting my gut instincts and getting things done. Just like I did when deciding to wean Florence at 4 months old.

Secondly, other than in a professional capacity, I have never been any good at meeting new people or talking to strangers. Likewise, until recently I never really felt comfortable in a room of friends – I would constantly be worrying about making a fool of myself and questioning whether they actually wanted me there or not. A lot of that lends itself to being bullied as a child I think, but while sometimes those niggles make an appearance here and there, motherhood has really given me the confidence to be a bit more self assured. I happily chat to people in the queue in Tesco who I’ve never met before, I’ve made new friends at baby groups and I’ve reconnected with old ones who I let drift away.

I don’t have time for nonsense

Before Florence was born so much of each was filled with worrying about office politics and he said she said dramas and getting worked up over things people would say and do that perhaps were not fair or quite frankly just ridiculous. Now though, between nappy changes, play dates and baby cuddles I really just don’t have time for all the nonsense and drama.

I can do all sorts with just one hand

Oh my goodness, the list of things you learn to do with one hand while the other one is busy holding the baby is endless. Washing up, cooking, showering and shopping are some (definitely not all!) examples of this.

I worry more

This one sort of comes with the territory of motherhood. While somethings I used to worry about seem so insignificant to me now, I stress over all sorts of things and can be quite irrational sometimes. It’s mostly about some form of harm coming to my family and suddenly I am terrified of death. Take the other day for example – I had a coughing fit which lasted about an hour and then got all hot and itchy. I immediately googled my symptoms and was convinced I was dying of an aggressive case of Lymphoma. I spent the entire night worrying that I had not made a will or have anything worth leaving in one, how life would be for Florence growing up without her Mum & how Sean would cope as a widower. Turns out I was just having an allergic reaction to the new air freshener.

I can put myself in the shoes of others more

I’ve always considered myself to be quite a caring person. I am a good friend, work hard for causes that I believe in and hate the thought of hurting anybodies feelings. However, before I became a Mama I would get quite impatient with people who seemed to swet the small stuff. Lately though I am definitely more compassionate – if something is bothering somebody or is impacting their lives in a negative way, it’s important and that person has every right to sweat it, regardless of how big or small a deal it may seem to me. If I can help or offer some words of kindness then I will instead of just rolling my eyes and moving on.

I am grateful for every day (even the bad ones!) 

From as early as I can remember I always wanted to be a Mum. The very fact that I have been given this chance to raise a beautiful little girl is by far the greatest gift anyone could have ever given me and for that I am truly thankful. There have been so many tragedies over the last few months, both close to home and further afield resulting in the loss of lvoed ones, loss of homes and loss of health. On those days when the baby just won’t settle or I’ve had it up to here with the constant mess of our house or when someone has just put a right downer on my day I am reminded of how lucky I am to have all that I do and am truly grateful.

I realise Life is too short

This links in quite closely to my last point. I am learning all to quickly how short life can be and so am living in the moment more than I ever have done before. I also no longer take the little things for granted or go to bed angry with an argument unsolved.

So there you have it, motherhood has changed me and I really am okay with that.

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Wherever we go, be it baby classes, clinic, to friend’s houses there’s one thing everyone seems to be talking about and that’s tummy time! I’ll admit, to begin with I hardly ever placed Florence on her tummy, she wasn’t keen and I was nervous around it but over the last couple of weeks we’ve really upped our game and Florence is enjoying being on her belly a lot more. I’ve put together a list of top tummy time tips that have worked for us!

You’re already doing it!

Believe it or not, you’re more than likely already doing Tummy Time with your baby without even realising it.  Every time you place your baby over your shoulder or lap to wind her, you’re encouraging her to use those important neck and core muscles. When Florence was just two days old, as we were waiting to come home from the hospital she was moving her head back and forth (while being supported of course!) and pushing off of my chest while I was cuddling her. So much so that she reminded me of a little mini headbanger! Baby wearing also counts as tummy time, so any time you’re out & about with your baby in her carrier or sling you’re getting a good healthy spot of Tummy Time. Both are gentle introductions to Tummy Time that you don’t really even have to think about!  

Place baby at eye level

This really helped us in our early of Tummy Time days & still does if Florence is a bit reluctant. Place baby on the sofa or the bed and sit on the floor in front of her. I tend to chat or sing and it helps to get her attention. Baby’s love checking out their Mama’s face so offering her that eye contact while you play will encourage her to look up and build that neck strength!

Try a variety of different props

Florence isn’t keen on doing Tummy time activities on a flat surface and so we turn to a few different things to help elevate her. Our number one Tummy Time aid is our Poddle Pod, but we also use a variety of ordinary cushions, my pregnancy pillow, a nursing pillow & the edges of her play mat!

Create a distraction! 

One of the best ways we’ve found to prolong Tummy Time is to create a distraction! Florence is the best she is at Tummy Time when there are other babies to watch at our Sensory Play class, but there are plenty more ways you can distract your baby from the fact they are on their tummy. Placing a pattern in their view, singing songs and chatting to them and rolling a noisey or reflective toy are all fail safes for us!

Incorporate tummy time into your day to day

Tummy Time will come more naturally to you and your baby if you incorporate it into your daily routine. For example, Florence loves to look at herself in the mirror while I’m doing my make up so I pop a pillow in front of the mirror and prop her up on her belly so she can chat away to herself. I’m just next to her so I can keep an eye and yet I can still get on with what I need to do too! We do this at roughly the same time every day and now hardly think anything of it at all! It’s just become habit. 

Pick your moments

Like most things with babies, you have to pick your moments when it comes to Tummy Time practice! Choose a time in the day when your baby is at her happiest and most awake to get in some all important belly down play. This way she’ll be less likely to get worn out quickly or get grizzly after only a few seconds. Another thing to think about is how long you’re doing it for –  short and sharp bursts are all your baby needs to get started with tummy time and as time goes on and baby gets happier on her belly you can increase the time more and more. At three months Florence now does the majority of her play on her tummy! 

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