When I became a mum for the first time, I discovered that the real challenge wasn’t the sleepless nights or the non-stop feeding interspersed with nappy changes and crying. As a first-time mother, while that was hard, it was no match for the mental agony of wondering if I was ‘doing motherhood right’.
Being Nigerian meant grappling with the conflicting advice and opinions of family members—Nigerians don’t ask if you want advice; they give it, often with a large dose of love.
Then there was the inevitable comparison with friends’ babies born around the same time as my first. The fact that my son didn’t cut his first teeth until after he turned one gave me nightmarish visions of a teenager with no teeth. Baby development milestones, like teething, are common concerns for many new mums, and I was no different.
But then I went on to have not one or two but three more baby boys—and I became an expert at ignoring those thoughts. Oh, and son #1 eventually cut his teeth 😄.
At The Baby Cot Shop, it is my delight to speak to new and expectant mums like you. I’m here to assure you that the mental gymnastics are normal, and that your instincts on how to raise your little one are functioning well. Motherhood challenges are universal, but so is the strength we find within ourselves. As a new mum, you’re doing better than you think, and your parenting instincts are more reliable than you may realise. In other words, as my 16-year-old says, it’s not that deep.
So, to all the expectant mums and first-time mothers out there, trust yourself—you’ve got this. And if you ever need a little reassurance or just want to share your thoughts, we’re here for you at The Baby Cot Shop.
After all, as my 16-year-old says, it’s really not that deep. Let’s navigate this journey together.
~Toks🌸