Surviving the First Year: A Guide for New Parents

Surviving the First Year: Our Journey with Baby Finley

The first year of our baby Finley's life was a whirlwind of joy, challenges, and immense growth for our family. As new parents, Matthew and I had to navigate a multitude of experiences, learning to adapt and thrive during this remarkable period. Here’s a personal account of how we survived—and cherished—Finley's first year.

Embracing the Chaos

From the moment we brought Finley home, we realized our lives were going to be a blend of beautiful chaos. Accepting that our once tidy home would now be scattered with baby toys, nappies and muslins and was liberating. We learned to prioritize moments with Finley over maintaining a spotless house. This is not easy with family coming around, i wanted my house to be perfect but i just couldnt keep up, learning that it is ok to focus on Finley was hard, but i promise it is worth it.

Sleep Strategies

Sleep deprivation hit us hard. To cope, we established a bedtime routine early on, which included a warm bath, swaddling, and white noise. While it took time, Finley gradually began to sleep more consistently. We took turns napping when Finley napped, making sure we both got some much-needed rest. If you are wanting to track your little ones sleep we used the Huckleberry App. This helped establish a routine and gave us loads of expert advice.

Feeding Finley

Feeding was a significant part of our daily routine. Breastfeeding had its challenges, Finley struggled to latch and the beginning was very painfull. In the UK, we have breastfeeding groups to help support you through this time. I still really struggled to feed him and relied a lot on the emotional support of Matthew. I found that it was important for us to be flexible and do what worked best for our family, so i introduced pumping into our routine so Matthew could support with feeding.

Understanding Developmental Milestones

We eagerly anticipated each of Finley's milestones, from the first smile to the first steps. We reminded ourselves that every baby develops at their own pace and avoided comparisons with other babies. Celebrating Finley's unique progress brought us immense joy and reassurance. I can confidently say as a nursery practitioner, all the babies in my care are thriving and they all develop at different times.

Self-Care is Essential

Taking care of ourselves was crucial. Matthew and I made time for self-care, whether it was a short walk with our dog, a relaxing bath, or accepting the need to ask for support from our families. We leaned on each other and our family for support, ensuring we didn't burn out. If you are lucky enough to have a supportive unit around you, try to lean on them during this first year, it can help your baby bond with them and give you some much needed rest.

Building a Support Network

If you dont have family close by, having a support network is invaluable. I joined the app Peanut, which is for local mums to connect and potentially meet up. Online communities also provided a platform for advice and encouragement. Knowing we weren't alone in our journey made a world of difference.

Practice gratitude

Amidst the sleepless nights and countless nappy changes, we made a conscious effort to savor the moments. From capturing Finley's milestones with photos to keeping a journal of his first year, we created lasting memories. Each moment, whether big or small, was a treasure we held close to our hearts.

Final Thoughts

Surviving Finley's first year was a monumental achievement for Matthew and me. Celebrating small victories and being gentle with ourselves was key. Every family's journey is unique, and there's no one-size-fits-all approach. Trusting our instincts, leaning on our support system, and cherishing the incredible adventure of Finley's first year made it all worthwhile. Here's to navigating and enjoying the beautiful chaos of parenthood!