Being a new mom: at 32 and again at 42

My first son was born right at the end of my 32 years. Like all new parents, I wondered where the baby manual was and if I was prepared to take care of this helpless little bundle. I was older than most moms at the time, but not at the oh-so-flattering geriatric maternal age of 35+. Motherhood was a fun time. I had already had a career and traveled quite a bit. So when my maternity leave was coming to an end, we were lucky to be able to stay home and I decided not to go back to the office. Fast forward ten years and I am sitting here with my one year old son. Now I’m definitely in the older mom category. You’d think she’d remember what it was like the first time, but nature has a way of missing those details.

So what has changed this second time as a new parent? Well, there are more nifty baby gadgets, a lot more safety and nutrition information, and my body is definitely different. Below are 10 things I noticed.

1. I didn’t need a Boppy nursing pillow this time, apparently my breasts have dropped enough to reach my nursing baby on my lap, unfortunately the dark side of having bigger breasts from pregnancy.

2. I don’t know what I was doing without my smartphone back then. Even though I didn’t have it when I was 32, I know that having access to my email, the Internet, Facebook, and those addictive Words with Friends games prevented any postpartum depression with this second baby. I never felt the isolation that sometimes comes with motherhood, when I can read and write about it with the Internet in general.

3. I am more tired. Boy, I thought I was tired at 32, I’m doubly tired at 42. Definitely take the time to nap with the baby this time.

4. I am more patient. Maybe because I’m more tired, I feel like I don’t have the energy to rush things. I can read the books over and over again or re-stack the glasses for the umpteenth time without feeling like I’m going crazy (probably because I’m making moves with Words with Friends or checking my email on my smartphone at the same time). time). This is also probably the second child syndrome where the parents are more relaxed about their expectations from the first time.

5. Baby food comes in disposable bags with resealable lids! So much easier to transport than jars or plastic boxes that once you ripped the lid off you had to use it. Now they even make kids drink directly from them.

6. So many options for baby carriers. When I had my son, I was the strange mother who carried her son in a sling. Now, at least where I live, you see babies in all sorts of front/back/hip carriers or wraps which is really a fashion statement.

7. More organic/natural options for food/baby products. People are becoming more educated about what they’re using, and companies are responding. I’m happy to have access to non-toxic baby products and cleaners for my home, more organic food options than ten years ago that don’t make me look like a radical environmentalist.

8. It is recommended that infants remain rear-facing in their car seats until 2 years of age or 30 pounds. Ten years ago, we waited until their first birthday as the big milestone to turn them around. For my son, that made all the difference in his happiness in the car. He couldn’t bear it any other way. Now, studies show that there is a 500% increase in crash survival rates if the car seat is kept rear-facing. Too bad for my daughter. She also hates her seat as her brother, but she’ll be looking back as long as she can keep it that way.

9. Easy Squeezy Baby Bullet and Feeding Spoon. I grouped this together because I just have to get back to how clean baby feeding appliances have gotten. Ten years ago, I had to use a regular steamer and my blender if I made my own food. Now there are dedicated devices. And I love traveling with my Easy Squeezy Spoon, where I don’t have to carry a separate bowl and spoon to feed myself on the go. Only cover it if the baby hasn’t finished.

10. Each child is definitely his own personality. I know we tell each other, don’t compare kids, but you can’t help but comment on how they each hit different milestones at different times. Such a different current topic is weaning. This second baby loves to nurse and I have no idea how I’m going to wean him. I went slam to year with my first but he would accept a sippy cup. She, on the other hand, doesn’t drink well from a spouted cup, but she does like to drink from a regular cup (and splash it on her forehead, which doesn’t help fill her tummy as she lays down to sleep). I’ll have to write another post on how I can solve that dilemma.