Mama to Mama

Let’s talk about advice.

Because the moment you announce you’re pregnant, the world suddenly cannot wait to tell you how to do this whole motherhood thing.

Your great-aunt insists you should never pick up the baby too much or they’ll get “spoiled.”

Your coworker swears by a strict sleep schedule and acts like you’re doomed if you don’t start from day one.

Your neighbor’s best friend’s cousin had one magical trick for getting her baby to stop crying, and she just knows it will work for you, too.

It’s…a lot.

One new mama summed it up perfectly when asked, "What was something you thought would be hard in your pregnancy journey that ended up being simple, easy, no big deal?"

Her answer?

"Figuring out what worked for me. At first, I was overwhelmed by all the advice—so many people telling me what I should do. But once I stopped trying to follow everyone else’s rules and just trusted myself, things got so much easier."

YES.

Because here’s the thing—there is no one-size-fits-all approach to motherhood.

Some babies love being swaddled; others act like you just wrapped them in a straightjacket.

Some sleep soundly in their cribs from day one; others will only nap on your chest.

Some love car rides; others scream like they’ve been personally betrayed by the seatbelt.

What works for one baby isn’t necessarily going to work for yours.

And that’s okay.

This same mama went on to say that, while she expected to struggle with figuring out her own way, the hardest part of motherhood was actually something she never saw coming.

When asked, "What was something you thought would be easy about having a baby that instead was very difficult?" she answered:

"Letting go of mom guilt. No matter what I did, I felt like I was doing something wrong. If I held the baby too much, I worried I was creating bad habits. If I put her down, I felt guilty for not soaking in every second. It took me a while to realize that I was doing just fine."

Whew.

Isn’t it wild how we can be doing everything out of love and still feel like it’s not enough?

But let’s set the record straight right now—you are not failing.

Holding your baby doesn’t mean you’re spoiling them.

Taking a break doesn’t mean you don’t love them enough.

Figuring things out as you go doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong—it means you’re doing it right.

Because motherhood isn’t about following a perfect set of rules.

It’s about learning your baby.

It’s about trusting your instincts.

It’s about understanding that there is no “right” way—only the way that works for you.

And if you need a reminder to let go of the pressure, take it from this mama’s final piece of advice.

When asked, "If you could give one piece of advice to a first-time mom for any particular time in their pregnancy journey, what would it be?" she said:

"Do what works for you, and don’t waste time feeling guilty about it. Your baby doesn’t need a ‘perfect’ mom—they just need you."

So, mama, take a deep breath.

You will figure this out.

You are the best mom for your baby.

And at the end of the day?

Your love is what matters most.