When I had my first baby, at 28, I figured was more than ready to enter into this new phase of my life.
I felt like I had really enjoyed my fun and filled-with-freedom 20's up until that point (between epic backpacking adventures and exciting career moves and lots and lots of time spent doing exactly what I wanted when I wanted).
So baby and responsibility? Bring it on.
But despite being very ready for all things motherhood, there is no denying that it still took some adjustment and getting my head around when my baby girl arrived – trust me. I think no matter how ready you are, seeing first-hand how motherhood changes everything about your life will always be a little mind-blowing and take some time getting used to.
This is the case for everyone, it seems, at least if this study by
Munchkin is to be believed – which found that it takes new mums
four months and 23 days to adjust to motherhood, a new baby and a new lifestyle.
This is what Claire Rayner, spokeswoman for the Munchkin brand, had to say about the findings: "Becoming a mum for the first time leads to a flurry of mixed emotions and it can naturally be completely overwhelming. It's one of the best things that can happen to someone but it can understandably be very scary too."
The researchers found that during pregnancy, one out of every two mums-to-be admitted they were nervous and scared of becoming a mother, while one-in-four said they were completely daunted by motherhood. And more than half of the polled mums admitted to being overwhelmed after giving birth, with 57 percent admitting that their first few months after baby was born passed by in a "bit of a blur" because they were so worried about getting everything right.
But, after nearly five months, the researchers found, new mums have learned what baby's different cries mean. They have also stopped worrying about dealing with their new baby in public, learned to be more armed with snacks, spare clothes and nappies and have gotten over the worst of the new baby exhaustion.
In other words – super-mums – it takes us just
four months and 23 days to work out an entire new situation, routine, and how to keep a mini human alive and happy and thriving. In this short time, the study found that new mums find their confidence and start to trust that they can navigate whatever situation motherhood throws at them.
"What the results show is that, no matter how daunting motherhood can seem, mums have incredible resources to get through the early days and feel like they have things under control," Rayner explained.
"It's a massive change and the floor of self-doubt and worry is perfectly natural, but the fact they care so much only proves what good mums they'll eventually develop into."
Mums; the most amazing real-life super-heroes you'll ever meet.
