Is the First Month with a Newborn the Hardest? Here’s What to Expect

The First Month: A Rollercoaster of Emotions and Challenges

Well, if you’re a new parent, or soon-to-be, you’ve probably heard that the first month with a newborn is the hardest. Honestly, I was kind of bracing myself for it, expecting sleepless nights and constant crying, but the reality turned out to be a bit different—and definitely more complex. Yes, there are sleepless nights, but there’s so much more to it.

The first month is intense, no doubt, but whether it's the hardest really depends on a variety of factors. Let’s talk about what you can expect and whether the first month is as tough as people say.

Sleep Deprivation: The Common Struggle

Adjusting to Baby’s Sleep Cycle

Honestly, the most overwhelming aspect of the first month for me was sleep deprivation. Babies have their own sleep schedule, which is basically the opposite of ours. During the first month, they’re feeding every 2-3 hours—yes, even during the night. You might have heard about how your baby "sleeps like a log," but that’s usually far from the reality, at least in the first few weeks.

I remember one night, after what felt like my hundredth feed, I looked at my partner, both of us exhausted, and we laughed at how we had romanticized the idea of parenthood. Sleep deprivation is brutal, but somehow, you adapt. You’ll get used to napping when you can, and you’ll learn to function on little sleep.

The Impact on You and Your Partner

You and your partner will need to communicate and support each other during these sleepless nights. This is when I realized that it's not just about the baby being awake; it’s about how the whole household is affected. When you’re both sleep-deprived, emotions are heightened, and things might feel more overwhelming. But it gets easier, I promise!

Emotional Rollercoaster: The Baby Blues

The Emotional Ups and Downs

I had heard a lot about the "baby blues," but I didn’t quite understand it until I experienced it. One minute, I was euphoric holding my baby, and the next, I was in tears for no reason. This is very normal, but it’s still a shock to your system. The hormonal changes, combined with exhaustion, can make you feel like you're on an emotional rollercoaster.

Honestly, I couldn’t help but wonder if I was “doing this right” or if I was messing up in the early days. It’s totally okay to feel overwhelmed. My best advice? Don’t bottle it up. Share how you feel with someone you trust, whether it’s your partner, a friend, or even a healthcare professional. The first month is about adjustment—emotionally, physically, and mentally.

The Importance of Self-Care

Self-care might seem impossible when you’re taking care of a newborn, but I can’t stress enough how crucial it is. Even small moments of self-care—like drinking a cup of coffee alone or taking a quick shower—can help you reset. Taking care of your own mental health is key to handling the challenges of the first month.

Feeding Struggles: Breastfeeding or Formula?

The Learning Curve of Feeding

Okay, feeding—whether breastfeeding or formula—is a huge part of the first month. For me, breastfeeding was not as easy as I expected. I had heard all the benefits, but the reality was a little more challenging. Latching issues, sore nipples, and the constant worry of whether my baby was eating enough were constant stresses. If you’re going through this, don’t feel like you’re alone.

Honestly, I was pretty frustrated in the beginning, but with patience and the right support, it started to click. For others, formula feeding is the best option, and there’s nothing wrong with that either. Whatever feeding choice you make, it’s important to be kind to yourself and accept that this phase will get easier as your baby grows and becomes more efficient at feeding.

Physical Recovery: What to Expect After Birth

The Physical Aftermath

One thing people don’t talk about enough is how the physical recovery from childbirth can take a toll. Whether you had a vaginal delivery or a c-section, your body is going through a lot of changes. After giving birth, I had to deal with everything from postpartum bleeding to the soreness of breastfeeding, and it’s all a part of the process.

Don’t get discouraged if your body doesn’t feel back to normal right away—it takes time. It’s hard, but your body is healing, and patience is key. You’ll have good days and bad days, but if anything feels off, don’t hesitate to reach out to your healthcare provider.

The Importance of Rest and Recovery

While you’re busy with the baby, don’t forget to take time for rest and recovery. This is something I neglected a bit in the beginning, thinking I could power through it. But, honestly, the more I rested, the better I felt, both physically and emotionally. It’s okay to ask for help from family or friends to get some time for yourself.

Conclusion: The First Month Is Challenging, but It Gets Better

So, is the first month with a newborn the hardest? It can be, yes, but it’s different for everyone. The lack of sleep, emotional highs and lows, feeding struggles, and physical recovery are all part of the intense adjustment period. But here’s the good news: it gets better! Each day, you learn something new, you adjust, and slowly, things start to feel more manageable.

You’ll have moments where you feel overwhelmed or exhausted—trust me, I did! But remember, you're doing an amazing job. The first month is just the beginning of an incredible journey, and while it’s tough, it’s full of beautiful moments that make it all worth it.

Stay patient with yourself and know that this time, though difficult, is fleeting. The second month, and beyond, will bring new challenges, but also more smiles, more sleep (hopefully!), and more confidence as a parent.

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.