Photographing newborns in the Maryland area brings me such joy! Welcoming your first child is an especially wonderful event. Congratulations to Maureen and John on their beautiful and healthy baby girl!
Sweet baby M was born the end of 2017 and we snuck in her first portrait session just before the end of the year. She cozied in on that soft blanket and slept through much of her session. She even surprised us with quite a few sleepy, content grins like you see here. :)
(Read below for some encouragement from me for first-time moms.)
If you are expecting a bundle of joy, inquire today about my baby program options to capture all of the most important milestones of pregnancy and your baby’s first year of life.
View other newborn posts:
Twins
Newborn & Family
LEO Newborn
#MollyStrong
Encouragement for first-time moms…
I was blessed to be around babies and kids for all of my childhood and teen years. I had changed many diapers, fed bottles, been spit up on (pooped on), and even lost sleep because we had newborns in my home when I was in high school. But no amount of sisterhood, baby-sitting, or helping other moms can truly prepare you for what you will feel or struggle with upon the arrival of your own child.
We welcomed our first son just over five years ago while my husband still had four months left of the police academy. I was mostly alone with a newborn to care for during the first four to five months of motherhood. Our first had reflux and colic. He would scream for at least four hours a day for months and there was no consoling him. He also wouldn’t sleep at night unless I held him upright on my chest. This was probably because of his reflux. I rarely asked for my husband’s help at night, which was the only time he was home through the week, because I knew he needed his full strength to perform at his best in the academy. I also had this small business to sustain.
I was lonely, exhausted, and overwhelmed.
What makes me sad when looking back is that I didn’t know that I could ask for help. I thought it made me weak or “not good enough”. If I could give a new mom any advice it would be to extend yourself grace and that there’s no shame in needing help, especially when you’re feeling lonely, exhausted, and overwhelmed. If anyone would ever make you feel weak or like a bad mom for needing help, that’s much more a reflection on them than it is a reflection on you. Search elsewhere. Pray for God to grow current relationships or bring in new ones that will come along side you to encourage you and help you as they’re able.
If this was helpful or encouraging to you, I’d love to hear your feedback! Feel free to email me at Jenna@JennaShriverPhotography.com or leave a comment on this post.
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