What I Wish I Knew Before Baby from angie goff on Vimeo.

The first thing I wish I had known before bringing home baby was just how hard breastfeeding would be. I just assumed it would come naturally and never imagined the levels of frustration and at times pain I would experience. I was not prepared. In fact, I spent two weeks waking up drenched in my own milk. Nobody told me I was supposed to wear these things called breast pads and a bra to bed. I was a mess in so many ways.

The time I should've been reading up on breastfeeding was spent getting stuff together that I didn't need right away. I mean big things, like the crib. Both of my children spent the first 7-8 months sleeping by my bed in a bassinette or Moses basket. If you don’t have it all done before baby arrives, don’t freak out. It will be OK.

Before I brought my second baby home, I wish I knew that my 2-year-old was a lot stronger that I gave her credit for. I was so broken up emotionally thinking about her feelings being hurt. The reality is she was fine doing stuff on her own and adjusted very fast. There was a little jealousy but overall she wanted to be my little helper. If you’re pregnant with your second, start giving your first child more responsibility now. Put things like cups, bowls, snacks on the counter at her level so it’s easy for her to fend for herself when you don’t have an extra hand.

Finally there are these big, wide, mesh underwear they give you in the hospital after giving birth. Stock up on those. They are ugly as sin but unbelievably comfortable. Let’s hear it for power panties!