In this episode of The Anastasiya Podcast, Matt and I reflect on what we would keep the same and what we would change if we were becoming first-time parents all over again.

We talk about unrealistic expectations, nursing and pumping pressure, sleep deprivation, paternity leave, and the identity shift that comes with early parenthood. We also share how unmet expectations affected our mental health and what finally shifted when we gave ourselves permission to adjust instead of force.

Year one humbled us. It stretched us. It forced us to adjust our expectations of ourselves and of our baby.

The first baby is the teacher. And if we could do it again, we’d give ourselves more permission, more rest, and a little more grace.