1. The baby blues are real. It is possible to miss being pregnant, giant ankles, nausea, and all.
2. Really good nursing bras are worth every penny. Austinites, check out Special Addition on 38th St. — it’s awesome and they help you fit your bra. Which is really important, seeing as your boobs get gigantic when your milk comes in. They also have really cute maternity clothes, although most of them are out of my price range.
3. Breastfeeding is really, really hard. It may be the hardest thing I’ve ever done. Which is odd seeing as it’s so “natural.”
4. The best laid plans often really do go awry. I’d planned for a drug-free childbirth and an exclusively breastfed kid from the get-go who was going to sleep in a bassinette once he got home. Instead I got an epidural at 3 cm, an infection leading to a NICU stay, a baby who was then given formula and pacifiers, and who prefers his bouncy chair to the bassinette. He’s exclusively breastfed now, but not without issues. You just go with it.
5. The first real drink after pregnancy is the most delicious thing ever.