20 Common But Rude Questions To Stop Asking First Time Moms
New moms have completed inarguably the most arduous physical, mental, and emotional task a human can undergo. They’ve carried their child for nine months, and through labor and delivery, which can often be traumatic or unpredictable, their child has finally arrived in the world.
Moms are the strongest among us, yet the months and even years following their baby’s delivery can be fraught with uncertainty and emotion. New moms in particular are fragile and vulnerable, which is why (unless they volunteer the information on their own), you shouldn’t presume that they’re automatically okay with invasive and meddlesome interruptions into their postpartum life. Here are 20 common but rude questions we should stop asking first time moms.
1. Is Your Baby Sleeping Through the Night?
Ask a sleep-deprived parent this, and they might just punch you in the face. No jury would convict. Not only is it unrealistic to expect your six-week old baby to sleep through the night, it’s discouraging for new parents to hear the inevitable “Well, just try XYZ! My newborn slept through the night!” that follows this question. Sleep training a newborn should be an oxymoron. Babies need consistent nourishment the most in their early days, even if they need it at 3 a.m.
2. Are You Breastfeeding?
It feels like there are only extremes when it comes to conversations on breastfeeding – either you’re very much for or against it, especially the older the child happens to be. Heaven forbid moms turn to formula if they have issues with breastfeeding, or breastfeed their child well after the suggested year-long period. This query is a double-edged sword for new moms. Either you’re fortunate enough when many aren't able to breastfeed, or you’re a failure as a mom for not being able to. A fed baby, no matter how they’re fed, is a happy baby, and let’s leave it at that.