There are far more than 12 things I learned during my baby’s first year, but I thought I’d share one for each month that I’ve been a mom. It’s honestly hard to put into words what this past year has meant. Becoming a mom has been the best experience of my life. My heart has never been more full, and I’ve become so much more tender, patient, and grounded in ways I never imagined. It’s wild how this tiny human can fill your life with so much love and purpose. I just know I was meant to be a mom — and watching Hayes grow, discover, eat, and thrive has been my greatest joy.

Now that we’re officially celebrating Hayes’ first birthday (how?!), I wanted to share 12 things I learned during my baby’s first year. If you’re a new mom, expecting, or just curious about what that first year really looks like—here’s my honest take.

1. You really don’t need all the stuff.

I laugh thinking back on how many products I thought I needed before Hayes was born. Don’t get me wrong, some things were super helpful (sound machine, good carrier, blackout curtains, our stroller), but babies honestly don’t need a ton. Half of what people recommend is personal preference. Simplicity wins. We probably used our bottle sanitizer two times because we felt it was much quicker and easier just to handwash and air dry.

2. Feeding is its own journey.

As a dietitian, I felt kind of prepared for introducing solids, but doing it with my own child was a whole different ballgame. Every baby’s feeding journey looks different, and there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. I learned to let go of perfection and focus on real, whole foods, variety, and letting Hayes explore at his own pace.

We started at 6 months on the dot and you can read more about Introducing Solids to Your Baby in this blog post. It’s been my favorite thing and it makes me feel so proud I can give him the highest quality nutrients as a baby, emphasizing quality protein and healthy fats, and see him thrive eating wholesome foods. He is just the biggest foodie and it makes my home chef heart so so happy to see! He loves everything right now and we’re fully riding that wave. Check my Baby Food highlight on my Instagram for more meal ideas for your littles.

3. Breastfeeding is hard—and beautiful, and so worth it if you can.

We dealt with high lipase issues, pumping, scalding, freezer stashes—it was a lot. But it also created such a special bond between us. I learned that breastfeeding looks different for every mom and baby. Whatever works best for your family is the right way. Read my blog about 9 Things I Learned From My 9- Month Breastfeeding Journey. Surprisingly, Hayes is still getting some of my milk every single day at 12 months! I breastfed until about 6-7 months (while also pumping), and stopped exclusively pumping at 9 months, but built up my freezer stash until around 3-4 months postpartum. Right now I give him about 1-2 ounces of my milk in his bottles with formula each morning and it’s been working great! Even small amounts of breastmilk still provide immune support, antibodies, and key nutrients that continue to benefit your baby’s health as they grow.

4. Sleep is not linear (and that’s normal).

Just when you think you’ve “figured out” sleep, your baby might hit a new phase – that’s one of the biggest things I learned during my baby’s first year. Teething, growth spurts, regressions—they keep you on your toes. From the beginning I learned to release expectations and just roll with each phase while protecting sleep as best as we can. Thankfully, and I feel like I can finally say it without knocking on wood, Hayes is a really great sleeper. He started sleeping through the night at 6 months and has ever since (at 12 months now). We’re still on 2-3 naps a day– baby boy loves his sleep just like me!

5. Babies are way more resilient than we think.

You worry about every little thing (hi, first-time mom here), but babies are so adaptable. Hayes has taught me not to sweat the small stuff. He’s so much stronger, tougher, and more adaptable than I give him credit for.

6. Taking care of yourself makes you a better mom.

In the newborn stage, it was difficult to find time to get out of the house on my own. I felt l guilty sneaking in a pedicure, getting my hair done, or doing a workout. But filling my own cup—whether it’s training, getting sunlight, or simply taking a quiet minute—makes me a more patient, present mom. The balance matters. Once his naps became regular and our work schedule was more normal, it was much easier to get other things done. Like 7-9 months later, when we finally got some more help with Hayes during the work week, it became a lot more doable.

7. You’ll Google (and ChatGPT) things you never thought you would.

Let’s just say: my search history is wild. “Are tiny black strings in baby poop normal?” (it’s from banana btw lol). “How much grass-fed liver can babies eat?”. “Is it actually okay for babies to sleep on their tummies?”. The rabbit holes are real. I’ve learned to balance researching with trusting my gut. And honestly, some of my best advice has come from my community and mom friends online (and Instagram reels)! The most important things I learned during my baby’s first year did not come from books or internet rabbit holes, but from my community.

8. You become so much more patient.

I don’t know if everyone experiences this, but I can confidently say I’ve become way more patient since having Hayes. Your priorities shift so dramatically that everything else takes a backseat. Do I have a work deadline due tomorrow? Oh I’ll work after bedtime so I can spend all the time with Hayes. Does the house look like a mess but Hayes and I had the best day ever together? Worth it. Running 20 minutes late? Not so much phased about it. The little things don’t feel as big anymore because nothing is more important than being his mama.

9. No one knows your baby like you do.

Advice comes from everywhere—friends, family, strangers, social media. Some of it is so helpful. I’ve actually learned an insane amount of helpful tips while pregnant and all throughout his first year of life! We only read 1 baby book, Baby Wise, which helped with his sleep habits. I used the internet for everything else; and some of it is just noise. I’ve learned to take what serves us and confidently filter out the rest. Like his first birthday cake. I felt weird for not using real sugar-filled icing. But, my gut was telling me that after just 6 months of solid foods, it probably wasn’t the best time to test out a sugar crash. I’ve read a lot about limiting added sugars for the first 1,000 days of life to reduce the risk of developing certain diseases later on in life, not to mention affecting taste buds early on.
Here is the link to my homemade cake recipe I made for Hayes on his birthday.

10. Milestones don’t need to be rushed.

I get it’s easy to compare when you see other babies doing things earlier or differently. But babies move at their own pace, and that pace is perfect for them. My focus has truly been on only Hayes! Eevery time he hits a milestone we get so proud and happy for him. It reminds us to celebrate each little step and not wish the time away. They will get there eventually!

11. The small moments matter most.

The giggles, the first “mama,” the way only wants you or dada—all the little things mean everything. You blink and they’re not so little anymore. Bridge and I tell each other every single day how lucky we are that he’s ours. He’s the perfect puzzle piece to our family and it’s hard to think what life was like before him. Hayes makes every moment that much better. I love watching him discover new things, eat his food, and how proud he is of himself for doing little things.

12. You’re always doing better than you think.

There were many days I felt like I could be doing more (mostly with work), or doing things “better.” But looking back, I wouldn’t change a thing. There was so much love, care, and intention in every single day that I was with Hayes.

Embracing Your Baby’s First Year

The first year of motherhood has been the most beautiful, challenging, and fulfilling year of my life. Hayes has taught me more than I ever could have imagined. If you’re just entering motherhood (or maybe you’re right in the thick of it)—just know you’re not alone! And it’s okay to feel all the feelings. The days feel long (in the best way possible), but this year? It flew. I can’t believe all the things I learned during my baby’s first year and I can’t wait to see what comes next.