23 Things That Take All New Moms by Surprise

Everyone tells expecting mamas how hard the first month is, but you can never really understand exactly how tough it is until you are in the middle of it.

Poop, pee, spit-up, drool, blood? No problem. Heck, we're hardly even fazed when said fluids land directly in our mouths.

My kids are 3 and 5, and I still catch myself staring at them in awe.

Each and every time your kiddo meets someone important in your life, you'll be blown away by how excited you get for that very moment.

Baby clothes. Mommy clothes. Daddy clothes. Dishes. Cloth diapers. Bottles. Burp cloths. Crib sheets. Baby blankets. Pacifiers. Toys. And repeat.

Don't be surprised if you suddenly become wary of flying or uneasy about long car rides. As soon as you have a baby, you suddenly realize how fragile life actually is.

And more than that, how you're totally OK with it.

In the first few weeks (and, for a lucky few, months), newborns are the sleepiest people on the planet. It's OK to still be exhausted, though — sleeping when the baby sleeps is easier said than done.

No, seriously, you literally will not need to use an alarm clock again for (and this is depending on how many kiddos you knock out) at least 10 years.

Your baby's sleep. Your sleep. Daytime sleep. Nighttime sleep. Other people's baby's sleep. The sleep obsession is legit.

Not only for well visits (and by the way, who knew you had to go so much in the beginning?), but also for sick appointments, new-mommy panic moments, and checkups at your ob-gyn.

Worry is another one of those things that you hear about but that is completely impossible to understand until you have your own child to worry about. It starts when it takes your child a few extra seconds to cry after being born and doesn't stop. Ever.

Not necessarily bad, not necessarily good. But as they say, a baby changes everything . . . and that's including your marriage.

Nothing helps you get through that first year better than a few friends who are also new moms. If you don't currently have any, you'll want them. And even seek them out (read: stalk them at mommy-and-me classes) after you get out of your fog.

I'll never forget the moment I held my baby and came to the realization that my mom had the very same feelings of uncontrollable love for me when I was a baby.

It's not as simple as popping out a baby and heading on home. There might not be much in the way of actual postpartum care for moms, but there is a lot of cleaning and healing and, ahem, tending to that does need to be done at home for a few weeks (at least).

After pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding, most of us have no issue with letting it all hang out — and any feelings you used to have about modesty, at least when it comes to your own body, are completely out the door.

Consider your baby your invitation to the parenting club. It's not exclusive, and simply getting an understanding look from a fellow member while your babe is throwing a raging fit at the grocery store is well worth the annual dues.

If your baby is fortunate to have more than one grandmother, it's a blessing, but the grandmothers don't always see it that way. Grandmas are notorious for getting competitive over seeing the baby, buying things for the baby, etc.

Is your beloved dog still a big part of your family? You bet. Do you still feel as strongly in your views that dogs are the same as children? Not so much.

Sure, in the beginning you might feel a little timid about raising a human, but it's amazing how your level of confidence shifts after just a few short weeks.

In the beginning, especially if you are exclusively breastfeeding, you will spend a lot of one-on-one time with your baby. And it's wonderful, but it can also be very lonely.

Oh, the love! This is another one you've no doubt heard about but can never in a million years fathom until you're feeling it for your own child — and it'll take your breath away every single day.