Welcome to another Together In Mamahood interview. With these interviews I aim to serve motherhood realness from the women who understand best… You!
Today I have interviewed Emma Bruce about being mum to her 6 month old girl Charlotte.
Together in Mamahood interview.
1. What’s one thing you said you’d never do as a parent, but have done since becoming a mum?
Use a dummy! I was brought up in a household that didn’t like or use dummies, so it stuck with me and when I thought of the children I may have in the future, I felt strongly against dummies.However, becoming a parent opened my eyes to the fact that babies can’t self-soothe for quite some time and sometimes need an aid to soothe themselves. So, we bought dummies as a last resort and started using them that very same day, because they worked instantly and not only gave Charlotte some relief, but us too!In my six months of experience as a parent, it seems that 90% of people use dummies and that is perfectly acceptable! I would like to phase them out before Charlotte’s first birthday and currently she’s not particularly attached to them, using them mainly to aid falling asleep.
2. What for you is hardest thing about motherhood?
For me, the hardest part of motherhood so far was not being able to breastfeed Charlotte. It was something I knew I wanted to do and I’d been led to believe that breast was best.Sadly, Charlotte just couldn’t or wouldn’t breastfeed and we ended up back in hospital because of it. We tried everything and had the support of a breastfeeding expert, but it just wasn’t meant to be, so we switched to bottle feeding with formula.My views on breastfeeding have changed immensely and I now strongly believe that fed is best!
3. How much of a routine do you have?
Yes, we have a really good daily routine that we stick to pretty firmly. Charlotte wakes around 6:30am, has feeds at 7am, 11am, 3pm and 6:30pm, naps at 9am for 1-2 hours and 1pm for 1-2 hours and is asleep in her cot by 7pm. We are very lucky to have had such a settled baby overnight!Once we introduced the naps, Charlotte was a much happier baby! And it meant that we could actually tick a few things off our to-do list whilst she napped.Once Charlotte has dropped a bottle feed, her mealtimes will slowly change to coincide with our own mealtimes but we are confident that she will still be in bed by 7-7:15pm.
4. Tell me something that has surprised you about being a mother?
It has surprised me just how challenging being a parent is and also how one day can differ so much from another. For example, you could have an amazing day where everything just goes to plan and the next day you could be feeling totally useless and helpless.
5. Do you think social media portrays motherhood correctly?
I think 90% of people only show the good bits, which is totally understandable but it is refreshing and assuring when people share the bad bits and you feel like you can relate to them and perhaps approach them for advice.
6. What’s your favourite motherhood memory?
I don’t think you can beat hearing them giggle for the first time! But also, those first precious moments with them are just indescribable – Staring in awe at the little person you helped create!
7. How have you changed since becoming a mum?
I don’t feel like I’ve changed much as a person but I’m definitely more confident as a Mama and more assertive!
8. Tell me about your proudest mum moment?
Each milestone achieved makes me so proud! But also successfully creating a routine which works for all of us has made me feel really good.
9. What are you most looking forward to for your little ones future?
There are so many exciting things to come but in particular I can’t wait to see Charlotte getting excited for Christmas, playing at the park, becoming best friends with Wilson (our dog) and just seeing her personality develop!
If you’d like to get involved in a Together in Mamahood interview feel free to email me on clairemacblog@gmail.com or DM me @clairemacblog. I’d absolutely love to hear from you!
During your Together in Mamahood interview you can answer whatever you feel comfortable answering, all I ask is that it’s honest! I wan’t to show the realness behind motherhood & just how hard it can be… Because we don’t give ourselves enough credit for how difficult it can be!
