My first child was born right at the end of my 32 years. Like all new parents, I was wondering where the baby handbook was and if I was prepared to take care of this helpless little bundle. I was older than most moms at the time, but not at the very flattering geriatric maternal age of 35+. Motherhood was a fun time. He had already had a career and traveled quite a bit. So when my maternity leave was coming to an end, we were lucky enough to be able to stay home and decided not to go back to the office. Fast-forward ten years and I’m sitting here with my one-year-old son. Now I am definitely in the older mother category. You’d think you’d remember what it was like the first time, but nature has a way of glossing over such details.

So what has changed this second time as a new parent? Well, there are more clever baby gadgets, a lot more information on safety and nutrition, and my body is definitely different. Below are 10 things I noticed.

1. I didn’t need a Boppy nursing pillow this time, apparently my breasts have dropped enough to reach my nursing baby on my lap, unfortunately the dark side of having larger breasts from pregnancy.

2. I don’t know what I did without my smartphone back then. Even though I didn’t have it when I was 32, I know that having access to my email, the Internet, Facebook, and those addictive Words with Friends games prevented any postpartum blues with this second baby. I never felt the isolation that sometimes comes with motherhood, when I can read and write about it with the internet in general.

3. I am more tired. Boy, I thought I was tired at 32, I’m doubly tired at 42. Definitely take the time to nap with the baby this time.

4. I am more patient. Maybe because I’m more tired, I feel like I don’t have the energy to rush things. I can read the books over and over or re-stack the cups for the umpteenth time without feeling like I’m going crazy (probably because I’m making moves with Words with Friends or checking email on my smartphone at the same time). weather). This is also probably the second syndrome of the child in which the parents are more relaxed about their expectations from the first time.

5. Baby food comes in disposable bags with resealable lids! Much easier to transport than jars or plastic boxes that once you ripped off the lid, you had to use it. Now they even make children drink directly from them.

6. So many options for baby carriers. When I had my son, I was the strange mother who carried her son in a sling. Now at least where I live you see babies in all sorts of front/back/hip slings or wraps which is really a fashion statement.

7. More organic/natural options for baby food/products. People are becoming more educated about what they’re wearing, and companies are responding. I’m happy to have access to non-toxic baby products and cleaners for my home, more organic food options than ten years ago that didn’t make me look like a radical environmentalist.

8. It is recommended that infants remain rear-facing in their car seats until they are 2 years old or 30 pounds. Ten years ago, we waited until their first birthday as the big milestone to turn them around. For my son, that made all the difference in his happiness in the car. He couldn’t take it any other way. Now, studies show there is a 500% increase in crash survival rates if the car seat is kept rear-facing. Very bad for my daughter. She also hates her seat as her brother, but she will be looking back as long as she can keep it that way.

9. Easy Squeezy Baby Bullet and Feeding Spoon. I put this together because I just have to go back to how clean baby feeding gadgets have gotten. Ten years ago, I had to use a regular steamer and my blender if I made my own food. Now there are dedicated devices. And I love traveling with my Easy Squeezy Spoon, where I don’t have to carry a separate bowl and spoon to feed on the go. Only cover it up if the baby isn’t done.

10. Each child is definitely their own personality. I know we say to each other, don’t compare kids, but you can’t help but comment on how they each hit different milestones at different times. Such a different topic today is weaning. This second baby loves to breastfeed and I have no idea how I am going to wean him. I went bump a year with my first but he would take a sippy cup. She, on the other hand, doesn’t drink well from a cup with a spout, but she likes to drink from a regular cup (and splashes on her forehead, which doesn’t help fill her belly while she goes to sleep). I’ll have to write another post on how I can solve that dilemma.