If you’re currently holding your newborn in your arms, you’re probably feeling baffled at how anyone could ever whittle it down to just 10 best things. Sure, they poop a lot and they really put a dent in your sleep bank. But there are so many best things about newborns. Everything about them is intoxicating, from the fluffy hair on their head right down to those perfect little toenails.
If you’re in the midst of the newborn days, you’re probably finding some days easier than others. On the days where you feeling physically and emotionally drained, as you go through the motions meeting the needs of that beautiful baby of yours, but secretly feeling sorry for yourself, this list is for you.
Here are 10 of the best things about newborns:
Best Things About Newborns #1: Their Feet
Softer than the purest silk, and more beautiful than any other sight in the world, newborn feet are just perfect. You have probably already lost hours of your life just stroking those delicate little feet. Those gorgeous feet have never been walked on. Newborns don’t know the feel of sand, or mud or stone beneath their feet, and are all the silkier for it. Stroke them, stroke them now!
Best Things About Newborns #2: Their Scent
The newborn baby smell is arguably the greatest pleasure your nose has ever known. Eau de Babies is an intoxicating smell that leaves you feeling heads over heels in love. Even if it’s not your baby… it’s just such a wonderful smell. Yes, you will one day become the old lady on the street sniffing babies, but don’t worry, it happens to everyone. Once your baby is past the new baby smell phase, you will run up to strangers on the street in a desperate attempt to sniff the head of their newborn.
Best Things About Newborns #3: Their Bottoms
Oh, tiny baby bottoms. Enough said.
Best Things About Newborns #4: The Noises
Newborn babies make the best noises. Not only do they smell great, look wonderful and leave you feeling drunk on love, they also create a soundtrack of cute to accompany their every move. From the snuffles and grunts of feeding, to the tiny baby cries of 4am, and the adorable gasps they make when they breathe.
Best Things About Newborns #5: Their Hiccups
This noise deserves its own category. Because there is nothing — seriously, nothing — cuter than a newborn baby with hiccups. Yes, you might feel worried for him, and it’s the first time it’s happened, you might immediately ring your midwife. But after that, you’ll be able to appreciate just how adorable it is. Especially when you take a moment to appreciate not only the sound, but the look of surprise on his beautiful face after each hiccup.
Best Things About Newborns #6: Their Facial Expressions
When you are tiny and brand new, the whole world is completely new. Just imagine the facial expressions you might make if you ended up on a whole new world unlike anything you had experienced before! The absolute best newborn facial expression is probably ‘the turtle’, newborns pull this face when trying to lift their head up and peer up at you, like a tired turtle peeking out of his shell. Newborn babies also have great surprised faces, wide eyed with mouths wide open. And their lip smacking faces are pretty adorable too.
Best Things About Newborns #7: Their Sleep
Not the fact they don’t do it at night, obviously, that sucks. But, when they are asleep, they are the most beautiful thing in the world. The closed eyes and beautiful long lashes of a newborn are a sight to behold, not to mention the cute long sighs they do in their sleep. So precious. Don’t mention it out loud though, because you might wake them.
Best Things About Newborns #8: They Sleep On You
This might not feel like it belongs on the best list at 3am when you’re exhausted, have a dead arm and really need to pee. But at 3pm in the afternoon, when you’re snuggled up on the sofa with a slice of cake and an episode of your favourite show on, there is nothing better than holding your newborn in your arms. Go on, breathe in that intoxicating scent.
Best Things About Newborns #9: The Way They Make You Feel
There’s no confidence boost in the world quite like that of knowing that you created from scratch, grew, birthed and nurtured a baby. Really, what could be more important than all of that? You have done something amazing, and your newborn baby is living proof of that. Holding your baby in your arms reminds you that you are Wonder Woman and have done something to be very, very proud of.
Best Things About Newborns #10: They Love You
Totally and utterly, unconditionally, and with every fibre of their being, newborns love their parents. In fact, until around six months of age, babies don’t even understand the idea of being a separate person. Your baby thinks he and you are one! He remembers your voice from when he was snuggled up in your uterus, and he loves the smell of you. You know how you are blown away by just how much you love your baby? Well, guess what, that’s how much he loves you and being in your arms.
What do you think is the best thing about newborns? If you could pick your favourite, what would it be? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!
