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Being a new parent is an extremely exciting yet chaotic time. While running on little to no sleep to ensure that their new family member is well taken care of, moms and dads try to adjust to their new lives as quickly as possible. Simple things like finding the time to take a shower become incredibly challenging, but little things like seeing your baby smile become what you live for.

If you know the joys and struggles of being a parent, we’ve got a list down below that you might find painfully relatable. We took a trip to the Beyond the Bump subreddit and gathered some of their most spot-on memes about bringing a new member into the family. Enjoy scrolling through these pics, and be sure to upvote the ones that make you feel seen!

#1 Intention vs. Reality

Image credits: stickstickli

#2 6 Months Pregnant With My Third And Just Remembered This Fun To Come In The Hospital

Image credits: selfdepricat

#3 I’m Still In The Potato Phase But This Gives Me Hope Lol

Image credits: bessbell

Welcoming a baby into your family is one of the most exciting things a couple can do. The choice to start a family is a big one, and after 9 months of anticipation, couples are over the moon when they finally have a living, breathing, adorable little child cradled in their arms. But as beautiful as the miracle of life is, welcoming a baby into the world certainly isn’t easy.

The majority of new parents lose between 1 to 4 hours of sleep per night during their child’s first year, which can take a huge toll on their mental and physical health. This can make moms and dads less alert, more irritable and even more prone to feelings of anxiety and depression. Not to mention the fact that taking care of a little one is a 24/7 job that leaves very little time for cooking, cleaning and of course, relaxation.

#4

Image credits: kofei

#5 Me A Few Hours Ago. By Golly I Think It Worked

Image credits: femmmebot

#6 At 4 Months Postpartum, I Can Confirm

Image credits: bessbell

Some common challenges that new parents might face are lots of crying from their baby and trouble getting the baby to sleep or calm down. Healthy Children recommends that parents try to make sure that they’re well rested themselves and resist the urge to want to be perfect. It can be helpful to connect with other parents to reassure yourself that what you’re experiencing is perfectly normal, and don’t be afraid to reach out for help.

Close friends or family members might be available to come watch the baby for a few hours to let you rest, and if you’re really concerned about your child, you can always reach out to your pediatrician. Despite the fact that 385,000 babies are born every day, being a parent is no easy task. And you deserve to have help and support along the way!

#7 I Like To Confuse Old Ladies

Image credits: Oleah2014

#8 When You Have 2 Under 2… I Can Not Relate More

Image credits: sfgiantsbabe55

#9 Yes

Image credits: coulnotwin

The challenges that come along with a newborn might be different for every couple. Your neighbors might be struggling to get their infant to drink her mother’s breast milk, while your baby’s biggest issue might be crying all through the night.

According to The Bump, being sore, sleep deprived and hormonal are some of the biggest issues that new moms might face. These obstacles will never be easy to deal with, but if you accept that they’re present, you can focus on trying to alleviate them. Don’t beat yourself up for being irritable or emotional, and do everything you can to get some rest.

#10 Those Were The Days

Image credits: AmericanFWoman

#11 Hi, I’m Tired

Image credits: skiddleybeebop

#12 My Day To Day Life Right Now

Image credits: hwelch_jo

New moms might also struggle with how different their bodies look after giving birth. It’s easy to criticize your post-pregnancy body because it might not look anything like how you looked before. And it might never be exactly the same again! But your body is strong, and it’s amazing that you’ve been able to bring a human being into the world. Don’t judge yourself for gaining weight and stretch marks, and don’t feel bad about going a week without washing your hair after the baby’s been born. It may take time to feel like yourself again.

#13 Say It Louder For The People In The Back

Image credits: chrissyteigen

#14 Teach Me ?

Image credits: Pierrekidmia

#15 So True!

Image credits: theglorioushers

Being a new parent can also bring about a lot of stress, as you might often feel like you don’t know what you’re doing. Is it normal for her to make that sound? Am I breastfeeding correctly? Should I be making more noise while she’s sleeping so she gets used to sounds? Try to resist the urge to overthink, and take everything one step at a time.

“I tell new moms to be realistic about what they’ll accomplish when they arrive home with their new baby,” Yvette LaCoursiere, MD told The Bump. “They have three basic tasks: Feed your baby, feed yourself and sometimes bathe one of you.”

#16 With All Of The Posts I’ve Seen About Unhelpful Partners, This Feels Appropriate

Image credits: _linzertorte_

#17 Too Funny!

Image credits: gothmommy13

#18 Who Can Relate?

Image credits: JewelDestination

You might even feel like your baby is a stranger when you have a newborn. Sure, they might have been inside of you or your partner for 9 months, but you’re still not used to having another living creature around. They rely on you for everything, but they can’t easily communicate. You’ll have to learn their language, and if they don’t show many emotions, it can feel difficult to bond with them. The Bump says this is perfectly normal. As long as you’re meeting their needs and showing them love, you’re doing great.

#19 Parenting 101

Image credits: xmarinux

#20 But, Seriously Though

Image credits: inborn_lunaticus

#21 Corp-Orate Shark Do-Do-Do-Do-Do-Doo

Image credits: gr00vygal

Despite the fact that your family has expanded, it’s easy for new parents to feel alone. If your partner is at work while you’re on maternity or paternity leave, you might be home alone with your baby the entire day. And you might feel like your entire identity is wrapped up in your child, so it can feel like you have no time for yourself anymore. The Bump recommends finding a community, perhaps Beyond the Bump on Reddit, to connect with other parents who know what you’re going through. You’re not alone, even if it feels like it at times.

#22 Me When The Baby Can Finally Have Visitors

Image credits: RunRickeyRun

#23 Bumbo Envy

Image credits: OSUJillyBean

#24 Obviously

Image credits: dulfuckyourself

If you’re a new mother who’s experiencing some sadness after welcoming your little one into the world, know that that’s incredibly common. In fact, March of Dimes reports that 80% of new parents say they’ve experienced the baby blues. This typically goes away a few weeks after the child is born, but if you’re experiencing symptoms longer, reach out to your healthcare provider. Postpartum depression is nothing to be ashamed of, and it’s important to get help to ensure you and your baby can be as healthy as possible.

#25 We Can Rebuild

Image credits: LadyJane17

#26

Image credits: clothesline

#27 Always The Recorder

Image credits: bloodywolfeyes

Are these memes reminding you of when your kiddos were babies, pandas? We hope you’re enjoying scrolling through these pics, whether your kids are 30 years old or 3 months old, and please remember to keep upvoting your favorites. Then, if you’re interested in checking out another Bored Panda article discussing parenting, look no further than right here!