“Do you know that the human head weighs eight pounds? … Do you know that the bees and dogs can smell fear?” Anyone else remember that adorably cute kid from Jerry Maguire? He actually had more life-impacting advice than you may have realized. Many things in life ‘smell fear’ – babies, the Universe, …you name it!
New first time mamas may be experience extreme self-doubt when doing anything with their babies. Am I holding the baby correctly? Is this how you burp a baby? Am I tapping the back too hard? Is this even working? How in good God’s name am I supposed to hold this bottle? This swaddle is going to stay on? It’s safe? To pacifier or not to pacifier. Why are they crying? Etc. etc. etc…these are all common thoughts and believe me, they are experienced by even the best of them. Something some may not realize, however, is the baby can sense this flustered low confidence in mama and then get even more irritable and cranky in that moment. As inexperienced as you feel, as nervous as you may be, try to muster up the positive thoughts of: ‘I am this kid’s mom; I am strong; I am enough; my love for this child can get me through anything.” These internal thoughts will have an exponential impact on your energy and therefore your baby’s reaction.
Similar to bees, dogs, and now babies, smelling (or better yet sensing) fear, the Universe can do the same. The energy we put out into the Universe will match the energy we receive back. If we live our daily lives full of anxiety, consistently worried, always expecting the worse, and in a constant state of fear, the Universe can sense (smell?) that. The minute we change not only our inner thoughts, but also work on our overall mood, we will begin to see a serious change in the world around us.
This state of mind takes time and practice and most importantly patience with yourself as you get there. You may feel like in the beginning you are faking this sense of confidence, and maybe that is the case, but it will soon become a part of your every day, your every move, your every thought…and it will be sustainable because you will notice the difference instantly. Until then, mama, own it. Rock it. Be confident. You’ve got this.
