Maternal Insights: Q&A with Katy Jenkins in the Mummy Spotlight

We are shining the spotlight on Mums because we think they are all amazing!

We asked Mum of one, Katy, some questions on family life and the joys and challenges of motherhood. 

How has motherhood surprised you?

I have surprised myself; I was always nervous before having Parker, it was the thought of being responsible and looking after someone so tiny. However, after the whirlwind of the first few weeks which all seems a blur now, I feel like I know him and I am more confident with him. So far, we have been really lucky and Parker is a content baby, the nights have not been as challenging as I thought they would be ‘yet’ I say yet because I am sure that will change. I would say I got less sleep in the last few months of pregnancy due to waking up and needing to go to the bathroom every hour and being unable to get comfortable. 

What is a typical day like for you and your family?

At the moment the typical day is not how I would like it to be due to me breaking my leg when Parker was 4 weeks old, thankfully it is healing well and I will be able to take Parker out more. Right now, our typical day is Daddy heading out to work in the morning and we stay upstairs whilst Parker has his morning snooze. I can get the washing folded,  catch up on messages/emails and get ready for the day. When he wakes up, we have been watching the Olympics in bed together for about half an hour then we head downstairs, choose an outfit form his nursery and get Parker ready for the day. If it wasn’t for my broken leg, I would likely go for a walk every day and meet up with friends and their children but at the moment Parker has time in his swing, on his play mat, tummy time, cuddles with Mummy and he loves sensory toys/cards too. It is always a challenge cooking and cleaning throughout the day as he likes to Nap on me but we manage. Once Daddy gets home from work, we have dinner (sometimes not together only if Parker allows it) and every other night we will Bath him, which he enjoys. We plan to head up to bed around 8pm, after taking our dog for a walk and Parker to get some fresh air. He has his last feed and most nights he has been sleeping very well, we have been extremely lucky so far. We get up and do the same thing the next day. I am really looking forward to getting out and doing more with him. 

What is the biggest challenge when it comes to motherhood?

My biggest challenge has to be the Mum guilt I always wonder if I am giving him enough attention or is he being stimulated enough. I feel guilty when I put him in his swing just so I can get a few jobs done around the house or feed myself. He seems content so I assume he is happy with our routine. Learning to work as a team with your other half and adjusting to your new routine can be challenging. It can take a little while to get in to the swing of things. We eventually realised that both of us as parents are doing full time jobs whether that is looking after Parker or going out to work, we are both worn out at the end of the day. I don’t see looking after Parker as a job but it can still be a long challenging day but I am loving it so far. 

What is the biggest joy?

My biggest joy is watching him grow and watching all the milestones. I cannot believe how fast it all goes, the best joy for me is him smiling and more so in the mornings he just looks so happy and it makes me feel like I am a good Mum and doing a good job because he is so content. 

Best piece of advice you have been given or would give to a new mum?

My advice I would give to a new Mum is don’t compare yourself or your baby to others. Every baby is different and everybody is different. You come across Women that bounce back after birth, you have women that it takes longer, every postpartum recover is different. You see women that make breastfeeding look easy, you see women that struggle. I often compare Parker to other babies and wonder why he doesn’t do this or that like that baby who was born the same week, they all catch up eventually. I often question whether I am a good Mum and whether Parker loves me.  I wonder whether friends & relatives think I am good Mum but it doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks. If your baby is happy, loved & healthy you're a good Mum. Repeat after me ‘I AM A GOOD MUM’ 

Favourite LBL product?

My favourite Little Butterfly London product is the Dewdrops at Dawn baby body lotion. I love a body lotion that doesn’t feel oily, smells lovely and stays smelling lovely and this product does just that. The products for Mum and Baby just look so beautiful a great treat for a New Mum or Mum-To-Be. 

Keep up to date with Katy and her family on Instagram @ivf_got_this_uk