The big baby milestones—first word! first steps! first smile!—are amazing and worth the wait. But they only account for half of the momentous occasions that new parents can all relate to. In fact, there’s a lot more for newly minted moms and dads to celebrate. As far as we’re concerned, babies aren’t the only ones with notable firsts—new-parent firsts deserve some recognition too. Not only are they a good reminder that you’re not in this alone, but they also help us see how far we’ve all come. Appreciate these small parenting wins and everyday victories with a few laughs (and maybe a box of tissues) and feel confident that you’re really doing it.
1. You left your home in clean clothes and even styled your hair—no spit-up, pajama pants, or messy mom bun about it. Just those dark circles under your eyes to give away your membership in the new-mom club.
2. “Thanks, but I’ll handle this my way.” You can practically hear the applause in your head when you shut down someone giving you unsolicited advice about your baby. Sorry, mother-in-law or nosy stranger on the street, but this mom knows what she's doing.
3. The first time you figure out how to fasten your baby carrier and place your child securely inside it, you feel like you can handle anything parenting throws your way.
4. You see a new mom struggling with getting her stroller through a door or with fresh spit-up on her shirt, and you step in and know exactly how to help. Her grateful “thank you” reminds you that you’re in an amazing community of new parents who look out for one another.
5. That first glass of wine. Or sushi. Or soft cheese. All those things you gave up when you were pregnant and couldn’t wait to welcome back into your life.
6. Your child slept through the night! Sure, you woke up repeatedly to make sure they were breathing and worried something was wrong (and if you’re breastfeeding, your boobs are rock-hard), but you slept! You look and feel like a million bucks thanks to that sweet, sweet, only-mildly-interrupted rest.
7. Your first mom friend is a game-changer. With babies the same age, you have a ton to talk about, and you’re so excited to have someone to text with at 5 a.m. when nobody else is up.
8. When your child makes a face or a noise and you’re on it. You know exactly whether your baby is tired, hungry, cold, or needs a diaper change. Any parent who has held up a crying baby and wailed “What do you want?” knows exactly how big this victory is.
9. That first baby giggle is the best sound in the world. After months of making silly faces and noises to a somber newborn audience, getting definitive proof that your baby thinks you’re funny is a total ego boost. You'll spend the next few days trying to get more laughs.
10. Having an uninterrupted talk, by phone, FaceTime, or in person, with a good friend. Consider it a bonus victory if you talked about something other than your baby.
11. You’ve found a daily routine that works for you and, more importantly, for your little one. After weeks of winging it with a newborn, a schedule means you can plan when you’ll be able to shower and drink a hot coffee each day, and that is gold.
12. You transferred your sleeping baby from the car seat to the crib without waking them up. And then you nearly woke them up by doing a victory dance next to their crib.
13. Your first date night. Even if that date is just picking up takeout and heading home, you and your partner have left the baby and your home and spent time together again. You’ve missed that time. So do yourselves a favor and talk about something other than the baby while you’re out. And no sharing baby pics either.
14. The first time you change a diaper or breastfeed away from home can be nerve-racking. You’ve dreaded it, you’ve avoided it, but when the time comes, you and your baby get through it like champs. Here’s to getting more comfortable going out with your baby!
Related: The Best Breastfeeding Positions (Including the Ones You Haven't Tried Yet)
15. You’re shopping at a place with designated new-parent parking spots, and there’s an open space. Step aside for this new-parent VIP!
16. You wake up on your own. No baby alarm clock. No actual alarm clock either. Just you blissfully opening your eyes when you’re ready to wake up. And that’s what it feels like to be refreshed and ready to face the day. You'd forgotten that feeling, right?
17. You show up on time to an appointment, a playdate, a visit with your family. Not on “parent time,” but actually on time. It’s a miracle. Enjoy it because who knows when that will happen again.
18. Your first time going someplace without the baby. Why do you feel so much lighter? Oh right, because you’re just carrying your wallet, keys, and phone, not a million things your baby might need. Sure, you'll panic a few times thinking you left your infant behind somewhere, but mostly it's pure freedom.
19. When another parent asks you for advice, it can make you feel like an MVP. Whether they’re wondering about your favorite stroller or how you settle your baby down for a nap so quickly, giving another parent advice is a total confidence booster.
20. That first monster blowout is a rite of passage for new parents. Everybody has a horror story and they’re all equally gross and hilarious. We'll spare you any more details.
21. When you’re cuddling with your baby and hear a contented sigh. That’s your baby, and nobody else in the world can comfort them like you can. Yes, the days are long and the years are short, but these moments are magic.
