I've developed a knack for recognising a first time mother. Maybe it's because I am one myself and I have said all the  same things myself. Ever notice the way a stranger asks you “is it your first?” with a knowing look that suggests they already know the answer. It's a bit annoying, let's be honest. They probably recognise traits in us that they had too though. 

The reality is that we all think that we know it all first time round. Heck, there are parents of five children who have not yet figured it out. It is a learn-on-the-job kind of thing! 

Here are some of the most common things I notice first time mothers saying. Things I said myself but later learned the hard way about...

We can honestly take him anywhere. We come here every Saturday for brunch and he's just happy to suck on a piece of sour-dough.
Just wait love, he's only 10 months. Things can (and probably will) change very quickly in that department. You have my sympathies.

She slept for hours and hours when we got home from the hospital. It looks like we have a sleeper on our hands.
That my friend is called “hope”. Why is it that they do a little sleeping stint just as we get home with them? This is absolutely a false alarm, I must tell you. On the bright side they absolutely could be a sleeper... but not yet! Soz. 

I'm going to have a natural birth. I'm really against pain medication and sure if cave women could do it unmedicated so can I. I was born to do this and I will refuse all pain relief.
I said this. And I meant it too. However upon giving birth I now want a life-size photograph of an epidural on my wall so I can kiss it (and thank it) every day.

I'm going to a ( name of concert, wedding, event) a week after the baby is born. I just know it'll be before my due date. Do you ever just have a feeling?
More of that “hope” stuff. I had it in abundance. Turns out most first time mothers have a feeling they will go early (I did too). Also, even if it was a month later you just never really know how you feel until you have the baby. It took me months to be OK with being away from the baby for a short period. 

I'm not in to hand-me-downs. I prefer for my baby to have things new.
You will feel very differently when those beautiful outfits get worn once. Baby hand-me-downs are an absolute god-send. Hundreds of Euro on clothes that barely see the light of day. 

The word “percentile” is used a lot.
We are fascinated by the charts and standards that our PHN tells us about. This definitely seems to be more of a first time mother obsession. 

Referring to your child’s age in months. “He's 38 and a half months”.

Am I right? 

Written by Tracey Quinn, mummy blogger and staff writer at www.familyfriendlyhq.ie.
Check out her own blog at www.loveofliving.blogspot.ie