This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Pampers Pure at Walmart. The opinions and text are all mine.

Inside: Pampers Pure and Pampers Pure Aqua Wipes are now available at Walmart and Walmart.com!

When Being a Mom Makes You Both Nervous and Hopeful

When my son was born he had swallowed some amniotic fluid during birth and, apparently, babies can choke on the mucus and cause harm. After hearing those words from the nurse, it put a boulder-like knot in my stomach.

It felt like a heavy reminder that I was now responsible for a brand new human.

A brand new human with unpredictable needs.

Like needing to suck the amniotic fluid out of his throat…

Who knew that was a thing??

Maybe your story isn’t like mine.

But, I imagine that you’ve been through something like this with your babies too. A time when you felt nervous about taking care of your new baby. I imagine that in the midst of those emotions, you also felt a sense of hope.

A hope that you could and would do everything in your power to help your baby thrive…

That’s why I’m thrilled to be partnering with Pampers Pure from Walmart.com.

See, my story didn’t stop at the hospital.

My son continued to be a fussy, unpredictable baby who was difficult to soothe.

I’m fairly certain that I didn’t sleep for approximately 18 months straight.

But I always held on to hope.

Hope that I was enough for my son.

And, that he would indeed one day sleep. (spoiler alert: he sleeps now)

If you’re just starting out as a Mom or a veteran Mom who’s facing new challenges with one of your children, here’s how you can hold on to hope too…

3 Ways Hope Can Help Calm Your New Mom Nerves

1. Remember that phases have ups and downs, but there’s often a turning point

The best advice that I ever received about surviving the first year with my baby was this: expect that everything will change every few months.

If you’re feeling like life is good and you’ve figured everything out? Expect it to change.

Are things are terrible and you’re barely holding on? Expect it to change.

I know, I know…

That might not be the most comforting advice!

BUT the more we can accept that change is a constant variable during our baby’s first year of life, the more we can learn to roll with the punches and adapt, the good AND the bad.

2. Products are constantly evolving and, generally, that’s to our benefit

Remember how I said that I was thrilled to be partnering with Pampers Pure from Walmart.com?

Well, when I brought my son home, he spent the entire night awake and screaming. Literally, we slept maybe 45 minutes. His little belly was inflamed, red, and it was clear that he was in pain. While doctors found nothing “wrong” with my son at the Doctors, I had to be so careful about what products I used on my son’s new skin.

He was sensitive to EVERYTHING and if things didn’t feel quite right for him, it meant that no one slept at all.

That’s why I love that Pampers Pure protects baby’s skin without 0% chlorine bleaching, fragrance or parabens. Not only that, they’re clinically proven hypoallergenic and are made of cotton and soft, plant-based fibers and other thoroughly selected materials. When you top that off with Pampers-level softness and up to 12 hours of leak protection, you can see why I’m thrilled about this product!

Up to 12 hours of leak protection equals SLEEP!

Hop over to Walmart.com to grab Pampers Pure Diapers and Pampers Pure Aqua Wipes. I mean, they even qualify for free shipping once you spend $35. (that’s one box of diapers and one 6-count box of wipes!).

Hello, savings and cuteness. (see pic below for the cute corgi’s on the diaper print!)

Always, always keep an eye out for new products like Pampers Pure at Walmart.com.

The market is always evolving, and many times, it is to your baby’s benefit!

3. I may not be doing it “right” but I’m doing what’s best for me and my baby

Bottle feed or breastfeed? Baby-led weaning or purees first? Co-sleeping or crib?

There are so many options, it’s a bit overwhelming.

While it might feel like there’s a “right” choice, there really isn’t. There’s only the best choice for you and your baby.

And, guess what?

Those choices may change and evolve as your baby grows. Co-sleeping may work for a while and then it doesn’t. Or, maybe you breastfeed for a while and then move to the bottle.

Don’t be afraid to “break the rules” and do what feels like the best choice even if it’s not what you thought you would do.

The first year is demanding and often times darn right grueling. It doesn’t feel like it now, but it’s also fleeting. When you look back, you’ll want to be able to say – you know what, I made the best decision that I could for us.

And, that’s the secret…

This first year with your baby?

It’s no longer about pregnancy or postpartum or just you or just your baby. Nope.

Instead, it’s all about learning to live life for the first time as “us.”

And, that shouldn’t make you feel nervous at all. That should fill you with tremendous hope, don’t you think?

A big thank you to Pampers Pure from Walmart.com for sponsoring this post and for dreaming up a better product for our babies.