We both have different ideas about how to be a mother – it’s all about finding a happy medium
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New mothers K-anna and Hannah are among the eight couples being featured in Johnson’s® Baby’s A Parent is Born docuseries, which explores the experiences of parents as they navigate the challenges and joys of the first 12 months of parenthood. Directed by BAFTA Award-winning filmmaker Liana Stewart, the series aims to provide a glimpse into the lives of parents today, documenting their journey one nappy change at a time.
K-anna and Hannah’s journey began six months ago when K-anna gave birth to their son Amos after a successful round of IVF. The second part of the docuseries follows their family life over the past three months, highlighting the challenges of sleep deprivation, breastfeeding, and learning to co-parent as an LGBTQ+ couple. Amidst the challenges, K-anna and Hannah find joy and fulfillment as they navigate the unpredictable world of parenting.
The couple first met while working at a summer camp for children and adults with disabilities in rural Minnesota. Their bond grew through deep conversations under the moonlight, and the skills they acquired at the camp now prove useful in their daily lives as they care for Amos.
Like many new parents, K-anna and Hannah have faced sleep deprivation as one of their major challenges since Amos was born. In episode two of A Parent is Born, they discuss the difficulties they encountered while attempting to let Amos ‘cry it out’. K-anna describes the previous weeks as “a little difficult” as Amos shows signs of sleepiness but refuses to fall asleep. The exhaustion takes a toll on K-anna, leading her to tears. However, progress is being made, and bathing Amos every evening has become part of their sleep routine. K-anna and Hannah have also been following Johnson’s® 3-step routine, which has been clinically proven to help babies and toddlers sleep better in just one week.
Having a child together has brought K-anna and Hannah closer as a couple, fostering growth in their communication. The experience of trying to get pregnant as a same-sex couple required constant communication, and they decided to use a sperm donor who could be contacted when Amos turns eighteen. Hannah reveals that not knowing her own father while growing up influenced their decision. Despite their cultural differences and different ideas about motherhood, the couple strives to find a happy medium between their two worlds.
As LGBTQ+ parents, K-anna and Hannah are finding their own roles in Amos’ life. K-anna has taken on the primary parent role due to breastfeeding and spending more time with Amos while on maternity leave. Hannah acknowledges the unique challenges of being the ‘other’ parent and sometimes feeling inadequate in comparison to K-anna’s efforts. However, witnessing K-anna’s dedication brings her joy, and she realizes the importance of her role as well.
Loneliness is a common experience for new mothers, with studies showing that over 80% of mothers under 30 have feelings of loneliness, and 43% feel lonely all the time. K-anna also experiences moments of loneliness, particularly because her family is far away in the US. However, technology, such as FaceTime, allows her to stay connected with her family and share important milestones with them.
Despite the challenges, K-anna finds moments of joy and peace in her new life as a mother. Simply going out in public and interacting with people outside of her immediate family brings a sense of normalcy to her day. The couple has also formed friendships with the other couples featured in Johnson’s® Baby’s A Parent is Born series.
Looking ahead, K-anna and Hannah are excited for Amos’s first Christmas and his developmental milestones, such as crawling and starting to eat solid foods. K-anna expresses her anticipation for sharing these special moments with her family back in America.
The journey of K-anna and Hannah, along with the other couples in the docuseries, provides valuable insights into the experiences of new parents today. Johnson’s® Baby’s A Parent is Born docuseries aims to support and celebrate new families, drawing on over 125 years of Johnson’s® Baby’s commitment to helping parents navigate the challenges of parenthood.
For more information on Johnson’s® Baby products, visit their website. If you need support with any of the topics discussed in this article, please visit their help and support page.
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“finding a happy medium in motherhood”
