I remember the first time I heard that phrase after my baby came home.

I was so proud of how far he’d come, and as I rocked him at my 6 week appointment another mom took interest from across the aisle where we sat.

After she asked how old he was, I immediately braced myself for her reaction.

“He’s so small.”

I bristled immediately. I worked so hard to get healthy for him while he stayed in the hospital getting strong enough to come home to us. He was THRIVING.

But because he was small it felt like it was all for nothing.

I think my immediate response was to share how difficult of a birth we had, but the memory is a blur now 5 months later.

I remember her eyes looking somewhat apologetic, but the feeling itself is something that I’ll never forget for as long as I live.

In my era of navigating Postpartum Anxiety and Postpartum Rage, it’s so hard to feel angry over not getting the type of birth you envisioned while also obsessing over your baby’s weight.

He’s hitting every milestone like clockwork, but the pain I feel each time someone comments about his size really takes over everything. Each day I have to make an effort to focus on the now and how happy he is every morning when he wakes up and looks at us with those bright eyes and massive toothless grin.

I know with time the sting will fade, but to any parent reading this…listen up:

That baby is fine.

That baby is HAPPY.

You’re showing up in the best ways you can each and every day and it shows.

All babies grow. You both are doing great.