The Bittersweet Baby Milestones

When They Grow Right Before Your Eyes

Let’s talk about something that can catch you off guard as a mom of littles: the way milestones feel. You expect to be excited when they start doing new things—rolling over, crawling, pulling themselves up, saying "da-da." And you are excited. You cheer, you take the video, you text everyone about how your baby just clapped for the first time.

But no one really tells you about the other side of it, do they? That weird little ache that comes right after the excitement. That feeling of, Wait a second, slow down. I wasn’t ready for this yet.

If you’re feeling that mix of emotions every time your baby does something new—proud, amazed, and maybe a little sad—you’re not alone. That’s just what motherhood is. A constant balancing act of celebrating their growth while realizing they’re leaving behind pieces of their babyhood, one milestone at a time.

The Marathon of the Baby Stage

With young babies—especially if, like me, you’re in the trenches with more than one—parenting feels like a marathon. You’re constantly moving, constantly giving, constantly surviving on too little sleep and just enough coffee. It’s hard to even catch your breath, let alone think about how quickly this stage is flying by.

When you’re in it, it feels endless. The night feedings. The diaper changes. The naps that don’t happen. The nonstop juggling act. Everyone tells you “the days are long, but the years are short,” but in the moment, it’s hard to imagine a day when things won’t feel this intense.

But then something happens—something small, like your baby crawling for the first time or starting to babble—and it hits you. They’re not going to stay here forever.

Why Milestones Feel Bittersweet

When your baby does something new, it’s like a spark. It’s incredible. They’re learning, growing, figuring out how to navigate the world, and you get a front-row seat to all of it. You can see how all those sleepless nights, all those moments of pouring yourself into them, are helping them bloom. It’s the best feeling ever.

But then there’s this other feeling that creeps in right behind it—the realization that they’re moving on to the next stage. And the truth is, once they hit that next stage, they don’t really go back.

The days of them staying exactly where you put them are over the minute they start crawling. The moment they say their first word, the endless baby babbles are no longer all they know how to say. It’s a good thing, of course. You want them to grow. But every new skill, every milestone, is a little reminder that they’re moving forward—and the stage you’re in right now is slipping away.

They’re Growing, But You’re Growing Too

Here’s what we don’t talk about enough: milestones aren’t just for our kids. They’re for us, too.

Think about it. The first time they slept a stretch longer than two hours, you finally got to exhale a little. When they learned to sit up on their own, it freed up your hands for a minute. And when they figured out how to hold a bottle? Let’s be honest—that felt like a personal victory for you too.

Every new skill they learn means you’re growing, too. You’re learning to adapt, to let go, and to trust that they’re becoming more independent—little by little.

But it’s hard, right? It’s hard to let go of being everything to them, even though that’s the whole point of parenting. It’s this strange combination of relief (because let’s face it, you need them to become a little more independent sometimes) and heartbreak (because you know that someday, they won’t need you like this anymore).

It’s Okay to Feel All the Things

I’m just going to say it: it’s okay if every milestone feels a little bittersweet. It doesn’t mean you’re ungrateful for their growth. It doesn’t mean you’re stuck in the past or wishing for time to stop. It just means you love them. You love who they are now, who they were yesterday, and who they’re becoming tomorrow.

It’s okay to be proud of them while missing the version of them that couldn’t crawl away from you so fast. It’s okay to cheer them on while secretly wishing they still needed you for the tiny things—like holding their bottle or wobbling into your arms when they try to stand.

Motherhood is full of these little emotional contradictions. It’s part of the deal.

Soak It In (Even When You Can’t)

Everyone loves to tell moms, “Enjoy it—it goes by so fast.” And while that’s true, it’s also a lot easier said than done. When you’re exhausted, touched-out, and overwhelmed, it’s not always possible to “soak it all in.” And that’s okay.

The beauty of the baby stage is that it’s full of moments you don’t even realize are happening. It’s not just the big milestones like crawling or walking; it’s the way they lean into you when they’re tired, the way their laugh sounds like pure joy, the way their little hands grab at your shirt when you pick them up. Those tiny, quiet moments might not feel like milestones, but they’re just as meaningful.

So if you’re too tired to be “present” for every second, don’t feel guilty. Just know that you’re in it. You’re showing up. You’re giving them everything they need, and that’s enough.

This Stage is Yours

Right now, they’re still in the phase where you’re their whole world. They might not be able to say “Mommy, hold me” yet, but you know that look in their eyes that says the same thing. You’re the one they reach for. The one who knows how to calm them. The one who’s making them feel safe as they start to navigate this big, scary, exciting world.

And someday, they’ll need you in different ways. But this stage—this exhausting, beautiful, messy, fleeting stage—is yours.

So when the milestones come (and they will—faster than you expect), let yourself feel it all. Be proud, be amazed, and if you feel a little sad that they’re growing up, that’s okay too. It just means you’re doing something right.

Because no matter how big they get, no matter how far they go, they’ll always carry this stage with them. And so will you.