The Good “Just Waits” No One Tells You About

Everyone loves to warn new moms with those ominous “Just wait…” lines — “Just wait until the sleep regression,” “Just wait until they’re crawling,” “Just wait until the tantrums start.”Honestly? Enough.

Because there’s another version of “just wait” that no one really talks about — the soft, magical, heart-expanding moments that make every hard day worth it. The ones you don’t see on the warning labels of motherhood, but they’re the ones that actually carry you through those foggy newborn nights.

1. Just wait… for the first real smile — not the farting one.

The one where their whole face scrunches up like they’re trying to smile with their entire body. You’ll feel something in your chest crack open in the best way.

2. Just wait… for the first time they actually sleep through the night.

And you wake up wondering if your baby is okay, because it’s been hours. Then you realize: wait, is this… rest?

3. Just wait… for that first belly laugh.

A sound so pure and unexpected it hits you like a jolt of joy and suddenly every cluster-feeding, scream-crying moment feels lighter.

4. Just wait… for the moment they recognize your face.

I mean really recognize you — and their whole body wiggles because they know you’re their person. Nothing compares.

5. Just wait… for when they reach for you specifically.

Not out of reflex. Not by accident. They reach for you. Your heart will drop to the floor in the sweetest way.

6. Just wait… for the peaceful contact nap.

The one where they fall asleep on your chest without a meltdown first, and you sit there breathing them in like it’s your new hobby.

7. Just wait… for the day they discover their hands.

They stare at them like tiny philosophers questioning the universe. And somehow it’s the cutest existential crisis you’ve ever seen.

8. Just wait… for those tiny, sleepy post-feed smiles.

The milky ones — the “I’m snuggly and happy and you’re doing great” smiles that feel like your invisible mom award.

9. Just wait… for the grab-your-finger moment.

Their whole hand wrapped around one of your fingers… that’s the moment you realize you’d fight a bear for this child.

10. Just wait… for the day you get to say, “Oh my god… he’s finally outgrowing the newborn diapers.”

It hits you out of nowhere — he’s growing. You made it through the toughest stretch. And suddenly you’re proud and emotional and maybe crying in Target. It happens.