25 Things I WISH I Knew Before Having A Baby (for New & Expecting Mamas) from a Mom of 4

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[@holyscrapgirl]

I don’t understand people getting so heated up over how other people decorate their own homes. I personally love your style.

[@cinder8290]

I agree. This room is gorgeous.

[@kimalonzo3363]

Im with my mom at hospice and the nurse says she has hours to days left. Please pray anybody. She's a Christian. Last Sunday she was found unresponsive in a rehab facility and rushed to ER. Spent the week in ICU and now is here. Thank you 😢

[@joanneberry5390]

Praying for all in your family.

[@gailhibbs7271]

Sending prayers for your Mom.🙏

[@janicekottmann223]

🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼 Prayers for you and your mom❤️

[@CynthiaBeckett-e9n]

Sending prayers your way

[@KristenHoffman]

Praying for peace, even when we don’t understand.

[@tracyhinson6010]

Love your honest talk. You are beautiful inside and out! Also, your sweet baby cracks me up the way she watches your hands when you talk 😂 so so cute!!

[@ETcallhome]

Lilly cracks me up how she watches Mommy's hand and will even try to get it. She is adorable #4.

[@joycemoody9246]

You’re a wise young woman Kristen. God bless you and your precious family.

[@lisawitte8038]

Thank you Kristen, I wish someone would have been that open with me 25 years ago. I am so sorry people a still being mean. 😢 You do not deserve that!

[@sheliaberry877]

I LOVE watching CUTIE PIE LILLY while you are holding her and talking. She is sooooo precious! God bless you as you continue to be a GREAT MOM to all of your precious girls. 🤩🥰

[@carlabrignac9991]

❤Mom of 3- 40, 39, & 36. I’m 63 . Very few things were discussed or mentioned as part of pregnancy and birth, real talk with your spouse, etc… when I had my children. Thank you Kristen for being real and laying it out there as normal and helping young mommas get through a very beautiful and challenging season . God bless you and your family ❤

[@SusanHorn-n3y]

Agreed, wholeheartedly!

[@KristenHoffman]

It is such a beautiful and challenging season, isn't it?

[@JanetOffutt-qg4tl]

My firstborn was at 20 years and my Mom was 39 years old when she became a grandmother. She still had two children at home but she made time for her grandchild, she had a lot of energy left for my two daughters.❤❤

[@francesmcintyre5810]

You say it like it is and you are real. Who could not like you? If they don’t like it, don’t watch. I will!

[@jaytimmons4041]

I am 55 and a mother of three. I had 3 babies by the time I was 21. No one had talked to me about sex I wish someone had said things before and after. I wouldn't change having my children for a moment but I did talk to my children by the time they were 12 and my daughter at 11. Women should talk to each other and help when we can. Thank you for sharing! It will help women

[@ETcallhome]

Who wants same old, same old.

[@redmaplecottage]

Thanks for sharing your experiences for new moms. I’m a grandmother now and I tried to share enough with my daughter to inform with honest information but not to scare! My mom shared nothing and never offered to help. With my first I was alone and scared, discouraged and thought I was doing everything wrong. I didn’t even use pacifiers because my mom’s opinion was that was wrong.

[@jennifercline7843]

Very interesting video. I'm 59, so past having children and I personally didn't want any. But I care so much about our kids in society, that I feel the people who really want kids should be the ones to have them. Children need people like you who love raising the people of our future. On that note it was interesting to learn what Mothers go through having kids. I felt like you gave valuable information to those looking forward to starting a family. Women need to know the reality of the process since it seems like you really don't hear that much about. You are a wonderful loving Mother and doing a great job.

[@deborahpalm7657]

Your tips are spot on. Thank you for the time you took on this topic and sharing. One additional thing that some women think about nursing. You can get pregnant again while you are nursing. Nursing is not a contraceptive.

[@SusanHorn-n3y]

What a great and informative video! How I wish that I had heard this 33 years ago. Back then, there was info, but it felt like I was so alone and struggling with how to deal with some of these issues. Power through and be the perfect mom was the message I felt was out there. Especially after having twins with sleep issues. . . God was my strength and helper. You’re doing a wonderful job, it seems to me. Best wishes to all of the young moms and families out there. It’s all worth it!

[@ritaconnell41]

What a wonderful presentation! So down to earth, grounding and specific. Not a mom myself, but went through all the stages with my sister, also a mother of four. She died 3 yrs ago of complications of breast cancer. Her birthday was a couple of days ago. Her family goes to the local art museum in her honor every year on her birthday. All 17 of them. You may not realize the precious memories you’re actually making for your family. Blessings to each of you who are literally creating the next generation.

[@KristenHoffman]

I am so sorry for your loss. What a beautiful way to honor her memory.

[@LindaParra-kr4kl]

You are so precious and generous with yourself and your information. Invaluable and a wealth of knowledge you are💖

[@marynettleton687]

Hi Kristen, you hit all of the marks on this one great job. You have a beautiful family. 👍🫶🏻

[@labuenavidaes]

Yes yes yes! If you are married, and are physically able to, please consider having children sooner rather than later. It will change your life for the better!! And like Kristen said, there is a difference between having a child in your twenties and in your thirties and even fourties. Childbirth takes a toll on your body and your brain and the older you are the harder it is to recover. Having children is a blessing and not a curse like society is painting it these days. Your life is not over when you have kids, in fact your life will not truly start until you have kids. I said what I said. I know there are some women out there that can’t have kids or that can’t find a husband, I get it. But they are the very few. For the rest of you, please take family seriously and children as a blessing. They truly are a blessing from the Lord.

[@amysackett4377]

Your baby is soooo cute❣️I really enjoy seeing her on your videos. I am a grandma of 3 beautiful grandkids and my youngest is 5 yrs. old…. I miss the stage your baby is at….you are a beautiful person, Kristen! May the Lord continue to lead & guide you in all your future endeavors. With love from Hawaii🏝️❤

[@amyjordan-eitelberg668]

I do not understand why people hate your nursery? It is so beautifully put together, sweet and cozy. ♥

[@KristenHoffman]

Thank you! It’s so sweet of you to say that.

[@kristinparker957]

If you mentioned it I missed it, but something I wasn't prepared for were night sweats. I only had them with my second baby, but it was like 4 months-it's from breastfeeding and hormones. But it was not something I expected.

[@katararose8724]

Words of wisdom, well thought of, well spoken, and 1000% true❤😊

[@paulamcquade488]

My kids had to be on my schedule. They absolutely survived. My friends let the kids run the schedule. Their kids survived, too.

[@CynthiaReid-j3d]

Yep!

[@maryannkilduff8659]

Your sweet baby girl, I can't!! She is so very precious. I agree 100% with all of this, I nursed all 4 of mine and after the 1st couple of months it was a breeze. I fed on demand and never woke a sleeping baby, oh no!! You are an amazing and incredible Mom, God bless you and your beautiful family!! ❤

[@savannahhulse6092]

Thank you for sharing this! I'm due with my first in April and found this to be so helpful and uplifting. I also appreciate you sharing your faith and being honest and genuine about who you are

[@KristenHoffman]

I'm so glad it was helpful!

[@kailinngillen2334]

Congratulations ❤🎉

[@mariajones1931]

I love that you said that about a messy house. I posted a clean with me video and 2025 goals. People commented how my house was messy and made mean comments. So i deleted it because I really didn't want to hear people tell me I was lazy. It made me feel horrible. When my daughter is awake she wants my full attention, only child who doesn't like to be alone, and that is hard to clean with and have my own personal time. And I'm an introvert so me time is very important. But Im so glad you said that. Thank you!

[@ourhomeonlawrence]

Oh Maria!!! I am so sorry that happened! I will never understand why the internet can be so mean. It’s hard enough to put yourself out there…and then to have people in the comments be so terrible. You don’t deserve that! You are doing such a great job with channel….all while carrying for your sweet little girl. She deserves your time and attention more than mean people on the internet. Sending you lots of love!! 💕

[@mariajones1931]

@@ourhomeonlawrence thanks so much for that. You're so sweet!

[@YvonneMarieElliott]

Thank you for this!!! What a blessing

[@KristenHoffman]

I'm glad you found it helpful!

[@delinayoungs3988]

Sweetie you and your content is just fine ! Some of these women who have the nerve to say horrible things need to just be blocked and go away and get a life !

[@wv9459]

I love your content! I’m pregnant with my first and sooo excited. Thank you for these tips

[@KristenHoffman]

Congratulations!!!

[@paulamcquade488]

Also, do you remember how uncertain you were in the beginning? God has been able to be so powerful through you! What a great video!

[@KristenHoffman]

Yes! Thank you!

[@mc5366]

Kristen, thank you for talking about these female issues that no one tells you as a new mom 🤍💜

[@sheilapellicane8507]

Rosie is so happy today smiling away!!! She's really a doll! I had a natural birth with one and c-section with the other, I gotta say I was so fortunate with both! I had an hour and a half of labor with each child. I liked the c-section better lol because I wasn't sore down there. I was a very young mother age 21 so maybe that helped but for me childbirth was a breeze! I know that is not the story for so many. You gave some good advice Kristen!

[@sharonalbright1334]

Hi Kristen, thanks so much for your honesty! My contractions after birth were felt from breastfeeding. Maybe that’s the same as you’re describing as pain. The skin gets so irritated afterwards for sure! We love our kids, but taking care of them is tiring! True statement about sacrificial love! Love that sweater on you! Thanks for sharing!

[@EkaterinaDegtiareva]

Thank you for being so honest! I'm so happy to find your channel!

[@deborah3055]

Hi Kristen I’m 70 years old and have three grown children. I remember each one of their births like it was yesterday. I can relate to the taring it only happened with my first baby I was 20 years old and scared to death. This is a wonderful video especially to young moms. Thanks for sharing. 💕

[@NancyFuller-wj6pj]

Hi Kristen, I'm 78 years old, been married 58 years and have two grown daughters, two grown granddaughters and one great grandson. I was married at nineteen and husband twenty four. My children both were planned, one at 22 and the other at 27. I said, all this to say I knew I wanted two children and I wanted them before I was thirty. I have enjoy having my girls at a younger age and I still enjoy all my family very much. Rest when the babies rest. Enjoyed you video!!!!

[@karenjackson594]

I had 4 babies and I am now 61. The tearing I had with my first one, I had no idea about how to breath or any of that, and when I nursed my nipples got engorged with the first 3 with fevers and the pain was horrible but I did push thru it and eventually it went away. I also cannot lift anything heavy or run or jump without leaking so I have to always wear a pad. I didn't start leaking until my youngest was 2. My first 3 were bigger babies and my first husband would not let me get any epideral so it was really bad. Those are a few of the the negatives but the positives are those 4 special babies that are so loved and precious, I would do it all over again. I always enjoy your videos Kristen. I love that you are a christian mom doing what is right for your girls. I look forward to your next video.

[@denisejones1863]

I'm sorry, your husband should not have the decision on your medication on delivery. I'm living separate from my husband because he felt he had control over me in all things. That is not Christ like love. Some churches really have distorted what being submissive is.

[@sandratagaban5541]

I shared this with my niece. They are expecting their first baby in May.

[@NUllah-ns1lz]

I wish you will become a mother of many children. I am also happy with your audio.❤

[@bridgetteurbano1440]

This video is perfect for me. Just had my first baby 3 weeks ago. A ton of these things I have discovered!

[@nancydroge7682]

Thank you, Kristin! My daughter is 33 weeks pregnant with their first. I hope to share this video with her as it is so well done! P.S. I LOVE the room that you are in! Absolutely beautiful!

[@liddyphillips8423]

Kristen, that was FANTASTIC. Such good advice and points to be aware of. To me, it was being very realistic.

[@KristenHoffman]

I'm so glad you found it helpful!

[@Kirkble-d2c]

Don’t worry too much about the pain from breastfeeding when the milk “ lets down “ -that term is different from the reference of the milk coming in BTW. I always experienced a slight tingling sensation the entire year during let down but never pain with that. There is the kind of pain that happens as the result of a bad latch. So learn what to do when that happens. You don’t want to make things worse by pulling the babies mouth away instinctively or out of reflex. You want to break the seal somewhat FIRST

[@KristenHoffman]

I'm so glad you shared this, I'm sure it will help others!

[@pelizabeth22]

Thank you! I wish I had seen this before I had my first baby over the summer because literally everything you said is true. My biggest regret that I'm still working on has been trying to be super momma, not letting any balls drop with cooking, cleaning, or anything else. Based on my personal journey, I'd add that "fed is best." I experienced D-MER like you did, and my daughter had severe torticollis making it difficult for her to turn her head to breastfeed, so my supply dropped and she spent the first couple weeks starving without us realizing that's why she was crying so much. As soon as I gave up breastfeeding it was like a fog had lifted. Suddenly I could bond with my baby and feel more at home in my body again. And she was a completely different, extremely happy baby. Yes, prepping bottles and tossing them in the dishwasher is work, and it is extremely expensive. But for our little family it was the right choice. Coming to terms with society's expectations vs our individual reality can be hard (I still tear up whenever doctors ask if I'm BF because I never imagined myself not doing it), but it's something we have to do time and time again as a mom.

[@KristenHoffman]

It sounds like you've been through a lot, and I'm glad you found something that works for you and your family!

[@sandracreates775]

Thank you for sharing this, please make more videos about this topic, more about what you should know when you are newly pregnant and growing a healthy baby, staying healthy etc. Love your Chanel and your home. 💖

[@joaniel9562]

She looks so much like her dad What a cutie

[@GinKirk7256]

Both Lily and Rosie look like their daddy.

[@kyliegoodwin227]

You are such a beautiful person and I love how real you are! So in touch with reality and yet so lovely ☺️ 🤍

[@KristenHoffman]

Thank you so much!!

[@debrademedici864]

Wonderful tips !!!!! They do grow up and you blink and there adults … enjoy them !!!

[@JeanWalker-u4e]

Kristen, you are doing a great job! Give yourself grace! I so enjoy watching your channel!

[@KristenHoffman]

Thank you so much!

[@ruthie1967]

I love love love your nursery. ❤

[@TonyaSchoeff-sl9px]

Beautifully said.

[@KristenHoffman]

Glad you think so!

[@lisadolan6469]

Love you Kristen. Great video. And thanks for sharing your beautiful family with us ❤

[@GinKirk7256]

Every single time my milk let down, it hurt like heck, and I nursed seven years of my life! 15 months with my twin sons, 18 months with my eldest daughter and 4 1/4 years with my youngest daughter.

[@mkp8942]

Well said. God bless you and Lilly is so precious

[@sheilavanduynfote5539]

A great informative video for Moms❤❤❤❤

[@dianathorellana6622]

Great video, very informative and real. I’d just like to ask for prayer. We are trying to conceive and it’s been a bit harder for us. We trust God can do anything and are asking Him for this blessing ❤

[@KristenHoffman]

I am so sorry to hear that, praying for you.

[@marybooth1361]

Kristen-😂 you are hilarious and I just love how real you are. Lilly and all of your girls are darling. God bless you all

[@joannpilgrim1425]

Great words of wisdom to new and not so new moms.

[@Velaya818]

We hat a great video!! Super inspiring! 🙏

[@KristenHoffman]

I'm so glad you liked it!

[@ETcallhome]

The picture over the bed is lovely.

[@florencecavallaro4599]

HI KRISTEN//You are a great Stay At Home MOM/for sure/you take such great care of your children/FOUR/wow/so young/you are so very smart for getting everything done young/some people do not do things the right way//but you have done a great job/great mom/a great friend on the internet to have/you cook /clean /bake/love your family//you have a beautiful home//always doing different something different in your home//God Bless you//

[@lailayen765]

You are a very good communicator, Kristen

[@mt1885]

hey girl- You are one smart cookie Kristen❤Love ya. Thank you for sharing this with everyone🥰 Have a blessed week

[@KristenHoffman]

I’m so glad you liked it!

[@joaynesullivan2228]

Praying for your mom🙏

[@Gapmom2019]

I had two babies in my early twenties and a third when I was 41. Sooo much harder!! Now I’m 46 and my son is 5 with a ton of energy and a 7 month old grandson lol. It’s exhausting haha

[@ruthannwampler6179]

Love all your videos. You are loved by many

[@KristenHoffman]

That means so much to me!

[@kait9445]

Here for the mom content!

[@nancyrisner1206]

I love your house! Your house is beautiful!

[@KristenHoffman]

Thank you!

[@nancyrisner1206]

@KristenHoffman You are more than welcome. I feel that if people don't have any thing nice to say, they need to stay silent.

[@kampitakimaria4445]

Amazing video with so many truths!!!

[@Misty-xv5vo]

Enjoy them while there little they grow up fast.

[@lisaaamoun3520]

I sent this to my pregnant daughter. Great info.

[@KristenHoffman]

Thanks for sharing!!

[@margaretpervier8357]

You are so pretty, funny, and wise😊. I wanted children, but did not want to birth them. Sometimes I regret my decision. You’re the best!😊❤

[@shaunnarochelle]

i enjoyed this 😊

[@robinalexander8429]

Keisten, I will be 64 in a few months and I breastfed my 2 children, but you spoke about the milk "letdown". have 2 "etdown" stories, unfortunately both happened at CHURCH! We had a young age church mostly newlyweds and young married, so we had 12 babies 1 and under in our baby nursery, and one Sunday I was chatting with some men and women after church and I had a BEAUTIFUL lavender dress on, and suddenly a woman my age touched my arm and looked at my :front" and my milk had let down and I had 2 HUGE wet spots ON mt dress. I went to the baby nursery bathroom and my husband ( fortunately) ran the few blocks home and got me fresh clothing.... another time a baby in the nursery began crying ( it wasn't my child) but I was sitting in the back row and I was able to get to restroom as my milk letdown!!! The tearing is REAL! I needed episiotomy with each of my boys because they came quickly.....Sex after episiotomy and MENO are a totally dofferent animal!!!!

[@pattyredden5123]

I just love you and your family may God bless you all

[@aileenjackson1706]

Your baby is adorable

[@carolyngrotaers4454]

Lily makes me laugh with her facial expressions.

[@tonjaduncan0315]

Great advice!!

[@VirginiaOrtiz-b9q]

Yes, yes, absolutely you need the rest. I know there are so many things that you need to get done. Children need to take naps up until five and It's for the health and sanity of the mom's. Good for you for breastfeeding your babies. I breastfed my babies and loved it. You can't get that closeness from a bottle.❤

[@sherrijacks6215]

Well Sweet Girl, WONDERFUL YOU, for sharing Information that will Help So Many other new Mothers! Great Job Kristen! (Wish I had known 1/2 of these things...as if it were a bad thing, something to be ashamed of, when I had my daughter...🙄😳)❤

[@KristenHoffman]

Thank you! I'm glad you found it helpful.

[@NancyHanes-c7c]

Thinking back, every bit of this!

[@kcnordman]

Kristen, I love with a love of a thousand loves you, your precious girls, and your home. May the peace of Jesus be with y'all! 🌷🩷🌷🌻

[@susanschuck8124]

Great video! I had my 3 by 24 years of age. It was fabulous. Everything you talked about was on point. Don’t be upset with me but as a grandma of 11 here i go giving my advice. Is it ok for Lily to sleep with her beautiful headband on? I worry it could slip down her head! Kristen I can’t wait for your videos to come on. You are the best one I follow. Thank you for sharing and all 25 are perfect suggestions/advice.🥰 I breast fed and yes my toes curled for the first 2 months but it was the best bonding time and I loved every minute of it!

[@Lou-y9u]

Something I was told after having baby number five (after a bad week of crying )is babies have free will just the same as us and they can cry just because they want to cry there doesn’t have to be a reason. We will do it at some point so why not a baby? It sounds silly, but I never actually thought of it like that until I was told it.

[@TheBowmanChapters]

100% on the peeing the pants!! I did the trampoline thing and peed myself too and ran in to pee and came back out to jump and nope I peed again! 😂 the struggle is real.

[@pamelabell5897]

I'm Praying For Kim's Mother, Kristen I Love The Way You Decorate You'r Home🏡 Please Don't Listen To Them People 🙏

[@gloriaprimeau7318]

❤ love all your content

[@Wirginia-v3b]

You have beautiful house and i agree with everything you said. Big hugs from The Czech Republic 😊

[@diancrosby202]

I had afterbirth pains, too. Bad!

[@nancyhanna1556]

I love your content!

[@sarahsegree2542]

I just want to add that we recently took in a foster child and while this is our fifth it has been the hardest adjustment of any of our children. I wish my church and our friends would have offered the same amount of help as when we had our own, biological babies. This adjustment was sudden and drastic and meant adding a child who we didn’t know into our established family. Just my thoughts…😊

[@KristenHoffman]

That is a great point. It's so different welcoming a child into your family when you have time to prepare versus when it is more sudden.

[@tonistanton2574]

Great video!

[@pamelab1175]

My daughters are both grown. One has seven kids of her own. The other has fur babies. But she does have one of my granddaughters and her baby staying with her. He just started daycare. He now has an ear infection. He’s six months old, and a sweetheart. I didn’t breast feed either one of my girls. With the first one I had what was called toxemia, it’s preeclampsia now. I ate two tacos and gained three pounds. And my blood pressure was really high. So the first one was induced. And I hadn’t been able to eat anything it’s salt for a month or so before I was induced. All I could think of was eating a pizza. So I didn’t want to watch everything I ate to breast feed her. The second one was so easy. She came ten days late. I went to the hospital and she was born forty minutes later. I had mostly back pain. No hard contractions. But I still bottle fed her too. My husband was laid off work when she was born. So he would go get me a bottle and I just fed her then put her back in the bassinet. I had both my girls by the time I was 22. I had my tubes tied at 23. The doctor didn’t want to do it. But I didn’t want to be on birth control. And I knew I did t need anymore kids. I am the youngest of seven. And my mom had me at 37. My oldest daughter has all the kids. She was a grandmother at 44 and she had a two year old at the time. I have grandkids from 26 to 3. And two great grandsons who are both little.

[@marshalawson6481]

Great advice.

[@AcC7314]

Well said! All of it! 😊

[@phyllisanngodfrey6137]

I’ve heard that nursing helps your uterus shrink back to normal size…but, with that in mind, since you nursed your babies, the cramps may have been stronger because the shrinking was speeded up 🤔………great crib mattress 👍🏻

[@denisebland4628]

You're awesome! Good job

[@KristenHoffman]

I'm glad you like it!

[@ETcallhome]

Coming from a grandma, the sooner you have a baby, the sooner Grandma may be able to help and the longer they can have them in their life.

[@NancyMckenna-zt7eu]

My daughter just had her seventh child at age 44. Ages 19 down to 2 months! I don't know how she does it!🤪🤪🤪

[@debragracerobin]

Very wise words