When You Think You’ve Got Motherhood Figured Out… Boom, A New Milestone Hits

Motherhood has a funny way of keeping us on our toes. Just when you think you’ve got a routine down, baby sleeps (kind of), feeding is smoother, maybe you even drink your coffee while it’s still warm; boom, teething hits. Or crawling. Or a sleep regression. These milestones don’t just happen to our babies, they happen to us too. They shake us, stretch us, and remind us that motherhood is one long game of pivot and adjust.

The world loves to celebrate milestones, “first tooth!” “first steps!” “first words!”; but rarely do they mention the emotional toll these changes bring. Teething, for example, isn’t just about a sore gum; it often means cranky nights, disrupted naps, and a baby who seems like a completely different little person overnight. According to the Cleveland Clinic, common teething symptoms include drooling, swollen gums, disrupted sleep, and crankiness; but fevers aren’t actually caused by teething, which is something many of us never realize until our pediatrician mentions it.

And while baby struggles through it, we moms carry the invisible load of worry, exhaustion, and pressure. Research shows that simply adjusting to parenthood is already a massive mental and emotional shift. Add in milestones like teething, and it’s no wonder so many of us feel like we’re barely holding it together.

The hardest part? We’re usually too hard on ourselves. We scroll Instagram, compare our reality to someone else’s curated highlight reel, and convince ourselves we’re not doing enough. But here’s the truth: milestones may knock us down, but moms are wired to rise. Each time we adjust, we show up stronger. Even if we don’t see it in the mirror, our babies do.

That doesn’t mean we don’t need a little help. At Ali + Tings, we design pieces to make these milestone seasons just a little softer. Our Koala Teether is perfect for little hands that want to chew everything, and it doubles as a toothbrush once those tiny teeth break through. For younger babies, our Teething Ring is gentle, safe, and makes a thoughtful shower gift. And for a toy that grows with your child, our Stacking Rings aren’t just fun for learning, they’re also amazing for rubbing sore gums.

So here’s your reminder, mama: yes, these milestones come fast and hard; yes, they shake you to your core. But they also reveal how much you’re capable of. Even on the messy, sleepless, teething-filled days, you are doing a damn good job.

XOXO,

Your mom friend at Ali + Tings