creative writing newborn baby

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Nici West is the founder of Mummy Writes : inspiring creativity, connection and community for new mums. In this Pocket Guide, she shares her tips on how you can be creative during newfound parenthood…

Welcome to the world little one! Goodbye from the world, for now, exhausted new parent who can barely function. I see you, you can just about manage to eat, change a nappy without getting poo all over you (how does it always end up there?!) and keep your eyes open just enough to enjoy your little ones first gurgles. But when do we, as parents, get to feel ‘normal’ again? Whether you’re a well-weathered writer or a creative writing virgin, writing with your baby is a useful tool to get you feeling like yourself again and remind your brain that it can be intellectually stimulated in some way.

What? A little bit of creative writing can make you feel normal. Writing with your baby is about doing just that, allowing yourself time to write even if you feel like you’re not producing anything good. Embrace the messy drafts and half-finished thoughts. You might find that in a year or so, those messy drafts have something that inspires you, and maybe someday those first drafts turn into third or fourth drafts, or even a published novel. The act of being creative and using our imagination can help process experiences (such as birth, ring a bell?) and re-build a sense of identity and confidence. Creativity is self-care, and new parenthood is one of the times when self-care is most needed.

But, how? Trying to find the time to fit creative writing into your day can sound challenging, especially when you’ve got a new baby at home. Writing around your baby is about making a little bit of time for yourself , and I mean a little bit.

Here’s how to fit some writing into your day:

Write on whatever you can find, whether you’re scribbling on a nappy, typing on your phone or talking about aloud.

Write for two to five minutes. It makes a difference, trust me.

Write in bullet points or stream-of-conscious (no edits, no judgements). One of the biggest challenges as sleep-deprived zombies can be putting pen to paper, so stop thinking and just do it, no matter what you write.

Give yourself prompts, whether it’s copying the first sentence from the closest book within arm’s reach or picking an object to write about. (More writing exercise ideas below!)

Reading to create. Reading exercises your writing brain, even if you can’t form a sentence today. Look at poetry, flash fiction or blogs for inspiration. Or listen to music, look at art (yeah, your kid’s art on the walls will do), watch a spoken word artist, find a dancer on Instagram, all sorts of art can spark ideas.

Set tiny targets. Think of your writing time as weekly or monthly and set small targets like ‘did something creative’, ‘got an idea’ or ‘scribbled for two minutes’.

Where and when? Anywhere, anytime, literally. Even at 2 am, when you’re up for the night feed or Calpol fiasco, type ideas on your phone (I send myself a Whatsapp message) or scroll Instagram for inspirational artists. You may not have the energy to be creative yourself, but you can watch others do it.

But can I really do this? Yes, you can. Writing is for everyone! It doesn’t matter if you haven’t written anything creative since secondary school, or you’re a published author who’s lost your mojo since entering parenthood. Anytime is a good time to start. Don’t think about the end goal, times are strange when your little one is young. Write for yourself, or your little one, or for your parents, whatever gets you going.

Not convinced yet? Give it a go!

Try these short writing exercises for zombie brains (2 minutes) 

Bullet point descriptions, free write sounds you can hear, write a characters stream of conscious, set writing restrictions e.g. five-word sentences only, re-write your favourite scene from a film, borrow sentences from books or lines from poems, write a birthday card from one character to another, or write about a lost object.

Or this longer writing exercise for slightly less tired brains (5 -7 minutes)

Step one: Close your eyes, listen to all of the sounds around you. What’s far away, what’s up close? Listen to the sounds inside your body, can you hear your own breath?

Step two: Open your eyes, make a bullet point list of 10 sounds. Ones you can hear and ones you can’t. Use your imagination, is there a sound that makes you feel nostalgic, like the opening of the biscuit jar as a kid, or a sound you’ve love to hear but never will, like a rocket taking off into space.

Step three: Order your list to tell a story. Think about what’s left off the page, what do two sounds imply to the reader when juxtaposed together? If you heard a bang and then a scream, what would you think had happened?

Step four: Give yourself some writing time. Whether it’s two minutes or five, start writing your story from the start, using the descriptions of the sounds as a starting point and free write the sentences that come to mind.

You might also like… (some of my favourite creative artists!)

Apples and Snakes spoken word poets: https://www.youtube.com/user/applesandsnakes/

Luke Wright Poet: https://www.instagram.com/lukewrightpoet/

Theresa Lola Poet: https://www.instagram.com/theresa_lola

Lois Ward-Marvin of Depression Rhythm – https://www.instagram.com/depression.rhythm/

Kamir Kamar musician: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOwJ0m6Waf2DcYpMUOygLrg

What’s next?

As a parent with little ones at home, it can be hard to keep up with groups or attended gatherings. Whilst on maternity leave, I’d found plenty of mums and babies groups to go to ( Ettie Betty Baby Signs is excellent), many of which revolved around exercise, but I couldn’t find anything that I felt challenge my brain. There was nothing that got me feeling creative or gave me the energy to write again.

I set up Mummy Writes baby-friendly writing workshops (funded by Natwest’s Back Her Business campaign) as a way to offer new parents a way to try their hand at something new, feel intellectually stimulated and find a passion for writing. I wanted to set up a group where new parents could come as they are, bags under their eyes and barely in presentable clothes, and feel like they were in a safe space to try out new things and learn about fiction writing together. Mummy Writes is about learning to write, but also about the community and allowing parents to come together to inspire creativity in all the chaos that children bring with them.

If you feel inspired to start writing you can get involved with Mummy Writes online mini-workshops that take you through three 15-minute writing exercises to get you putting pen to paper and carve out that all-important writing time for yourself. Or, if you’re feeling brave, you can sign-up to the online 6-week baby-friendly writing course. Check out www.mummywrites.com for more online workshops and some face-to-face workshops and courses too!

Good luck with your writing journey!

Nici West is a short story writer, editor and mum of one. She edits works of fiction, memoir and arts journalism and her short stories have been published in places such as Dark Ink Press, shortlisted for the Willesden Herald short story prize and Highly Commended for the Bridport Prize 2019. She has an MA in Creative Writing from the University of Manchester, studying under authors Geoff Ryman and Colm Toibin.

www.mummywrites.com .

Published 18 September 2020 Updated 14 October 2020

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100 Best Messages and Wishes to Write in a New Baby Card

Heartfelt, funny and even religious sentiments to share whether it's their first or fourth baby.

Short Messages

Funny messages, messages for friends and colleagues, first baby messages, messages for someone already with children, messages for twins, triplets or multiples, adoption messages, religious messages and blessings, new baby quotes.

There are few moments in life more joyful and exciting than the arrival of a new baby. And while you patiently wait for the parents to let you meet their new bundle of joy (reminder: it's a hectic time for them, so they might not be open to visitors right away), you can send them a heartfelt card filed with sweet messages and wishes.

When you're thinking of what to write in a card to welcome a new baby , know that there are a great mix of short sayings, funny one-liners and even religious blessings you can choose from below.

That said, you can also always write something of your own, and use the sentiments below as inspiration. If you want a more personal touch, use their names, the new baby's name , a favorite memory you've all shared together waiting for the baby to arrive or really anything that gives it a more unique touch that shows the recipients you went the extra mile to express your joy.

• Congratulations on your gorgeous bundle of joy.
• Welcome to the world, little one.
• The beginning of everything ... hope, dreams and opportunity.
• Welcome Baby (insert name here)!
• Over the moon about your baby news.
• Congratulations on your beautiful new arrival.
• Let the adventure begin...
• From small beginnings come great things.
• Hope the new boss takes it easy on you.
• Warmest congratulations and love.
• So tiny, so small and loved by all.
• The days are long but the years are short. Enjoy every moment.

• Parenting without a sense of humor is like being an accountant who sucks at math.
• Heard you have a new roomie. Congrats!
• Hip hip hooray and three cheers! Let's plan something fun in about eighteen years.
• May your coffee be strong and your baby naps long.
• Welcome to the Parenthood club. Eat, sleep, poo, repeat.
• Just wanted to say a massive well done on the new alarm clock you produced.
• People who say they sleep like a baby usually don't have one.
• Babies are magic. They make love stronger, homes happier, the days shorter, the nights longer, and bank accounts emptier.
• 99% of parenting is trying unsuccessfully to sit down.
• First, they steal your heart and then they steal your sleep.
• Congrats on your new alarm clock, also known as a baby!
• Congratulations on your new baby – we will do something to celebrate in another 18 years.
• Don’t worry about the difficulty of raising a child. It’s just as easy as running a marathon, doing your taxes, and wrestling an octopus at the same time… every day.
• Your baby has the coolest parents in town, hands down. Congratulations to you both.

Messages for Family Members

• One tiny baby surrounded by so many happy hearts. Congratulations and much love to you all.
• Welcome to the family. They say it takes a village to raise a child and I can’t wait to become a resident of that village.
• May you know that you were wished for, longed for and will always be loved.
• Delighted to have another member of the family. Hopefully, you inherit my good looks, sense of humor and brilliant personality.
• Just remember I will always be your fun uncle/aunt (insert name). Come to me whenever you want to complain about Mom/Dad.
• Can't wait to meet the newest member of the family!
• A toast to the little bundle of joy who has already stolen our hearts!

• Wishing your family a lifetime of happiness and love. May your greatest times be spent together.
• Sending wishes of health and happiness to your new arrival.
• Overjoyed for you! Congratulations on your new baby.
• Don't hesitate to ask if you need help. That's what friends are for!
• Get ready for the journey of a lifetime. Congrats to you and your family!
• Congratulations on the safe arrival of your precious baby! Best wishes to you and your family from the entire team.
• Wishing you our heartfelt congratulations on the arrival of your new baby.
• Sometimes 1 + 1 = 3. Congratulations on your new baby!

• Best wishes to your new family. The love and pride you will feel as a parent is like no other. Embrace the journey!
• Cheers to the new parents! Your lives are about to get more exciting.
• Welcome to the new parents club.
• So happy for the three of you!
• Congratulations on bringing your first child into this world.
• Parenthood looks good on you.
• May your new baby bring you all the joy in the world.
• Sending lots of love and congratulations to the new parents!
• Wishing you well as you embark on this new stage in life as parents!

• Another beautiful blessing for your family. May your growing family be blessed with great memories and great fun.
• And then there were three... (four, five etc.)
• Cheers to your ever-growing family! Excited to meet your newest bundle of joy.
• Whoa, baby! Another bundle of adorable.
• Time to switch from a man-on-man game plan to zone defense!
• Looks like the pair of you have found your true talent! Congrats on baby number "x!"
• Way to get building an army!
• Congratulations on baby (name)! I know (name) will learn to be the best big brother/sister.

• You never could pass up a (number)-for-one deal! Congratulations!
• Double trouble! Congratulations on the arrival of your twins.
• Two means double the fun.
• At least you only have to throw one birthday party!
• You have been twice blessed with double the fun, love, laughter, and dirty diapers! Enjoy every second.
• If anyone can handle multiples like a boss, it's you guys!
• Three times the smiles and three times the love.
• Good things really do come in (pairs, threes, fours etc.).
• Two little miracles have joined your family.
• Congratulations times (number)!
• Congratulations on your two/three/four precious bundles.
• Cute little toes! Twenty/thirty/forty instead of ten.
• Two peas in a pod.

• Your child is blessed to have been adopted by two parents as loving as you both.
• Some things are absolutely worth the wait. We are so happy you found each other.
• This precious baby is a gift to you, and you are a blessing to them.
• Your little one may not have grown under your heart but in it, and that's a miracle.
• Adoption is an act of true love and selflessness. You’re a special couple and your family deserves a lifetime of happiness.
• Warmest congratulations on the beautiful addition to your family.

• God is trusting you with a precious gift and He will guide you as you embark on this fantastic journey.
• "But Jesus said, 'Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.'" — Matthew 19:14
• Lord, thank you for bringing this child into our family. We dedicate this child back to you, as we trust that you have a perfect plan for his/her life.
• "A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world." — John 16:21
• Heavenly Father if you allow difficult days for this child, please give the strength and courage to persevere and seek Your face in everything.
• "Children are a heritage from the LORD, offspring a reward from him." — Psalm 127:3-5
• God, we thank You for this child. A newborn that fills our hearts and homes with love and joy. Our hearts overflow with love and thanksgiving. May we always feel Your loving hands on our family.
• God the Holy Spirit, please grow in this child the fruit of the Spirit so he/she may make a difference in the world in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

• "Sometimes the littlest things take up the most room in your heart." — A.A. Milne
• "In the garden of humanity every baby is a fresh new flower who can smile, laugh, giggle, dance, love and sing with mother earth." — Debasish Mridha
• "A child is a curly, dimpled lunatic." — Ralph Waldo Emerson
• "A new baby is like the beginning of all things wonder hope a dream of possibilities." — Eda J. LeShan
• " A mother’s arms are made of tenderness and children sleep soundly in them." — Victor Hugo
• "All those cliches, those things you hear about having a baby and motherhood — all of them are true. And all of them are the most beautiful things you will ever experience." — Penelope Cruz
• "Like stars are to the sky, so are the children to our world. They deserve to shine!" — Chinonye J. Chidolue
• "There are no words that can describe the euphoria you feel when your baby recognizes you for the first time and smiles." — Jared Padalecki
• " Children make you want to start life over." — Muhammad Ali
• " Perfection only exists in babies and pastries." — Gayle Wray
• "There is nothing like a newborn baby to renew your spirit - and to buttress your resolve to make the world a better place." — Virginia Kelley
• "Being a mother is an attitude, not a biological relation." — Robert A. Heinlein
• "There are no unwanted children, just unfound families." — The National Adoption Center
• "The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other's life." — Richard Bach

Annie O’Sullivan (she/her) covers holiday, gift guide, travel, and lifestyle content at Good Housekeeping . She has a degree in magazine journalism from Syracuse University and previously reported for Runner’s World , NBC New York/NY 4 and Woman’s Day . Annie also has experience writing entertainment news and celebrity-focused content.

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• Writing About
• Tips For Writers

March 19, 2013

Writing about: a new baby.

                   See Blog:  Writing About: Childbirth

4 comments:

I've never written a pregnant character. Hmm. I have read plenty of books that show pregnant characters though.

It's a lot of fun to write pregnant characters. I had the opportunity and it was a delight! :D

Have you ever wrote a story about adoption

I kind of had. Not like an official adoption. But this guy found a little girl wandering the streets and adopted her. Does that count?

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