The 6 very distinct phases of your baby's first year.

Thanks to our brand partner, Huggies

There's a scientific term that perfectly summarises a parent's experience of their baby's first year of life: "wow".

Breathtaking in its simplicity, the term captures what other words simply can't — the soaring highs, the very real lows and the overwhelming feeling of bringing new life into the world.

Some parents will tell you the first year goes by in a blur, but I'm here to tell you that it actually passes in six distinct blur-like phases, from "How are you so small?" all the way through to "I'm sorry, you're telling me it's been A YEAR?".

1. The "How are you so small?" phase.

I hope nobody needed me for months one through three of my son's life because my Out of Office was firmly on. I was unavailable for other appointments because I spent all my time thinking about how small he was.

When babies are newly born, everything about them is tiny and delicate — from their obscenely small fingers to their unbelievably soft skin.

Honestly, I had no idea how fragile their skin was until I experienced it firsthand. I wanted to ensure I was using only the best for my baby, so I became hyper-aware of just how sensitive it really is.

Image: Supplied.

In the newborn bubble, you will spend 50 per cent of your time marvelling at this and 50 per cent of your time panicking about it.

Thankfully, new parents quickly learn that using good-quality nappies like Huggies Newborn Nappies can alleviate at least some of that panic. Huggies Newborn Nappies are the only nappy with a clinically proven zinc-enriched layer to help protect your baby's skin. That's why Huggies is the number one choice of Australian hospitals and is endorsed by the Australian College of Midwives.

Trust me on this one — there are enough decisions to make during the "How are you so small?" phase, but the right nappies are a no-brainer.

2. The "Oh, we're awake now, are we?" phase.

I'm sorry to tell you that one day, your previously unflappable, relaxed and snoozy newborn will open their eyes extremely wide and declare that they are actually here now, thank you very much.

In this phase, previously unfathomable behaviours — like raising their own head, staying up partying all night and looking you square in the eye while they soil themselves yet again — will emerge seemingly from nowhere. (You'll want some Huggies 99% Purified Water Thick Baby Wipes proven to be gentle on delicate skin and ideal for cleaning up those midnight poo explosions.)

The sleep deprivation is kicking in and the adrenaline is wearing off but never fear — in this phase, you'll probably get your baby's first smile and nothing will ever really matter so much to you again.

3. The "Oh, we're never sleeping again, are we?" phase.

Sometimes called the "four-month regression", there will inevitably come a time when your baby realises that sleep is for the weak (or, you know, every other person on this planet earth, but certainly not them).

Image: Supplied.

Luckily for parents, this coincides with one of the most transformative parts of parenthood — the part where you realise that the person you birthed is, truly, a person, with their own likes, dislikes and a personality to boot.

They're laughing, moving, rolling, babbling, making friends and you simply can't imagine how they got here from a tiny little blob only moments ago.

4. The "Where did this young adult come from?" phase.

Suddenly, your baby is six months old going on 16. Sitting up? Eating solids? Thinking about crawling? I beg your very pardon? Only moments ago, this baby was in utero!

After two kids, I can confidently say that this is one of my very favourite phases of the first year (and perhaps parenthood, full stop).

You saw your baby be born, but in a way, you now get to see them be born again.

It's an enormous privilege to witness the first blossoming of who they'll be as a kid, not a baby. And no matter how many times you hear it subsequently, the first time your baby says "Mama" or "Dada" will live rent-free in your head for all eternity.

5. The "So, this is why they call them toddlers" phase.

If you've never had the privilege of knowing a toddler, this is the phase when you'll discover just how apt a descriptor it is.

Those new walkers are… very unsteady on their feet.

What's more, they'll insist on walking everywhere, even though they walk at the pace of a snail (and fall down every four steps).

In this phase, toddlers' legendary determination is also in full swing — even nine-month-olds know what you're doing wrong and will tell you about it, VERY LOUDLY, at all hours of the day and night.

6. The "I'm sorry, you're telling me it's been A YEAR?" phase.

If there's one thing parents understand about time, it's that the whole concept is a big con. If "time" is so "constant", then why does it take 47 years to change an outfit on a wriggly 11-month-old, and why is your baby's first year of life over in five milliseconds? MAKE IT MAKE SENSE?

Image: Supplied.

On the other hand, that tiny person, who has been around for such a short time in the scheme of things, has become the focal point of your entire world.

At the year mark, you might just be starting to feel like "yourself" again — going back to work, reconnecting with old hobbies, jumping back into exercise — but the truth is that the existence of this tiny person has shifted your understanding of "yourself" forever.

And what's more, you wouldn't change it for the world.

Shop Huggies Newborn Nappies and Huggies 99% Purified Water Thick Baby Wipes at your local supermarket.

Feature Image: Supplied.

Huggies Newborn Nappies are the only nappy with a Clinically Proven Zinc Enriched Layer* to protect baby's delicate skin against irritation. *Zinc as Zinc Oxide. Tested on adult skin as a suitable substitute for baby's skin.