My Baby Has Down Syndrome, Now What? Let me tell you...

My baby has Down Syndrome, Now what?

This is actually a phrase that I used in Google when I learned of our son’s diagnosis. You know what came back?

Nothing.

I figured it is high time that this question got a good answer. So when you want to ask, “My baby has down syndrome, now what? Here is your answer.

Your baby has Down Syndrome, let me tell you, first of all, your life is not over.

Far from it, in fact, once the shock wears off a bit and the tears slow, you will start to see the light at the end of the tunnel. For some of us that takes longer than others because our beautiful babies sometimes have health issues that can be rather scary at first.

You will have some tests run, as babies with Down Syndrome do have a higher probability of having certain health issues (there is a great post here that will explain). Many of these tests will be run within the first several months of your baby’s life. If you are pregnant, you will get to peek at your little one via ultrasound so many times, enjoy it.

You will meet the most amazing moms and families.

You are not alone. They will become your tribe, you will wonder what you ever did without them and they will cheer for you and your babe every step of the way.

You will stop crying, I promise. Get it out, it’s okay to feel all the feels and then start putting one step in front of the other.

This isn’t what you planned for, but some of the best things in life are unexpected, this is one of them.

Also, don’t beat yourself up for some of the things you have felt since you learned of the unexpected diagnosis, we all have things that we are ashamed we felt.

Your life is going to be what you make of it, I chose amazing.

Your little one will show you what they can do, milestones will likely take a bit longer, but the smiles will often come more plentifully too. You will not have a child who just sits like a bump, your child will smile, laugh, and learn all the while teaching you.

You just hit the genetic lottery. I know you don’t feel like that right now, I get it, but you did. Trisomy 21 is one of several Trisomy disorders and it is the least concerning of all of them. Your child will show emotion, will walk, laugh, will hug you, will laugh and will make you proud.

So now what? Now, your life begins. You will never be the same person you were before this day, but, you can let this make you a better version of yourself. Your baby is going to amaze you. Your baby is going to make you proud. Your baby will teach you more than you ever thought possible, he or she will be the teacher, you will be the student.