How did you come up with baby Mila’s name?

We were looking for a girl’s name that is Russian and also popular in the United States. Originally, I’m from Russia, and it was important for me and my family to give my daughter a name that has Slavic roots and origins. Plus Mila Kunis is one of my favorite actresses. So that’s how we came up with the name Mila.

Anything about parenting a newborn baby that surprises you?

I was very surprised that when you’re taking care of your baby, time can go so fast. You just don’t notice how hours and even days can fly by. I was on maternity leave for two months, and it felt like two weeks. I was always busy feeding my baby, changing her diapers, putting her to bed, and somewhere in between trying to take care of myself and clean our house. So there were never enough hours in the day, and it was very different from the life before Mila.

Favorite thing about being a new mom?

For me, it is to see my baby smile and how excited she gets.

What’s the hardest part about being a mom to a newborn?

When you’re a first-time mom, there is so much to learn about your baby. Everything is new, and most of the time you’re trying to figure things out on your own. It’s hard when you don’t know what your baby’s trying to tell you, why she’s crying, why she’s uncomfortable. But what I realized eventually is that you learn and one day you’ll just understand the baby’s language, and things will get easier for you and the baby.

What baby product did you buy but you don’t really use?

Baby clothes for newborns. When I was pregnant, I couldn’t control myself and I bought a lot of cute baby dresses and outfits. Well, we didn’t use a lot of what I got for Mila. Most of the time we just stayed home or went for short walks. And at home, she wore comfortable onesies and pajamas, not the dresses.

What pregnancy and parenting books did you read?

When I was pregnant, my friend got me two books: What to Expect When You’re Expecting and What to Expect the First Year. I think this was a must-have for a new mom. I got a lot of helpful information about pregnancy, labor, and how to take care of your newborn. Every question I could possibly have has been answered in these books.

If you could tell an “about to be a first-time mom” anything, what would it be?