Shawn Johnson Shares the Exhausting Reason Why Her Third Baby Was the ‘Hardest’

Thinking about expanding your family from two to three kids? Shawn Johnson just gave a compelling reason why you might want to wait. The Olympic gold medalist opened up about why having her third baby was the “hardest” of all in a new interview, and we’re tired for her!

Johnson is mom to Drew, 4, Jett, 2, and baby Barrett “Bear,” 3 months, with husband Andrew East. The baby is doing good now, but it was challenging for the family of 5 at first. “He’s just the happiest little camper, and so we’re figuring out that groove,” Johnson told Us Weekly in an interview published Thursday. “But I’d say [baby] three was the hardest.”

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The gymnast explained, “I feel like we’re slowly getting into a routine. It was touch and go there for a while, but we’re finally settling in, which is feeling more manageable.” She continued, “Honestly, the first couple weeks of three was super — it felt easy, as easy as it can be. The only hard part was he was our first kind of colicky baby. We had some things we needed to figure out, and we hadn’t dealt with that before.”

It took about “six to eight weeks” to adjust to baby Bear and “figure this little man out.” Which might seem like forever in the moment, when you have a crying newborn and two toddlers who still need attention and care — but in the long run, it’s not necessarily a reason not to have another baby.

Johnson seems to agree, which is why she shared that she and East are keeping “adoption up as an option for us if we want to continue growing.” Although, she noted, “Biologically, I do think we’re done.”

In an interview with Johnson and East’s FamilyMade newsletter, the mom of 3 opened up about one of the biggest challenges of having so many little ones. “Definitely finding time for each of my kids individually and also finding time for Andrew,” she shared. “It’s such a hard balance and I feel really spread thin. It sometimes feels like there’s not enough hours in the day to give as much undivided attention as I’d like, so I’m working on that!”

As a fellow mom of 3, I completely get it! It feels like you’re in the trenches sometimes, where you can barely keep from drowning — even without having time for yourself or with your partner. It’ll get easier, though (or so I’ve heard!).

When things are challenging, Johnson has a few pieces of advice. Number 1: “Get outside!” She added, “That has been SO helpful for us. You really can’t go wrong outside with little kids.”

And 2: “Ask for help.” Johnson said, “The postpartum season is so different for everyone. It’s imperative you don’t compare your experience to anyone else’s. Chances are, you’re only seeing a small glimpse into how they’re handling it. Be gentle with yourself and be honest with your friends and family when they ask how you’re doing- nobody has it all together. If you’re struggling, there’s never any shame in telling your doctor. Remember, so many women have been through this same thing. Try to do one thing a day that makes you genuinely happy and brings you joy. You got this.”

Before you go, see what these celebrity moms had to say about their experiences with postpartum anxiety.

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