Jill Duggar says motherhood is different from what she had expected

Motherhood is different from what she expected, admits Jill Duggar. (Facebook/Duggar Family Official)

19 Kids and Counting star Jill Duggar, who is currently enjoying the joys of motherhood for the first time is realising that being a mum is actually different from what she had expected.

Jill might have had a lot of experience caring for her 15 younger siblings and other babies, and she is also a student midwife.  But since her son Israel David Dillard came along, Jill found out that there are some things people need to experience first hand in order to understand them better.

"There are a lot of things that seem different than I thought they would be," Jill, 23, told PEOPLE. "I have just asked my mom a lot of questions about what is normal and what to expect."

Her mum Michelle, 48 is a pro when it comes to caring for kids since she has raised 19 with husband Jim Bob, 49. She has been through pregnancy, birth, nursing, and recovery from four cesarean sections, so Jill is definitely asking the right person.

"I call out to my mom and ask things like, 'Is this feeling normal?' and, 'How long should I nurse?'" said Jill. "Israel's a little boy, he will eat all the time, so I was asking if 20 minutes a feeding was long enough or too much, and how all of it should go."

As for Jill's husband Derick, she feels like he has really stepped up to the plate when it comes to caring for their son and Jill has raved about him being "such a good Dad."

"He is doing an amazing job helping out with nighttime diaper changes," shared Jill. "I'll start nursing and when I'm done, he'll take the baby and change his diaper and put him to bed. That is his little routine."

Jill added that baby Israel has been "pretty good" to his parents by sleeping through the night on several occasions. "He actually slept for a seven-hour stretch, he's done that a couple of times. You never know. I'm not counting on it," she said.

related articles
Why Jill and Derick Dillard chose the name Israel David for their son
Why Jill and Derick Dillard chose the name Israel David for their son

Why Jill and Derick Dillard chose the name Israel David for their son

Jill Dillard says she prayed throughout 70-hr delivery of baby Israel
Jill Dillard says she prayed throughout 70-hr delivery of baby Israel

Jill Dillard says she prayed throughout 70-hr delivery of baby Israel

Jill Duggar talks unexpected C-section, Derick says there is \'no shame\' in it
Jill Duggar talks unexpected C-section, Derick says there is 'no shame' in it

Jill Duggar talks unexpected C-section, Derick says there is 'no shame' in it

Derick Dillard pens biblical letter for baby Israel David
Derick Dillard pens biblical letter for baby Israel David

Derick Dillard pens biblical letter for baby Israel David

Jessa Duggar is getting some good pregnancy advice from big sis Jill
Jessa Duggar is getting some good pregnancy advice from big sis Jill

Jessa Duggar is getting some good pregnancy advice from big sis Jill

Jill Duggar\'s husband Derick Dillard admits becoming a dad has been a \'steep\' learning curve
Jill Duggar's husband Derick Dillard admits becoming a dad has been a 'steep' learning curve

Jill Duggar's husband Derick Dillard admits becoming a dad has been a 'steep' learning curve

News
How modern science owes its existence to Christian theology
How modern science owes its existence to Christian theology

Some people think that you have to choose between science and religion, but that is not the case. This is the story …

US religious groups challenge new immigrant enforcement policies
US religious groups challenge new immigrant enforcement policies

A United States Federal Judge has granted an injunction that will prevent immigration agents from carrying out operations in places of worship after a group of religious organisations launched a lawsuit against the Trump administration over new enforcement policies.

Gyles Brandreth joins campaign to end avoidable sight loss
Gyles Brandreth joins campaign to end avoidable sight loss

Gyles Brandreth has thrown his support behind CBM UK’s campaign to end avoidable sight loss.

Church leaders call for 'rethink' of school closures in Ramadan
Church leaders call for 'rethink' of school closures in Ramadan

“We urge the governors of the affected states to reconsider this decision and explore alternative arrangements that respect the rights and freedoms of all citizens.”