Hello Mummies,

Ive just had such a tiring night. I feel shattered.
My daughter (our first baby) is 11 days old today. Well shes really good for most of the day, she has her milk and goes to sleep for 2-3 hrs. I dont really sleep wen she does, I no your supposed to but Im bottlefeeding so hav to sterilise, make bottles, housework, visitors etc.
But last night she was awake about 8 all the way till 12.30, my oh played with her, rocked her etc to tire her out, but it took so much to get her off. Then she was awake again at 5 for feed, then 8.30 for feed and change. Now I took her down in her moses basket and shes asleep.
My hubby does help, but he goes bak to work in a wk,he works nights and Im starting to panic that she will just scream all night wen Im on my own.
Sorry if Im moaning bout nothing, but sumtimes I feel like such a bad mum. Does it get any better?

Naz
xxx

YES! It definately does get easier. Im a single mum ever since my son was born and he had colic so he was soooo hard to keep happy constantly crying in pain etc. But please dont worry it does get easier, dont think your a bad mum at all your doing all you can and thats the best you can do. We have all felt like you do and its only natural. Things will settle down before you know it! x

Hi hun, one word YES!!! it definitely does get easier, you and your lo will get into a routine soon, It is hard but honestly the best advice anyone gave me was to rest (not nec sleep) when the baby does, the housework can wait it is amazing how just running a hoover over quickly makes a room look better so dont bother with the polishing etc.

Can you tell visitors not to visit at certain times of the day (say maybe between 12 and 3) that way you can get a bit of rest, most of them wont mind and if they do then you can always suggest that they do the bottles and the housework whilst you go upstairs for a rest.

The thing that worked for me with nights was making them very different to the day, I used to bath at around 7 7.30 so that my lo would be ready for a feed at about 8 then I used to give that feed in a darkened room then put lo straight to bed, he did used to moan a bit about being left alone and I never left him to cry, but if he cried I would try to soothe him by holding his hand or stroking his face, if I did pick him up I would just do it long enough for him to settle a bit then put him back, I also used to leave soft music on in his room so he wouldnt feel alone. I'm not going to pretend it worked overnight but after a couple of weeks he was going down to bed really well and when he did wake in the night for a feed he would just eat then go back to sleep.

It eill get easier and before you know it you will be looking back on these early days wishing you could have them back for just a bit longer.

Take care xxx

hi. yes it does get easier believe me.i have 5 kids and i can remember feeling just like you do when i had them all in the early days. it is hard as you haven't done it before and it's a case of baby getting to know you and you getting to know baby. it's all so new still only 11 days since you had her. and your hormones are raging at the moment and somedays it may seem that it is all getting too much but there is light at the end of the tunnel. we have all been there. try to relax and enjoy your baby girl. hope this helps. take care.xxxx

hi naz

dont worry, she's only still tiny, and probably doesnt yet realise her body clock is not quite right for days and nights!

it will be weeks before she settles and sleeps at the right time. you should try and get your head down yourself when she does - even if only once during the day.

as for bottles - manipulate it so you can do it all in one go - if your OH is home in the evening, do all your sterilising & boil your kettle then - he will be able to do it / care for you lo at this time. put all the water only in the bottles, then just add the powder as she needs it, shake (heat if he wants it) then feed her. water can be kept at room temp or in fridge (will need to be heated if in fridge)

as for worrying about when your oh goes back to work - it isn't easy, but you will find you are a lot better than you think you will be. if you need it, just get friends , family to call at staggered times, or go for a walk with the pram (in this delightful weather we have!!!). you'll find you will be ok!!

love nicki

xxxxx

Thanks ladies for all your replys, i feel so emotional at the moment aswell. The hormones definatly dont help.

xxx

hi,

like the others have said - it does get easier. Chloe was asleep all day at first and awake all night. that soon changed. i too had lots of visitors at first and with hindsight i should have spread it out a bit more. you need to rest when she does that is for sure.

just take it easy don't pressure yourself to do too much. hormones have a big part to play, just got to ride it out to a certain extent but it does get easier i promise.

you are both still learning.

lara xx

I promise you it does get better my darling. My oh works day and nights and I was pooing myself when he went bk to work when Freya was 3 weeks old. But you just deal with it because you have too.
Oh and regards to house work and visitors. Tell them all and the house work to bog off coz u want to sleep. Trust us when we say it, you need to sleep when lo does. Even if you only go down with lo once to twice a day. I was very strict with visitors for a long time. I used to be very house proud and my house has never been such a state. By the time your lo is on the move there is just no point in keeping it tidy because it last less then 10 seconds. It does get better and I can't wait till I am back there again. LoL
Take care and chin up.
Kerry and Freya
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