BTDT Mom's... The first 2-3 weeks...

I am 5 days away from my Due Date, and I am starting to freak out a little.

I have posted before that my DH is missing the delivery due to military training, but now I am starting to panic about the first 2-3 weeks that I will be alone much of the time with DS. My Mom is nearby, but she won't be able to be here 24-7 obviously...

Can anyone give me some insight about what the first 3 weeks are really going to be like?

I feel like the more prepared I am for this, the easier it will be.

Thanks!

Re: BTDT Mom's... The first 2-3 weeks...

I would honestly say be prepared for no sleep! I was like a zombie

I mean, everyone is different and my parents say that i slept through the night when they brought me home but i dont think that is typical.

Try to cherish the moments you are alone with DC, but the first few weeks for me personally were really tough. DS still eats every 3 hours but DH feeds him in the middle of the night

Just remember we are all here for you and your questions and we all survived!

Re: BTDT Mom's... The first 2-3 weeks...

Honestly, I was miserable!!!!!

I hardly got any sleep and I was trying to recover from a c-section. It was very hard!!
But, like the above poster mentioned....every child is different.

It's ALOT of work. You will definitely get through it. For the first few weeks forget about everything...no housework, no time for anything but baby and sleep!

Good luck, you will be fine!!

ETA: I just wanted to add...How you may lose sleep and be miserable at times...But, it's all worth it!!!!
At 12 weeks my little one is a completely different child...it really is wonderful!!

Message edited 2/22/2009 4:20:00 PM.

Re: BTDT Mom's... The first 2-3 weeks...

I am doing great!! Alexa will be 3 weeks tomorrow. I also have a 2 1/2 yr old. I do mostly everything myself but DH has been helping with my toddler a lot more since Alexa has been here. I sleep just fine. She eats at 8:30pm ish wakes again around 1ish and then not again until 5 or 6 am. During the day she just sleeps and sleeps. And then eats It was the same way with DS.

I don't need help at all. And I also had a c-section. I have been still working for DH at home and still able to cook, clean and shower.

For me, this stage has never been bad. It's the toddler years that wear me out

Re: BTDT Mom's... The first 2-3 weeks...

Posted by 5ofClubs

I am doing great!! Alexa will be 3 weeks tomorrow. I also have a 2 1/2 yr old. I do mostly everything myself but DH has been helping with my toddler a lot more since Alexa has been here. I sleep just fine. She eats at 8:30pm ish wakes again around 1ish and then not again until 5 or 6 am. During the day she just sleeps and sleeps. And then eats It was the same way with DS.

I don't need help at all. And I also had a c-section. I have been still working for DH at home and still able to cook, clean and shower.

For me, this stage has never been bad. It's the toddler years that wear me out

Re: BTDT Mom's... The first 2-3 weeks...

You will be tired, very tired. Walking zombie tired. Everyone says to sleep when baby sleeps, but I always found that impossible. You will survive though

Re: BTDT Mom's... The first 2-3 weeks...

all of the above posters are right- Stock your freezer with Frozen meals - I would forget to eat all the time during that period...

Re: BTDT Mom's... The first 2-3 weeks...

Like everyone else said, it's truly very difficult. On top of what everyone else said re: no sleep. Your hormones are also going crazy. I'd find myself crying for no reason & just feeling completely overwhelmed at times. Do yourself a favor & get the video the Happiest Baby on the Block, it was a lifesaver those first few weeks.

The first week you also tend to 2nd guess yourself, but in no time you'll be a pro at feeding, baby's needs & more.

You can do it!

Re: BTDT Mom's... The first 2-3 weeks...

Posted by shell

Posted by 5ofClubs

I am doing great!! Alexa will be 3 weeks tomorrow. I also have a 2 1/2 yr old. I do mostly everything myself but DH has been helping with my toddler a lot more since Alexa has been here. I sleep just fine. She eats at 8:30pm ish wakes again around 1ish and then not again until 5 or 6 am. During the day she just sleeps and sleeps. And then eats It was the same way with DS.

I don't need help at all. And I also had a c-section. I have been still working for DH at home and still able to cook, clean and shower.

For me, this stage has never been bad. It's the toddler years that wear me out

WOW!!!!!!

You got lucky with both your children being so good!
Lucky you!!

Re: BTDT Mom's... The first 2-3 weeks...

I had a baby nurse for the first two weeks and have been managing on my own this past week-- while DH has been here though.

My advice is to set up your procedures as much as possible-- figure out how you are going to get set up to change, feed, etc... You are going to have a lot to do-- and want to try to be as efficient as possible. Ask a friend who has a baby to come over and make sure you have EVERYTHING you need since your DH won't be there to run out with a moment's notice to pick up something.

Try to have someone come over during the day so you can at least nap, since you probably won't get to sleep that much at night.

Re: BTDT Mom's... The first 2-3 weeks...

I found the first 2 weeks to be the easiest. All baby does is sleep, eat and poop.
You will have a huge lack of sleep, but I slept when she slept. Week 3-4 is when baby starts to be awake more and it is harder.
Good luck!

Re: BTDT Mom's... The first 2-3 weeks...

are you breastfeeding? if so, there is much more to say that i won't bore you with if you're not

the first weeks are very hard (or at least they were in my experience) because the baby is up every 2-3 hours for a feeding. my best advice:

-SLEEP WHEN THE BABY SLEEPS, even in the middle of the day
-don't neglect yourself, i.e. keep eating well (maybe this is something your mom can do for you, bring you food?)
-i would also use your mom's time to keep your house - laundry, basic cleaning, etc. this way you can focus on your little one.

Re: BTDT Mom's... The first 2-3 weeks...

Use your mom to help you with your chores around the house.

I also was going stir-crazy being indoors all the time during those first couple of weeks, so I loved when my family offered to stay with DC so I could run out for even just an hour to see the light of day at the grocery store or Target or somewhere.

For the most part, in those early weeks, I set up shop in the living room and slept on the couch in front of the TV while DC slept nearby in his pack & play.

Message edited 2/22/2009 5:15:25 PM.

Re: BTDT Mom's... The first 2-3 weeks...

Honestly the first few weeks were the hardest. I had DH home with me for 1 week then felt like I was on my own. Your hormones are likely to be all over the place, you will just be exhausted. I was BFing which was also very wearing in the beginning. I felt like I never slept at all during those weeks. Just having your little one finally in this world gets you through it!! Just be prepared for no sleep and feeling like a zombie.

Re: BTDT Mom's... The first 2-3 weeks...

I spent nearly the first 2 weeks in the hospital, so my poor DH was the one home with a newborn. Trust me: If he can do it, anybody can!

Like they stated above: Make sure you have foods that are easy to make, or can just be eaten without heating. (Bananas, cereal bars, etc.) If you are BF, they are easy to open while you feed your child. I also found that having a case of water ready was great. I kept a bottle next to me at all times on the couch. (Hard to do with a glass of water.)

Good luck!!!!!!!

Re: BTDT Mom's... The first 2-3 weeks...

Posted by 5ofClubs

I guess so. I pray that the same goes for the OP

Message edited 2/22/2009 10:47:19 PM.

Re: BTDT Mom's... The first 2-3 weeks...

Posted by alexlynn7

are you breastfeeding? if so, there is much more to say that i won't bore you with if you're not

the first weeks are very hard (or at least they were in my experience) because the baby is up every 2-3 hours for a feeding. my best advice:

-SLEEP WHEN THE BABY SLEEPS, even in the middle of the day
-don't neglect yourself, i.e. keep eating well (maybe this is something your mom can do for you, bring you food?)
-i would also use your mom's time to keep your house - laundry, basic cleaning, etc. this way you can focus on your little one.

Re: BTDT Mom's... The first 2-3 weeks...

Posted by Lucky09

Posted by alexlynn7

are you breastfeeding? if so, there is much more to say that i won't bore you with if you're not

the first weeks are very hard (or at least they were in my experience) because the baby is up every 2-3 hours for a feeding. my best advice:

-SLEEP WHEN THE BABY SLEEPS, even in the middle of the day
-don't neglect yourself, i.e. keep eating well (maybe this is something your mom can do for you, bring you food?)
-i would also use your mom's time to keep your house - laundry, basic cleaning, etc. this way you can focus on your little one.

And yes, I am breastfeeding, so please explain away!!!

Re: BTDT Mom's... The first 2-3 weeks...

The first few weeks were pretty awful for me. I was so sleep deprived and BFing so I was the only one who could feed DS. I felt like I never really got a break. BFing was also extremely painful the first month or so. DS also wouldn't sleep anywhere but in my arms so I was constantly holding him.

Re: BTDT Mom's... The first 2-3 weeks...

Posted by alexlynn7

Posted by Lucky09

Posted by alexlynn7

are you breastfeeding? if so, there is much more to say that i won't bore you with if you're not

the first weeks are very hard (or at least they were in my experience) because the baby is up every 2-3 hours for a feeding. my best advice:

-SLEEP WHEN THE BABY SLEEPS, even in the middle of the day
-don't neglect yourself, i.e. keep eating well (maybe this is something your mom can do for you, bring you food?)
-i would also use your mom's time to keep your house - laundry, basic cleaning, etc. this way you can focus on your little one.

And yes, I am breastfeeding, so please explain away!!!

ok... so if you're BFing, the first few days can be a little challenging.

-you may have a little nipple soreness. ok, maybe a lot of nipple soreness. let your nipples air dry after feeding and use plenty of the lansinoh ointment. the trick is to stay ahead of the irritation, cause it's much harder to take care of the nips once they crack/bleed.

-i would contact a lactation consultant now so that you have a contact in case things aren't progressing as smoothly as you would like. it's worth the money - one session with a "professional" can save you SO much time, energy, and pain!!

-i found day 3 to be the hardest, when my milk wasn't quite in yet but my baby was ready to EAT. the first couple days he was okay with the colostrum, but on that third day hell basically broke loose until my milk came in. so be ready for that to happen and try not to freak out. i would have some formula ready just in case this happens (i didn't for DS... but this tme around i WILL!!)

that's all i'm remembering for now. lots of ladies on here BF so i'm sure they will have plenty to add!!

Re: BTDT Mom's... The first 2-3 weeks...

I think you really won't know until you have your baby. You might get lucky and have and easy baby.
Both my children were/are very difficult newborns. No sleep. High needs. A lot of crying. I hold my DS pretty much all day so I can't get anything done. No cooking, cleaning, laundry,etc.
I think it's realistic to think you will need some regular help.

Re: BTDT Mom's... The first 2-3 weeks...

I think everyone gave you great advice. The only things I would add is get a sling-you can cuddle and hold your baby while your arms are free(I have the Moby which I like but it is kind of a PITA because you have to wrap and tie it before you can put baby in it.) I have heard good things about Ergo and Mei tai but have not used either.

If you don't have one-get a Boppy you can prop baby in it to feed, they can snooze-with you watching.

Honestly of course the no sleeping was hard-and still is for me, but I also missed being abloe to read, talk on the phone etc. which is what all my suggestions have to do with.

last-don't be afraid to ask for help. Friends, family etc. I was advised by my LC to join a church so I could get the church ladies to help me

Re: BTDT Mom's... The first 2-3 weeks...

I literally had very little help the first few weeks...I was tired but I adjusted. My son slept at least 5 hours at a clip during the night and I would nap with him during the day. It was not that bad for me. You will get through it then it will be a piece of cake!

and honestly, hire a cleaning lady if you can afford it...best thing ever....

Message edited 2/24/2009 12:28:17 AM.

Re: BTDT Mom's... The first 2-3 weeks...

The more time your mom can be with you, the best! Weeks 2-3 were so hard for me, the adjustng to getting up at night (especially is you're breastfeeding), putting DC to sleep, your overall recovery, meals, hygiene, its all so exhausting. Def have all the help you can...best of luck!!