Do you take care of your NB by yourself? What kind of help do you have?

Currently DH is off work and my mother comes and goes to help me. After another 2 weeks, I will have to take care of the NB by myself and I am scared.

Re: Do you take care of your NB by yourself? What kind of help do you have?

My DH took 3 weeks off, which i think was perfect amount of time for me to get comfortable with the baby.... Im sure the first day you will be nervous but after the first week alone you will be ok..

Re: Do you take care of your NB by yourself? What kind of help do you have?

DH took a week off and then I was by myself.

My mom would come over every couple of days with food and to help for an hour or 2.

Re: Do you take care of your NB by yourself? What kind of help do you have?

My DH had two weeks off and then it was me & baby all alone.

Re: Do you take care of your NB by yourself? What kind of help do you have?

Aw, you'll do fine. My DH didn't take even one day off and my mom and MIL were both working at the time. If I survived, ANYONE can especially since when I tell you I had NO experience with babies...I had NO experience with babies!

And I've kept her alive for 3.5 years and counting!!!

Message edited 4/2/2009 2:54:50 PM.

Re: Do you take care of your NB by yourself? What kind of help do you have?

When my daughter was born I lived with my mother who worked from home. She was there to help me constantly. This time, I am going to be on my own with TWO kids from the second I give birth. DH was laid off from his job that would've given him two weeks vacation & he just started a new job a couple of months ago. He now only has a couple of days vacation so he really can't take anything to spend with me. I'm pretty scared. The only plus is that he doesn't go in to work until 1pm so I'll have him around in the mornings so maybe I can sleep in a little & my mom comes home at 5pm & I know I can always call her after that if I'm really in need.

Re: Do you take care of your NB by yourself? What kind of help do you have?

I live like 5 min from my parents but I have been staying with them since I left the hospital. I don't know how I will do it on my own when I leave!!

Re: Do you take care of your NB by yourself? What kind of help do you have?

Re: Do you take care of your NB by yourself? What kind of help do you have?

The first few weeks my mother helped me, and when she had to go home, DH took a week off work.

But honestly, you'll be fine. I remember being frightened of taking care of the baby alone, but it was fine, and I think helped build my confidence as a parent.

Re: Do you take care of your NB by yourself? What kind of help do you have?

my mom and MIL stayed with us 2-3 days during the week for the first month, it helped a lot, I was able to get some sleep.
I've been on my own for the past couple of weeks now. DH and I have worked out a system: I will go to bed around 9:30/10pm (I am usually dead tired by this time anyway), he will do the feedings til midnight/1am, and I get up for the wee hour feedings, that would give me at least 5 straight hours, and DH can also get enough sleep to function at work.

You'll be fine, don't worry

Message edited 4/2/2009 3:05:18 PM.

Re: Do you take care of your NB by yourself? What kind of help do you have?

I had help during the day, but the first night home, the first time DS cried, DH looked and me and said "you'd better get used to getting him now"

Re: Do you take care of your NB by yourself? What kind of help do you have?

I didn't have much help with either of my children when they were newborns. The first time you're home alone, can be a little daunting but the first day is the hardest. After a week, you'll be very confident and wonder why you worried.

Re: Do you take care of your NB by yourself? What kind of help do you have?

honestly, my first day home from the hospital my DH went to work and my Mom came by. After 3 days home, I was solo with my DS. It wasn't too bad.

Re: Do you take care of your NB by yourself? What kind of help do you have?

My DH took 2 weeks off and my mother came by to help the second week. I remember feeling scared when the 3rd week came and I knew I had to do it by myself, but everything went fine

Re: Do you take care of your NB by yourself? What kind of help do you have?

dh took off the first week mom the second. I have been by myself since. It is fine and actually a lot of fun

Re: Do you take care of your NB by yourself? What kind of help do you have?

My dh had only a couple of days off and then my mom was here a few days. Then I was on my own and terrified! It was hard, but things are much better now at 4 months.

Re: Do you take care of your NB by yourself? What kind of help do you have?

My DH was home from work the 1st week we were home from the hospital, and then my mom came over everyday the 2nd week. Since then, I have been on my own, but my mom does come over A LOT still.

I think I remember a prior post from you that said he was a good baby...so was mine, so taking care of him really wasn't and hasn't been bad at all. He is quite easy, it's the lonely factor that can get to me most. Now with one week left before I return to work, I wish I could have 12 weeks back again!

Good luck, you'll be fine. Also, sometimes I love the alone time, as it is my bonding time with him.

Re: Do you take care of your NB by yourself? What kind of help do you have?

DH was home for 2 weeks. Then my mom came for two weeks, but honestly I didn't need her there...thy sleep so much in the beginning.

Re: Do you take care of your NB by yourself? What kind of help do you have?

My DH didn't take off, he works off commissions (no work, no money) but he was able to do some selling by phone, so he wasn't out of the house all day.

My parents and IL's lived in close by, but only would stop for visits.
But if I needed the help, they would have been over right away.

You will be fine

Re: Do you take care of your NB by yourself? What kind of help do you have?

Posted by Marcie

My DH didn't take off, he works off commissions (no work, no money) but he was able to do some selling by phone, so he wasn't out of the house all day.

My parents and IL's lived in close by, but only would stop for visits.
But if I needed the help, they would have been over right away.

You will be fine

Re: Do you take care of your NB by yourself? What kind of help do you have?

DH started a new job the week after DS was born ~ my parents stayed with me for a week after I came home from the hospital then I was by myself.

Re: Do you take care of your NB by yourself? What kind of help do you have?

Absolutely none. DS is 6 mos old DH works full time (and more) and hardly helps me. My family lives 1 hr away. I do EVERTHING on my own. It is a privalidge for me, ifDH watches DS while I take a shower, and even my poor sister has to do it sometimes when she is here. I love my son and I dont *really* mind, but it is friggen hard!!!! Sometimes I feel like a single mom..


Eta~ I don't care, though. Even though it is rough sometimes, I would do it again in a heartbeat!!!

Message edited 4/2/2009 5:43:45 PM.

Re: Do you take care of your NB by yourself? What kind of help do you have?

Did it all on my own with a 3 year. It's been a challenge.

Re: Do you take care of your NB by yourself? What kind of help do you have?

My mom was with us for one week and DH was home for the week...then it has been me..all day...every day...sometimes it is overhwhelming, but once I got used to it, I actually like the time to run her routine as I see fit...and now I am able to venture out a little bit and it gets hard sometimes but I try...it is a work in progress...

Just know that it WILL become easier

Re: Do you take care of your NB by yourself? What kind of help do you have?

You'll be fine. I actually found it easier when I was able to get in my own rhythm with her by myself.

Dh stayed home for a week, then I was on my own.