im just wondering when ive had this baby

[dressedupnowheretogo]

what do i do if i wanna have a shower do i put her in her carry cot on the floor of the bathroom
and what do you do with them when they are not crying or sleeping and are clean
do you hold them

oh my god my head feels like its gonna explode

[purpleturtle]

I will be leaving my baby safely in Moses basket/cot in a bedroom. S/he won't come to any harm.

Bouncy chairs can be great for awake babies, although I think to begin with there isn't a lot of time when they're not either sleeping or feeding or generally being passed round doting relatives.

Calm down, booby. You'll be fine. Your head is very unlikely to actually explode.

[lahdeedah]

Buy one of those reclining bouncy chairs - I used to put my DD in there while I got on with cooking, etc. Also used to bring her in the bathroom with me while I took a shower! You do spend most of your time holding them though when they are very little!

Don't panic - you will be fine!!

[muma3]

in the first few days they tend to sleep alot anyway but i tended to use a bouncy chair and a baby swing. baby swing good if breatsfeeding and the baby tends to be a bit clingy ,they feel like they are still being held and rocked.

get a playmat too they are safe to lay in one for a while and have a play , just looking at all the colours is very stimulating for them

you will be fine

[shhhh]

gosh I remember the same thoughts although must admit mine thought's didn't happen until dd arrived..!

I remember panicing because I wanted a shower and din't know if I could leave her (after all someone had watched over her at ALL times while in hospital). Anyway aftre a few days I realised that as long as I could have a 20 second shower then dd would be fine..!! . TBH as long as they are in their cot and safe don't worry. You may want to take the monitor into the shower with you or even put then in a baby bouncer/chair type thing while you shower. Nowadays dd is now 1 and she loves just mooching around our room while I shower and pops in occasionally to bang on the shower door. LOL think she's telling me to hurry..!!

If they are not crying but awake then it's upto you..If you have stuff to do then this is the ideal time while they are content BUT you may want to hold them as it's such a lovely precious tim having a baby. Those 1st few weeks/months you may be glad of the nice time you have alone with baby without visitors mitering over baby.. I know I was..!!
You may want to lie them on a play mat a hold toys above them to stimulate their senses or sing nursery rhymes to them..again I remember thinking "what the hell do I do"...I have nothing in common with this baby but YOU DO..!!! Just do what feels and comes naturally. You may want to hold them and talk to them while showing them outside the window etc...hth.

BTW when are you due..?? Good luck.

[sweetkitty]

booby - you will be fine I've got to fit a shower around a baby and a toddler and I can (just about) manage it.

Babies do sleep a lot I remember when it was just DD1 and I found it quite boring sometimes. Bouncy chairs are good as is under a changing mat with a playgym over them, DD2 loves to be under her playgym. If you need to have a shower stick her in her cot for 10 minutes even if she starts to cry she will come to no harm.

I also have a swing thing for DD2 she likes to watch everyone from that too, best of all she likes to be on the floor kicking her lags with someone to "talk" to.

You will be fine deep breathes

[shhhh]

looks like great minds.....!!! Great advert for bouncy chairs..! LOL..!!!

[Chloe55]

I leave ds in his baby bath lined with a blanket so he can watch me - I think you will prob find your newborn will sleep lots so you will just be able to leave them asleep in their moses basket/crib/cot, whatever you are using.

I also found that rarely was ds not crying or sleeping when he was a newborn so you won't need to worry too much about that either

[Xavielli]

did anyone else find that when in the shower/anywhere with background noise, that they could here their baby crying even when they're not?

My word, a mothers brain is a strange thing!

[pol26]

I was a nanny before I had my DD and swore that she wouldn't get into bad habits... such as being rocked to sleep, being carried every where etc... What a load of rubbish the moment she was born and laced into my arms she ruled the house!

I'd hold her when she was sleeping, i'd shower when it was most convienant for her and not me- bear in mind she was a few days old and already ruling us all.

The only thing we have been firm on is sleep at night, she slept through from 7 weeks. My view is, to give her everything in the day, you need your own time and sleep at night to be able to function. In the day she had me whenever she wanted but at night she knew we meant business.

I found she hated the noise of the shower and so would leave her strapped in something in another room- she loved watching postman pat and big cook little cook... You will know what to do, at the moment you can't imagine how much your life will change but your heart will tell you whats best for your baby; after all you're their Mummy!

Good luck and congrats!

[CrocodileKate]

Xavielli I was the same, convinced they were screaming whenever I was in the shower and also at random times during the night.
BL you will find a way that suits you and your baby, don't panic. Oh and if it is not crying or sleeping then your job for the first few months is to just enjoy your baby.

[bramblina]

I know exactly what you mean- you get all the ante natal checks and feeding classes, birth classes but what the hell after that! And as others have said, it does come naturally. And you probably won't get a chance to choose either as someone will have hold until the lo is about 4 weeks old anyway!
The gyms are great, they love to look at things and take it all in. I found that when I had my shower I would lay ds on a towel on the floor and he would have a good half hour with his nappy off. This went on to be an hour as he got a bit older and wouldn't be so cold (summer baby so that helps) this has proven invaluable as he's nearly 11 months and hasn't had nappy rash. He has this first thing in the morning (still). But even when you're changing him anytime just leave him for a few mins exposed, he'll love the feeling. When I would potter around the kitchen ds would be in his bouncy chair watching. I would say to you though be happy for the lo not to be in the same room as you all the time, say if you're popping in and out doing odd jobs, so he will be happy alone, for short periods. Hoover lots! Get the lo used to the noise, that way you can be sure they'll never get frightened of it (it can happen) and you can then hoover when they're asleep (if you really wnat to!). It's amazing how much you feel you really haven't a clue, then when the lo comes home you'll feel like you've had them forever. What a wonderful feeling.