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I need some single parenting tips!

7 replies

ElleG91 · 09/10/2016 20:20

Hi everyone, I'm looking for some tips on how to survive as a single mum I'm 23 weeks pregnant with my first and I'm going it alone.

Any tips or advice would be much appreciated! especially for when the baby arrives, I can't wait to have such a close bond with my baby boy but I know it's going to be exhausting!!

I don't have any family or friends around except my dad, so I also have no birth partner lol I would love to hear any helpful advice on anyone else who has had to give birth alone too

Thanks everyone for reading

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LauLau93 · 10/10/2016 06:04

I havent had to go it alone and honestly fair play to you. It is very hard work having a new born (i have a 3 week old) especially with little to no support. You should attend some antenatal classes to meet women who are also expecting, that way they may not be there to change the nappies or do the night feeds but at least you have someone to meet up with for a coffee to give you some company which i feel is the important part of having a baby...keeping yourself sane. Good luck!!!!!!

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ninenicknames · 10/10/2016 06:17

Lone parent from day 1 here.

Agree with PP surround yourself with other people who are expecting at similar time.

Join baby groups and build your own network.

It's tough at times but I've never been happier.

Good luck & enjoy it

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ElleG91 · 10/10/2016 18:35

Thanks for your comments my midwife has booked me in for antenatal classes but the soonest date they had is January and I'm due 8th Feb lol

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backonthebikeagain · 10/10/2016 18:53

Lone parent here. I wasn't from day one but I did give birth to dd2 alone (bar the midwife) It was fab!

My advice would be - Sleep when the baby does, create short cuts i.e. Cook a lot and freeze it, don't worry if you have bad days, don't be afraid to ask family for help and enjoy it 🙂 Exdp left when dd2 was 2yo and I found life so much easier on my own! Good luck and keep posting on mn, it was my go to in times of need!

Ps I have met most of my current friends through school! I never did baby groups but I'm sure you will meet great people there 🙂

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Dixiechick17 · 10/10/2016 18:57

Have you joined the mumsnet antenatal group for Feb 2016? Whilst I am not a single Mum the Mumsnet group I joined when pregnant have been a great source of support even for random chats on the fb group in the early ours of the morning during feeds. Also worth seeing if their are any nct bumps and babies groups in your area, you don't have to be an nct member and can go along and meet other mums to be.

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Solasum · 10/10/2016 18:59

I did the first year alone.

Consider having your dad for the labour. He doesn't need to go down the business end, but having someone there on your side makes a difference.

Sleep whenever you can. Get your baby used to entertaining itself from an early age, on the baby mat or safe in cot. If there isn't another pair of hands coming home you need to still be able to function, wash and eat.

Get out to groups. You may have to try several before clicking. It was a real eye opener for me- much easier to be on your own than have someone around who is utterly unhelpful and or demanding when you are exhausted, which some partners were.

Remember to eat properly. Online food shopping is your friend

Congratulations!

Cosleep.