When did life with a baby get easier for you?

[singingpinkmonkey]

Just that really. When did it get better for you?

I have an 11 week old and have had a tough couple of days with him crying and not sleeping. I haven't been able to do anything and I feel self conscious of him screaming in public places so have pretty much been trapped at home, venturing out for walks when I can. I know things could be a lot worse and I adore him but just feeling so fed up and wondered if and when it will get easier and I can enjoy my baby a bit more.

Thanks x

[Pipsicola]

First 3 months were tough, by 6 months started to really enjoy her as she started interacting much more and by 9 months she was sleeping through which meant everything became easier to deal with.

Totally normal for babies to have their bad days/weeks/months - are they teething/growth spurt/poorly? Personally if my DD was having a bad day there was even more incentive to get to baby groups for a good moan or a walk in the pram. Don't feel self conscious - babies cry and don't let anyone make you feel bad about it!

[RatherBeCrazy]

Once mine could sit unaided it got easier, and once he could crawl we were both so much happier. 18 months and not sleeping through yet but after about a year you get used to it!

[Ooopsohdear]

12 months when she could walk!

[Bananamanfan]

It's like the opposite of boiling a frog; it happens really gradually & you do have ups & downs, but one day you think "this isn't so bad"
It's so hard, you're not crazy, it really is like torture.

[Tobuyornot99]

At about 20 weeks it changed from 90% slog 10% joy, to completely the opposite. Hang in there, it gets so much easier, almost overnight

[Aoibhe]

6 months when I could put them in a highchair and get things done in the kitchen while they watch me.

[ILiveForNachos]

It got easier and easier without me really noticing it. Now at 10 months I feel like it's finally tipping to mainly enjoyable 😂

Ten months felt ages away when in her constant, every 20 min, cluster feeding phase around 11 weeks, now it's here I feel like I've only blinked.

[ILiveForNachos]

💐 for you though. It definitely does get better.

[Madwomans]

I remember that so well, OP. If I could travel back in time and talk to myself when my son was a newborn, I would just say 'Don't panic. This bit is awful for a lot of people, but it's finite, and, crucially, you don't need to do anything to make things improve, so take the pressure off yourself, and do what's easiest for now. Things get easier by themselves. Don't force yourself out if you don't want to -- the world's not going anywhere.'

[buckyou]

Not wanting to make you feel bad but it's got harder for me! My DD is more difficult as a toddler than she was as a baby. She's harder work than my 6 week old as well but he's an easy baby at the moment.

Really think you'd be better to get out the house. It's been nude weather, you could just go for a nice walk? Doesn't really matter if he cries then (although don't worry about that anyway, babies cry. People understand and if they don't they are arseholes).

[elQuintoConyo]

5 years and i'm still waiting....

[Count2three]

First 16 weeks were bloody awful and I was on my knees for a lot of it. With each milestone it got easier. You're not alone in how you're feeling!

[SprogletsMum]

I think you adapt to being a parent. Some bits are easier than others.
I'm struggling at the minute, I'm 37 weeks pregnant with my 4th. Dc are 8, 5 and 2. I'm tired, we're doing less, they're fighting constantly, the housework isn't getting done. But I know it'll be short lived and we'll be OK again soon.
I find babies get more enjoyable from about 4ish months and then they're pretty entertaining from then on.

[danTDM]

Oh no, after potty training I suppose, until then, you have to do everything for them. It is exhausting. I never relaxed, ever. I felt terrible as I didn't enjoy the baby bit at all as it seemed never ending.

Now DD is 8 she is a dream and does it all herself and I miss your days I would love a baby day back She is a precious little person. But I would want them back knowing what I know it is like now IYSWIM.

Not helpful, but it does go by incredibly quickly.

[SorenLorensonsInvisibleFriend]

For me, I got boosts at six weeks, three months, six months, then a year.. by the time both mine were 18mths, I was thoroughly enjoying them. But I am crap with babies and much prefer them growing older. Five- and three-year-old now, and I'm loving it.

[Cutesbabasmummy]

18 months! Now DS is 2 yes old he's fun and it's nice taking him.out and about!

[Phalarope]

Second Madwoman. Will he sleep on a walk? I found the screaming a bit easier outside.
It does get better.

[Bethan2]

Probably from about 4/5 months when he started sleeping through the night. First few weeks were horrendous but it does get better, I promise! Hang in there x

[Bubbinsmakesthree]

I think it massively depends on the baby! Most people struggle with one part or another - if it isn't the newborn stage it could sleep regressions, teething, weaning,

I found there were ups and downs all the way through the baby stage. Post 6 months I think was generally good for us - better sleeping, weaning wasn't difficult for us and interactive play was more rewarding.

Then you get into the stage when they're crawling and pulling up and you have to watch them like a hawk because they're hell bent on destroying either themselves or your property! Not looking forward to that bit second time round!

[Tootsiepops]

Oh op - you poor love. The first 4 months with my newborn, I'd quite cheerfully have killed myself not even joking

Then her colic went, we got her reflux sorted and she started hitting milestones (rolling over, sitting up, crawling etc) and it all got progressively easier.

That's not to say that life with a 16 month old toddler is all fun and games. This morning she had a full on meltdown because I wouldn't let her put cheese in her shoes

[RosieposiePuddingandPi]

Tootsie that's really made me chuckle
I found the first 10 weeks to be pretty hellish (at times I thought about calling SS to have him taken away from me) but DS is now 13 weeks and about 80% of the time he's awesome. I also recently discovered that each mother hears her child's cry as an incredibly loud noise whereas to other people it's really not so try not to worry too much about the screaming!

[marciagetscreamed]

First six weeks is hell.

First six months are pretty hard, especially with your first.

Light at the end of tunnel is that after 1 yr they really do get easier.

Haven't got to 6 yrs old yet but no doubt more posters will be along soon to tell us what we're in for! Keep going, it will all pass soon

[P1nkSparkles]

We're at 6 months and we've had easier patches and more difficult patches.

If your finding things tough, have a look at the wonder weeks app. It was recommended to me by some mum friends and I find it a lifesaver - it forecast periods where babies are going through stages of mental development (they call it leaps) and are likely to be a bit more fractious. Maybe it's just me but I found knowing why dd was not herself made it easier to manage.

[Toobloodytired]

I'm currently at 7 days with a newborn so I'm intently watching this thread for as much advice as I can get!

I currently get a LOT of help from mum, 3 brothers & step dad as I'm staying with them for a few weeks....no idea how il cope when I go home!!

[SymphonyofShadows]

DS1 was a 'good' baby who slept through the night from 5 weeks so DS2 being a screamer was a total shock. He settled down from about 4 months though. I can still remember the mind numbing exhaustion of those first couple of months with him.

If it helps at all, the screamer turned out to be the one who settled into his own room much quicker, whereas the 'good' baby used to appear in our room at 3am for what seemed like years.