Newborn stage = Endurance Test?!

[motheroftinydragons]

Is it just me who considers the newborn baby stage as a test of endurance rather than a fuzzy, hearts and flowers pleasure time?

I adore my children. I have no PND or related issues. However I cannot relate to the stories I hear of newborn bliss!

My first was a terrible silent refluxer so I always put it down to that. She was a genuinely difficult, very high needs baby. I also had an awful birth to recover from. My second is very different, no issues just a 'normal' newborn (she's 7 weeks) and I had a lovely birth this time. I still feel like it's just utterly relentless. My eldest is 2.5 now and truly is a dream of a toddler. I find myself almost wishing the first few months away until my lovely newborn is older. Although on the positive side I do feel so excited for the times when we have two older children.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not unhappy and I am aware of how lucky I am to have two healthy children. I'm just generally musing really. I know it gets easier. But I hear other people talking about loving this early stage and I just think 'how?!'

DH asked if I thought we'd want a third child one day. We both laughed and said not a chance would we want to do this bit again!

Haha! My husband said this yesterday! It’s our (in excess of 5 but actual number would be outing) and my goodness it’s hardwork getting anything done in the house!

You have 5+ children @Mightymousie? Good grief. I take my hat off to you. How have you managed it?!

Two is my limit! I'd walk through fire for them but my goodness I wouldn't do it all again if you paid me.

I'm really glad I'm not the only one who feels like this.

Mine sleeps pretty well, no issues at all with reflux, easy birth. But I have found it relentless be just not really very fun. Lots of wishing back my old life.

Just got out of the newborn stage and it's such a relief! They're much more interactive, smile and giggle, can hold their heads up so you don't have to hold them with both hands all the time, they're even cuter. Plus you don't worry as much about breaking them! Agree wholeheartedly with you.

I spent some time with my nephew yesterday who is five, nearly six months. He is such a delight! Rolling around giggling everywhere.

So far I think my preferred ago is 12 months plus. 2+ even better!

I think it might be a hormonal thing and you either get it or you don't. I didn't have much of a glow with DD, but was talking to a friend the other day who said she felt bleak with DD1 but totally in love and dreamlike with DD2. I don't think it's a matter of attitude, your brain must control it somehow!

I do love babies, but it’s such a blur! You wait for them to be born and then it’s a whirlwind for weeks where day and night blur and it’s endless! My baby (11 weeks) is not bad at night (as in she’s quiet) but she is quite small and still wakes 4 times. (Well this morning woke at 4.45 for morning! But she’s quite a crier in the day and won’t take a dummy so I can’t really put her down. It’s hard work. Today I’ve mainly eaten Oreos.

Could not agree more with the OP. I hate the newborn stage, I dislike the baby stage but so far I love the toddler stage- it's so much more rewarding.

My first I thought so but my second is a dream he doesn’t like being put down much but I get him down enough to do jobs , he rarely cries and is full of smiles after injections. He sleeps through too. My first never slept screamed constantly and was extremely hard work so I’m not smug about ds2 just lucky.

I love the toddler stage too @Mrsharper88. Well, so far. My eldest is 2.5 and despite the odd tantrum she is just so easy compared to a baby! And I can have a proper conversation with her, it's great!

Like I said I'm excited to have older children too. My new baby is gorgeous and such a good girl - so easy in comparison to how her sister was - but she is still bloody hard work. It is absolutely relentless.