I can’t remember (hardly) anything about raising a newborn

[Ifyousayso2019]

Hi all
I am pregnant with second, due in a few months. I am starting to feel anxious as I feel like I’ve forgotten so many basics around feeding, routines etc. My first DC is only 3, so it wasn’t like a decade ago or anything! I feel like since my early 30s a few years ago, my memory has just gone to pot. It’s like I just live in the moment and I literally forget about things after a few weeks. I never used to be like this

Is it normal to feel “unprepared” when expecting a second? Will it just come back to me when the baby is born?

It will come back i promise! I had a 5year age gap and i had the nervous omg what do i do the first day then it all came flooding back. Just 1 tip though, they are different babies and so may not follow the same sleep/feed schedules as your eldest.

Definitely comes back. I have a new born and a 3 year old.

It will come back to you, so don’t worry. I remember having quite strong contractions during labour and thinking oh god I forgot it was like this. I think our brain makes us forget so we go on to have a second and it’s only when you are muddling thru night feeds and functioning on a few hours sleep that you remember how bad it can be, but with your second you know it doesn’t last forever.

Yes, it does! I have a four year gap and just before my second was born I suddenly thought "wtf do I DO with a newborn?!"

Somehow it all flooded back and it was easier than first time around!

When you had your first you had no experience and you have survived so far 😊

Just think with your guest you literally knew nothing and all was well. Have faith in yourself.

I’m convinced it’s the sleep deprivation in the newborn stage that stops you laying down proper memories.
Luckily a lot of things are like riding a bike and you never forget, like that standing up jiggle to calm them down. If you have a girl and then a boy the nappies can be a bit of a minor challenge but give it a day or two.
The nice thing is the lack of agonising the second time round. You don’t think omg how do I do this, you just do it without thinking.

The tiredness wipes out the memories, but it does come back.

It will all come flooding back - trust me!

I have a (almost) 11 year old and a 9 week old, you will be fine x

i have a 13 year old, and a 7 year old who has been with me for 3 weeks (adoption) and felt like I knew nothing. gradually coming back !