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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To ask for a kick up the bum/ some practical advice?

43 replies

emeraldgirl1 · 03/05/2013 12:40

I have a DD aged 8 weeks.

I am a bit at the end of my tether today.

Had very little sleep for last few nights and a row with DH last night (he'd had a bad day at work and was being an utter arse; he's usually not) which resulted in me throwing dinner in the sink (not proud of myself) and not eating any dinner. DD has been grizzling/not settling all day so far so all I have managed is half a cup of cold coffee and a piece of toast three hours ago so am now feeling even more strung out and knackered.

Wanted to nap in the 20 mins that she did but had to stay on hold to HMRC to deal with stressy taxes matter.

I am just sitting here pathetically crying because I just don't know what to do with her for the rest of the day. I am so tired I can't think straight. We went to the park for a walk earlier so I guess I could do a repeat? I feel like I am failing her by not having the energy to chat or sing or something like usual.

I know I am feeling pathetically sorry for myself so would really appreciate a kick up the bum or any suggestions how to get through a long long day today

OP posts:

Original poster

emeraldgirl1 · 03/05/2013 13:17

Nosquirrels that has helped a lot, I am trying now to remind myself to enjoy cuddling her... All just getting a bit on top of me today. Will try to chill out here for a bit then wander up the road for a sneaky frappucino or something before hitting tesco

OP posts:

pigsDOfly · 03/05/2013 13:17

Absolutely what NoSquirrels said. Forget the housework. Baby won't judge you, honest.

The first months are hard, very hard. It's very early days yet but things will begin to get easier eventually and you'll feel less tired and overwhelmed. Meanwhile, be kind to yourself.

MagratOfStolat · 03/05/2013 13:17

The best advice my mother ever gave me was to pu the baby down for five minutes in the morning and five in the afternoon, either in a bouncer or under a gym. Then go and have a cup of tea in the next room. If they cry, leave them until the five minutes is up. After a few weeks, up it to ten minutes.

It reallly REAAAAALLY helped me when I felt like I was drowning. I'd have a cuppa and go on mumsnet take some deep breaths.

mameulah · 03/05/2013 14:00

What MagratOf said...that is BRILLIANT. And NoSquirrel......

Bottom line is if you, your dh and ofcourse your dd are clean and fed then you are doing a great job!

NoSquirrels · 03/05/2013 14:07

Shhhh, everybody. Don't wake the baby (or emeraldgirl1)

curryeater · 03/05/2013 14:19

Congratulations on your lovely baby.
Eat something. And have a hot milky coffee.
Everything Squirrels said is spot on.

About the tidying up and getting dinner on.... the people who are suggesting ways to do that mean well, I'm sure, but I am a bit conflicted about whether that is good advice, because

a - looking after yourself is very important right now (if you feel better in a tidy house, I get that, but maybe you just need to go to a different room);

b. if you are not perfect some days, your dh might appreciate what you managed on the others. I am not advocating game-playing, just saying in my experience if you bust a gut to maintain certain standards, what gets observed tends to me what are now minimal levels, rather than the gut-busting

Lambzig · 03/05/2013 14:26

Definitely second leaving the house. A sling will make her feel close to you if you have one/like using it, but the pushchair is fine. Put some music on (I have my iPod with one earphone in so I can listen, but still talk to DS, hear every murmur. Have a coffee or smoothie, or whatever you feel like.

I would say stuff the housework.however, if you want to do it try putting DD in a sling while you do it.

Kaekae · 03/05/2013 14:30

Lack of sleep is like torture, I have been there. DS1 is five now but the first few weeks of him being born was hard. I felt like a zombie. I didn't have any family support at all and spent days on my own as DP worked long hours. It was loney and I got bored. BUT after a while things got easier, I made lots of new mummy friends and made sure I got out everyday. I would put DS in his moses basket or chair and take that into the bathroom, put on the radio/ipod and have a nice bath. It will get easier.

Original poster

emeraldgirl1 · 03/05/2013 15:02

Thanks again everyone
Have managed to make a cheese sandwich and a coffee so things are looking up :)

OP posts:

shewhowines · 03/05/2013 15:16

Relax about the state of the house etc. This stage will pass and then you can have a tidy house.

If there is something you really need to do, or if you need 5 minutes to tidy up/eat/cry, then do so and let her cry without feeling guilty. You would have no choice if you had another toddler claiming your attention. It won't hurt her to cry for short periods of time.

The sling idea is a good one. Do things/go places to make you happy and then she may be calmer. She may be slightly picking up that you are stressed. Go to the library, walk round the shops, look round showhouses - anything to keep you sane.

shewhowines · 03/05/2013 15:18

I had to get out every day for a few hours. I would have gone round the bend, at home for most of the day.

putyourhatonsweetie · 03/05/2013 21:23

how are you doing? did you get through?

mameulah · 03/05/2013 21:51

curryeater, I think you are right. I wish I hadn't even mentioned cleaning in my post. I think my cleaning advice would be helpful on another day but when you are utterly done-in you need to just get through it and most definitely stuff the house.

I really hope OP that you got through it and are feeling at least a little bit rested.

Pilgit · 04/05/2013 11:28

Hi OP. hope you're feeling better today. I have a nearly 5 month old with reflux and so can really relate. I found putting classic fm on and putting her in her pram calmed her. She loves listening to the music. My LO hates there being too much going on (have learnt this the hard way) so have really taken a step back and observe her rather than lead play (iyswim). She is happiest sitting propped up in the pram/on the sofa/in bouncy chair watching me do stuff (for some reason cutting the hedge was the funniest thing ever...).

Tailtwister · 04/05/2013 11:41

I know it might not seem like it, but you are doing brilliantly. The newborn days are absolutely knackering. You've had loads of good advice already, so I won't add to it but just wanted to say we've all been there. It's extremely tough, but does pass.

Original poster

emeraldgirl1 · 04/05/2013 21:30

Thanks so much lovely MNers.

I did indeed get through the day, didn't feel like I would but lo and behold I got there and had a VERY large glass of cold white the minute DH walked through the door... Today has been much better, not a huge amount of sleep last night but manageable and the weekend could not have come at a better time as I handed her over to DH at 5 this morning and want back to bed for another two hours! Bliss!! Having DH around today has helped massively and have managed a nice day.

I am getting to grips with the fact that it doesn't help to pile pressure on yourself to be some kind of all singing (literally) all dancing supermum...

I just hate that horrible empty feeling of utter exhaustion where you feel you have nothing to give and dread them waking up as you don't know what in gods name you will do with them and how to cope when they cry...

Got some heavenly smiles today though which really were a tonic!!

OP posts:

Original poster

emeraldgirl1 · 04/05/2013 21:34

Pilgit, just to say that yes music is a big help with DD too, sadly nothing as sophisticated as classic fm but she loves billy Joel and a bit of bob Marley :) I don't know why it didn't even occur to me today that I could have put a bit of music on for her. Only trouble is she won't really go in her pram to listen to it, she likes to be held so it does still make it tough to get much done at the same time... I should probably try her in the pram with music more often though to see if she might stay longer

OP posts:

Kaekae · 05/05/2013 15:53

No such thing as an all singing and dancing supermum, don't care what anyone says. We all have our off days so don't beat yourself up. You really don't need to worry about doing much with a baby so young, save your energy for when she is running about everywhere and really needs a bit of entertainment!! Glad you are feeling a bit brighter. :)

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