To be scared of how poo life can be with a DC?

[BlueIsYou]

Specifically a very young DC.

I'm due soon and all I really see on Mumsnet is the awful of having a newborn

I don't recall seeing anything good said about newborn/young DC.

I'm quite scared of it all. It's as if the good doesn't always outweigh the bad at all?

In my own experience, I have three very much so younger siblings who've been gold from day 1 really, and never caused many issues.

My DM certainly never went without showering and she never had any help (apart from me, but I rarely stepped in).

Is it really that awful sometimes? That you can't even brush your teeth if you are determined to?

I'm extremely odd about personal hygiene and I would rather someone imprison me and cut off all my luscious locks than someone forbid me from having a shower/carrying out my routine of dental hygiene.

The sleep deprivation is better managed with just one DC to attend to, surely? I can understand the sheer relentlessness of it if you have another DC to run after though.

Honestly, new parenthood just seems a bit shit when you look on MN

My newborn didn't sleep much and there were some days I didn't have a shower or do my teeth. I can only count these days on one hand though. Dry hair shampoo is fab for emergencies and bouncy chairs are a godsend. I had one downstairs and got a cheap second hand one for upstairs.

I made sure I always wore some makeup everyday, even if it was just blusher and tinted lip balm.

DS is now 10 months and I think I've only managed not to shower once or twice since he was born. I stuck him in a bouncy chair in the bathroom and when he became too big for it I make sure I shower when he's napping.

The best advice I can give you is feed loads, try to establish good sleep habits straight away (i.e. the more the better) and try to do what you would normally do - just strap your baby to you in a sling! The first two weeks are the hardest and yes, it is tough but it can also be a really lovely time.

P.S.I have no family within 200 miles and only one other friend with a baby a similar age who lives 30 minutes drive away and I don't drive! You'll be fine.

I found DD easier as a baby. The only issue was trying to get her to nap during the day. We tried sleep training too early which was a bit much for her and me but we quickly realised and just postponed. From 4 months to 18 months I'd say was a pleasure. She was in a strict routine, always napped and slept through the night and I managed fine.

Then just before her second birthday I felt ready to reclaim some me time and that's been challenging to juggle as horses are my passion but having one is a bit like having another child. I find toddlerdom much harder to deal with than anything she threw at me when she was tiny. The arguments, the defiance, the constant demands, using me as a piece of furniture, following me to the toilet. I want to scream and run away some days. But you will find even if you're not a natural maternal type like me that you cope. You love them so much you just manage and do your best and you enjoy the good bits. Get sleep wherever and whenever you can and have some adult time to yourself if you can too. Good luck

Thanks Jules, I'm kind of the same. If it works for me then brilliant but not putting myself under any pressure.