Hi ladies
I'm from the December 2016 group and though it may be of some use to you ladies to hear what we have enjoyed/struggled with/ wanted to cry over since our little ones arrived as your all so close to the finish line.
I forgot how hard the sleepless nights are and how emotional and hormonal it all is and how I blame my dh on everything lol
I didn't anticipate the randomness of them sleeping. I think I assumed they would just wake every few hours - totally naive. Oh and the screaming will break you within seconds!
I agree!
I'd say my hardest has been trying to catch up on sleep. Everyone had told me, nap when baby naps to catch up on sleep but I've found it easier said then done. He either sleeps on me so not possible or doesn't sleep long enough so I don't get the chance.
Sometimes babies just cry for no reason at all!! I think they do it just to wind us up 😠
That some days you feel like you are concurring the world, and the next it all seems impossible. Having two has been much easier and much harder than I anticipated, but watching the bond grow between them is my greatest joy.
Just to enjoy them and not worry about routines unless you want to. This time goes so fast, and they grow so quickly.
I'd say listen to your baby and your instincts, learn their feeding ques have been the best thing I've done, I thought he needed to wear scratch mitts to stop him from scratching his face but I was told by a midwife in hospital to take them off as he'll suck on his hands when he's hungry and can't do that with mitts on, the other thing I learnt in hospital from one of the health care ladies was watch their nappies if they've wee-ed a lot or pooed a lot don't be surprised that they are hungry again before the next feed is due!
That there is no pattern to how often a breastfed baby will want to feed in the early days, and cluster feeding doesn't mean that they aren't getting enough milk!
So many things... I think the first month is really hard.
- I wasn't prepared for how hormonally weepy and fragile I was for weeks after birth.
- I knew breastfeeding could be hard but I was not prepared for it to take 4 weeks to establish (but worth it).
- Night sweats. Oh my god.
- I think it helped that I had very low expectations on the sleep front, so whilst it is really really hard it's not a shock!
- But ultimately, it will all be ok! 💪🏻
The 3 c's - clingyness, crying for no reason and crankiness!
Can't put them down unless they're on you etc.
Find out about your local breast feeding support meet ups in advance, they've been so helpful for me
That your nipples can hurt quite a lot at the start even if you're doing it right. Absolutely get your latch checked, but it still took mine a good 5 weeks just to "toughen up"
I read "the womanly art of breastfeeding" (the la leche league bible) when it was leant to me when I was struggling, but doing so before birth when you have time and can concentrate would be so much more valuable
Also, it's perfectly normal for them to be clingy and not want to sleep anywhere else but on you for a while. Research how to cosleep safely, brief your other half that they may be kicked out of the bed for a few weeks, and don't beat yourself up about it
Also rubbing nipples in breast milk and letting them air dry is the quickest way to repair them when damaged