First few weeks survival tips!

[RMarieClaire]

Sorry if I missed this but thought it would be good to have a thread to share tips on surviving the first few weeks of parenthood, not least because I'm four days in with my beautiful daughter and finding it hard.

Mostly it's the sleep - she won't sleep if she's not in one of our arms, so we've been shift sleeping and I'll be honest I've napped with her on me in the middle of the night.

I have no idea how to train her to sleep on her back in the carrycot - or even co/sleeping and google just keeps telling me I should try somehow. Tips from parents who have survived would be amazing.

Very grateful for a June baby so at least the days are long and nights are short.

My little girl is 6 weeks and still has days like this. I was wisely told to remember how different their little world is all of sudden. They were used to the constant sound of your heartbeat and being warm and surround by all the fluid and suddenly they don't have these things. I don't think you can train newborns. My mum also wisely said they're only newborn once and to make the most of the cuddles as this time will fly by so fast. So I'm doing just that :) it is hard though. You're doing a great job mama!

We also got a nuna leaf chair (second hand as they're quite pricey) but she loves that, she would never settle in the Moses basket. The leaf and a next to me cot have been game changers for us. Wish I'd had them from the get go rather than a Moses basket!

A sleepyhead and some kind of white noise toy or app where really well for us. I use White Noise Deep Sleep Sounds and the 'womb' setting

Just wanted to say that I'm sure you're doing a great job @RMarieClaire ❤️

Ooh thank you @moonstonemama - I'll look into the leaf. So far the only place she's settled away from us was the car seat so any thing like that that's safer for naps sounds dreamy.

And you and your mum are definitely right. It's amazing to feel needed by something this adorable. Just hope she's less needy by the time DH goes back to work!

How about getting a 'Ewan the sheep'. It's a teddy that plays sounds that sound similar to what the baby would have heard in the womb. You could attach it to the side of the cot and she may get used to sleeping in there with the familiar sounds near.. I know of lots of children that have found Ewan the sheep comforting and may get one for my little one when she arrives.. Just a thought

Ewan the sheep

@RMarieClaire honestly the leaf is brilliant, I got a toy bar for it too (got them off the fb marketplace for nice and cheap) and she loves it!!! Don't get me wrong some days she just wants to be cuddled but she will sit happily in it and snooze. A good hip safe sling is good investment too so you can have baby on you and still do your bits and bobs in the house if you need it 😊😊

Ewen is brilliant for baby. My DC had Colic so we tried anything and everything.

A comfortable nursing chair and loads of Maom Crazy Rocks helped me.

It is perfectly possible to co sleep safely, and that was the only way we got any sleep in the early weeks. Families have done so - and continue to do - it all around the world for thousands of years. There is some good guidance here. www.laleche.org.uk/safe-sleep-the-breastfed-baby/

A sleepyhead and white noise were also essential for us.

However i also feel it is important to be realistic about expectations. Your baby needs to be close to you and they need to wake up regularly to feed and be comforted. Reading up on the 'fourth trimester' can really help to understand and accept this.

Good luck and just remember, like all things parenting, it is just a phase!