You know the advice to take your newborn to bed for skin to skin when breastfeeding's tough?

[ThatDamnDog]

It's so right!

I never did this with DS, partly because I didn't know better, partly because we had family staying and it felt awkward. But this time I've been more selfish and I've spent the whole day in bed with DD, feeding and cuddling and letting her do soft sleepy sighs on my chest, MNing and reading and resting.

Result: engorgement slowly resolving, DD feeding more, my bottom is happier and I may be able to stay awake through X Factor tonight. And I got hours of precious newborn time that will be gone too soon.

You MUST do this. Oh bugger, I've made myself cry ...

That is so lovely! It's making me broody!

I'm slightly jealous - although I had no problems initiating breastfeeding, by the time it occurred to me to use the opportunity to spend all day in bed, my DD had decided she didn't want to be there (wanted to be up & doing!) Will have to have another to make up for it

How lovely! Good for you.

I never did this, even though I knew about it from MN. I was obsessed by getting dressed, putting make up on and getting back to normal (think I was scared that if I didn't things would never get back to normal - not that they ever did!). Also kept trying to do housework - WTF?? Basically I think I went a bit insane for the first few months .. . .

I am totally taking your advice next time!!

Yes it's first class advice. Lovely post.

I'm so glad you got to do this - I'm very fond of your DS after having been on your labour thread. Give his head a snuggle for me.

Gorgeous, just gorgeous!

Just wish midwives had told me this at the beginning.

Hope you are enjoying X factor!

This is one reason women used to be 'confined' to bed for 2 weeks after giving birth. Ok, I know it's not all good - risk of blood clots through immobility, etc, BUT - to establish a wonderful bond between mother and baby it cannot be beaten (I'm in tears now) - enjoy every minute TDD

this is sooo cool,thanks for sharing.

Lovely thread!

I've been trying to do this but I'm on my own with a newborn and a toddler (only another week until dp gets home. ) so it's hard.

Luckily toddler goes bed at 7pm and sleeps a full 12 hours so I have been climbing in bed as soon as he's asleep to try and get as much rest/feeding practice/newborn smuggles as possible.

Lovely post though so thank-you. You are right, it does go ever so fast.

I think you're right about that hormonesnomore. There seems to be a lot pressure on women to get back to 'normal' so quickly after birth. I for one wish I'd spent less time trying to be supermum and just put my feet up and rested with my baby.

I'm lucky that MIL took DS out for the day. When he was born DP's family stayed then too but I felt obliged to be up and about and he probably didn't spend long enough at the breast in the early days. Which was daft because I'd had a section.

It's a shame that it's taken having a second child to give me the confidence to do it. It should be unspoken and assumed that all new mums spend some time back in bed if they want to for the first week or two at least. It doesn't really feel like society approves though.

Well I DEFINITELY approve of it. It was the big upside of having a dural tap (first baby) and c-section (second baby). Lots of compulsory bedrest both times. So lots of lovely lovely cuddles, and other people sorting out the rest of life. Lovely

I think I spent the first 3 days without a top on, DS with only a nappy on, lying on top of me and just being together. Not always feeding, just being together. Wonderful and so calming and peaceful.

Can I also suggest doing skin to skin with baby and Dad as well? It means that you can have a bath or a cup of tea and it means that baby and Dad can bond as well. For me, if DH was holding baby then that didn't count as someone else if you see what I mean. DS was still within our immediate family unit.