Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Parenting

For free parenting resources please check out the Early Years Alliance's Family Corner.

Feel like shit mum

9 replies

Feckadeck · 08/11/2013 16:43

Feel like I have no relationship with him really. Al I do is feed, change and try to keep him quiet whether in bouncer or on me sleeping. Sometimes sing to him and read few books but he too little really (6 weeks) so doesn't seem worth it as he cries. Feel like I have no relationship at all....not sure he knows who I am at all. I never know when he needs fed either so feel like its always just when he is crying I respond, I keep reading that I would know cues for feeding, sleeping, etc but I just don't. I don't know him at all. Also he never seems to sleep in the day other than odd 15mins or so on me or if I am outside sometimes so I can never do anything in house until husband home from work so feel useless. It's horrible to say but I am bored in the day and don't know what to do. I just want to clean up the house but no time as wont be put down. He's not even a really cryie baby so I shouldn't complain. It's just really getting me down having no idea what he want or being able to do anything in house. I don't feel way I thought u would towards him. It's getting me really down.

OP posts:
cupcake78 · 08/11/2013 17:41

Firstly it's very very early days! Secondly have you told anyone in real life about this? Maybe a gp or HV visit would be good.

Your little one will be learning to smile anytime now. I found that really helps!

lockie1983 · 08/11/2013 17:46

No way I could read this and run. You are me, twelve weeks ago.

First of all: give yourself a break. You are not a shit mum. Baby needs to be fed, clean and cuddled right now so you are doing a great job by the sounds of it.

My ds won't be put down either, he will manage ten minutes here or there now (and I have gradually built this up over time). Still fights day time sleep too. Sorry if this freaks you out ... I have just learned to deal with it as best I can. Put him in a sling, hold, cuddle, enjoy, watch DVDs.

Please talk to someone in real life about pnd, it comes in all forms and you sound like you could do with someone to talk to and remind you how great you are doing.

I found the newborn stage boring too ... Used to running around for work, then housework, the gym ... Now if I can get us both washed, dressed and to the local shop it's a massive achievement !

He doesn't give sleep or hunger cues either. He goes from happy to a screamer in a second. I am about 50% used to it now lol

He is much more interactive and though at 6 weeks he didn't feel real, when he laughs at me now my heart swells. I am still getting to know him and our bond is growing over time. Once read that a new baby can be like a new love : slow burning and stronger with time. For me this is true, my love grows each day and though I don't yet feel fierce love, I love the quirks in his personality and the way he sucks his thumb and now know that incy wincy spider (which I used to sing to him when he was newborn) is sure fire way to get him to smile.

Sorry if this is too much about me, I just wanted you to know you are not alone in how you feel.

Hang in there, the early weeks are tough. Ignore the housework if you can, find ways to do it if (like me) you can't.

Be kind to yourself.

AnnieLobeseder · 08/11/2013 17:51

Babies are boring. It was like looking after an ungrateful pet for those first weeks when they just sleep and poop. Oh, and cry a lot. Hmm

But they do get a lot more interesting. They start to engage, and smile, and move about, and laugh, and develop little personalities, and then all of a sudden, they're real people who you love more than you could imagine.

Here's what you need to do:

  1. get a sling (a proper wrap sling, not a Baby Bjorn or similar)
  2. pop him in it. He'll be happy as larry snuggled up to your front
  3. get on with stuff you want to do, be it cleaning up, going for a walk or meeting friends for coffee.

Your life will improve immeasurably!!

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Melonbreath · 08/11/2013 17:57

My life improved at this stage after buying a moby wrap. And you ARE doing a good job, you respond when he cries.

Feckadeck · 08/11/2013 19:21

Thanks so much. Feels better just knowing not unusual. I do have a wrap sling. Got when pregnant but just felt too much to try to introduce something else into our day....reckon I better though as sounds like it could be the key. Will try to keep chin up! Thanks

OP posts:
AnnieLobeseder · 08/11/2013 20:03

Good god woman, get it on you now! You won't believe the difference it makes to your life. There are loads of great videos on YouTube to help you get the hang of it.

AnnieLobeseder · 08/11/2013 20:08

There is a very good reason why women from most societies and through most of history wear/wore their babies. Baby loves it, mummy stays sane. I have no idea why most of Western society has abandoned the practice.

Jaffakake · 08/11/2013 20:15

I didn't want to read & run. I found myself ill prepared for how boring this stage was & how out of my depth I felt. You're not rubbish, you are trying & most likely succeeding to cater to all of his needs. It'll get better really soon. You're in that stage of getting to know each other. In no time at all they'll be two years old & you'll know just what to do to make them laugh!

ILoveAFullFridge · 08/11/2013 20:18

when he is crying I respond
That is one of the first ways of communicating with a baby. You are teaching him that he is safe with you, because when he needs something you are there for him.

he too little really
Yes, he is. And you, too, are new to it all. Give yourself a chance. Smile

Please talk to your HV or GP if you're feeling overwhelmed or disconnected.

Not everyone bonds with their baby immediately. Many people take weeks or even months to fall in love with their baby. Please don't worry about it. One day you will see your ds in someone else's arms and realise that his place is actually in your arms, and that you love each other.

One day, also, you will do something for him and suddenly think "How did I know he was hungry/sleepy/windy/needed a nappy change?" Because you will have learned to read his signals so subtly and delicately that you won't even be aware that you are doing it.

And of course there will be the days when you pick him up to find an overflowing poo and think "How the hell did I miss that?!"

Brew you'll get thereSmile

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread