Am I doing it wrong? :/

[Stripyclouds]

I'm a bit of an older first time mum, so all my friends (apart from one) already have kids. When their children came along they all without exception complained about how hard it was, how sleep deprived they were and how they couldn't go out because getting the baby ready was too much effort.

Now, my baby is only 7 weeks, so I might have all the to come, but so far that's not my experience at all! Sure, I have to wake up in the middle of the night to feed her, but it's very rarely more than once before humane hours. She falls asleep around 8, wakes up around 11 which is about the time I go to bed anyway, so I feed her and pop she's back asleep in her moses basket next to my side of the bed. She then eats again and has her nappy changed between 3 or 4 and my partner wakes up around 7.30 for work.

Sometimes me and baby stay in bed for a little bit longer and cuddle up before we get up. She has a few naps throughout the day and I seem to get the housework done as well as take a nap myself if I need it. We see friends 2-3 times a week, go for a stroll or run errands. If we need to be somewhere fairly early I pack the nappy bag and lay out her outfit as well as mine the night before.

I don't struggle to take showers or anything and I do my make up with her in the baby bouncer are we to attend something where I have to look presentable.

My relationship with my partner seems to be fine. We had a few clashes in the first couple of weeks but that's all sorted.

My point being that everything seems to be fine, so am I missing something?

During the days where it's just her and me we sing songs, read stories, have baths, do baby massage and any other activity she might be interpreted to like.

She does cry a few times a day but never more than that I can calm her within 15 minutes, and 15 minutes is really bad for her. Normally she calms down within 4, tops.

Is it that she's just a pretty easy baby so far?

I'm really confused! I was expecting to be a wreck and never leave the house and to be a terrible partner to my daughters dad.

Anyone else recognise this?

The act of breastfeeding is supposed to help the uterus contract back to a smAller size making the area of where the placenta was smaller, so smaller area to bled form so to speak. At least that's what I was told! :)

Just want to say thanks for your post OP and I don't think you came across as smug at all. I'm 13 weeks pregnant and an old ish first time mum with some anxiety issues to it has really reassured me to read a positive story.

Try that broken sleep for another 3 -4 years and see how you do. I cracked around 11 months in.

Oh I see - thank you. Well I still haven't had a period at six months so I guess it balances out!

My first baby definitely wasn't an easy baby. I'm pregnant with my second (and final baby-I have hyperemesis so definitely won't be doing it again!) and I really hope I have an easier baby this time. Having said that, I learnt a lot from my first so I hope I'll be better prepared if I do get an unsettled baby.

Thank you londonloves :) I'm glad to hear you found my post helpful! I hope that everything goes well for both you and your baby.

I also genuinely hope that everyone who struggles has the full support from their partners and/or family and friends to lend a helping hand so that you get a chance to both sleep and take a deep breath on a regular basis!

I remember reading posts on here during mat leave and preparing DH for the worst. I dreaded the inevitable sleep deprivation and the screaming and the inconsolable crying.

What I have (so far) is a seven week old lovely little boy who goes to sleep at 7pm and wakes at 11pm (DH feeds) and 3am. I sleep, I've never felt exhausted and I've managed to eat every meal with two hands.

After a few days of gritting my teeth through the pain, I've found breastfeeding incredibly easy, convenient and enjoyable. This surprised me the most as I actively didn't want to BF due to the horror stories id heard.

However, I'm prepared for this all to go tits up and I know it's completely down to luck and not because I'm a good parent!