Taking newborn out

[Jauralane]

My wee baby girl was born 4 weeks ago at 4 weeks premature. We were in the hospital for a week but have been back home for nearly 3 weeks now. I had a c section so not back driving yet.

I'm worried that I'm not 'doing' enough with her. She is ebf and we have loads of cuddles, I chat/sing to her etc. I have taken her out in the pram with DH a couple of times but have felt really guilty for not taking her out of the house more. With the weather being so nice over the last few days I feel like I 'should' be out and about with her but to be honest I just can't get motivated. It's not because I feel down, I'm just shattered and can't be bothered getting myself ready to go out.

Is this normal?

All she needs is you! Cuddles, sleep, milk, clean nappy, repeat. If you want to get out and about for you then go for it, gently as you’re still recovering, but she couldn’t care less

You're doing a great job love!

All babies need at so tiny an age is love, cuddles and their needs met. Keep up the talking, singing and skin to skin.

You need to rest up and relax. You've just given birth and you're full of sleepless nights and hormones so don't think you need to be doing xyz to be doing enough. You are giving her exactly what she needs.

She sounds so loved! And congrats on your baby girl 🥰

It’s normal for you. My son was 3 weeks early and I took him out to a restaurant the day after we got out (first breastfeeding in public). the health visitor encouraged me to join a post natal class when he was three weeks old. We had a three mile route - health visitor, town centre where I stopped for a coffee, then home. I was bored out of my mind at home so had to get out most days.

I think it sounds blissful 😊

Congratulations and enjoy relaxing getting to know each other. You’ll never have the opportunity to do this again - any other babies you may have will have a big sibling needing taking out/ attention and so on, so make the most of this time. Congratulations!

I had a baby in August and I don't think I really emerged until it was winter. Don't worry about it :) It's fine to go at your own pace. Babies don't need contact with other babies until they are about a year old, they don't even notice.

Trust me baby doesn't care about the outside world right now! Get out for your own sake, if you feel like it, otherwise sit tight and enjoy the relative peace!

Aw thank you for the lovely responses, I have a little tear in my eye

Don't put pressure on your self xx

I had DD in September and if I could go back and do the whole thing again I would force myself to spend more time relaxing, cuddling and feeding. That is all newborns need.