What’s your morning routine with a baby

[HayleyHaystack]

I’ve got a 10 week old, I’m a first time mum and I find the mornings really difficult. For 2 months I’ve got myself really worked up, stressed and overwhelmed most mornings with the baby. The ones where I don’t feel amazing. Its mainly the order in which to do things. I know this sounds stupid and I’m a fairly practical and intelligent 36 year old for gods sake (or I was) ... but what time do you get up? Do you get ready first or get the baby ready? Do you get out most mornings or stay home? Is there a quick routine you could share? (My DH leaves for work at 5:30am so I don’t have him on hand)
I find I start the day so badly and I can’t pull it back. I end up cancelling plans as I feel so overwhelmed with a screaming baby and I’m still in my dressing gown not knowing what to wear or attempting to make a cup of tea.
It makes me miss my working life so badly.

We have to be out at 8.25am every morning for the school run (two older DC) and to be honest I find that makes everything so much easier! With DC1 I’d find myself still in my pyjamas at lunchtime and it made me feel rubbish, so I much prefer having a routine to work to.
I get up and shower at 6.15am before (hopefully!) the DC are awake. We all go downstairs at 6.45am ish and have breakfast at 7ish. I get the older DC ready while the baby plays around on the floor. Dress the baby, finish getting myself ready then we leave. I usually walk from the school run to a morning baby group/activity or we just have a meander while he naps.

I get up when the baby gets up, around 6.30/7. Have a snuggle and a feed. Sort her nappy and change from sleepsuit and sleeping bag to daytime clothes.

Plonk her on bathroom floor with a toy while I shower and get dressed. Then plonk on playmat while I pour coffee and make breakfast. Eat while she does tummy time then stick her in the sling for first nap of half an hour.

After that, feed, new nappy, then out the door to go for a big walk or a group.

At 10 weeks I think my showers were super speedy and DP made breakfast and left it for me. Gradually I got to wash my hair and do makeup too, and now make my own toast :)

Ok, so... take a breath
What time does baby wake? Mine used to wake roughly 7am, so I'd sneak out of bed (alarm on vibrate) about 6.30am, shower, dress, grab something to eat. Once you have yourself sorted, you'll feel like it's a good start to the day!
We had a colicky/reflux baby, so couldn't really put down for the first 3 months! A sling is very handy if you're trying to get ready to get out of the house.
Baby up to feed about 7am, then change, dress, into the sling or pram while I would grab what we need for the trip. Definitely try and get out of the house every day if you can.
At that age, I liked getting out by about 10am or else the day would run away with you. They should (hopefully) still be able to sleep in the pram/car so don't worry about being home for nap time, just go about your day.
Really important- always pack/re-stock baby bag at night with everything you need so it's at hand (spare clothes, nappies, formula etc).
In the 2nd half of the day, I'd generally end up doing housework or just home with baby. Originally I was trying to do that in the morning, but I'd just end up rushing/stressing to do that and get out.
Or wait till husband gets home and do it then while he minds baby, or vice versa.
Don't try to do too much in a day- one thing per day is enough, whether that's meeting a friend, doing the shopping, doing a mum & baby yoga class etc.

@HayleyHaystack hi hun, I remember you from the TTC boards?!
I have a 13 week old. My OH goes to work at 6/6:30 and Ethan usually stirs by then so I'll get up change him into a new nappy and 'day' clothes feed him ( have to hold him upright for 20/30 mins due to reflux and colic) then put him in his bouncer whilst I get breakfast. He will normally nod off after some play time so I'll pop upstairs and get changed for the day ( no time for makeup 😂 ) and then I bath when my OH returns as I like to be able to properly relax. I'm sure you're doing an amazing job don't stress x x

I know this sounds stupid and I’m a fairly practical and intelligent 36 year old for gods sake (or I was)

Baby brain - I remember the feeling. I would relax a bit and don’t worry so much about being a routine. You’re on mat leave - so if you’ve got nothing planned there’s nothing wrong with sleeping in if you can or cuddling up with baby on the sofa in your pjs. If you’ve got somewhere to be, then try and get the baby bag ready the night before, put clothes out etc. I started going to a new parent/new baby group when DS was about 8 weeks that started at 10.30 I think. They said from the beginning that there was nothing wrong with rocking up late, it’s understandable at that stage - last minute sick/nappy change/quick feed etc. And lots of people did. It’s ok to be late for things when you’ve got a 10 week old! But I sympathise with how you feel - DS is 16 months now but I still get frustrated when leaving the house! I love him so much but if I had to say what I miss most about my life before I had him it would definitely be stepping out of the house with ease

Thank you everyone and hi Deliah! Xx

I also have a reflux baby so after feeds I have to keep him upright which is difficult sometimes, he’s rarely comfortable in any position.

Getting out the door by 10am is a really good target. I’ll keep that front of mind. Same with getting baby bag prepared every night, I haven’t been doing that. It adds to the stress running around finding things!

Thank you really appreciate this advice

Have you got a bouncy chair? I used to put it in the bathroom while I showered so DS could see me.

10 weeks is still very young I don’t think a routine for me started until 4 months so please go easy on yourself

Since then we get up between 4am -6am ( I know it’s time to play because he is happy ... if he is sad it’s because he needs bottle or changing and doesn’t want to be awake ) we play / eat and 2-3 hours later have a little nap ... just before I dress him for his day .. pjs off and clothes for the day on ... out him to bed ... depending on night I may join him or I will get ready slowly
If I join I can get ready in 15 mins ( hair in plait clothes laid out night before ) bag packed already snack cut up in fridge ... assemble And out the door 15-20
Mins after waking to do our rounds ( we literally spend most of the week visiting various family
Members ... but it took time practice and for his routine to establish before I could commit usually I would say I would be with someone between 10:30-11:30 to give myself an hour scope x x

I always bath night before when baby has gone down as most likely to
Get 10 mins I run it while
Putting him down for a nap ( at 10
Weeks that was ropey his wind and colic meant he needed to be held most of the day and night x

I used to make sure we got up at 7am each day, no matter how our nights were. Then it helped give the morning / day some structure.

I would get us up, change her nappy, then feed DD, read a couple of books and sing to her in bed, then pop her in her bouncy chair in the bathroom whilst I showered.

Quickly got dressed (minimal make up!), then got her dressed, then downstairs for my breakfast. Again she would be in bouncy chair or in her playmat as she hated being in a Moses basket or similar.

Then by the time I had eaten, cleaned up etc it would be coming up to another nap.

I bloody love routine, but at this age I didn’t have anything too solid, more like a loose rhythm.