Life at home with 2 week old, pat leave ending and toddler back to nursery

[Justasconfusedwithnumber2]

So tomorrow my DH is back to work 😢 it's come around really soon and has been tough, I had a c section and we've had countless visits from the Midwife--baby lost alot of weight but is now on the up. It just meant we've had no real opportunity to get out - they have visited 12/14 days!!

Toddler has been brilliant on the whole which I am grateful for. I haven't really had time to over think until now.

I am feeling abit emotional, thanks to tiredness I know, but realising I will be alone tomorrow. I have kind of forgotten what life with a newborn is like!! I will have 3 days a week just me and baby whilst toddler is in childcare.

Can anyone remind me how the early days go? With DC1 he was so clingy it was unreal as he had been poorly. It was a blur of gp appointments and breastfeeding. I just don't really remember how I entertained me and baby...i love the cuddles, albeit baby will sleep in his moses if I can part with him but as I can't drive to any groups Its only me that's around to entertain him - any suggestions??

If your toddler is being looked after just feed the baby and rest...nothing else more strenuous required. There's plenty of time for classes/groups etc.

This is the best time! Do you have Netflix? There’s a lot on right now. Make sure that you have a flask for hot drinks and a water bottle nearby, along with some snacks. Enjoy lots of rest, cuddles and television. You can occasionally do some time on a playmate, if you have one, or go out for a walk if you’re up to it. If you get lucky and the baby sleeps in the Moses basket you can do some bits around the house, but mostly focus on enjoying the peace and that new baby smell. I was there a year ago and my now-one-year-old never stops moving, so soak it in while you can!

Enjoy it! Treat yourself to nice food (you need a good diet rich in calories for breastfeeding!).

Apart from that, lounge around having cuddles, feeding and that's about it. These days are just lush!

Newborn doesn't need entertaining! Everything is new so watching you make a cup of tea is entertaining!

Just make the most of the time the toddler isn't around - preferably by resting as much as possible, rather than trying to do housework etc. Both mine were happy being in a bouncy chair for short periods while I got a meal ready, showered etc if they weren't asleep.

Enjoy lots of TV whilst bfing, and cuddles.

I’m in exactly the same boat although I’m 4 weeks in! DC2 goes on playmat a bit, bouncy chair a little, but mainly sleeps, feeds or kicks off!! Housework does need doing but seen as how I’m up a lot of the night I’m resting most days x

Thanks. I guess I feel a little guilty as DH has been doing all of the chores.. It seems harsh curling up watching TV whilst toddler and him are out

I love the early days. We had no pat leave, dh had the day off.
Mine didn't go to nursery, had them both at home so they could bond and grow up together.
It was lovely, and toddler loved helping, such good days. Mine are all grown up now.
make sure kids have lots of quality time together and involve toddler as much as you can.

The 2 mornings a week when my toddler went to nursery and it was just me and the baby seriously saved my sanity. At first it was just feeding the baby, maintaining the house (I mean literally doing the washing and unloading the dishwasher, not full on cleaning or anything), maybe taking a nap, having a shower and watching tv. Basically recovering and not feeling guilty about it.

Once the baby got older and I could drive again after my c section then I used those mornings to do errands that were a lot easier with just the baby. Shops and post office etc. Meeting friends for coffee. I didn’t do any groups with DC2 as I had a big group of friends from DC1 baby group, but I would’ve done if I wanted to make new friends.

The other mornings a week we were busy with play dates and classes and things for the toddler so it was nice to have some more relaxed time and spend time one on one with the new baby