Did you feel lonely while taking care of baby?

[sonta8]

I am mother of an 8 week old baby. It gets a bit lonely in the nights when I am awake and everyone else is asleep. I feel a bit panicked at times in the night. Anyone else felt this? How did you cope?

Yes I did, I found months 3-4 ready hard or this. I found the silence/night sounds coupled with darkness and new baby made me feel particularly vulnerable and alone at night. I got up every time baby needed a feed and read a lot, spent a long time perusing and posting here on Mumsnet and reading various baby and child development articles. I eventually discovered how to breastfeed lying down and attempted co-sleeping (I appreciate that these choices are not for everyone) and that meant I felt less lonely and got a bit more sleep.

Thanks @Teapleasemilknosugar ! Darkness definitely adds to it. I had my mum staying with me till now and she would get up to check on me. It feels terribly empty now. I have watched so much Netflix already. I will try to read more. Hopefully it will help. I have a dog so can’t cosleep. But thanks for the suggestion 😍

My first and my third I used to feed lying down and out them straight back in the cot and go to sleep again barely aware of having woken up. My second would scream at night, I had to walk around soothing him. It felt lonely at times for sure. It does pass but I know that’s not helpful now when you are in the thick of it.

Is tonight your first night home without your mum? Is it just you at home now with baby and dog?

No, but I quite like having my own time to myself when the household is asleep (even now when my baby is older and sleeps through). My DH was often awake with me too, especially during the early weeks as I was recovering from c-section and would bring the baby to me.

@Teapleasemilknosugar yes actually - my mum left yesterday. Not alone - my husband is there and we are taking shifts. I will sleep once he wakes up. Our baby has reflux so needs to be kept upright for a quite a bit of time after feeds. So it’s barely any sleep.

@laken True! Enjoyed watching tv shows. But think the darkness and emptiness is getting to me a bit

Currently sat holding my second reflux baby upright. Totally understand how you feel and that feeling of panic. I used to get a feeling of dread as the evening came in. I took to some podcasts or documentaries. Now I’m down to one night feed and I just scroll mumsnet for the upright time !

Hang on in there, you are doing amazing. Also if the reflux is that bad please do go to your doctor. And push for help. My daughter is now on omeprazole and my son was too. It’s really helped and I’ve seen a big difference xx

Thanks @BellaNutella88 ! You hang in there too ❤️ Mumsnet is my favourite too when my hands are free 😅

He is on Gaviscon currently. Have the 8 week check in next week with the GP. Will check with GP then. Thanks for the tip!

We did gaviscon too. A paediatrician told us that really you need both gaviscon / milk thickener and omeprazole. GPs are just very reluctant but keep on pushing if the gaviscon isn’t enough. Hope you are ok xx