What do you actually do with a baby ?

[curlyclaz13]

I am so clueless ! in terms of a newborn what do you do with them day to day ? I know they sleep a lot need feeding and changing but during the day do you put them in a bouncy chair or their crib ? I don't think I will be holding him all the time ! I have no close friends with children I can ask really. I am going to be terrible !

[TantieTowie]

First time around, I could really have done with knowing about the Kari-Me sling, since DS didn't like to be put down at all, ever. I had one the second time and basically DD spent a lot of time asleep in it. It was lovely...

[Lionsntigersnbears]

I'm expecting DC2 in 10 weeks and from memory newborns are both horrid and boring. Sorry but its true. They become interesting, fun and brilliant little people and really quickly, but in the first few weeks they somehow manage to be mindbogglingly dull as well as overwhelmingly hard work. I'd take advantage of the baby's relative portability and go do things you'd like to do anyway. There is time enough for Peppa Pig (oh so much of it!). Either that or plonk yourself somewhere comfy, feed away and catch up on your box sets. I spend a lot of time last time breastfeeding in a local cafe chatting away with all the people who stopped to talk to me. It was better than being sat at home for sure! THis time- I'm doing the museums

[Eskino]

Newborns require a lot of inspecting. You'll wonder where the day went and at 3pm how come you haven't had time to get dressed yet. Lovely time thieves, babies are!

[givemeaclue]

You will find feeding takes up a lot of the day...and night

[Francagoestohollywood]

All my first child wanted to do as a new born was being fed, and being held. So basically I fed him and watched lots of tv while I did it. He was also passed around from one family member/friend to another, because he would scream if left unattended...

Dd was easier, she would feed and then sleep for hours. She was also happy to be left lying on her mat etc, you'd leave her awake contemplating her hands, go to the toilet, come back, and find her asleep.

[Francagoestohollywood]

Ah yes, both my dc loved being taken around in their pram, so I soon developed a routine, where I'd feed them and then take them for long walks, regardless of the weather.

[VenusRising]

Oh am reading this and getting all broody for a newborn!
How exciting for the OP and other preggo posters!

Enjoy your time gazing at your little babes: it's so lovely. Chatting al, the time is very important too: describe what you are doing in detail- like a running commentary.

Make sure you've got the numbers of lactation consultant, or have booked a session with the hospital, and of a good post natal physiotherapist, even if you have a sneeze birth: it's good to get things sorted out.

And accept all help- you can sort out the cutlery drawer in about six months.
Online shopping is a god send.
If you're going to get a cleaner, have her/him come in a few times before the birth, so that you can tell/ show them what you want- you may be too tired to make much sense if you leave it till after!

Take lots of photos too! I still look at little video clips and photos of my babe... I don't remember the tiredness at all now, and it's lovely to see pictures.

Have fun and good luck!

[MrsSchadenfreude]

My midwife told me I was the most clueless, useless person she had ever seen, dealing with a new baby (yes, I loved her too). But I managed. Baby is now 14! Keep them clean, keep them fed, pray that they sleep (mine didn't, but was very interested in eating), buy a sling so that you can wear them while you get stuff done (like hoovering). Get a good breast pump so that you can pump and someone else can give a bottle while you get some sleep.

[VenusRising]

Tsk mrs schadenfreude. What a cah!
Oh yes to Muslims, more than you ever think you need. And disposable pants in a huge size more than you ever think you need.

[VenusRising]

Auto correct is gorn mad today muslins, I mean.

[Purplecatti]

Muslins are great. If you're preggo and bored by a couple of metres and hem them youself it saves money. Ikea do good cheap packs of them.
The first six weeks of my lo were spent feeding, bum changing and holding. She wouldn't be put down. Normal day for her was:
7am feed. Sleep in with us in our bed
9am feed and bum change. Bit of eye opening and we'd go mad trying to decide what colour they were going to go.
10ish a bath. She loved the bath from day2 and just stretch out all relaxed in it. Then decide what cuteness to dress her in
Half ten to 11 a feed. Maybe a peep at my face and a teeny hobble with the pram. I got a big bouncy ancient coachbuilt and she loved it.
1ish a feed bum change and probably thanks to a poo explosion a change of outfit, 10 mins of eyes open and snooze. I lived in a moby wrap at home. They are great.

I rigged the sofa cushions to support me so I did used to sleep there with her in myarem crook.

Half 2 a feed. Bum change.
Half 4 was cluster feeding every hour until about 9ish and she'd take 45 minutes to feed so more sofa time! And major grumps in the 15 to 20 minutes between feeds. I would get someone to rock her whilst I shoved some food down me.
From then I'd get some open eyes and I'd show her baby vids on you tube and then basket her and grab an hours sleep at a time til morning.
Most of the time you're sat exhausted on the sofa feeding and marvelling at every new thing. Are their eyes going brown? Are their fingernails longer? Are they getting so and sos nose?

[abbyfromoz]

The new born phase is the easiest in my opinion. You can enjoy having time to yourself in between feeds doing all the things you love doing. I went shopping, got my hair done, nails done, numerous coffees! Even went on holiday when she was 6 weeks old. The tiredness is a struggle but the toddler years are more challenging in my experience. You will be great!

[SweepTheHalls]

Feed and watch box sets!

[UniqueAndAmazing]

i use muslins to wipe my hands, face, baby's dribble etc.
all the time, even now at 15 months.

[SamraLee]

I held my newborn constantly, if I wasn't holding her, husband was. I suppose I "spoiled" her. I don't even have a pram... but that's just crazy old me!

[MrsHoarder]

Held him all day. I occasionally put him down in the moses basket so I could dash for a pee. Then more baby holding. A lot of time sat on the sofa, holding DS.

Occasionally going out for a walk, cooing into the pram or with DS snuggled in the sling (after I'd recovered from giving birth).

[IdaClair]

Give birth, put baby in the sling, insert nipple as required. Get baby out in about 6 months time. Then put it back in when it starts getting mobile and annoying

[lynsey212]

My baby was born 5 wks ago 6 wks early so spent a bit of time in scbu he slept fine there but now home noooo he does not like sleeping in cot/basket/pram etc he sleeps in my arms most of the time ... I keep trying him in basket he has managed an hour then screams the place down ;)
He also makes the funniest noises like a dolphin but apparently that's normal for a prem baby !
I used to work in a nursery yrs ago so thought I was a bit prepared but nothing can prepare u for the lack of sleep lol
I feel guilty sometimes that I have done nothing in the house cleaning wise during the day but master Harry does not like to b left alone so the cleaning will have to wait ;)
My advise is to take one day at a time plans go out the window ... Just relax and enjoy u will b amazed at how much time u spend just looking at your perfect bundle ... Enjoy :)

[cooper44]

Hi Curly - congrats you must be very excited.
DS2 is six months and I am feeling very nostalgic reading this thread. Unlike PP I loved the early weeks - well every week intact.

1. As everyone has said don't expect that your baby will happily be put down. Neither of mine would. For the first 8 weeks or so I pretty much had to carry them around with me all the time if they were awake.
   
2. Really try and get to know your baby. With DS1 I missed so many clues - never put him down at the right time for naps etc so he would get over-tired. Second time round from day 1 I was fanatical about getting him to sleep so he's always been a happy camper.
   
3. If you want to BF then keep the baby near to you/feeding as much as possible to establish everything as quickly as possible. But don't stress if you don't crack it right away - it takes a good six weeks or so I think to really feel very at ease with feeding.
   
4. Co-sleeping is a godsend. Read up on how to do it safely. I can honestly say I haven't been tired once since having DS2 because he's slept right next to me every night - snacks and goes right back to sleep. Heaven.
   
5. FILL up your freezer with lots of hearty meals. This week I spoke to a friend with a two week old - she couldn't believe that she didn't even have time to eat with her newborn. It's really important to make sure you get at least one good meal a day and lots of water. Also stock up on snack bars, anything grazable. As someone above said online shopping is a godsend in those early weeks.
   
6. Stock up on washing powder - you'll not only be doing a ton of baby washing but there's a good chance you'll be puked on several times a day too.
   
7. I don't know what they are called but we have a sort of fleecy bouncy chair thing that is great for first few months. the more cocoon-y/comfy the better.
   
8. make sure all your visitors bring you yummy food too - and lots of treats.
   
9. Don't worry if you live in pyjamas and look a wreck for the first couple of weeks.
   

10. Line up the box sets and plan on watching a LOT of telly.
ENJOY and good luck.

[babybythesea]

I am due in 10 days and with a very busy 4yo in the house I think it may be very different this time round!

Last time, dd would wake about 7am, I would bring her into bed and feed her, put the radio on (DH would make me a cup of tea before leaving for work, and bring it up - luxury!), and then drowse until around 10.00 when she'd want feeding again, so I'd do that.
Then she'd doze off, I'd get up and have a quick shower, and potter until she woke again and wanted more feeds.
Then we might go out, or I might sit and watch TV or read while she lay in the Moses basket, or on me, or on the playmat (it was a nice big comfy one). When she started to be a bit more awake (at about 4 weeks) I started to lie on the floor next to her while she was under the playgym and bop toys a bit.

But I always spent ages changing nappies, chattering away to her. And loved cuddling her when she was well-fed and sleepy. And suddenly I'd find half the day had gone. I found it hard to get out and do things, but I think that's because I have always been very happy in my own company and was quite content pottering at home. And she was very placid as a tiny baby, which meant she was happy lying in her Moses basket waving her arms and legs around.

She's now grown into a very busy, sociable four year old who wants to know 'what fun are we going to do today?' so I think it may be less quiet, peaceful pottering and more 'Come on kid, we're off out, your sister is going crazy....'

[DreamingOfTheMaldives]

RachyWhite - I'm the complete opposite to you - reading this has left me feeling panicked again about the arrival of our first baby at end of August. My DH is already excited but I just seem to be going through the motions and doing my best not to think about it because I just get stressed God I sound awful Wonder if the excitement will ever come for me

[StrawberrytallCAKE]

Cuddle, feed, cuddle, feed. Repeat.

Get yourself some cozy pyjamas and a nice blanket for the sofa and stay there.

[VisualiseAHorse]

I carried my baby a lot in the first couple of weeks - get a nice carrier, like the Caboo Close Parent one, it's fab. When you're in house, where it with no clothes/just a bra underneath so you can breastfeed easily.

Make a 'cosy' spot, somewhere for you and the baby to sit. I used a mattress and duvet in the baby's room, with a radio/cd player close by, and a pile of books and magazines and a flask of tea or water, so if baby would only sleep in my arms I could easily just stay there for ages without disturbing him.

Go for at least one walk every day. Two if you can manage it (morning and afternoon).

[Alibabaandthe40nappies]

Sniff their heads and kiss their teeny toes

Rock, pace, walk, feed, wind, feed, rock, cuddle, feed.

You will get the hang of it very quickly :)