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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

positive stories of having a newborn please

59 replies

Hayleyday · 09/12/2021 15:59

everything see online is doom & gloom to the point i am terrified at 34 weeks thinking i will never be happy again,
would love to hear from anyone who didnt find newborn life that tough & tips for managing it
(DP will be off work for 4 weeks)

OP posts:

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IDontDrinkTea · 09/12/2021 16:00

Im not going to say it isn’t tough, because it is. But it was also the most wonderful time of my life. There’s something so special about newborn snuggles. So much so, here I am at 34 weeks ready to do it all again ☺️

Thesechipsdontlie · 09/12/2021 16:06

I didn't find it tough, knackering, yes, but not tough per se. Just popped my baby in a sling (once mw said I could...I had two incisions) and off we went for walks or errands.

Toddlers, on the other hand .....

I found a bouncy chair meant I could get bits and bobs done around the house. We got in a routine from the beginning bc that's what worked for us. Everyone is different of course

twoofusburningmatches · 09/12/2021 16:07

I’ve got a newborn at the moment and she is a dream. Very easygoing and barely cries. Just feeds, sleeps and looks at us like we are weird aliens. She has slotted into our lives very easily and other than a lack of sleep at night (Am breastfeeding and she likes to feed a lot at night and can be a tricky to wind, so I’m not getting that much sleep) this newborn stage has been very easy. She is also adorable and the cuddles are just wonderful. (My first child was a challenging newborn, but she is a very headstrong child and was from the moment she was born. Good example of how all babies/children are different).

Comedycook · 09/12/2021 16:07

I didn't find having a newborn tough and I had very little support. Honestly I found it a breeze. I still got showered and dressed everyday and wore make up. Toddlers are another story

TheLovleyChebbyMcGee · 09/12/2021 16:09

Yes its very hard, but its also amazing! I had a very hard time when DS was tiny, yet I'm currently 36 weeks about to do it all again. Those snuggly newborn cuddles!!

MrsPleasant · 09/12/2021 16:11

Newborn was brutal but lasts for a short time so I just got through it as best I could really. Having a toddler was brilliant and I loved that phase, so much fun.

changing221 · 09/12/2021 16:14

Depends on the baby.

DD1. SO EASY. Didn't understand what all the fuss was about. It was so easy it was actually boring.

DD2. SO HARD. Total Velcro baby, dummy refuser, bottle refuser... and I also had her and a 13 month old to look after. There was no coffee strong enough 😴

Millie50 · 09/12/2021 16:17

Mine both came out of the womb with the ability to self settle. So although they woke a lot in the night they could just be fed and put back down whilst still awake and they'd fall asleep on their own. I coped fine with the night wakings and didn't feel tired on the reduced sleep. Ours were both very relaxed babies.
Me and DH are both very laid back people though, and never get stressed. I don't know to what extent this has an influence on babies but it must have some small effect at least. So that's my practical tip! Chill out! Just feed, change, cuddle, repeat. Take deep breaths/sing slowly if you feel stressed, and tell yourself that it will pass.
Easier said than done maybe! Also we were lucky ours didn't have allergies/bad reflux etc. No amount of calmness would have saved us then 😆
But it is possible to have 'easy' babies, yes. The toddler years, on the other hand...

fastandthecurious · 09/12/2021 16:20

My newborn slept so well and so frequently that I remember really worrying I was doing it wrong because it was supposed to be so hard 🥲 some are super easy and some are super hard, you'll get through it either way! he paid me back in the toddler years in spades btw!

bassackwards · 09/12/2021 16:22

For me, the first 6-12 of my DD's life was honestly the happiest time. Endless hours of cuddling and snoozing on the sofa, daily adventures out and about in the buggy, meeting other new parents, lots of coffees. Having the security of paid mat leave helped.

Nameswaptime · 09/12/2021 16:27

When DH was on 3 weeks paternity leave for DS2 we actually went for days out and picnics to National Trust places, because DS2 was such an easy baby.
With DS1 however, we barely managed to get dressed. Depends entirely on what kind of baby you get.

Nillynally · 09/12/2021 16:27

I found it absolute bliss. The first week was a little weird, I hadn't had much sleep waiting to be induced so think I was quite sleep deprived so did some odd things but soon settled down. Baby slept like a dream, never cried, breastfed beautifully. She was such an easy baby, a joy to look after. She's now 2.5 and although still lovely is very wilful and pushes my buttons. But newborn stage can be lovely. Batch cook, don't put pressure on yourself and roll with the punches- you'll be fine!

mumonthehill · 09/12/2021 16:31

It was hard but I kind of gave in to it and realised that I just was not going to worry about cleaning or home cooked meals. I had a supportive DH so managed showers etc which helped. I also realised that sitting on the sofa all day with a new born is not a crime, it’s fine, so is wearing comfy clothes. Be kind to yourself and lower all expectations then life is much easier to manage.

Danikm151 · 09/12/2021 16:32

I was warned by a friend pre baby that the newborn phase is quite boring. Tiring but boring. I scoffed. .... she was right.
Baby will sleep a lot. it's a shock to the system but you adapt.
Make the most of it as once they can sit on their own/crawl/run you will be on your toes constantly.
Toddler phase is harder!

All rewarding though

EnidFrighten · 09/12/2021 16:33

The people who are struggling are the ones who tend to post.

It's a bit like saying 'what's it like having a boyfriend?' well, there's common characteristics of them but also huuuuge variation. Babies are people and some are more highly strung/demanding.

Dc1 was hard, birth was difficult, feeding was difficult, she cried a lot, I felt dismal. Dc2 had an easy birth, feed well, didn't cry much at all. With both babies I had wonderment and joy at their little hands etc, but lot more stress the first time. Your responsible but not really in control.

FrangipanFlower · 09/12/2021 16:38

Currently carrying my 6 week old in a sling, it’s been lovely so far. This is my second and I feel so much more relaxed and in control than with my first baby who’s now 6. I’ve deliberating ensured we’ve had a lot of time to cuddle and bond, to rest in bed together and try to sleep when she is.
The experience is so different for everyone, and can depend on a lot of things such as your demeanour (are you a laid back person or someone who gets stressed easily), feeding, type of delivery, medical issues.

toolazytothinkofausername · 09/12/2021 16:45

Being organised definitely helps with a newborn. Have systems in place, such as change baby's nappy, feed baby, burp baby, then put on a load of laundry. Try to go for a walk once a day.

I was a complete mess with my DC . My house was a dump for the first 2 years. But I loved it and have many fond memories.

FrangipanFlower · 09/12/2021 17:19

Oh and Get a cleaner if you can!

Ohhhhmothermayi · 09/12/2021 17:21

@Comedycook

I didn't find having a newborn tough and I had very little support. Honestly I found it a breeze. I still got showered and dressed everyday and wore make up. Toddlers are another story

I can’t agree with this enough!

Slippingcareer · 09/12/2021 18:07

I currently have a 6 week old and for the most part she's no bother. Her 3 year old brother is another story!

Enjoy the cuddles, I know everyone says it but they are only small for such a short time.

Babyvenusplant · 09/12/2021 18:12

I agree with pp above, enjoy and make the most of the newborn stage, I absolutely loved it. Toddler stage is way more tricky for me personally

unicornpower · 09/12/2021 18:19

I have a 12 week old and she is wonderful, she can be hard work as she has reflux but the cuddles and smiles make up for lack of sleep! They change your life but mph my goodness they are amazing. Enjoy your cuddles! There’s nothing like their little head on your shoulder xxx

JennieLee · 09/12/2021 18:20

I could breastfeed easily. I liked seeing her grow. I liked going out and seeing people smile at her - there's something about newborn babies that makes everyone want to look and say admiring things and asked questions. I liked the fact that I was such an important person to her. I felt as if I had joined a club and that was exciting.

I remember being tired too, because the rhythm of the days changed hugely.. But it was a special time.

Tickly · 09/12/2021 18:23

Loved the newborn days. My best advice was that for no 1 I didn't do little enough. With the others I spent the days big ones in nursery or school back in bed with a cuppa and some biscuits feeding baby and snoozing. It's very tiring so if you are able to get help from someone who can make you meals and do your laundry for a few weeks then that will smooth things. And just go back to bed whenever you feel like it. I also had a walk each day to get fresh air and sunshine.

Cotswoldmama · 09/12/2021 18:24

It's the most amazing thing! Even the giving birth bit! When you first meet your baby, there's no way to describe it! And yes you'll be sore, might need stitches, your boobs will feel like rocks when the milk comes in. But it's ok! I recommend you don't do anything you don't have to for 2-4 weeks ie cooking, cleaning, getting out of bed, unless you really want to! Laze in bed binge on Netflix make sure you have snacks and drinks nearby and just hold your baby and let them feed/ sleep whenever they want whilst you stare at them! Good luck op

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