Worried about maternity leave ...

Rach8672

So my little one is now 13 days old, my parents were here staying with us since she was born. It was a great help to have them here but I couldn't wait to see what it would be like operating as a family of just 3.
Well they went home this AM and now my place is quiet just like what I was hoping for. However ... I can not help but get super freaked out that I'm going to get very bored during maternity leave. LO sleeps most of the day and its soooo cold here that I can't really take her on walks. I'm so worried I'll go stir crazy at home. Don't get me wrong I'm excited we will have time to bond but I'm so used to being active and doing as I please. My plan is to try cooking different things for dinner , get back in shape and get out whenever possible . What are your plans or worries ?

jordans_wife

Enjoy the time. It goes by fast! You can definitely get out and take her places with you. Getting back into shape is a big project and always helped me to feel back to myself after my first 2 babies. It's definitely hard work though. Cooking is a good idea too. I think what you're describing is good bc you'll be happy to get back to work instead of dreading it and for many women having to go back is a reality. Again though, it really will go by fast!

jencook25

I'm planning on doing the above, plus beginning a project or two! My ideas are looking into family ancestory, gardening, sewing projects, maybe even writing a book! I wouldn't mind taking on some sideline hobby that can make me some money too I'm not much of a sporty person, but I always have a million projects on the go normally. 

teachmegs817

So far, I've spent a lot of time staying on top of cleaning the house. I've been Going through old clothes and trying to do some major clean out, on mine and DH's closets.  I've also made plans with different friends and family to come visit while I'm home.  Not all of my family and friends work a 9-5 type job, so I get some visitors every now and then.  I've also started getting myself in a slighty different routine now that LO is here, so that when I do go back to work, it's not so hard and stressful, (hopefully).  

MamaHolland

Your newborn isn't keeping you busy?....

ChrissyD1203

I'm jealous. I'm exhausted! When my baby sleeps during the day, I try to sleep. I haven't gotten back to working out yet and dinner has consisted of things I am reheating from Trader Joe's. You could always work on some photo albums, read some new books, get a Rosetta Stone and learn a new language, learn baby sign language, create a few go-to workouts. That's what I would do if I didn't feel like a zombie.

Achae

MamaHolland said:

Your newborn isn't keeping you busy?....

If you read she said her newborn sleeps all the time. Which... They do. I find the newborn phase very boring!

SummerOH

Wow, I'm super jealous! When DS was a newborn, I was trying to sleep, shower, and get basic cleaning done. He nursed every 2-3 hours around the clock. It's funny, because when pregnant I thought I'd have all this time to cook and craft. Haaaaa! I know it'll be even worse now that I have a toddler. So my advice is to enjoy the time. When you go back to work, you'll miss it.

SaguaroBlossmom

Your LO will start waking up and being more active soon, try and enjoy the sleepy new born stage while it lasts

MamaHolland

Achae said:

MamaHolland said:

Your newborn isn't keeping you busy?....

If you read she said her newborn sleeps all the time. Which... They do. I find the newborn phase very boring!

I did read what she said however I've literally never known someone who has a newborn that has that much freetime on their hands that they need to start looking for new hobbies, crafts & recipes to fill their time.

Even though newborns sleep often, they also need regular changes & feelings every 2-3 hours around the clock between that daily household chores, I really don't think the day is full of that much random freetime. Maybe the parents presence helped with the transition so much that she hasn't realized how much there is to do when there's only the 3 of them there.

All I can think of is continue to cherish the time you have your child & enjoy the time to heal from childbirth. Everyone I know has felt like maternity leave went by too fast & wished they had even more time with their little one before they had to return to work & be away from their child all day.

ambercakes92

MamaHolland said:

Your newborn isn't keeping you busy?....

This. Are you not waking your baby every couple hours to eat?

Rach8672

I guess I'm super blessed she actually eats every 3 to 4 hours there's no way I'd wake her to eat unless she goes past 5 hours. Per the pediatrician 3 to 5 hours is fine. His advice was never wake a sleeping baby. With that being said , I feel comfortable with longer duration between feedings because I pump and feed so I know exactly how much she is eating and she's a great eater . I'm lucky enough to get some pretty good rest at night.

I do get bored easy !!! I'm used to a super fast paced day but like PP have said I'm sure this phase won't last long ... Meanwhile I guess I'll see what I can do to stay busy . Also maybe part of it is BC my condo is tiny so cleaning and upkeep is not as difficult .

Monkeybutt80

Feb mom, but with my first, I had grand plans to do so much stuff during my maternity leave, I mean, that was the first time in 8 or 9 years that I had 12 weeks off from work! I was going to do projects around the house and cook more and catch up on shows and etc. Then my baby came, and I fed him, burped him, cleaned up his spit-up, changed his diaper, then changed his blow out, did his laundry, and repeated that several times and then my maternity leave was up. 

SummerOH

Yeah just be glad you have a magical unicorn baby. I'm used to being busy and fast-paced days. In the past I've worked full time and went to grad school full time while raising my daughter. Now I have a busy career with a teen daughter and toddler. I'm used to "fast-paced days." But the newborn days always destroy me.

I know you don't mean it this way, but your post comes off a bit irritating to moms who are in the throes of normal newborn days. Many moms are used to being busy, but usually newborns more than fill the time. It's not like they're sloths or something. Again, I know you don't mean it like that, but it's tough to read about someone being bored and contemplating crafting and getting into shape just 2 weeks PP, which is when most moms can barely shower. Just be happy you have an easy baby!

Rach8672

Yeah I didn't mean it that way. It was more so for my mental sanity . I'm a person that likes to be around people and have someone to talk to. I love being around my baby don't get me wrong but I feel slightly like I'm being cut off from the outside world. I guess the post was taken a different way than I had intended. It's completely and my mental sanity and avoiding baby blues

missperky

I've been going nuts at home all day. There is only so much tv you can watch and sleeping while baby sleeps is not an option with a toddler. I made a calendar with a chore schedule, library story times, and play dates for DD. I'm also in a hike it baby group, but it's still winter and I have no desire to be outside longer than 15-20 minutes they have a couple of indoor exercise groups, but I'm waiting to heal up a bit more. The calendar is more to keep me on track than anything if i get to it great if not oh well. DD is used to going to daycare and playing with other kids too I'd hate to have her miss out while on leave. Plus it gets us out of the house for an hour or so.

mamabear89071516

I'm having the pre baby maternity leave issues! I'm due in 9 days and today is my first day of leave. Yes I have a few things left to do to get ready for baby, but 0 desire to do any of them...that nesting instinct could kick in any time now...