XP: What to expect....when you're expecting soon!

mrsweeber · February 2013

This may seem like one of those worrisome moms, every kid is different overanalyzing moments....and it may well be

I am expecting our first child in just a few short weeks and am still trying to get a grasp on the fact that I am going to be someone's mom and his caregiver very soon! I am just wondering how often/long you were feeding your newborn and how many diapers they were going through a day for the first month or two. I work best when I get a bunch of parameters and possible expectations so I am just trying to mentally prepare! I have heard from so many that the first few weeks are the hardest, so I feel like if I hear from other moms how hard, I can just hold onto their stories (and success!) I'm such a freak, I know....but, thank you for your help!!

Tennis Chick · February 2013

I worried too, but truly no matter how much you read and try and prepare, you have to kind of figure it out along the way. I talked to other moms, got great advice but when LO was born and we got home (I unexpectedly had to have a c-section) I felt like I had no idea what I was doing. What worked for their kiddo's didn't work for mine.I didn't know what his cries meant...heck, I had to be shown how to change a diaper in the hospital! I had planned on EBF but for a couple of reasons it wasn't going to happen. I was lucky we had some formula (samples) at home to use for a few days.
EBF usually eat more often then FF ones. Formula tends to take longer for their bodies to digest. That goes with saying EVERY baby is different. I know girls who LO's slept 4-5hrs from the get go, while others were up every 2hrs.
For me, LO slept every 2-3 hours. They mainly sleep those first few weeks. As far as diapers....man...I would say maybe 10ish a day?

Around 6-7 weeks is when I finally became comfortable with taking him out regularly in public/knowing what his cries meant/soothing techniques he liked etc.

2u2wow · February 2013

you aren't over doing it - it's nice to have an idea of what to expect and it's also the whole point of this site to help

in the first week at least if not two, you and your baby will just spend that time figuring eachother out...if your going to breast feed you'll likely feed quite often in the first week. i felt like that's ALL i did the first week!

after that we've moved to a tiny bit of a schedule where he feeds every 2.5 -3 hrs which is nice. i really liked the EASY schedule - EAT ACTIVE SLEEP YOU TIME (while they sleep)

then that gets them into the routine of not falling asleep on the boob and allowing them to at least begin to fall asleep on their own.

i wouldn't put too much pressure on building a routine for at least a month though. just enjoy cuddling your baby as much as you want! and don't let anyone tell you otherwise! and feed whenever in that first week - it'll help build your supply and get your body used to it.

Diapers - i change DS everytime i feed him (unless it's 2am and i'm too tired to unwrap him! haha) so i'd say around 8-10 diapers in 24 hrs would be reasonable. but they'll start to slow down after a couple months.

good luck and hope you find what you need on here!