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Babies: 0 - 3 Months
So, what do you do all day then?
Someone posted below asking how does anyone get anything done. I, along with some others, posted that the only thing that helps is the Moby or some other baby carrier, and sometimes the bouncy chair/swing. But what surprised me is a lot of people said that you just don't get anything done until DH is home or your mom comes over. So my question is, what do you do all day then? Can you share a typical day with me? Please don't get upset by my question...I'm not judging at all, I'm just curious because if I didn't have my baby carrier I would be glued to the tv or computer except for the few times DD is awake and in a good mood so we can do play time. She will only be held except for when she is asleep. She does not like to be in her bouncy or swing awake. And all I can do while holding her is watch tv, surf the net and attempt to make a pb&j sandwich.
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Re: So, what do you do all day then?
My DS doesn't nap very well these days so most of my time is spent playing with him or taking care of him. I try to do house work while he's asleep but it's not much time to get everything done.
I just got a Moby so I'll see how it goes with that.
Wake up, change diaper, nurse, burp, rock, carry napping baby to sink to wash pump parts, baby wakes up after 15-20 min, playtime, nurse, baby may or may not fall asleep for an hour if I keep rocking...if he does, I quickly put him in his cradle and hop in the shower and take out the night's dirty diapers. If he doesn't nap, we play, then change then nurse, repeat over and over. We may try to nap again in the afternoon. Then I finally get a shower. I watch a lot of TV now. And I normally hate tv. I think I've seen every episode of Psych, Law And Order, Monk, and House.
eta: DS does not like the Moby or the other sling, and will not take a paci. And the only reason I am able to bump now is because DH is playing with him.
We've recently settled into a routine. I'm loving it and taking full advantage for as long as it last.
Jacob wakes up around 7ish, he's normally in a pretty good mood. We play a little, then he nurses, then we play some more. (Playing at this time consist of a little tummy time and making faces and sticking my tongue out at him so he giggles)
He goes down for a nap around 9. He normally sleeps 2 hours. (Last week he slept 4 hours at a time!! Crazy!) I take this time to shower, get dressed, spend a little time to myself surfing the net or reading, I do a little cleaning and I plan supper.
He wakes up around 11ish. He nurses again, then we go out and do something. I either run errands, go to the library or just take a walk. Something to get us out of the house.
Around 1, he goes back down for a nap, then I eat lunch and normally do a little organizing.
He wakes up around 3ish, he nurses, and we have tummy time again and play time.
Around 5, I start getting supper ready and he sits in his bouncy seat while I get supper ready. Normally he takes a little catnap.
FI gets home from work at 6. We eat supper, Jacob stays in his bouncy seat and swing.
Then, I nurse him, we do bedtime routine, and then sleep time around 8:30.
I change diapers, nurse LO, play with him, do tummy time, read to him, soothe him when he gets fussy (he's very sensitive and likes things just so, so this happens often) and hold him since he doesn't always like to be worn.
I also watch waaaay too much TV and surf the internet. Occasionally I'll also get to read a book or magazine.
Sit on the couch all day. Seriously. There were days in the first few weeks where literally all I did all day long was sit on the couch holding her -- and alternate between nursing and holding her while she slept. I would periodically put her in her swing for a couple minutes to pee or grab food, but she would scream the entire time.
I was actually pround of myself today because I managed to get stuff done -- but I still barely did more than get myself and baby showered and ready for the day!
Here's what we did today:
Up at 6:45a, nursed and cuddled (he gets sleepy while nursing) until 7:15a
7:15a-8:45a Played (swing, playmat, lap) and I ate breakfast
Nursed and cuddled
9:30 a - First nap (took several attempts to get him down), 45 min. I took a nap, too.
Gave him a bath after his nap, nursed again, then I took a shower and got dressed with him in the bouncy in the bathroom.
Ate lunch while he was in the swing then played some more.
12 - 1:15 - Went shopping.
Nursed when we got home, down for a very short nap, woke up crabby so we walked around the house until he calmed down, then he slept for an hour in the Moby.
Went with me to a doctor's appt at 4.
Home at 5:15, nursed.
Napped in the swing while we ate dinner (dh picked up takeout).
Woke up and played with us on the playmat.
Bedtime bottle with daddy at 7p, in bed by 8p.
While he's getting a bottle, I usually try to do dishes and laundry, pick up a little, and pump. Then dh and I hang out a bit before bed ~10:30.
Sounds like you do get a lot done during the day.
I totally understand, we were there once too. It was extremely difficult to get out of the house before 1pm usually.
I'm jealous!
I have a 13-month old and a 6-month old, so this is my second time around with having a newborn to care for. I feel like I get a LOT done during the day, and I did with my first one, too, but it took a few months to figure it out. Here's a few tips:
1. Get up before baby does and get in the shower ASAP. losing the sleep sucks, but it really helps to get my day started off on the right foot. I'm fresh and clean and dressed. That helps put me in the mindset for getting things done.
2. If your baby is a light sleeper, take any extra time after your shower to check email and do what you want to do online. For me, this is no time to empty/load the disherwasher, do dishes, vacuum or anthing else that makes even a moderate amount of noise. My baby will be up in seconds if I do that, so I make sure I get online stuff done then. If you CAN do any sort of housework at this time, just do it! Most tasks take less than 15 minutes, and it's a huge accomplishment to get them done.
3. Make a list EVERYDAY. Most days, mine is mostly just the basics to keep the house tidy. Seriously, "Clean off coffee table" was on my list last year almost every day. I also made sure that the dishes were either done or in the dishwasher, and dinner was started. The list also includes anything else that I would like to get done that day, including paying bills, writing a thank you note, calling someone, etc. If it doesn't get done, it gets moved to the next day, and I don't beat myself up over it.
4. Be productive while the baby sleeps. Nap times will only get shorter as time goes on, so now is the time to start figuriing out how to make things work and get things done around the house. j
5. Go to bed early. This makes sense so you can do #1
4.
I have sometimes wondered the same thing. Not in a rude way or anything. I mean, if you rely on help from others, could you manage when you are alone if you HAD to be alone? My husband has been in Iraq since December and we still have a few months to go. My house isn't spotless but it is presentable most days. Yes, there are days where she is cranky or just wants to be held but if the house is kept up fairly decent, the taks that need to be done daily usually do not take long. In the summer it was really easy. My older kids would talk to her while I cook, mop, or whatever. They are back in school now but for the most part I have been keeping up well and still manage to get out of the house so I am not stuck at home all day. I love meeting up with friends, whether it be dinner at my house or hers (she has a baby 3 or 4 weeks younger than I do) or going out for lunch, walks etc. The more I am home the messier my house gets lol. So we are out and about a lot. I will also say my older ones help out. My 7 year old loads the dishwasher (I do pots and pans of course) and my 5 year old unloads the plastic stuff and silverware. They help do other random things as well, they enjoy it actually! With my other 2 kids it took about 2 months to get into a routine that worked for me. I found I just have to make the most of nap times and any time the baby is content in their bouncer or whatever. I think it is a good things for babies to have some time to theirself, no crying but if they are content alone that is fine! I know many moms that will not leave a baby's side when they are awake but that is not me. We play plenty but she also has her time.
And I totally agree with the PP that said get up before baby and shower. That way you are ready if you have places to go and not have to take a real long time to get out of the house. Also, you can then really take advantage of nap time instead of using it to shower and stuff.