what was your postpartum/newborn experience like?

someflower6 · November 2010

i have heard the postpartum time (the first 3 months) be called anything from "blissful" to "newborn hell." just curious what your experiences were like.

1) what number child is this?

2) did you experience and "baby blues" or depression after delivery? what was it like/how long did it last?

3) how would you describe the temperment of your newborn throughout the first 3 months-- quiet, high needs, colicky, easy-going, etc?

4) what were your favorite things about the newborn time-frame?

5) what were your least favorite things about the newborn time-frame?

6) what were your biggest challenges with your LO?

7) how have things changed for you over the past few months?

msm261 · November 2010

1) what number child is this? 1(DS)2) did you experience and "baby blues" or depression after delivery? what was it like/how long did it last? I actually had more of Post-traumatic Stress b/c I had a horrible labor and delivery. Also, DS has MPSI, so he screamed for the first 12 weeks.3) how would you describe the temperment of your newborn throughout the first 3 months-- quiet, high needs, colicky, easy-going, etc? He was extremely fussy and constantly gassy. We didn't know he had MPSI until he was 10 weeks. It took us another 2 weeks to transition him from the breast to his hypoallergenic formula. His first 12 weeks was the most difficult experience of my entire life. I swore DS hated me and that I would never bond. Once he was diagnosed and transitioned to the bottle, things have done a complete 180. He is happy and laughing. I never would have believed anyone who told me my son would be this amazing when I was in the midst of hell. 4) what were your favorite things about the newborn time-frame? Although I had such a hard time, I still love how little he was. I also love when he would pass out on my chest. 5) what were your least favorite things about the newborn time-frame? The constant screaming. Feeling overwhelmed. Not having enough help. Not being able to leave the house due to screaming. Feeling like I was cheated when other ppl would talk about their easy going child. 6) what were your biggest challenges with your LO? After finding out about MPSI, I thought LO would just take a bottle and we could move on. That was not the case. I had to move in with my parents for a week to get him to accept the bottle and then get him to accept the awful tasting formula. It was also hard to not be able to do anything with LO (read, stroller, car rides) b/c of the excessive screaming. 7) how have things changed for you over the past few months? Now that he is happy and healthy, he is a gem. He is rolling, sitting up for short periods of time, laughing, "talking," and playing. I also love that he seeks me out in a room and stares at me when he finds mama! I am praying that my next one is an easy baby from the start!

mexicolombiana · November 2010

1) what number child is this? One

2) did you experience and "baby blues" or depression after delivery? what was it like/how long did it last? I didn't. I was overall very happy after delivery and during maternity leave. The closest I got to being depressed was crying (ok sobbing) while breastfeeding once in the beginning because DD wasn't eating and I swore she wasn't gaining weight and I wouldn't be able to BF... but of course she did fine!

3) how would you describe the temperment of your newborn throughout the first 3 months-- quiet, high needs, colicky, easy-going, etc? sleepy, easy-going, happy, a very good baby! hardly cried, though she had a lot of gas and we couldn't figure that out for a while so she was fussy after eating a lot.

4) what were your favorite things about the newborn time-frame? snuggling with a newborn is so wonderful, how tiny they are and cute they look in their tiny baby clothes, how much you marvel at their tiny existence

5) what were your least favorite things about the newborn time-frame? the interrupted sleep, too many visitors coming over and overwhelming us, but as far as the baby goes- nothing! Actually I'll edit this and say that she was very gassy and it took me a while to figure out what was wrong with her and why she would fuss after eating so much. Finally we figured out we had to walk around with her while she was upright over our shoulders to make her happy. Sometimes she wouldn't even burp for 20 minutes, but that was usually what was wrong with her.

6) what were your biggest challenges with your LO? BFing was hard in the beginning but it just took some practice. And now things are great but she really prefers to be held while we are standing up so it is hard for us to sit down and watch tv at night. One of us has to walk with her because she just loves to be high up.

7) how have things changed for you over the past few months? I rush home to be with her as soon as I get off work and I don't care about telling people "NO" as far as after work obligations, happy hours, parties, etc. My husband and I fought a lot in the beginning when DD came home, but now we are working very well as a team and everything is going smoothly. We just can't believe we're parents and that our lives revolve around this little baby

connelkr · November 2010

1 child number 1

2 yes i had the baby blues. it wasn't as much depression as it was anxiety. i just felt constantly on edge. i felt like i couldn't relax because LO was always going to need me for something. it was a pretty intense feeling for 4-5 weeks and then tapered off gradually. now i only feel anxious once in a while but not nearly as bad!

3 i would say my LO is somewhere in the middle as far as termperment. he's definitly not easy! but he also wasn't colicky. he was extremely gassy for the first few months which made for stressful periods of crying/fussing and lots of grunting all night long.

4 favorite things... i can't even tell you how many hours i spent staring at my baby, soaking in every little detail of his face and hands and feet and little body. i loved every new little thing too... first smiles, first coos, etc.

5 least favorite... the growth spurts, the bouts of screaming, the lack of sleep, the anxiety, feeling like i can't go anywhere because LO will probably start crying, the sore nipples and engorgement from BF'ing.

6 biggest challenges... getting him to sleep more than an hour at a time at night and getting him through the gassy spells.

7 he's gotten a lot easier to handle... less fussing, more sleeping at night. he's become more interactive and communicative. he's a little more predictable now as far as routine goes.

jlhebb · November 2010

1) what number child is this? My first. My husband's fourth.

2) did you experience and "baby blues" or depression after delivery? what was it like/how long did it last? Absolutely. It was to the point I actually sought the doctor's help. I'd say it was about 4 weeks long. I thought I was an absolute failure as a mother and that I couldn't do it. I would cry at the drop of a hat and get very anxious about caring for her. I had leg twitches, bouts of vomiting, etc. I had thoughts about why I decided to have a child. I was ridden with guilt because I was not able to breastfeed (I eventually was, but then couldn't keep up with her). It was AWFUL.

3) how would you describe the temperment of your newborn throughout the first 3 months-- quiet, high needs, colicky, easy-going, etc? She was easy going, which made my guilt and condition even worse.

4) what were your favorite things about the newborn time-frame? When I finally got better and started to enjoy my daughter.

5) what were your least favorite things about the newborn time-frame? Dealilng with my milk not coming in, getting frustrated when I couldn't figure DD out at first, the lack of engagement a newborn provides, the pain I had from delivery (it was rough and long).

6) what were your biggest challenges with your LO? Really, it was only my own issues. DD has been a breeze compared to horror stories I've read.

7) how have things changed for you over the past few months? Wow. Hugely! DD is active and social now. She does new things all the time and is fun to be around. She sleeps a lot better. I'm healed mentally and physically, so I can enjoy her more.

someflower6 · November 2010

someflower6:

1) what number child is this?

1

2) did you experience and "baby blues" or depression after delivery? what was it like/how long did it last?

i had areally rough start and was miserable for the first few weeks. it didn't really get better until about 8 weeks, and even more so when i went back to work full time at 10 weeks.

3) how would you describe the temperment of your newborn throughout the first 3 months-- quiet, high needs, colicky, easy-going, etc?

she was pretty high-needs. she seemed incredibly frightened by the world and everything made her cry. she constantly seemed uncomfortable and colicky.

4) what were your favorite things about the newborn time-frame?

i always was holding her. i loved when she'd sleep on me... she was so tiny and little and i felt so safe with her in my arms.

5) what were your least favorite things about the newborn time-frame?

i felt like my life was dictated by someone i just met. i couldn't do anythign i wanted when i wanted-- including eating, sleeping, even showering. i felt like i lost all control of my life.

6) what were your biggest challenges with your LO?

feeding has always been problematic. breastfeeding didn't work out... pumping didn't work... bottle feeding took forever to work... the formulas were a nightmare... she was gassy and had reflux... her feeding times were all over the place... and her sleeping wasn't all that great either!

7) how have things changed for you over the past few months?

she interacts in ways other than crying and that's made a huge difference! we've both become much happier and comfortable with our mother/daughter roles.

joakin · November 2010

1) what number child is this? 1st

2) did you experience and "baby blues" or depression after delivery? what was it like/how long did it last? No. The only thing that was upsetting was the nightmare of a time we had with breastfeeding for the first month

3) how would you describe the temperment of your newborn throughout the first 3 months-- quiet, high needs, colicky, easy-going, etc? DS has always been a great baby- very calm and easy going. He had tummy troubles at the beginning, but once we figured it out and got him on a lactose-free formula his tummy was fine.

4) what were your favorite things about the newborn time-frame? Snuggling! I loved holding and looking at my handsome little guy! And all his little squeaks and noises!

5) what were your least favorite things about the newborn time-frame? the struggle with breast feeding.

6) what were your biggest challenges with your LO? breast feeding and sleeping on his back- he HATES it!

7) how have things changed for you over the past few months? I think I've lightened up a bit and learned to relax and give myself some "me" time everyday while DS naps.

Laura_Lee · November 2010

1) what number child is this? Number One

2) did you experience and "baby blues" or depression after delivery? what was it like/how long did it last? Very very mild, but to this day I still blame family for it. I was perfectly happy when it was just me, hubby, and baby. Anytime company was coming over I was an anxious mess. I just wanted alone time, and people were NOT understanding of it.

3) how would you describe the temperment of your newborn throughout the first 3 months-- quiet, high needs, colicky, easy-going, etc? High needs, most definitely.

4) what were your favorite things about the newborn time-frame? I miss how snuggly he was. He would sleep on my chest a lot, but now he's so used to his crib he won't sleep anywhere else!

5) what were your least favorite things about the newborn time-frame? Feeling so helpless. He would cry unconsolably ALL THE TIME, and there was absolutely nothing I could do for him. It was heartbreaking, but we made it through.

6) what were your biggest challenges with your LO? Figuring out his likes/dislikes, and getting him to put himself to sleep instead of being rocked for 2 hours every night.

7) how have things changed for you over the past few months? Things have definitely gotten easier as far as more predictability. Things are harder for me though since having gone back to work. I really miss being able to do whatever I wanted with him during the day without feeling anxious/rushed because of trying to get everything ready for me to go to work.

MillersXing · November 2010

1) what number child is this? One

2) did you experience and "baby blues" or depression after delivery? what was it like/how long did it last?
There was a time around 4 or 5 weeks that I was rocking back and forth thinking, "This is it. This is my life. This is what I signed on for. Get used to it. Nothing is going to change." But it did get better.

3) how would you describe the temperment of your newborn throughout the first 3 months-- quiet, high needs, colicky, easy-going, etc?
Lots of gas on BM or formula. Wouldn't nap EVER. Pee-pee diapers would send her into a tizzy.

4) what were your favorite things about the newborn time-frame?
She was so tiny. And that little cry was endearing even though we heard it A LOT.

5) what were your least favorite things about the newborn time-frame?
The constant feeling of "winging it". It really stressed me out. Now we just "wing it" with whatever we have and have gotten much more resourceful.

6) what were your biggest challenges with your LO? The gas and not napping. It felt like I could not get a break.

7) how have things changed for you over the past few months? She is much more chill and interactive. And I love the way she looks at me.

j_st.charles · November 2010

someflower6:
i have heard the postpartum time (the first 3 months) be called anything from "blissful" to "newborn hell." just curious what your experiences were like.

1) what number child is this? Numero Uno

2) did you experience and "baby blues" or depression after delivery? what was it like/how long did it last? Had some PPD, went to my Doc & got on zoloft. I was very overwhelmed, and didn't feel like I loved my baby as much as I should. I would just cry for no reason.

3) how would you describe the temperment of your newborn throughout the first 3 months-- quiet, high needs, colicky, easy-going, etc? My LO was pretty easy going. The sleep was the worst thing. He was up every 2-3 hours.

4) what were your favorite things about the newborn time-frame? I honestly didn't love the new born time-frame. It is hard when you don't get a reaction or anything from a baby. It is so much more fun now that he smiles and laughs and responds.

5) what were your least favorite things about the newborn time-frame? The lack of sleep!

6) what were your biggest challenges with your LO? Just the normal sleep stuff.

7) how have things changed for you over the past few months? I have adjusted to having a little one to take care of, and have just got into a routine. I have fallen deeply in love with this little boy and can't imagine life without him!

mrs.nkc · November 2010

1) What number child is this?

? 1 - DD

2) Did you experience and "baby blues" or depression after delivery? what was it like/how long did it last?

? Not at first, but maybe now. Hopefully, it?ll get better L

3) How would you describe the temperament of your newborn throughout the first 3 months-- quiet, high needs, colicky, easy-going, etc?

? AN ANGEL! Very easy going & oh-so- happy!

4) What were your favorite things about the newborn time-frame?

? Motherhood is EVERYTHING I thought it would & so much better! I love(d) watching DD reaching new milestones, snuggling w/ my BabyDoll.

5) What were your least favorite things about the newborn time-frame?

? One & only complaint (that I can think of now) is the lack of sleep! Oh, & all the people coming over.

6) What were your biggest challenges with your LO?

? Nothing actually w/ LO. Just learning to let go (when she?s w/ other people) & get over my fear of being w/o her.

7) How have things changed for you over the past few months?

? LO is way more vocal, grabby, & happy. But since going back to work, things are WAY harder for me. I HATE having to leave her & missing all these milestones the 1^st time around L

PinkPeony6210 · November 2010

someflower6:

1) what number child is this?

DD is our first child.

2) did you experience and "baby blues" or depression after delivery? what was it like/how long did it last?

No. I was, however, extremely sensitive, which I'm sure was hormonal.

3) how would you describe the temperment of your newborn throughout the first 3 months-- quiet, high needs, colicky, easy-going, etc?

I swear the first couple weeks are a blur! At first she was extremely difficult. She would scream all day. I thought she wasn't getting enough food because my supply was low, so I started supplementing with formula, but she would still cry. Long story short, she was finally put on a hypoallergenic formula.

She would become overwhelmed when being held by another person, or when around people in general. I am so happy that she finally grew out of that phase because DH and I have large immediate families and taking her places was difficult.

At this point, I would say she is a very easy baby.

4) what were your favorite things about the newborn time-frame?

Despite her being difficult, I loved every minute of it. I learned a lot about myself during the newborn stage.

5) what were your least favorite things about the newborn time-frame?

I think adjusting to everything was the hardest part of our new life with DD.

6) what were your biggest challenges with your LO?

Definitely the feeding/formula issues that she had. I cried a lot because I felt so helpless.

7) how have things changed for you over the past few months?

Our life is more routine, but again, I wouldn't have it any other way. I am so content with the way everything is. I feel truly blessed to have my little family.

AbJams · November 2010

1) what number child is this? 1

2) did you experience and "baby blues" or depression after delivery? what was it like/how long did it last? Yes. I cried every day for 2 weeks. I was just so tired and overwhelmed and useless and gross and I missed cuddling my husband and it was just awful. Day time was fine but as soon as the evening rolled around it was like turning on a faucet.

3) how would you describe the temperment of your newborn throughout the first 3 months-- quiet, high needs, colicky, easy-going, etc? She was... medium needs I'd say. She cried and she fussed and she was demanding but she wasn't colicky.

4) what were your favorite things about the newborn time-frame? When breastfeeding started working, and the little newbie cuddles before she was big enough to wiggle away!

5) what were your least favorite things about the newborn time-frame? Lack of sleep, pp sadness, feeling totally at sea and worrying whether or not I was doing everything right.

6) what were your biggest challenges with your LO? She had jaundice, so we supplemented with formula which meant she was never truly EBF, and we had to do the bilil-blanket and she had to get tons of blood drawn and it was pretty sucky. And she had a seizure, which was stressful at the time but she has no residual effects and hasn't had another.

7) how have things changed for you over the past few months? I'm much more confident in my own instincts and abilities. I'm not so concerned with being right as being right for me.

Stephanie2167 · November 2010

1) what number child is this? #1

2) did you experience and "baby blues" or depression after delivery? what was it like/how long did it last? No

3) how would you describe the temperment of your newborn throughout the first 3 months-- quiet, high needs, colicky, easy-going, etc? Easy-going

4) what were your favorite things about the newborn time-frame? How little she was, she slept a lot and so did I. Getting to know her!

5) what were your least favorite things about the newborn time-frame? Learning to breastfeed.

6) what were your biggest challenges with your LO? Learning to breastfeed.

7) how have things changed for you over the past few months? Breastfeeding is going great (never thought I'd make it this far at first), DD is sucha good girl, she is growing so fast. I actually miss her being so little.

snoopysnoperson · November 2010

1) what number child is this? #1

2) did you experience and "baby blues" or depression after delivery? what was it like/how long did it last? A little bit. I felt kinda disconnected from her and the world for the first 2 weeks since I couldn't do much as I was in a lot of pain from the delivery.

3) how would you describe the temperment of your newborn throughout the first 3 months-- quiet, high needs, colicky, easy-going, etc? Easy-going

4) what were your favorite things about the newborn time-frame? Cuddling with her and having her fall asleep on my chest. Learning how to be a mommy and listening to those cute noises!

5) what were your least favorite things about the newborn time-frame? Breastfeeding as she had and still does need me to use a nipple sheild. Lack of sleep.

6) what were your biggest challenges with your LO? Breastfeeding and getting her to burp. She would never burp no matter what we did and then would be all gassy and upset.

7) how have things changed for you over the past few months? We moved to be closer to my family, I don't work as much and DD is such a good little girl. I wish she wasn't getting big so fast =(

julybaby23 · November 2010

1) what number child is this?

first

2) did you experience and "baby blues" or depression after delivery? what was it like/how long did it last?

Yes. Very bad post partum anxiety. I could not sleep for the first 1.5 weeks and kept trying different drugs. I would doze off and then wake up in a panic after an hour. Also had PTSD

3) how would you describe the temperment of your newborn throughout the first 3 months-- quiet, high needs, colicky, easy-going, etc?

Easy going. it was his parents that had issues

4) what were your favorite things about the newborn time-frame?

Not working. Learning to live in the moment more and just hold him and appreciate our time together. Daily stroller walks together.

5) what were your least favorite things about the newborn time-frame?

sleep deprivation. anxiety. company

6) what were your biggest challenges with your LO?

inability to sleep. being a mom and losing our freedom. negotiating a work load balance with DH

7) how have things changed for you over the past few months?

I'm back at work. I know LO can STTN though he hasn't in the 4 month wakeful. I feel so much more fufilled despite the craziness of life. having a routine has made so much difference to us as a family.

P.S.10 · November 2010

1) number 1

2) I got "baby blues" for about a month after birth. It mostly came up in the afternoons, and I would get sad/weepy about DD growing up and not being a baby anymore. Getting outside and holding DD helped a lot (plus, I have a avery understanding husband!)

3) DD was pretty easy; she only got upset when she was hugnry, tired, or cold.

4) My favorite thing was how cuddly she was. She could sleep in my arms for hours; now she's so wiggly I can hardly hold on to her!

5) My least favortie thing was when I couldn't calm/soothe her. She would cry, I would cry, and my husband would have to take over, which made me feel even worse. I just felt like a failure for not being able to calm her down immediately, every single time.

6) The biggest challange was learning to let go a little bit. It was really hard for me to put her down or be physically away from her, and I cried for like two weeks when we transitioned her to her crib.

7) I feel a lot more confident and a lot more connected to DD. Now, she's starting to show her personality, and she is super interactive. I loved her in the newborn stage, but she is so much more fun now!

marykaybride · November 2010

msm261:
1) what number child is this? 1(DS) 2) did you experience and "baby blues" or depression after delivery? what was it like/how long did it last? I actually had more of Post-traumatic Stress b/c I had a horrible labor and delivery. Also, DS has MPSI, so he screamed for the first 12 weeks. 3) how would you describe the temperment of your newborn throughout the first 3 months-- quiet, high needs, colicky, easy-going, etc? He was extremely fussy and constantly gassy. We didn't know he had MPSI until he was 10 weeks. It took us another 2 weeks to transition him from the breast to his hypoallergenic formula. His first 12 weeks was the most difficult experience of my entire life. I swore DS hated me and that I would never bond. Once he was diagnosed and transitioned to the bottle, things have done a complete 180. He is happy and laughing. I never would have believed anyone who told me my son would be this amazing when I was in the midst of hell. 4) what were your favorite things about the newborn time-frame? Although I had such a hard time, I still love how little he was. I also love when he would pass out on my chest. 5) what were your least favorite things about the newborn time-frame? The constant screaming. Feeling overwhelmed. Not having enough help. Not being able to leave the house due to screaming. Feeling like I was cheated when other ppl would talk about their easy going child. 6) what were your biggest challenges with your LO? After finding out about MPSI, I thought LO would just take a bottle and we could move on. That was not the case. I had to move in with my parents for a week to get him to accept the bottle and then get him to accept the awful tasting formula. It was also hard to not be able to do anything with LO (read, stroller, car rides) b/c of the excessive screaming. 7) how have things changed for you over the past few months? Now that he is happy and healthy, he is a gem. He is rolling, sitting up for short periods of time, laughing, "talking," and playing. I also love that he seeks me out in a room and stares at me when he finds mama! I am praying that my next one is an easy baby from the start!

I could have written this exact same thing except for 2 things. I think I had some form of depression that I didn't have time to even think about treating. I was home alone (summer vacation from teaching) and DH was working 40 daytime hours, interning 25 hours nights and weekends, and going to school 3 hours on weeknights.DS being so fussy from MSPI and my inability to cope with constant screaming probably made my mental state worse. We did figure out his MSPI by 2 weeks and switched from BF to Alimentum formula, but it was only the tip of the iceburg in getting him calm. He also has severe AR and an immature nervous system (born 4 weeks early), so he had no ability to even think about soothing or settling himself (we're still working on that one, but he's improved).

He's such a happy baby these days. During that stormy time, I was sure that I would never have another baby. Now that I get to play with him and see his personality develop, we'll definitely have a second baby. I just hope the second one can keep gestating until he or she is 4 months old.

Want a personalized experience?

what was your postpartum/newborn experience like?

Re: what was your postpartum/newborn experience like?

Choose Another Board

Search Boards