newborn survival tips?

MZANS · February 2011

Hi there! It's getting closer and I'm looking for tips from anyone and everyone who survived the first few weeks/months after having a baby. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

ladychicago · February 2011

so exciting!!! as for tips... nap as much as you can, try to get some freezer meals stocked away (or arrange for friends/family to bring you food if they have offered), and try to keep any expectations about the baby and parenthood nice and flexible. The first couple of weeks are just about survival and adjusting to new life. Not a lot of sleep and a lot of worry, but also SO SO amazing.

GOOD LUCK!!!!

OrangeSmoke · February 2011

If you are going to (or end up with) a c section, make sure you have some help on hand (just dh is fine), I underestimated how hard recovery can be (easy for some women, but excruciating for me).

No mommy guilt allowed if you have to/want to formula feed.

Get people to bring you food.

I'm sure I have more... I'll post as I think of them.

mrsolsenk12 · February 2011

Survival is the key word because that is what you do for about the first 3-4 weeks. My recommendations are to sleep as much as you can when the baby is sleeping. It may only be 1-2 hours at a time but it helps. Also have your DH help out as much as possible. If you are BFing then obviously they can't help do that but maybe he could get you some food or something to drink. If you are FFing, then let DH feed sometimes. Lastly, let others help with things. If your mother or MIL offers to come over and cook your dinner or something.....TAKE IT! You don't need to be super mom all the time. GL and I can't wait for you to join us here on SAIF!!

AlissaCell701 · February 2011

I tell all my friends who are having babies and now give as part of my a shower/after baby gift The Happiest Baby On the Block! We LIVED by this book for the first two months. The only times J wasn't screaming was when he was swaddled(the ones with the velcro work well!) and swinging in swing or bouncy chair..(both are essential for the first 2/4 months)..Then when you are ready for a schedule I loved and still use The Screats of the Baby Wisperer..Her EASY method is awesome and live changing!!

I love the My Little Lamb Swing and the FP Ocean wonders bouncy chair..as stated Jake lived in both of these!

I also would rec getting some NB clothing just in case. I didin't have anything in NB/Preemie size (had lots of cloths that were 3-6 and bigger he is just wearing them now!) so my MIL had to go out and buy everything that Carters made in this size. It would have been helpful to have some stuff on hand in this size..

krissyh21 · February 2011

Accept the help you are offered. Even if it is for an hour to take a bath.

You will be tired and you will think you will never get to sleep again, but it does get easier and you will get into a routine.

Warn your husband that you will be an emotional wreck for the first month. I do not think mine expected me to be as emotional as I was and he did not know how to process it.

Don't sweat the small stuff (which is easier said then done) but we all have oops moments as parents and you will be able to laugh at them one day.

Oh and everyone will tell you what they THINK works, but what is right for one family/baby isn't always right for another. Find what works for you by trying different things until you know what works.

nicolita14w · February 2011

Take all the help you can get. Don't worry about cleaning your house-- let others help with that or even better, let them watch the baby so you can take a nap.

Have some take-out menus and/or frozen food on hand for easy meals.

Be open-minded. All the things you thought you knew about parenting before you actually become a parent . . . you'll find that some of them just don't work and you have to adjust. Trust yourself and your doctors as knowing what is right for your baby.

If you are going to try breastfeeding, realize that it can be tough. You may have heard that babies eat every 2-3 hours. That counts from the beginning of one feeding to the beginning of the next. It may take the baby an hour or more to eat at first, so you are looking at only an hour of "down time" between feedings. Or the baby may eat more often than that. Just expect that breastfeeding will be pretty much all you do for the first few weeks.

Your baby may only want to sleep on you and not in his crib, pack n play, swing, bouncy seat, etc. Enjoy the snuggle time.

Get out of the house, either with the baby or, if you don't feel comfortable taking the baby out at first, by yourself even if just for a little bit. Staying in the house by yourself with a baby for days on end will make you stir crazy.

Once you *do* feel comfortable taking the baby out, go out for some dinners with your DH and the baby-- at the beginning the background noise of restaurants is often enough to lull the baby to sleep and you get to enjoy a meal with your husband. You'll realize how great this is once your baby turns into a loud, food-throwing toddler.

Most of all, give yourself a break. There are many ways to do things and some of it is trial and error. As long as you remember to feed and love your baby and keep him safe and warm, it will all fall into place.

Good luck! It's overwhelming and wonderful at the same time.

CardsfanSM · February 2011

I do not remember the first 2 weeks. I wish that I had documented more during that time. If you blog/journal you'll really need to make an effort during those first few weeks.

Otherwise, my mantra was "this too shall pass."

Good luck and get ready for the ride of your life:)

emmyloustu · February 2011

get a moby wrap

buy lots of snacks that you can eat with one hand - granola bars, cereal bars, cheese sticks.

drink lots - especially if you are bfing

accept help

have your mom/mil come and cook some homemade comfort food meals for you and Dh.

my dd was 8lbs and we still ended up needing nb size clothes and diapers and i didn't have any so dh needed to go out.

bfing is hard - really hard. harder than i ever imagined, but so worth it in the end.

don't be afraid to hold your baby too much - people will tell you you're spoiling them - that is ridiculous!!! i don't think i put eliza down for months.

don't be afraid to bedshare and nurse in a sidelying position, but do it safely. it is a great way for everyone to get more rest.

happiest baby on the block - don't even bother with the book - order the DVD on amazon NOW and watch it a couple times with dh

lansinoh and soothies for sore nips

sitz baths if you have a tear or episotomy

take it easy and rest as much as you can!

nicolita14w · February 2011

Also, eat. Eat whatever sounds good. I remember being so tired that I lost my appetite-- I'd look at a chicken breast and just feel overwhelmed at the idea of having to eat it, but you really do need the food to get your energy back up and to nourish you (and also the baby if you're BFing). I'd make DH go out and get the things I craved but couldn't have when pg, like lunchmeat and sushi.

SeaSoul · February 2011

nicolita had some wonderful tips.

most importantly, i second what she said about BFing. if you plan to do it, know that it very well may take several weeks to get it down (both you & baby). know that you will find yourself BFing constantly - and perhaps resenting it, but it's normal, and as the baby grows the feedings will become shorter/less frequent. in the beginning, esp during growth spurts, the feedings can seem endless. i was at my wits' end about 2 weeks in (2 week growth spurt) and i remember emailing a friend about it, who told me she remembered feeling the same way at the same time. that made me feel better!

don't be surprised or upset if you & your dh/so have a rough patch. we had the most wonderful, close, loving marriage and when cal came along i found dh getting on my nerves for the first time ever - yes, ever! and there were some spats as well. but it's to be expected with all the changes, and especially the lack of sleep.

try not to stress too much over how much s/he's eating, or sleeping, or pooping, or any of that. you'll know if something's really wrong. otherwise, just enjoy him/her. it's such a beautiful, special time that you want to look back on with as fondly as possible!! i am so ready to do it again, in spite of the inherent difficulties!

emmyloustu · February 2011

you may be extremely emotional. i cried & cried & cried some more.

Mouseygail · February 2011

wow..all of these are great tips!!

let me just add, that if you are planning on BFing, make sure that if you make some freezer meals, that some are dairy free in case your little one has dairy issues...I was so mad that I made up all of these meals and couldn't use them until he got over his dairy issues!

Besides that, just echoing the sentiments about accepting help, getting sleep when you can, and soaking in every minute..it goes so fast

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