Questions for Moms who already have kids

saamb · January 2015

Hi ladies! Just wondering how long it took everyone to get somewhat back to normal after giving birth? I'm due June 3rd and suppose to be the MOH at my best friends wedding September 5th and was just wondering what kind of condition I'm going to be in. Also, how old was your LO when you first took them travelling? My brother is getting married in Mexico Jaunary 2016 and as a FTM I'm quite anxious to fly with a 7 month old! Any advice or experience is greatly appreciated!

sammyca · January 2015

Do you mean back to normal weight/shape? I think that's so variable so hard to answer. It was very quick with my first (though with much enhanced breastfeeding boobs) and a little slower with my second (and had to exercise and eat very healthily to get there).
In terms of travelling, we travelled a lot with our first as a baby. I found it much easier compared to the toddler years.

walshbunnie · January 2015

I flew with our baby at 5 weeks and 8 weeks for 2 weddings. Was out of my depends and felt comfortable wearing cocktail dresses with Spanx by then. Pumping was a bit of a hassle when we had a long layover but other than that I felt good, enjoyed myself, and baby was easy to travel with. I'd think by September you should be feeling more like yourself.

saamb · January 2015

Thanks ladies! I'm not too concerned with being down to my pre-baby weight by then (I made sure she was planning on flowy dresses so it wasn't too obvious!) I don't want to put too much pressure on myself. Mostly worried about my energy level and whether or not I'm going to have to try and hide a massive pad/granny panties under my dress. Hopefully LO will be a good sleeper that will sleep thru the entire plane ride!

eeyoreem · January 2015

I had a bridesmaid in my wedding who's baby was just a month old and would have been less but she came 2 weeks early. I think that as long as your bride is willing to work with you a bit it should be fine. And like pp have said C was much easier to travel with when he was little.

JTA2426 · January 2015

I didn't feel like myself until about 8 weeks out. And pumping will be a pita at that point, if you're planning on bfing. I delivered on June 20 with my first and took them to a wedding 4 hours away mid September. I wasn't in it, but it wasn't too hard. I was definitely not wearing granny panties or a pad that far out.

Trampslikeus · January 2015

It varies so much by individual that Im not sure that any comment from one of us would be particularly helpful. Im a FTM, but 2 of my closest friends had babies a week apart last year. One of them barely left her house for 4 months, had no interest in going out or traveling, and skipped several events last summer - there was nothing wrong with the baby, but she was just tired, not feeling good about herself, and may have had a mild bout of PPD. The other friend was out and about 5 weeks later, tailgating with us, traveling across the country for a couple of weddings and visits to family, and dancing at weddings with the baby in a carrier.

Give yourself some flexibility (as much as possible) to make game-time or near game-time decisions - most people will understand. Its just so unpredictable.

gingerbabe · January 2015

There is no way to really know how you specifically will recover, but I recovered physically super fast with both babies. With my first I felt back to normal after 4-5 days. I was still bleeding for a couple weeks, but I felt good. With my second I felt back to normal physically after 2 days, but then dealt with post-partum depression for 2 1/2 months. That was terrible. I didn't bond with my baby and hated life. Luckily I didn't have to travel and family lives out of town, so for the most part I kept to myself and just stayed in survival mode, husband helping a lot, until I got better.

I traveled just two months after my first was born and then again when he was 3 months, and both times were the easiest times to travel with my kids ever. He has always been a pretty good traveler. My second baby is a horrible traveler and has been since birth. We traveled 5 times in her first year of life and all were super miserable.

I would plan to go and hope for the best. I am planning to travel to my brother-in-laws wedding 3 weeks this baby is born. I am not looking forward to it. It will not be pleasant. But it's my husband's brother. We can't just not go. We are planning for a second plan just in case complications arise. My husband will go without me while my mom comes to stay with me if complications arise and I or baby cannot go.

wegrowsheep · January 2015

I love traveling with newborns, they are super-portable and sleep a lot! I was a barn supt at our county fair when DD was 4 days old. Not a piece of cake, but all I really wanted was a soft place to sit. Recovery will take a little time, but just do what is comfortable. And a practice run works too, like trips to the library, church, etc. You'll be a pro in no time!

blu-eyedwife · January 2015

I gave birth on October 2.

On October 4 I started walking about 1.5 miles a day with my husband and the baby. 3 weeks postpartum I wasn't bleeding or wearing pads any more and I was running 2 miles a day. 3 months postpartum I ran a half marathon.

My friend gave birth on July 27 of the same year. At 6 weeks she was still bleeding, in pain, and difficulty walking due to an infection.

Everyone's recovery is going to be completely different based on how active you're able to remain during your pregnancy and how complicated your labor and delivery are.

Bednarova · January 2015

I was at a wedding in a prepregnancy but forgiving wrap dress when DS1 was 2.5mo old. I had to wear a cami under it to keep the boobs from being flashed though.

I was in my sister's wedding in a size up from normal dress when DS1 was 5mo old.

First roadtrip with DS1 was at 2mo (just the two of us) first flight was at 3.5mo, but it was only a 90min flight.

First 3hr + flight was at just shy of a year, again, solo.

He was on 12 flights before he turned 2.

saamb · January 2015

Thank you for sharing your experiences everyone! I'm feeling a little more confident about travelling and hopefully I'm one of the lucky ones that has a quick recovery too!

DolphinLover2002 · January 2015

I had to have an emergency c-section with ds. I was back to normal within about 6 weeks as far as the bleeding and physical stuff went. I'm one that even though I breastfed and pumped, I didn't lose weight from it. But you should have no problem at all having a blast 3 months later. As far as traveling, we didn't really go anywhere until he was 10 months old. We drove 6 hours away. He did amazing on the trip. Didn't have a problem at all.

GASuzuki · January 2015

Physically I never got back to my original weight, save for a few months after dieting and exercising. But mentally was hard on me. I didn't bounce back to me until my DD was a year old. I really suffered from bad mommy brain.

LadySif · January 2015

I'd also suggest discussing your brother's wedding with baby's pediatrician well in advance so that you're prepared with what to do if baby catches something. I'm not trying to be a downer or scare you, I traveled in February with DS by plane when he was 5 months old (and thoroughly cleaned/disinfected every surface he could reach on that plane!) but we were in the states so I knew what to do for insurance if he needed to see a doctor while on vaca, my pediatrician could call in a prescription to Walgreens if need be, etc. DS caught every freaking bug his first year, including RSV which sucked, so I'd just want to know how to deal with that if I were going to Mexico. Not to discourage your trip or bringing him, but just be prepared for everything, make sure you bring the baby tylenol, thermometer, etc. It might be simple, but just check, and with your insurance company too.

akmhbm924 · January 2015

I was back in my pre-preggo pants 2 months after giving birth. I didn't diet or exercise, but I was exclusively breastfeeding. I was also much younger than I will be this time around though lol! Coincidentally, our family flew to Mexico when my LO was 8 months old, and it went fine. Just be VERY careful about what you give baby in Mexico...even if you order a soda, for example (not that you'll be giving baby any) order it WITHOUT ice. Good luck, and have fun!

ktbear9512 · January 2015

As others have said, I think you will be fine at a wedding at 3 months. I was in a wedding at 7 weeks post partum, and though it was not ideal, it was doable. We also flew with DS for the first time at 7 months and he did great! Have fun!

tiffbot1985 · January 2015

I was a bridesmaid 3 weeks post partum last time. I was planning on still being pregnant but he came early. I found it really easy, even did the rehearsal and dinner the night before. He was so little he slept the whole time and I could just sneak off to BF whenever. Oddly enough, her sister was the MOH and 6 weeks post partum. The bride was just happy her bridal party had new little families to celebrate with them!

We haven't done a plane ride with DS yet, but I can see earlier being much easier. I don't know how we would distract him that long now, lol. He's pretty good with long car rides though.

mamayo26 · January 2015

I deliverd DS1 on June 13 via c/s and my BFF had her wedding on Oct 27. A little more time than you have, but the biggest issue I had was that I had to order the dress and pay rushing 4 weeks after I delivered and then I lost so much more weight that the alterations made the dress look a little different than the other girls (they had to take it in 3" on each side). If she picked a dress and you can get measured now that might be better (if you haven't gained a lot of weight yet) to get a more accurate measurement.

As for the flying we flew with DS at 7 months and then again at 9 months to Florida. 7 Months was easier as he wasn't crawling yet and it was easier to hold him on our laps. Quick advice for flying, bring extra of everything and then get a car seat case for the plane, and make sure they put a fragile tag on it. it will provide some protection and then you can shove extra stuff into it and not have to pay the extra baggage fee. you will also be able to check the stroller at the gate.

elbowpasta · January 2015

I don't mean to veer totally off topic, but I had a similar, related question. For those of you who felt sick all the way through pregnancy, how soon after did you feel normal? Did you feel like you were "yourself" again almost right away or did it take some time to come back?

walshbunnie · January 2015

@elbowpasta‌ I don't know if this answers your question but I really battle the fatigue throughout my pregnancies. Didn't get much of an energy boost in the second Tri with my 2 yo and so far am still struggling now. But as soon as I'm home from the hospital I have super human energy to take care of baby, do my hair again, clean and fold laundry. I'm obviously tired from the newborn sleep schedule but I bounce back with way more energy than when I was pregnant. Hope that helps.

elbowpasta · January 2015

@walshbunnie‌ Yeah! That's exactly what I was hoping to hear... I definitely feel better than 1st tri, but... I still feel very off. I'm definitely not "me," and, as excited as I am to be doing something so miraculous, I want myself back. At least I might hold out hope that I'll bounce back fast in June.

vic8504 · January 2015

I had DD on August 23rd and then was in my best friends wedding on September 15th....It was a pain because I had to have someone help me unzip and zip my dress so I could pump and dump. That was really annoying then we left around 9:30 because I was just done and ready to get home.

DD is almost 2.5yrs old now and I still don't want to fly with DD...just a personal preference as I think it would be easier to fly with them when they are little and still taking a bottle or can talk and tell me what hurts.

wegrowsheep · January 2015

@elbowpasta‌ I got my appetite back by my second meal after each baby. And ditto what @walshbunnie‌ said, by the time I was home, I was ready to get my life back in order!

poppyc8 · January 2015

I think I was out and about within 2 weeks. Did not fly with DS until he was 4 months. I personally would not travel to Mexico with a newborn but I have had food poisoning there 3 times and twice was from an established resort.

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