As a STM, I feel like the bulk of my posts (and many other STM) have been very doom and gloom about newborns and what I wished I would have known (mostly based on negative experiences)...so lets talk about the BEST parts about having a newborn! This is a stretch for me because I have, admittedly, not loved looking back on the 0-6 month stage, but when pressed, there are some pretty great things for us to all be looking forward to! Thought this would be a nice, positive post to kick off the week. :-)
Re: Newbie Advice--What's so great about babies, anyway??
2. They really do sleep a lot more than you might believe...it's not all in one stretch--generally 2-3 hours/time, but you get a lot of downtime. Make sure to plan in showers/naps/etc and you will feel much more human!
3. You will likely find a little group of new mommy friends, if you know where to look. Join a new mom support group, find mommy and me activities for newborns, find ways to get out with the babe and surround yourself with others in the same situation--you can vent, share suggestions, go for coffee, just hang out, and know that no one is judging you if you can't make the baby stop crying. Look for baby friendly matinee movies--there are a few theaters in my area that do them and it's a great change to get out and feel a little more human.
For my first, it was neat to see how much joy a baby brought to our family members.
Maternity leave. I can't wait.
I would second loving how much they sleep (it really is great and something I didn't fully appreciate until I had a toddler). I would add how snugly they are and how good they smell. I can't WAIT for that new baby smell.
The night time routine- bath, lotion, pjs, nursing, and singing her to sleep was blissful!
The amount of SNUGGLES!- enjoy the time you have before they MOVE! haha
Those first giggles and coos!
BREASTFEEDING! I was actually anti-nursing before she got here. I thought it would be super weird, and while I hated being restricted since I was uncomfortable nursing in public, I ended up LOVING nursing! When visiting with in-laws, I still got special alone time whenever DD needed to eat!
All the adorable things they wear- caps and gloves and tiny socks!
Wearing her in a moby and having her close all the time!!! Now she is miss independent
All the "first holiday" things!
CAN'T WAIT!!!!!! Get excited first time mommies- it is definitely hard but you will be so in love
May17 Siggy Challenge
Labor
I loved the baby snuggles and how portable and easy they are to take with you places at that age. They just hang out or sleep in their carrier and carseat!
The snuggles are top notch. Before they want to get down and move all the time. I soak that up!
And I love breastfeeding. The process can be so frustrating and I only made it 3 months with my first. But with my second we made it to 9 months and it was amazing. The connection and process of starting and finally getting to a good place it so well worth it. Get all the help you can!
DH: 34/Me: 35
Married: Feb 2008
DD: June 2011
TTC# 2: April 2014
BFP!! 8/29/16 --> EDD: 5/11/17....it's a GIRL!!!
Since there's mention of poop.. DD pooped quite a bit so we were not one of those lucky parents whose babies pooped every few days. If she skipped even one day, we were like oh let's bike her legs to make there's at least no trapped gas (aka fussy instead of able to sleep).
I was freaked out about the infant phase with my second. I was dreading it so much. But his baby hood was a dream! He fit right in and slept wonderfully. It was truly easy. And I had so much more confidence which I also think helped.
So if you only have one and are freaking out about having another, it can actually be really good!
DD: 6
DS: 2
-ALL of the firsts
-sleeping/napping/snuggling on Mommy's chest
-watching hubby be a daddy
-the amazement of having made, carried and delivered a human into the world
I was so glad to have the idea of creating a first year photo book with at least one photo of my DS per day. I LOVE looking at how he changed from day to day. My hubby thought I was crazy/psycho at the time but totally appreciates my effort now!
Good luck newbies! Just remember - when you are sleep deprived and hear that baby crying, smile and know that you are his/her world and will make EVERYTHING better! Who has that kind of power?! Us moms!!!
DS1 7/24/15
DS2 5/7/17
Formerly ChoicesMom
"Squishy" 2007
"Lyric" EDD Nov/4/11 - c/p Feb/11
"Fishy" 2012
"Bean" 2014
"Lux" EDD Apr/21/17 - c/p Aug/16
"Kokonah" EDD May/24/17 - m/c Oct/16
1 surprise - 1 Noonie - 1 preemie - 3 gone but not forgotten - One more on the way!!
Grab bag of mental health disorders
Pancolitis
11.2011 - DS1
02.2013 - loss at 6 wks
06.2014 - DS2
10.2015 - loss at 12 wks
03.2017 - DD
1) Breastfeeding ONCE YOU GET THE HANG OF IT. One thing I liked about it was that you're also not expected to do anything else while breastfeeding. I BF DD for over two years, and as a result didn't have to do a protracted bedtime for DS each night (sometimes I was involved but sometimes not.) While you breastfeed, DH/SO does stuff with the other kids, laundry, etc. You just sit and feed.
2) Milestones come along quickly. They seem to take a while, but on balance there are a lot of them in the first year and not so many as the kid gets older.
3) No talking back or misbehavior. It kind of sucks when they can't talk, but at least they aren't deliberately misbehaving. The saying is, "little kid, little problems. Big kid, big problems" and it's sort of true.
4) Sibling love. This applies at any age, but the thing I'm most looking forward to is watching my current children bond with the new baby.
5) Everyone else loves babies. For better or for worse you get a lot of attention.
I find the "maternity leave" answers correct but a little depressing. I agree and had a great leave for my 2nd. But I have no leave this time other than "it's summer!" (though I'm supposed to do all of my research/scholarship over the summer.) I had inadequate leave for #1.
Me:31 DH:32 Married 11/06/10
DD: Born 8/23/13 (clomid+ovidrel+IUI)
BFP 9/9/16 EDD 5/19/17
DS2 5/17
#3 Due 9/20