1st day ALONE with my 3 week old...I can do this...Right?

[danicaw]

So far so good. Up until today I have had family staying with me or hubby was home. Today its just baby and me.
I actually got up and showered before hubby headed off to work this morning.
I think we are doing ok, but things take me a lot longer to get done and several things I am saving to do after hubby gets home again...my breakfast dishes, my lunch dishes. Making those meals was quite a challenge with baby in arms.

Any tips or trick to share?
I was able to do a bit while he napped, but it all feels so odd still.
When does it start to feel like second nature? And when do will I feel like I have gotten enough sleep? I think I am going to nap with him this afternoon.

Today is also the first day no one will be riding in the back seat of the car with him. He is still very small and his head often flops over while in his car seat. I or someone has always been back with him to help keep his head up, but he has a Doc appointment in a hour or so and I am not liking that I won't even be able to see his face while I drive.

Ok, I will stop fretting now...well, at least stop sharing all that I fret about. I know tons of people have survived these same things before me and that baby and I will too.

But any tips or encouragment would be great.
Thanks,

 

[Eeyore1928]

You can do this. If I can you can. I have an 8 month old little girl and I know the feeling. I was left alone with her at 6 days old! I do suggest napping with them. Lifesaver!!!!! The driving thing will get better...my baby sleeps in the car and I am sure your will too. I put her in her infant carrier while I showered and just opened the door and checked on her every 5 seconds it felt like. It does get so much easier especially once they can sit in a highchair/ or saucer. I love being a Mom! It is the best isn't it?

 

[trayletha]

You Can Do It - Of Course

Let see -

1. A sling loved that thing - not those carrier things, but looks like a cloth hammock DD loved it too.

2. The dishes can wait for sure..

3. When will you have gotten enough sleep?? Well DD is 4.5 yo, but I'll PM you when I've caught up .

4. Do you have one of those little head things for babies in carseats?? or is the carseat tilted back enough??

Congratulations

Enjoy your baby and mommy time.

 

[minnie56]

Don't get panicked..


Learn to let the unimportant things go. Treasure all the moments...forget the dusting...cuddle your baby instead.You will never know how very quickly the time will pass...

Nap when your baby naps....then you won't feel so sleep deprived. I don't think after having children you ever sleep the same again...but it will all feel a lot better if you get your rest whenever and wherever you can.

If the dishes take a day or two...so what! They will ultimately get done!

Don't be afraid to ask for help along the way and relax and enjoy. These are wonderful days you and your baby will share and before you realize it the second nature of it all will just happen!

Good Luck!

 

[FOJMO]

I can't remember back that far to give you tips (17 years ago), but wanted to let you know I know how overwhelming it can all be.

We adopted our DD from Korea at 4 mos. and I remember the day after we got home with her, I sat in the rocking chair in her nursery with her in my arms and just cried and cried!

My poor DH, who was outside cutting the lawn, came and and thought something terrible happened!

I just had to let out all the anxiety, etc. (we waited 2 years for her to come home) and felt better after that good cry.

You will be a pro before you know it!

 

[zurgswife]

I second that you should nap while they nap for the next few months...it will make a world of difference down the road....

 

[Lucky4me]

Excellent advice Minnie56!

Don't worry about anything but:

Baby and YOU.

Sleep when he sleeps and pamper yourself as much as possible.

As far as ever sleeping again? My 21 YEAR old took a shower and SLAMMED the medicine cabinet (about a hundred times) last night. When I looked at the clock it was 2:35 a.m.!

This morning at 7am, I made sure to vacuum right outside of his bedroom door.

So, I don't know the answer to that question.

They have mirrors you can put up so you can see babies face in the carseat. That really bugged me too. They also make a little pillow so their head doesn't flop. We used to use a rolled up hand towel.

Believe it o r not in a few years you won't know where the time went!

 

[susy]

Wow! sounds like me five years ago. I did fine my first day alone, but ended up breaking down and crying at 8pm, so my mom and her DH came over. My Dh was great!!! My huge mistake was rocking my son to sleep. I never taught him to fall alseep on his own and he NEVER has. He is 5 and a half and sleeps with my DH. I sleep in his room in his twin bed. I remember my DH coming home from work and I had not eaten, brushed my hair or teeth all day and everything was a mess. Don't worry. You will soon get a handle on everything and the baby will settle into a routine. One thing that helped was getting out every day for a walk. My son loved it. Spend time just playing with the baby, singing, etc. Don't cook with him in your arms, though. Get him use to the fact that mommy has "work to do". I used to put my son's swing (or bouncy seat) where he could still see me . Enjoy your little one . They grow up sooooo fast! Hint: if you fill the sink with soapy water and just keep adding dishes to it as your day goes, they will have washed themselves! Then just rinse!

 

[mum4jenn]

I agree that you must nap when the baby sleeps!!!

Even if you have one of those things that fit around the babys head their head still has room to "flop".I used to use a bath towel that I rolled up lengthwise that I fit around my dds head when she was still that young.

Allow yourself extra time to get the baby together for trips to the Dr.,etc. If you are more relaxed the baby will sense it!!

If you feel guilty about the dishes take 5 minutes only at each nap time to work on it.

Get the baby on a routine. It CAN be done at that age. Then let you dh know the routine so if you have to go somewhere while he watches the baby then it will be easier for him.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

You have gotten alot of great advice. My tip would be to take some pictures! It just all happens so fast.
Oh and I was never comfortable with my kids until they were 6 months. I worried about everything. So you are not alone.
Congratulations!

 

[jfulcer]

1) Hubby can do the dishes when he gets home.

2) Hubby can go get one of those pillow things that go around the baby's head while you stay home and cuddle. Looks like this:

3) Hubby can watch baby while you take a little nap when he gets home, after he's done the above 2 items. Welcome to the world of perpetual sleep deprived parents of small children. You'll learn to fall asleep when your head hits the pillow and wake up at the first peep of the baby. It will come, really.

4) Hubby can make dinner or stop and pick something up on the way home for the first 8 months or so.

Notice a pattern? Delegate! Share the wealth of housework! Your DH can be a lifesaver, and I'm sure would LOVE to help you out. After all, it WAS you that spent the time birthing the child right, now it's his turn, just not as painful. Be sure to let him have cuddle time also thought, us daddies like that also.

 

[winniedapooh]

When I had my first DS, now 14, I got this poem:

Cleaning and scrubbing
Can wait till tomorrow
For babies grow up
We've learned to our sorrow
So quiet down cobwebs
Dust go to sleep
I'm rocking my baby
And babies don't keep

I was a maniac, still am sometimes about cleaning and making sure everything is perfect but when I get like that I read this.....it has helped get me through all 5 DCherubs!

Enjoy they grow up so fast.....

 

[danicaw]

Thanks Everyone!
I am soo glad I get to be home with him and I know things will get easier. But I think the lack of sleep makes it harder to see sometimes.

Well, I better go. Its time for someone to eat.
Thanks you guys, what an adventure!

Me and him on the day we brought him home.

 

[powellrj]

you need to make sure you have small milestones to do everyday. Somedays you would feel like you have done nothing but fed the baby and change him/her, but if you have small things that you get done everyday, when things get you down, you can say "well at least I got _______ done today and feel better." Mine things were getting a shower and dressing everyday and reading the paper everyday. It doesn't sound like much but trust me there will be days that if thats all you get done, its a lot! Also forget about cleaning, but try to pick up 3 times a day. We copied the 10 second pick up from that TV show the big comfy couch. I would stop what I was doing 3 times a day and pick up for about 5 minutes, you would be surprised how much you can pick up in 5 minutes.

 

[danicaw]

Hey,

Thank you Tag Fairies!

 

[powellrj]

I just saw the picture....awwww how sweet you both are!!!!

 

[Dancind]

Aww, Danica, he's such a cutey! And you look way too good to have just had a baby. Diana

 

[becka]

First of all congrats on the birth of your beautiful son.

Now lets see if we can help you with a few items. Believe me it will all be much easier soon once you get used to it but in the beginning it can all seem so overwhelming. I was in your exact position just 1 year ago and while I am not a pro I have learned so much this last year and some things really have become second nature.

1. Nap when he naps at least once a day. I would usually stay awake during his morning naps but his afternoon one I made sure to force myself to at least lay down.

2. For the car make sure you get one of those mirrors so you can see him. I would never have survived without mine. It made (still) makes me feel better knowing that I can sneak a peek at every stoplight to make sure he is fine. Those head support things help with their heads or you can use a towel.

3. Don't cook while holding your little one. I used to put DS in his swing and/or bouncy seat while I cooked and ate. Most days I would make a few PB&J sandwiches or other quick foods before DH left. Then when I got hungry I always had something quick I could grab and eat with one hand if need be.

4. The dishes, etc. can wait. Make sure DH gives you a break for part of the evening and helps you out with the everyday chores like dishes and laundry.

5. Just try to enjoy this time. I know everyone says it but the time really does fly by way too fast.

 

[luvindisneyworld]

I have no advice,i dont have any little ones yet.Just wanted to say how Beautiful he is and you look wonderful

 

[Regina]

What a beautiful baby!! I wish mine had hair. I swear I had two cueballs and one with fuzz.

It's normal to feel inadequate when you're left alone with the baby. I remember crying when my Mom had to leave and head back home. (Our families were close to two hours away from us.)

Looking back, it was the best time of my life. That little precious bundle was all mine to cuddle. Cherish these moments, they pass too quickly.

And do not worry about the house. You're a Mommy now, and there's nothing more important than that.