Please tell me it gets easier....

[RedPanda]

My DS is three weeks old, and I'm finding it really hard to adjust to life with a baby. The lack of sleep and the unpredictability is really getting to me, and my DH has been working seven days a week, which has not made life any easier. When will life start to get a bit easier? I feel bad because I love DS, but he's just so needy. And I still feel like I don't know what I'm doing. I've read so much about that magical "6 week mark" when things get easier and I'm hoping it's true. I still have days where I feel really emotional :crying: and hormonal, and I just want to be back to myself!!

[babylover111]

It will get easier and once you start getting a little more sleep you'll start feeling more like yourself! Dont worry everyone i talk to with a newborn seems to feel this way at one point, its hard because a baby brings on such a change and responsibility once upon a time you were only here for you and now you have someone else that relies on you.

To help you relax i recommend for the next week everytime you put DS down for a sleep do something for yourself, say have a bath, give yourself a facial or have a nap yourself, its important to treat yourself in this time and the housework can always wait :). If you have a support network put it to great use, its the little things that count like having a few meals prepared for you can make a huge difference. Goodluck and hang in there:thumbsup:

[whatwasithinking]

:hugs: This is sooo normal for any mum of a newborn.

I have to admit it does get better at 6wks - even though this is probably not what you want to hear.

You have done all the reading correctly however newborns just do their own thing.

If you want to have a chat either pm me or come on the chat live as I am there now and we can talk.

Hang in there and big hugs - you are doing well

:hugs:

[myowneden]

The main thing that I have learnt (especially in the first few weeks) is that you don't have to be superwoman. It's bloody hard so you ask for help or let the little things slide. It gets better and then it gets great! Good luck.

[Blessed Mum]

It really will & does get easier. What you are experiencing is perfectly normal - new bubbies can & most are demanding. You are doing a great job, hang in there.
:hugs:

[ziggie]

Hi Hazel!
Oh my golly can we be any more similar???:o I also have a newborn (16/06) and my DH works 7 days a week too... We have our own irrigation business which is still relatively new, so he can't afford to take too much time off...:no: Even when DS was born, he only had 2 days off, and has had none since. So I know EXACTLY how you feel.
The way I'm coping is by being on this site almost every spare chance I get, just to have other mums there for me is a real comfort, and remember that it will get better. Becoming a mum was extremly hard for me, and I cried non stop for a week when I bought Mitch home. DH started to get really worried for a while (But still didn't stay home with me!!) but I settled into a routine after a few more days.
Please keep your chin up, and talk to people about how your feeling.

:hugs: :hugs: Luv Sarah

[annsam]

Aw Hazel, :hugs: I can relate to what you are saying and it does get easier......by about 2 months I found. Just remember, they are only this small and dependant for such a very short time in their lives so try not to wish it away. Time will fly before you very eyes. :yes: Hormones also stay running around for 2 months so is it any wonder we feel so emotional? So many women (me included) feel like you do but it does get better soon honestly.

[brooke]

:hugs: it really does get easier i think i found the 3rd week the HARDEST and was the week when i called my DH and said I CANT DO THIS ANYMORE! :o
every week seriously gets easier and easier.. but dont get me wrong there are still days when i seriously want a break its normal... you are doing a fantastic job!

[melbryan]

I had a DS born on 16/6/04 and he was and still is a real crier, ried in the hospital. I took along time to adjust and got really down as my other friends' children were so much better than mine, couldn't take him anywhere as he would just cry. Got him into a routine or I would have went to tresillian. As he has grown he is now two he is alot better not perfect but such a lovable outgoing confident, strong willed kid. I just love him to death. I am about to have DS2 and feel I will be able to cope alot better. I am told I won't get two the same.:fingerscrossed:
This time round I am going to make time to do one thing everyday e.g. a walk or a visit somewhere or just a picnic in the backyard. Children can be so hard and it crossed my mind I was never cut out for this. Until I got his lactose intolerance under control we have been alot better. My DH also has his own business and wasn't really around much but now DS is 2 he takes much more interst in him which is great. I still go out every second Fri night after he goes to sleep for beading or scrapbooking with my friends. That has really helped too.
Good luck any questions PM me. I have been through hell I reckon.

[Mum&bubs]

Oh honey i know exactly how you feel, I think every new mum goes through this but take it from me it DOES get easier!!!! Just keep at it & do your best and before you know it you and bubs have ajusted and life will seem 'normal' again. Good luck :hugs:

[Tea Lady]

I think the 3rd week was about the hardest for me too - life just isn't fun with a newborn. It really does get better, but I found it was around 8 weeks, not 6, and it doesn't happen overnight - you still get good days and bad days (actually I think you always do!). You are doing a great job, even if you don't feel like you know what you're doing .......... you'll look back on this time and wonder how you ever did it! Big :hugs: to you.

[Kaileysmum]

Oh yes it does get easier, the first few weeks are the hardest. Then from around 6 to 8 weeks, they get better and better each day. You just need to try and rest when they sleep, so that you feel a bit more refreshed (you'll find you'll be able to cope better that way).

[Niki]

6wk is the magic number!! do you have any family around that could watch bubs while you have a sleep?

[Missus S]

:hugs: to you Hazel.....and yes it will definitely get easier.

Never be afraid to ask for help when you need it from your family or friends....they would probably love to help you out.

You'll find soon that you'll be able to put your DS down under a playgym or similar to keep himself occupied through the day which will give you a bit more freedom. But honestly at this stage, don't worry about housework or cooking dinner (just get take aways) and just try to rest yourself when your DS is - lack of sleep is not good.

You will start feeling better soon :)

[Will]

:hugs: it does get better - amazingly so!!! for me it started at four weeks with DS only waking up twice per night. he cried all the time - i thought i was a horrible mother!! I am a single mum so it is almos the same as being without your dh. It is hard to start off with, but as bub grows he will eventually start smiling and will be able to communicate with you and even be able to be awake without crying!! in a few weeks you will wonder what you were worried about! It gets a lot better, its just such a shock when they are so little i reckon. :hugs: again and ihope you feel better.

[TwoBlue]

Awww sweetie

You know my views on this so i just wanted to say :hugs:
and buzz me anytime !!!!

You can come here anytime just to escape home or we can go to Chaddy or a playcentre anytime....

Being stuck at home is the hardest part i reckon and getting out was the only thing that kept me sane when Samuel was a newie

:hugs: your doing a GREAT job !!

[twins+another]

I know that it is hard to see it right now, but one day you will look back on this time and say to yourself "I wish he was that little again!"

The strategy that I found worked best for me when I was struggling with newborn twins was, each morning I would tell myself that today I had nothing to do but look after myself and the boys. It didn't matter that we had no clean dishes, clothes or floor space! It meant that there were no extra expectations on me and allowed me to relax a bit more.

If I did manage to get something done then it was a bonus but if not, the crud was all still going to be there when I got around to it! :hugs: