How hard is the first few weeks after bringing home baby?

Question

Just curious! I'm a FTM and not due until November, but I'm wondering what it'll be like when I first bring home my little one. Everyone keeps telling me it's going to be extremely hard, with no sleep. How were your experiences?

Answer

With my son it was a whole new world. I honestly didn't lose much sleep because the last few weeks of pregnancy I could not sleep. I was so uncomfortable. I mean he woke up a lot, but it was not as bad as I thought it was going to be. When I was completely exhausted I asked my husband to get up with him once. Eventually he started sleeping longer. With my daughters I breastfed and it was much easier for me. (Not saying formula is bad) but pulling out a boob compared to getting up, fixing bottle, heating up bottle, etc. Much easier.

The best advice I have is do what works for you. So many people have opinions on what's the best. The best is what works for you. You will get a routine that works best for you and baby and ask for help when you need it. For me it was so hard to ask hubs because he had to go to work when I stayed home, but I needed sleep. Also, if people offer to help, let them.

Answer

Not going to lie it is hard. Because it's all so new and your hormonal and emotional and what not. But it's also so so so so so amazing! Dont turn down help! Someone offers to make you dinner...accept it....someone offers to Clean, accept it. Trust me. It's definitely worth it. You will have lots of company but don't feel bad saying no please come another day if you need it. It's difficult the first week or two but u get through it and it's just fine. Sleep during the day as much as you can :) it's an amazing time!

Answer

It is EXHAUSTING! I'm not gonna lie, you just have to remember it does get better!

Answer

Honestly the hardest thing for me both times was breast feeding. I'm used to being up all night so if your not obviously that will be hard. The hardest thing on me that I never thought of and no one ever told me about was the laundry. There's just SOOOOO much of it. Between towels and wash cloths and clothes blankets and sheets burp cloths and every thing it was crazy!!!

Answer

I second the comment "don't turn help down". My husband and I had no help whatsoever when we brought our son home. My husband and I both work at the same place doing the same thing. We both work night shift, I had to go on maternity leave at 27 weeks until I had my son at 37 weeks and 6 weeks after that. It was hard the first few weeks because I was mainly doing it alone and trying to get them on a sleeping schedule is the hardest part. When my husband wasn't sleeping or working he was helping out so definitely do not turn down help and do NOT be afraid to ask for help. And as everyone always says "sleep when they sleep"! (I know it's very hard to do when you're little one is just too precious to not just lay awake and stare (: )

Answer

You just do it...it's a really nice time when you first take them home so i kind of just drifted along lol 😊

Answer

One thing that really helped me and my husband when our daughter was a newborn was splitting the night feedings. (She was on formula for medical reasons.) I am much more of a night owl, while my husband is morning person, so we agreed that if the baby woke up before 4 am, it was my turn. Anything after 4 am was his turn. It made it where we both got at least a few hours of uninterrupted sleep each night, which made a world of difference.

Answer

After the first few nights for us sleep wasn't an issue, it's just time. Appointments, feedings, pumping, errands, etc etc there isn't enough time in the day right now, and I have a pretty quiet, cooperative baby.

Answer

The baby isn't the hard part it was visitors stop nonstop for us no time to rest day or night just nap when the baby does you'll be great !!!

Answer

"Hard" is an understatement lol.. however it does get easier once you get used to everything (no sleep, having to be selfless, different schedule, etc etc) it takes some time, but you'll get the hang of it. It sounds super scary, but as a mom it's like you're genetically programmed to adapt and not give up? Lol I know that sounds weird, but you'll see what I mean shortly :)

How hard is the first few weeks after bringing home baby?

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