BR: Surviving the first month

lola808 · April 2010

For the mamas out there -- How did you spend your time during the first month or so after baby was born? What did you do to stay healthy, happy and sane?

Adrian has been a wonderful baby so far and DH and I are loving our time alone with him. But being home all the time (and thinking about being home almost exclusively for a few more weeks) is making me feel a bit antsy.

I need some tips on keeping the spirits up and preventing each day from feeling just like the ones before. Suggestions? Sleep

mie · April 2010

With my oldest, I stayed close to home for 8 weeks because I just didn't want to expose her to crowds. Looking back, that was overkill. The second time around, it just wasn't possible to stay home/indoors with an older child so we went out a lot -- to the park, the beach (but we stayed away from crowds). I think that going out and doing things will help. I know that it can be quite overwhelming at first, but eventually it gets easier.

HulaLove · April 2010

I love being home! i'llI'll post some of what iI do tomorrow when i'mI'm not on my iPhone - it's hard to type on it.

MrsZiz · April 2010

I loved being home. We did go on walks nearly every day (she was born in the summer so it was easy and nice weather), that REALLY helped my spirits. I also napped A LOT! When she napped, I would TRY to nap, it didn't always happen but she was eating every 2 hours so I was so tired.

MrsNJSwimmer · April 2010

DS was born in the winter, and we had a lot of snow, and with the H1N1 stuff around, the pedi didn't want us to go out in any big crowds or anything like that until the 2 month shots.

I was pretty excited to go to the grocery store or the drug store just to get out of the house alone. Since I couldn't drive for 3 wks after the c/s, it was even more freedom when I could drive! For me personally, it was more about overcoming PPD and just trying to get some sleep whenever I could.

My parents came down twice in the first month, and that helped a lot. Otherwise, I think you could go for walks or so other things like that. Have you seen myday's blog? She details a lot of what she did w/ Alexa. Some good things there.

mrspresley · April 2010

MrsNJSwimmer:
DS was born in the winter, and we had a lot of snow, and with the H1N1 stuff around, the pedi didn't want us to go out in any big crowds or anything like that until the 2 month shots.

I was pretty excited to go to the grocery store or the drug store just to get out of the house alone. Since I couldn't drive for 3 wks after the c/s, it was even more freedom when I could drive! For me personally, it was more about overcoming PPD and just trying to get some sleep whenever I could.

My parents came down twice in the first month, and that helped a lot. Otherwise, I think you could go for walks or so other things like that. Have you seen myday's blog? She details a lot of what she did w/ Alexa. Some good things there.

this is kind of how it was for us too...for me it was more about being in survival mode than anything else, esp since i was BFing and DD would sometimes nurse for over an hour and then be ready to eat again in another hour! i would try to sleep when she did too and sometimes it was just resting b/c i couldn't fall asleep but otherwise we didn't do a whole lot...and it was too cold to go outside and enjoy the weather. it really wasn't until she was over a month old that i got to start playing w/her or anything b/c she'd pretty much just wake up, poop, eat, poop, and then go back to sleep during the first month i know that by 6 weeks i felt like i could go back to work b/c it would be a nice break from everything

if you can find some mom's groups then that might be something nice to enjoy. or you can look for a baby yoga class or stroller strides to get some exercise.

lola808 · April 2010

MrsNJSwimmer:
the pedi didn't want us to go out in any big crowds or anything like that until the 2 month shots.

This is the challenge for us -- our pedi wants us to keep a low profile through the first month and avoid crowds until 3 months.

So far, I've gotten out on my own a couple times for quick trips to the store and a lunch with a gf. That def helped. I'm also looking forward to exercising again, even just a walk around the block, but I'm still sore from delivery.

Just wondering if there are better ways to pass the time at home since it seems like I mostly bf, burp, change diapers, sleep, and watch an obscene amount of TV. At least A is getting a little more interactive, so that helps keep it interesting!

sanae78 · April 2010

I was pretty much parked in front of the tv, too, because she was nursing so much. Then she would fall asleep and I couldn't move her or she'd cry and not go back to sleep. I was bad, though, in that I went to the mall with her in the sling at 4 days old. And we went out to eat with her pretty early on. I guess it was fine though because she hasn't gotten sick or anything yet. Oh, we also had quite a few visitors the first few weeks so that helped lift my spirits. Especially the ones who brought us food.

HulaLove · April 2010

The first 4 weeks were kind of different for us because it was the holiday season. Elyse was born on Dec 14.

Once I was more healed (at around 5 or 6 weeks) we started snowshoeing and going for walks. We had a really mild winter so it was perfect. I also went over to friends houses to hangout with them and their babies. I walked with her in the bjorn at the mall alot. I put her in the bjorn so no one would touch her.

Now I'm in a stroller bootcamp, I've started running with another mom and I'm learning to cook so that pretty much fills my days.

Eclaire71 · April 2010

When I was off with my baby, I made my newborn his Christmas stocking. I bought one of those felt kits that you stitch, stuff and put beads and sequins. It comes with everything. He still uses that stocking and he will be 12 this year. I also did a lot of walking in the neighborhood, trips to the mall (wasn't very crowded during the week) and went to some weekday movies (again, not crowded). I had to time the movies a little, but it was better than staying in the house.

MauiWedding08 · April 2010

the first couple weeks were a learning experience in the sense that I had to realize I needed to lower my expectations (laundry/cooking/cleaning). At first it stressed me out - I hate clutter and mess and it was hard to keep up.

As for staying in - we didn't have anyone tell us to limit activity. I mean I obviously didn't take him to large crowds or let creepy strangers touch him but we were out and about almost right away. He loved (and still loves) being carried around in a sling or the moby so I figured if I was doing that at home I may as well do it at the mall or the grocery for a change of scenery.

Would you feel comfortable going to dinner at a friend's house? We did that when Jack was 1 week old. I felt like I looked like crap but it was great to get out of the house in a low key way and I could BF in one of the bedrooms so it was practically like being home.

MauiWedding08 · April 2010

HulaLove:

I also went over to friends houses to hangout with them and their babies. I walked with her in the bjorn at the mall alot. I put her in the bjorn so no one would touch her.

oh yeah - if you can find a mom friend that would be great. My friend has a baby 1 week older and I'm still friends with 1 mom from childbirth class. We just go to each other houses every once in a while. That seems low profile to me... Once it got a little nicer for a few days we met up to walk around the lake.

And same - no one has tried to touch Jack when he's in a carrier (or ever) and we are out and about A LOT.

Married2MrWright · April 2010

Libby was born in the winter (in fact we had a snow storm the day after we brought her home) so we were inside for the first few weeks aside from trips to her pedi and her newborn photoshoot. We did go out to sushi when she was about 2.5 weeks old. At 3.5 weeks I went to the grocery store without her...she stayed home with DH. It was the first time she had a bottle and my first time being out of the house without her since she had been born.

Then when she was 4 weeks old my BFF came for a visit and I took her to the mall. It's across the street from my house so we walked and I wore her in a fabric wrap carrier. She was asleep before we ever set foot in the mall and slept the entire 2 hours we were there. Week 5 I took her out in the wrap again...grocery shopping, lunch with a friend and to a children's consignment sale. From there it got easier and easier to get out with her. I do worry about germs and such so I don't take her into public places too often. People don't have very many boundaries when it comes to babies...I cannot believe how many times complete strangers have tried to touch Libby! So, for now, trips to the grocery store once a week is about it th extent of our public outings for now. We did have our first little playdate last Saturday...with the two other couples from our Bradley Class, our instructor (who was also our doula) and our LOs. That was fun!

Recently, the weather's been nice so nice that we've been walking around the neighborhood with her. I prefer to wear her than to put her in her snap 'n' go stroller.

In the beginning it does feel an awful lot like Groundhog Day (the movie). I think if it hadn't been winter I would have felt more stir crazy but since it was cold I wanted to be inside anyway. It was funny though...I started venturing out just as spring had sprung around here and the trees were blooming and tulips and daffodils were everywhere...I felt like I was coming out of hibernation.

jaysgirljulie · April 2010

check out your local hospitals for new mom, breast feeding, or ppd support groups. They have been my lifesavers. I'm too nervous to go anywhere else most of the time w my fussy LO but I need to get out of the house.

mrs.winter · April 2010

mrspresley:
MrsNJSwimmer:

I was pretty excited to go to the grocery store or the drug store just to get out of the house alone. Since I couldn't drive for 3 wks after the c/s, it was even more freedom when I could drive! For me personally, it was more about overcoming PPD and just trying to get some sleep whenever I could.

this is kind of how it was for us too...for me it was more about being in survival mode than anything else, esp since i was BFing and DD would sometimes nurse for over an hour and then be ready to eat again in another hour! i would try to sleep when she did too and sometimes it was just resting b/c i couldn't fall asleep but otherwise we didn't do a whole lot...and it was too cold to go outside and enjoy the weather. it really wasn't until she was over a month old that i got to start playing w/her or anything b/c she'd pretty much just wake up, poop, eat, poop, and then go back to sleep during the first month i know that by 6 weeks i felt like i could go back to work b/c it would be a nice break from everything

if you can find some mom's groups then that might be something nice to enjoy. or you can look for a baby yoga class or stroller strides to get some exercise.

Ditto...I was so tired all the time....and the nursing would be all over the place. I did take Ashton to Costco the first week..I was going crazy!

vanceandlori · April 2010

I know how you feel! I think we had a LOT of visitors in the beginning, which kept me sane. It forced me to shower and get dressed and look *decent,* which helped. I left the house a few times to get fresh air. I think if we have another baby I will walk to the park (and if I can't walk there, have Vance drive us) just so we can be outdoors. I think we may have brought Brooke to Walmart when it wasn't very crowded early on too...

lola808 · April 2010

Thanks for the suggestions. I think I need to be patient -- I get frustrated that my body is taking time to heal and even when I manage to get out, I can't stay for long. I went to Costco today and was aching after half an hour. I'm used to being active so things should be better once I can go walking and enjoy the little bit of outside activity I can get.

I'm paranoid about taking A out before one month. Our pedi warned us about the dangers of fever in infants under 28 days and it scared us to death. Embarrassed

I like the idea of mom's groups or baby yoga. It would help to know more people in the same shoes. Anyone know of ones in the Hnl area?

myday1708 · April 2010

Don't stay home! Get out! If you want to avoid crowds, then just walk around the block. Or walk to a park. But at least you are OUT! For me, getting OUTSIDE at least once a day was key. I used to walk to Starbucks. It was great to get out and also helped me recover. I would go crazy staying home! Find another mom and take walks with her!! Finding other moms is key!!

Other ideas: Start a blog and try to take photos every day!

Take photo shoots of your baby!

Work on your baby book...

Work on the nursery... Shop online... Haha... But get OUTSIDE!!!

BR: Surviving the first month

Re: BR: Surviving the first month

Choose Another Board

Search Boards