The first couple of weeks...
Printed From: OHbaby!
Category: Have A Baby?
Forum Name: First baby? Second or more?
Forum Description: Want help? Need support? Want tips? Men and women share advice and tips in this supportive community
URL: https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=32026
Printed Date: 29 August 2025 at 12:46am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.10 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: The first couple of weeks...
Posted By: RoSee
Subject: The first couple of weeks...
Date Posted: 02 March 2010 at 11:07pm
I remember when Ty was a newborn, for the first few days I couldn't even sleep I was so scared he would stop breathing. My sister laughed at me when I told her this  Now she has a 4 day old bubba and is going through the same thing!
I have a crap memory at the best of times, so I'd appreciate it if anyone could tell me if they experienced this - what helped you overcome the feeling and relax enough to be able to have some sleep? My poor sis is so overtired, scared, anxious etc and I really want to help her! ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
 September '11
|
Replies:
Posted By: caitlynsmygirl
Date Posted: 02 March 2010 at 11:35pm
|
Ohhh the first few weeks suck !!! well I thought so too, your body is still adjusting to the fact that you have no baby inside anymore , you are sleep deprived and its very new and scary with this little person so dependant on you .
The best thing I found was help with some of the housework and for DH to watchTyler for an hour or so so I could catch up on SOME sleep . Are you able to do the same for your sis? maybe go round and help with some housework , or just watch her bubba there between feeds so she can have a rest and some time to herself ? I think another important thing is letting new mums know they don't HAVE to be superwoman,that its ok for the house not to be spotless ------------- 
|
Posted By: kiwisj
Date Posted: 03 March 2010 at 1:41am
|
I went through the same feelings too - totally normal! (Well, I always hope I am normal lol)
We had a baby monitor which we used whenever C wasn't in the room with us (ie when he was napping during the day) and he slept in his moses basket RIGHT NEXT TO the bed. I had to crawl out the bottom of the bed to go to the loo in the night
I used to express around 9pm and then go straight to bed. DH would feed C when he woke (around 10pm) and then sleep in the spare room with the baby monitor and C in his own room until his next feed (around 2am) which meant I got around 4 hours of uniterrupted sleep - all going well. Most nights this was my best, or only, stretch of sleep. A very good friend of mine also came round and sat in the lounge for C's longer sleep in the middle of the day a few times which allowed me to get another hour or so of rest. I found it harder to switch off during the day but it did help. ------------- SJ Callum - Dec 2008 Daniel - Oct 2010 |
Posted By: luvmylittlies
Date Posted: 03 March 2010 at 11:20am
|
Yep, we have a baby monitor. I wasn't going to get one but she came early so we got used to her being on one in hospital. Even although I know the alarm goes off if she stops moving/breathing (which she hasn't) I still wake to check the light is flashing. At least I don't have to wake up fully or get out of bed though. ------------- Adoring Mum to Talisin 8/9/11 and Kiara 18/01/10 |
Posted By: ElfsMum
Date Posted: 03 March 2010 at 2:19pm
i was the same..it settled down after the hormones did a bit but i also let it get out of hand and it contributed to my depression.. the monitor and the safetysleep helped me feel better.. this time i am a lot more relaxed though:) as for how to get more sleep i didnt so cant help there lol..this time i just force myself to go to bed and unwind .. maybe she could do it realy early when Dh still up? ------------- Mum to two amazing boys! |
RoSee wrote:Posted By: Katep
Date Posted: 03 March 2010 at 2:51pm
|
I spent 3 days in the hospital, and got a total of 3 hours sleep in the 3 days. I would only sleep when someone was watching DD. One afternoon when I was there by myself, she was sleeping and I really wnated to shut my eyes. I ended up setting my cellphone alarm for 2 minutes away....asthat is all I would allow myself to not watch her for.
NExt baby---I will sleep!!! ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
Mum to the Gorgeous Leah! 7 months |
Posted By: mummymonster
Date Posted: 03 March 2010 at 3:33pm
|
I remember waking up in at night and lying there waiting for DS to make some noise before I could get back to sleep. In hospital (5 days) I barely slept for waking to check he was still breathing.
I don't know when I got over it, really don't think I have. He's in his own room now and at night before I go to bed, I creep into his room and stand there and listen for a snuffle before I can happily go off to bed myself. ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
|
Posted By: 1st_Time_Preggies
Date Posted: 03 March 2010 at 4:10pm
|
I so had the same thing! I didn't sleep for the first two nights AT ALL, and had trouble sleeping in the first few weeks as I was anxious all the time. It is a HORRIBLE feeling and that probably makes it worse.
I agree with what everyone else said. Make sure she has heaps of support, and only focuses on looking after herself and her bubs. I found I could somewhat relax when my husband was looking after bubs in between feeds, and if I couldn't hear bubs crying, so would go sleep down the other end of the house with ear plugs in and all the doors shut :-) I am four weeks in and still worry about him so I guess it is also partly a mum thing :-) Oh and both my midwife and plunket said to me that even if I am not sleeping, make sure I lie down and rest. Read a book, watch tv, listen to music. It all helps. |
Posted By: Febgirl
Date Posted: 03 March 2010 at 4:20pm
|
Could she buy (or you buy for her) an angelcare monitor, maybe off Trade Me? They are worth their weight in gold for peace of mind. ------------- Two little girls under 2! 
|
Posted By: rorylex
Date Posted: 03 March 2010 at 5:57pm
|
i found i only went through that with my 1st baby my youngest is just under 6wks and it didnt even cross my mind this time ------------- Mummy to 4 boys Samuel - 18.6.05 Rory - 15.7.06 Mason - 13.06.08 Emmett - 24.01.10 Baby #5 - cooking |
Posted By: tiptoes
Date Posted: 03 March 2010 at 9:14pm
|
Yip angel care monitor is the way to go. You can just open your eyes and see the reassuring flickering of the light and don't need to get up and poke and prod your baby if they're quiet ------------- http://alterna-tickers.com">  
|
Posted By: kiwisj
Date Posted: 04 March 2010 at 1:21am
I STILL do this  ------------- SJ Callum - Dec 2008 Daniel - Oct 2010 |
Posted By: kiwikid
Date Posted: 04 March 2010 at 2:39am
|
I would recommend an Angelcare monitor, that gave me the peace of mind to sleep happily, DS was in the same room as us and our flat was so small that we didnt need it for sound, just the movement setting so I knew he was okay.
Gosh those first weeks with a new baby are so overwhelming!!! ------------- 
|
Posted By: Nutella
Date Posted: 05 March 2010 at 10:50pm
|
Yes,we have angelcare and even though the alarm goes off if there is not movement, I do still find myself rolling over to see the lovely flashing light in the middle of the night hahahahahaha! So is completely normal (???) behaviour. ------------- 
Oct 11
|