8 yrs, 2 mths ago

New mums!

Hi beauties!

This is a question for all of you that are mums – are there certain tricks of the trade or things that you learnt when you first became a parent that you didn’t anticipate but learnt along the way?

For example, always nap when the baby is napping! Or get used to the fact that expertly applying your makeup is a thing of the past!

Personally, I can’t imagine I’d have time to curl my mane of hair before work if I had a bub to feed!

I’d love to hear your tips and stories 🙂

Anna x

24 comments 32 voices

Replies

  • 3 yrs, 2 mths ago

    Hi. The hardest part for me was creating a routine that kept my day going. It was also hard to combine a full-time job. Now that I work remotely, I’m much better able to keep up with everything.

  • 5 yrs, 8 mths ago

    Yes, there are so many thing changed in parenthood. You will awake automatically when your baby awakes. If your baby feels hungry, you will understand by his/her cry.

  • 5 yrs, 9 mths ago

    What helps me:
    I wash my hair at night – as there is never enough time in the morning to wash, dry and style!

    Babies always seem to wake or cry when mum’s try to do anything for themselves (shower, toilet, cup of tea), so either bring bub with you into bathroom in bouncer so you can still get on with some self-care and not worry whether they are upset/okay.

    Don’t be afraid to ask for help and time out. Hand the baby over to friends/ grandparents/ partners while you go nap/ read a book/ have a hot cup of tea/ take shower/ do face mask – whatever you need.

    I found getting up, showering, getting in normal clothes and wearing makeup made me feel more human and gave me a more positive mindset each day. In terms of makeup, fast to apply and blend products are a god send. Loving stick formulas, creams – anything I can do with my hands. As I never have time to clean makeup brushes.

    I agree that having easy to eat/prepare foods is important – you need to keep your energy up and eat well particularly when breastfeeding. Nobody wins if mum isn’t fed! Accept offers of cooked meals, have easy healthy snacks at hand and if need be I have used healthy frozen meals for those times when I’m not organised.

    Don’t be afraid to take the bub out. It is daunting at first but so worthwhile once you get the hang of car seats, prams, carriers etc. Prioritise having some time out of the house weekly. I made a real effort to get to a mum’s group weekly and have made some lovely friends. If you aren’t in a mum’s group there are opportunities to mingle with other mums at things like library time (sing alongs, nursery rhymes). I even made a great friend who I met on an app called Mush (like tinder for mums!).

    Packing nappy bags, snacks and choosing my outfit for the next day, the night before, made me feel more organised/prepared and more likely to get out of the house.

    As others have said, self-care is so important and making sure your mental health is ok. I was such an independent person before, and felt my freedom had been taken away. So I’ve had to learn to ask for/accept help and make use of available supports (groups, crèche at gym, asking for babysitting) in order to keep my self well and get things done!

  • 6 yrs, 5 mths ago

    I am really impressed with Seezora’s post. I think apart from that, there is one more thing I have figured out that colic problem in babies which is very common but we ignore most of the time. Babies with colic, cry continually with no apparent reason. They do not stop crying for more than three hours and this problem continues for at least three days in a week and that too for at least three weeks continually. It’s a puzzling behavior, which can’t be understood, but it is not the disease. It becomes extremely difficult to make your baby calm.

  • 6 yrs, 6 mths ago

    This is a really great read ladies! Thank you so much.

    I understand all babies and mothers are different.

  • 6 yrs, 11 mths ago

    Such a great thread for a first time mum like me. My son doesnt like the swaddle but I try to put it on him every now and then. I agree with keeping snacks nearby so you can grab with one hand.

    I struggle to even get my face washed in the morning, I’m lucky I can even brush my teeth!

    I think googl-ing and reading up on mother forums will drive you insane. Everyone is right in saying to trust your own instinct. One of the midwives said to me that only you will know what’s best for your child so I have been telling that to myself everyday.

  • 6 yrs, 11 mths ago

    My first was on solids at six months (mostly because I was told that is what the right age is) and my second was on solids at 4 months and by solids I mean baby cereals, mashed veggies and purĂ©ed fruits and not icy poles. Some babies thrive on milk longer, some thrive once solids are introduced. Some babies teeth sooner, have different sleep patterns or have reflux issues. Some mothers do need more guidance and support and hopefully take it on board. Particularly when it comes to the healthiest way to raise a baby. I agree that getting the right support is needed. We can be bombarded by friends, family and strangers on what the right way to raise a baby. Everyone can become an expert and there is no one size fits all. With my first I was so overwhelmed with what I should and shouldn’t do. With my second I was so relaxed.

  • 6 yrs, 11 mths ago

    My advice is to ignore everyone’s advice! Everyone thinks they know best and what you should or shouldn’t be doing or how to do it, you and your partner will know what is best for your baby so just thank them and disregard.

    My lifesaver was Love to Dream swaddles, they are more of a cocoon than a wrap, babies can’t wriggle out but it stops the startle reflex, I noticed a massive improvement in sleep from the first wear.

    Good luck!

  • 6 yrs, 11 mths ago

    Even if you feel great do not rush back into any form of physical activity! My stomach drew in immediately after I gave birth. The midwives couldn’t believe it. I felt great initially but the pain got worse not better. I was looked at by a obsetrician before leaving hospital, a midwife 3 days later then a doctor 2 weeks later before anyone realised I had an infection but that’s another story. At 6 weeks I was going nuts at home and needed to get out so bub and I went to help my uncle with shearing time. One day of sweeping and 6 months later I’m still paying the price. My pelvic floor is ok but the abdominals beneath my belly button are now terribly weak. This makes it hard for me to hold myself upright for periods of time and I have to tuck my tummy fat into clothing because it’s slack and hanging.

  • 7 yrs, 1 mth ago

    Some great advice here, I want to pass it on to my friend who has just had her second daughter.

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