No one will ever truly prepare you for the days that come after your sweet little one comes home. Sleeping, Eating, Exercising, Lounging and even getting dressed is such a production…and that’s just the baby.
Patience is the key for me, my baby has been through so much in the past two weeks, more than most newborns have to go through. Logan has had five IV’s already placed in various parts of his body, a feeding tube now his nose and over 50 glucose tests on his poor little feet. He is such a trooper though, so strong, but it’s definitely effected him.
It’s been a week since Logan officially came home, even though he is three weeks old, the time when most moms start to adjust and get a routine with their little one I am only beginning. Logan likes to get his naps, which helps because then I can shower and have a banana at least. However, every time he is awake he screams bloody murder, unless of course dad is holding him at night. I’ve tried everything but I feel so in the dark to his needs, but I will keep trying.
It will get easier in time and I have to believe that because every mom says it does but the adjustment period has been a little rough. If I sleep I’ll wake up within ten minutes thinking I’m hearing him cry, he isn’t and he is soundly sleeping but the phantom crying haunts me.
It’s a strange new world but we are figuring it out together… me and my little man!
life will find a routine…
just in time for a growth spurt which will throw you another curve ball! hahaha, i’ve got 5 at home… and i’m still getting a shower and eating…. most days. i found the book “Babywise” by Dr Ezzo with my first and i haven’t regretted using it once. i did find with my last one that i needed to nurse every 2 hrs instead of every 3 (he preaches flexible scheduling but somehow most folks miss the “flexible” part?!?! and jump into rigidity… which NEVER works with a baby!). it gave me the confidence i needed to start my mommy career. not everyone likes it but i found that it worked….. even with my NICU baby and preemies!
he sure is a cute little man! may your days be blessed!
I know, I’m thrilled when I can just bathe and eat, LOL. You know what helped me a lot is the 5 words all newborns use. If they’re hungry they say “Neh”, if they need to burp they say “Eh”, if they are uncomfortable (need a diaper change, too hot or too cold) they say “Heh”, and if they are tired they say “Ahhh”, I think… check with the video on youtube.
I’ve heard of that… All I get is a loud pitch raptor like scream, I don’t know if he’s there yet hahaha
I had naive expectations when I brought Oliver home- the first few weeks (as in 6) were HARD. emotionally, phyisically, mentally.. learning his cues, figuring out how to nurse, squeezing in a shower, remembering to eat, trying to keep my house in some order, juggling Thanksgiving, Christmas & tons of out of town family visits too.. and then one day everything got easier. He cried less, things fell into place, life was managable again. One day in the not so far future you’ll look back and think these showerless-hungry-sleepless days were ages ago. Hang in there
BTW I hope everything is on the up and up with Logan!
Thanks Jen! It’s nice to hear things will look up. Sometimes it feels like a sleep or cry situation… I’m hoping him and I figure it out soon.
You can do it!
Aaw Meghan , what a gorgeous picture . I remember when we brought our son home from hospital and we put him in the middle of the living room in his car seat , along with the baby balloons and gifts from hospital , and my hubby and I both looked at each other and said “we’ll, what do we do now ?” – lol.
He will be 18 at the beginning of May , and his sister turns 15 in July
- so I suppose we figured it out , lol .
It is daunting though when you first bring them home , but before you know it you will get into the flow of things , and I know that you will be a great mum , because the love is there . : ) xx
<3 This is great, thanks for the encouragment
I am glad to hear he is home—-wishing you all the best with your beautiful boy!
Thanks Veronika!!
Sounds like you definitely have the right attitude! Every baby is so different that no mother is ever completely prepared. I have 4 and my last one was a complete mystery to me most on the time! My first one started off a little like Logan, lots of IV’s and pokes and had colic for 4 months:( She is a gorgeous, vibrant 13 yr old now! I just want to add that if you are feeling overwhelmed be sure to talk about it. There is so much pressure, from ourselves mostly, but nevertheless, it can be hard to voice out loud if something doesn’t feel right but can make a big difference if you can talk about any struggles you are having! Enjoy the biggest adventure of your life!
It does get easier with time and you will figure out his cues! NICU is never easy and it really sucks to watch your baby be poked and prodded but he won’t remember it and his little heels won’t show the trauma of being poked for long. Wishing you the best!
Sweet Meghan! I feel for you. Having a newborn is hands down the toughest thing I’ve ever had to learn to cope with. Our oldest also screamed. You describe it as raptor like. I know exactly what you mean. I still get anxiety thinking about it. There were no cues, no working up to it. Just pure, top-of-the-lungs screaming, unless he was nursing or daddy was holding him. We averaged around three hours of sleep each night, never in one stretch though. He was diagnosed with acid reflux at 7 weeks. And also had colic. I too remember those phantom cries vividly. Often it kept me from sleeping when he was sleeping. Layer on postpartum depression which was untreated and the first 18 months were awful. Fast forward 8 years, we have been blessed with a loving, compassionate, thoughtful and bright child with a very tender heart. His 1st grade teacher commented one time that the babies who cry a lot (she feels) are showing their sensitivity to their environment and grow up to be some of the most compassionate children she has had in her classes over the past 19 years. Hang tough momma! Motherhood isn’t easy and sometimes it takes awhile to get the hang of it. Just know that YOU are what your baby needs. Not the latest parenting advice or spin on motherhood. All Logan needs is you and your husband and the love that you share. Keep the faith.