"I struggled a LOT thinking about Madison adjusting to not being the only child for a good 6-7 days until I realized that she didn’t give a fuck." - this made me LOL. Great post.
PS Do you have a baby carrier? My second had colic and reflux and I don't know how we would have survived without ours. Also, hope you're OK, colic is shit.
Ooh, I just had a thought. Has anyone spoken to you about infant probiotics? Sometimes section babies are colicky because their digestive system is imbalanced, they miss out on some of the good bacteria they usually pick up when birthed vaginally. Baby massage can also help (I used to work with babies)
I was just telling my husband how excited I am to try for another baby next year. My daughter is only 4 months old. It wasn’t until I started re-reading my own Substack that I remembered how horrifying pregnancy was and how difficult it was to hold my newborn daughter after my c-section. I think I have also been visited by the Men in Black— LOL. Sending you high hopes for sleep soon!
This is perfection! I “just” had my second at the end of June and man - the men in black reference is *chefs kiss*. Can’t remember a thing about those newborn days/nights except “was it easier? Was it harder?” 🤪 appreciate this immensely- we truly are never alone in these moments!
I still think it’s under-appreciated just how hard it is, and I speak as someone who didn’t have to heave a whole person out of me, or go through massive surgery.
Sure there’s nice cosy parts, but the early days are definitely romanticised, especially by people who haven’t had kids in a while and have had their Men in Black memory wipes (so true!). I wouldn’t change anything, but at the same time I definitely don’t have it in me to do the newborn stage again.
Oh boy, you’ve taken me right back! Trapped is the right word! Suddenly your world closes in and it’s equal parts boredom, monotony and anxiety that you’re doing it “wrong”. Like how can it be SO STRESSFUL to have this defenceless baby’s life in your hands, yet it’s also mind numbing at the same time? One of life’s great paradoxes 🤷♀️ Hope you’re recovering ok. Sending love ♥️
Just sending you hope from a few years ahead. It really really gets a lot better and sleep returns. Also from one colic mother to another - colief was our friend. It has lactase in it which helps them digest lactose - mine had some kind of intolerance which we never got to the bottom of really as she’s fine now, but good god the screaming was horrific. So look up this stuff as it made a huge difference for us. and congratulations for managing to write at six weeks! You’re a warrior!!
Hi Samantha! I loved this! 🧡 Isn't it so funny how our minds "forget" the bad bits. 🤷🏻♀️ I can totally relate to the feeling trapped thing... except mine was an ex-boyfriend... he was so god damn clingy, he would "miss me" when I went to the loo... sometimes he would just follow me into the loo! 😏😆
I couldn't figure out why I was putting on so much weight, but after we split up it suddenly occurred to me... I was using food as a barrier, so he would have get off me for 5 fucking minutes!! 🙄🤣
I very much want to have a second child but I think if I wasn’t an infant teacher I definitely would be rusty on my skills/knowledge. My daughter (5 this month) is so independent now that sometimes it’s easy for my memories of her as a baby who wanted to be held constantly for the first few months is hazy.
"I struggled a LOT thinking about Madison adjusting to not being the only child for a good 6-7 days until I realized that she didn’t give a fuck." - this made me LOL. Great post.
PS Do you have a baby carrier? My second had colic and reflux and I don't know how we would have survived without ours. Also, hope you're OK, colic is shit.
thank you so much!!!! JUST got it out of storage. it was missing!! fingers crossed it helps. colic/reflux is the WORST
Ooh, I just had a thought. Has anyone spoken to you about infant probiotics? Sometimes section babies are colicky because their digestive system is imbalanced, they miss out on some of the good bacteria they usually pick up when birthed vaginally. Baby massage can also help (I used to work with babies)
bringing a newborn into my toddler reality really rocked our world off its axis for a while. great read!
Thank you!!! It's a crazy time for sure!
I was just telling my husband how excited I am to try for another baby next year. My daughter is only 4 months old. It wasn’t until I started re-reading my own Substack that I remembered how horrifying pregnancy was and how difficult it was to hold my newborn daughter after my c-section. I think I have also been visited by the Men in Black— LOL. Sending you high hopes for sleep soon!
hahahahha those men in black are very sneaky!! thank you!!!
This is perfection! I “just” had my second at the end of June and man - the men in black reference is *chefs kiss*. Can’t remember a thing about those newborn days/nights except “was it easier? Was it harder?” 🤪 appreciate this immensely- we truly are never alone in these moments!
Thank you!!!! I can’t wait to forget again 🤣
Great piece—and congratulations!
I still think it’s under-appreciated just how hard it is, and I speak as someone who didn’t have to heave a whole person out of me, or go through massive surgery.
Sure there’s nice cosy parts, but the early days are definitely romanticised, especially by people who haven’t had kids in a while and have had their Men in Black memory wipes (so true!). I wouldn’t change anything, but at the same time I definitely don’t have it in me to do the newborn stage again.
Thank you!!! They very much are. At least it’s temporary I guess!!
Lovely story!
Thanks so much!
Oh boy, you’ve taken me right back! Trapped is the right word! Suddenly your world closes in and it’s equal parts boredom, monotony and anxiety that you’re doing it “wrong”. Like how can it be SO STRESSFUL to have this defenceless baby’s life in your hands, yet it’s also mind numbing at the same time? One of life’s great paradoxes 🤷♀️ Hope you’re recovering ok. Sending love ♥️
It was soooo hard.
Just sending you hope from a few years ahead. It really really gets a lot better and sleep returns. Also from one colic mother to another - colief was our friend. It has lactase in it which helps them digest lactose - mine had some kind of intolerance which we never got to the bottom of really as she’s fine now, but good god the screaming was horrific. So look up this stuff as it made a huge difference for us. and congratulations for managing to write at six weeks! You’re a warrior!!
Hi Samantha! I loved this! 🧡 Isn't it so funny how our minds "forget" the bad bits. 🤷🏻♀️ I can totally relate to the feeling trapped thing... except mine was an ex-boyfriend... he was so god damn clingy, he would "miss me" when I went to the loo... sometimes he would just follow me into the loo! 😏😆
I couldn't figure out why I was putting on so much weight, but after we split up it suddenly occurred to me... I was using food as a barrier, so he would have get off me for 5 fucking minutes!! 🙄🤣
I very much want to have a second child but I think if I wasn’t an infant teacher I definitely would be rusty on my skills/knowledge. My daughter (5 this month) is so independent now that sometimes it’s easy for my memories of her as a baby who wanted to be held constantly for the first few months is hazy.