When does it seem to get easier with a baby

dexterwolf

how many weeks or months was it until your baby settled. We have a 7 week old baby and wondered when or if you mange to get into a routine?. Firstly for sleeping so we get more sleep and also my partner been able to do a little around the house as the LO is clingy and cries if you leave her.

LilElvis

There is no set answer as every child is different. Don't ask and don't Google it as you will only feel worse when you read the (lies) responses from smug parents.

The simple answer is that it does get easier, the daily routine will become more settled and, at some point in the future, you will have a proper nights sleep.

KateBob

Unfortunately this can depend entirely on the child.

My eldest I started getting into a routine at about 6 weeks and she settled into very well, but she was a very easy baby.
My younger child didn't settle into a routine as easily but I assumed that was because I had a toddler too and it was a little harder to be tied down.

Right now you at the heart of the storm, you initial reserves of energy have worn out, as has the novelty of the new baby for others to offer help.

This stage won't last forever but it may seem like it will at the moment.

bossymoo

Aww it's hard when they are so little. I tried to remind myself I wasn't just recovering from giving birth, but also from the long months of pregnancy too, which do take its toll on the body.

Add that to the lack of quality sleep and the Groundhog Day effect, and you can understand why parents are done in...

Things will settle down in about 20 years or so... (so I'm led to believe!)

Seriously though, my eldest was only 19mths when my youngest was born - it was sooooo tiring I think I was barely recovered from the first one! But fast forward nearly 5 years and it's all a distant memory.

Hang in there!

onlyroz

Chin up, it does get better. Just make sure you help each other out where possible, so that you're not both utterly exhausted all the time.

GwylimT

A seven week old is not clingy. What exactly in a house is more important than concentrating on a baby? Is something stopping you doing it, or you looking after the baby while your partner does it?

Out of ours, the first to start sleeping through the night (which is five hours without waking) was our daughter when she was about 8 months old. Our son is almost three and he is yet to sleep through the night.

Mrshaworth2b

This is your third thread on this... I'm not sure what it is that you expect a 7 week old to do? At this age they cry because they need something, they don't know selfish behaviours this early. Your baby will not be crying to annoy you, your baby will be crying for some attention.

amistupid

Wait until they're 16 years old! :eek:

onlyroz

amistupid wrote: »

Wait until they're 16 years old! :eek:

Isn't that where you get concerned because they're still fast asleep at 2pm?

bouicca21

The fact that this your third thread makes me think that (a) you have unrealistic expectations, possibly (b) that you are having difficulty bonding and definitely (c) that you need to meet up with other mums to develop a social/support network. Babies are demanding and exhausting. That's just the way they are. And they are all different because they are little people, not dolls. My first couldn't stay awake for more than two or three hours at a time; my second scarcely slept at all.

Small babies cry for a reason, it's a question of going through all the possibilities till you hit the right answer. There's the obvious about hunger, uncomfortable nappy, etc. then there is the less obvious. What do you actually do with her? Is she getting enough cuddles? Does she need a toy? Does she dislike her cot/Moses basket/whatever you out her down in? It might be worth experimenting with strapping lo to you so she feels more secure. It's never too early to play jiggly games and/or start reading stories. Maybe you need a relative/friend to come and sit with her while you get a break and go out.

Kynthia

The advice hasn't changed from the last two threads and I don't believe you clarified the situation in the last thread so tgat people could give you better advice.

Basically the first 6 months are the hardest but it never gets easy it just changes the ways it is hard. If by routine you mean you are feeding on demand and when does a pattern emerge I'd say you are likely to see one forming anytime now, but expect it to change slightly every couple of weeks until weaning begins. What do you mean by routine when it comes to sleeping? If you mean when to begin a bedtime routine you could start in a couple of weeks (2-3 months old) introducing a "bedtime" routine however you wish to do this. That's a half hour wind down involving milk, calm and darkness, and anything consistent like bath/book/massage/lullabies/etc. However even if you start doing this at 7-9pm you should still expect the baby to wake for a feed every 3-5 hours. Only a lucky few get a baby this age sleeping through and most consider a 5 hour block of sleep at this age to be as good as it gets. Look up dream feeding if you hope to get this larger block of sleep to coincide with when you go to sleep. Naptimrs can also be horrendous and lack of napping was the hardest thing I faced in the first 10 months. My daughter only developed an easy and consistent nap routine at 11 months and only semi regularly slept through the night at 13 months. So don't expect much housework to be done for now. I considered it an achievement if the main jobs were done once a month while either me or my husband had the baby. That only improved after 8-10 months too. Accept all offers of help and when visitors come round use sone of the time to get a few things done while they watch/play with the baby. Your partner could look into getting a sling or carrier as then she can do a little while the baby is attached and therefore close to the mother. Try a sling library in order to try one that works for you and to ensure you use it safely.

I think perhaps you are expecting too much when you've got a tiny baby or perhaps need reassurance that what you are going through is normal? Do you not have family support or friends with babies who you can talk to and ask for help? I did an NCT antenatal class and then my group met regularly and became such wonderful support during those early months. Perhaps you could look at an NCT early days course or find a class to join with other new mum's like Baby Sensory. Your health visitor should also be a source of reassurance and information if you talk to her.