BlogHer - newborn - Comments

Wish I had a user's manual!

Mommy How-To — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 16:05:01 -0500

I think I was in a semi-permanent state-of-shock after my son was born. Besides having a preemie, I was in no way prepared mentally or physically for the challenge I faced. I wish I had known a group of new moms who could have given me some insight into what life would be like with a newborn.

My son is now almost nine months old and I finally feel comfortable with my life as a new mommy. However, a user's manual would have come in handy after my delivery!

Mommy How-To

www.mommyhowto.blogspot.com

Agreed!

WriteMommy — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 22:57:10 -0500

I definitely agree with you.

Physically I had a hard time while recovering from my c-section, but every woman heals differently.

Not much in terms of life after baby is "textbook," but I think starting off with lots of info and a network of support is a comfort. You just can't expect everything to go the way someone in a class or book says it's going to go.

Jen

www.writemommy.net

So true...

Adventures With Sweet Pea — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 23:20:33 -0500

As a first time mother I would have loved to have been more prepared for what it is really like to have a newborn - who wouldn't! I went to all the classes and read all the books, however, I remember being so consumed with the labour portion that I really did not pay much attention to what I was being told or reading about actual life after birth. It went in one ear and out the other. Luckily I had a great network around me to bounce things off of. I truely believe you can never be fully prepared for what life with be like with a newborn in the house, because like many of you have stated, you never know what kind of gift you will be given. My gift cried for the first three months too!

Hehe. A fine example of

Amy Gates — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 17:00:16 -0500

Hehe. A fine example of never say never, right? BTW, isn't co-sleeping awesome (most nights)? ;)

Amy

Crunchy Domestic Goddess

BlogHers Act contributing editor

I agree, but sometimes

Amy Gates — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 16:57:56 -0500

I agree, but sometimes that's all that women have. When I had my first daughter, I didn't have any family nearby and really no close friends (only work colleagues) either. It wasn't until I became a part of the "mommy club" that I discovered good friends and the support system I needed.

AmyCrunchy Domestic Goddess BlogHers Act contributing editor

YES! Thank goodness for

Amy Gates — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 16:55:24 -0500

YES! Thank goodness for blogs and message boards for support or I'm sure I would've lost my mind years ago. ;)

AmyCrunchy Domestic Goddess BlogHers Act contributing editor

Yes, even within the same

Amy Gates — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 16:54:15 -0500

Yes, even within the same family, no two children are the same. What worked with one the first time may not work with the second one and vice versa. You really have to learn as you go.

AmyCrunchy Domestic Goddess BlogHers Act contributing editor

Great resource

Amy Gates — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 16:51:27 -0500

Hands and Hearts Full -

Now that you mention it, I took a breastfeeding class too and I do think it helped me feel a bit more comfortable with breastfeeding when the time came, but it was also one of those things that I didn't feel I could really "get" until I did it for myself with a real, live baby. ;)

AskDrSears.com is a great resource that I have turned to many a times. Thanks for mentioning it.

AmyCrunchy Domestic Goddess BlogHers Act contributing editor

When I was about eight

chelsa — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 12:54:18 -0500

When I was about eight months pregnant with my first baby, I remember my husband and I having a conversation about a friend of ours who co-slept with her new baby, and I remember saying condescendingly, "If you never get your baby into the habit of co-sleeping, you never have to break them of the habit. I mean, we'll be tired for a month or two, but it'll be so much better in the long run!" The fact that I said that is the most clear proof I can offer that there is no way to prepare for what it actually is like to parent a new baby. And, by the way, our son is still co-sleeping with us and he'll be three next week.

Family and friends, not classes and organizations

Vered — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 10:21:21 -0500

I agree with "Hands and Hearts Full". It's sad that we are talking about getting support from classes and organizations, when the most natural support for a new mom is a tight network of family and friends.

---

I blog at MomGrind

I manage my kids' activities at UpToUs

I Agree

Michellesamom — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 09:45:22 -0500

There needs to be more support and more resources for new moms. I thought I had read up, attended classes and was prepared, but I had no idea. That's honestly what I love about blogging. I can read other mothers' thoughts and feelings and get an idea of the wide range of experiences that are out there. Prenatal and postnatal classes are important as well (I did Aquafit and Yoga), but many people do not have the time or funds to take advantage of these programs. I'm glad that there is attention being paid to this issue. We live in a very different time, in communities that are far less involved with each other than ever before. Hopefully we'll find a way to support each other more fully.

You just cannot explain it to someone

tarasd72 — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 09:19:46 -0500

Tara S. Dickherber, M.Ed, CPC

How much life will change with a new child. Each child is different. My child had colic for 3 months. She still, at 11 months old, HATES to sleep. She does not fit into the "norm" of sleep patterns for children, as the books read. What I was shocked to find was how my friends, most who have children, dropped off the face of the earth for months. I called them. I begged them to come visit, call, anything. And they didn't. Some still don't have as much contact with me, for fear they'll interrupt my family time. Yet they have kids and have said how much they also need contact from other mothers, adults. But not everyone has that experience. Being a new mom is wonderful, scarey, and life altering all at the same time.

Speaking the truth and getting support

Hands and Hearts Full — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 04:21:51 -0500

I totally agree with your response ot this study. It is such a shame how seperate our families and communities are nowadays. Many new mothers are alone with a new baby and not all have support of their mothers, families or friends. Gone are the days where the village helped raise children!

Going to a breastfeeding class before baby is born has shown to make a huge impact on the success of feeding also. It is also a chance to meet other parents expecting their first baby too.

Also want to add another great website http://www.askdrsears.com/ for great information about pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding and parenting in a gentle way.

The transition to motherhood

mamamiacher — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 22:54:02 -0500

Please see my blog at http://newmothercentral.typepad.com/becomingamother for more information.