Will I find time to sew after baby (and toddler)?

[webjefita]

I'm getting nervous about building up my newborn/small stash and not having tried anything out. I've got about: 15 infant prefolds, 12 newborn flannel fitteds, 12 small fitteds, and 3-4 covers in NB and SM (all homemade). I'm thinking I should wait and see what fits and that everything doesn't fall apart in the wash Will I still have time to make more after baby is here (and I"ve got a 2.5 yr old)? I guess since I have all the materials and now have experience making them, I should be able to find a few hours on the weekends, right?

[boscopup]

I'm in the same position as you at the moment - will have a 2.5 year old and a newborn... I'm guessing that I won't have time to sew much during the newborn stage, unless baby likes to sit in the sling while I sew (which DS did). I'm planning to make full newborn stash and a small stash - just using different patterns so I don't have all diapers that don't fit. If I need more, I can try to make more, but I just don't see myself being able to do that right away, but who knows? I figure by time baby is getting mediums, I should be in a routine enough to be able to sew something.

Luckily, my DS is good at entertaining himself!

[webjefita]

Yes, I'm going to hold off on mediums, too. I think what I'll do is leave the closures off for now, so at least I will have some flexibility in that (side or front) but will have the diapers made. I haven't made more than one kind of diaper, though, and maybe I should experiment while I still have time!

[akmeg]

Hard to say....babies do sleep a lot! So if you can entertain your 2.5 year old once in awhile with a movie or something, maybe you can get lots of sewing done. When I first started sewing dipes, dd was about 6 months old, and I would snatch little intervals of time to cut or just sew a few seams. It especially helps if you have your sewing supplies set up in one area that you can just drop in on and sew for a few minutes. I even remember sewing and nursing at the same time!

I don't have a specific sewing room or anything, but all my supplies are on a set of shelves in my hall, and my machine is in its case next to the dining room table, so I can grab fabric, scissors, pins, whatever else, and have the machine up in probably less than two minutes.

[StrawHatBrat]

You can! Not as much.... but you can. I sew at night when they're all in bed. Or nap time. I do embroideries when they're awake because it's just changing threads and the toddler likes to watch. It takes longer to do everything because if the interrruptions but it is possible. Don't give up hope!

[Bufflum]

I'm the worst one to ask -- mine are exactly 24 mos apart, and the first 3-4 mos or so were really tough. DD#2 had silent reflux that went undiagnosed for 8 wks, so she was incredibly fussy and needy -- I ended up being a human pacifier for 5 hrs every evening, and DD#1 had a tough time adjusting to having so much of mommy's attention going elsewhere.

So, sewing time? HAH! Not on your life! At 4-5 mos it got a lot better, but those first 3 mos or so, I wondered if I was going to make it!

[Bufflum]

Originally Posted by Bufflum

I'm the worst one to ask -- mine are exactly 24 mos apart, and the first 3-4 mos or so were really tough. DD#2 had silent reflux that went undiagnosed for 8 wks, so she was incredibly fussy and needy -- I ended up being a human pacifier for 5 hrs every evening, and DD#1 had a tough time adjusting to having so much of mommy's attention going elsewhere.

So, sewing time? HAH! Not on your life! At 4-5 mos it got a lot better, but those first 3 mos or so, I wondered if I was going to make it!

Ok, just re-read this, and it sounded TERRIBLE! Honestly, everyone is different -- I apologize for forcing my experience on you. I'm sure you'll have one of those babies that sleeps 20 hrs a day, and you'll have PLENTY of time to work on your stash!

Sorry!!

[mama2TRA]

I think it definitely depends on your baby. My last was a preemie and she slept a lot in the beginning. Overall though I have been blessed with really easy babies so I've been able to get a fair amount of sewing done. Usually I can get them all to take their nap at the same time and they're usually down for around 3 hrs! (except the 4 yr old).

What's really weird is that I think I get more done now, with three kids, than I could when I just had 1!

[judybean]

well... I've struggled finding time to sew.... but I have a just-turned-four-year-old (TODAY!!! Happy Birthday, Madeline!), a just-turned-two-year-old and Lucy, who is almost three months old.

Then again we've also struggled with illnesses lately ... it's hard sometimes, but it's something I'm really trying to making time for -- it's the one thing I do for myself!! Because even if I'm making diapers that aren't really for me, they make me happy!

[pbreffe]

Originally Posted by Bufflum

I'm the worst one to ask -- mine are exactly 24 mos apart, and the first 3-4 mos or so were really tough. DD#2 had silent reflux that went undiagnosed for 8 wks, so she was incredibly fussy and needy -- I ended up being a human pacifier for 5 hrs every evening, and DD#1 had a tough time adjusting to having so much of mommy's attention going elsewhere.

So, sewing time? HAH! Not on your life! At 4-5 mos it got a lot better, but those first 3 mos or so, I wondered if I was going to make it!

Holy cow! That sounds exactly like my life right now! I hate to sound so negative too... but I have had a VERY hard time finding time to sew... Ds has reflux and is very needy and my dd has started to become very jealous! I am trying to make the time but it is hard... Now if ds was anything like dd was when she was a baby I would be able to sew all the time!!

Just depends on how your baby will be!

[boscopup]

Originally Posted by mama2TRA

I think it definitely depends on your baby. My last was a preemie and she slept a lot in the beginning. Overall though I have been blessed with really easy babies so I've been able to get a fair amount of sewing done. Usually I can get them all to take their nap at the same time and they're usually down for around 3 hrs! (except the 4 yr old).

Yeah, I'm really hoping #2 is like #1 in the sleep department... This boy is 20 months old and still sleeps 12 hours through the night and takes 3+ hour naps every afternoon!!! He was a preemie too, so he started out sleeping ALL the time anyway. That was really nice. He didn't "wake up" and act like normal newborn until almost 3 months old when he finally got to his due date.

Now we're in tantrum mode all the time... I have to wonder if he has 2 year molars working their way up/down. But he still sleeps well - just nurse him, put him in his crib (still awake), and walk out. He might fuss for a few minutes and fall asleep, but usually he doesn't. If he's not ready to sleep, he'll lay there and sing for up to 2-3 hours, then finally fall asleep and get his normal nap in. Usually only does that if he's fallen asleep in the car on the way home around his nap time and then he wakes up, thinking he's had his nap, I guess.

Overall, it's not too bad to sew around DS - he entertains himself SO well. He can find anything and make it a toy that interests him for a long time.

[Sheena23]

Ellen is almost two months and I only made newborn's haha my mistake!!! Now I've been sewing like crazy. The swing has been my lifesaver. William will play by me and if he gets really bored I use the t.v., but I have two tables one set upstairs that I sew on and one downstairs that I cut fabric and scrapbook on, so I just move where he does.

[Jayneysews]

I have always found time to sew!
it is my bit of "me" time,often,there was 2 years between 1 and 2 then 3 years before 3 came along!
I have sewed at naps ,in the evening,and at weekends ,when bless him Daddy is around!!
I have often breastfed whilst at the machine,making sure that they have their arms tucked in to a blanket!!
as for toddlers mine have all loved playing with off cuts!
I would never try to spend hours sewing during regular daytime hours,but if i have had things to finish for someone who is paying,then they have just had to occupy themselves!!
As for now,i can sew whenever,they just pop upstairs and visit me!!

[SabDoulaMommy]

I have a nb & 2 2.5 yr olds! I have been finding time to sew, granted I'm ignoring a LOT of housework luckily my dh supports it - when I do alot of housework, I feel better about where I'm living, but I'm definitetly more stressed, so more sewing = happy mama. & we all know the saying about when mamas aren't happy. . .

[allnaturalmama]

just wanted to join the club...

I have a newborn (3 mos tomorrow) and a 2.5 year old (well, almost 3), and a 5 year old. I also have a very helpful hubby! I can get in just as much sewing now as I did while I was pregnant. But, like the previous posters have said, it really depends on your new baby's temperament.

I was wondering the same thing you are while pregnant - will I like these dipes? Will experience with them teach me to sew the next size differently?

My answer - glad I waited to sew the next size up. I've definitely fine tuned the pattern to my liking once seeing them in use.