Wondering about after the baby...

[buffybutt]

So this is our first and we are so excited. Im just wondering about after the baby. HOw much help do we really need? Dp will be able to take a week of of work and we have close friends that live right upstairs from us. But other than that no family around, mine is in the midwest and his is a few hrs away. They will come to see the baby but wont be helping. Ive been reading around here and now am starting to get worried. Do we really need alot of help after the baby. Im not worried about a clean house or laundry and if dp will be home he can do one load of laundry before he goes back to work to have clean cloths, so other than that its just love and food. Maybe I should get to making some dinners and freeze them. Thats what I should do. BUt other than that? What else, am I missing the boat here?

Angie

[eroslovesagape]

You're going to be fine! First, your sweetie is staying home for a week- good. Second, this is your first baby, so you don't have the added responsibilities that many other moms have of taking care of other children as well. You'll get to sleep when your baby sleeps, rest when you need to and slowly get used to your new role in life. With your family still small, you won't be terribly overwhelmed by cooking, laundry etc.

Once your sweetie goes back to work, things will be different. Suddenly you'll be alone w/the baby all day, and this is where social/community interaction/support can really come in helpful. When you're home all day with no one to talk to (well, at least no one with whom to carry on an actual two-way conversation) it can get isolating. Post-partum depression is more of a risk for moms who don't have a social network. So, my advice would be 2-part: First, allow yourself rest and ample recovery time that includes feeding yourself an excellent diet very very high in fresh veggies/fruits and second, be social! Ask friends to visit, and when you're ready, find other local moms or mother's groups or la leche league groups- and arrange get-togethers & keep them. This comes in very handy as the weeks & months go by and you can trade some baby-watching so you can go out for dinner or whatever & stay connected to your sweetie.

You're going to have a great time! Remember that countless women have birthed, fed & raised babies and when you feel alone, call one near you! :thumb

[lovnbnhome]

I agree with eroslovesagape. You are going to be fine! I wish this was my first again! I know I had it good and didn't know it at the time. Now I have 2 other little ones to run after and take care of too. Youj might not watn to have people around for the first few weeks and that is OK...but it really is good to have someone stope by every once in a while~as baby and mama talking together is not all that exciting conversation :LOL .

I am totally lagging on freezing dinners, with my first their were a lot of people who dropped by with dinners for us, with my second their might have been one person who brought us dinner and so I am supposing that with this one we might get one dinner but I will be prepared with something in the freezer. DH is totally able to do dinner but it's just a matter of convenience to have it all ready.

You'll be great!!

[phnx0221]

buffybut I don't mean to jack your thread, but I am so glad you posted this, cuz I was wondering the same thing!!! To the posters who replied, thanks, your advice is quite helpful to us nervous newbies! :LOL

[buffybutt]

Thank you both for your kind words and wonderful ideas, Im so excited and I know that it will be wonderful but we newbies do get panicy sometime. I cant wait :love :love :love

Thank you again