How do you deal with the night and day shift alone?

[totallyashley]

Up until Thursday I have had my Mum, brother and sister all at home to help me out during the day and my Mum has even come in during the night to take Daisy off me. However since they have all gone back to work and school I am having to do the night and day all alone. During the night as Daisy doesn't cry for a food I have to wake up every 4 hours to feed her. She likes to be fed but afterwards is always awake and crys when she is tired so then takes about 20mins to be put down again. This only leaves me about 3 hours before the next fed. Then during the day I try and sleep when she is asleep but I worry so much as she doesn't really cry when she wakes up either. Really she only crys when she is tired! I feel sooo tired doing all this by myself that by the time my sister comes home at 4.30pm I normally take a nap!
I was wondering how everyone else manages? I know it will get easier...

 

[billy2mm]

its difficult but when your family come home get them to help you out till lo goes longer inbetween feeds and maybe set an alarm for every 4 hours so you can nap without worrying about not being awake to feed her?

 

[LittleMadam]

Goodness (and to be honest) those days for me are such a blur. I think you just get used to things and establish some sort of routine (if informally).

Some tips:

1) Sleep (and eat!) whenever you can (day or night)
2) Try to get out daily for walks, coffee, to socialise with others--a change of scene will be good for you
3) Join a Mum and Baby Group (does not suit all) or do something with friends
4) Accept any help from family (it's easy to let them take over though as I have learned firsthand)
5) Take things day by day and pace yourself--try not to stress yourself out, rush around, or feel you have to do everything right this second. Things will get done and LO will establish her routine (eat, sleep, poop!) when it suits her (just continue to go with her flow as you have been)

She will be going longer between feeds before you know it. It just seems so long from now.

Sounds like you are doing an amazing job though.

Lots of hugs.xx

 

[gemabee]

enlist the help of everyone u can!!
thats what i plan on doin!!!
xx

 

[bloodbinds]

I don't really remember how i coped :shurg: lol. I lived on my own with Bella from day 1, only having the occasional visiter to help me out (though mostly they just cooed over her while i made cups of tea, humph)

I think you just do cope. Because you have to You're right, it does get easier! Newborns are difficult and need feeding all the time, the first two months of Bellas life i think i was just in a trance for most of it, a zombie! Lol. It is tiring, but loads of woman do it every day, i'm sure you'll be fine. If you can get the help then accept it, it'll only be like this for a few more weeks, i'm sure you'll survive until then, chin up! xxx

 

[teal]

I agree with bloodbinds - you cope because you have to. You're doing a fab job and I promise it does get easier xx