My daughter is almost 3 weeks old and unless I have someone here to watch her it's hard to even shower or take time to cook a meal. When she is sleeping I try to get everything done but she's really starting to be awake a lot. It's also taking a long time to get out the door when we leave.
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How do you do anything?
- Thread starter Mc12eb
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It doesn't get any easier!
You will just get a new routine, and then LO will change, like start crawling etc., and you will have to change your routine again.
At 3 weeks, its still very early days, the housework can wait. Try and sleep when LO does. Shower/bath at night so you can "unwind" too.
I cant really suggest anything, only that you will find your feet.
Enjoy your precious bundle and don't stress about the little things. My LO was around 12 weeks old before I got the hang of leaving the house in under half an hour!
Its never the same again, the spontaneity of leaving the house/popping out, and the speed, goes down the pan once you have kids. Everything takes preparation and planning for me now.
You will get there. I promise!
x
You will just get a new routine, and then LO will change, like start crawling etc., and you will have to change your routine again.
At 3 weeks, its still very early days, the housework can wait. Try and sleep when LO does. Shower/bath at night so you can "unwind" too.
I cant really suggest anything, only that you will find your feet.
Enjoy your precious bundle and don't stress about the little things. My LO was around 12 weeks old before I got the hang of leaving the house in under half an hour!
Its never the same again, the spontaneity of leaving the house/popping out, and the speed, goes down the pan once you have kids. Everything takes preparation and planning for me now.
You will get there. I promise!
x
moomin_troll
mummy to zane and corey
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When I'd shower if wait till zane was in bed and then I'd put Corey in his bouncy chair in the bathroom, I'd let him cry if needs be. I needed 5 mins to feel clean.
Housework gets harder when u can't just lie them down, but ule get used to it lol
Housework gets harder when u can't just lie them down, but ule get used to it lol
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Eating is your priority at the moment, if you get some time make sure you feed yourself, if you keep your energy up then eventually you'll work the rest in to a routine. You know ready meals might not be the most pc thing to suggest but having a few of them in the fridge to chuck in the oven or microwave can be a life saver. And so what if you're having cereal at dinner time! Fruit, apples, bananas, things you can eat while you're sitting gazing at lo in your arms. The washing will pile up, that's fine. You can always grab a quick showers with lo in the bathroom with you. Enjoy spending your time with lo. If friend visit take the opportunity to rest or eat, don't think you should be playing the hostess. If they offer to help out say yes please and hand them the washing to hang up. You'll get through this part, honest. I know how over wellming it feels but you will get through this part.
Abigailly
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It only gets harder. You will learn e few tricks though. To the point I kept a high chair in the bathroom for almost a year as it was the only time I could get a shower was when I put her in that with some wooden spoons etc.
Just now though, just look after yourself. Even if it means taking a shower while LO is in her moses and move her moses into the bathroom doorway. Make sure you're eating and drinking plenty. The house will wait. And accept every offer of help that you can!
As for getting through the door, I have no advice, 4 years on I still have to go back in at least 3 times as I've forgotten things.
Just now though, just look after yourself. Even if it means taking a shower while LO is in her moses and move her moses into the bathroom doorway. Make sure you're eating and drinking plenty. The house will wait. And accept every offer of help that you can!
As for getting through the door, I have no advice, 4 years on I still have to go back in at least 3 times as I've forgotten things.
Dream.dream
SAHM to 2 beautiful boys
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Takes some time to get into a routine , I went back to school full time at 4 weeks and we had to plan to have an hour and a half to get out the door .
Bouncy seat in the bathroom so you can shower even of baby cries for 5 minutes . Set out a smaller schedule or cleaning and if you only get one thing done a day that's fine .
For cooking I really suggest a crop pot. Then you don't have to take a lot of effort to cook it does it for you and you only need 5 minutes to throw everything in.
Hang in there it does get better
Bouncy seat in the bathroom so you can shower even of baby cries for 5 minutes . Set out a smaller schedule or cleaning and if you only get one thing done a day that's fine .
For cooking I really suggest a crop pot. Then you don't have to take a lot of effort to cook it does it for you and you only need 5 minutes to throw everything in.
Hang in there it does get better
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Don't get freaked out by those telling you it only gets harder- I personally don't agree! It will honestly depend on you, and your LO and their sleep routine. At 3 weeks, their sleep is still all over the place but as they get older, they will fall into a routine that you can predict better and therefore know when you will have time to yourself. At my LO's age, 12 months, she tends to go to bed at a certain time each night, sleep 11-12 hours and has a nap or two during the day too. I personally find this set up much easier from when she was tiny. I have way more 'me time' now than I did back then; I watch TV, I scrapbook, chat on the phone with friends, etc. Its also easier for me to leave her with family now too if I want to go out for a run, or grab dinner with a friend.
About the sleep routine though, remember that it doesn't always come easily - some babies are better sleepers than others, and either way you need to help them, communicate with them and learn what their needs are. Every baby is different. I found some advice on this forum helpful when my daughter was having trouble sleeping. She is generally a good sleeper, but there are sometimes rough patches that you work through it with them.
Yes, its true that once you get used to a routine, they grow out of it, but then you just re-adapt. Once my LO started crawling, and holding things, it was easier to keep her entertained and for her to start playing on her own too. These days, I can prepare a meal, or throw laundry in while she's playing by herself- its great!
Just focus on getting the sleep, and food you need for now
It will all be ok!
About the sleep routine though, remember that it doesn't always come easily - some babies are better sleepers than others, and either way you need to help them, communicate with them and learn what their needs are. Every baby is different. I found some advice on this forum helpful when my daughter was having trouble sleeping. She is generally a good sleeper, but there are sometimes rough patches that you work through it with them.
Yes, its true that once you get used to a routine, they grow out of it, but then you just re-adapt. Once my LO started crawling, and holding things, it was easier to keep her entertained and for her to start playing on her own too. These days, I can prepare a meal, or throw laundry in while she's playing by herself- its great!
Just focus on getting the sleep, and food you need for now
It will all be ok!
KayBea
Mummy to Xanthia Lily
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like others have said concentrate on eating & sleeping at the moment. Although i was with my partner when LO was that age he didnt help at all.
i used to put LO in her bouncy chair while i showered & i put the radio on so she wasnt too bored.
eating i made quick simple one handed meals & ate while LO was feeding (i was BFing at that age). She always used to look at me really evil when i dropped some cheese or cucumber on her head
sleeping i just slept when she did tbh.
housework got ignored if im honest, ide flick the hoover round once a day & LO would watch & ide shove some bleach in the bath & toilet.. thats as far as it went.
washing ide do as & when, that doesnt really take that long.. i used to load the machine before i went to bed, then put it on at 6am when she woke for her 1st feed & then we would go back to sleep until 9 & it would be done. i just had to hang it out to dry.
it does get easier when you both establish a routine.. xxx
i used to put LO in her bouncy chair while i showered & i put the radio on so she wasnt too bored.
eating i made quick simple one handed meals & ate while LO was feeding (i was BFing at that age). She always used to look at me really evil when i dropped some cheese or cucumber on her head
sleeping i just slept when she did tbh.
housework got ignored if im honest, ide flick the hoover round once a day & LO would watch & ide shove some bleach in the bath & toilet.. thats as far as it went.
washing ide do as & when, that doesnt really take that long.. i used to load the machine before i went to bed, then put it on at 6am when she woke for her 1st feed & then we would go back to sleep until 9 & it would be done. i just had to hang it out to dry.
it does get easier when you both establish a routine.. xxx
Jennaxo
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I know how you feel, I swear I never used to get anything done when Caleb was that little, he has always been a very cuddly baby and didn't much like being put down. When he was asleep I used to sleep with him, think we all know how tiring it can be. I used to eat far too much junk because it was quick and easy, amazing what I learnt to do with one hand though! It gets easier as they get older, they get more independent, I can do food whilst Caleb's playing now and shower while he has a nap.
Mummy1995
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Know exactly how you feel and I'll repeat what the other ladies have said that its still early days and so things like house work can wait. Your health is more important so you need to rest and eat well 
For me it got easier. From about 4months I started bathing and showering with DD so I'd get us both washed in one I still do it sometimes. My LO is now slightly easier in some ways. You can put her down to do something. do you have a baby swing or rocker? They're great and you can put LO in one and take it in the bathroom or kitchen etc. and then when LO is older you can put them in a jumperoo or high chair Isabella would go in them (and still sits in her high chair) for a good hour so I can get things done like cooking or whatever I need to do
Another idea I had is have you looked into baby wearing? You could purchase a wrap or sling so you can keep baby close to you but have your hands free to do things
Xx
For me it got easier. From about 4months I started bathing and showering with DD so I'd get us both washed in one
I still do it sometimes. My LO is now slightly easier in some ways. You can put her down to do something. do you have a baby swing or rocker? They're great and you can put LO in one and take it in the bathroom or kitchen etc. and then when LO is older you can put them in a jumperoo or high chair Isabella would go in them (and still sits in her high chair) for a good hour so I can get things done like cooking or whatever I need to do Another idea I had is have you looked into baby wearing? You could purchase a wrap or sling so you can keep baby close to you but have your hands free to do things
Xx
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Know exactly how you feel and I'll repeat what the other ladies have said that its still early days and so things like house work can wait. Your health is more important so you need to rest and eat well
For me it got easier. From about 4months I started bathing and showering with DD so I'd get us both washed in one
Another idea I had is have you looked into baby wearing? You could purchase a wrap or sling so you can keep baby close to you but have your hands free to do things
Xx
The baby wearing is a good way of getting on with things. I didn't fully immerse myself in it but I did have a sling and a fab house coat that I would slip ds into when I was cooking and doing bits of house work. A big up to this is that my son loves cooking (he's just 3) and always has since the time he could hold a whisk.
Anyway, how's it going for you now? Hope you are getting there.
S
sweetluv
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It doesn't get easier or harder i'd say it is ALWAYS HARD to be a single parent! But as been said you will get into a routine and you will find a schedule that works best for both of you. It is toughest in the beginning tho while you are adapting. It will always be hard to find the time to get things done but you will!
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I don't really think it's harder being a single parent it's just different from the life you had before, being a parent of any kind is a big change. I have friends with children my sons age who are with their partners and still have to juggle and adapt and cope, sometimes I actually think I have it easier as I'm not having to consider another adult all the time, just get on with ds and me.
