What Should I Do On My First Break From My Baby?
i have not been away fom my baby since conception. shes 11 1/2 months old. i am highly stressed out and not acting like myself andd im sick n tired of it!!! im demanding mommy time. i have to get away from her. obviously i love the crap out of her, but when you have a baby feeding off of you during pregnancy, basically attatched to your breast for months of its life, and consuming every second of your time and disturbing your sleep for who knows how long– even supermom needs a break. im thinking about a good long nap. what do you think
I think a nap is an excellent idea. Any low key activity is an excellent idea. Having said this, you still need to plan regular non-baby activity every day. I know you need to be available, however, you are going to burn out if you don’t take some time for yourself. Don’t stress out, about it. I’m talking about taking a bath while the baby is in the room playing, or reading a book or watching a T.V. show that isn’t baby oriented. Some days you will need more time then others, and this won’t stop you from having bad days, but it should reduce you resentment. Nobody talks about this before you have a baby, but everyone experiences it. I knew a La Leche League mom who made up a Barney song,it went,”I hate you You hate me We’re a dysfunctional family.” The upshot is don’t feel guilty taking a little time off every one needs to do this. You might consider joining a Mommy group like La Leche League, if you haven’t already. At the very least you’ll be surprised at how many mom’s have experienced what you’re experiencing. They might have solutions you haven’t thought of.
Being a mommy is very stressful, no matter how much you love it. You need to pace yourself as much as possible. Keep in mind that arranging small moments shouldn’t be another stress you don’t need. You need to listen to yourself more than anything. I always needed to know where my kids were and that they were O.K. Every time the baby left my sight I was convinced something bad would happen. I couldn’t sleep or focus on anything else and of course I need time off. I just couldn’t let go. Most mothers are not that extreme. I had other issues that didn’t have to do with mothering. I still need some time for myself. I’m an artist and I was finishing up my B.F.A. in painting at the time. Most of my art classes let me take the baby with me,that really help. I still needed to leave the baby with a sitter a couple days a week. I waited to take those class till the baby was about a year old. They were on solids and able to walk. I did a lot of talking with my sitter before I choose her also I used a baby sitting co-op. Co-op don’t cost money,they exchange time you sit for them and they sit for you. Everyone is checked out,(no child abusers). You have to be recommended by a member, and I found mine through the college and Le Leche League. I nursed the baby before I left her and when I picked her up while I talked to the sitter about her day.
As much as I could I painted around my children. I kept everything as non-toxic as possible, however I did work with them. I also let someone else take care of the baby while I was available. For example: when I was in the classroom or lecture hall I had a sitter right outside playing with the baby. Some schools have day care on site. Some jobs also have daycare on site,so you can breastfeed on demand and still work. Also let your house be messy, lay down and sleep when the baby sleeps, don’t work. You really deserve some time off. Do something for you for once! I’ve got 5 kids and I beastfed all of them more then 2 years,(and sometime much longer).
My youngest is 10 now and he was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes last year. The doctors told me that by breastfeeding him for so long I kept him from getting diabetes sooner and his prognosis is really good. So the time your putting in is very much worth it.
The joy of being a mother…That’s exactly why I don’t have kids because they’ll stress you out! Do you have parents, a boyfriend, husband, or anyone who can watch your baby until you can get some shut-eye? While your baby is sleeping, that’s when you’re suppose to get some me-time. Fix the baby a warm bottle, wrap your baby up tight in a warm blanket, hum to her sleep in a rocking chair; When she’s asleep, go to sleep.
Besides taking a nap you should do anything that you love to do! If you like to shop then I suggest you hit the mall! If you like to read go the bookstore or the library. Anything that you want to relieve some stress! When my little man is away I catch up on everything that I have been missing out on with friends and my husband! Have fun, im sure you will find something!!!!
WOW! This is one of the first entirely honest posts I have seen!
Do you drink – go have a drink or two with friends. Maybe go shopping. It honestly sounds like you could use a spa visit!!
If I were you- Spa day.
Oh, the joys of a nice mani pedi..