Remind me this gets better

[Anonymous]

Third kid, I know logically it will get better soon but man I am struggling right now. I have two toddlers and an 8 week old. The baby was born at 36 weeks and is still so sleepy, no smiles or interactions yet so still in that potato stage. She is eating about every two hours and hasn't done more than a two hour stretch of sleep since birth. I am so, so tired. I do pump one bottle a day but still only get a max 4 hour stretch in. Plus running around after the toddlers all day. I just want to go to bed and sleep for 12 hours.

Remind me this gets better.

[Anonymous]

And I will add she's a Velcro baby...screaming unless she's being held. I wear her as much as possible but I can't do everything with a baby attached to me!

[Anonymous]

It’s hard… the challenges will change.

Are your older children in preschool?

[Anonymous]

It gets better OP! I go on little restaurant dates with my 3yo now, and it's so much more relaxing and fun than it was at that stage! She sleeps, she plays by herself, she talks clearly, she does kind and adorable things.

Also in case you needed to hear this, formula is okay!!!

[Anonymous]

Get a fabulous live in nanny ASAP. It’s life-changing.

[Anonymous]

It gets different. Better in some ways, but new challenges will arise. My kid is 10 now and it’s like a rollercoaster.

[Anonymous]

OP do you have any help at all?

Yes, it will definitely get better, but you also deserve to have it a bit easier right now if you can find a way to make it work.

[Anonymous]

Try to reframe your thinking. In some ways the newborn stage is really easy. Yes they eat every three hours but its just boob or bottle, not toddlers begging for snacks constantly and having to come up with creative meals, prep them, clean them up, deal with picky eating and preferences, etc. They sleep all the time. They can nap on the go at Target or whatever. If they cry you basically just feed them, change them, or give them some fresh air and they stop.

Just do whatever you need to to make this time easier -- switch to formula (8 weeks of breastmilk is wonderful! more than my (very healthy) kids got!), cosleep at night sometimes, nap with the baby during the day. And, yes, as you know (but might not recall right now), this time FLIES by. The baby will be crawling in one second. Try to enjoy it!

[Anonymous]

If this is your last baby, try to soak up the potato snuggles and floppy little babe life. It's HARD, for sure, but it's also so special.

[Anonymous]

I miss it! Such a special time. It goes by so fast. Just try to relax and keep expectations really low. Super easy dinners, everyone to bed at 6pm, lots of naps and book time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If this is your last baby, try to soak up the potato snuggles and floppy little babe life. It's HARD, for sure, but it's also so special.

oh gosh, I totally understand this sentiment and that of the other poster too but the special is pretty drained out when you have three and your husband isn't home til 7pm. Omg. Not the op, that just sounds so hard. I hope somehow ops husband is able to shift his schedule some so she can enjoy a little more but man. hard.

[Anonymous]

How much child care do you have? I'd find a way for someone else to chase the toddlers around (preschool, daycare, nanny) for a good chunk of the day.

Next, if that's impossible I would consider adding formula at night so that you can get some solid sleep. Yes, it may effect your supply, but being so tired you can't function is not good for anyone. Exclusive breastfeeding should not come at the cost of your sanity. It's ok to combo feed or to move to 100% formula.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If this is your last baby, try to soak up the potato snuggles and floppy little babe life. It's HARD, for sure, but it's also so special.

oh gosh, I totally understand this sentiment and that of the other poster too but the special is pretty drained out when you have three and your husband isn't home til 7pm. Omg. Not the op, that just sounds so hard. I hope somehow ops husband is able to shift his schedule some so she can enjoy a little more but man. hard.

Sorry I mixed this up with the thread about evening help!! But yes op it will get better!

[Anonymous]

Hugs to you, OP. I remember being in your shoes with three. My oldest is now in MS and I wish that I had the babies back. I'm very sad about it, in fact. I understand that doesn't help you NOW but for perspective...

I will say that having help around the house is key. If you can find someone to help you a few days - or even once a week - it'll be a game changer. Remember, this stage is really only for a short period of time so you have an end in site. It gets SO MUCH EASIER from a physical perspective later on, though having three is always draining.

Just a few months more. You got this.