Have you ever wondered what it is really, no REALLY like entering this new world of parenthood? One of our new mummies has created the ‘Decaf Diary’ giving you a glimpse of early parenting and the day to day trials and tribulations….we hope that you enjoy this second episode…So let us begin on………
Firstly we wish you all a very Happy Christmas x
19th December
“It’s a kind of magic…”
I’m beginning to wonder if I’m miss-using my boobs and if they should be reclassified. I’m well aware that a bout of crying from our LO can usually be soothed with a quick breast-feed, as can episodes of tiredness; upset; vaccination shock; and boredom. I’m also acutely aware that my husband cannot apply the same technique and wonder if therefore I’m cheating?
The feeding and sleeping debate continues as the pattern (if you can call it that) has changed again. Trying to crack the code is like trying to find the golden condor in the lost city of gold! So, we’re experimenting tonight by switching her usual 7pm bottle feed for breast, hoping this will prompt a feed at around 10ish and subsequently result in a longer sleep overnight. We’ve also subscribed to nappy wars – hoping bigger is better, after several explosions! Only time will tell, in the meantime best get the dinner on!
15th December
“Blood on the dance floor…”
A change to our usual walking route this morning, as it would seem early morning dancing and vegetable preparation don’t entirely mix! A quick stop at minor injuries for a few stitches and we’re back on track. The dressing makes nappy changing a rather cumbersome affair for the next couple of days, but it heels fairly quickly and the scar is a reminder that future high-risk activities carried out under sleep deprived conditions a) requires supervision or b) should be entered into without musical accompaniment from The Jam’s Greatest Hits!
9th December
“The tears of a clown…”
Having spent four days trying to calm, cuddle and cheer a very sad little baby, I’m exhausted.
Crying has featured heavily this week – for both of us – as the third round of jabs took place. Coinciding with teething and a developmental ‘fussy’ phase, it’s been mega fun!
After being screamed at for a solid hour this evening, we lie in the middle of the bed together and I just pat her tummy and cry with her – eventually she relaxes. I try and work out what I did wrong tonight, “Tomorrow I’ll be tougher and let her self-sooth…Tomorrow I’ll do it better…Tomorrow I’ll be a better mummy…”.
After a bit of sleep I gain a little perspective. It’s not about being better, there isn’t a perfect way to parent. We’re all doing our best.
What I have realised is how amazing my own mum was, a) not to leave me out for the milkman and b) to do it all without the support of Google, what’s app and Facebook. I wasn’t an awful teenager, but I do wish I could take back every unkind word and criticism I’ve ever thrown her way. And she’ll definitely be getting a bigger Christmas present this year.
6th December
“There were voices down the corridor…”
This is not a mattress. It is at best two thin sheets of cardboard on the world’s pointiest springs. We are away in London for the night to see old friends (hubby is – I have an appointment with Mr. Sandman). Baby fed; husband out; snacks ready and TV on silent…operation relax is in progress. For 5 minutes.
In hindsight, eating cous cous whilst breastfeeding is risky – be prepared for a minimum 30% drop rate (to be discovered in every crevice the next morning) and Doritos do not make a practical snack when trying not to wake a sleeting baby. Lesson #3 learnt. 26th November
“This ol’ house…”
The second stair creaks. So does the landing, just past the airing cupboard. As my inner ‘stealth mom’ abilities improve I can map out the entire house in the dark – each creaky floorboard, each jutting out pice of furniture. It has come with war wounds if course, several bruised appendages and lost toe nails, but I can now traverse all the way to the kitchen to replace the breast pump in the fridge blindfolded – a little like Catherine Zeta-Jones a la Entrapment but without the horrific skin-tight cat suit!
25th November
“Isn’t she lovely…!”
I still can’t quite comprehend that I made this perfect little human. It’s 3:20am and she’s peacefully sleeping in my arms post feed. Yes, I know I should’ve put her down ‘drowsy but awake’, but I did this 30 minutes ago and she simply made a noise like a reversing HGV until I caved, and I’m tired and would like to go back to sleep, so for now I broke all my rules and fed her to sleep. It’s also not often I can just watch her sleep, and she is beautiful. I’m trying not to laugh at her facial expressions as she’s clearly dreaming. I’m also fairly certain it’s no evolutionary accident that just before babies approach the no-sleep stage, they perfect their incredible, heart-melting smile!
