Nervous system goes crazy every time newborn cries

I’m a FTM and just had my son on 6/3. Before him I literally have had zero experience with babies. I was the youngest in my family so I never even baby sat or really had a ton of interaction with kids ESPECIALLY not with newborns. Needless to say this is all completely foreign territory for me. Although, I had 9 months to mentally prepare for this ( as well as 9 years with my husband to discuss and decide that we def wanted a child lol) I am trying to address his every need immediately so he doesn’t cry or scream, it breaks my heart to hear him upset and makes me feel awful. I am dropping everything and running to him as soon as I hear any squeak of what I’m interpreting as discomfort. I feel like I’ve come a long way in two weeks though, the first night was TOUGH for the three of us. Things are getting a bit easier and we are learning his cues pretty quickly. I’m on maternity leave for 6 months & my husband owns his own plumbing company and had to go back to work pretty soon after his birth so I’m alone with my son all day and pretty much all night. Does anyone else feel this way when their baby cries? Will this feeling ever relax within me? Any advice on what I could do to calm myself and him when he’s upset would be wonderful! I’m a total newbie here 🫣

in our community

Ice-cream for toddler

I was at the playground today and another mum was giving out ice-creams to the kids (Magnum style with chocolate and caramel). She asked if my son would like one and I explained that he's not really had things like that yet, but thanked her anyway. She seemed shocked and asked how old he is, when I said 20 months she was like "awww that's crazy"

It was really kind of her to offer him the ice-cream but it made me feel like she saw me as a cruel and mean mum when I didn't take it. My son does have things like muffins that I make, digestive biscuits, fruit yoghurts etc but I'm holding off on giving him really sugary treats for as long as possible as he doesn't know the difference yet.

What do you think?

What have I done?

I have a 3 weeks old and I'm starting to really freak out. I love him and will do anything I need to make sure he's happy healthy and safe but I'm terrified I've made a mistake! I don't know how to be a mum. I dont like other peoples children. I dont want to loose my identity and I'm so scared of messing up because again I do love him. I'm not enjoying this and starting to feel like I've trapped myself in a prison. I just want to be happy and I want to enjoy my baby but I feel so scared and lost. Please tell me this is normal and it will pass?

Struggles with Partner

Hey, just looking for a bit of advice really as I don’t have many friends to talk to.

My partner and I have a 15 month old and 3 months pregnant with our second he opened a business around the time our son was born that requires a lot of his time and attention.

To cut a long story short, he rarely has our son alone, he only really spends time with him at night before he goes to bed/some time on the weekend, but I am expected to be fully responsible during those times. There are some weeks that he hasn’t even changed our son’s nappy once. If I ever have an appointment/social event I have to arrange childcare or plan around our son’s nursery hours.

He doesn’t do much in the house at all, but I’m fine with that as I don’t have set working hours due to helping with the business so I spend a lot of time at home.

The issue I have is that I am expected to care for the home, care for our son (who sleeps absolutely terribly), and help with the business daily. Whilst I have allowed him to focus solely on the business.

It feels like I am being stretched to do more, and he can be very hurtful with the way that he speaks to me. Sometimes I think I’d be better off doing it alone as honestly it feels that way sometimes now.

Just looking for some advice really or anyone who has been through something similar? 😞

Potty Training a 1 Year Old

Should I start potty training my 1 year old? I want her out of nappies asap really.

Should I explore this idea? 🤔

I’m a stay at home mum to a nearly 4 year old and I’ve noticed she learns best through hands on activities and she eats more and loves when we cook together. It’s inspired an idea I’d love honest feedback on.

✨Idea - A weekly country themed box for ages 3–5, with child friendly healthy recipes the whole family can eat, plus activities, crafts and learning through play. The aim is to take some of the mental load out of meal planning while creating fun family bonding moments whilsg introducing children to different cultures.

Would this be something that would interest you as a parent?

Brother in law about to ruin his life

My BIL and I are pretty close, because him and my husband are best friends. Last year, his wife left him and the divorce was very ugly. I supported her leaving him because their relationship was toxic, but that didn’t mean they were bad people individually. Then my husband and I ended up being collateral damage in the divorce, and neither of them talk to us. His mom told us that BIL has been really going through it, and moved in this girl he met two weeks prior, and her new born baby, into his house, which he kept in the divorce. Then she was doing drugs, and he was raising the baby, so he kicked her out and then their sister (my sister in law) ended up involving CYS. Then the next week, he started dating tho girls cousin, and now they have been together 1 month and he’s selling his house and rehoming his pets to move in with her… this woman he has known for ONE MONTH. And everyone knows the relationship will not work, and he’s going to put himself in a really bad situation, but I don’t know how to get him to see this… also he and my husband have made up and they’ve been spending no time together, and I pointed out that he doesn’t even ever talk about who his girlfriend is/what she’s like, he only ever talks about what she has and what he’ll have going with her.