How long did you rest?

How long did you rest after a straight forward vaginal birth?

(Asking for this birth as I know c-section/complications require a different level of recovery).

I’m interested to know how quick you returned to household chores and general ‘mumming’ following birth of baby.

I love the idea of the 5-5-5 (5 days in bed, 5 days on the bed, 5 days around the bed) for rest, but I’m curious to know if anyone actually stuck to this or something similar, or if guilt got in the way!

Read more on Peanut

The views expressed in community are solely the opinions of participants, and do not reflect those of Peanut.

Learn more about our guidelines.

Add a comment

I tried my best to not do much other than taking care of the baby (feeding, changing, etc) for the first week. I helped with care of my toddler but my partner took over all the housework and entertaining the toddler for that first week so I could rest. However if you have more than one child the 5,5,5 thing isn’t really possible as they get confused and I didn’t want her to think something was wrong because the baby had arrived

I went Christmas shopping a couple of days later. Regretted it as although I no longer had breathlessness I didn’t feel quite myself! Didn’t really need rest although it was uncomfortable to sit down at times.

I had a 30+ hour labour and episiotomy. We left the hospital 14 hours later and I was up cleaning my bath tub (amongst other things) the next morning. Suddenly I had a revolving door of visitors that I had to wash pots after and keep tidying for. Would not recommend! 😅 But the body is incredible and I don't think I'd be able to stick to the 5-5-5 rule even if given the opportunity! We were leaving the house, going to cafes, garden centres and all sorts within days. I did suffer a lot of breathlessness and dizziness so just walked super slowly

Everyone is different. Just got to listen to your body. I had long vaginal birth with my first and I was walking the dog after two weeks. Felt pretty much myself.
Whereas I had c section with my second ( breech baby) I could barely walk for about 3 weeks. Felt pretty much myself after 6 week xx

in our community

Best car seat for a 1 year old but also future babies?

I currently have the Joie i360 spin that’s on the isofix and can’t be removed. Absolute bane of my life switching it between cars because it’s soooo heavy and the seatbelt straps are constantly twisting. Wouldn’t recommend it to anyone! We’re now in need of a second car seat for nursery drop offs and pick ups so I finally get to fob this car seat off to my partner who will use it less and I want a new one for my car lol.

Would anyone recommend their car seat that’s suitable for 1 year old (and preferably for a long time as want to be sustainable and not constantly replacing things) but that’s also suitable/recommended from newborn up too as would like to keep for baby number 2 in the next couple years. TIA

Photo of cute baby feet in said car seat so post hopefully doesn’t get lost lol.

I want a second child relatively soon because of my age but I'm worried I won't be able to cope

I am an Aunty to many children mostly 10 and upwards now so I've cared for many babies and children but having my first child (who is almost 1 and I am turning 38 soon), I have just found it quite full on. Newborn days were a breeze but as days have gone on I guess with lack of sleep post 8 months I feel like it's impacting my mental health and I think these three meals a day and caring for everybody and lack of sleep. I don't know if I can do this all over again for another child. I want to be one and done but I want him to have a sibling so when we are no longer here he has someone not just his cousins.

Let me preface this by saying I know everyone's circumstances is different but I just wondered if anyone else felt similar before going on to have more children and coped OK?

POV: I said I’d never sleep train then I gave birth to a 45 min stop watch

Me before my first baby: I would NEVER sleep train

Me with my first baby who slept through the night from 10 weeks old: I don’t know how anyone could ever sleep train 😇

Me with my second baby who still wakes every single 45 minutes - 1hr at 8mo : 😵‍💫😵‍💫😵‍💫 googles “gentlest sleep training methods”

Anyone else? (We have tried EVERYTHING by the way, every dang thing).

4 month sleep regression habits

Does anyone have any experience with habits formed during the 4 month sleep regression phase?

My LO is going through the 4 month sleep regression, but tbh I think it’s over now? She was going through it for a good few weeks, and these past 4 days I’ve been co-sleeping with her. Coincidentally in these last few days she’s been sleeping longer stretches also. So I’m not sure if it’s the co-sleeping or if it’s the regression being over. Her daytime naps are contact naps and they’re still pretty short (45 mins).

I’m worried that if the regression is over, have I created a habit for her of co-sleeping. Will she now only sleep long stretches unless she’s sleeping next to me?

Anyone else had a similar experience and can offer any advice?