Ive had 3 and wud say that until they are about 3 months is the hardest time (although i wud also say that your first baby is the biggest shock to get used to, after that u know whats coming with subsequent babies so u get into a routine quicker and are more relaxed etc). At 3 months baby starts interacting a bit more and can be entertained a bit more and u also get the big gummy smiles which make it all worth while! As for things like eating and showering i make sure i eat just after baby has her bottle and bring her in the kitchen with me in her rocker so she can see me at the table which keeps her amused while im eating, with showers i bring her up into the bathroom while im showering and i can talk to her and see she is ok. As ive got a 4 year old and an 8 year old too i have to plan the day well or i wud never get anything done and nobody would be fed or washed. So, keep calm and remember it wont last forever!

Oh what a glorious day!
Snow gone
Bubba put on 2lb in 3 weeks
Went out in car
Bubba slept ages during the night!!

Started yesterday when HV said she'd put on 2lb in 3 weeks which is really good for breastfed bubba. Then put her to bed at 10pm as usual. 4.45 she woke up. That's 6.5 hours!!!! WOOO BLOOMING HOOOOOO!!!!! Hope it's a trend as she always goes down at 10, but was waking at 1.10, then 2, then 2.30, then 2.45, then suddenly last nights miracle. Have changed her routine to suit us of an evening. Used to be draining cluster feeding, but now it's eat at 7, then daddy and I amuse her until 8.30, so no whingy eating. Then lovely bath which she loves, nice clean clothes, cuddle, INFACOL (still written on boobies so I don't forget) then feed and sleep. This seems to be working so far!

Also did as you said - OH put the car seat in car last night and today I went out with bubba for the first time up to mums for the afternoon - wth me just having to lift bubba out, not bubba AND seat. Came home at about 6 and bubba had her routine and went to bed. Whilst being entertained by daddy I even got a shower in!! Fabulous day - thanks for the tip about the car seat - works an absolute treat!!

Million times happier and organised ready for tomorrow for baby club at 1. Even prepared to confront my breastfeeding demons in public (well at the group anyway) because I'm sure I won't be the only one!! Clothes all ready for tomorrow, so reckon I need only a 10 minute window to get showered and ready!

Let's just hope the sleeping pattern continues - has made such a difference!

Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you x x x x x x x x x x x x

for me, the first 4 or 5 months were "survival" and then suddenly it clicked and Edward became fun.

Not that I got any more sleep or anything, it just sort of starting being fun and now being apart from him (back at my "important" job) is killing me.

That is such a FAB idea! Glad you're feeling better... there will always be days when things seem hard but I think it does get easier every day overall. Sounds like you're really on the up!

See, your getting there! One day your body just stops moaning about lack of sleep and gets on with it!

It will get easier now (except the growth spurts) it's just learning to forward plan a little. Get up a bit earlier and wake her for a feed so you know you can get a shower etc. You have to go out at such a time, so feed her before that, when will her next feed be?

Eventually she will fall into a predictable routine and it wont seem to all consuming.

Codegirl, I love your picture in your signature, a dirty kid is a happy kid! So true! I don't like seeing immaculate toddlers/mini toddlers. Dirt is good!

im sleep deprived and my lo is 7 months! aarrgghhh!

But yeah i know what you mean!

Still on the up - BUT bubba awke at 2.45 after going down at 10pm. Howevre, even though I was not too happy, I must remember it is still nearly 5 hours.

Went to baby club today - she was the youngest there so not able to do much. Did however breastfeed there which was a biggie of mine although I went out into the hall as there were proper chairs there as my back was killing sitting on the cushions!

Was lovely to meet other mums as well and very good to get out!

Did muck up her sleep times though so we had to wake her this evening at 8 to bathe her as the bedtime routine. She's just gone to sleep and it's half nine, so earlier than usual, but let's see!

I've had 4 years of it (5 in April) so I have eventually gotten used to it. DS2 has episodes of night time vomiting 2-3 times a week, so a baby is just like... whatever... (I is awesome, also so is coffee)