Sleep deprived
Imprisoned
No life
Shower a luxury
Eating a rarity
Lonely

You feel all these things, yet no-one really warns you. Yes, you get the sleepless night jokes, but never delivered seriously. Is it so we actually reproduce? Otherwise the human race would come to a halt.

I've moaned before, so apologoes for another, but feel so damn exhausted and . . , well all of the above really.

BF'ing well, but of course that means I'm stuck to madam. Can't get out except on foot as I can't lift her and the car seat due to c scar. Live at bottom of hill so the crappy little row of shops down the road is the only destination (tesco express, vets, chemist, paper shop, betting shop and electrical shop). Not exactly mind blowing!

Used to work full time and had a pretty important job. All gone now.

OH has now gone back to work, which yesterday was fine, but today madam has been a bit of a pain. Well not really, just being a baby, but took until 1 to drink the tea I made at 9.

She is good beyond belief, but it's just such bloody hard work. Know I'm preaching to the converted here and you all know this, but how do you keep youself sane?

My only life line is here (thank god for BNB - how can anyone do this without it's existence) and my little farmville game on facebook (sad I know, but played before bubba and keeps me happy)!!

Other than that there is nothing apart from this cry, change, feed, rock, sleep cycle, repeating every three hours or so. Only difference is it being dark or light outside.

Even found myself asking if had I known itwould be like this, would I have had her. I'm not a bad mummy and love her beyond words and as Morrissy said, I would jump in front of a flying bullet for her, but I am not enjoying this stage one bit. I love babies at the toddler 1-2 age and beyond, when they have little personalities and interact, but this bit at the moment is just so damn hard.

WHEN THE HELL DOES THIS GET BETTER?????

i completely understand. i used to get so eexcited to hear that someone was going to visit me. i was so tired it was unbelievable. i would get "whats for tea" as the first 3 words when my husband came home not "are you ok"? he would fall fast asleep at 10 and i'd be awake trying to get fin to sleep at 1am on my own.

it does get better. he's 3 months now and so much easier. i'm still breastfeeding and so still tied but most definately better.

why does no one tell you?? we block the bad bits or we would never reproduce!!!! it is only a faint memory now what it used to be like. he is a joy to take out and get excited when he gets in his car seat as where at first i would have to wait till he was asleep and then get things done as quick as possible. ( i don't mind feeding in public but prefered to do it at home)

it does get better but its still hard. xx

trust me it all gets better.

i no how crappy it can all make u feel so early on but when ur lo comes up to u just cuz they want a hug it makes it all worth it x

edit: i will say tho newborns are much easier to deal with then toddlers. make the most of being bale to put her down n shes still there wen u go back lol

No advise but big ^_^

i can't speak from experience for you but I know it'll get better chick =) xxx

Being a parent is tough work and is no picnic at times.

I have to agree that newborns are easier than toddlers, for the most part. And I've also been through a stage where I had a newborn and a toddler at the same time. LOL Now these two are 6 1/2 and 8 and it's a much easier stage. Now my 16 month old...UGH!

Sad thing is, one is never fully prepared for the life altering changes that occur when you do have a baby. But you do adjust.

glad to hear it does get better - my Harry is 3 weeks old now and i am tearin my hair out, the days just mould into one when ur counting it in 4 hour chunks

I didn't really have a hard time, I think I was lucky to have OH working at home and have my mum close by...I can see how easy it is even with an easy baby to feel like you do though.

Maybe you could try getting out and about, even to baby group - what about asking your OH to load the pushchair into the car, and put the car seat in ready, then you just have to slot the baby in..or ask someone to come with you out for a coffee so they can help? I really do think its important for you to get out of the house when you feel quite penned in, you will feel much better even with a couple of hours out of the house.

The little personality she has will come out so soon, and you will love every day seeing new things, if she hasn't already she will soon be smiling, and laughing..and it never stops changing from then onwards..I know at a month they are boring little bundles!

I had a hard time too. It was so repetitive! Elle was simple to take care of, it's just that I was so bored. I was glad I went back to work after 6 weeks. But now, I wish I can work 75% instead or 100%.

My OH was working from home so was able to help a little bit, but I still found it really hard. I used to feel guilty for not enjoying it more!

My little girl is amazing, I love her more than life itself, but for me the first 12 or so weeks were HARD!!! After that, we got to know eachother better, got into the swing of things, I got more confident and it all kind of clicked into place.

In the first 12 weeks I didnt have time to shower, read a mag, do my hair, put on matching clothes (I think I wore pj's pretty much every day!), cook a meal...

I remember thinking "Jesus. Is this my life from now on?". Now, its much much easier, and I have to say I am loving (almost!) every minute of being a mum.

I know at the time, people used to say "It gets easier, just give it time" and I used to want to scream FU@K OFF!W But it does, really. Just hang in there.

Is your OH supportive?

Maybe you could ask him to help you tackle each of the things you listed in your post.

Sleep deprivation - well that's a hard one but on a night where he's not working the next day, ask him to do everything except actually feeding Frances. You stay in bed, he brings her to you, you feed her and then he settles her back into her basket/cot etc. You wouldn't even need to wake up properly for that. Then stay in bed the whole of the next day doing the same! Make it a rule that you're only allowed out of bed to the loo!

Imprisoned - this is my biggest problem too when I don't get out enough. Like somebody else suggested, have OH put the car seat into the car for you then you just slot her into it. It takes practice but it's possible! I wouldn't take a pram cos you might not be able to get it out of the car, but you could go somewhere you won't need it. Just go to a cafe and take LO for a look around. She'll love it, you'll get to feel human and you'll get to bask in the smiles people direct at your beautiful baby.

No life - I think you just need to tell yourself that this stage passes. As soon as you're able, start taking LO to baby groups etc and you'll find a whole new life waiting for you.

Shower a luxury - I know it's not the same but have you thought about taking a bath with your LO? It's splashy and fun and you both get clean at the same time. You could get your OH to take LO out before you so you can finish up with a shower or you can just get out together. If you make it part of Frances' routine that you both have a bath, it might be easier to find the time for it.

Eating a rarity - get your OH to make you lunch before he goes to work, and make it something that is cold or easy to reheat and easy to pick at when you get chance. Also get some nice yummy snacks in the cupboard. You deserve a treat (my HV told me that milk and chocolate are great for breastmilk production. Don't know if it's true but go with it!!!)

Lonely - I think as soon as you start doing other things, you'll feel this less. Sometimes when I'm lonely I feel so much better after just saying a few words to somebody on a bus or when lovely old grannies say how pretty LO is.

I could have written that last bit of your post myself. I ask myself would I have had her if I'd known what it's like, and I much prefer older babies/toddlers.

The GREAT news is that in the next month or so, your LO will SMILE at you and then she'll LAUGH. Then, when you're the first thing she sees in the morning, she'll do the hugest smile and that's when the interaction really starts. It doesn't stop after that!