I was also very worried about being a single father

ElizabethsDad · Jun 1st, 2009, 07:49 AM

I too had the same concerns but my "Health Visitor" who came to the house once a week was able to answer any questions I had.

I was also able to draw upon previous experience as I had my first daughter 13 years ago.

Bathing and feeding were things I had done before but I there was always someone else around to help if I needed it.

I have been raising my second daughter on my own and I have to admit that I also wait until she has had her feed and is asleep before I will have my bath/shower, I take the baby monitor in the bathroom and I leave the door open as her room is across from the bathroom. On the rare occasion that she wakes up all I need do is pop a towel on and step across the hall.

My little girl is now four months old and thriving.

Not all us men are useless

Daniel

purpledahlia · Jun 1st, 2009, 15:13 PM

wow, daniel its so refreshing to see a male in the same position as us... no matter how we all got here were all single parents and it can be hard. But theres hope yet!

Katieeeee · Jun 1st, 2009, 15:22 PM

Aww bless you Daniel

x

Gemma1981 · Jun 6th, 2009, 13:18 PM

Hi everyone. I'm a single mum of 3.

TBH for me I think it's easier than when I was with my husband!

With regards to baths, when i first moved into my new home I had my baths when my girls were at school and just stuck my almost 2 yr old in a highchair with a biscuit. Now I just leave the three of them to it with the cartoons and something to eat - the best thing is though that my bathroom is on the ground floor and if I leave the door open I can see what theyre all doing anyway and my little one always comes in to investigate so I know theyre alright!

jesse k + x · Jun 16th, 2009, 03:38 AM

I was a single mum when i had my DD (who is now 4yo) and moved out on my own when she was just 3mths old..... looking back i have noooo idea how i did it, but i did and i survived lol I think it's pretty much, one step and one breath at a time.... each day u find an easier way to do things. Organisation is the key i think!! Be prepared before u get baby into the bath etc. If u need a shower - maybe get it done when u have someone visiting u and bub at home. With time, u'll feel more at ease having a quick shower while bub sleeps.

starbucks101 · Jun 16th, 2009, 06:38 AM

Ive been a single parent since i found out i was pregnant, you just learn to cope, its daunting and you go through stages where you dont think your upto it, but you do it anyway.... i had a foam bath support for DD it was a god-send! with doing stuff round the house i just used to potter around doing bits and bobs when she was either asleep or happily babbling away with her toys

saff1978 · Jun 16th, 2009, 08:03 AM

I'm a single mum of 4, and i chose to be this way, its actually easier now my husband has gone. x

itsmelou1984 · Jun 17th, 2009, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DizzyMoo

Hello ladies, I was a single mum to my son & tbh the things you mention are not that hard . Firstly bathing a baby does not take 2 pair of hands it takes a good positioning of one arm eg ... babys head up near your elbow with your hand running down the back to the bum

OR you can buy a bath support which i also did then the baby can lie on it & you have 2 hands free.

When i wanted a bath or shower, If baby was awake then i'd happily take him upstairs with me into the bathroom on his bean bag or in his bouncer or car seat whichever he was either in or was most handy. If he was asleep as my bathroom was next door to my bedroom i put him inside his travel cot & had my shower, More oftem than not though i waited til he'd had a decent feed & drifted asleep then i could relax knowing he wouldn't be waking til say another hour or whatever. If you need the loo just go, Again i made sure he was strapped in a seat or bouncer etc or moses, then just went to the loo. A quick run upstairs ,pants down , pee & your off . All in what 90 seconds ? lol Trust me though when they are asleep you realise you can nip up to the loo, its only the same as being in the kitchen or next room

I actually found it easier than what i was expecting but everyone is different.
Im preg with no2 & looks like me & the boyf wont make it through together so ill have a newborn & a 4yr old .. All im worrying about is making sure my then 4yr old doesnt feel pushed out

i was in exactly the sme position, and now the father of the twins has screwed up and looks like ill be facing these alone, and will also have a 4yr old to entertain...although i think she'll be loads more of a help (im hoping!!) heres to good luck!!!

bethany90 · Jun 22nd, 2009, 09:51 AM

Have you got your mum to help? My mum would look after Abbie while i had a quick shower, if not then you could always have a shower while the baby is asleep. Or you could take the bouncer in the bath room with you so you can still keep an eye on them

dreams · Jun 26th, 2009, 11:12 AM

So far i've just been having a bath/shower when she's been fed and changed and put down to sleep. I take the baby monitor into the bathroom with me.

The worst thing that's happened so far is i was just about to go the toilet and she wanted feeding so i had to feed her and i was bursting to go lol.

I still live with my parents but they haven't done anything with her, i do it all myself. I think once you get to know your baby you'll get into a bit of a routine and know when you can do things x

Jun 1st, 2009, 07:49 AM	#21
ElizabethsDad Dad New BnB Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Cardiff Posts: 6	I was also very worried about being a single father I too had the same concerns but my "Health Visitor" who came to the house once a week was able to answer any questions I had. I was also able to draw upon previous experience as I had my first daughter 13 years ago. Bathing and feeding were things I had done before but I there was always someone else around to help if I needed it. I have been raising my second daughter on my own and I have to admit that I also wait until she has had her feed and is asleep before I will have my bath/shower, I take the baby monitor in the bathroom and I leave the door open as her room is across from the bathroom. On the rare occasion that she wakes up all I need do is pop a towel on and step across the hall. My little girl is now four months old and thriving. Not all us men are useless Daniel

Status: Offline

Jun 1st, 2009, 15:13 PM	#22
purpledahlia Mum (Mom) BnB Elite Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 14,871	wow, daniel its so refreshing to see a male in the same position as us... no matter how we all got here were all single parents and it can be hard. But theres hope yet!

Status: Offline

Jun 1st, 2009, 15:22 PM	#23
Katieeeee Mum (Mom) Inactive Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Essex Posts: 3,426	Aww bless you Daniel x

Status: Offline

Jun 6th, 2009, 13:18 PM	#24
Gemma1981 Mum (Mom) New BnB Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Mansfield, Nottingham Posts: 6	Hi everyone. I'm a single mum of 3. TBH for me I think it's easier than when I was with my husband! With regards to baths, when i first moved into my new home I had my baths when my girls were at school and just stuck my almost 2 yr old in a highchair with a biscuit. Now I just leave the three of them to it with the cartoons and something to eat - the best thing is though that my bathroom is on the ground floor and if I leave the door open I can see what theyre all doing anyway and my little one always comes in to investigate so I know theyre alright!

Status: Offline

Jun 16th, 2009, 03:38 AM	#25
jesse k + x Mum (Mom) Active BnB Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Maryborough QLD Australia Posts: 28	I was a single mum when i had my DD (who is now 4yo) and moved out on my own when she was just 3mths old..... looking back i have noooo idea how i did it, but i did and i survived lol I think it's pretty much, one step and one breath at a time.... each day u find an easier way to do things. Organisation is the key i think!! Be prepared before u get baby into the bath etc. If u need a shower - maybe get it done when u have someone visiting u and bub at home. With time, u'll feel more at ease having a quick shower while bub sleeps.

Status: Offline

Jun 16th, 2009, 06:38 AM	#26
starbucks101 Mum (Mom) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Norfolk Posts: 1,033	Ive been a single parent since i found out i was pregnant, you just learn to cope, its daunting and you go through stages where you dont think your upto it, but you do it anyway.... i had a foam bath support for DD it was a god-send! with doing stuff round the house i just used to potter around doing bits and bobs when she was either asleep or happily babbling away with her toys

Status: Offline

Jun 16th, 2009, 08:03 AM	#27
saff1978 Mum (Mom) Active BnB Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 11	I'm a single mum of 4, and i chose to be this way, its actually easier now my husband has gone. x

Status: Offline

Jun 22nd, 2009, 09:51 AM	#29
bethany90 Mum (Mom) Inactive Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Hull, England Posts: 33	Have you got your mum to help? My mum would look after Abbie while i had a quick shower, if not then you could always have a shower while the baby is asleep. Or you could take the bouncer in the bath room with you so you can still keep an eye on them

Status: Offline

Jun 26th, 2009, 11:12 AM	#30
dreams Mum (Mom) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Pontyberem, Llanelli Posts: 1,941	So far i've just been having a bath/shower when she's been fed and changed and put down to sleep. I take the baby monitor into the bathroom with me. The worst thing that's happened so far is i was just about to go the toilet and she wanted feeding so i had to feed her and i was bursting to go lol. I still live with my parents but they haven't done anything with her, i do it all myself. I think once you get to know your baby you'll get into a bit of a routine and know when you can do things x

Status: Offline

Similar Threads
Deleted	Baby Club
How do you girls cope?	Miscarriage Support
How do your partners cope with having a daughter	Baby Club
How do you ladies cope	Trying To Conceive
How do single mothers cope?	Baby Club

User Name		Remember Me?
Password