im a first time mum, only 17. single mum. anything i need to know?

Debby - posted on 11/12/2010

Don't let the doctors push u around because your a teenager if you want to know something or dont understand ask. As for being a first time mum dont be scared of things it will all seem knew and you may have the thirst to prove yourself but if you need help ask for it

Klaudia - posted on 11/11/2010

There are a lot of things you need to know.I'll be 17 in 2 months and my son is 7 months old. Read lots of baby books, and pregnancy books. You can do it

Tina - posted on 11/11/2010

Remember that no matter how people judge you, you are a mom now and as long as your child is happy and healthy thats all you need. also even though you have a baby does not mean that you need to spend every waking second with that baby. I have learned that when Gracie and I are apart its so much sweeter to come home to her.

Joyce - posted on 11/10/2010

There is so much stuff you need to know, I got a lot advice from other people. I also educated myself with books, web pages, talking to my doctor and pretty much anything I could get my hands on.
Personally, I got pregnant when I was 14 had my beautiful baby boy when I was 15. I am now 17 and my boy will be 2 in March 2011. It takes a lot to go through pregnancy, having the baby, keeping the baby and taking care of your child while most of the time you don't get half of the support you would if you were just a few years older. It changes your life but if you let it, it changes you and your life for the better. Having a child is SUCH a wonderful experience, but you have to want to be around and want to care for this child or you will be miserable[just being honest]. To most people, like myself, it just comes naturally. You feel when your baby needs something and that has nothing to do with age. There is nothing more precious then seeing yourself in someone else, it's truly amazing. UNCONDITIONAL love is all I can say. I can't even put in words what I feel every time I look at my son:) If you let yourself be happy and excited it will all fall into place and your little bundle of joy will definitely feel the love:) GOOD LUCK! If you ever need anything don't be afraid to message me.

Blessing - posted on 11/09/2010

believe in your self and listen to your baby, they will tell you what they want and need. i personally decided to go through this as ignorant as could be because too much information can do u more harm than good, i realised this through my pregnancy and because of that i did not enjoy it as much as i wish i could have, cant wait for my second.

Scarlett-Marie - posted on 11/02/2010

I had my first at 15, But if you need to know anything just hit me up on facebook. I have two beautiful girls but don't let anyone bring you down thats what I get for being a young mum

Madison - posted on 11/02/2010

Hey babe! I'm exactly in your situation only I turned 18 2 weeks ago. My daughter is 7 weeks old now and her father left as soon as he found out I was pregnant. I find the hardest thing is that we dont speak anymore and that sophie won't get to know her dad but I've realised that him not being in her life means I could name her what I wanted and I can raise her how I woudike with no input from him or anyone else. I wont say it's not hard cause it's really difficult, for me anyways. But your child will love you and that's all that matters. If you need any advice or need to talk at all feel free to flick me an email :]

madisonandrew@hotmail.com x

Caramie - posted on 10/31/2010

I agree with a lot of the girls on here. When i had my daughter my life flipped upside down. i had tons of friends or so i though, once i had my daughter they split, even though they said, "oh hey girl don't worry i'll always be around to hang out with you and the baby so we can get in our girl time" lol yea that was a joke. I have one friend out of all of them that isn't a mother and the rest of my friends are single parents as well. Your life changes faster then you can say oh no. but honestly its completely worth it

Jenasis - posted on 10/31/2010

You're going to need to forget fun! At least fun with your friends...now you get to have the real fun...fun with your little one. I became a mommy at 16 and trust me its a joy everyday.You'll wonder what you missed all this time. Yea you won't get to hang out with your friends as much but you'll have something even better. Something that won't spread rumors about you. :) But leave behind your old life cuz you're starting another one!

Brittany - posted on 10/30/2010

Lol, there are lots of things you'll need to know but a lot of it you need to figure out along the way! Don't worry, you'll do fine. If you really don't know though make sure you have a mom you can turn to for advice (your mother, a friend's mother, a mom you meet on here, etc.). You'll do fine :-) No worries!

Stacey-Lee - posted on 10/28/2010

Oh darlin, think positive :D



i had my baby girl 3 weeks after i turned 16,

yes i was pregnant at the age of 15 and u know what , i couldnt be more proud to say it .. i am now 3months off turning 21 and i have a almost 5 year old girl, and a 7month old little boy , and the make my life so much better then what it would have been if they were not with me today ! .. dont ever think to your self for one minute that you 'can't ' do it, cos really there's NO such word as Can't .. don't even worry about the father not being around b'cos as they say " it takes a boy to make a baby & a man to raise one " .. you definitly do not need a little boy aroound while trying to raise your baby ! ( trust me i found that out the hard way ) .



To raise a child you really need common sense ..

parenting is not easy , and babies do not come with an instruction manual.. but,, What u will need is alot of positive thinking and support from anyone who's willing to sit and listen to you !!

don't be scared .. okay :) i know it's hard, we've all been there and done that and it sucks but remember it DOES get better !!



please, if you need anything, anything at all.. don't be afraid to mail me..



stacey_teea09@hotmail.com

Shelby - posted on 10/28/2010

Like you, I am 18 and going to be a single mom in December. For me, it's taken a while to get to where I'm at now, but I just get through each day one step at a time. I ignore what people say about me, because the ones that actually matter would never say something hurtful towards me or my daughter. You just have to be there for your child and forget about all the naysayers out there. It's hard, but it's the right thing for your child. Just be there for your baby and give it all the love you can. Also, having a good support system around you helps too. Whether that be your family, friends, or both, it always helps to have that support behind you. It helps you know that you can accomplish anything you want. Don't be afraid to finish school. I'm 18 and still tackling college at the same time. Don't let your dreams diminish because of your baby. You can still strive for your dreams, you'll just have a little buddy to share in the joy of your accomplishments with. =]

I hope this helps. If you have any more questions, just let me know. I'm going through the same thing right now, so I'd be more than glad to help!

Sasha - posted on 10/27/2010

Beleive in yourself always! I was a mum at 17 although not a single mum but i found it's very hard to lose yourself being a mum that young so you just need to beleive in yourself in what your doing. And spend as much time with your shild as you can and be prepared for a huge change in your life.

Amanda - posted on 10/27/2010

1st disagree with not getting a crib. you will regret sleeping with them because they are going to b so dependent on you. my son sleeps through the night in his own room in his crib it has always been that way. he is almost 14 months and he has been sleeping through the night since he was 4 or 5 months. bassinets will only last till they can sit up. I just had another baby and she has a crib but she isnt going to sleep in it till she sleeps through the night because I don't want her to wake up her bro lol.. I have matching cribs that have a changing table attatched to them that turn into a dresser, and the cribs will turn into toddler beds and then into full size beds.. the changing pad on the dresser seems so unsafe to me and the cribs that I have with the changing table saves a lot of room. anyways ya that's my advice.

Kara - posted on 10/26/2010

spend as much time with your baby. it will be hard in the beginning, but the more yu do for your baby, the easier it will get in time. anyone can raise a baby, there doesnt have to be a guy involved. yu'll make it through :)

Kelly - posted on 10/26/2010

Hi :) I'm 17 and a single mam too. You need to know that your life will change ALOT when you have your baby. You can't do as many things as you used to, you can't do what your friends are doing & you can't spend as much money on yourself as you are used to spending, but to me all them things are good things. I would rather be in the house with my baby than ruining my liver like lots of other teenagers our age, and having a baby has put a curb on my spending habits, and i know only to spend on myself if i have anything left over after i have gotten all my babies things & essentials.

I hope you have someone to help you out, because it becomes hard & challenging at times. Especially being so young. We have enough on our plate with teenage hormones floating about, never mind having pregnancy hormones added into the mix! I live with my mam and dad, and they help me out since i don't have a partner, but like they always say to me, they are the grandparents and i am the mother, and i know that and i respect them for all they have done for me and my son.

If anyone is giving you any disrespect and if anyone is making you feel like crap because your a teenage mother simply don't listen to them as they are speaking complete rubbish! They don't know what we are like as mothers and age doesn't define how good of a parent you are. :)

I wish you good luck! Feel free to ask me any questions at any time. :)

Lilli - posted on 10/25/2010

i myself had my daughter at 18, i am now 34, i did it alone, and with no childsupport, teen moms do get a lot of flack...dont listen to it.. find your support network, one that respects your decisions, join groups, and yes educate yourself... dont be afraid to ask questions, i was too proud and made lots of mistakes...but i learned the hard way ... you dont have to! i learned all the ins and outs of teen parenting and single parenting and poverty parenting...
the internet is a powerful resource ...use it.. eat well rest and enjoy yourself.. feel free to ask me anything any time..

Kaileigh - posted on 10/25/2010

Im starting a blog put out there just for young moms!! I had my daughter when i was 19 and her father was 17. Weve learnt alot. over the past 2 years and I started this blog to talk about it all!!! I mean all!! so any young moms out there who have questions or just wanna post for the fun of it! check it out!! I am no professional but I am a mom and have tried to learn as much as I can about being a mom and dealing with the stress of bringing a child into this world!!

http://lifeofayoungmom.weebly.com

Amber - posted on 10/25/2010

You may think your all grown up now but trust me your going to know what grown up is after the babys born..I was 17 when i had my baby & i thought i was so mature. My daughter is now 10 months old and im still growing up. In the hospital it seems so easy. The scariest part of it isnt delivery..its when they hand you that tiny baby and say okay..you can go home now. Then it hits you like a train..that you have to do this alone

Ali - posted on 10/24/2010

just educate yourself babes you will be fine. You will be an amazing mum. but the future isn't just about you anymore just remeber that :)

Sofia - posted on 10/24/2010

I know a lot of very responsible teen parents, and irresponsible older parents. educate educate educate yourself. parenting sites, books, other mothers old and young. breastfeeding might hurt for the first week or two, but it WILL go away before you know it. Its so much easier than formula. and other ways to save money is cloth diapering, co-sleeping (try a bassinet next to the bed {or a co-sleeper) rather than buying a big crib, putting a changing pad on a dresser-rather than buying a changing table and babywearing (which is more fashionable and promotes bonding) instead of buying a bulky stroller or travel system. Be confident in your choices and consider your own parenting style that you will like to use with your child as they grow. don't fall into the mainstream. Its best to embrace motherhood rather than complain about it (as many young moms tend to do). i know by educating yourself as a mother and embracing motherhood, you will enjoy your teen years rather than miss them.

Sara - posted on 10/24/2010

Ignore any and all negative comments from people about you being a young mother. Teen mothers get a lot of flack because they are so young.

Don't ever be afraid to call your doctor if you're scared or something doesn't seem right. Save money anyway you can. Eat healthy. Enjoy your pregnancy. Rest up as much as you can because one baby comes, sleep just seems to not exist anymore.

Amielle - posted on 10/24/2010

If you have any questions please don't be afraid to ask.

Stacey - posted on 10/24/2010

thanks amielle, :) i am thinking of breatfeeding yes, since its more healthy for my baby and it wont cost anything so i can use my money to buy all the other things i need for my baby. but thanks very much for the advice i'll keep it in mind. i still have a while to go lol but advice is still good.

Amielle - posted on 10/24/2010

Lots!! Forget your old life and start fresh, for a start. If you are planning on breastfeeding then read as much as you can about it as it can be difficult to do, i have a lazy baby which just means that he would fall asleep while drinking so my breasts got used to only feeding small doses at a time and the struggle to get them to produce more was HORRIBLE. Make sure you wake your baby to complete the feed, my midwife suggested i used a cold damp face washer to wake him then if that didnt work then start to undress him. You will find that a lot of your friends and family that have kids will tell you to do it this way or that way, give it a try but if it doesnt work for you then don't do it. Take all the advice you can get.
My son is 3 months old and he has been such a fantastic baby that at times it doesnt even feel like a have a kid, but now that he is teething yea i do know that he is here.
If you do the best you can, then you will be the best mum for that kid anyone could ever be. Remember to give your baby all the love and attention that you can possibly offer. Have fun with your new bundle of joy:D