do most first time mothers find it hard or not that bad to take care of a baby?

Sarah - posted on 04/10/2010

Honestly, when I look back at when my son was a newborn, it really wasn't as hard adjusting as I thought it would be. I was almost positive I was going to develop postpartum depression, because I had already dealt with depression DURING my pregnancy. I had never suffered from depression before, but all of a sudden in my third trimester, it just hit me. I went on a medication right after my son was born, and I think that has prevented me from it. Thank goodness. I have a great support system, too. My mom has been such a huge help with my son! My husband is a great father too, but doesn't help out with my son as much as I'd like him to sometimes. Plus, my son is such a good baby. It was a little difficult in the beginning, because my son had his days and nights mixed up for awhile, but he actually started sleeping through the night at a very young age. He's so happy all the time, and makes it pretty easy on me lol. But, he's only 6 1/2 months, so we'll see what happens in the coming years lol

Tori - posted on 04/10/2010

I have a brother who is 5 and a half years older than my daughter. Neither he or my daughter were planned but I guess that helping with him when I was 14 really helped me get prepared for babies. I really wasn't to worried about being a mom, but balancing school and work with a baby was what worried me. Being a mom, like the mom part of breastfeeding changing diapers and all that was easy for me, it was finding time to do my school work after I got home from work and between taking care of the baby.

Rachel - posted on 04/10/2010

I thought it was pretty easy and I never got postpartum depression. I wanted a baby so bad and when I finally had her its like Ive been on cloud nine. My daughter is 3 months old and Ive already decided I want a big family because I just love having a baby! :]

Elizabeth - posted on 04/10/2010

For me i have had a little practice. But i think i still will have some problem with getting up in the morning, since my niece and nephew are now 6 and 7

Chandal - posted on 04/10/2010

i honestly think that now that my son is 5 mos old it is soo easy. i mean of course it can be frustrating at times. but thats with anything. i had a hard time the first few weeks cause i was so sore and completely exhausted lol. but now, i wouldnt have it any other way. i suppose tho that it helps that im a stay at home mom until we get done with some medical things that my son is going through. but when that is done and i get him weened, im going to go back to work. i can honestly say that i will miss being home. its the best job ive ever had ;)

Sabrina - posted on 04/10/2010

i found it finanually hard but nothing other then that i love being a mom sometimes its stressful and i get upset but when i look at my daughter nothing else matters shes a blessing shes now 3 and im expecting my 2nd. so no i dont find it bad at all. every minute is worth while

Nicki - posted on 04/10/2010

I didn't find it that bad. You will just adjust as you need to. I honestly thought it would be a lot of work to change, feed, entertain, etc all the time.. but it really isn't that bad. You adapt and its your way of life.

I found the first 2 weeks the most emotionally challenging as your hormones are leaving your system. you will cry.. a lot!

Evalina - posted on 04/10/2010

im 19 and my bf just turned 20 so we are very young parents. our daughter was born on the 15th of january 2010. she is an amazingly good baby like when we go to restaurants ppl thank us for having such a good baby lol ive always been around kids but our daughter was the first baby my bf ever held. he tells me we either very lucky or this is not as hard as ppl made it seem. ive never been worried bout her infant and toddler years.. i fear the adolescent and teenage years lol yikes!!

Jasmine - posted on 04/10/2010

my first has been a challenge which i expected. but he is nothing like the horror stories i was told to keep me from getting pregnant. lol. he already sleeps thru the night at 7 weeks he has great demeanor. so i guess i got lucky :D

Lisa - posted on 04/10/2010

it was extremely hard for me the first time i brought my baby home. My first baby had died, so i was especially cautious with my second, and he was only 4 lbs 15 oz, so being that he was a preemie and I had absolutely no help from baby's dad or any family members. My son ended up being collicky a few months later, and I was losing my mind. I sat most days in the chair with him on my lap crying my eyes out with him. It got better after about 9 months of that though, and he's now almost 7 yrs old. My second son, who is now 6 months and who was also 4 lb 15 oz, is like cake compared to my first. So I'm kinda glad that I went through all the difficult stuff first cuz this time around I'll have some kind of idea what to expect if things head that way with my 2nd son.

Tara - posted on 04/10/2010

when my son was first born I thought it was extremley hard to juggle my life and still be a great mama. (while working attending college) But then I started babysitting for my sister-in-laws whose son is only a few weeks old. Having a !6 month old, (especially one whos used to having my un-interupted attention) and a newborn to watch together, thats hard!! I really respected moms after my own by a have a new found respect for moms with multiple children!!!! Also, this made me think that I really want to wait until my sons older before having more kids!!!

Samantha - posted on 04/10/2010

I'll admit that sometimes it is challenging but the reward of seeing your child smile or having her hold your finger is worth all the lack of sleep and countless diaper changes a day. I think it is easier than some people make it out to be but my daughter is only 2 and 1/2 months old.

Hilary - posted on 04/10/2010

If you have a good support system (husband, grandparents, friends) it will make it much easier! My son really tested my patience for the first few months and if I needed a break from him ( you shouldn't feel guilty for needing a break) his Grandparents or my husband would take him and let me re-group. No one is perfect, don't stress about being a perfect Mom, you will find what works best for you! Good Luck!

Corrine - posted on 04/10/2010

i think most first time mothers find it hard and if they dont there liers. I was 18 rs old when i had my first and it was the most scarest they that has ever happen to me but as my daughter grow up and i had my second i realised wat my mother told was true routine routine. Kids love routine!!!!!!!

Chanel - posted on 04/09/2010

OMG my daughter is 6 months and its is soooooooooooooooooooooo hard to take care of her all there needs....ugh some days i can really go nuts.i take my hat off to single mothers. because im not n it is still so Fing hard... but i would trade my baby for the world.so to answer ur question YES n the fact that i hear it getts hard makes me scared.

Michelle - posted on 04/09/2010

I am a first time mother with twin girls that are now 8 months old. I have to say my girls are delightful. I never had any issues during the pregnancy ( morning sickness, etc...) and they started sleeping through the night at 2 months old. They are so fun and being a mother is the most amazing thing. The difficulty comes in because even though my husband is a wonderful husband and helps out in so many ways, I still feel like I do most of the work. I get them ready in the morning, I drop them of at babysitters, pick them up in the evenings, and get them ready for bed most days. I feel like my husband is there for the fun stuff to play with them and see them at their most happy. So that is the hardest part for me...

Emili - posted on 04/09/2010

i didnt have any problems taking care of my first one and i hadnt been around babies before i had mine. if i had had my second or third one first though i might not have had anymore lol they were screamers!

Stephanie - posted on 04/09/2010

my daughter is 7 months old now and shes my first and it is easier than wat some people made it seem to be. the only hard thing i think is rite now my daughter is clingy to me and when its just us 2 home i cant do anything and if i put her down she screams her head off and it drives me freaking crazy and shes too young to understand punishments and all. thats the only hard part for me so far.

Katie - posted on 04/09/2010

its not the easiest thing in the world but its not very hard either. i also credit the fact that i became an aunt when i was 5....i have always had a baby or small child around at some point. i don't know what life is like any other way. it was just second nature to me. i got pregnant when i was a little over 19 1/2 and had my daughter when i was 20. could b considered young but i think not, i was ready for it.....wouldn't want it any other way.

Amanda - posted on 04/09/2010

psh... i think newborns are easy as hell lol... babise are awesome, it's just once they get to crawling and walking and whatnot that its not as easy cuz then you have to constantly be watching them and chasing and saying nooo dont touch that or dont go over there lol babies are awesome though, u hold 'em, play with 'em, feed um change um rock em to sleep maybe... they're awesome chilling/nap partners lol

Erin - posted on 04/09/2010

I think its hard no matter if its your first or second. I just had different worries with the second than I did with the first there just never seems to be enough time for anything. If I could grow an extra set of hands and eyes ohh boy look out.

Andrea - posted on 04/09/2010

I didn't think having a small baby was all that hard (for me).. my daughter was a pretty good baby and was kept on a schedule (for medical reasons)... I really enjoyed out time together at that age, now that she is 2 it seems a lot harder LOL!!!

Crystal - posted on 04/09/2010

I felt it was not that bad. I was like Alicia, I didn't like children because they were rude, and I always said If I had children they would be well behaved. And sure enough, my 22 month old, always says please and thank you. Anyway, I was also very lucky, I have an "easy" baby. She never cried overly much, and if she does then it is obviously something serious. She has only been to the ER once, and she is rarely sick. But it's so simple, when you look into your baby's face, it just comes to you. You know that if the baby cries, try feeding, then diaper change then I would stand and bounce her lightly and pat her back gently. You just figure it out. I believe that the instinct kicks in right away. But not everyone is the same. Good Luck!!

Cherri - posted on 04/09/2010

i was very stressed out the first couple of weeks that i took care of my son. it can be very overwhelming. especially if this is ur first child. even though they say that u shld have someone there to help you during ur first week or so....i found it very irritating to have family members around. except for the father. they can get in the way and try to tell u to do certain things that u may not agree on and they may be to persistant. so just go with the flow. u will learn ur baby all on ur own. its instinct. my son is now almost one month old and i am still learning him as well as him me. eventually it will get easier

Kristy - posted on 04/09/2010

The first couple of months seemed easy to me. I was blessed with a quiet baby. It was at about three months that I found it became harder and more exhausting. My son is almost 17 months now and I find it to be at times hard and other times pretty easy. I think in some ways he's becoming easier but in other ways like attitude he is getting a little harder.

Cindy - posted on 04/09/2010

It's both! Sometimes it's hard, and then sometimes it really isn't that bad. Either way, you do get used to it, and it just becomes a part of your life and it doesnt really matter how hard it is or how easy it is you just do it and do the best that you can! :) :)

Amanda - posted on 04/09/2010

I think its the best tihng in the world! I would not changes anything fromt he way it is but one kid is sooo much easer!! But even with 2 kids its sooo much fun!!! I don't think its hard I think its fun:)

Melissa - posted on 04/09/2010

Lets just put it this way, its not always easy. Being a first time mom, even with nanny experience, it was still difficult. Don't get me wrong being a mommy is the most amazing gift and not everything is hard. I have a wonderful baby, and she is super good. There are those moments when you just have to walk out of the room for a breather, and thats completely normal. Good Luck and I am sure you will do great!

Tanith - posted on 04/09/2010

I'm a first time Mother and I don't find it that difficult at all. And it's not like I get help. I had a caesarean and still had to cook and clean when I got out of hospital. It depends on the individual.

Sarah - posted on 04/09/2010

Having my son has completly changed my outlook on children! I love them! I didn't find out i was pregnant till 30 weeks and i was scared out of my mind! I am only 21 yrs old. He has taught me unconditional love and really made me appreciate life! Thank you Jacob LeeRoy Jr. You are my bleesing♥

Leigh - posted on 04/09/2010

I found it very hard as a first time mother taking care of a baby, but then again I was only 17 when I had my son & still going to high school.

Christina - posted on 04/09/2010

i didn't find it as hard as i thought it would be. i was 20 when i had my first daughter and i enjoyed it for the most part. sometimes i would get upset...like everytime i say down to eat abigale would cry and want something, and it was hard to find time to take a shower some days. but i was also taking care of my dad who had cancer and my boyfriend was no help. now i am now a mother of 5 and my husband helps out the best he can unlike before when we had our first daughter. it is hard work, but it is the most rewarding life time experience anyone could have! :0)

Leah - posted on 04/09/2010

I did not find being a mother for the first time was that hard. there are things you can do to make it easier like changing the baby's diaper before you feed them ( a baby eats every 2 to 3 hours) and if you at the very least change the diaper before you feed you reduce the risk of diaper rash. at the age of three month I would have teething tablets on hand for when your baby starts teething. it also helps if the baby's bottle is warm not room temp or cold. just read all you can and be prepared for anything.

Melodie - posted on 04/09/2010

I had my baby 3/6/10. Its hard as )*(&#$*&^@! But I love my sweet angel. I agree though its the hardest thing I have ever done, my husband doesn't understand, probably cuz he only sees her 3 hours a day and when she cries he hands her to me to feed. Husband's are B#$#@! At least mine, who I thought was quite sensitive, seems to have lost all empathy/understanding. Everyone told me it would be hard and I listened but I didnt expect it to be THIS hard. No sleep constant feedings fussiness and 24/7 responsibility, which I admit I am not used to. It is already getting a bit better as she is smiling in response to my smile now and I feel like there is a little person in there and not just a demanding eating machine!! But I must say I love her more than life!!

Jessica - posted on 04/09/2010

I was 17 when I had my first child. I found it to be a lot easier than I thought it would be. Yes, it was a little cruddy to have to take care of a child instead of being a child myself, but I was very in tune with the fact that this was my child and it was my responsibility to take care of this child. After about the first year is when it gets the easiest. Now that I have 3, it is pretty stressful. I love them to death though. And I can tell you that I never wish that I didn't have them!

Alicia - posted on 04/09/2010

the thing to remember is that every baby is different. some are fussy and some sleep forever it seems. My first slept all the time. My second never slept. LIke i said before please feel free to ask about anything

Morgan - posted on 04/09/2010

My daughter is 3 1/2 weeks old and I'm finding it hard to get her to go to sleep at night. She's already out of her bassinet because she did not like it at all; I had a hard enough time being okay with her being in her own room in her crib because I wanted her right next to me so I could hear her. I'm okay with her being in her crib now, however, I'm starting to find it difficult to get her to go to sleep in her crib. I know she's just a newborn and needs to get used to it. So I prefer to let her fall asleep on my chest and then gracefully lay her down in her crib...but I'm afraid she might get used to this. My boyfriend thinks we should just let her cry, but I don't agree with him. Not right now at least...she's not old enough. If she wants to be held, I'm going to hold her. Does anyone have an opinion related to this matter?!

Tisha - posted on 04/09/2010

I didnt find it hard at all, mineare now 2&3 and I guess that was just what I was meant to be?! I thought it was easy :)

Erin - posted on 04/09/2010

With my first it seemed extremely easy, which surprised me but I was 18 just graduate high school (literally, I had him 2 days before graduation), I was on maternity leave, it was summer... so I basically just got to be lazy and enjoy my baby. And he was an awesome little baby once we figured out that he was not going to breastfeed. Now with my second baby who is a little more difficult because he was a preemie and had to be handled differently I realized just how easy it was with my first. And even now, while its still harder than having one, having two isn't nearly as difficult as everyone said either. But I maybe lucky with two great little boys :) To everyone that is having a difficult time I hope it gets better, which I'm sure it will!

Jessie - posted on 04/09/2010

It can be tiring, but honestly I haven't found it to be that bad at all. If you take that time, which most mothers do, to really get to know your baby and make a strong bond then it will be easier. Not saying you won't have hard nights, and won't get frustrated, but honestly I have not found being a mom any harder than just living life. It's the most wonderful thing that has ever happened to me, and when she wakes up in the morning just smiling and giggling b/c she sees her mommy coming to get her it is the most beautiful thing in the world.

Alysha - posted on 04/09/2010

It is hard but it feels like what I was meant for, and when she laughs I don't care that she screamed all night.

Mel - posted on 04/09/2010

It can be very hard for first time especially to adjust ur whole life 2 ur new little bundle ov joy relyin on u 2 love an care 4 em but it takes time. Dnt b affraid 2 ask 4 help tho like from ur mates or family. I cnt wait 2 av anova even tho i had such a tramatic birth.
Altho im bein careful an waitin at least a yr or 2 b4 tryin 4 anova baby. :)xxx

Danielle - posted on 04/09/2010

I think it's not as easy or as hard as I expected it to be. I certainly didn't expect it to be easy...but there were little things that came up that I never anticipated dealing with. Like you expect there to be sleepless nights and days where there is endless crying but what I didn't expect was to go from being such a casual, easy-going person to one of the most worrisome people EVER. All I ever do is worry. I was absolutely petrified of SIDS and I slept very little because of this. Little dilemmas in the beginning like...was he drinking his bottles fast enough? Is he progressing and developing at a good rate? How do I get him to eat his vegetables? Also, most of my friends don't have children but the ones who did...their babies slept through the night at 6 months old or younger. My son didn't sleep through until he was 10 and a half months old. Also, I didn't think I'd get the baby blues...when I was pregnant I had rose coloured glasses on I guess because all you can think of is holding your beautiful bundle of joy in your arms...you don't think about the fact that your hormones are going to be all out of whack and that you'll be so emotionally fragile after giving birth that you could quite literally cry over spilled milk (or in my case, it was spilled formula). The gift of motherhood is an overwhelming and wonderful experience.

Kyla - posted on 04/09/2010

when i had my baby girl 5 1/2 months ago it was hard i didnt understand the sleep when they sleep ( i can not sleep during the day). but the first day was ok but i could not sleep because i thought that i would not wake up to her when she cryed. and did i metion that this is my first. then i could not let her go, no one else besides her dad was aloud to hold her for the first month or so then now it is like ok you can have her for a bit and i am finding it alot harder to keep up with all her needs and a house that is always in need of cleaning. but i love my baby girl to peices and i would not change anything if i had the chance to.

My baby does not like to nap durring the day which in my case gets very agrivating but i stay calm. then not geting the sleep i am needing or what i am used to having gets to be a pain in the butt....but i handle that prity well or at least i think i do. but it is getting easier as the days and months go on and i will admit that i didn't want to have kids because i like to go out and have fun and do what i want to do.

the first 2 1/2 months were the easiest for me because my baby firl was sleeping 8-10 hours a night then it all changed when my other half and i packed up our stuff and moved to a new home.

Cassie - posted on 04/09/2010

I still hate children. I love my son. Hes different hes mine. Its been not so bad to take care of him. I'm tired, I dont always eat and sometimes I dont get to shower, hes exclusively breastfed. His first days took adjustment on my part. I had just been on bedrest for 14 weeks, so lifting him was hard and getting up every few hours. Its all good now though. :)

Aleasha - posted on 04/09/2010

it's not as hard as people make it out to be, that is if your ready to have a baby. I'm sure that for people who were not planning on having one when they did it is alot harder. I went to school for early childhood ed. so i'm sure it was alot easier for me then for others but thats how it always is i guess. i also had my sister to look up to with hjer children. She is a great mom!

Sarah-Anne - posted on 04/09/2010

i found it much harder to take care of a toddler (my daughter is almost 13 months) than a newborn. as soon as a baby is mobile (my daughter started walking at 8 months, 9 days) they never stop. it's constant go-go-go, until they crash for a nap, then go-go-go again. babies sleep, and have a longer attention span, you can put a baby in a swing or bouncy chair or baby carrier on your chest and they will be content for over an hour. a toddlers' attention span last between 30 seconds and 5 minutes, then it's onto something new.

Antonellia - posted on 04/09/2010

i have twin boys and i found it was a little easier than most ppl say maybe it is because i have many nieces and nephews. the most important thing is to stay calm. it is always good to have an experienced person to talk with...you may get so many different advice that you need to trust yourself and filter what advice you will be using. everyone experience is different.

Venus - posted on 04/09/2010

I believe it was extremely difficult... I helped my mom raise my sister and I don't remember her being colicky or anything like that. Aiden was very colicky, almost everything we tried didn't work.... He would cry and scream for a lot of things. He could never CIO(Cry it out) because he would cry until he threw up.. Plus my husband worked the over night shift and would leave at 12 a.m. and be stuck at work until 2p.m. And even with his help it was the same...But after 9 months he stopped crying so much and it got better... Aiden is almost 3 now and we are hoping for baby number 2 =P

Jaimie - posted on 04/09/2010

I think I am extremely lucky and fortunate. I haven't hit any road blocks thus far in raising my son. He is literally a bundle of joy!