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• May 16, 2013 5:30 p.m.

  I just deliver my first boy couple days ago. My husband is currently out of the country but I have my parents helping out. The thing is that they have to work and that would leave me alone in the house with the baby for hours. As soon as they leave, the baby starts to cry and no matter how much I comfort him, he wouldn't stop. During those hours, I couldn't eat, rest, or do anything at all. I've cried out when it reach to the point I couldn't take it anymore. If anyone has any tips, please help me. Thank you.

  - Martha

• April 4, 2013 1:06 a.m.

  I am having my first baby and have had difficulty with the pregnancy. I have been thinking the hard part will be over once my boy arrives. This article and blog has been a bit of a wake up call. I have a wonderful husband but we are all alone 100's to 1000's of miles from family, and no ties in our community. I am a little scared now. God please watch over us.

  - Jessica

• April 1, 2013 8:55 a.m.

  Nice Article. Useful information for new mum.

  - Connie Rich

• April 1, 2013 8:52 a.m.

  It is really a hard work to take care a infant But if your husband can give a helping hand, it will be much easier.

  - Rose Mary

• March 27, 2013 6:46 a.m.

  Nancy, I think you are caught in a difficult situation. This is your first baby and you will have all the uncertainties that all first time mothers have. It is understandable that you want some time with the baby to bond and to get used to the new role. If your step-daughter lives in the same city maybe you and your husband can develop a plan that does not involve her staying with you for the first week but allows for some special time for hew with the new baby. Talk with your husband about your feelings and need to have some time with the baby. Reassure him that you will be happy to have your stepdaughter stay with you all after you are feeling more recovered from the birth. Keep the lines of communication open with your husband and your stepdaughter. Plan special things for the new big sister to do with you and the baby. Talk with other women who have similiar experiences. They may have some special tips for you and your husband.

  - Mary@Mayo

• March 20, 2013 8:03 a.m.

  My husband wants to have his daughter stay with us for a week when our baby is born so that she can also bond with her new brother. This is my first child and I feel that I need to have time alone to bond with my baby when he/she is born and not have a nine year old around when I've just give come home from the hospital. Am I being ridiculous in requesting this, as my husband seems to think I'm being selfish?

  - Nancy

• December 11, 2012 8:18 p.m.

  If you can afford it , get a baby nurse. I had one and it was worth the money. My friends recommended it and I must say the nurse took care of all the baby's needs and my own. I was stress free and less overwhelmed.

  - Pat

• September 24, 2012 3:24 a.m.

  Pregnancy is a difficult condition for most moms because you will go through a lot of pain during and when the time the labor comes in. For first time moms don't hesitate to seek help when you need to. You need to be surrounded by love and not stress.

  - Sofia

• August 10, 2012 12:48 a.m.

  Insist on having a parent or sibling help out if they can do it. My mom stayed with us both times and did laundry and dishes and held the baby when I needed it. I cried when she had to leave. Don't be afraid to ask for help.

  - Jane

• June 12, 2012 6:08 p.m.

  Make meals ahead of time, and freeze them! I made meals to last us nearly a month, because let's face it noone is gonna provide you with breakfast, lunch, AND dinner every single day for an extended period of time... This way we have meals ready and frozen, and if people decide to bring us stuff, our frozen meals will last even longer! I started at 37 weeks and I'm glad I did! We have assorted breakfast/lunch burritos, frozen homemade pancakes/waffles, and assorted dinners that freeze well such as Enchiladas, Individual meatloaf portions, Stuffed Peppers, Cabbage rolls, Gallon bags filled with raw ingredients ready to be tossed in the slow cooker, and more. Basically a month of food that cost me around 180$ for a family of 3, which is cheaper than shopping weekly, and deffinatley cheaper than ordering fast food/delivery!

  - Kelly

• May 28, 2012 2:23 p.m.

  I am a Grandmother with a new 4 week old grandson. His parents read somewhere that babies do not need booties on because it could cause clun feet or to make the foot disfigured. I am 60 years old and have NEVER heard such a thing. The father says that when the baby's feet turn blue then he will put on booties. Anyone that I ask has never heard of this either. Am I way behind in raising babies or are the parents taking this "ridiculous" statement too serious? Please tell me that I am not crazy!!!!

  - Pat

• April 22, 2011 8:07 p.m.

  I am on baby #2, and the hardest part for me is finding the balance between the two kids. I don't want my oldest to feel left out, so when the baby is sleeping, I am playing with him. Luckily, my oldest still takes naps, so when both are asleep, I try to sleep. I actually did not like having people around helping. I wanted to get back into my own routine as quickly as possible. I also liked taking the kids out of the house right away, but that's just a personal preference. I didn't want to feel trapped in baby world.

  - Amber

• April 14, 2011 6:00 p.m.

  Thanks for that information,it made life a whole lot easier,and this is coming from a 10 year old .

  - sophia

• January 22, 2011 8:34 a.m.

  The first two weeks are rough and it doesn't matter if you gave birth or not. We got a foster baby at three weeks old. I am going through all the new mom two week emotions even though she's over two weeks old. One day I feel like I got this, the next day I feel like I don't know what I'm doing and feel stressed. I'm very jealous of maternity leave. I'm trying to manage new baby, work and house work. People say let the housework go, well I have social workers popping in so I don't feel like that's an option. I also have the added stress of not knowing if the baby will go back to her mother or if we'll be able to adopt her, we won't know that for a long time. Asking for prayers for this baby that whatever happens it's in the best interest for the baby.

  - Foster Mom

• July 2, 2010 10:57 p.m.

  My son is just over 4 weeks old. The first two weeks were tough, even though we're still not out of the woods yet! I have lots of family that came to stay with us, and helped. I started pumping early on so our parents could help with middle of the night feedings so we could get more uninterrupted sleep. People from our church were wonderful about bringing us meals. I was not afraid to ask for help, and cry when needed! This is a whole new experience, and my husband and I have not had a lot of experience with infants, so it's been a challenge at times. I have to keep reminding myself that this stage will pass, and then we'll face the next challenges as they come!

  - Paige

• June 23, 2010 11:33 a.m.

  I just had my 2nd son, I think the first 2 weeks are the easiest bc you run on pure adrenaline and excitement of a miracle! Im 3 weeks out and its all catching up with me, Im exhausted and feeling overwhelmed with my 2 year old running around on top of it. I felt this same way after the birth of my first. Im starting to feel like a failure. My mother did this all by herself with 4 kids and I can barley handle 2...

  - Nikki

• May 1, 2010 6:22 p.m.

  My daughter is nearly three weeks old, and you must definitely sleep when the baby sleeps! Also, don't be too proud to accept help. The wonderful ladies in our church brought meals every evening for over a week after she and I came home. We only just finished the last of the leftovers! My mom and sister washed dishes, did the laundry, and generally kept the house presentable. Finally, do take a few minutes for yourself. Let someone else enjoy some time with the baby while you take a shower, read a book, or take a nap. Even if you're breastfeeding, you should easily be able to manage 20-30 baby-free minutes every couple of days.

  - Monique

• March 22, 2010 10:04 p.m.

  oh dear god my fifth baby is two weeks today... I am exhausted and tired,, there is no such thing in a house where five children under the age of six live to sleep when your baby sleeps,,, so cry when you have to. I do. Laugh when its so out of control you dont know what to do and call up a friend to complain to and make your better half cook... banquet dinner to the rescue..

  - amber

• February 11, 2010 10:35 p.m.

  My baby boy is two weeks old today. I must say the things that have got me through my first few days where to have help from loved ones sleep when my little one is sleeping and to eat things you can easily throw in the microwave and eat on the go. No cleaning no grooming or cooking only what is baby necessary. Going out to the local CVS and grociery store was great as well.

  - Chapa

• January 19, 2010 11:14 p.m.

  My baby will be two weeks tomorrow, and the best advice I can give a new mother, is sleep when your baby sleeps. Even if it's just for an hour or two, it most definately helps. Also, when people offer help, take it. Dealing with a newborn can get very frustrating and your hormones will make you cry, be angry, laugh.. so many different emotions. If someone wants to watch the baby for a couple hours, let them. Even though you want to spend every minute with your new baby, you need time to yourself too. && also to be with your partner. This is my first baby, but it only took me two weeks to figure out her different cries and ques. Good luck to new moms and their babies.

  - C.G.

• October 27, 2009 9:12 a.m.

  Wouldn't have survived without the help of our permanent babysitters (grandmothers) who let me sleep for an hour here or there throughout the day and all those dinners people brought us. Sleep was the single most important factor to me feeling "normal" again. Definitly recommend getting some.

  - Mary Elizabeth

• August 17, 2009 10:34 p.m.

  Figuring out the baby's favorite activities doesn't take very long. My son is only three weeks old, but I discovered when he was only a week old that traveling soothes him more than anything else possibly could. Put him in the car or stroller, and as soon as it's moving, bam; he's out, like someone flipped a switch. I have no qualms about taking him out for a walk in his stroller at midnight. It also gets me out of the house and helps reduce my own stress.

  - Amy

• July 30, 2009 4:04 a.m.

  hi I came arcoss the website in google. The information provided about pregnancy is found to be interesting. My url is: http://biotechnology-genetic-humancells.blogspot.com

  - renuka

• July 14, 2009 5:04 p.m.

  People have different thoughts about venturing out with a newborn, but I found it calming and reassuring to get out of the house very soon after my two children were born (within a day or two of being at home). If mom feels up to it and baby is healthy, a walk in the neighborhood, a trip to the grocery store or to a favorite coffee house can do wonders. Many new parents think they have to bring so much "equipment" with them when they leave the house with a new baby that they hesitate to go out. Keep it simple and stress goes down, enjoyment of baby goes up. Enjoy getting out for some fresh air or favorite parts of your pre-baby routine.

  - sg

• July 10, 2009 2:36 p.m.

  The best advice I ever got was from an older lady who told me "when the baby sleeps, the mother sleeps". Forget the housekeeping and eat Kraft Dinner if you have to, but get your rest.

  - Connie