help!

[trixipaws]

i was at my parents' today for dinner and my older sister was there with her three girls (aged 5yrs, 4yrs and 7 months). it was really lovely and my nieces are gorgeous- but i felt a bit worried that i dont think i'm really good with children, i don't kno what to do. my younger sister who probably wont ever have any is great with them, it seems to come easily to her- but i'm more like gavin mitchell off of friends (he looks after emma at work while rachel does a presentation and goes to shake her hand and says 'pleased to meet you'!)

i am excited about being a mum and i fell in love with my baby as soon as i saw him or her on the screen at the scan, but i'm worried i'll be rubbish- i've been quite a party girl all my adult life and never had any experience or interest in children or babies and i'm hopeless at anything baby related- i dont know how to hold a baby properly or change a baby or anything; and i dont know what half the things are that people hav mentioned i'll need (like a steamer, a moses basket, etc- havent a clue what they are or what theyre for!)

please tell me it will all come naturally!???

 

[nathanmum]

i found once he was here you just got on with it and soon just knew what to do. i hadnt really been around lots of babies so it was all a bit new but you get the hang of it. i liked this book i read by rachael waddilove how to enjoy year one. i thinks thats what its called. at the beginning its got a section on stuff that you need and really good routine section, it basically tells you what to do all day when the baby comes but its flexible too. shes worked with gwyneth paltrow which i thought was nice too.

 

[Minxy]

Reading your post is like reading 'me' a year ago! I'd never given a feed, never changed a nappy and hardly held a baby/knew children

I think it's a mixture of coming naturally and practise making perfect. Remember you're not giving birth to a 7 year old who wants to chat and play!

At first, babies don't do much, just need feeding and cuddles and as you get to know your child better interaction is second nature. I'm now handling Stanley's teething and playing better than I thought I ever would.

I see mums with crawling/toddling babies who are into everything and think 'how will I cope with THAT?!' but nature has a way of breaking you in gently to every stage. And you will love them all, I promise

Before I had my baby, everything I knew about parenting came from this site!

 

[Riley's Mommy]

ive been worried about this too. im the youngest child. and not really been around babies much at all. id love if a relative had a young child so i could learn what to do. how to hold ect.

 

[Londoner Claire]

I was worried the same, never changed a nappy or anything. My sister was very maternal and has no kids but once Ryan was born I just couldn't put him down. Don't worry, it just comes.

 

[littlebump]

I was no different honestly - I'd never even held a baby before I had Maddie, and I've never been able to relate to children!!

But a lot of it does come naturally over time. I used to make myself chat to Maddie when it was just us two, which seemed really strange to start with but before I knew it I was doing it without thinking, and now when I'm around other people's children I find I'm able to talk to them and play with them easily. So don't worry about a thing!

LBxx

 

[Alfiesmummy]

lol, you have nothing to worry about, this is true if you dont believe me ask wanabamum, b4 i had Alfie i really didnt like kids or babies at all and had no idea wat to do or say to them, now im singing nursery rymes making silly cooing noises chattering nonsense and blowing rasberries on any bit of naked skin i can see, and making ridiculous faces it comes so naturally and is so much fun, dont worry hun you'll b fine

 

[skatty]

I was exactly the same as you! I always said I didn't want kids etc but now I love it! My Mum came to stay over Xmas and said she's so proud of me as she could never have imagined I would be maternal

I read loads of books in preperation but to be honest I find going with the flow and doing what seems natural for me and Leorah is best. You will learn how to be with your own LO, for example Leorah doesn't like any baby things! She hates her vibrating chair, her mobile and any toy with a silly tune but LOVES her disco ball that hangs over the changing table. She also hates being laid down and cradled like a little baby and looks at anyone who does this with a don't patronise me look and stands on their lap instead and bounces up and down while looking around for things she'll be able to cause mischief with as soon as she's crawling!!

Anyway what I'm trying to say is that you will know your baby better than anyone and will know exactly what to do and all the other stuff you can ask for advice on here

 

[Mrs_Jay]

and there was me thinking i was the only one... glad im not tho

 

[Rubys mummy]

I am NUTS about kids and babies,,everyone says I am a natural, but I am so terrified of having my own baby. I have 3 nieces, and lots of friends have babies, so have loads of hands on experience

I bawled my eyes out last night, so frightened I will be a bad mother, and that I wont be good with my own baby......

 

[littlebump]

Awww - Zoe - bless you! But your feelings are totally normal too - I doubt anyone falls pregnant for the first time and then thinks what a fantastic mother they will make - I bet most people worry about doing everything wrong.

You will make a great mother because you care enough to worry about whether you'll be a good mother or not Now stop worrying and enjoy the last week or so of being pregnant!

LBxx