What is a normal day like for you with a newborn?

[Andjxx]

I am just wondering if some of you new mums could give me a run down of a normal day for you.

I am a very keen exerciser and have had a few (I would say negative) people telling me there wont be any time for exercise after my bub is born and I tend to disagree with them.

There is no way that i will want to be stuck in the house all day and what better way to get out than to go for an hours walk? We are getting a 3 wheeler 'more rugged' pram especially for that purpose.

Am I the one being unrealistic?

[Indadhanu]

No such thing as a normal day hun!! Oh, well, I guess normal includes bub feeding, sleeping, crying, feeding sleeping crying... not always in the order and how long she does each for depends on only the universe knows what!!!!!

Some days I am pretty energetic, and some days its an effort for me to do anything other than sit on the couch! Some days I find myself with heaps of time, and some days I can't even manage to shower until midnight.

That said, exercise is extremely important IMO for mental health and it is important to do some at least every couple of days, even if its just to walk to the end of the street and back. But I would try not to put too many high hopes or expectations on yourself and just take each day as the sun rises.

[Nai]

Provided the weather was ok I would always make sure DD had one of her sleeps in the pram while I was walking. That meant a 2 hour walk for me and a good sleep for her. I found the best thing to do was not to stress if this didn't happen due to unpredicable baby stuff but to try and do it if possible.

[Visitor7]

In the first couple of months you'll still be trying to find your groove with having a baby and with the lack of sleep. But once that passes, you will find time to do such things like housework, exercise etc. Your days are going to be very unpredictable, so I wouldn't try and aim to do something at the same time each day. Just go with the flow.

[Cally]

You should be able to manage an hour walk each day (dependant on weather), although it will all depend on how the birth goes and how you go with those first few weeks (I had a csection and was very impressed with myself for walking the 400m to the beach after 2 weeks and that was with DH pushing the pram). You will be tired getting up twice a night (or more) for who knows how long. But particularly when DD was little the walks were great as she would fall asleep in them. We tried to go for one each morning and then if she wouldn't have an afternoon nap do another one then.

Walks are great as you can do them at any time of the day, you're not stressing about her sleeping through the class you want to go to at the gym etc.

[Andjxx]

You should be able to manage an hour walk each day (dependant on weather), although it will all depend on how the birth goes and how you go with those first few weeks (I had a csection and was very impressed with myself for walking the 400m to the beach after 2 weeks and that was with DH pushing the pram). You will be tired getting up twice a night (or more) for who knows how long. But particularly when DD was little the walks were great as she would fall asleep in them. We tried to go for one each morning and then if she wouldn't have an afternoon nap do another one then.

Walks are great as you can do them at any time of the day, you're not stressing about her sleeping through the class you want to go to at the gym etc.

This is exactly the kind of thing I was thinking - aim for a morning walk right before morning sleep time and hope that the bub gets into the habit of falling asleep on the walk.

I'm not really planning on the gym too much (not even a member of one) But I do own a spin bike so that is always an option when bub is sleeping.

I realise that it may be unpredictable but I think that an hour walk each day - or even some strength work at home should be something that I aim for each day. That or I may go insane.

I am very lucky to have an extremely helpful husband as well as no other children so I guess that will be a help.

[MamaPan]

i think everyone's experiences are different but at least 1 hour walk a day was certainly doable for me, even longer or more than 1 walk. DS slept well in the pram in the early days and also i used ot carry him in a sling and do another bit of a walk too. exercise and getting out in the fresh air were really important to me so i made it part of my day. that said, sometimes it didnt happen and you have to be ready for that - but if it is important to you i say prioritise it and make it happen - you will be happier! Once he got a bit older i found it harder - and now that he is 12 months he wont sit in the pram long enough for a long walk so i need someone else to watch him while i go to gym or something. enjoy it all - exciting times ahead!

[nic]

I was walking DD to school after DH went back to work, DS would've been around 4 weeks at the time. We did this for about 2 weeks, until I could drive again. My little man, loves the pram, problem was when we got home, he would wake when the pram stopped, little bugger.

With DD I would walk quite a bit. I loved going for a walk to the papershop, 6klm round trip. It's nice to get out of the house, into the sun, and not feel so isolated.

Definately doesn't sound unrealistic at all. Like Jody said, just go with the flow, if you get a walk in, great! if you don't, there is always tomorrow

Congrats on your pregnancy BTW

Nic

[satya]

For the first 6 weeks I did not manage any exercise. I'd had stitches and they were sore for most of that time & I just couldn't walk far at all without being in huge pain & feeling like everything was about to fall out.

That was one thing I did not expect after giving birth. I'd never realised with a vaginal birth that walking could be so difficult & painful - no-one warned me - the first I new of it was when I went to the physio class after the birth and she told us to expect not to be able to walk far for at least 6 weeks.

I was also trying to breast feed and it wasn't working so I had to express and then bottle feed it so it took double the time of breast feeding. It felt like you just got one feed over and done with and then it was time for another.

My bub is chucky so I always have loads and loads of washing to do - his clothes, wraps, sleeping bags, millions of bibs & face washers, my clothes that he chucked on & basinette sheets.

Of course you have to fit in eating (believe me in the early days that can even be a challenge as when you go to eat you realise it's time to feed bub again), having a shower and getting dressed, and if you are really lucky you might get some house work done.

When I finally stopped getting pain and had myself into a routine (around 6 weeks) I found that by the time I'd got myself & bub ready for a walk the weather had turned. It would be raining or too windy to take him out, or it was time to feed him again, or his dad was about to finish work. Something always seemed to happen around the planned walk.

My son is almost 3 months old and we've only been out for a handful of short walks. I find I get most of my excercise walking around a shopping centre as we don't have to contend with the weather and there's always a clean area to change or feed him in if we need it.

[fionas]

I was in pain for six months after the birth so am probably not a good person to respond LOL as I was virtually housebound for that time. On top of that, breastfeeding was a disaster but I expressed for the first two months so when DD was sleeping I was either expresssing or feeding myself. So exercise was impossible.

However, without both those things, I think aiming for a daily walk is quite do-able and it's good to aim for that each day but don't put so much pressure on yourself that you feel like you're a loser if you don't manage it every day.

I know lots of the girls on here also use the Wii Fit which I think would be great when the weather's bad or you just haven't been able to coordinate getting out of the house.

[tan32]

If the weather is good and its not feed time, I take Lachlan 10 weeks for a walk to pick my other son up from kindy each day, this takes us around an hour all up. Sometimes he just sits and looks around , most times he will fall asleep. Also if he is unsettled a walk does wonders for him and me.

Walking is do able, just dont be to stressed if bubs doesnt go with the plan.

[Tannis]

I wouldn't do too much straight after the birth just because it can be a bit uncomfortable to walk for the 1st few days to a week (it was for me anyway). I also had low milk supply with both my kids to start so I wouldn't do to much until my milk supply was established....this could be totally different for you.

Other than that I can't see why you can't go out for a walk and do a workout at home. I have had 2 very easy babies who have worked in with what I want to do, both mine were dragged around shopping from 4 days old and my DS was out shopping with me almost every day. Its a little harder with 2 but I still manage to get out at least 4 or 5 times a week.

I was told before my 1st baby that I wouldn't have time to sit and have a coffee at a coffee shop....I have definitely prooved that person wrong and I am now doing that with 2 kids.

I don't do much exercise but I do get on my exercise bike and ride approx 6kms a day....not today though I am too tired LOL

[mountain mummy]

Like alot of people have pointed out, there are many factors to consider, but going for a walk is definitely doable! With DS1, I had had stitches because of an episiotomy, but I used to put him in the pram after a feed and at least walk around the block (a couple of times a day, weather permitting) After a month or so, I was taking longer walks (I didn't have a car, so walking was my only form of transport!) and when our mother's group started meeting at each other's places and cafes etc (as opposed to the ECH centre) I would always walk there (or catch a train if it wasn't local!)

Now, after #4, the best I can manage is walking DS1 (now 7.5) to the bus stop each morning with #4 in the pram, #3 in the attached toddler seat and DD walking at a typical 4yo pace!! I just physically don't have the time anymore!

ETA but if you are used to being active and out and about, it shouldn't be a problem to get back into the swing of things!

And Tannis, I agree, coffee is quite easy! Even with 4 (provided the oldest 3 have a drink and a donut as well!)

[Lozza]

hi my bub is nearly 6 weeks old and my day starts at about 11.oo am i feed him, get dressed have brekky then go for a hour long walk with the pram then come home feed clean the house maybe have a 1/2 hour nap then usually its time to think about cooking tea. I must say the days fly by and i do wonder sometimes where has it gone and i've achieved nothing but i still get out like so to the shops and i'm about the start a mother's group too. You just have to make time and get out , get fresh air, it's good for you and your baby and not be stuck inside all day. I thought i would never have time before he was born but they sleep so much at the start you have alot more then you realise.

[Marlene]

Hehehehe..this thread makes me laugh...I promised myself I would try and walk every day or at least every second day once I had my baby.....I think maybe I have walked to the shops 3 times, and Jack is 4 and a half months old....LOL.

I am definently NOT being negative towards you, I am sure you can do it if you want to and many women do, I just can't believe how unmotivated and lazy I am. I had such high hopes, even in the last couple months of my pregnancy I was walking a round trip to the mall (about 8km) nearly every day, right up to a couple days before giving birth!! I keep telling myself it's because it is winter and the weather is no good...but I am sure soon enough I will be telling myself it is just too hot....LOL. Gosh, I REALLY need to go for a walk tomorrow....hmmmm, wonder what my excuse will be.

Good luck with the excercise, you sound like you really want to do it.

ETA: Just wanted to add that the daily walks would be quite easy to manage (as I think that is what you are actually asking) it's just my motivation is not so easy to come by, LOL, there is just way too much interesting stuff on Pay TV...hehehe.

[Tobily]

Had I been motivated to do so I could've managed this easily with my first bub.

I recovered fairly quickly from the birth and she slept well in the day and through the night very early - so by the time she was about 10 weeks old my life was pretty ordered again lol. She was a very calm and contented baby and she would've enjoyed going out walking.

Alot depends on the temperament of your baby too, I know there is no way I could've managed it if DS was my first baby. Much longer recovery from the birth, and the first year of his life I was a sleep deprived wreck because he never slept. I was flat out walking to the kitchen and back some days. And by the time he was probably 4/5 months he would never have put up with being in the pram that long in a pink fit.

Just play by ear.

[amberj]

It is doable. I get mad at negative people who say "ohhh, you'll never have time for exercise/ coffee/ reading/ life etc" after baby because its not true. Yes, babies change your life hugely and each day is a new adventure. But you DO eventually find some sort of rythym and a way of managing things to get some of the stuff you want to do done.

Also, just wanted to second a pp who mentioned walking around shopping centres. Often the weather is not great for walking outside (I am pretty picky), and I go to the mall most days and walk around. My DS loves it because of all the new sights and it gets me out and walking a bit!

[Karina]

In my experience, I did have time for walks. I would try to get out for a decent walk every day. Most days it happened, occassionally it didnt happen. She used to just fall asleep in the pram for most of the walk and then wake up the second the pram stopped moving! Some days I was just soooo tired (cause she was waking every 2 hours at night until she was 10 months old) so sometimes I was just such a zombie. But now that I think about it, those walks actually made me feel better on those zombie days.