Hi All,

I'm a first time mom to a 2 week old baby.

I must say that i never expected it to be so difficult. When people found out i was expecting they couldn't stop
telling me what a great mom i'd be. And i had to agree. I'm a very loving person who is very maternal.

However sometimes it feels like i'm being punished. It's like i don't understand my baby.
He wakes up screaming. The only time he isn't screaming/crying is when he is feeding or sleeping.
I really do love him to bits and will give him whatever he needs if only i knew what it is that he needed.'

I feed him, clean him, burp him but sometimes he still cries inconsolably.

Can someone please tell me that it will get better and that i'm not the only one who feels like this.

Thnx
Great Mom

Hey Great Mom -- I felt very isolated at times with my first baby. I had never held a newborn before, let alone be left to take care of one. You are definitely not alone and it does get better. Meanwhile, take any offer of help, and also don't be afraid to ask friends, partner or family to take care of meals etc while you get used to this new job. I went to the clinic very regularly when my baby was small, and found the nurses there to be incredibly kind and helpful. It felt like a safe place. Please let us know how things go, you are already a great mom, so hang in there!

You are not alone! 99% of new moms feel this way in the beginning. While you're pregnant all you see are those cute, peaceful pics in books and magazines of sleeping/ happily awake babies. THIS IS NOT REALITY and newborns cry A LOT! If you're worried, don't hesitate to go to your doc for some reassurance. Please don't feel like you can't manage ........it does and will get better and remember that with each passing day your baby becomes stronger and you become more at ease with each other. Hang in there!

This is very hard because so often you are in the middle of a storm and if only you could figure it out you would feel better......one of my children has silent reflux, and the other one has gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. It has been a very long journey as these conditions have co-morbity with ENT issues and we have done the chicken or the egg round of doctors. I have no doubt that I had PND.....but I figure a child screaming refusing your breast and only sleeping for 15 minute patches might have helped me get there if I wasn't going there myself. I would speak to the sister and see if they can help you....if you feel that there is something wrong with your baby, mother's instinct is not often wrong. I know it can be hard and you might be told..."Baby will grow out of it" but gently persist. Colic is a very nebulous term often used when nobody knows whats wrong....I would advise having ears checked, throat checked and having a check for reflux. Also try to find an extra pair of hands so that you can take a shower at least without your babies cry being the backdrop to your every waking moment. Many very unhappy babies can become happy sunny little people once it is figured out what is wrong.....I know I am a much happier sunnier mom form it too. Good luck....every mother deserves a good baby!

Dear Good Mom -I remember going through exactly the same emotions when I had my daughter. I remember standing over her, changing a nappy when she was about 3 weeks old and I burst into tears thinking 'Is this what my life has become? Nappies, sore breasts, no sleep and a crying baby???' It is probably one of the most overwhelming experiences you will ever have in life. Fast forward 7 years and there are times I wish for her to be that small again! Please don't feel alone. The first 6 weeks are the toughest as you are adapting to your new role, getting to know your baby and having a body that is adjusting to it's pre-baby state and this while getting about 3 hours consecutive sleep if you're lucky! You will get through it, just don't make the mistake most new moms make in being too proud by showing that everything is fine and by not asking for help. Please don't put added pressure on yourself by having too many preconceived ideas about how things must be. No two babies are the same. I promise it does get better - just remember babies cannot differentiate at this stage between a wind and hunger which is why it feels that they cry all the time. Remember to enjoy your little miracle and most importantly - be gentle on yourself by allowing yourself to make mistakes and to learn from them. Good luck and remember there is no wrong or right - just what works for you and your baby.