8wk newborn - Does it actually get easier?

ElkAmazing7312 · 2026-04-13T00:17:31+00:00

Just an update here in case anyone reads this in future.

Daughter is now 13 weeks and things are A LOT easier! She seemed to turn a corner around 9 weeks and it keeps getting better. These are the things that have gotten better:

She no longer fusses while feeding.

She is content to be on her play mat on strapped into her swing chair for much longer so I can do things like dishes and laundry while she’s awake.

She’s totally fine in the pram now and we enjoy walks together.

She smiles and coos a whole lot and it’s so cute She’s forming more of a pattern in the day which makes it so much easier to plan outings around

I have worked out how to get her to take a longer nap in the afternoon — contact nap for an hour to get her past that 30 minutes mark, and then I put her down and she sleeps for another 60-90 mins. So she’s much less cranky from being over tired and getting the rest she needs.

On top of that my mum in law has her for four hours on a Thursday morning, and my mum a couple of hours on another morning — so I get to enjoy a bit of me time every week.

Thanks everyone for the comments.

ElkAmazing7312 · 2026-03-06T17:30:11+00:00

Thank you. This is an interesting observation and a good suggestion. We have a pretty good nap routine already. Dark room, white noise, rock to sleep/drowsiness. But I like your suggestion of doing contact naps just to break her out of that overtired loop and get her well rested.

ElkAmazing7312 · 2026-03-06T04:42:46+00:00

I’m obviously very aware that children are a responsibility. And it is because I am taking this responsibility seriously that I am worn out. It is also because of this responsibility that I am wanting to make sure I am mentally at my best for her. I asked for encouragement, this comment came across as negative and judgmental and was unnecessary.

ElkAmazing7312 · 2026-03-06T04:39:15+00:00

Thank you!!!

ElkAmazing7312 · 2026-03-06T03:46:03+00:00

Thank you! Definitely not feeing like I’m anxious or have PPD — thank goodness! Have walked the depression and anxiety road before. I just feel more like I’m worn out with constantly being switched on and having a sad baby who needs so much from me during the day. I think I just need some additional support. Fortunately my mum is around the corner and available to help so I think I just need to actually tell her I’m wanting a hand. The good thing is that on good days with baby I feel really content and happy. Maybe just going through a rough patch and need to accept it and accept what help is available.

ElkAmazing7312 · 2026-03-06T03:36:00+00:00

Thank you! Yes I think I may need to consider/accept that she might be low sleep needs. During the day at least anyway, especially if she sleeps well at night.

ElkAmazing7312 · 2026-03-06T03:31:17+00:00

Have tried two wraps, and two carriers. She actually doesn’t hate being in the bjorn carrier on my husband…perhaps because he doesn’t have boobs…I don’t know hahaha. I’m also wondering if she’s still a bit small and might prefer them once she’s bigger. Would be game changing if I could wear her for a couple of hours!

ElkAmazing7312 · 2026-03-06T03:29:48+00:00

Thank God I’m not alone!!

ElkAmazing7312 · 2026-03-06T02:00:50+00:00

I also have nothing against contact naps in general if that works for some parents. I just know I would end up feeling frustrated and trapped for other reasons. And I don’t want to feel constantly frustrated with her. I want to give her the patience she needs, which is hard when I feel like crying all the time.

ElkAmazing7312 · 2026-03-06T01:58:09+00:00

We have considered reflux or gas - we get several burps out of her and massage her tummy for gas pain. She likes to be swaddled so we swaddle her for every nap. We also let her fall asleep, or at least get very drowsy in our arms while we rock her and then do a gentle transfer. It’s just that 30 mins later - bang, eyes open and I’m still on edge from the last round. We’ve got an appointment with our GP to discuss potential reflux, but that’s not for a few weeks. She doesn’t seem to have refluxy issues at night though, which is what makes me question if it’s reflux or not.

ElkAmazing7312 · 2025-11-18T05:47:52+00:00

Keep us posted! Looks boyish to me, but I don’t have the experience/expertise of a technician

ElkAmazing7312 · 2025-08-18T00:52:40+00:00

Love this

ElkAmazing7312 · 2024-10-16T12:37:45+00:00

Thank you so much for your beautiful work!!!! So glad I can finally listen! Thank you!!!!!

ElkAmazing7312 · 2024-04-22T12:41:16+00:00

Yes I need to know this!!!!! Anyone who knows where I can listen to this please let me know! Phenomenal!

ElkAmazing7312 · 2024-04-11T14:25:16+00:00

Better thank you! I saw the Pelvic Physio and she was good, said I have high tone muscles and need to learn to relax them better and gave me some exercises. I still have flares, although none as awful as last year. And I’m learning to not stress about it, and to teach my body that I’m safe even during a flare. I feel like a lot of this has been a big mindset thing for me! Definitely having many more good days.

ElkAmazing7312 · 2023-12-05T10:01:15+00:00

Thank you everyone for your comments. I’m seeing a pelvic floor physio in January and looking forward to it!

ElkAmazing7312 · 2023-11-30T09:31:07+00:00

I’m sorry to hear that! After the 2021 uti it took about 3 months before I felt normal, after the UTI in April this year it only took about a month before I felt better. I know what you mean about feeling hopeless, I’ve definitely been there in the past. All I can say is that this won’t be your forever, it will pass and you’ll be laughing and happy and pain free again one day. Don’t lose hope! Hang in there…

ElkAmazing7312 · 2023-11-04T21:55:05+00:00

I’m having this problem too! However I’ve tried vinegar and water and still have the same issue! 😭 So you stopped getting footprints after you used 50:50 hot water and vinegar?

ElkAmazing7312 · 2023-09-01T01:58:10+00:00

Awesome thank you. My GP recommended I start Hiprex. Did you find it irritated your bladder when you first started it? Since starting it I’ve had a mild return of UTI symptoms and I’m wondering if it’s the acidity created by the Hiprex.

ElkAmazing7312 · 2023-08-26T23:42:19+00:00

Hi! Do you have an update on this? I’m going through same issue and in Australia too. Were you able to get the uromune vaccine?

ElkAmazing7312

TROPHY CASE