Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Why the dislike of newborns?

I know I've mentioned it here before that I'm not a huge fan of newborns. People have asked me why and I figure I should explain.

First, It's not as though I don't love my little newborns. They are sweet and I'm glad they are mine. But when a baby comes into the room with their mama, my arms don't leap to hold them. In fact, something happens where I try to avoid them. I really can't say why.

Second, I'm a creature of habit and we all know that newborns are not. Or at least mine aren't. I love that my day is predictable. I know when my children nap and how long they will nap. Newborns throw me for a curve ball and I don't always do well with that.

Third, sleep, or the lack there of. I know that it's going to take a while to teach my children to sleep through the night. And my children have to be taught. I have yet to be blessed with that type of child that naturally falls into a perfect sleep habit. The statement, "my children just started sleeping through the night at 1 week old" doesn't happen in my house.

Maybe this round I'll enjoy my newborn more, who knows?

10 comments:

TcH said...

thank goodness they are only newborns a short time ;-)

The Hansen Family said...

Kate, I think a lot more people probably agree with you more than they are brave enough to own up to. Your honesty is so refreshing! :) And, as for the sleep thing, I SO feel your pain. From 3-5am this whole past week, I feel that pain (& my "baby" is 19 months). Arg. Hang in there. Love ya, Gin.

Julie said...

I'm so with you on not being a huge fan of other people's newborns. The family all tried to get me to hold my nephew hours after he was born and I wanted nothing to do with it! I will say that it's changed a LITTLE bit since I had my girl... I was blessed on the sleep front. I went back to work when she was only 9 weeks old and the thought of functioning at school short on sleep was traumatizing to me. After one week back she began sleeping through the night. I don't know what I would have done otherwise!

Aren't we still waiting for one last belly picture? :)

Dena said...

props for being honest. inspiring.

Casey said...

I hope this little guy sleeps better. In our house we keep saying, "Maybe when she turns four, she'll start sleeping..."

You'll do great Kate. You've already got two great little girls!

Julie said...

I'm not sure if they were salt shakers, they're a little big and the wholes in the top seem too big for salt. They were with the kitchen stuff though. REALLY easy and SO inexpensive!

kate said...

thanks julie - I'll get that pic soon :)

Kate said...

You KNOW that I'm singing a big fat "Amen Sista" to this post. We are so much alike, my friend. Sam will be Sam, and you will love him whether he sleeps or not. And as you reminded me....the first six months will be over before you know it. Love you

Unknown said...

Although I don't have a newborn quite yet, I for one can hardly wait to hold this little baby that I can actually call my very own. I'm the one who always can't wait to hold the new little baby that's in the room and have always dreamed about the day I would have one of my own. Ask me in December what I think of newborns, but for now I'm grateful God gave us the opportunity to have this experience, something other will never get the chance to have.
That said, praying for you Kate as you enter this year of unplanned schedules and hoping maybe Sam will be your miracle baby that sleeps!!! Hugs, Betty

Brenda L said...

I've got to agree with you. I usually do not hold other peoples newborn. I think it's because when I hold someones child I don't know how to stop them when they cry. Your own children you learn how to soothe them. Another persons baby is foreign to me and I feel I can not help that child. Also agree on the sleep. The first 10 months I feel like I'm sleep walking. I've always been the person who had to go home and get 8-9 hours of sleep a night. But the nice thing is I have not heard of anyone dying from lack of sleep. Praying for your family during this time of change.