Every parent’s experience with a new child is unique, but it can be comforting to know that some feelings and experiences are universal. New mom Lynn Glotzbach of Hebron, Ind., filled out a questionnaire each day during her first week home with her daughter, Aubrie, keeping track of how much sleep she got, how much the baby slept, how many times she fed her, how she was feeling and how her husband, George, was feeling.
Day 1
Sleep: 3½ hours
How long the baby sleep at one time: 1½ to 2 hours
Number of feedings: 8
Diaper changes: 6
Amount of crying: Medium. I think she’s getting used to life outside the womb. Did you cry at all? I broke down with happy tears because it was so amazing to bring her home and all of a sudden have a family.
Baby’s alertness: She was sleepy and needs contact. She doesn’t really cry if she doesn’t need anything.
How are you feeling? Sleep deprived but very happy.
How is Dad feeling? Over the moon. He’s tired but says it’s all so worth it.
Day 2
Sleep: 3-4 hours
How long did the baby sleep at one time? 1½ to 2½ hours
Number of feedings: 8
Diaper changes: 7
Amount of crying: A little fussy.
Did you cry at all? No
Baby’s alertness: Sleepy
How are you feeling? Sometimes I feel a little frustrated. I’m just adjusting to life as a parent.
How is Dad feeling? Still on a"high.”
Day 3
Sleep: 5 hours
How long did the baby sleep at one time? 1 to 2½ hours
Number of feedings: 7
Diaper changes: 7
Amount of crying: More crying than before.
Did you cry at all? Yes, but only because I was watching"Forrest Gump.”
Baby’s alertness: Sleepy during the day.
How are you feeling? TIRED! I am getting more of my appetite back.
How is Dad feeling? Tired
Day 4
Sleep: 5½ hours
How long did the baby sleep at one time? 3 hours
Number of feedings: 9
Diaper changes: 9
Amount of crying: Only when she needed something.
Did you cry at all? Not really.
Baby’s alertness: Sleepy. She wakes up when she needs something.
How are you feeling? Tired, but I still don’t feel like I’m in a bad mood.
How is Dad feeling? Pretty good—he got a good amount of sleep.
Day 5
Sleep: 7½ hours
How long did the baby sleep at one time? Around 3 hours. She gets about one long nap a day.
Number of feedings: 8
Diaper changes: 12
Amount of crying: Not fussy at all.
Did you cry at all? A little because I get frustrated at times because breastfeeding is painful. When I sit up to feed my stitches hurt and it’s very uncomfortable.
Baby’s alertness: She is getting more alert. When she is content she looks around.
How are you feeling? I actually feel like I woke up in the morning from a night’s sleep. I slept in three sets of about two-hour intervals.
How is Dad feeling? Good, a little nervy at times, but he handles it pretty well.
Day 6
Sleep: 7½ hours
How long did the baby sleep at one time? 2½ hours
Number of feedings: 8
Diaper changes: 8
Amount of crying: Not much
Did you cry at all? No
Baby’s alertness: Sleepy
How are you feeling? Energized and in a good mood.
How is Dad feeling? Grand, he said.
Day 7
Sleep: 7½ hours
How long did the baby sleep at one time? 3 hours
Number of feedings: 7
Diaper changes: 10
Amount of crying: Only when she needed something.
Did you cry at all? Yes. Breastfeeding hurts and it hurts to sit on my stitches. I had an overwhelming feeling that my body is never going to feel any better and I got frustrated with myself because of the discomfort.
How are you feeling? Sometimes I get frustrated, but it is basically when I am extremely tired.
How is Dad feeling? Pretty good. He had a headache for awhile, but it went away when he got a nap.
