Susie and Elliott

Name: Susie 

Child: Elliott, 7 months

Location: Foulridge, Colne

Expectations of Motherhood: I expected it to be fun! Fun, but hard work! My Mum was at home with us as young children and had lots of time to do fun activities with us, I hoped we'd be in a similar position at least having the first year off work to really get to know Elliott and spend some time sharing the fun with our family and friends. My Mum had had her 3rd child by the time she was my age, so, as an older mum I was expecting it to be perhaps more difficult but I knew I'd be more appreciative of the time with Elliott than I would have been had I had children 10 years ago when life was hectic, busy and very career orientated. I expected to make lots of new baby mum friends! I didn't enjoy being pregnant at all; I couldn't go climbing, hill walking with my friends, I was scared I'd get fat again and I don't operate brilliantly on little sleep!! 

I was, however, so excited about to being a Mum, I couldn't wait to meet my baby and as we didn't know what we were having, and I am known for being very impatient. 9 months seemed a lifetime to wait to find out! (Now, I can't remember it at all, and if we were to ever do it again I'd definitely be less intense about the whole thing and enjoy being pregnant for the amazing thing it is!)

From what I had read before the birth I had expected to feel this massive amount of love for my baby immediately, a bond, skin on skin would enhance this bond. I expected to turn to Dan and look at our new family and take it all in for the special moment it was; the honest truth being that as I was being stitched up and still sucking on the gas and air I had no idea where my baby was or who he was with or even what was going on! 

I remember him slapping onto my now wobbly stomach - that wasn't the cleanest - and looking at him thinking that's my beautiful baby, and quicker than I could think that he was gone - weighed, cleaned, wrapped up, handed to Daddy. So, I suppose, my immediate expectation wasn't realised. (I did get some good cuddles later on after the midwives had finished with me and that time was so precious, especially as it was an evening birth and Dan was sent home once I was moved to the post natal ward. If we were to do this again I'd definitely get a room so Dan could stay with me, I didn't realise I'd not sleep all night and spend the night reliving the experience of child birth.)

Since the birth of Elliott the Health Visitor and family keep asking 'So, was it what you expected?' To be honest I can't answer that question. I suppose it is what it is. It's brilliant! It's tiring! It's forever changing! I have no expectations as every day is different. Some weeks seem endless; for example when Elliott kept rolling onto his stomach in his cot and couldn't roll back so he was getting us up at night all the time, or, the warm up to crawling, he seemed to be rocking for weeks on end. Then again, some things go so fast, from crawling one day to standing the next, from teething for a night to having a tooth. (I know we're lucky!) We are very fortunate to have this time with him to watch him change every day and seeing him grow in his understanding of us is fantastic!



Reality of Motherhood: Initially I think I expected Elliott to do more! I don't know many babies so getting to know my own was a full on learning experience! Each day, as expected, my love for Elliott grows, and I adore the time I have with him from the moment he wakes until the moment he falls asleep at the end of the day (even secretly when he wakes at night!) It's tiring and I really needed a routine to bring back some normality to life. It's a different sort of tiring to hard work. I remember before Elliott was born I thought, 'I've been tired. I've worked myself into the ground, I have done extremely long days, full on' but, this is a different sort of tired. Being a teacher used to timetables and bells, being disorganised doesn't really suit me although I think to begin with I needed to acknowledge that disorganisation is the name of the game and you have to be baby-led. Day to day we're busy, we do lots of activities - I really enjoy baby signing and Elliott seems to understand what I'm saying to him and is now beginning to sign himself which is fantastic.

Taking your child home for the first time: I couldn't wait to get home. We discharged ourselves from the hospital! I was so uncomfortable and couldn't even reach Elliott from the cot at the side of the bed to hold him. I had no idea whether I was supposed to stand up, walk around, call for help? All the confusion of people in and out, tests, and the constant noise at night meant neither of us could settle or get comfortable enough to feed. I didn't like how forceful the midwives were with trying to get Elliott to feed - I didn't expect this (he had fed numerous times before we left). His little red head being forced onto my breast and his screaming in defence of the forcefulness upset me and him. I knew we would be better off at home where we could sit calm and comfortable. (Worth noting here, when we asked the visiting Midwife the next day from home about feeding, and what if Elliott didn't settle to breast-feeding, we were told we were offered support at hospital and refused it! - Helpful! This is when I was introduced to Gina Ford, and for all the love/hate for her books she helped (when the midwives didn't!).


We left the hospital in the afternoon and I thought I could walk to the car. (Being the all capable new mother I insisted I walked to the car!). I got to the front entrance to the hospital and I just couldn't do it! I think that was when reality kicked in! I wasn't going to be able to do EVERYTHING in the way I thought I could! I made it across the carpark and the hurdle of getting into the car - who knew it was that low down?! Arriving home we were greeted by both sets of Grandparents and a Chinese takeaway - to this day the best meal I can remember ever eating!! They didn't stay long but it was lovely to introduce Elliott and also see some caring and proud faces.

The best/worst advice: Take a few weeks maternity leave before the birth if you can / We've not really had any bad advice which is great!!

The hardest parts of being a mother: Learning as you go! Definitely! People are afraid to give you tips/help for fear of interferring - the number of books I've read as a result! Working out feeds, weaning, sleep patterns etc completely adhoc just doesn't work (well it didn't for me.) 

Having no routine and letting baby dictate what and when just left me completely disorganised (I have discovered I am no earth mother - not for want of trying). Lack of sleep is hard, definitely! I always keep going which surprises me massively some days, seeing Elliott's happy face all the time makes it worth it. No matter how tired I am I seem to find energy from being in his company.

The best parts of being a mother: Seeing Elliott change every day. Whether it's a new gurgle, a baby sign, an attempt at crawling or even just a smile. I see myself and Dan in him already. I feel proud that this is a person we have produced and know that we will ensure he is protected and provided for as he grows to become a successful adult. I love watching him learn new things! We've really enjoyed attending classes, we sing Spanish songs and learn baby signing. We've painted plates and enjoyed messy play times, I'll miss that for sure when I return to work.

Has becoming a mother changed you? I have surprised myself really. I have coped better than I thought. There have been times when I thought that I couldn't go on - the breast feeding saga, the reflux, the long nights - I can be known to be a bit snappy when I'm tired! Not once, have I felt I have doubted what I am doing. A doctor said to me when Elliott was observed at the hospital for reflux and weight loss that you know your baby best, not to wait and see, to go with your gut feelings, and he was right. I feel like I know, really know, this little person, who has only been here for 7 months. I can interpret his cries and gurgles and know what he wants most of the time. That has surprised me! I've never really been a baby person, I am a secondary school teacher; I like teenagers - they make me laugh (and can do things for themselves). However, I like that I am the person that needs to do things for Elliott! He needs me and I need him. We are a team! That has changed me! (And, boy, does he make me laugh!) 

Hopes for your family: I hope we continue to do what we are doing. It seems to make Elliott content; he is a happy boy. As a family we love the outdoors, climbing and walking and I hope Elliott will find this a fulfilling part of his life too. We take him with up into the mountains (ticking 7 Wainwrights and 2 of the Yorkshire 3 Peaks so far). He goes climbing with us (well he watches and has the company of our good friends who have been so supportive of us trying to do the things with love as a family!) I hope we continue to make things work around our busy jobs too. When I return to work there's a lot to do in a short day and the pressures of working in a school alongside working at home need to be balanced (for both parents).

What advice would you offer to new and expectant mums: I'd pass on the useful advice from my Doctor - you know your baby, if you suspect something you are probably right!

Any other info that will support/add to your profile:
I gave birth to Elliott at Burnley Hospital - we didn't have a birth plan (good idea as there was no pool, no lovely soothing music.....)

Laurie and Oscar

Name: Laurie 

Child: Oscar 15 months

Location: Ramsbottom

Expectations of Motherhood: I expected hard work. We used to lie in bed and talk about how much fun it would be to have a little one snuggled between us - a full and noisy house. I probably didn't think much further than being on maternity leave with a baby, but thought it'd be a jolly old time!

Reality of Motherhood: A million times harder work! A shock to the system even though it was all planned and expected. 

Taking your child home for the first time: Terrifying, and not because I didn't know what to do (I felt very confident in myself as a mother), but I just felt very vulnerable in the world and like I was the only one who could protect my baby. Unfortunately it was the day post-natal depression set in (which was fortunately very fleeting), but my house felt wrong (like the weird feeling you have when you get when you come home from a 2 week holiday, only magnified a thousand times); the world felt wrong. I didn't feel sad or upset, I just felt nothing (then that made me feel guilty!). What was always evident was that it was a given that I would do everything within my power to look after this little person. It was also a big relief to finally have him at home with us after all those months of waiting. 

The best/worst advice: The best advice came from a brilliant midwife who told me, "You're his mother, you can do anything you want!" - I'd only asked if I could use baby wipes instead of cotton wool on his bottom, but by saying that I realised I had permission to take control and just do it. 

Worst advice: from the breast feeding support worker (or peer support worker) at hospital. I'd fed Oscar successfully twice, but then she turned up, said was doing it wrong, made him cry - he didn't even cry when he was born - then said I couldn't go home because she hadn't seen me feed him. 

Now I think back, I was vulnerable and she basically threatened me by saying, "What will you do when your baby won't feed in the middle of the night?" and, "if he's re-admitted to hospital you won't be allowed to come with him". 

It really angers me. Especially when I went on to breast feed until Oscar was about 10 months. 

The hardest parts of being a mother: The night time in the very early stages: a killer! Realising that you will never really relax or be just yourself anymore.... Or at least not for a few decades! Worrying about doing it right! 

The best parts of being a mother: Having the most wonderful little creature that's ever existed!

Knowing that all his healthy weight gain was purely down to my milk. And now, as he's getting older, those little arms around my neck and his kisses. 

Has becoming a mother changed you?: Yes, I'm more sensitive in a lot if ways, like hearing sad stories, but I'm also very strong and feel like I have my priorities a bit more straight. 

Hopes for your family: More babies! 2 or 3 maybe. I just hope for me and my husband to do the best to raise our children with confidence, determination and to be kind. To be happy.

What advice would you offer to new and expectant mums?: Hide away for 6 weeks, be just a mummy, recover, eat, drink and sleep. Snuggle and kiss your baby. Don't have too many visitors unless they run around after you. Don't put too much pressure on your yourself. It's hard and if anyone says they found if easy, they're lying. Trust yourself and do it how you want to.