u/Glum-Debt-4034

Single mom to a 9 week old baby boy. Dad is not in the picture and never will be. I don’t have siblings, my father isn’t close by, my mom has been helping me a good bit. I’ve always struggled with mental health problems and the past 9 weeks of sleep deprivation and no self care has really taken a toll on me. I’m very paranoid about leaving baby with a stranger but also I desperately need a break. I’m in Cork. Close to the city. Wondering if anyone knows of any doulas who do newborn babysitting? Or alternatively a very qualified babysitter? TIA

My 9 week old baby has been waking every 2 or 3 hours since the beginning. There’s been periods where it’s been every hour. The past 4 nights baby has been up every hour at least all night long and when she’s asleep she is crying or grunting in her sleep so I’m basically just not sleeping at all. Google says many babies sleep for 5-8 hour stretches by this age but mine has not even once done that. I struggled with mental health all my life and to be this sleep deprived for this long is actually destroying me. I knew I’d struggle with the newborn stage but god this is worse than I expected and I’m thinking terrible thoughts all the time like this was a mistake, what have I done, my life is ruined kind of thoughts. I’d feel very guilty not giving her a sibling but also the thought of having to do this again makes me even more suicidal than I already feel. No I don’t have family or friends who can help much. Everyone is dead, far away, working full time or have too many kids and responsibilities of their own. I wouldn’t trust a stranger with my newborn baby so not comfortable hiring help. Just looking for hope that this might improve soon? Or ways to improve it? She does sleep for 2.5 hours during the day sometimes. Often sleeps for 2 hours during the day but night time is hell.

My 9 week old baby has been waking every 2 or 3 hours since the beginning. There’s been periods where it’s been every hour. The past 4 nights baby has been up every hour at least all night long and when she’s asleep she is crying or grunting in her sleep so I’m basically just not sleeping at all. Google says many babies sleep for 5-8 hour stretches by this age but mine has not even once done that. I struggled with mental health all my life and to be this sleep deprived for this long is actually destroying me. Im a single parent (dad is not in the picture at all and never will be). I’m thinking terrible thoughts all the time like this was a mistake, what have I done, my life is ruined kind of thoughts. I’d feel very guilty not giving her a sibling but also the thought of having to do this again makes me even more suicidal than I already feel. No I don’t have family or friends who can help much. Everyone is dead, far away, working full time or have too many kids and responsibilities of their own. I wouldn’t trust a stranger with my newborn baby so not comfortable hiring help. Just looking for hope that this might improve soon? Or ways to improve it? She does sleep for 2.5 hours during the day sometimes. Often sleeps for 2 hours during the day but night time is hell.

My 9 week old baby has been waking every 2 or 3 hours since the beginning. There’s been periods where it’s been every hour. The past 4 nights baby has been up every hour at least all night long and when she’s asleep she is crying or grunting in her sleep so I’m basically just not sleeping at all. Google says many babies sleep for 5-8 hour stretches by this age but mine has not even once done that. I struggled with mental health all my life and to be this sleep deprived for this long is actually destroying me. Im a single parent (dad is not in the picture at all and never will be). I’m thinking terrible thoughts all the time like this was a mistake, what have I done, my life is ruined kind of thoughts. I’d feel very guilty not giving her a sibling but also the thought of having to do this again makes me even more suicidal than I already feel. No I don’t have family or friends who can help much. Everyone is dead, far away, working full time or have too many kids and responsibilities of their own. I wouldn’t trust a stranger with my newborn baby so not comfortable hiring help. Just looking for hope that this might improve soon? Or ways to improve it? She does sleep for 2.5 hours during the day sometimes. Often sleeps for 2 hours during the day but night time is hell.

Does anyone know if you don’t avail of baby vaccinations can baby get them at a later stage? When they’re in primary school for example? Is there a charge if you don’t take them when they’re offered but decide you want them at a later stage?