Becoming a mum - any tips/advice?!

[Jellymoon]

I'm pregnant with my first baby, due to pop in October, just wondering if anyone had any advice on how to juggle baby and horses?!

Would be interested to hear from any of you who currently have small babies and keep your horses yourself at home rather than on livery, and what sort of routine you do to maximise time with both.

My two horses live at home and I do them myself, with help from a freelance groom when we go away - I would be able to use her more when the baby arrives, but money will be a bit tight as I won't be working. So basically, the majority of the yard work and all the riding will be done by me.

I have a good hands-on OH, but he does have to work to keep the money coming in! Mother and sister live close by and are keen to baby-sit although can't rely on them to do too much.

Basically, it'll be mostly me taking care of all the baby humans, dogs and horses, and although I'm hugely excited about it and I know I'll cope, it would be good to get some tips!

 

[louisem]

I am a mum of 3,owner of a large livery yard (80 horses) and a moderately good show jumper (every week shows also abroad)
I breastfed all 3 until 8 months (very handy,no silly bottles,feeding on demand,apart from when I was in the ring!)
The pram was parked in the yard (safely) in all seasons and afterwards the playpen had a handy location,lots of attention from everyone who passed by.
My children came EVERYWHERE with us and consequently til this day,they can fall asleep everywhere.
They have friends of all ages and can chat to people of all ages and nationalities.
I'm so glad that I ignored people who told me that it wasn't possible.
If ever you need advice....

 

[BackInBlack]

I used to wait until babys nap time - park him in the stables in his car seat and i had a portable baby monitor that i used to attatch to my belt whilst mucking out field. relatives came in handy ( and still do!) for when i go out riding. i find it a bit harder at the minute trying to stop my 3 yr old from running behind the ponies than i did when she was a baby but we're getting there!! my son helps me now - it's great (he's 5). good luck

 

[DuckToller]

A friend of mine has juggled three children whilst breeding three foals from her mare, broken first two in and brought on very well, competed fairly regularly and now started kids off riding. Think it helps that she is extremely laid back and has a horsey mum who will child-mind. I couldn't do it but she just seems to get on with it!

My hot tips are as many labour saving devices as you can get for the yard, (automatic waterers, rubber mats with small beds, indoor/outdoor rugs, anything that saves time).

I also joined loads of mother & baby/toddler groups, some were a bit boring but a few were great, you only need to find one nice friend there and you can do a bit of baby/toddler swapping for a few hours a week once old enough. If you are stuck in the house with one baby, might as well have two IMO in return for a few hours riding yourself!

 

[sherbet]

Learn to become very laid back about housework and ironing and things that will still be there the next day

Make sure you eat and dont skip meals to do the horses or else you and little one will suffer

You may have to drop your standards for a while but it becomes easier and dont rush back to riding etc after the birth give yourself a bit of time

 

[Maisy]

You'll be fine...........you will find a routine that fits in with baby and horse(s)........

It will make it easier that your horses are at home, so you will be able to chuck them hay/feed in the mornings quickly, or bung them out in the field, and then do the work later.

I have 4 kids and have had my horse(s) on diy throughout. Finding time to ride is a challenge, but as the kids get a bit older I find it easier!!

 

[Nosey]

I found I had a completely clear slot early AM before hubby went to work so would pack as much as poss in then. That was a great time for riding out and not worrying. I found I couldn't really school effectively if she was around as coulnd't concentrate as well so waited for times I had help. All other jobs she fitted in with and I chatted to her whilst I was doing them and stuck her on my hip for turning out etc. When my little girl got older she loved and still does love measuring out feeds etc. Have a lot of toys about the yard too - swings, bikes, balls. My nags got bomb proof fairly quick! Another bonus my daughter never seems to get ill - healthy immune system from all that exposure to germs! I will have to get in practice again soon too - 2nd one due at end of year!

 

[angiebaby]

Don't be too proud to ask for help with anything!!
I had three under five and three ponies at home too. My mother-in-law took my washing and did my ironing

for the first few weeks, also made food which could be heated up.

I used to go to bed really early in the first few weeks, even If it meant getting up three/four times to feed. By the morning I could have tackled anything!

A baby sling, like the ones African women have, weren't around when mine were small but I think you can get them now.

 

[skewbaldpony]

Ignore everyone who tells you your child must conform to their idea of normal.
A life outdoors around animals is priceless, and beats all the gizmos gadgets toddler groups day nurseries softplay areas and yummy mummy gatherings they can offer.

 

[Nosey]

Agree with this skewbald - when i took mine to gymnastics her balance was incredible from climbing over gates / fences! They can also make toys out of anything - baling strings, buckets, sack races in a feed sack! Mine also had her own mini wheelbarrow, shovel + broom set that she loved. The fresh air is brilliant for them too plus I think they could play at being kids and use their own imaginations rather than things being manufactuired for them

 

[sophie]

Firstly, congratulations!! Secondly, don't worry about juggling kids and animals. Yes you will feel tired and a tad emotional but it doesn't last for long. You just get used to it. I would suggest that for the first few weeks you ask your freelance groom to take over the feeding, rug change and turnout. Don't worry if your horses aren't exercised to start with - they'll survive. Very quickly you will discover a routine and a baby is really easy to fit in with your life - just like a demanding handbag! They go everywhere with you, wake just to eat or get their nappy changed and that's about it. The older they get the more attention they require i.e. making their purees up, bit more stimulation etc. but to be honest they'll get that stimulation with the horses. When my son was old enough to go in a walker I used to pop him in that and he used to race around the yard in it banging into walls etc. It made him happy anyway!! Of course the horses were in the field or in their stables but it allowed me to get on with cleaning tack or making up feeds etc. Don't worry - a routine will be found very very very quickly. Just remember you choose the routine and stick to it. I now have two kids (4 and 2 yrs old) and they come and help me muck out (okay that's a bit of a juggle) but it's not impossible. Just enjoy your baby and don't panic. But get help for the first few weeks with your horses because it will take away that initial stress.

Good Luck

 

[UKa]

Hi! - I only have one horse but on DIY. When baby was born he came with me to the yard every day almost from the start, as he was still sleeping a lot I used to park him in his car seat at a safe place by the arena and ride, then in the stable within view to muck out or in the car depending on weather. When he got older I got given an old yard buggy which is useful for when he doesn't want to sleep anymore. For poo picking I took a front carrier with me so I didn't have to leave him at the yard alone if no-one was up. Now I carry him out in the back carrier and he runs around the field while I poo pick (not with horses in field mind).

He can now walk (he is nearly 15 months) and just loves being at the yard, plays with the water, loves stroking the horses and watches all sorts of other animals out there joyfully.

For the winter he got a good warm snowsuit and in the summer I use a waterproof splashsuit and wellies so to keep him as dry as possible he now has to change after the yard visit but I rather him enjoy all the nature out there than be stuck inside with artificial toys. He also has been very very healthy. Soon I want to get him a little mucking out kit so he can 'help'. Haven't so far felt the need to provide other toys as he seems to find things that are available interesting enough.

I managed to breastfeed him until one year (did not want to bother with bottles etc and of course later on there were no more daytime feeds) and somehow the timings were working very well to give me time at the yard.

My mum lives far away and so does the rest of my family but I did have some "holidays" when relatives came to stay for a few days and husband takes baby at weekends so I can go off and ride out.

We are planning to have another baby and as this worked out so well I am hoping that it will be ok too with number 2.

Good luck but there are enough success stories out there no need to give up the horses!!!

 

[luckilotti]

Congratulations

as you can see from my sig, i have twins! nearly 6 months old now - yikes how time flys! I am a YO (dont live on site) and have 8 horses, had a foal born this june and hubby isnt that helpful!
TBH, i dont have a routine at all, but i manage day to day - yes the house is a tip! hubby doesnt undertand in a few hours how one room can get so messy - answer, babies!
TBH, i understand your worries totally, you will manage trust me, i do struggle to ride though but i dont like the idea of leaving them in a pram - my choice.
I think my main piece of advice is try and arrange as much help now for when you are in the late stages of your pregnancy/just after. Train hubby now! if you end up having a c-section, there will be certain things ou cant do for a few weeks after. I had a natural birth (just gas and air) as it wabloody quick - waters broke at 9.20pm when i was cleaning a wound on a shires leg lol! i ended up rather ill after the birth and nearly died (wont scare you with that but it was mainly due to having twins) but a few weeks later i was back doing everything at the yard.
You really will manage, the fact you dont have to travel to a yard etc will make it soooo much easier.

and being a mum - its fab!

 

[Ravenwood]

Juggling babies and horses is extremely tricky unless you have hands like Jeremy Beadle - I suggest you start practising with a falabella

 

[Jellymoon]

Thanks for all your very encouraging words of wisdom. Although I know it's going to be hard work and knackering, I'm actually looking forward to bringing up a baby surrounded by horses/dogs/cats, think it's a good, outdoorsy, healthy lifestyle.

I think the yard jobs will be relatively easy to keep on top of as I can wheel the buggy out to the yard, and I've got a front carrier for turning out/fetching in and dog-walking.

Finding time to ride will probably be the biggest challenge, but if I want to school, I can park the buggy by the side of the arena at nap time and do a swift half hour. Hacking will be more difficult, but OH can help at weekends. I can school during the week and hack at weekends, then call on my mum/sister/friends for a bit of babysitting help.

If I can ride both horses 2-3 times a week, then I'll be pleased. I guess I could always lunge with a baby in a front carrier - it might like it!

I think as they get more mobile, it must get harder, but I don't need to think about that for a while, we'll cross that bridge when we come to it!

Thanks again to all of you - cheered me up no end to hear that it can be done.

 

[Syrah]

I would be wary of handling the horses in anyway with baby in a carrier. It's one of those 'you just never know'.

I would say in the early weeks, don't expect too much from yourself. Things do get easier once baby has settled into a routine.

Congratulations by the way, when are you due? My 2nd is due in 3 months - aaarrggghhh, must be mad!