Doing the horses with a newborn!

SNORKEY

SNORKEY

Well-Known Member
Joined
28 December 2008
Messages
1,809
Location
Hampshire
Visit site
Hi, I had my baby 9 days ago and I've been up to see my horses for the past two days, both times I've had hubby there to help but its been difficult. If she cries I have to stop and feed her or I have to hold her whilst I try and make feeds. She won't stay asleep in the car like I was hoping.
I'm desperate to give my horses a nice groom and some attention.
How did you mums manage with your baby's and horses?
 
Friends have always just got on with it to be honest. Pram, blankets, bottles etc.

But I don't remember babies going to the farm as new born as yours. I think they probably stayed at home whilst the horses were done until they were about a month or so old.
 
I used to carry mine around in a sling - he would go everywhere with me like this and was always settled in this.

It is tough, but they grow up so quickly, so things will get easier I promise!
 
Baby Carrier but have to say.. grannie is best. Even if its just for a couple of hours a day. You'll find a way but even with the dogs I got help for the first 6 weeks and then after that arranged to have some time out which thankfully hubby covered for me.
 
Just take your time. If she cries, stop & feed her, then carry on with the horses when she's finished. I never left mine in the car, I used the pram. That way you can give them a rock when needed, & I think fresh air does them good. Plus pram less restrictive. And at only 9days, I doubt baby has an established routine. But I found although I couldn't predict in advance how long she'd sleep, from hour to hour I could make a rough guess. So I had a friend turn out am, then during the day, soon as I guessed she was due a sleep I'd go & muck out etc. If necessary going for a walk in the pram first to get her to nod off. I breast fed so feeds were easy, could you make up a bottle in advance & just heat it when needed?
 
Dont stress yourself out with time limits. It might take you all day but get your head into the idea that you cant rush through it in five mins like you could before.

I second the sling. I loved my sling and was still carrying my boys in it when they were one. It was a great way for them to feel close to me and to still be bonding but at the same time you can bond with the horse.

Is there anyone that can look aft babe while you do the horses some days. Just so you get your tonic and have some time to yourself. Even if you are breastfeeding then you could express.

The important thing to remember is youve just had a baby which brings a lot of anxiety because you are learning a whole new trade. You are also very tired and hormonal and I remember at times feeling like I wasnt coping and that I was never going to feel myself a gain. Thankfully I did and you will too. Just remember that everything is for a season. In a min the baby will be in a routine so you can time your horse time with babies sleep time and that will make things easier for you.
 
BF had a pram and then a buggy when he was bigger , she took loads of time and just pottered though it .
She had a yard pram and a clean pram that was a big help and a great grannie for when farriers and stuff like that needed sorting , give yourself time though and dont pressure it if its not working wait a while and try again.
 
Thanks ladies, putting her down to sleep between feeds is the hardest, she just always wants to be on me, but I guess the sling would solve that. My hubby is happy to look after her but I'm worried to leave him alone with just a bottle of expressed milk incase she starts crying and he can't cope!
My poor horses just look so bored stood in the field, they are being seen to twice a day between me, hubby and mum so I know their well but I just want to spend time with them myself.
 
Trusting my hubby with the babies was one of the hardest things for me but give him a chance, hes babas dad. I took over too much when my boys were young and it impinged on the bonding process with their dad and affected our relationship. If it gets too much for him then Im sure he would call you to come back and pop baby on boob. You could do a trial run with you there so he does everything including giving a bottle. It might put your mind at rest. The good thing about that is you know that baby will take the bottle then too.
 
Try not to rush yourself, nine days is such a short time and you and your little one are still getting used to each other. I was too nervous of handling horses with my son in the sling so I got him used to being in the pram, a few minutes at a time then built up to half an hour when I could usefully do something (it did take training and practice).
Eventually (3/4 months) he would happily sleep in the pram by the side of school while I rode for 45 mins.
Think of it like training a new horse, if you'd had your horse for nine days would you expect him to understand all that you were asking of him or would you be happy to invest time training him to stand a t mounting block, not wonder off if you leave the door open? It will all come with time and practice.
Good luck
 
If you leave her with hubby and expressed milk, and she cries - what is the WORST that would happen? She will be fine! Honestly!

Just please don't leave her in the car, she's so tiny and you cannot regulate the temp in the car if you're not there, very dangerous :(

I always used a sling, and did what was easiest with the horses (out 24/7, rugged to keep them clean etc) and two prams, one for the yard and one for other times.

I have no-one to help me, no-one ever took a baby while I did yard duties and I coped just fine. Everything just had a rest while babies were tiny.

If baby cries, just stop what you're doing, feed, settle and go back to what you were doing.
 
Mine is 6 months old now. From early on I'd simply put him in his pram (mine hated a sling) and park him usually just outside the gate or in the tackroom etc. depending on where I am/what I'm doing. If I rode, I'd park him just beside the gate or fence (on the other side for safety) so I could ride near him and up to him if I needed to speak to him. Usually just seeing my face every nown and again kept him quiet, although usually he only lasted for about 20 mins then got bored, would cry for 2 mins then go to sleep! make sure he was fed just before I went to do the horses. Its more difficult now that its winter, I tend to leave him with my mum in the house because its too cold to have him outside for long. My worry is when he starts walking... what on earth do I do with him then, lock him in a stable?! (kidding, I am a good mother honestly!).
 
Congrats on having you baby. Things will work themselves out, BF is easier than bottles when you are out and about but it is useful to get them used to a bottle too if possible.

I used a sling with my first two, did all the chores with it on. Bertie (now 6 months) hated it though, but he is a very big baby. He went in his pram. I have my horses at home so can pop out with the baby monitor when he is asleep to poo pick, groom etc. If I am going to ride I give the monitor to my partner who works at home. I will lunge or do in hand work with him in his pram so if he gets too fed up I can stop quickly. My middle one is 3 now so helps me do chores. Between 1 and 3 was a bit tricky, but not insurmountable.

If you are going to do less with your horses at least this is the best time of year to be having a bit of a break
 
Congratulations!

Glad I have seen this, mine is 6 weeks now (can't believe that, the time really does fly!) and tonight the horses are back in again for the first night.

Up till now they've been out, I had an emergency c section so couldn't do much, didn't even see them for the first month and OH did them. Keep them on the farm at home so its not too much hassle, although he does hate horses!

Not sure what I'm going to do now! He got them in tonight but the stables are just too far away for a baby monitor.
I'm going to try and go out when he's got 10 mins to come in and watch the baby. It's a bit cold at night for the pram but sure ill get into a routine with it soon and it'll all be fine! :D

I know what you mean about wanting to just go and groom or something, mine have gone completely feral over the summer and I was really looking forward to doing a bit of mane pulling and grooming tonight but OH is still out somewhere. :(

Did any of you worry about getting barged or something with the sling on?? I'm not usually a worrier but ill admit this thought has stopped me using the sling around the nags.
 
You just have to remember that your orginal routine will change and you will have to kinda work around baby! from less than a week old my little boy was either in his car seat or in his buggy by my stable! Most of the time he slept if he woke up and cried I stopped sorted him out and then carried on with what I was doing! If he was asleep I would leave him in the car! It is possible but it's hard!my little one has just turned one and he prefers to be outside with me all the time he even screams when I take him in and sits by the door in his walker waiting to go back out.
 
MagicMelon said:
Mine is 6 months old now. From early on I'd simply put him in his pram (mine hated a sling) and park him usually just outside the gate or in the tackroom etc. depending on where I am/what I'm doing. If I rode, I'd park him just beside the gate or fence (on the other side for safety) so I could ride near him and up to him if I needed to speak to him. Usually just seeing my face every nown and again kept him quiet, although usually he only lasted for about 20 mins then got bored, would cry for 2 mins then go to sleep! make sure he was fed just before I went to do the horses. Its more difficult now that its winter, I tend to leave him with my mum in the house because its too cold to have him outside for long. My worry is when he starts walking... what on earth do I do with him then, lock him in a stable?! (kidding, I am a good mother honestly!).
Click to expand...

You can adapt a horse walker easily and cheaply.
 
That's why I never used a sling Patterdale. Although I did turn saintly 14.2 out pushing pram & holding leadrope. At least till she could sit up & then I stuck her onboard to/from field.
Stable idea when they can walk is fine. I have a massive straw bed with bankings. Daughter had a fab time playing in it. Just involve them really when walking. From about 14mnths mine loved making feeds.
 
I only led the sec A and my old girl with the sling on. I had them all living out 24/7 when babies were born so that makes life easier. I never worried about being barged in the field, all ours are very good.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top