I can't do this :(

[Captain Serious]

Sadly, I hear it frequently, from many different sources, along with what a saint I am to take on the boys' with all their "problems." It hurts most when it's from family or people who you thought were close friends, but I'm sure this attitude is what keeps most adoptive parents (and I guess parents who suffered with IF) quiet about their struggles. I worry that it paints an unrealistic picture for new adoptive/IVF parents that makes them feel like they aren't "good enough."

[urbancowgirl]

People have given you great advice. I just wanted to send some hugs. Hang in there!

[tdk2]

Oh honey, it's ok. You're at about the day I just sat in a chair and sobbed because c wouldn't stop crying and my dog was no longer my buddy. (He got over it and liked me again later). It's ok. It doesn't mean you're a bad mom or that you can't do it in the long run. I think I sobbed on th phone to Dh "I. Can't. Do. This" over and over.


I know this doesn't make it better but maybe lets you know you're not alone.

Also, if it hasn't been mentioned, getting c outside and in a breeze or watching cars and city lights seemed to help.

Hang in there.

[8675309]

I remember those days well. They are hard and frustrating and a crying baby can really rattle your nerves. It doesn't help that you've got your grandmother in your ear making you feel like a failure. The advice you've received has been great. Aside from the Yoga ball, I've tried them all. You'll learn what your baby needs one hour or even one minute at a time. Hang in there!

[formerlyak]

I have so been there. DS was colicky and I now joke that he screamed 20 out of 24 hours a day. Hang in there. It does get better!

If it's not too warm where you are, I know when ds was a newborn he liked when I'd put him in his carseat on the floor of the bathroom and take a shower. Something about the noise of the water and the steam. And even a quickie shower if ds was crying relaxed me a little so I felt like I could try to calm him again with a bit more energy.

The other thing I remember is going to Babies R Us and just sitting him in like every kid seating device imaginable (he was a little older than your daughter -- maybe 6-8 weeks). When I put him in one that made him quiet (it was a swing, but I know the thing that every kid likes is different), I asked the BRU guy to please ring it up and help me get it in my car stat. I think my kid lived in that swing for a few months!

[emsumm]

So many hugs. It's ok. This is being a mom...it's so hard but it's so good. You are doing perfectly.

[jenna]

Hang in there. I remember it was brutal those first few weeks.

Lack of quality sleep + newborn = one hot mess at times.

I loved the 4 hours (8p - midnight) that H would watch E so I could get sleep.

It took us forever to find the right formula for E. We tried 6-7 kinds before picking Gerber GS Gentle. E was so gassy, and I'm sure that made him uncomfortable.


Glad your sister could come over to help.  Hope your day is better, tomorrow.

[missmaddie]

Sept 6, 2013 10:48:00 GMT -5 @otterama said:

Thanks, everyone. Rosie is sleeping and I feel much calmer.

My sister told me that she received a DVD about the purple period of crying thing. I have never heard of this. Rosie was born at the exact same hospital, but I didn't get anything like that. I guess the hospital doesn't get a lot of adoptions and I feel like maybe we fell through the cracks or something with a few things. Like, I received very little "training" about what to expect when we went home and stuff...yet other people did.

This actually helped me laugh through my tears when DS was little.   
www.pregnantchicken.com/pregnant-chicken-blog/2011/10/1/my-baby-wont-stop-crying.html 
A FB friend with an infant reposted it last week and I reread it, laughed a little again, and remembered just how much a NB can suck. 

Some great advice from other posters, and I too was happy I took the time to watch The Happiest Baby on The Block DVD a neighbour loaned me a few weeks in.  Wish I'd watched it sooner, actually.  I broke out the SwaddleMes that night and life was never the same.

[MrsAggie]

The more industrial the swing, the better. They LOVE the loud rhythmic noise with non-smooth movement.

Think dryer with crap clinking. Drive her around in a car. Side-to-side swinging works best.

Also, in the hospital we put sugar water on pacifiers for procedures. 10mL of water to 1 packet of sugar.