@ - some newborn sleeping/feeding questions

[MrsDL]

May 16, 2012 15:06:26 GMT -5 @lauriergirl28 said:

Like everyone said, every baby is different, here is my two cents on how it went for us.

1. DS also would not do the P'n'P or crib at first. We had a Rock n Play sleeper and that's what he'd sleep in for the first month. One word of caution, I didn't think to buy a newborn head/neck support insert, and DS was napping in it one afternoon and started screaming bloody murder. He got acute torticollits (basically a neck spasm) from sleeping the wrong way. We had to go to PT becaue of it. So, if your going to buy one, get the insert if you don't have one.

He protested the swaddle from a blanket when we tried it (we sucked at swaddling) so we used the Swaddle-Me blankets (pre-assembled swaddle for dummies like us). I would put him in those and as soon as he was cozy, I'd rock him a few minutes and he'd go right to sleep. He was in the swaddle-me while I nursed at night and in the rock 'n' play. After a month (before his neck spasm so I still used rock 'n' play for naps) we were able to put him in the bassinet of the P'n'P. If I had to do it over again, I would have tried harder to get him the crib which I'm still trying to do and he's almost one.

2. Somebody told me to gently stroke his chin while he was dozing off for feedings. That was enough to stimulate him enough to keep feeding (because I had the same issue, he'd fall asleep and want more when I put him down). Also, the rooting/sucking could be for comfort. It's hard to tell the difference (at least it was for me). So basically I allowed him to use me as a paci for a few months without realizing it. Again, something I'd do over because it created a strong sleep association for him and he began to need it to fall asleep. I was able to wean him from the association eventually.

3. Yes this stops

4. I went back and forth on this too. I would initally wake him every 2.5 to 3 hours to try and get him on a schedule. He then had a week of cluster feeding which was a friggin nightmare. Finally, I decided to nurse on demand. That doesn't work for everyone. So, because I fed him when he wanted, I did allow him to sleep. He went as long as 6 hours one night. I will say a scheduled routine is probably easier on your life, but on demand worked for my son and I was willing to go with it.

5. Like others said, the first 3 months is the "4th trimester" so you're not creating habbits at this point. However, right around that 4th month, if you don't want it to become a crutch then stop. Another huge mistake I made and I continue to pay for it. My son will still only sleep at night when held snuggled close to me. It's a bitch to break and I have not yet been successful. Basically it can become another strong sleep association.

6. I know what the books say. Our lactation consultant said as early as 3 weeks and no later than 6 if they are going to daycare. DH tried first at 3 weeks and he wouldn't take it. MIL tried two days later and he took the bottle, no nipple confusion. From that point he was fine with a bottle if we went out. If I was in the house (even if DH was the one holding him), he wouldn't take the bottle, it's like he could sense the boobs or something.



Laides on here recommend Happiest Baby on the Block which was spot-on and a bible the first few weeks.

I also really liked Secrets of the Baby Whisperer. I got a lot out of it, and felt like if I read it sooner it would have eliminated some issues we had with feedings, schedules, sleep, understand crying.

Good luck!

[pescalita]

I totally felt trapped in the beginning too, and I'd say I've had a pretty good experience overall. Try to remember that they take a lot of energy whether or not your feeding them from the boob. I don't know that that can't-have-two-hours-to-myself feeling is absent for FF moms. For me, eventually I just adjusted to the new normal, luckily.

[karinothing]

I just wanted to ditto the its gets better part. By 8 weeks BFing was an entirely different game (and I had it very easy in the beginning). I know it is hard not to feel trapped but I just kept telling myself to enjoy the vacation (as in it will be years before I can just lounge around on bed/in the couch and watch movies all day and I should take advantage of it!). I just watched the entire series of Mad Men, rBad, Sons of Anarchy, and a bunch of movies. I also had DH get me a ton of delicious snacks.

But again I promise it get better and there is nothing better than your baby looking up at you with a milky smile.

[kcb]

May 16, 2012 15:06:26 GMT -5 @lauriergirl28 said:

Ya'll know i hate the bump - plus the advice I got about what we needed to buy pre-baby was spot on



1) swaddle. the vibration/sound unit from kat's bouncer was portable so i would put it in the bassinet. we moved kat to the crib at 4 weeks.

2) to keep him awake for feedings strip him down

3) move him to his crib as soon as possible. you'll both sleep better. kat and i kept waking each other up when she was in the bassinet right next to the bed.

4) if the baby was sleeping at night, i never fucked with that. now, i would actually nudge a sleeping baby to feed during the day to try to encourage the night sleeping.

5) i nursed and rocked kat to sleep until she no longer wanted to do that (6 months or more). you won't have to rock him to sleep until college i promise. do what works.

6) someone else already gave great advice re: pumping and oversupply and production.

Thanks PS - any other sleeping/eating tips feel free to share!