Remember this post where I went on and on about how wonderful my baby was and how everything was "sweetness and light" (as our pastor would say)? Well, I don't know if it was the hormones talking but things took a turn for the worse. I'll dare say things are leveling out again, but Cole is definitely a more challenging baby!
Sleeping- Around the 3 week mark Cole wasn't sleeping well at all. He was either not sleeping in between is 1am and 4am feedings (other than in 30 minute increments) or he wouldn't go back after his 4am feeding unless I held him. We were hoping the reflux meds would help this, which they did a little bit. We realized that he naps well during the day in the swing, so we broke down and started letting him sleep in the swing at night. He still wakes up sometimes he wakes up in between feedings, but I usually just need to restart the swing (it stops after an hour I think) or replace his paci.
Eating- Yes, Cole is a fantastic eater. So fantastic that I can't even touch the amount that he needs and we are already weaning. He is up to 8 oz of formula every 3-4 hours at some feedings! I think he would need to be continually nursing to be satisfied, and that's just not an option! My deepest respect goes out to mothers that can put themselves second and do everything to nurse their baby. But that's just not me. And I'm not beating myself up about it.
Snuggler- I call Cole my high maintenance child. There are some days, like yesterday, where he continually needs to be held and consoled. Sometimes he's just not happy playing on his mat or swinging or sleeping when he's tired. I got a dvd copy of Happiest Baby on the Block at a consignment sale last year, which details the 5 S's that can soothe a newborn- Side, Swaddle, Suck, Shh and Sway. Yeah, Cole often needs ALL of these! Oh, I forgot to mention that he sleeps with my phone playing a white noise. Thank goodness for free apps! And I was definitely the crazy, sleep deprived mom this week with my baby in the cart at Target with the phone wedged in his cart seat running the white noise!
As frustrating as it can be, I try to remember that these moments are fleeting. I will sleep again. I will be able to have a clean house again. And we love our little guy so much. But it is totally unfair to have your "easy" baby first. Although he is handling his little brother wonderfully, so at least that's not an added difficulty!
1 comment:
you know I feel your pain! Jackson was a full on 5-S baby too!!
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