Come speak to my daughter? There are some things that we're not seeing eye to eye on, and I think maybe it would be more effective if someone else raised these issues with her:
1. Food. It is neither socially acceptable nor proper to eat ALL THE TIME. One should at least wait 2 hours before meals, especially if one is too small and flimsy to prepare her own meals. For the past few days our dear Isabella has wanted to eat multiple times within a 2-hour period. It's gotten to the point where I feel like I should just walk around the house all day with her in that sling with my shirt off. Come on, Little One! Perhaps we're going through a growth spurt (it's about that time). If that's the case (and we'll all pray that it is), please honey, grow fast. Edited to Add: We only made it 40 minutes between the last feedings. Ugh.
2. Sleep. Duration and Location. I know that we bragged on Izzy for a few weeks because she was stocking up on meals before bedtime and was then sleeping for 5-6 hour stretches. We, or rather I, got spoiled. She has abandoned this practice for the aforementioned frequent feedings throughout the night. I am unequivocally tired. Tired to the point that I wake up shaking with a headache in the morning. I know, I should sleep with her during the day. I try, I really do, but it just isn't happening. This brings us to the discussion of location. At first, Miss Izzy was tired and happy to sleep anywhere. Lately she no longer has any interest in sleeping in her basinnette. She only wants to sleep ON me or NEXT to me. While this sounds cute and endearing, it really means that I don't sleep between feedings because I'm too scared that I'm going to roll over on her and smother her. If I put her in the bassinette, she fusses until she gets worked up to screaming level...I don't sleep through that either. In addition, because she's so young, everythin I've read says she's too young to "cry it out." It seems at this point, babies need to know that when they have a need, someone will try to meet it (even if we have no earthly idea what it is). It's really a no-win situation for me, but let me reiterate. I'm tired.
That's about it. Not a bad list of topics. First come first serve. We'll work through the list of volunteers until someone can get through to her and I see a marked improvement.
Happy Saturday!
Leslie, I highly recommend that you call your doctor. I know that Jeff did not breast feed that often. Don't ever hesitate to call the doctor, and also, don't hesitate to ignore the lactation nurse's advice. You might try starting to put her in her crib to sleep. All new parents are deprived of some sleep but not to the point that you describe. And don't wait until office hours - CALL NOW.
Les & Jeff - I so enjoy the blog, I check it often and it's a pleasant surprise when there is a new one:) So, Thanks - I know it's a true effort to find the time to do it:) She is such a cutie, can't wait to see her in person again! Don't worry about the acne, Jack still has it (and he's 4 months old) and Thomas had it for a while too. It goes away eventually and it really doesn't show up in pictures.
As for the sleep issues, hang in there... it's the toughest part of being a parent (at least that's my opinion)... it gets better. In the meantime, talk to your Dr. about it - that's what they are there for - HELP!!! I recommend the book Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child. My Dr. recommended it with Thomas and now we are rereading it with Jack. Very helpful and tackles a lot of different senarios. Just an FYI for you.
Just remember, sooner rather than later you will look back on all the frustrating times as a mere memory that seems like ages ago and you will forget about all these times (Gods way of making you have more children...)
Take care, call if you need anything! Love, Bec
HI Leslie, It's Marianne. All I can tell you is "this too shall pass". I had a rough time with Katherine, and i can remember feeding her like that at times, and sometimes just feeding her to make her happy and fall asleep. Do you have a big comfy chair you can sleep in while holding her? I'll tell you that i slept with Katherine in a double bed for a number of months, b/c i was too tired and afraid i'd have a screaming newborn, and a screaming toddler in the middle of the night. So, you do what works for you. My advice, ditch the books and do what feels right to YOU! I learned this early on when i began reading "baby whisperer" or something like that and they said not to feed your baby b/f sleep, which is what i have always done. Our kids are all great sleepers now. I have been blessed with Victoria, she's been a good sleeper from the start. Part of it is her personality, but a lot of it is the fact she is my third baby, and some of it is b/c i have 2 other people demanding my time. Hang in there, i promise you it WILL get better!!!!!!! Take care of yourself!....Marianne