Adventures in mommyhood
Motherhood really changes you, I never thought that I would get poop on myself and not be grossed out by it.
For the past week we have been dealing with a very fussy baby, this is a lot of fun when I’m home alone all day while hubby is at work because I can barely put the baby down to use the restroom and it requires an act of congress to get him down for a nap that he would then wake up from 5 mins later.
The fussiness seems to be gas related but I don’t know if it’s something in my diet that he gets through the breastmilk since it doesn’t happen at every feeding. He tends to be cranky in the afternoon and evening, once he settles down for the night he sleeps like an angel and I have to wake him up to nurse or else he’ll sleep straight through the night. By the morning my breasts are so full that I feel like I’m carrying water balloons.
Before we start to get the flood of suggestions for things to try, please know that we have done research and tried all of the usual suggestions from wearing, movement, positioning, white noise, vacuum cleaner, etc. they usually work for a few minutes if that. So unless your suggestion is really offbeat and uncommon, we have already tried it.
Usually he finally settles down after a nursing session in which he’ll fall asleep on my chest, the key is knowing when he’s in a deep enough sleep to be transferred to his bassinet, lately I’ve discovered that he’s fine as long as he’s not sleeping on his back. Doctors don’t advise babies to sleep on their stomachs but I admit to have done it once or twice during the day when he finally falls asleep after crying inconsolably for hours. I end up checking up on him very often and don’t do it at night.
It is only a matter of time before he makes the choice for himself though. He can already easily roll over on to his side, another favorite sleeping position of his so I wouldn’t be surprised to one day see him completely turning onto his stomach and then there won’t be much that I could do about it.
I can’t hardly wait for Shaman’s and my appointment with Dr. Punger next week. We had noticed that he had a slight tongue-tie but didn’t think it was a problem but after almost 2 weeks I think that it is interfering with his breastfeeding latch. He is fully capable of a perfect latch… when he wants to but when he’s not in the mood he just does what he wants and it takes quite a bit of adjusting and pain in the meantime. Thank goodness for Lansinoh.
After a struggle to get my disability forms in now it’s a matter on waiting for my employer’s HR department to submit their part in hopes that I can get the first check before our rent is due.
The baby blues have eased quite a bit without me having to take the pills but I admit that I come close to losing it when I’m home alone with a baby that’s been crying non stop for an hour.
The anemia is better in the sense that I no longer get dizzy spells but I still struggle with weakness and exhaustion and the fact that I easily get cold, even when the thermostat is set to 80 degrees. That is quite a change from when I was pregnant and I felt like I was melting at 70 degrees.
I have lost an additional 8 pounds this week for a total of 29 pounds lost since birth. I’m sure that a demanding baby that doesn’t let mommy eat more than mini snacks during the day has anything to do with this.
The swelling is not fully gone but it has gone down considerably, my wedding band fits again (barely) and some shoes fit again (tightly), we’re getting there.
Right now I’m not using cloth diapers exclusively due to some slight technical difficulties. The washer for some reason is not filing up with hot water while washing them and since them his skin seems to be sensitive to them, not rash extreme but enough that I alternate between cloth and sposies to give his skin a break.
I will say that the cloth diapers are way better at containing his blowouts, the only time that he’s had “accidents” has been when wearing disposables. I still use the sposies at night until he can grow into the pocket diapers that I have since he tends to sleep for so long that I have to wake him up to change him.
I do like the cloth wipes way better than the disposable wipes. Just a cloth wipe and water does faster cleaning using less wipes, I really should get more of those!
And by the way, the backseat of the car SUCKS as a changing table.
08/13/2010 @ 10:22 am
I guess you have tried burping him? It took me forever to figure that out with my first kid.
08/13/2010 @ 11:00 am
Yes, I make a habit of burping him every time, even if he fell asleep at the breast.
If he’s crying, sometimes patting his back will buy us a minute or two of silence.
08/17/2010 @ 9:20 am
My 2nd oldest had the same crying problem…probably is something in your system no idea what or why. My gran had me wet my finger put it in baking soda & then put it on a teaspoon with water. Give it to little fox off the spoon. all of it will not go in, a drop or 2 only will go in. it helps. no idea why but old swamp witches know what they are doing. I used it with all my other kids and it works for colic & upset tummies & such. I hope this helps sweetie. Just remember to breath.