After one night with a newborn I have both good news and bad news. The good news is that the baby is a champion sleeper. The bad news is that the good news is only true when he is being held.
The night went something like this:
1) Work slowly through a bottle (while a champion sleeper, we're waiting on him getting into champion eater category...he'll go with all the stops out for about an ounce and then lose interest. He won't go to sleep, he just has very little interest in continuing to suck. We're learning little tricks as we go that seem to be extending this somewhat and he actually finished 2 full ounces this morning. Yay! Regardless, it's taking just about 45 minutes to get through 1.5 ounces.)
2) If we didn't use the old "change the diaper mid feed" trick (as recommended by Michelle), change the diaper. He hates having his diaper changed. Hates it with a passion. Though he also seems to hate not having his diaper changed, so you get screaming either way. So far, this is the only activity that causes an all out wail though. So that's something.
3) Soothe past the trauma of #2 and chat a little as his eyes droop and he drifts into a nice snooze. Count to ten, then twenty, then sixty and, when convinced that sleep has come, transfer him to the bassinet.
4) Crawl into bed and put head on pillow. As eyes shut, hear first squeaks. Hold breath and wait for squeaking to stop. Squeaking doesn't stop but instead begins to escalate. And escalate. And escalate.
5) Throw self out of bed and try just patting and whispering to sooth. Give up on this useless tactic and scoop up baby. Ahhh...silence.
6) Repeat step 3, replacing trauma of #2 with trauma of #4. Then repeat step 5.
7) Give up and stretch out on couch (that is too short for me at 5'4" to actually stretch out on) with baby cradled in crook of arm. Notice that he falls instantly asleep. Resign self to night of dozing.
8) After four hours of dozing, stare blearily at figure standing next to couch trying to determine if this is an intruder, murderer, or what. Realize it's Tim and shake head at sleep deprivation delirium. Trade off and move to bed while Tim tries to stretch out on the couch with baby.
I think we'd be less worried about the squeaking and/or wailing if we weren't in a hotel. Even still, I wouldn't trade a minute of this.
13 hours ago
Ok, here comes the stream of advice you can take or ignore:
ReplyDelete1. Hold him if that's how you can get sleep. He's used to being held (inside a nice warm womb). You can't spoil him at this age, although you'll get spoiled - hold him as much as you want and as much as he wants. You'll all be better for it.
Also, you a new mommy to him - he's used to a different voice and smell from his birth mom - so the more you hold him the better it will bond you together.
2. I think all newborns hate getting their diapers changed. It's the vulnerability thing. He'll cry at every change for a while and then you'll realize one day that he's no longer crying when you change his diaper.
3. The feeding thing can be the most stressful part of new mothering. If it takes him an hour to take 2 ounces, don't worry. This is normal. He'll get the hang of things and then you can't feed him enough!
Welcome to the motherhood. =)
There is absolutely nothing wrong with sleeping with your baby on top of your chest. They love it and sleep soundly. I know, I know the SIDS police will come after me, but I have done it many a time. My daughter slept on my chest for the first two months of her life. It was the only way either of us could sleep. You do what you have to do.
ReplyDeleteAnd he may not be quite ready for 2ounces. Sometimes they'll take 1 ounce, sometimes 3. Just do the best you can.
James still screams when his diaper is changed. They do that, don't worry. It's a baby thing and you just talk them through it.
Isn't the snuggle time just wonderful?
If I were a baby all over again, I would insist on sleeping on my mother's chest. Imagine the soft rythmic sound of a beating heart and the comfort of your mother's arms...ahhh. That's what it's all about! Sleep on and off all day while you can. It's great that you and Tim both have the time off just to be with Josh. Enjoy! :-)
ReplyDeleteEnjoy every moment you can holding him! Pretty soon he'll be too big!
ReplyDeleteAlso, what helped reassure me a ton in those early weeks was reading and rereading and rereading the Baby Whisperer book. That book is a MUST - I hope you have it with you.
ReplyDeleteAs the token male (for now) in the comments I will dispense with the advice portion of the program and simply say that your post brings back memories.
ReplyDeleteYou're doing great!
In the first few days and weeks I found Lydia took more milk from a chilled bottle than anything else. She was a champ at having 1/2 ounce and falling asleep again so it really was handy. It sounds like the little guy is doing just fine though and don't worry you sleep again someday!
ReplyDeleteThanks, guys. :) The snuggling is wonderful and I'm afraid I'm already addicted. There are worse addictions. :)
ReplyDeleteEvery new mom and dad I know right now sleep with baby on their chest.
ReplyDeleteSeriously.
It's like the babies formed a union in utero and said, "When we come out, well, let's all do this for 6 months. We'll reconvene at our well-baby checks and modify the plan a couple of times and really jack them up. We've got to get our parents going our way from the very start - they are very hard to train."
Maybe try swaddling him. Babies love to wrapped up and warm, just like they were in the womb. That is how both of ours slept best when they were tiny.
ReplyDeleteI highly recommend Baby Whisperer and On Becoming BabyWise (Baby Whisperer is just a kinder, gentler BabyWise). They were really helpful to me when Hatchling was wee and we were trying to get him on a schedule and manage to ever sleep again!
I think 1.5-2 oz sounds about right for that age. You are doing great!!! He is so beautiful and I'm so happy for you!!!!