So... What's your baby like?

[HidaShara]

Is it too early to say my baby is really boring? Lol... DD2 is 2 weeks old and all she does is sleep! I don't know if I'm misremembering DD1, but I remember her newborn days being a marathon of nursing and alertness. But not this kid, man. She is awake and alert maybe 4h a day (twice for about 2h each time). The rest of the time she's sleeping or just awake enough to nurse for 5-10 minutes with her eyes closed before dozing off again. She's gaining weight wonderfully and I know I should just be getting my sleep while this phase lasts... But of course, instead, I'm worrying about if my kid sleeps too much. (eyeroll, right?)

Oh well. How about the rest of you? What are your new LOs like?

[greenmama66]

Mine sleeps and nurses, he's becoming more awake now but he's still pretty sleepy at 12 days old. I am almost afraid to say how well he sleeps at night since birth, he will stir to nurse and sleeps in crook of my arm then I gently let him go once he's done nursing but he never cries during the night. I started diapering him with an insert and we don't even change diapers in the middle of the night unless he poops. He seems to know day and night and DH can't believe how easy he is.

[guatemama1]

I have no comparison since this is the first baby I've ever spent any amount of time with in my whole life... but others say lil man is very chill. We went a few days last week without any crying. Although now he seems a little more grumpy. He nurses and sleeps and is having more stretches of alertness as the days go by. He can focus on faces now and smiles every now & then.

I'm figuring out so much stuff. It helps if I rock him to sleep, which I only figured out a few days ago. Duh! I thought, of course babies like that. I was just putting him down and being like, Ok sleep now! I am discovering my own mothering instincts and behaviors as well, which, much to my chagrin appear to be like my own mom...hahaha :)

[matty02]

My first baby was colicky, a poor sleeper, needy, and a marathon nurser. My second was easy going, nursed only for food (not comfort), and was a good sleeper. This baby is in the middle. She has reflux so that has been tough to deal with but the last three nights she has been on medication and doing so much better!  She is getting very alert these days (she is 7 weeks!) but wants to be held most of the time. She sleeps for pretty good chunks of time around 3-5 hours at night. She smiles and has very good head control. 

[tourist.]

My son will be three weeks tomorrow and still sleeps quite a lot. When he's awake he is pretty easy though, definitely easier than his very fussy big brother was. I'm hoping that this is his personality and not just newborn stuff. Typically he's only crying or fussing when he's hungry and I'm taking too long to get out the boobs. He really doesn't want to comfort nurse, although he does seem to like to comfort suck so we're trying a pacifier although I'm nervous about using it. We'll see how that goes I guess. Overall, this newborn time has been infinitely easier than the same period with my first so I'm happy. :-) Funny that it's easier this time since I now have a newborn and a 2.5 year old. I think my DS1 was really a difficult guy and it's becoming more obvious as I spend time with the new lo.

[LivingSky]

I've commented to my mom a few times that this baby is going to completely spoil me. He sleeps well, he is alert for a few hours a few times a day. He has a fussy period in the evening (that just started the last few days) but then calms down and sleeps. He is happy and smiles all the time. He loves spending time with his daddy and his grandma so I get a bit of downtime most days.

I sure hope when we have baby #2 that he or she is as easy as Kayden is! I feel so blessed with this little guy.

[Curlyfry7]

OK this is going to s ound weird since this is my third baby, but what are you all doing with your baby all day long? Once they fall asleep, are you setting them down? Where? Or holding them the whole time? Or what? I always have trouble with the NB phase mentally, and both my other kids were very high needs, poor sleepers, had to be held constantly etc etc. I can NOT hold this baby 24/7 like I did in the past. But I am having trouble finding a happy medium. Plus he doesn't want to be put down anywhere yet (which I know can be normal, I'm just afraid of having a repeat-my DD could not be put down for like 15 months and would not sleep unless touching me for 18 months)

DS2 is not what i would call mellow, although so far seems to be sleeping a little better than his siblings. He seems to be dealing with some reflux, which the other 2 had as well, so I'm about to pull dairy from my diet as the other 2 were dairy intolerant, so we'll see if that helps-he just seems grumpy all the time. I am very envious of you with mellow little babies-doesn't look like I'm ever going to experience that.

[HidaShara]

Originally Posted by Curlyfry7 

OK this is going to s ound weird since this is my third baby, but what are you all doing with your baby all day long? Once they fall asleep, are you setting them down? Where? Or holding them the whole time? Or what? I always have trouble with the NB phase mentally, and both my other kids were very high needs, poor sleepers, had to be held constantly etc etc. I can NOT hold this baby 24/7 like I did in the past. 

I'm taking advantage of this one's mellow-ness to learn to put the kid down! :D  DD1 was so clingy - and still is - that I don't think I can afford to have another like her.  I mean, we'll see how DD2 turns out, but if I can have at least ONE kid who doesn't need to be nursed to sleep/nap every day for 2 years I'd be thrilled.

DD2 doesn't seem to need to comfort nurse, so I either hold her in burp position until she's asleep, or else put her down somewhere where she can see I'm nearby - next to me on the couch or in bed - and wait for her to drift off.  Then once she's deeply asleep, I put her down on the bed (if it's night), on the couch (if I'm chillin' there) or in a bassinette or carseat (if I'm doing things around the house and need to carry her from room to room as I go).

At this stage, though, I am spending a lot of time sitting around and healing, so she's right next to me or in my lap a lot of the time still.  Might be she'll get more demanding on my time once DD1 is finished daycare and I can't just sit or lie next to DD2 all the time.

Oh, and my kitten really wants to sleep with/on DD2 right now, so I'm tending to keep her close 'cause the cat will lie down on her if I'm not there to shoo him. >.<

[LivingSky]

DS is 3 weeks old today and I'm just starting to put him down. I can't really say "be able to put him down" because I never really tried before. We did try to have him sleep in a bassinet when he was a few days old and he would wake up from a dead sleep and scream as soon as we put him in there. Put I can put him down on the couch or the change table and he's fine. I think he doesn't like the bassinet because he can't see out of it. So now I've got one of those little bouncy chairs and started introducing him to that a few minutes at a time. Yesterday and today he has happily slept in it for a few hours! It's perfect because it's light and I can move it to whatever room I want to be in and he just sleeps away, then starts chattering at me once he wakes up.

At night though he definitely wants to sleep touching me - haven't figured out a way to get around that yet

[MarineWife]

Originally Posted by Curlyfry7 

OK this is going to s ound weird since this is my third baby, but what are you all doing with your baby all day long? Once they fall asleep, are you setting them down? Where? Or holding them the whole time? Or what? I always have trouble with the NB phase mentally, and both my other kids were very high needs, poor sleepers, had to be held constantly etc etc. I can NOT hold this baby 24/7 like I did in the past. But I am having trouble finding a happy medium. Plus he doesn't want to be put down anywhere yet (which I know can be normal, I'm just afraid of having a repeat-my DD could not be put down for like 15 months and would not sleep unless touching me for 18 months)

My 2nd child had to be held all the time and touching someone whenever he was sleeping. He wouldn't sleep for more than 20 minutes whenever we tried to put him down by himself. 18 months isn't that long in the big scheme of things. My 2nd, who is 7.5 years old now, still needs to fall asleep with someone and will wake in the middle of the night very upset if he's left alone. My 3rd and now 4th children are much less needy, more mellow. It's very strange getting used to it. My 3rd, who is 4 now, can sleep on his own all night. I've learned from those two that that sort of thing is based on their personalities and not anything I did.

I do put my babies down as much as possible. With other LOs I don't have the luxury of being able to sit and hold the new baby all the time, as much as I may want to. I do sit and hold him some, though.

Have you tried a sling, pouch or wrap? You could hold the baby 24/7 and still have your hands free to do whatever else. Some babies just need that. I don't think providing that to a baby who needs it makes them more needy. I think in the long run it makes them less needy. It's just hard to tell because they are needy regardless. KWIM? In other words, you are not creating that by holding him when he needs it.

[sarafi]

Originally Posted by Curlyfry7 

OK this is going to s ound weird since this is my third baby, but what are you all doing with your baby all day long? Once they fall asleep, are you setting them down? Where? Or holding them the whole time? Or what? I always have trouble with the NB phase mentally, and both my other kids were very high needs, poor sleepers, had to be held constantly etc etc. I can NOT hold this baby 24/7 like I did in the past. But I am having trouble finding a happy medium. Plus he doesn't want to be put down anywhere yet (which I know can be normal, I'm just afraid of having a repeat-my DD could not be put down for like 15 months and would not sleep unless touching me for 18 months)

DS2 is not what i would call mellow, although so far seems to be sleeping a little better than his siblings. He seems to be dealing with some reflux, which the other 2 had as well, so I'm about to pull dairy from my diet as the other 2 were dairy intolerant, so we'll see if that helps-he just seems grumpy all the time. I am very envious of you with mellow little babies-doesn't look like I'm ever going to experience that.

This is baby 4 for me, and all were dairy intolerant, but I didn't know for sure until baby 2. Baby 1 screamed all day long for a year (I liked milk back in those days and that was her only symptom) and baby 2 threw up/had diarrhea and didn't gain weight forever and I suspected dairy, but was repeatedly told it couldn't be (he had the skin prick test for allergies and we are Caucasian so apparently there was NO WAY dairy could have been the issue) .

I *tested* baby 3 by eating ice cream twice and got projectile vomiting/screaming each time--that was enough for me to stay away from dairy, and with sweet baby 4 I had a dairy desert a few  nights ago and the baby who has been super easy did the projectile vomit/scream thing also. I am kind of over dairy at this point, people can get calcium from so many other foods, IYKWIM.

By talking with other adults and knowing myself who are lactose intolerant, some can handle some dairy and some can't have ANY. My second can't have any, but the others can handle a little (so far), so cutting dairy out all together while you find the balance could help you find a happy medium.

RE: where to put the baby, I do love to hold them , but I also live in a walk up apartment, with laundry downstairs and no partner here to help so yeah--baby gets put down sometimes. Even though she sleeps a lot, I still only get 5 minutes or so of peace a day, and I run, run, run, to get what I can done during that time. I try to do laundry for the five of us at night/ take non-perishable groceries up after babies have fallen asleep, etc. but there is only so much I can do.

Where to put them down?? Anywhere that is safe and you can see, if they can't roll and you are in the room anywhere is good at this age from my perspective. 

I use a sling when she is awake, take small loads and try to remember that this is a short time in our lives and the laundry is not the same as a fire!!!

Seriously, slings and baby carriers are MADE for mamas with more than one child, I have a ring sling that I have use with all four--the first I literally could not put down for 12 months, so she used it a lot--and a few others that I have when you just need another hand and baby needs to be tended to.

[Curlyfry7]

Ugh-I have been bumped off MDC every time I logged on ever since I posted this!! Thanks to those who have replied. I'm still trying to figure out this little guy-he definitely sleeps more than either of the other 2 did, although I am not ready to call him a "good sleeper" yet. He does want to be held most of the time when he's awake....he will have the very occasional time when he just chills and lays there when he's RIGHT near one of us, mainly me.

I know 18 months isn't long in the grand scheme of life, but it sure is long when you're in the middle of it!! (or at the beginning, knowing it's coming!! )I have really struggled with both the other kids in terms of really losing myself-with DD, between her needing (and not even daddy for a LONG time) to hold her constantly, plus the fact that she would NOT take a bottle, meant I really didn't get a break for the 18 months. I'm a pretty strong introvert, so having someone in contact with me all the time and never getting to be ALONE was super hard.I just feel like I'm going to lose my mind if I have to do that again.

I DO have tons of carriers, and need to get into using them with the little guy-I've just been so tired, and it's been so hot here, that the thought of having him strapped on my body is not a pleasant one, but I have to start getting more done around here, and getting the stir-crazy older kids out, so I will be breaking them out soon.

Today is day one of no dairy....I am just going to cut out the obvious dairy for now-with DD I had to cut hidden dairy AND soy, including soybean oil and soy lecithin, which was super hard. I'm going to miss ice cream, LOL....but last time it sure helped with weight loss!! And he seems maybe not as bad of a refluxer?? So maybe it won't be for as long.

I tend to have a really hard time emotionally for the 1st 4 months after baby is born, and I think this time is compounded by 1)I'm more tired, 2) the infernal HEAT keeping us stuck inside a lot more than normal, and 3) we had an extremely stressful couple of months before baby was born, which I think I am still dealing with. Overall I am a pretty big emotional mess, LOL.

[SuburbanHippie]

I'm considering dropped dairy too. DD was a happy, sleepy baby at first. Now she is a crabby, spitter-upper nightmare. Everyday feels like a little bit of torture. I'm going to talk with my naturopath tomorrow about it, but I know what he's going to say.  Bye-bye ice cream!

[junobella]

Originally Posted by SuburbanHippie 

I'm considering dropped dairy too. DD was a happy, sleepy baby at first. Now she is a crabby, spitter-upper nightmare. Everyday feels like a little bit of torture. I'm going to talk with my naturopath tomorrow about it, but I know what he's going to say.  Bye-bye ice cream!

sorry to hear that. when did she become fussy? My LO is 2 days shy of 3 weeks and still really mellow. I know around 3 weeks is when they 'wake up' and the fuss can start. That's what happened with DS1, although he wasn't as mellow as this LO currently is. My LO definitely has gas issues, but he gets them out. Sometimes it does cause a fuss, but not that bad. I don't know when I should take action to try to help with the gas or just let it be?

How long after you eat something irritable would LO react?

[Narleegates]

I truly truly truly believe the Lord blessed me, knowing I'd be doing this alone. Asher is SUCH a good easy baby! He's completely relaxed and content to sleep wherever we have him, be that in an arm, on a shoulder, the moses basket or the pack n play. He has 2 active periods, one early afternoon, one late evening. At night he wakes up once to eat and once for a new diaper. He really only fusses when he's getting a diaper change or I'm taking too long getting the boob out. He's an awesome breastfeeder, which surprised me since we werent able to establish breastfeeding until the day after he was born. I told my husband we'll pay for this with the next baby, it'll end up being a fireball!

[guatemama1]

Is it a regular baby thing to wake up from a nap, or light snooze, in a bad mood? Baby now often wakes up pissed and totally bothered (like how I wake up, but wondering if this is a baby thing or a "got it from mama" thing :)

Also, when baby nurses he gets suuuuper into it... like rubs his face and pulls on his hair and worms around and makes huge satisfying gulping noises. Regular baby stuff? Or a passionate eater?

[rducky]

Originally Posted by guatemama1 

Also, when baby nurses he gets suuuuper into it... like rubs his face and pulls on his hair and worms around and makes huge satisfying gulping noises. Regular baby stuff? Or a passionate eater?

Lol! Mine does this too! She also pats or grabs with her free hand at the boob depending on how hungry she is.

[mugglesmom]

Have you read The Baby Book by Dr Sears?  He has descriptions of the eating styles of babies.  It sounds like you have a gourmet

My little guy uses his toes to grab and flick at my other nipple.  Like he just wants to make sure it's there when he's ready for the other side.  Not my favorite thing in the world, but I can't help but think it's kind of cute.

He's a great sleeper at night, wakes once to feed and get changed.  During the day is another story, he only wants to sleep on me and if I move him he wakes up and wants to nurse.  So far my mom and DH are the only ones who can get him to sleep outside of arms and that's only happened a few times.  In fact he pretty much wants to be held all day long.  Makes it kind of hard to eat or pee during the day!

Originally Posted by guatemama1 

Also, when baby nurses he gets suuuuper into it... like rubs his face and pulls on his hair and worms around and makes huge satisfying gulping noises. Regular baby stuff? Or a passionate eater?

Lol! Mine does this too! She also pats or grabs with her free hand at the boob depending on how hungry she is.

[guatemama1]

Originally Posted by mugglesmom 

Have you read The Baby Book by Dr Sears?  He has descriptions of the eating styles of babies.  It sounds like you have a gourmet

My little guy uses his toes to grab and flick at my other nipple.  Like he just wants to make sure it's there when he's ready for the other side.  Not my favorite thing in the world, but I can't help but think it's kind of cute.

He's a great sleeper at night, wakes once to feed and get changed.  During the day is another story, he only wants to sleep on me and if I move him he wakes up and wants to nurse.  So far my mom and DH are the only ones who can get him to sleep outside of arms and that's only happened a few times.  In fact he pretty much wants to be held all day long.  Makes it kind of hard to eat or pee during the day!

Lol! Mine does this too! She also pats or grabs with her free hand at the boob depending on how hungry she is.

RE: places to sleep.... Arlo's 2 favorite places seem to be his changing table and on my MIL's back in her rebozo. In fact her rebozo skills have prompted me to get more serious about learning to use a babycarrier since I'm a tad jealous she's got the skills. We have complicated baby carrying contraptions, the Moby and Maya Ring Sling, and I feel like a goof trying to stuff Arlo into them when my MIL just flings him on to her back and wraps the rebozo around and viola! effortless babywearing. So I posted to the babywearing forum and someone pointed me to a local group down here that does babywearing workshops. Next week we are going and I'm hoping to learn a thing or two so I can wear my own damn baby!