She is one week old today, and it has obviously been a whirlwind for everyone involved, including my circadian rhythm
Here are her accomplishments for the last week
1) She was born
2) She is lifting her head up a little, so if you put her on her stomach she isn't going to suffocate immediately
3) She rolled over from stomach to back during her VERY FIRST (obviously puppy supervised) tummy time
More than anything she's just sucking on her arm, which some may believe means she's hungry
5) She slept 3.5 hours (7:30 pm - 11:00 pm)
6) Met her big brother (see supervisor above)
7) WoWed the pediatrician and 2 lactation consultants with fantastic weight gain (like mother like daughter)
8) Learned to love her lamb swing
9) Went to vote
She doesn't seem excited about a career in politics
Here are MY accomplishments for the last week
1) Birthed a whole person
2) Drank at least 5 alcoholic drinks
3) Visited the pediatrician twice
4) Only cried four times (and only once from frustration)
6) Had a major headache on the whole first day I was alone with Mary Margaret
7) Have done little-to-no chores
8) Received many delicious meals from caring friends
9) Went to sleep at 7:30 pm and 7:30 am within the same 24 hours
10) Nursed a sweet little girl until my nipples almost fell off
So speaking to #4 (Crying of frustration), people always say that it gets better after 3 months.
3 Months is a REALLY long time from now, is it really going to be that long before she starts sleeping through the night and not having to nurse her at least 12 times a day? Because that is going to get old REAL quick. Plus I'm really not that good a burping yet, so there has been a large amount of spit up going on, but I'm trying
We have given her the name "Chicken Wing" recently because the Lactation Consultant told us that she will be done nursing when her arm resembles a limb chicken wing, which makes perfect sense.
Ok, it's about 7:30 meaning Mary Margaret and I are about to turn back into pumpkins.
Thanks again everyone!
Congrats on surviving week 1! It really can get better much sooner than 3 months. I think after the first couple of weeks (especially if she is gaining weight well) you can make a more concerted effort to feed on a schedule. Again, it all depends on what kind of "parenting style" you embrace, but I am one who loves and believes babies do really well on schedules. The advice from my mom was to try to feed the baby at 7, 11 and 3. That will vary a little from day to day, but I think the key was the night schedule. I would semi torture Emmett to keep him awake from 7-10 pm (clothes off, binky in and out, bath time, lots of play, etc) and then feed him around 10:30 pm. I would usually feed him again between 2-4 am and then he'd go right back to sleep until morning. It is much more manageable to only have to get up once after going to bed. Anyway, that's just my two cents. All babies are different and you'll certainly figure out (eventually) how MM likes to roll. :)
ReplyDeleteAllison Walp Dimsdale You are doing great!!! And MM is so beautiful, and wilł fill your life with joy and challenge I'm sure. So here goes. 1. It will be better. 2. It will get easier. 3. Sleep when she does. 4. Make good friends with your pediatrician, no question is dumb ... It may help them figure out your kid. 5. Have a cocktail at 5:00. It helps with 'witching hour' when babies are always fussy, and helps your milk come in. This was advice from an older pediatrician years (many) ago. 6. Be kind, very kind, to yourself. Your hormones will settle down and it will all be better. You and Charlie are amazing! Hold on, and let me bring your dinner this weekend. And keep blogging please, it's wondèrful. Love!!
ReplyDeleteP.S. I agree with Amy. Schedules work really well for most kids, once your milk supply is established and MM is gaining weight.
ReplyDeleteI"m so glad you are doing well. I know this is the hardest time, and truthfully, I think it continues to be hard with the first one because you are always venturing new territory at every age. Best wishes.
ReplyDeleteSneaking in to give you a virtual hug and pat on the back for getting through the first week & being able to blog about it! Eight years into this motherhood deal and I will say every phase has it's challenges but none more than the newborn phase. Sounds like you and MM are figuring each other out nicely and it won't be like this for long. I say it gets better in about 3-4 weeks, not months. One day at a time, one moment at a time.
ReplyDeleteAs for schedules, everyone has what works for them but you just have to try different things to figure out what that will be for you. We were forced into a feeding schedule due to lack of weight gain but I was fairly unscheduled about everything else and it worked for us. Others (parents or baby - or both) need schedules. Have faith, you will figure it out and rock this motherhood gig!
3 weeks before the nipples feel better!!
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