Did anyone else have their child not mind the swing after a few months after despising it the first few months? I'm hoping she continues to like it. Then the last few days she all of the sudden decided that she would enjoy sleeping at night! Although we have to feed her every few hours due to her malabsorption we actually are getting some sleep at night in between feedings. I truly feel like a new person who has her life back. Not that Brynn isn't worth it, but sleep is much better than staying awake at 3 AM, you know? Brynn is also taking more ounces at each feeding and up to 24 ounces per day of mostly breastmilk along with Similac Isomil fill as needed and it's working out great. I'm so proud of our little girl. I have to admit after we've added the formula instead of doing just breastmilk her poo is more liquidy and brown...but hey beggers can't be choosers, right? And the smell...yes. Formula poo smells more than breastmilk poo that's for sure, LOL! I'm still freezing about 4-8 oz a day of breastmilk for future use for when I can't keep up with her demand so I'm happy that for the months coming ahead I'll be able to give her quite a bit of breastmilk which will greatly help with her digestion. Her pediatrician and I decided that mostly breastmilk with one bottle of formula per day is better for a prolonged period than all breastmilk for so many months and then all breastmilk for the following months would be better. So substituting one feeding per day with formula is what we're doing right now.As I've said the only reason I'm so gung ho on the breastmilk is due to her malabsorption and the fact that she's doing well on it. After all, my husband and I were formula kids and did great...so I'm definitely no a down looker on formula or anything :-) Thanks again for all of your help with the baby food topic as I've said also. I ordered the Beaba Babycook this weekend after much advice and input from friends. I'll let you know what I think after using it. She had the rest of her vaccines this past Friday and spiked a 103 degree temperature and was quite the cranky baby this weekend. But after some Tylenol and lots of hugs and cuddling this weekend did A- okay. We even did some house shopping this Saturday despite the additional couple inches of snow we got this weekend. We're not looking at moving far, just nearby for somewhere with a little more room. It'll be a long and slow process I'm sure. The Michigan housing market is a fickle one. The only thing that has me not so happy is the fact that as of Friday Brynn's liver function tests are still elevated (LFTs)...we are to wait until they are 5 months and see them from there. They're not super high...but they're still elevated and not where they should be. I'm a bit upset by that. But I'm just continuing to pray that with time they will come down.
Brynn still hates her tummy time, but I'm trying to sneak it in when possible. Did anyone else's kids hate tummy time? Any helpful tips? Or should I just keep plopping her down? Neela keeps her company at least, LOL! I'm sure she thinks her sister is just one strange looking puppy without fur :-)I'm slowly but surely getting ready to be going back to work over the next couple of weeks. I'm sure that'll be a post for tomorrow. But geez...it's proving to be harder than I thought. I'm struggling with how much I want to work, and how much I want to be home with Brynn. Basically I'm blessed and if I want to work X amount of hours and earn X amount of money I'm able to. So basically however as much or as little as I want to work I'm able to. It sounds great....but at the same time I'm torn between work and family, you know? Also, I'm torn because both my mom and other people want to watch Brynn and I'm struggling to find something that works well. Lots of decisions. I just wish it were a little easier.
Brynn loves airplane these days as well. When she's fussing it certainly calms her down. I also went to the dreaded dentist this week. I recently switched to one of my good friend's husband to go. One of my best friends from college in an endodontist and does root canals for a living and her husband is a dentist. I do have to say I'm a bit less nervous going to a dentist that I've gotten tipsy with together off some Grey Goose martinis, LOL! I'm happy to say I didn't have any cavities despite my poor nutrition at the later part of my pregnancy which I was a bit concerned over.Anyways...I'm off to rot my brain watching Desperate Housewives. Today I actually bundled up and went for a mile walk even though it was only 30 degrees but it felt great. I have a fierce case of cabin fever and can't wait for spring. How about you?
24 comments:
She is so cute. Congrats on the 14 week mark. She is looking really good.
The swing thing seems to be a "phase" or at least for mine. She didn't like it at first but then when she started falling asleep in it I figured she just learned to like it. That is good.
I hear you on the work issue. I am going back in a week. I am not sure about it. I will only be working part time and working from home so that helps. I too am blessed to have that decision of going back and working x at x rate.
A trick for the tummy time that we did is using a pillow vs just putting on the ground. I have a round pillow and I put a cloth over it and then put her on it. She loves it - I put it on the floor and she moves a little (she pushes with her legs)So the pillow rolls. (Yes I am with her holding her and pillow). It is great. She has dealt with it then. Also if you just put her on your shoulder where she has to keep her head up a little (per her Dr) that counts))..
Brynn is so beautiful! Congratulations on 14 weeks. It sounds like she is doing wonderfully. I completely understand the work/home inner struggle... I am also having a difficult time with this. I wish there was an easy answer. So glad that you have a supportive work environment, though. I hope her LFTs normalize soon.
Yes to the swing question. We went through months of hatred directed at hte swing. Then one day we had a love affair that has been going strong.
Same with tummy time. Just keep at it 30 seconds at a time, I noe have a child that absolutely LOVES tummy time and rolling on the floor after carrying/holding him for the first 6 months.
Praying for Baby Girl's liver.
Good Luck with the work decisions. It's not an easy topic and there is never just one right answer.
Brynn is the most beautiful baby I think I've ever seen. Seriously. You guys are so blessed. I love seeing a perfect little uu baby. As I always say...you give me hope.
I don't have any advice on the baby stuff since I don't have one:) Hopefully, I'll be able to ask you questions soon!
I do think that feeling torn about work is normal though. Are you going to do part time or full time?
She's such a cutie. Glad that she's doing well and hope that the LFT's even out in the coming months.
I hope the getting ready to go back to work goes well. Hang in there.
She is just so cute. I love the pic of her Daddy holding her up like an airplane!
Sounds like Little Miss Brynn is becoming a wonderful baby, by letting her parents sleep some at night. :) My niece, Kandace (who is 4 months old) hates tummy time and she can be hot or cold with the swing...some days she likes it, some days she hates it. Jackson didn't sit in his swing one time, he would scream as soon as they started it. (LOL)
Sounds like you are blessed to have many babysitters, once you go back to work. I'll be praying your schedule works out. I'll also be praying for Brynn's liver. She is a miracle baby...I have no doubt that God will heal her completely.
((HUGS))
Good job momma! About tummy time, I don't think I've known anyone's baby to actually like it.
YAY for 14 weeks! She's getting so big and cuter and cuter every time I see a new picture. My daughter HATED the swing, but eventually she got use to it, as well. Hopefully Brynn will do the same and not try to make you go crazy with the flip flopping. I'm glad she's feeling better after her shots, poor little thing.
Woo-hoo to the 14th week mark!!! I know, i know, I've said this like zillion of times but she's looking so cute.
Oh about the work decisions, I wish I had answers, cuz I wish I'm in limbo as well.
Hugs.
Any babies I've known at that age, don't love tummy time. They can't see like they want too and it's hard to hold up their own heads. But it's great for them and I think you should continue. She'll decide she likes it one day, just as with the swing.
It's good to hear of you being out and about and taking such a nice long walk. Great for you!!! Cabin fever on top of the cabin fever you've had for sooo long must be a bit overwhelming. So do get out for that walk whenever you can.
I have no advice on the work issue. If I could have stayed home I would have. I was a wreck having to leave. So good luck on that front.
Brynn's getting so big Sara. And she's a beauty to boot. I hope the liver function test turns around for her in a couple of months.
:) {{HUGS}}
I just love all the pictures of Brynn and Neela together! So cute. Yes, I have spring fever too-these dreary winter days are depressing. I find that on those sunny nice days, even if I go run errands in the car, it brightens my mood being in the sunshine. Hopefully Brynn's test results improve with some time. Hang in there!
Great pictures, she is so precious and beautiful! It sounds like Brynn has really had a maturation spurt re.her swing and sleeping, so cool. Bummer about her LFTs, I hope it resolves soon. The breastfeeding/formula routine sounds great. Good luck w/house hunting, it does take a long time, especially in these crazy times.
Re.going back to work, a lot of the clinicians I work with came back to work 2 or 3 days a week and then increased their hours as they needed or could stand! It's so tough to leave your baby, it does get easier, just takes the tincture of time. Big ((Hugs)), Best Wishes always.
Elizabeth despises tummy time. She says eh eh eh in protest immediately and starts full out yelling pretty soon after that. Today, I, um, put her on top of the washing machine when it was in the spin cycle and she thought that was amazing. So we may start trying that for a little tummy time. I think that she liked that she could look down and see me too, since I was crouching down holding her hands. I also do cheating tummy time in the bathtub with her and let her lay face down on my stomach. She likes that too.
You certainly have a beautiful baby!!
I have a flexible job like you...I have chosen to work 20 hours a week in three days. I get two full weekdays at home to spend with my daughters. Its enough that we all get out of the house but we still have plenty of time together. It was an adjustment, but this works well for us. Best of luck with the work decision. Its not easy!!
Tammy
hey! i haven't had time to read all the way through yet, but Luke HATES tummy time. it rips my heart out every time i have to put him down. I try to play with him while he is there, but he just screams. It is so important though, so i've delegated the job to my husband. he's a therapist, so he's used to torturing people. LOL
So flipping adorable.
Re: tummy time, Rowan doesn't like it either. We do it in short increments, and I get creative. Sometimes I get down on the floor on my back and put her face down on my chest. She doesn't seem to mind the tummy time as much if she's looking at my face. We also do chest presses (airplanes) and when I'm holding her on my lap I slouch down so I'm practically laying and she's in an automatic tummy time. It adds up...
Sorry about the liver news, but I'm sure things will get corrected in time.
Don't stress about the tummy time, she'll start enjoying it soon enough and then she'll be all over the place before you know it. Then, you'll be wanting to slow her down and you won't be able to, it's very sad.
Glad to hear she is eating and sleeping like a champ.
She is so beautiful! I am glad that she is finally sleeping more and enjoying the swing. I had one nephew that hated the swing at first but then loved it and the other just hated it all the time and they both HATED tummy time.
Good Luck with your decisions! I am glad you get your choice but I know it must be hard.
Longtime lurker, first time poster! Your girl is adorable... My son hated the swing at first too, and didn't start to enjoy it until we turned the speed up higher than I thought it should be. THEN he LOVED it! He also hated tummy time, but that had more to do with his nasty reflux than anything else. You could also put some toys and stuff on the floor for her to play with (link rings or rattles or something), and possibly a mirror. I also agree with PP about the pillow. If you have a boppy, try putting that under her chest.
Oh and I get the work thing too. I went back at 9 weeks, hated every single day, and ended up leaving when my little man was about 9 months old. Our family certainly misses the money, but we are all much happier for my decision. Good luck!
Oh, the swing....we had some issues in the beginning, and FINALLY my bigger girl started loving it. So much, in fact, it was the only way she would take naps. We've broken that now, but for a while, it was a life saver! (We actually had FOUR swings in our house for both of the girls. Ridiculous, but colic is tough!)
Tummy time is so hard. Neither of my girls liked it much. BUT, we prop up on the boppy and use a little swivel ladybug thingie...they say that any amount of time is better than nothing. Hopefully she'll learn to like it soon - it just may take some time. My bigger girl does pretty well now (6 mos old) for about 10 minutes at a pop, flat on the floor.
So glad you are doing well. Hope you continue to get some sleep. Sleep deprivation is the worst, isn't it? :-)
PS - Brynn is just beautifull!
She is so pretty! :) I'm glad things are going so well. And I love the pics with Neela.
We're struggling with what to do for Lexie's child care when the time comes. My mom has offered to basically move in with us, but I think my dad would kill me if I accepted. We're looking into nanny options, mainly, since preemies can't go to daycare. But we still have several months to figure it out.
I have to go to the dentist, too. My teeth used to be hard as rocks, but pregnancy/pumping must have seriously depleted my calcium because I think I might have a cavity! My first as an adult. Oh well, Lexie was worth it.
Loving the updates. Brynn is so cute. No tips on the parenting stuff -- tummy time, etc.
Hope the work situation works itself out. I'm already beginning to think about that, even though it is months and months away.
~~HUGS~~
hey... it will not let me read any of your new posts. what should i do?
she is so beautiful!! Chase loves the swing, Anders hated it. I got rid of anders when he was 3 months cause he never liked it si I'm not sure if he would have eventually. both boys hated tummy time. how else can we strengthen those arms??? glad you're getting sleep even a little. I totawlly feel you there, and my baby is a porker who at this point should sleep 10 hours according to size ha ha. keep up the good work!!
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