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Hey girls! Just popping in from the July 2009 Playroom. A friend of mine asked me what I wish I would have known within the first few weeks of having my daughter, Ayla...I figured I'd share it with you girls as well! (I'm sure you some of you may already know most or some of this, but maybe this will help some of you!! )
**Of course, all of this advice is based off of what I've learned about Ayla**
Gripe Water -- this stuff is GREAT! I seriously don't know what I'd do without it. It's herbal (a mixture of fennel and ginger), and it's great for gassy bellies (takes 15 min), and hiccups especially (half a dose normally gets rid of painful hiccups in seconds). I use this for Ayla's hiccups ALL the time. Hiccups make her cranky. lol -- the off-brands don't work the same...
Cradle swing -- I have a Fisher Price Nature's Touch Papasan cradle swing, and let me tell you...it's a lifesaver! It swings front to back OR side to side, and infants normally like swinging side to side, and when they get older they prefer front to back. We thought Ayla was colicky for the first few weeks. She had her time of night where she would just scream. We'd put her in this swing, and she'd get quiet and fall right to sleep. Stock up on D batteries though! The swing is great for when I need to take a shower (I bring a hand held monitor in the bathroom with me) or clean the house.
Most babies LOVE to be swaddled. I would try starting this very early. Ask the hospital how to do a nice, tight swaddle. Babies are used to being in a very tight spot in your belly, and they really don't know what to do with their arms and legs when they come out. We only swaddle Ayla at night now. It helps her sleep through the night. When babies sleep, their arms and legs make involuntary movements that cause them to wake up. When they're swaddled, those movements don't wake them...so they sleep longer. Oh, and SwaddleMe blankets make swaddling easier. And, The Woombie Home Page --different kind of swaddle (mimics the womb).
ALWAYS make sure he/she burps!!!! Even if it takes forever...it's so important. Babies mistake gas pain as hunger pain, so if he has gas...he may act hungry (routing, eating his fingers etc.). If you're having a hard time getting a burp, lay him flat for a couple of minutes and rub his belly. Then, sit him up and pat his lower to mid back. Normally the burp should come up.
I read your post and I am so glad you started this thread. However, I think that we have opposite children! My advice is to try a lot of different things and do what works for your kid and family without feeling pressure or guilt.
I put my son in a swing for a while. He would rather be on his back on the floor. Much rather. Screaming vs smiling rather. Odd.
Swaddling? I was so faithful in swaddling that little bug the first two weeks. Every time I did, he would squirm and grunt until he was free, then fling his arms out, sigh, and fall asleep and sleep for hours. Thank goodness he was born when it was warm out!
Burping? I faithfully burped that kid for the recommended amt of time the first few weeks to no avail. No burps, and he would get REALLY mad that he wasnt eating-pecking at my chest mad. So I stopped and only burped him when he acted gassy. And he has never had gas issues, digestive problems, etc.
And I think my son got a kick out of hiccups-they were the one thing that consistantly made him smile.
I think he just takes after my DH who is very comfortable with gas. And me, who likes to do things differently than most.
Ann Gables-- that is SO funny...definitely does sound like we have opposite children!
Ayla's has reflux so her hiccups are painful...whenever she gets them, I better have Gripe Water on hand! hehe
Swaddling isn't for ALL babies...that's for sure. Ayla just happens to be a swaddle baby. My neice hated it too, but most of my friends' babies love it!
Good luck girls!!
BTDT moms should share some tips as well!!
Lindsey-. I have not had to deal with reflux yet, and it certainly changes the game! My friends who have dealt with that have definitely had it much harder than I have had, especially the first few months. I think their list would look remarkably similar to yours.
I think it would be helpful for the women here if you did a topic on what to look for with reflux, who to talk to, and what worked for you. It is always nice to start parenthood with more info rather than less!
I read your post and I am so glad you started this thread. However, I think that we have opposite children! My advice is to try a lot of different things and do what works for your kid and family without feeling pressure or guilt.
I put my son in a swing for a while. He would rather be on his back on the floor. Much rather. Screaming vs smiling rather. Odd.
Swaddling? I was so faithful in swaddling that little bug the first two weeks. Every time I did, he would squirm and grunt until he was free, then fling his arms out, sigh, and fall asleep and sleep for hours. Thank goodness he was born when it was warm out!
Burping? I faithfully burped that kid for the recommended amt of time the first few weeks to no avail. No burps, and he would get REALLY mad that he wasnt eating-pecking at my chest mad. So I stopped and only burped him when he acted gassy. And he has never had gas issues, digestive problems, etc.
And I think my son got a kick out of hiccups-they were the one thing that consistantly made him smile.
I think he just takes after my DH who is very comfortable with gas. And me, who likes to do things differently than most.
Your son sounds just like my two boys! LOL
They both hated the swing, hated being swaddled, weren't burpers, and gripe water never worked for them. I must have anti-babies! LOL
I'm definitely planning on have the Gripe Water on hand this time around.
I wish I would've known this:
1. Buying tons of bottles or pacis is a waste of money. With DD#1, I invested in a tons of the same type of bottle and paci, only to have her reject them once I stopped breastfeeding. So I had to go out and figure out what she liked.
2. Swaddling - DD#2 LOVED being swaddled. Wish I had known that with #1. Sleeping was much calmer that way.
3. Diaper Rash Cremes - I've tried them all - finally found that Desitin Creamy was the best for my girls who are extra sensitive. Stopped using the Johnson brand bath, too, after it broke them out. Glad I didn't stock up on that stuff!
4. Establishing a sleeping schedule. I kid you not #1 was difficult, but with #2 I had caught on the importance. Used The Baby Whisperer technique and plan to do the same this time.
5. Investing in date night - if only I had put that as #1 with DD#1. After her, I decided I need to put all my energy and care towards her. Definitely not the best move. It is hard leaving them, but do it, for your sanity and the sake of your marriage!
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