Speaking of naps... I feel like Harper naps a lot. Normally she sleeps about 2 hours in the morning, maybe 7-9. Then again 11-2ish. Then again before bed (time varies daily). She's been awake a bit more than she was before, so I think she's on track.. Just wondering how everyone else's babies are napping and about how long?
Ours are kind of a hit or miss. She's definitely becoming more alert/awake so she will usually get a nap in around 10 and it can range from 1-2 hours. Her afternoon one is usually around 1ish and typically lasts a little longer than the morning. Then it's time for cluster feeding and cat naps from 5-10pm.
@LadySamLady, similar to your LO, we're still having really inconsistent sleep. Pedi wants him at 12 to 14 hours per day and he hasn't even hit 10 in the last 17 days. Pedi is trying to push bottle feeding because she's attributing his sleep difficulties to bfibg too long. She's trying to make me condense his feedings so she wants him removed from the breast whenever distracted or falling asleep. I tried to explain that the internet ppl have babies feeding varying durations, but she seemed to dismiss that. It's very frustrating, I don't think bottles are the answer especially when his weight gain EBF is great.
Can you consult LLL and/or a Lacation consultant for additional advice since baby is EBF and weight is doing great? And of course a baby of that age is going to fall asleep eating. Breastmilk has sleepy properties in it. Plus newborn. So that doctor's advice seems really off.
@camillaandcarson, I've spoken with someone who runs the local LLL Facebook, but haven't made it to a meeting yet. They reiterated that bottles were not the answer and that many of their members EBF for years without ever pumping or using bottles. I'm really hoping to get to a meeting soon, but LO is so exhausted from not sleeping enough that he cries/fusses alot of the time, so I haven't been going out alot.
The pedi finally relented and prescribed Prevacid. On Friday, LO slept over 11 hours. I'm cautiously optimistic this is the fix we've been waiting for, he just matched so many of the symptoms for reflux. I'm still letting him snuggle with the breast after he finishes eating and then moving him to his bassinet, he just looks too happy to tear him away sooner.
We honestly have gone a much crunchier route with EBF than I ever imagined and I picked a very non crunchy physician. I had interviewed other pediatricians before making my choice and it looks like we're going to be reevaluating our criteria so it better aligns with our current reality.
They reiterated that bottles were not the answer and that many of their members EBF for years without ever pumping or using bottles.
Ugh. I can't roll my eyes enough. I quit going to their site as a resource because of the all or nothing mentality. Their advice was contributing to my BFing anxiety.
I'm not saying bottles are the answer either as I don't know, but for heaven sakes, is it possible for them to give practical advice without making you feel like you're inferior to moms that make it multiple years never using a pump or bottle?
Sorry for the rant. I just feel like their tone is less encouraging and more, "well these women didn't have a problem."
@missnc77, honestly, I never thought I'd reach out to LLL for support. I was one of the people several months ago who was planning to EPF or formula feed, so I honestly didn't think LLL would be very welcoming to me. But frankly, they are one of the few truly supportive voices I've found outside the LC's at the hospital. My mother has been a heavy fomula pusher for almost 2 months now and blamed everything on my choice to EBF. EBF is always to blame for LO spitting up, LO leaking from his diapers, LO not sleeping enough, and now LO needing Prevacid. She and my grandmother have now begun pushing pumping because similar to the pedi, the bottle is the answer since "It's not my fault, but I've never had kids before." Since I never planned to go the EBF route, I'm having to educate myself as I go and it really doesn't take much to make me start questioning everything. I don't think anyone should feel shamed or made anxious if they can't or choose not to BF, but the somewhat more militant approach of LLL sometimes gives me conviction I'm struggling with on my own.
LLL was also very welcoming to me. Even drove to my house when I couldn't drive (c-section) to help me for free. Also available via text. Can't beat that type of free help, that was actually helpful. They were never mean, rude, or told me what to do with my baby. They had a lot of experience and many different routes to help. They are a big reason I was able to succeed with my goals since I didn't know anyone who had ever nursed their baby in real life before the local LLL group.
Looking for any ideas, or short of that, a chance to rant.
LO is 2.5 weeks old. During the day, hes a great baby - sleeps in 3-4 hr stretches, up to nurse without fussing and back to sleep. At night, hes up every 1-2 hrs to nurse. Lately though, hes had an hour to 2 hr screaming session from 230-330am and again from 6-8 am. Were talking about inconsolable purple face screaming. It looks like gas pain. What can I do? DH and I are losing our minds listening to him sound so miserable.
Looking for any ideas, or short of that, a chance to rant.
LO is 2.5 weeks old. During the day, hes a great baby - sleeps in 3-4 hr stretches, up to nurse without fussing and back to sleep. At night, hes up every 1-2 hrs to nurse. Lately though, hes had an hour to 2 hr screaming session from 230-330am and again from 6-8 am. Were talking about inconsolable purple face screaming. It looks like gas pain. What can I do? DH and I are losing our minds listening to him sound so miserable.
Have you tried gripe water or gas drops? They work very well for us.
I have some, but the label says not until baby is a month old? Also, do I give them WHEN hes uncomfortable from gas or as a preventative before bed? Thanks!
I have some, but the label says not until baby is a month old? Also, do I give them WHEN hes uncomfortable from gas or as a preventative before bed? Thanks!
We have found witching hours for us is from 7-9pm or when I decide I need to go to sleep so he will. Omg it is exhaustingggg....the crying is so miserable. We've started using gas drops for the 8 pm feeding! Will update!
I have some, but the label says not until baby is a month old? Also, do I give them WHEN hes uncomfortable from gas or as a preventative before bed? Thanks!
Good question how do you use gripe water?
I've always used it as a treatment rather than prevention, but neither of my kids have ever had persistent issues. I would speak to the pediatrician to see if you can use it as a routine preemptive measure and if that doesn't work then move on to gas drops. Some of my friends have consistently used gas drops because their baby has persistent gas issues.
I have some, but the label says not until baby is a month old? Also, do I give them WHEN hes uncomfortable from gas or as a preventative before bed? Thanks!
My pedi cleared us to start using them right away but definitely talk to yours. We give them when he becomes fussy and I can tell it's gas or discomfort (hard tummy, arching, etc.). Both work really quickly for us.
Ugh, the witching hour is torture. It starts right around 5, LO just wants to cluster feed and not nap, meanwhile DH is just getting home from work with DS1 in tow. So naturally the house is just a hot ass mess with me stuck nursing baby, the 3YO wanting attention, MH trying to get dinner together. I dread it.
Fun side note, during all this, I was changing LO's poopy diaper in the pnp and DS1 said "I'm pooping too!" And stood there and pooped his pants. Regression in full effect over here.
In desperate need of moral support. Last night, we had a great night - up every 2 hours to eat, but no fussiness and right back to sleep. Awesome.
Today, he has been up ALL DAY. Not even fussing. Just up and looking around. All. damn. day. He's only 3 weeks old on Thursday. He took one very short little nap, about 2 hours long mid-day. He has also been feeding every hour since 8 am. I called my LC because I had food poisoning 48 hours ago and my supply is down, so we tried adding a little with the bottle too. Ate like a champ, burped, but NO improvement in anything. Now, since 6 pm, he has cried. The only time he isn't crying is if he's on my boob or my DH is hiking around with him. DH is currently hiking and I'm sitting here bawling because I CAN'T provide any more food than we are and I have no idea how else to comfort him. He doesn't seem gassy and he's peeing like crazy, but hasn't pooped since a MASSIVE MASSIVE poop this morning - maybe he's constipated? I don't know. I'm dying over here.
ETA: ...and because I was worried about constipation, and read that the gas
drops can cause constipation, I didn't do gas drops through the day
today, just re-started them with his 6pm (ish) feeding. Now I don't
know if I should have been doing it and maybe he's gassy? Although he's
not doing the gassy things - no arching, stretching, etc.
Ugh, the witching hour is torture. It starts right around 5, LO just wants to cluster feed and not nap, meanwhile DH is just getting home from work with DS1 in tow. So naturally the house is just a hot ass mess with me stuck nursing baby, the 3YO wanting attention, MH trying to get dinner together. I dread it.
There isn't a set pattern but usually baby's witching hours are at night (anywhere from 10am-6am, can be any combo or all the hours straight) or sometimes they change (like last night - I hit the jackpot and it is none at all, baby eats every 2-3 and goes back to sleep).
Today it was 4:30-10pm. DH doesn't get home until 10:30 pm. Toddler is staying up until DH is home lately because bedtime isn't working out like it used to before baby after DH went back to work. We are still adjusting and it is a work in progress. Anyway from 4:30-10 it was basically a triage of needs with me alone between active toddler and cluster feeder (and our 3 indoor pets, 2 of which are large working breed dogs who require attention).
I even did a walk outside (1 in stroller, the other in a carrier) but it didn't help. Usually the carrier always helps baby but it is a sauna out there even at dusk.
So exciting to think of what tomorrow will bring. Like kitten surprise - surprise surprise cluster surprise - how many hours of clustering will there be tonight? There could be 3, or 4, or 5!
@Karenpreggo three weeks of age is a common growth spurt week. Many babies are more awake, more fussy, harder to soothe and eat way more (in quantity or frequency) during this time. The good news is that after that stage of the growth spurt occurs, they usually follow-up with an extra sleepy phase which is when all the growing takes place. Hang in there!
@Karenpreggo BF babies sometimes go multiple days (even upwards of a week) without pooping so don't worry about constipation. It's been about 3 days since my LO (4 weeks) has had a big one so she's due any day now! Hang in there!
Oh Lord, is this what I'm up for then if it gets worse after 2-3 weeks? LOL. I have a 5-day old newborn and his witching hour seems to be after 5pm-9pm. He wont cry or fuss. I'll wake him up for his bottle and he'll remain awake - just staring into space. This will occur for 2-3 hours and then he'll get hungry again. Then, we give him a bottle and he goes immediately to bed. His other witching hour is around 1am. He'll wake up for a bottle and repeat the same process - just stays up staring for 2 hours. Yesterday, we gave him a second bottle after 2 hours and he still didn't wanna sleep - I had to rock him and give him a pacifier until 30 min later, he finally fell asleep. Which is weird, because he's out like a rock all day long.
@KarenpreggoHang in there, we just went through the super awakeness a few days ago and now he's a sleepy bug. He's been up and eating more at night than he normally does and is sleepy. My ds is ff but he's had the no pooping around the same time
Thanks everyone! Hes been SUPER sleepy today so we've all had a chance to catch up a little. Still no poop but also doesnt seem uncomfortable so Im waiting it out for now :-)
Ok, very strange witching hour question here- Virginia does a pretty typical witching hour from about 7-9 every evening, wanting to nurse nonstop, be held and walked around, general fussiness, etc. However, the last several days I have realized that if I just lay her down on a blanket and walk away, she chills out immediately and will be content laying there for like an hour or more! But if I lay down where she can see me or try to interact with her at all, she goes right back to being a cranky little butthole. So two part question here- a) is my baby a total weirdo? Does anyone else's baby do this? b) I feel like I'm somehow neglecting her by just leaving her sitting by herself for one of the few times she's awake during the day- should I just lean in, make myself a drink and watch bad tv? Am I a total weirdo for not just enjoying the break for what it is?
@Bellodomani my baby's witching hour is also 7-9pm every dang day. I don't know though, if she's super content being left alone. I wouldn't question it but that's just me. I'm a FTM and winging this whole thing (like most moms, I suppose). I feel like if she truly hated it, she would tell you using the language of her people (aka cry a lot). Speaking of, I'm gonna try that on my baby for giggles and see how he reacts.
My mom, self proclaimed baby whisperer, is coming over at 7 every day to solve his witching hour issues. I'll keep you guys updated if she finds something ground breaking!
@Bellodomani - Jet does something similar, but she doesn't last an entire hour by herself. She can chill for up to a half hour. I always feel like I should be hanging with her (which is totally ridiculous because we spend nearly every moment of every day together, I think she'd probably be ok without me touching her for like a freaking hour) so half the time I'm frantically cleaning or trying to eat something while she's chillin and the other half I play with her because I feel like that's what I'm supposed to do. Sorry I'm not of more help, just wanted you to know you're not a total weirdo, or maybe that we both are!
@Bellodomani DS2 does this occasionally. He likes to sleep spread out now, so sometimes he likes to be cuddled to sleep and other days he wants to just be put down. It leaves me confused too!
@bellodomani My LO does the same thing, and yes, it freaks me out too. I very nervously used the opportunity earlier to make myself eat and drink something before I couldn't stand it anymore and picked her up. I feel like during these awake moments, I should be interacting with her more, even though she's probably fine...
@amberraysofdawn@bkjade@kbrands7@tgortney Thanks ladies, y'all helped me feel less crazy I enjoyed a nice break from hauling this chunker around all day and watched a couple 30 Rock episodes in peace so all in all a pretty good night!
We have a witching hour going on here. Latching off and on, crying, taking/refusing pacifier, and only comfortable in the standing position - help me Internet - help me get her to sleep!!
We have a witching hour going on here. Latching off and on, crying, taking/refusing pacifier, and only comfortable in the standing position - help me Internet - help me get her to sleep!!
So tired. So hazy. What day is it?
Can you change of pace on baby? Since you are already up can you go outside? Sing while gently bouncing on an exercise ball? Baby wear? Do a little sight seeing around the house complete with running commentary of the full description on things you see? Tummy time? Bath? Run the water in the sink or shower? (my LO loves that sound). Any of those might help the reset button and help baby go down easier after the change of pace.
My baby slept amazing today. Feeding baby right now. If it gets to be in the late night/early morning hours and I am getting super tired I will drink Starbucks (in the fridge bought today waiting for the time of need just in case). I don't normally drink caffeine much at all while nursing so I am sure it will work. But of course baby could sleep amazing tonight. I never know as it is so random. Currently baby is up and has hiccups but seems quite happy thankfully.
Harper's WH is from 6-8pm. Snack dab during cooking/dinner time. Figures. Anyway, last night dh and I went out to dinner at 6:00 with her, expecting the worst. Lil monkey was quiet and happy the whole time. She looked around and was content staring at the walls in the restaurant. Is it possible that WH is just them being bored? Maybe a different environment during those hours helps? She likes to walk around the apartment during those times so I'm thinking she's bored and enjoying looking at new things? Anyone else noticed anything similar? I think I'm going to start taking her for s quick walk outside then to see if it helps
Harper's WH is from 6-8pm. Snack dab during cooking/dinner time. Figures. Anyway, last night dh and I went out to dinner at 6:00 with her, expecting the worst. Lil monkey was quiet and happy the whole time. She looked around and was content staring at the walls in the restaurant. Is it possible that WH is just them being bored? Maybe a different environment during those hours helps? She likes to walk around the apartment during those times so I'm thinking she's bored and enjoying looking at new things? Anyone else noticed anything similar? I think I'm going to start taking her for s quick walk outside then to see if it helps
Yes! Our witching hours are from 5-9. We talk LO out for a walk around 7 or 730 and she doesn't make a peep.
Harper's WH is from 6-8pm. Snack dab during cooking/dinner time. Figures. Anyway, last night dh and I went out to dinner at 6:00 with her, expecting the worst. Lil monkey was quiet and happy the whole time. She looked around and was content staring at the walls in the restaurant. Is it possible that WH is just them being bored? Maybe a different environment during those hours helps? She likes to walk around the apartment during those times so I'm thinking she's bored and enjoying looking at new things? Anyone else noticed anything similar? I think I'm going to start taking her for s quick walk outside then to see if it helps
Our LO is also as quiet as a mouse if we go out during witching hours. It's just hard to do because WH also coincide with big sister's bedtime. But it is a mystery!
Is witching hour just a name for a space of time where a normally happy healthy baby is just inconsolable... Because if so....I'm there last few nights in the evening my happy healthy baby just freaks out. No matter what we do he just cries...as if he just wants to try out those new lungs of his. I know it's hard on both of us but Daddy just says he'll work through it. Says he's fine just being fussy. I'm nearly in tears, wanting to cry with my baby. Daddy just bundles him up and pats his butt until it's over... I really think he's right (otherwise he'd be this way all the time...not just in the evening) but still...all I can do is think of everything that COULD be wrong. His little cry rips my heart out ...
Sorry, I'm in the middle of a witching hour that daddy kicked me out of. I posted while stressed. Now I'm reading some of the pp. I guess it's awful...but normal???
@Bellodomani my son was having his witching hour moment so I started to swaddle him and lay him next to me so he'd calm down. As I was about to move him after being swaddled, he seemed super content staring at the ceiling (going on 15 mins now) and cooing to himself. Soooo....I'm taking my own advice and leaving him so I can watch TV lol but it is super awkward to just leave them so content. But hey, he's not screaming.
After nearly 1hr of off and on scream fest, DH and I decided to play man to man. He took DS1 and I took DS2 into our room and turned off all of the lights, turned the air on and sang and he calmed down enough to nurse and fall asleep. Definitely a case of too hot, too stimulated.
@Karenpreggo three weeks of age is a common growth spurt week. Many babies are more awake, more fussy, harder to soothe and eat way more (in quantity or frequency) during this time. The good news is that after that stage of the growth spurt occurs, they usually follow-up with an extra sleepy phase which is when all the growing takes place. Hang in there!
This is the most wondeful thing I have read all day! My DH and I have been going nuts with our crazy girl! She hit three weeks on Friday and has been been a fussy mess every evening anywhere from 3pm-10pm! DH literally asked me to get on the Bump app to see if other people where having trouble with fussy LO's! I read a lot of these posts out loud and it made us both feel better! We can do it!!
Re: Witching hour...or hours
And of course a baby of that age is going to fall asleep eating. Breastmilk has sleepy properties in it. Plus newborn. So that doctor's advice seems really off.
The pedi finally relented and prescribed Prevacid. On Friday, LO slept over 11 hours. I'm cautiously optimistic this is the fix we've been waiting for, he just matched so many of the symptoms for reflux. I'm still letting him snuggle with the breast after he finishes eating and then moving him to his bassinet, he just looks too happy to tear him away sooner.
We honestly have gone a much crunchier route with EBF than I ever imagined and I picked a very non crunchy physician. I had interviewed other pediatricians before making my choice and it looks like we're going to be reevaluating our criteria so it better aligns with our current reality.
I'm not saying bottles are the answer either as I don't know, but for heaven sakes, is it possible for them to give practical advice without making you feel like you're inferior to moms that make it multiple years never using a pump or bottle?
Sorry for the rant. I just feel like their tone is less encouraging and more, "well these women didn't have a problem."
They had a lot of experience and many different routes to help. They are a big reason I was able to succeed with my goals since I didn't know anyone who had ever nursed their baby in real life before the local LLL group.
LO is 2.5 weeks old. During the day, hes a great baby - sleeps in 3-4 hr stretches, up to nurse without fussing and back to sleep. At night, hes up every 1-2 hrs to nurse. Lately though, hes had an hour to 2 hr screaming session from 230-330am and again from 6-8 am. Were talking about inconsolable purple face screaming. It looks like gas pain. What can I do? DH and I are losing our minds listening to him sound so miserable.
Fun side note, during all this, I was changing LO's poopy diaper in the pnp and DS1 said "I'm pooping too!" And stood there and pooped his pants. Regression in full effect over here.
Today, he has been up ALL DAY. Not even fussing. Just up and looking around. All. damn. day. He's only 3 weeks old on Thursday. He took one very short little nap, about 2 hours long mid-day. He has also been feeding every hour since 8 am. I called my LC because I had food poisoning 48 hours ago and my supply is down, so we tried adding a little with the bottle too. Ate like a champ, burped, but NO improvement in anything. Now, since 6 pm, he has cried. The only time he isn't crying is if he's on my boob or my DH is hiking around with him. DH is currently hiking and I'm sitting here bawling because I CAN'T provide any more food than we are and I have no idea how else to comfort him. He doesn't seem gassy and he's peeing like crazy, but hasn't pooped since a MASSIVE MASSIVE poop this morning - maybe he's constipated? I don't know. I'm dying over here.
ETA: ...and because I was worried about constipation, and read that the gas drops can cause constipation, I didn't do gas drops through the day today, just re-started them with his 6pm (ish) feeding. Now I don't know if I should have been doing it and maybe he's gassy? Although he's not doing the gassy things - no arching, stretching, etc.
Today it was 4:30-10pm. DH doesn't get home until 10:30 pm. Toddler is staying up until DH is home lately because bedtime isn't working out like it used to before baby after DH went back to work. We are still adjusting and it is a work in progress.
Anyway from 4:30-10 it was basically a triage of needs with me alone between active toddler and cluster feeder (and our 3 indoor pets, 2 of which are large working breed dogs who require attention).
I even did a walk outside (1 in stroller, the other in a carrier) but it didn't help. Usually the carrier always helps baby but it is a sauna out there even at dusk.
So exciting to think of what tomorrow will bring. Like kitten surprise - surprise surprise cluster surprise - how many hours of clustering will there be tonight? There could be 3, or 4, or 5!
His other witching hour is around 1am. He'll wake up for a bottle and repeat the same process - just stays up staring for 2 hours. Yesterday, we gave him a second bottle after 2 hours and he still didn't wanna sleep - I had to rock him and give him a pacifier until 30 min later, he finally fell asleep. Which is weird, because he's out like a rock all day long.
My mom, self proclaimed baby whisperer, is coming over at 7 every day to solve his witching hour issues. I'll keep you guys updated if she finds something ground breaking!
get her to sleep!!
So tired. So hazy. What day is it?
Any of those might help the reset button and help baby go down easier after the change of pace.
My baby slept amazing today. Feeding baby right now. If it gets to be in the late night/early morning hours and I am getting super tired I will drink Starbucks (in the fridge bought today waiting for the time of need just in case). I don't normally drink caffeine much at all while nursing so I am sure it will work.
But of course baby could sleep amazing tonight. I never know as it is so random. Currently baby is up and has hiccups but seems quite happy thankfully.
Because if so....I'm there
I really think he's right (otherwise he'd be this way all the time...not just in the evening) but still...all I can do is think of everything that COULD be wrong. His little cry rips my heart out ...