Middle of the Night Musings

SandNStarsNJ

I can't be the only one up in the middle of night. They all have to eat. Right?

Chat it up. 

SandNStarsNJ

I actually had to wake DS up for this feeding and while I know he needs it, I am sorely regretting it as he was super stubborn to latch and is kind of yanking away at my breast. 

Anyway, what do you all do to pass the late night time away? I tend to scour the internet, which sometimes makes me nuts. I mean, where did Dr. Google get his degree anyway??

kristah2

My babe slept in his crib 1:30-6 last night! Mom win. I know they're supposed to stay in your room but in his bassinet he only lasts max an hour.. usually I'm up 10 minutes later. He likes his crib a lot more. 
I usually bring him into bed for the boob!  We get cozy and watch some tv. Been watching Gilmore girls (which I've seen 19 times. And have binged year in the life) -!: Jane the Virgin. When I'm really tired I throw on something easy to fall asleep to on Netflix. 
Internet is also used. Currently Pinterest-Ing Christmas cookie ideas. 

leighry

I throw in a movie as well or check Facebook. little man is good (for now) with getting down to business right away so we get back to sleep pretty quickly.

SandNStarsNJ

Wow! That's awesome @kristah2!

I need more hands to work the Roku for entertainment, I guess. 

PrettyPalomino

I've been sitting in the glider or on the couch in darkness/silence hoping that it will keep her (AND ME) tired enough to fall back asleep fast when done. It works to keep me sleepy but she's on her own clock and doesn't care if it's dark and quiet. Cluster feeds happen when they happen! Last night I changed 3 diapers and fed 3 times in an hour and a half around 1am. Ugh. 

We don't have cable but you can bet your ass we are getting it now.

hoosiermama-2

So corny, but I usually just watch her sleep. Her cluster feeding windows have varied a little, but are generally between 11p-3a. Sometimes I'll just let her doze snuggled up against me on the breast friend. If the dozes are a little longer, I'll lay her in her Boppy lounger on the bed between us. Then, I'll try to doze too or read.

hoosiermama-2

I said doze three times in that one post, hahaha

PrettyPalomino

@hoosiermama I just got the brest friend, she was sinking in all the cracks with the boppy plus I had to use it in combo with at least 2 other pillows. The Brest friend saved me!! 

kvruns

I usually play on my phone. I watch some tv but I swear I always have to rewind bc I miss some. I'm usually out on the hallmark Christmas movie channel bc I like cheesy movies 

hoosiermama-2

@PrettyPalomino Yep, same! There's really no comparison.

Knottie1458416769

Omg I love hallmark Christmas movies 

SandNStarsNJ

I don't get it... this kid slept like a dream for two nights and is suddenly demanding food on the hour for 15 minute spots. WHY?!?

atcwag

Please someone tell me I'm not the only one waking up with massive underboob sweat. Definitely not milk leakage...definitely sweat. 

kristah2

Yes! Lucky for me I don't leak so I stopped wearing a bra at night which has helped! 

kvruns

Yea on the sweat! I did start wearing a bra bc I was leaning too but always sweat as well

SandNStarsNJ

I'm waking up in head to toe sweat after the first night feeding. Then I'm freezing the rest of the night with a distinct cold sweat around my chest. 

DS just made a 4 hour stretch and I woke worried... it's like it's own form of Stockholm syndrome: I want you to sleep but then when you do I'm worried something is wrong and need you to wake up. 

rspalding001

I get peed on every night...EVERY NIGHT. During the day at least I can see enough to cover his peeper just in case, but at night I'm working by nightlight and it too dim to see clearly. Inevitably I am not holding the washcloth properly and get peed on. Yay. This was never an issue with a girl ha ha.

atcwag

SandNStarsNJ said:

I'm waking up in head to toe sweat after the first night feeding. Then I'm freezing the rest of the night with a distinct cold sweat around my chest. 

DS just made a 4 hour stretch and I woke worried... it's like it's own form of Stockholm syndrome: I want you to sleep but then when you do I'm worried something is wrong and need you to wake up. 

Agreed on the sweat, then cold sweat! I've been wearing a nursing cami to bed, so no bra sweat. 

rspalding001

My MIL is visiting and I can't wait for her to just leave already. I have the hardest time with her. Tonight I had to listen to her criticize where we feed our daughter dinner and how much screen time she gets (3 Year old). Mind you she never had kids of her own she just married into the family when DH was a teen. Oh yeah, and I also saw a text from her mom come through on her phone (I was sitting next to it when it came through so flashed on the screen) that said something to the effect that if she went out for lunch tomorrow it would give her a break from me. Excuse me!? I have been extra nice to her while she insulted my parenting and she needs a break from me? I'm fuming. She leaves day after tomorrow and it can't get here fast enough.

SandNStarsNJ

Ugh. @rspalding001.. I hope the day after tomorrow comes lightening fast -  how awful! Would her going out to lunch be all that terrible?

anne11716

@rspalding001 I would go crazy!!! Hang in there!

our babe usually gives me one 4 hr stretch after he gets a bath and eats from about 9:30-1:30 then is up for at least and hour and a half and then up every 2 hours. i can't wait until he gives me that first 6 hr stretch!! ( almost 7 weeks)  WHEN DOES THAT HAPPEN?!
 
Also it takes my little one at least 45 minutes to nurse, everytime. He's just kind of a lazy eater. He takes short breaks and is just in no hurry. Is anyone else's little one doing this? 

rspalding001

@sandnstarsnj it would not be the worst thing you are right, in fact I hope she is gone for hours and hours ha ha.

kvruns

Anyone else have a kid not sleeping in a crib/bassinet? I'd love to transition him so we both can sleep but he hates being on his back. H got him down for 15 min in a crib but he wakes up instantly if I try

SandNStarsNJ

@anne11716 My first nursed for incredibly long times and turned out she was a comfort sucker rather than actually hungry. As soon as we introduced a pacifier she nursed for shorter times (stopping when she was full) and went for the pacifier.

@kvruns DD and DS went straight to the crib. A super tight swaddle seems to do the trick as far as comfort in the crib. DS didn't love being on his back but it turns out that's because he has really bad gas.  

kvruns

Yep @anne11716 mine eats the same way

kristah2

@kvruns my babe hates his bassinet. It's horrible. I have got him into his crib but (bad mom alert) I put him on his side. In no time he rolls into his back himself. The way he's on his side he would never be able to roll forward since both his arms go in front of him. Plus he has a really strong neck already.  
Now once he is asleep about s half hour on my lap (on his side as it's right after a feed) I place him in his crib in the exact same position. I can get a few hours out of him then! Not always but better than never. I have given up on the bassinet however. 
And he HATES swaddles. He likes to jar his hands by his face and feels way too confined in them. 

PrettyPalomino

My 12 day old is in a sleep sack because she hates being swaddled. She keeps her hands by her face and she wants to be able to kick out her legs when she has gas, so for a while we did a super loose swaddle with her hands out but the whole blanket thing got me freaked out so we switched to a sleep sack. Miraculously her hands don't wake her up and she doesn't do that startle reflex while laying in the bassinet. I really thought we were going to have to lock her down for comfort but it's been quite the opposite!

kvruns

@SandNStarsNJ how do you handle the gas? The nurses at the hospital said they thought he had it which made him not want to be on his back but other than making sure he is well burped I don't know what else we can do if that really is the problem 

SandNStarsNJ

@kvruns We use Hyland gas drops before the last feeding before "bed time" to give him relief to sleep well. Otherwise lots of bicycle kicks, some comfort nursing, and today our oediayrian said to try drinking 1000 mg of vitamin c which usually helps adjust baby's bowels. I'll let you know if there's results with the vitamin c. 

rspalding001

Yeah DS has gas too but it's from gulping air while he nurses. I'm trying to adjust his latch but not sure how successful I am. Lots of burping over here.

kvruns

I'm preparing for being up all night since LO has been a fussy mess today and I know H can't deal with it. Unfortunately I've been up since 2am so it will be rough. H has had 3 naps tonight including right now, something is not right with this scenario!!  I thought about trying to sleep when he and baby fell asleep a couple hours ago but I guess I was anticipating baby waking up and I never tried. Ugh 

SandNStarsNJ

Been there! I've been really forcing myself to at least rest when the baby does at this point. Otherwise I will eternally useless. 

DH was just coming to bed as I got up for this feeding and was so surprised it's his first time up tonight... in a good way. It's only been 90 minutes since the last one. 

jsmai

My H is so overwhelmed by the sound of her crying. I try to give him extra sleep so he can handle taking care of us a little better. I'm trying not to compare his frustration at her crying at him when he can't feed her to my frustration of running on E while dealing with wound care and LO. Trying to poo while bf DD is neither simple nor relaxing. ( Likely tmi- sorry)

SandNStarsNJ

jsmai said:

My H is so overwhelmed by the sound of her crying. I try to give him extra sleep so he can handle taking care of us a little better. I'm trying not to compare his frustration at her crying at him when he can't feed her to my frustration of running on E while dealing with wound care and LO. Trying to poo while bf DD is neither simple nor relaxing. ( Likely tmi- sorry)

Isn't that the truth!

SandNStarsNJ

I'm pretty sure I have a two year old with the flu right now. 

mrsmoose5

I'm lying in bed wide awake and alone ... baby has been sound asleep since 8:30 p.m. and it's 1:30 a.m. ... of course I woke up and freaked out and checked to make sure she's breathing. She's stirred a few times, but stayed asleep. Do I wake her up? My boobs feel like they're about to explode. 

mrsmoose5

SandNStarsNJ said:

I'm pretty sure I have a two year old with the flu right now. 

Worst ever! I'm so sorry :-(

SandNStarsNJ

mrsmoose5 said:

I'm lying in bed wide awake and alone ... baby has been sound asleep since 8:30 p.m. and it's 1:30 a.m. ... of course I woke up and freaked out and checked to make sure she's breathing. She's stirred a few times, but stayed asleep. Do I wake her up? My boobs feel like they're about to explode. 

It's probably too late, but depending on her age, I wouldn't let her exceed 5-6 hours. I know that heavy boob feeling too - ugh - hope you got some relief.

atcwag

mrsmoose5 said:

I'm lying in bed wide awake and alone ... baby has been sound asleep since 8:30 p.m. and it's 1:30 a.m. ... of course I woke up and freaked out and checked to make sure she's breathing. She's stirred a few times, but stayed asleep. Do I wake her up? My boobs feel like they're about to explode. 

Depends.....how old is baby?  Back to birth weight? Consistent weight gain?
If baby is a little older and yes to the other 2, you COULD express a little for comfort and sleep. I, however, always found it easier to wake/dream feed baby. 

kristah2

@mrsmoose5 wow!!! How did you manage that?!?! I have let babe sleep around 6 hours. It's only happened a time or two but I found when he was sleeping 4+ hours he was really sleepy. However I did also find that he's more likely to do it when he was over heated so watch that. And he sometimes was dehydrated (sleep 5 hours but a dry diaper is not right!). Just something to watch for!