how do you function

krispy127 · June 2011

LO is 8weeks but was a month early so hes kind of only 4 weeks old lol. But DH is back to work and i can't get anything done around the house like shower! How is everyone else dealing and trying to get back to normal lives... tips please!!

I try to put him in his pack and play when he falls asleep but that is normally only for 30min and he will fuss in his sleep with his eyes closed so you constantly think hes waking up. He is eating every two hours except at night its every 3hr, 4 if I'm lucky. I try and put him in the moby wrap but he gets upset that he can't wiggle out. And he only likes his bouncy chair ocassionally. My husband thinks its cause hes a preemie and hes more at the 4 week level and just wants to be held. I donno but I can't hold him 24/7. Anyone else have similar issues or any helpful ideas?

heikem87 · June 2011

My LO is really fussy lately. When she is awake she wont let me go anywhere without starting to scream and she doesnt really sleep that much either anymore. To be honest if I want to take a shower I just do. I mean I have needs as well and usually if she realizes that I am not around she?ll quit screaming after a while. Do you breastfeed`?

elisbu · June 2011

My only answer is give it time.

I'm sorry.

lindseynicole203 · June 2011

My son is 7 weeks old today and was also 4 weeks early He likes to be held all the time and it is hard to get anything done for me too. What I have just recently started is letting him fuss a little. I can tell when he needs to go down for a nap and Ive read over and over again that you should put him down sleepy but still awake so he can self soothe. I let him cry it out a little ( no more then 15 mins) and usually he goes to sleep....and in a good sleep too, not like he is when im holding him. So then I take that time to get some stuff done. My lil guy is eating 4 ounces every 3 hrs right now. Maybe you could try to increse his amount a lil so he would go a lil longer in between feeds. Hope some of this helps and good luck,

fluffybuns · June 2011

It took 2 1/2 years and having another baby for me to figure out how to make time for everything!

I've learned that baby's cry, and it doesn't bother me as much this time. I do wear her a lot. Like your lo she didn't like to be worn at first either, but I wasn't all that confident about it so I think she picked up on my nervousness. Now she loves it!!! And sleeps wonderfully being worn now.

As for getting things done like showering. I make sure to plan a shower for after a time when she is well fed, changed, and don't worry if she is asleep or awake. I put her in some baby holder and hope for the best! And I give my two year old a bottle of lotion, shut the door and she happily makes a mess with the lotion while I shower, but she loves to put on lotion and it keeps her from trying to hold her little sister with out mommy's help!

Just try to think that babies are only this dependent on you for such a short time in their lives, and eventually they grow up and need us less and less. I am enjoying the newborn stage so much more this time because I know how much I missed it and how quickly it goes by!

krispy127 · June 2011

No I just recently quit breastfeeding. He was in the NICU for the first week or so. So I pumped and bottle fed and tried to BF him when possible.but when he got home we had to supplement with formula then went to full time BFing. But I still had to pump cause his would clamp on and hit a nerve in my boob. He eventually got the idea after all this time but since my DH works 24 hour shifts it got really overwhelming and I decided to switch to formula. Which sucks cause of course he requires more burping and gets upset tummy's more often. But he sleeps better at night and I can have DH feed him too so I don't feel like I do everything all the time.

Raquellyo · June 2011

Our daughter was being this way for a while too - fussy until she is held and then she's happy as can be! But to your point, it's impossible to hold them all day long -- I wasn't eating, I had to put her down real quick and pee as fast as I could, it was crazy!

Lately after feedings (when she usually dozes off in my lap), I have started putting her on a pillow or the boppy next to me on the couch and just laying my hand on top of her. She feels secure like I'm holding her, and once she falls asleep, I go grab food in the kitchen or something. I usually wait until my husband is home to take a shower.

2BlackCats · June 2011

I put Abby's swing in the bathroom door and plan for a time I know she is sleepy: eat, dry diaper and just played. I shower while she swings and she usually falls alseep.

I like having her in an area where I can peak my head out and talk to her if she cries and/or see she is ok. Makes my shower much more enjoyable.

Otherwise, I just try and get things done when my husband get's home from work. He likes to spend time with her and it frees me up a bit. Weekends, DH chooses Abby over housework so again I get time to do what I need and DH gets time with DD.

NothingLikeBarbie · June 2011

Lots. And LOTS, of coffee.

AmyO. · June 2011

I feel ya on that! I have been trying to figure out how to get things done as well as have some time for me (ya know-to hang out on here!).

Our LO is almost 7 weeks old and has never been one to sit in his swing/bouncer/crib/sleep n play and just be content. He likes to be held or he likes to be stimulated and entertained. And-we are also dealing with a little bit of colic or reflux...not sure which. So we have a fussy babe much of the time.

Some days I will do everything that I can while I hold him. Laundry, dishes, cleaning up around the house, cooking. Usually that is enough stimulation that he will eventually want to sleep! So, I get about 2 hours to do anything I can't with him in my arms.

The days that he isn't letting that happen because he is just too fussy and crying we go outside and walk around the block with him in my arms. We go out and play with the dogs. I try sleeping with him in our bed. We do lots of moving around the house while rocking him/bouncing him/singing to him/dancing. You can't do it all. Do what you can and do what can keep you both happy. This plan has gone a long way for us.

Heather & Nayt · June 2011

I am right there with Fluffy, it has taken almost 2 years to really figure it out, and even then it's not everyday that I get things done. I have learned to only focus on the important stuff. So my kitchen floor isn't mopped every day, I don't have make up on or there are a few dishes in the sink, big deal. And I have grown fairly immune to a small amount of crying. You get use to it, or at least I have. Things don't feel quite as urgent as they did last time around.

Also I try to have my house really organized to it is easy to put back together, and I am sure to take the extra 10 minutes to pick up as I am cooking ext. It helps a lot to not let stuff pile up. I wear DD all the time and it makes it easier to do the things that need to get done.

As for showers, I take one either before DH leaves for work so he can take care of anything the kids need, or I shower at nap time. It is my 20 minutes of me time. Worst case, I set DD in the bouncer in the bathroom and stick DS in the shower with me, sing and make silly sounds the whole time and everyone is happy.

Babies cry. Sometimes there isn't anything you can do about it and if her crying for 5 minutes is what it takes for me to do something that helps me feel better (like a shower or tossing on some makeup) or doing something that has to be done like taking care of her brother or working on dinner, then that is what has to happen.

krispy127 · June 2011

thanks everyone your advice is sooo great, its nice to know I'm not the only one. Is everyone using the moby wrap or is there something else you like?

tokenhoser · June 2011

My little guy prefers the mei tai carrier (I have an Infantino Wrap an Tie and love it). He also WILL NOT be left alone in his crib, but will happily chill on the bathroom floor while I shower. Try different spots around the house if you don't have older kids to trample the baby. He'll also nap in the bouncer or the swing sometimes. Babies change every day - just keep trying things and do what works.

As for getting things done, I just do them. When he sleeps, when he's awake. Stuff has to happen, so it does.

EJChapman123 · June 2011

I have an Ergo, but I don't use it much around the house. Im lucky in that DD is a pretty independent baby, and naps pretty well (although the last few days the mornings have been awful, but afternoons fabulous).

I usually try to do things while she is napping, but if it isn't working out, I just do it anyway. A couple minutes of fussing/crying never killed anyone. I would never leave my baby for long periods of time while upset, but a girl needs to shower and brush her teeth sometimes, and she will survive.

RavenandJosh · June 2011

NothingLikeBarbie:
Lots. And LOTS, of coffee.

This! And when DH comes home he gets the evening baby shift so I can get things done.

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