Winding down: First 2 weeks of parenting comes to a close.

Posted on Jul 12 in breastfeeding, parenting, personal storiesby TalinaPrint

This weekend has been somewhat enjoyable. Having N home to take some of the pressure off me is nice. Everly seems to be doing better this weekend with her fussiness too.

We’ve been doing much experimenting with my diet and other causes of her fussiness and gas. The first thing I did was take dairy out of my diet since I know many other moms (like Veronica) have shared their own issues with breastfeeding and dairy.

Everly’s gas and fussing didn’t improve when I went without dairy for several days. Now I am going without chocolate to see if that is the culprit. Much reading has indicated that chocolate is a problem for many breastfeeding mothers. We are also going to try removing coffee/ caffeine from the diet after we finish testing the chocolate theory.

We’ve also spent the last few days allowing Everly to dictate her own schedule. For a while I was worried that she wasn’t getting enough to eat so I would wake her for feedings and diaper changes. She can sleep for several hours on end during the day, we are talking 4-6 hours sometimes. If only she could sleep like this during the night!

Anyway, it seems allowing her to sleep and feed on her own schedule makes her a much happier baby and she in turn sleeps better at night and fusses much less. Last night she slept from 10pm-2am and then went back to sleep from 3am-7am… That is two long stretches of sleep during the night which makes me super happy and feeling well rested (amazingly).

Last night we spent the evening outdoors and grilled some ribs, it was nice and relaxing for us. Everly was well behaved and fell asleep shortly after 9pm which allowed us to enjoy a meal together. Also, she actually had a good night Friday and on Saturday with more long stretches of sleep. This means we did get to sleep some, just not during the times we would prefer to be sleeping.

We went to several stores on Saturday with her in tow and she just slept the whole time. She loves car rides and is pretty good in her carrier while we are inside stores. I am not quite ready to venture out with just Everly and I yet. Having N along insures we’ve got each other’s back in case she gets fussy or needs anything while errands are in progress.

I am still feeling unlike myself with the hormones and all. Can’t wait for things to get back to normal, it’s been nice to have N home to help out and has made me feel much better. Makes it all that much more do-able with him around.

Now we are off to give Everly her first bath now that her umbilical stump has fallen off!

Oh, if you want to read N’s version of Everly’s birth story (Pt. 1) & N’s version of Everly’s birth story (Pt. 2) are now up over at his blog! I am still working on my long version of the birth story. Posted my short summary version already, it can be read here.

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5 Comments

• witchypoo says:

  July 12, 2009 at 3:17 pm

  Now you know what I mean about motherhood and surrender?
  Good for you!
  witchypoo´s last blog ..Does My Cat Love Me?
• Veronica says:

  July 12, 2009 at 8:44 pm

  Sometimes there is nothing you can do but give in to the tiny dictators. I avoid coffee like the plague while I’m breastfeeding, simply because I don’t need anything keeping my already sleepless babies awake. It also involves avoiding cola (not so much tea, but I tend to drink more green chai rather than regular).
  Veronica´s last blog ..Early Mornings.
• Karen says:

  July 12, 2009 at 10:29 pm

  She’ll get on a more dependable schedule soon. In the meantime, you will be wise to sleep when she sleeps as much as you can.

  I read N’s post, he sounds like he really liked the farm and the birth experience. Can’t wait to read the next installment.
  Karen´s last blog ..Scenic Sunday
• Bess says:

  July 14, 2009 at 7:52 am

  Motherhood is not for sissy’s, aye? Our littlest is almost 7 months now, and I can’t believe how fast it’s gone…call me crazy but I actually miss getting up and nursing in the wee hours of the night, just me and her, this tiny warm little wiggly body.
  Bess´s last blog ..Southern Hot Rolls
• Hyphen Mama says:

  July 14, 2009 at 7:47 pm

  It takes a while to get into your new groove! It sounds like you and N, and baby Everly are doing a fabulous job!
  Hyphen Mama´s last blog ..Good grief where do the days go?

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