Originally Posted by
Mopey
Hey guys,
Miss Mopey has a pattern. After she eats (boob, then bottle) she might be calm, looking around and sweet, for about 10 to maybe 20 minutes (though that's pushing it). Then she starts fussing! And the fussing turns to screaming even if I change her wet diaper and swaddle her (which she loves). We are both pretty good at calming her with different techniques but with me it seems she always wants the boob. And lately it takes a few tries to get her down for naps. I am guessing I need to consider a pacifier soon.
But my main confusion is that she has such small periods of being happily calm.....she will be four weeks tomorrow and I just don't know if that's normal? She'll be calm while I hold her, walking around doing things, but it is inevitably because she is falling asleep after eating. I really don't mean to be annoying or sound crazy but I wish she had more calm time so we could do tummy time, books and/or snuggling. When she fusses she seems to be happiest being held while the person is up & moving around (though my hubby rocks the shushing and swishing and it works).
Any btdt? Am I just a jerk and she's too little?
Would love any perspective. Thanks so much as always you guys. I really, really appreciate it.
1. She's tired - her 'window of being awake' is very VERY short at her age and she's showing you that she needs to rest and dial down. This period of awakeness will extend more as she gets older.
2. At her age she is too young for books or the other things you mention - what she needs most is physical touch/being held/motion to sooth her vestibular system.
I would google '4th trimester' and have that reassure you . Once she's 3ish months old things will REALLY change and she'll get interested in more than just boob/hold me/sleep/move around. No need to rush it. The physical touch right now is the most important for her cognitive/emotional development.
ETA: 3. Get a good baby carrier and wear her a good portion of the day - this counts as tummy time if she's upright against your chest, it prevents flat head, it will make her VERY happy b.c she'll hear your heartbeat and smell that 'mommy smell' (or 'daddy smell' if he's wearing her) and you will get a lot more done.
Last edited by Katigre; 04-17-2012 at 03:05 PM.
Mom of 4: Boy (10), Girl (7), Boy (4), Girl (2)