Is it sad that I anxiously wait in anticipation for Avery to have her poop of the day? That’s a rhetorical question, so don’t answer.
Most parents must have similar feelings towards the “poop of the day” for their babies, right? I mean, once that poop’s out, it just seems like Avery is more relaxed (therefore sleeps better) and happier, just like us adults. No one wants a bunch of crap they can’t get rid of, literally.
Avery has been eating really good, but I just don’t see the poop as much as I would expect. I guess it’s mostly pee or something. Makes sense being only liquid she’s having right now. And when she does poop, oh man, it can be massive! But she gives us about 20 million phantom poops all day with her farts. Seriously, some can be pretty wet sounding, and we when check, nothing. Throws Kelley and me through a loop every day!
Well, another night in crib has passed, but not without its issues. She woke up fussy several times, and Kelley calmed her a few, but then as it got later she broke out of the swaddle and I needed to go in there. I mentioned before about the husband and wife having differences on certain aspects of raising a child, and last night we ran into those. Nothing big, but differences nonetheless.
First off, I am more accepting of letting Avery cry for several minutes after being laid down. If she’s not opening her eyes, I consider her just being very restless and it will subside. Kelley, being the very attentive and wonderful mother she is, can’t stand this and wants to soothe her. When it’s late, Kelley needs to sleep, but she got up since I was waiting too long.
Who’s wrong or right? I have no clue, but figure it’s just our different styles. I wouldn’t let Avery sit and scream for 30 minutes or anything, but who knows maybe I am doing things wrong. If so, sorry Kelley….and Avery. Right now I’m watching Avery take her morning nap and she’s been pretty good so far; wish the nights were the same.
The other little thing is swaddling. Kelley thought I made it too tight and that her arms shouldn’t be by her side and should be folded up near her chest. I prefer to make a snug swaddle she can’t mover her arms all over and hit herself or suck her hands. I never knew the exact placement the arms should be, so I looked it up.
As you’d expect, the internet has sources saying to do both of those ways. Here’s a link I found that’s pretty informative from Troublesome Tots. Scroll down a little to “Swaddling Houdini Babies”. Avery is great at breaking her arms free, so I would label her a Houdini Baby. This says to place arms at her side snugly, but allow for the feet to move. So, that’s what I do, but other places say you can do arms up. The FAQ section on The Happiest Baby on the Block also says arms down is good. The question was “Can swaddling a baby with arms down be bad?”
Where does that get us? No where, really, but we can try both and see what works best for Avery. The most important thing, is that Kelley and I can not work against each other and make sure we are both happy. I miss seeing her during the day, so I’d like to enjoy our time when she is home.
All you baby swaddlers out there, how do you swaddle your baby? Anything work better for your little ones?
Matthew and I are the same as you and Kelley. I think it’s a mom thing, it just breaks our heart to hear them cry at night. We interpret it as their way of saying “mommy, why don’t you love me?!? Why aren’t you coming to hold me and tell me everything is ok?” And dads see it as “Hey, I have all this energy I need to expel” and nothing more. I don’t think there is anything wrong with it. Sounds like you and Kelley are doing awesome. Sleep training Sucks big ones. And I want to punch people in the face that say “Oh my baby was a great sleeper from day one!”
Thanks for the input, Kelly, always great hearing from others on this! Yes, sleep training does suck, and therefore so does our sleep. And yeah, who in the world has a great sleeping baby?! I’d happily take a punch in the face to be able to say that!