First weeks with baby

August 13, 2013

First weeks with baby

so the first weeks with my new baby has been interesting. the first 2 days/nights in the hospital were challenging for sure, learning how to take care of this new life, both of us learning how to breastfeed, hubby and i trying to learn and decipher baby z's cues and cries. the nurse warned us that the night that baby is 48 hours old would be hard since he will likely want to eat the whole night and be fussy. and she was right. the night was hard on us. he nursed allllll night long, but because my milk hadn't come in yet he was not satisfied by the colostrum. also, he was pooping that nasty meconium stuff and when hubby went to change him, the baby pooed right on the new diaper in the middle of the change not once but twice. the next day we were so wiped out. but the nurses were all awesome and gave us some tips on how to soothe a new baby, and reassured us that we were doing great. also, the visits from the pediatrician helped ease our minds, knowing that our baby was healthy and normal. nursing was difficult at first because baby didn't really latch well, so we had to work on that, and the nurses and lactation consultants were there to help get all that going, in fact, it was the priority. we left the hospital for home on monday. i was nervous. nervous to drive with the baby, and also about being alone (although we weren't alone) with our baby. but we got home ok and got through the day. that night, however, sucked. and the next night sucked. my milk wasn't fully "in" yet and the lil man wanted to eat the entire night. and of course there are the diapers. and the screaming. and the waking up every hour. hubby and i were ex-haus-ted!!! and we had to take baby z to his first doctor appointment the next morning. everything was fine with baby. we went home and passed out for a few hours of glorious sleep. that night, though, baby slept for 4 hours straight before waking up to eat, and it was amazing. that was because we were good to go with milk and baby was satiated. and he has pretty much been on that schedule at night, waking every 4 hours, ever since. hallelujah! it seems that lil guy changes everyday, his habits and schedule (lack of schedule?) as well as his appearance, and he is growing so fast. already he has gained weight, way past his birth weight now. i had to even adjust the car seat shoulder straps already because he has grown a few inches! anyway, it is crazy how much the boy has changed already. ok so this is getting all random and disorganized....welcome to my brain. here is my attempt to make this easier to follow:

-breast feeding: started with some difficulty due to latching problems, lactation consultants showed me some tricks and since then it has been easier but we are still figuring it out sometimes, it almost seems like he forgets and i have to remind him how to do it again. but he is nursing frequently and gaining weight so that is what matters.

-growth: insane, he has already gained a bunch and grown a few inches, and now he has more periods of time during the day when he is awake and very alert. also, he is a very strong baby. all the nurses and doctors have commented on it. he really holds his head up well and pushes himself up with his arms and he rolled over from his tummy to his back and tries to launch himself across my lap with his legs. i noticed that although he takes naps during the day, he is really not a sleepy baby like most newborns i've been around, he is very awake and alert, and when he is awake he fusses, almost always because he wants food. yup, definitely our son.

-sleep: he doesn't really like to sleep during the day, especially early evening, he really struggles against falling asleep even when his eyes are rolling and can barely keep his lids open. at night he sleeps for 3-5 hours at a time, which is nice, some nights for 7 hours!

-taking care of a newborn: technically it isn't that difficult: feed him, burp him, change him, cuddle him. but for some reason it is exhausting. and when he cries and we have done everything that we know to soothe him yet he still screams---that kills me. it really makes me anxious and slightly crazy in a protective mama way. and when that happens, really it is not bad, he doesn't scream for hours on end. but I will be glad when we are through that stage.

-my recovery: has been pretty good. 2 weeks after delivery, i started to feel more normal and more healed. now, a month after i'm pretty good, i just get tired easily. but i am feeling more ready to get
back into shape (especially since my maternity pants are too big and my normal clothes are too small still.

-emotions: all over the place, from happy to anxious to scared out of my mind that i have such a huge responsibility for this little man, and sometimes frustrated like when he wants milk but proceeds to thrash his head around and punch me in the boob. Hahahahaa but I guess all these feelings are a normal part of it, and now after a month my hormones at starting to even out and i only panic about taking him places by myself half the time.

-spiritually: kind of off track, need to be consistent about praying every morning and evening but i am working on it.

-baby's temperament: grumpy old man baby....think the old man from the movie Up

-baby's likes: peeing on everything and everyone, pooping on everything and everyone, milk, staring at lights, staring at the handle of his carseat, milk, mamaroo, being in the boba carrier, going for walks, milk, warm baths

-his dislikes: taking naps, being hungry, being cold after his bath, having his arms swaddled, being left alone even for 30 seconds

-what he is up to: now, at 1 month old he still mainly eats, poops and cries. he has very good head and neck control and during tummy time he pushes himself up with his arms already. also, if his feet come into contact with anything such as my belly, the wall, his bassinet, etc, he pushes hard with his legs as if he is trying to launch himself upwards. he farts like an old guy. he is just on the verge of smiling. and he still eats like a champ.

i have to say that i have been extremely blessed as far as having a lot of support and help. my in-laws have been here and specifically my mother in law was here for about 3 weeks. they have been so amazingly helpful as far as cooking, grocery shopping, helping with baby, and just generally being supportive. also, my sister in law is a pediatrician so it's been nice to have her as a resource when i have questions. my brother in law and his wife (my other sister in law?) helped us move and my mom watched the baby while we cleaned our old place. we had many visitors who brought food and gifts for baby z....we have just been spoiled. our friends and family are the best, and we are so lucky to have them in our lives. thanks guys!

well, that should be it for now. i will update this stuff as i get to know my baby more and he grows and changes. so far it has been crazy: harder than I expected but also awesome in a way one can never be prepared for.