I.
Last night I semi-intentionally slept with Tiny Boy camped out on my chest and my left arm propped on the boppy. And you know what happened? Instead of waking every hour or two and then having a protracted feeing/burping/holding ritual that can last up to an hour and a half...the kid slept. Yeah. I nursed around 10:00, again at 1:00, woke at 3:00 but he didn't (so I changed his heavy diaper in his sleep) and at 5:00. I feel almost human. Would have been even better if I'd fallen back to sleep after that early morning feed (he did), but I'll take what I can get.
Although I am reluctant to draw major conclusions from one night of good sleep, it does seem that he's more comfortable with that arrangment than in the moses-basket-on-my-bed version. During the day he's mostly in the swing, or in my arms.
There are two problems with the baby-on-the-chest method of sleep. (1) Most obviously, not particularly safe, even if one believes (as I do) that co-sleeping in general is a good thing. And (2) oh-my-goodness I am sore. Combine the whole postpartum funky pelvis/tailbone situation with a numb left arm and a scrunchy lower back and, well, my whole body hurts. Yeah, perhaps something similar is why I ended up in physical therapy when LG was about 18 months because my neck was so out of whack. Not sure what I'll do tonight.
II.
I bought a moby wrap because I have friends who've used them and I believe in baby wearing and that seemed like a good plan. So yesterday I decided that even though it says 8 lb minimum I could give it a shot with Tiny Boy (the website has testimonials about preemies, so clearly not consistent). Let's just say thank goodness for free returns from amazon. I was completely overwhelmed by the sheer amount of fabric involved before I even got it completely strapped on, much less put the boy inside it. So...looking for an alternative. Don't want a sling (I don't think) and we already have a bjorn that I used for LG, although it killed my back so I stopped using it probably arond 6 mo. I'm not likely to use anything as a back carrier, but I like the idea of a hip carrying possibility for an older child. What does that leave? A mei tei type carrier?
III.
LG and I had our belated sushi night last night, which was fantastic, but oh my goodness it took fifty minutes to get both kids in the car, drive to the restaurant, pick up the food, drive back home, and get everyone back out of the car. I mean, I knew it would take longer to do, well, everything. But wow. Part of the problem is getting Tiny Boy in an ill-fitting blanket sleeper that I'm using as a sort of coat, and then surrounded by the rolled up receiving blankets that hold him generally in place in the seat and then strapped in (cue screaming baby) and topped with another few blankets before carrying the whole contraption to the car and waiting for LG to get strapped in to her booster seat, which is quite challenging with an infant seat right next to her, but the car seat installation expert person at the hospital said that's preferable to having Tiny Boy behind the passenger seat. Sigh.
LG has gymnastics in an hour and a half. I suppose I should get dressed now... well, after I change Tiny Boy's diaper.
That is, things are pretty damn good here at Chez Gwinne.
We loved our ring slings. Zolowear is a great company.
ReplyDeleteI know this is super late but I wanted to send my congrats on tiny boy. I read all the time just no time to comment. He has light hair! And is all sorts of cuteness. I wanted to let you know u r not alone with the moby. I could never get the hang of all that fabric. It did get better but my twins never seemed comfortable. And I wanted it to work as there aren't many options for twins.
ReplyDeleteAlso the cosleeping thing. I used to put them on their backs on my arm next to me. Still made me nervous but we gotta sleep. And forget about the arm-at least it gets sleep to!
Finally do u still need clothes for him? I have a bunch of footed one piece things in preemie if u want them. They are hard to find.
Glad LG loves her bro. My 7 yr old son had an only child party many times when they were first born. Lots of crying by me that he hated them. Now he loves them. I've heard it goes back and forth. Ah sibling rivalry. I love it! Its what we fought for :)
We have been sleeping with Goldie this way for weeks and I love/hate it. It's the only way she'll sleep soundly (I think because she's small and early and has reflux, just like your boy) so we actually get some rest. It's easier for us, though, because we have two bodies she can sleep on.
ReplyDeleteI was going to share my brilliant tip for chest sleeping until I got to point II. But now I'll go ahead and say it anyway. I've been walking her around the house in the moby after her last feeding to keep her upright for 30 minutes and then sleeping with her in the wrap (we've been putting her in it since 5.5 pounds - I think they have that 8 pound thing on there for liability). I pull the fabric away from her face and it feels much more secure because she can't roll off. Then I prop up on one of those "husband" pillows and get some ok hours. But, I agree, the amount of fabric is crazy. I'm a full figured person and it still feels overwhelming - must be insane for you.
Someone lent us a ring sling which I like when I can get it to work properly. But half the time I have her in there and can't adjust it well. Also, since it relies on one shoulder it hurts after a bit even with only 7 pounds in there. It's really similar to the Moby, but I've heard the Sleepy Wrap is a little more manageable (stretchier, lighter).
You probably don't need this advice anymore, but we found the Carters newborn size was small enough for G when she was tiny. Other than that, she only fit into preemie stuff.
Ok, long comment. You're doing great!
I loved my moby, but I can understand why it might be daunting. I have a friend who highly recommended her Mei Tei, and the Ergo carriers are pretty popular too (you can also get an infant insert). If you end up considering it, buy it used ... they're ridiculously expensive, and you can get a perfectly good one secondhand.
ReplyDeleteThe two-kid-juggling thing does get easier with practice. And without the additional car seat gear. :)
I have an Ergo baby carrier with infant use insert because all of my Mommy friends swore by them- babe still has yet to arrive so we'll see if it works out ;) I've heard they are great for up to 50 lbs and will do a side hip as well as front and back carry positions without neck or back strain. We also got a heart to heart ring sling as a gift to try out. 39+5 here and no baby yet- but I did receive my masters in the mail (no, not that kind of Internet degree; I earned it in person before we moved but was to pregnant to fly across Canada for convocation!) so really all my i's are dotted and my t's crossed for this baby to come already!!
ReplyDeleteGah *too, not to, stupid autocorrect.
ReplyDeleteMaddy really liked to sleep in my arms too, but yes, actually in my arms was not sustainable. I got a snuggle nest:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.amazon.com/Baby-Delight-Snuggle-Green-White/dp/B004LKS0GQ
and slept with my arm around her inside it. I slept on my side reting my head against the edge. I am a side or belly sleeper any way so this totally worked for us.
Good luck! baby molasses... I love how completely predictable it is that when you have to be somewhere at a particular time, without fail, everything that can possibly make you late does... I call it maddy-molasses.
Thanks for the comments, everyone!
ReplyDeletePetRescue...thanks for the offer of the preemie clothes. He seems to be transitioning into newborn clothes (carter's for us, too).
I really do like the idea of the moby (and wow, especially the idea of using it for sleep) but it's just too much fabric for someone my size.
Maddy, I used the snuggle nest for LG for her first month or so and it was okay for her. Been using a moses basket for the same purpose with Tiny Boy...but really not working for more than an hour at a stretch. He makes a lot of gaggy/choky sounds lying flat on his back, so I might need to put him back in the crib with one side elevated. Or come up with something else...
HWess...congrats on all milestones!
Oops...I meant InB!!
ReplyDeleteMoby never worked for me. I, too, was overwhelmed by the amount of fabric. Someone put it on me once, but I could never figure it out myself. I'm sure that speaks to my motivation, too.
ReplyDeleteWe had a zolowear ring sling and traveled Europe quite happily with it. And an ergo that I also loved and traveled with. Each was good for different sizes and purposes, I thought.