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Parenting & Farm Kids:  Nora and growing  |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
 Posted - Apr 30 2007 : 6:21:31 PM
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Wow! I never realized before how much a growth spurt could turn a household upside down! I feel so bad for my baby when she is just sobbing her eyes out and there is _nothing_ I can do to help- just holding and rocking and trying to get her to nurse.
Luckily it looks like her growth spurt is passing a bit at a time. She is starting to go back to the easy to soothe baby that I was used to. She has been sleeping just a tad less, but that is wonderful to! It is so fun to see her starting to visually explore the world around her and she rolled over all by herself on Saturday!
Alee
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Marybeth
True Blue Farmgirl
6418 Posts
Mary Beth
Stanwood
Wa 98292
USA
6418 Posts |
Posted - Apr 30 2007 : 7:35:01 PM
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Yay....Good for Nora---rolling over I mean. A real milestone. Babies are ever changing. Just when you think you have a schedule for them down pat they change and and do something different. Not only are they learning new things but Mom is too. Give her a hug for me. Marybeth
www.strawberryhillsfarm.blogspot.com
www.day4plus.blogspot.com www.holyhouses-day4plus.blogspot.com
"Life may not be the party we hoped for...but while we are here we might as well dance!" |
Edited by - Marybeth on May 02 2007 11:06:39 PM |
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threebusybees
True Blue Farmgirl
222 Posts
Mandi
Myrtle Beach
South Carolina
222 Posts |
Posted - May 01 2007 : 04:31:19 AM
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Aren't they a marvel!? Congrats Nora(and Alee)!
Mandi
" Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you've imagined. As you simplify your life, the laws of the universe will be simpler " -Henry David Thoreau |
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Huckelberrywine
True Blue Farmgirl
1607 Posts
Michelle
Rosalia
1607 Posts |
Posted - May 01 2007 : 07:24:48 AM
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Alee, thanks so much for sharing. It reminds me of the wonder of it all again. Thanks for the refresher course on beautiful babies. I'll look at my DD through your eyes today and be sure to marvel.
Thank you!
We make a difference. |
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ArmyWifey
True Blue Farmgirl
712 Posts
Holly
Abilene
KS
712 Posts |
Posted - May 01 2007 : 07:27:03 AM
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Hmmmm..........Babies ARE amazing! But ... usually a growth spurt only involves nursing more, not sobbing her eyes out? Tummy aches? Teething? And you're right, just sit down and nurse her - let the rest slide this stage is SO short!!
Blessings,
Holly
As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - May 02 2007 : 10:15:17 PM
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I was told by the doctor that it is normal for some kids to react this way to growth spurts. She is a bit young for teething- only 6 weeks. I know it does happen sometimes, but I don't see any changes in her gums. We are using the tummy drops (mylicon) when she is upset incase it is gas. So far she is gaining perfectly on schedule and normally is very content. I am sure it is just a phase.
BTW- She screamed for 3 hours last night and finally fell asleep, but tonight she only cried for a little while- maybe 20 min.
Alee
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threebusybees
True Blue Farmgirl
222 Posts
Mandi
Myrtle Beach
South Carolina
222 Posts |
Posted - May 03 2007 : 05:43:54 AM
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Riley screamed and screamed when he was going through growth spurts. My girls were different. Your doing a great job Alee. Nora's just figuring things out. She's still ticked off that she isn't in her nice warm mommy's tummy. She'll get over it and then she'll be a teenager...
Mandi
" Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you've imagined. As you simplify your life, the laws of the universe will be simpler " -Henry David Thoreau |
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Nancy Gartenman
True Blue Farmgirl
9093 Posts
Nancy
West Seneca
New York
USA
9093 Posts |
Posted - May 03 2007 : 05:46:49 AM
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My Kids are all near or at the 40 year mark, and they still grow and change everyday, once a Mother always a Mother, I just told my 36 year old daughter the other day that the bedskirt on the bed goes between the mattress and springs, not on top of the mattress. She called me and wanted to know why the bedskirt was so short. Those sweet little ones with the chubby legs and arms don't stay that way long, so give all those little wrinkles lots of kisses.
NANCY JO
www.Nancy-Jo.blogspot.com |
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threebusybees
True Blue Farmgirl
222 Posts
Mandi
Myrtle Beach
South Carolina
222 Posts |
Posted - May 03 2007 : 05:49:18 AM
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What did your daughter say? Thanks for my morning giggle Nancy! I can hear my mother's voice!
Mandi
" Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you've imagined. As you simplify your life, the laws of the universe will be simpler " -Henry David Thoreau |
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primjillie
True Blue Farmgirl
138 Posts
Jill
Antelope
CA
USA
138 Posts |
Posted - May 03 2007 : 10:22:14 AM
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| It sounds more like colic than a growing spurt. My granddaugher was like that about Nora's age. She would just cry and cry and sometimes scream. We rocked her and walked her and bounced her and rubbed her tummy and she finally outgrew it. Good luck! |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - May 03 2007 : 2:00:01 PM
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Thanks for all the support Ladies! Sometimes it is hard to keep your focus when they cry so much. I just wish she could tell me what was wrong so I could fix it! :)
Alee |
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ArmyWifey
True Blue Farmgirl
712 Posts
Holly
Abilene
KS
712 Posts |
Posted - May 03 2007 : 7:24:28 PM
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My son used to have colic in the mornings (gotta be different!) and he liked to be on top of the portable dishwasher because it was warm and vibrated. Some people have had luck with the dryer... same theory. Might be worth a try!
As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - May 04 2007 : 09:48:13 AM
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Here is an update :)
Last night I breastfeed Nora until she was getting frustrated because she wasn't getting enough, then we gave her a bottle (3oz) which she drained dry. She was still fussy, changed her diaper several times, hugged her, cuddled her, let her have floor time, and within 1 1/2 hours from her 3 oz bottle, we finally heated another one up because she was still fussy and was nursing again. So she drank a second 3oz bottle!
So much for her stomach being the size of her fist! Either that or she processes breastmilk at lightning speed!
Alee |
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Lizabeth
True Blue Farmgirl
560 Posts
Washington
560 Posts |
Posted - May 04 2007 : 10:07:22 AM
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Oh I remember this well with my DS... I felt like I was nursing him all the time when he was growing. I personally could not stand be sucked on more than every two hours I just had to have a break now and again! but the good news is, that if you let the baby nurse often the milk supply gets built up, so then they can learn to nurse longer at a stretch and hopefully go longer between sessions :) So unles you are pumping to fill the bottles I'd be careful about supplementing, otherwise you might have trouble naturally building up the more milk babykins is demanding :)
I commend you for being so patient... I never realized how hard breastfeeding is, even though I grew up with a nursing mom and five siblings (she nursed each 'till about two years old).
http://www.handcraftsbyheather.com |
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MagnoliaWhisper
True Blue Farmgirl
2817 Posts
Heather
Haysville
Kansas
USA
2817 Posts |
Posted - May 04 2007 : 3:12:19 PM
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Actually breast milk metabs much faster then formula is what the videos at the hospital said. And a formula fed baby needs like every 3 to 4 hours. A bfed one may need as often as every 20 minutes during growth spurts, so you have to go by their cues. They will not eat if they are not hungry. The eating if you aren't hungry won't start till at least 3 years old, and is a learnedd behavoir (you know being forced to eat every thing on their plate) But, a baby naturally will only eat till full, and will not if they are full. So never worry about "over" feeding. My first reaction is always a bottle.
I dont' know how true this is, but I read some where that colic starts, I believe at 6 weeks, and last for 6 hours a day for 6 months. Or it could have been three....lol 3 weeks, 3 hours, 3 months. But, I can't remember. I didn't keep that in the old brain bank after mine went past that! lol However, Lela did start teething right away! Every one said I was "crazy" when I told them. Then they would see her and say she IS teething, you are right!!!!! (well yeah you could see the teethes coming through!) And that was at only a few weeks old. I have to say it's making things easier now at 8 months that that is behind us!
I also found the colic tablets by that hyb....something works better then the liquid for us. I only have to use them after she has been at her grandparents.......I'm not sure what is different there, but she always seems to not feel well that first night after visiting them. |
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katiedid
True Blue Farmgirl
601 Posts
Kate
West Jordan
Utah
USA
601 Posts |
Posted - May 04 2007 : 5:48:27 PM
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Alee, I think it sounds like sweet baby Nora could be getting colic, too.
My Chloe was the best, sleepy baby until that six week mark, then, screaming, angry and needy....a very high need baby.
I actually prefer the term "high need" over colic.
The biggest help for me were the Dr. Christopher's kiddycol drops, they are catnip and fennel, completely safe and available at almost all health food stores...Get em!
the other thing that helped us a TON were Mama eliminating dairy from my diet. It helped with in 48 hours or so...then I would try "just a little" yogurt or icecream, and we would have to pull an all-nighter!
Go to your library and check out Dr.Sears book called Parenting the Fussy Baby and High-need child...It was a life saver!
Oh, and get a sling!
my new blog http/www.theknifemakerswife.wordpress.com |
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ArmyWifey
True Blue Farmgirl
712 Posts
Holly
Abilene
KS
712 Posts |
Posted - May 04 2007 : 8:40:55 PM
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a sling is a great idea -- there was a thread earlier, I personally loved my Maya Wrap. Some babies just need to nurse more. Like 45min to an hour at a time! Then do it again in an hour.... try not to supplement if you can it's a vicious cycle to start especially when she's still so little! I know it can be draining and nerve wracking (my eldest was an every hour and a half nurser and Daddy was in Korea) but you can do it and TRULY it will not last forever.
So to wrap up what I've seen on here: nurse, nurse, nurse (and ignore everything else), try the colic tabs from Hylands along with heat & vibration, get a sling and carry her more (NO you can NOT spoil a wee one this age), try an elimination diet(dairy especially) and relax. Oh and drink lots of water, fenugreek tea and walk!! ;)
Blessings,
Holly
As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - May 04 2007 : 9:46:43 PM
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Hi ladies!
Thanks for all the great advice. We are still plugging away at it. :) I am not ready to supplement with food or formula so we are going to keep doing the breastfeeding routine. She does get breast milk in a bottle when her dad takes care of her to give me a break or when just really have to get some sleep. She seems to be doing better tonight. She has been sleeping for a couple hours now after eating 6 ounces!! I am also pumping to try and boost my production ahead of her desires so we can cut down on her aggravation level as much as possible.
Alee
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threebusybees
True Blue Farmgirl
222 Posts
Mandi
Myrtle Beach
South Carolina
222 Posts |
Posted - May 06 2007 : 6:41:19 PM
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Alee,
There is an interesting article in Wondertime about dealing with hard to comfort babies. It looks interesting. If nothing else it is a great magazine. I hope Nora is snuggly tonight...
Mandi
" Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you've imagined. As you simplify your life, the laws of the universe will be simpler " -Henry David Thoreau |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - May 07 2007 : 6:42:10 PM
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Things have really turned around since I broke out the Snugli and started wearing her more. I think she is just so ultra cuddly that she hates getting put down and that just escalades everything more. She is still eating a lot but she now is only getting breastmilk in the bottle when her dad is home alone with her. No more cheating from me ;)
I know that if you let them sit in the Snugli's too much it can hurt their spine so I found a pattern to make a sling and I am going to try really hard to make one tonight. I have a few yards of fabric that I was going to make more diapers out of, but I think the sling is a priority.
I can't wait to walk around with a pink sling with little butterflies all over it! :) It will be so cute. I love buying the cute flannels. They have such great patterns! I might even make one that is flannel on the inside and this beautiful brown and gold chinese brocade on the other. :)
Alee |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Jun 03 2007 : 3:56:37 PM
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Nora is growing so big! I haven't weighed her for a while, but I am sure she is over 9lbs if not closer to 10! She has really good neck control. She can support her own head when I pick her up or hold her in my lap. Sometimes when she wants to look at things she lets it roll a little bit, but she is getting better every day!
She is giving us these great big wonderful grins! It is so amazing to see my baby smiling back at me! She also is getting a lot more noises. I love the happy coos and excited squeals! It is tempting to just walk around with the camera and never put it down!
Alee |
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Tina Michelle
True Blue Farmgirl
6948 Posts
Tina
sunshine state
FL
USA
6948 Posts |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Jun 18 2007 : 5:32:43 PM
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bumping for Summerbreeze!
Alee
The amazing one handed typist! One hand for tying, one hand to hold Nora! |
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ACountryGirl
Farmgirl in Training
42 Posts
Nannie
Ca
USA
42 Posts |
Posted - Jun 19 2007 : 3:42:51 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by Alee
Wow! I never realized before how much a growth spurt could turn a household upside down! I feel so bad for my baby when she is just sobbing her eyes out and there is _nothing_ I can do to help- just holding and rocking and trying to get her to nurse.
Luckily it looks like her growth spurt is passing a bit at a time. She is starting to go back to the easy to soothe baby that I was used to. She has been sleeping just a tad less, but that is wonderful to! It is so fun to see her starting to visually explore the world around her and she rolled over all by herself on Saturday!
Alee
that is awesome~ They grow so fast! it is such a joy to watch the world thru our babie's eyes :-)
Nannie
http://acountrywoman.blogspot.com/ www.homesteadblogger.com/AStitchinTime
Live Laugh Love much! |
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Runbikegrrl
True Blue Farmgirl
250 Posts
MaryAnn
Waterbury Ctr
VT
USA
250 Posts |
Posted - Jun 19 2007 : 4:17:17 PM
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I know this sounds crazy, but you are going to look back and miss these bittersweet moments. I look at my 18year old Jon and sometimes wish he were back in my arms nursing and fussing. When they are little all the problems are little ones...then they grow up...enjoy
"So many interests so little time!"
http://lovelifelivegrrl.blogspot.com/ |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Jul 18 2007 : 10:49:38 AM
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Nora is now just shy of 14lbs. Last night she slept for 11 hrs straight! No feeding, fussing or anything! I checked on her quite a bit because I couldn't believe that she was staying asleep for so long!!
Alee
The amazing one handed typist! One hand for typing, one hand to hold Nora! |
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Parenting & Farm Kids: Nora and growing |
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Nora and growing
