Today, I finally found like I got MY day back. And it was because I let Morgan lead the way. I took her cues and acted appropriately, helping get her to a drowsy state to fall asleep by herself or feed her more when (even though it had only been 1.5hrs), it seemed like what she needed. I enjoyed my daughter today more than any other day since she was born. Letting go of the expectations and allowing my daughter to be who she will be...pretty big parenting lesson learned right there, huh?
It is really easy as a new Mom to fall into the rut of comparison and the what your baby "should" be doing pot. From the moment you leave the hospital, it's all about counting diapers, managing hours between feeds, and figuring out how to get your little one to sleep. For each of those categories, there are a million and one subcatagories and theorists on how best to complete each baby task. And let me tell you, it is exhausting. For me, I easily fell into the pattern the past few weeks of trying to get Morgan on a schedule...a "routine" more or less. I am not someone who functions well outside the bounderies of a daily planner (and I like having lunch dates and visitors over or plan an outing) that by week 6, in my mind...scheduling Morgan became a necessity. So I looked to Babywise and to The Baby Whisperer and tried to follow the eat-play-sleep or EASY (eat activity sleep youtime) and quickly realized it didnt feel natural. I was trying desperately to get Morgan to go 3hrs between feedings and extend her naps by using a carrier. She would snooze for hours on end with all my props to get her to sleep and stay asleep but it was seriously wearing me thin. I didn't and couldn't see an end to it all. She has to sleep right? Why can't she, on her own, sleep in those 1-2hr stretches in the Rock N Play like she does in the Bjorn or Moby wrap? My ah-ha moment came this morning after a chat with KCS (read: me breaking down in tears, she listening and providing such sound advice from the mouth of a reflux fussy baby mama too.) I just had to let it go. Let go of my expectations of when and how and how long it will take to soothe her back to sleep. I was becoming completely unraveled and unable to even enjoy my sweet girl! She coached me on basic mama things that I needed to hear: follow your baby's lead not that of a website. I was wanting Morgan to so terribly take on the perfect 3-hour routine that I wasn't allowing her to do so on her own with some tweeking. So she naps for only 35-45min each time? Ah well. Normal (on the low side but normal.) It takes a number of pick up/put down shhh's and white noise makers to get her to calm? Normal. And if she's fine just laying in her Rock N Play awake but not crying? Let her work it out. Allow her to attempt to self soothe. All of this is a bit more difficult with a baby with reflux but as we get that issue in check and have less nap interruptions due to her little system being awry, the more time we will have to get into a good solid nap groove.
Today, I finally found like I got MY day back. And it was because I let Morgan lead the way. I took her cues and acted appropriately, helping get her to a drowsy state to fall asleep by herself or feed her more when (even though it had only been 1.5hrs), it seemed like what she needed. I enjoyed my daughter today more than any other day since she was born. Letting go of the expectations and allowing my daughter to be who she will be...pretty big parenting lesson learned right there, huh?
6 Comments
KCS
2/5/2013 09:51:41 pm
This post makes me really happy. And not just because I was mentioned in it. :)
Reply
Bethany
2/5/2013 10:12:59 pm
You're doing great and are just what Morgan needs! It really does get easier and you've definitely got over the hardest bit - deciding to let it go and be led by M. C and I finally started to find a rhythm after I stopped trying to schedule her into compliance. Having seen my friends with reflux-free, sleeping-through-the-night-by-6-weeks-old babies gave me unrealistic expectations even when I thought I'd prepared myself for anything.
Reply
Lindsay
2/6/2013 12:37:08 am
You are a fantastic mom and Morgan is SO lucky to have you both as parents. xo
Reply
Sarah
2/6/2013 09:38:44 pm
Thanks girlfrineds! We hit such a stride the past few days. These little creatures are not only so finicky but also so very adaptable. We're getting into more of a groove with each 24 hr cycle!
Reply
10/1/2013 07:00:34 pm
Just as appetite comes by eating, so work brings inspiration, if inspiration is not discernible at the beginning.
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorSarah: one part of a family of THREE with my husband Lee and sweet girl Morgan, simply wanting to chronicle the path I'm on and the path that will come to be. For now it's NYC urban mamaville where everyday is a new adventure! (Actually, just getting to the post office is an adventure.) Ask Me Anything!Blogettes I LoveJoey & The Owl
Emphasis Added Enjoying the Small Things MODG The Grateful Life Ramshackle Glam Lindsay Lately Gotham Girl Stylized Existence Living with Intention House Built of Walls SwimBikeRunningonEmpty A Pinch of Ginger Making the Moment Last Pearls to Pampers Dear Baby Oh Happy Miracle Hey Laney Archives
August 2015
Categories
All
|