Babies at night

Just so you know this is Robie.  Your not on my friends list yet so I'm just using Sean's name.  Travis was really fussy the first two nights and didn't really sleep at all.  My milk hadn't come in yet so I think he was just really hungry cause I would supplement and ounce of formula here and there and it seemed to make him less fussy.  As soon as my milk came he has been perfect and will sleep 4-5 hours before waking up to eat.  And a lot of babies have there days and nights mix up so try to keep him awake a couple hours before you go to bed.  I saw his pictures and he is adorable!!!  I love all his blonde hair!!  Can't wait to meet him!! 

I am actually in CA this weekend visiting my niece, who was born two weeks ago.  It makes me a bit nostalgic for all of the newborn baby stuff, though the sleep deprivation part is a reminder I need occasionally.  Since I've been talking to my sister about babies for three days, it's all fresh in my mind.  Both of my babies were good night sleepers, so we were lucky.  The one thing both of my kids struggled with, probably because they were premies, was their digestive systems.  They both liked pressure on their bellies in the evening.  Troy had a great way of throwing them way up over his shoulder and they were happy.  You will also learn all of the newborn baby bouncing and soft talking techniques with time.  It gets easier!  He'll be sleeping at night in no time.

If you don't have it already, I'd pick up a copy of "What to expect the First year."  It's a Q&A / reference type book organized by month of life that Pam and I both found super helpful. 

One of my favorite things in the world was to lay down on the couch with a fresh one on my chest and take a nap together.  Good times.

Keep in mind the concept of foremilk and hindmilk when stocking up for a night sleep which at this point would be 4-5 hours. Foremilk is 90% water and satisfies their thirst but hindmilk which is the last milk in the breast is very rich and filling so it's important to get some of that in there for good sleeping. The book Chris suggested is great. Happy parenting!!

I found that if just befoe putting them down for the night???? I would really tire them out by stripping them down and rubbing them all over with warm baby oil or lotion.  Seemed to work for us.

Man, this dialogue makes me happy for you and sorry all at once.  Chris is right -- good times.  I was particularly fond of "helping the baby take a rest" . . . my phrase for holding them and sleeping while they slept.  Good luck with the nighttime thing -- Aubyn took most of those bullets.  Looking back now I wish I had been more helpful for a number of reasons!

We have been pretty lucky in that they kids have not been big criers as babies. But holding them often helped - they usually slept better cuddled on you than all alone in bed. Which makes it hard to get things done, of course. A Baby Bjorn or sling or something like that could be useful. Hope Eli calms down soon and decides that nighttime is for sleeping!

all I can say is....... I'm sorry and good luck

someone told me "this too shall pass." It made me feel so much better, knowing eventually I would sleep again one day (til the next baby, right?).

Is Eli starting to settle down yet?

We're getting there--it seems to be a matter of rhythm between nursing, changing the diaper and sleeping. He can sleep for 4 hours at a time, although once a night he likes to stay awake between feedings. He doesn't cry much during this time anymore if I am holding him, but the eyes are wide open and he will cry if I put him in his crib. It's good male bonding time. We watch Seinfeld, the Office, Law and Order etc. He loves it!

DVR is a beautiful thing. 

Awesome Ben. Way to make it count. This is a good time to jot a note to him about your feelings, what he's like etc. My dad did that once in my baby book when he was watching me at 6 or 7 months old and it's unexplainable how it feels to read it. It puts me in the picture because it tells where we are and what we're both doing. I think it's great even when the thoughts are written on a napkin or whatever is handy and then taping them in a book later. Good stuff for "later".

Wow...good comments and suggestions.  I don't think there is a single thing more I could add except my own experience.  Back in the day when we all slept in a one bedroom mobile home, Sean's crib was right next to our bed.  All night long any toss or turn or whimper I was up and at him until he was a year old and Geof was born and Sean still was not sleeping through the night.  When Geof was born he and I moved to the living room where I was up and down all night.  Then we moved to our FOUR bedroom house.  Geof was put in his room and Sean in his room and Geof slept through the night by 3 months.  When Scott came along I was experienced.  After 2 weeks he was in his own room and sleeping through the night.  Now I know that is not the way they do things these days with the "family bed" and I am not saying I would do it that way now as I know a lot more about SIDS, etc.  I do know if I did put them in their own room I would at least have a baby monitor.   I do know my grandchildren seem so loved and secure sleeping longer with their parents and as previously mentioned it is such a bonding time.  Survey my kids and see if they think I should have let them sleep longer in my room.  hee hee