My Baby Won’t Let Me Put Him Down

March 23rd, 2011

Elliot is a little over 4 weeks old. Things are going well. He sleeps relatively well at night. I am not a zombie in the morning. He wakes up about three times from 8 PM until 7 AM and that’s totally doable. It helps that I’m breastfeeding AND co-sleeping (JUDGE AWAY!) because when he wakes, I roll over, stick a boob in his mouth and fall back to sleep again.

The problem I’m having takes place during the day. He doesn’t like to be put down, like, at all. He lives on my body. And, yeah, that’s freaking adorable. I love baby snuggles. But I have a 3-year-old to care for. I also have laundry to do and a job. And sometimes it’s nice to be able to clap, write an email, or use the toilet. I can’t hold him ALL the time.

(Emory took this shot.)

Granted, right this second he’s sleeping soundly for the first time in his infant car seat. And has been for about 30 minutes. (!!!) So maybe things are changing. I’m not sure.

Let’s say this is some freak event and things go back to what they’ve been for the last four weeks, what do I do? I am not comfortable with letting him cry; he’s far too young for that. But I’m open to other ideas. Anyone? Did anyone have a newborn like this? Does it pass? What did you do to help things along? Are there slings that won’t suffocate him? Slings I can easily wear around the house? I purchased an Ergo and while I think it’ll be awesome when he’s older, you have to be a freaking yoga instructor, or, you know, smart to put the bloody thing on. I haven’t had any luck getting him into it and feeling he’s safe once in there. I didn’t have any luck with Emory either, that’s why we stayed in for the first two years of his life.

Help me, wise Internet. Please?

Em Diapers His Babies

March 21st, 2011

Elliot outgrew newborn diapers almost immediately. For a baby who lost so much weight in the first couple of days, he sure seems to be making up for that now. I’m not complaining; I’ve always had a fondness for babies who are so fat their hands look as if they’re popped into their arms at a chubby crease. Yeah, I’m OK with a Michelin Tire baby.

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March 15th, 2011

Edited to add: Murray updated the title of this post while I was away from the computer. So, I’m going to leave it as is. Apparently he wanted it this way. I’m not sure what he was trying to say, but there you go.

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Happy International Women’s Day! I Have Mastitis.

March 8th, 2011

EDITED TO ADD: OK, so things have gotten MUCH better. I thought I should mention. The pain is almost entirely gone and we’re breastfeeding 75% of the time. I just thought I’d share the update. This is not a boast, however. I still went through Stupidville to get here. But now that I’m here, it’s OK. Things are OK.

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Maternity Clothing.

March 2nd, 2011

I’m using my blog for this because I feel weird about sending out a mass-email asking my New York friends if they are pregnant or thinking about getting pregnant. Seems entirely to presumptuous and rude. I know that when I was desperately trying to get pregnant, had someone written me out of the blue asking if I needed a bunch of maternity clothing, I probably would have just sobbed onto my computer keyboard. So, instead of doing that, I’ll write this passive post instead.

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