1.08.2009

Ch-ch-change.....

Guess what's been going on the last 4 nights?? Our sweet son just started sleeping TEN+ hours a night. It seems his 3:30am-ish feeding was more of a habit. My hubby gave him his paci and comfort blanket instead of a bottle this weekend and he went back to sleep. Fabulous, eh? The craziest thing is what simultaneously happened. The day after Declan's first big 10 hour night, he went from 4 ounces a feeding (every 3 hours) to 6 ounces a feeding. Just like that. Hmm. Compensating I spose. I've always been proud of my napper. He napped about an hour-ish after each feeding for 1.5 hours. NOT ANYMORE. Mr. Goodsleeper takes a catnap in the morning and a 1.5 hour nap in the afternoon. Geesh. What a big boy.

In "I-hate-anything-but-my-million-dollar-formula news", Declan has zero interest in my lovingly homemade baby food. As soon as the food hits his mouth he fusses which quickly escalates to a cry. Now, being the amazing mother that I am, I shove another spoonful in to his mouth when he cries because his lips are tightly closed otherwise. Hmm. Pass judgement....get it over with... I've been diligent to keep trying but I'm getting close to just waiting for awhile to start back at it. Why did we skip rice cereal you ask? Our pediatrician doesn't want him to be on it until he's 6 months old because of his formula intolerances. Any advice out there? Keep trying? Wait a bit? He's 4.5 months old today so it wouldn't be a big deal to wait. For some reason Declan looks so old to me in this picture (this is the face most our feedings):

I'll leave you with a picture that warms my heart. I have the BEST (and cutest) sister-in-laws EVER!!!!

17 comments:

Tracey said...

Wonderful news for you...I'll look forward to 4.5 months now. Tell us what is normal daily routine is....what keeps him occupied...when do you get stuff done....please tell all

Tracey said...

Advice.....what did you do during the day to keep your son happy and awake....how do you put him to bed? How is hubby at handling the crying? Mine hates it and want's to do anything but listen to it....

Jess said...

YAY for long sleeping nights! That is the BEST.

As for the food, my kid is all FTT so I suppose I'm not the best person to give advice, but BECAUSE of my experiences, well, I've been there and done that with almost all feeding issues, or at least I've talked to someone who knows! :) If I were you I wouldn't push solids just yet TOO hard. I am still fighting every bite into my kid's mouth (I totally shove it in when he cries, too) and he's 13 months old. He HATES to eat. He just hates it. I say that if he's making it a battle, but he's gaining fine on his formula, give it a little time and hope that he picks up on it and takes an interest. You don't want it to become unpleasant, really.

GOOD LUCK. There are few things more frustrating than feeding woes.

Sam said...

I'm with Tracey... what's your secret! Granted, Ukulele is only 3 weeks old - but I'm planning ahead!

Congrats on a good night's sleep - you all deserve it!

Robin said...

We waited til DD was 6 months to start solids (since that's what the AAP, CDC, and WHO are all recommending because of all the food allergies). Plus, when I read on wholesomebabyfood.com (my source for homemade baby food) about how to tell when your baby is ready, I knew she wasn't. Once I waited just a few weeks longer - til she was 6 months old, it was smooth sailing. Actually, she doesn't want formula much anymore - loves her solids! So, I thin solids and cereal with formula instead of water. Hope that helps!

Anonymous said...

Yay for sleeping through the night! Go Declan! :)

Doripink said...

DJ is 4 months, so I'm REALLY jealous! :) I just kept feeding DJ with a spoon twice a day, a little each day and now he's getting use to it. Try giving him some food BEFORE the bottle, so he's a little hungry---that worked for me!

Becky said...

I say keep hanging in there with the foods! New tastes and new textures are always weird to them. While some babies take right to it all, lots don't. I had to keep at it with both of mine.
I made lots of my own baby food with the first.....wish I could remember the name of the baby cookbook I used. It had yummy stuff that my son loved.
He'll get the hang of it!
Congrats on the sleeping! That changes life for sure! The first night both of mine slept like that, I woke up scared to death!!!
He's a cutie!

BecMama said...

We didn't start solids until Evan was 6mos. It doesn't hurt to keep trying, but maybe lil'D isn't ready for them yet. Don't rush him as you'll never get this time back with him. He's going to keep growing and growing you can't stop that.

happymomof4 said...

I am not telling you or giving you advice just letting you know what I did and you can decide from there. With both of my kiddos I waited until 6 months to start any type of cereal or babyfood! I then started them on cereal for a while and then introduced the babyfood. I did this for several reasons the main one is that they say it helps reduce allergies (don't know how true being as my son has four MAJOR food allergies as well as an intolerance to soy) and helps their systems grow and adjust. I never had an issues with my kids taking cereal or babyfood. Both kiddos are healthy my daughter was a chunky baby however my son is on the smaller side but both healthy and didn't affect there growth by doing this! I hope that this info is helpful and best of luck:)

Rebekah Wilson said...

my thoughts on the food, keep it up. When my daughter started baby food, the dr said it could take several attempts until she accepts or decides she likes something. I say keep going :)

KathleenSBass said...

YEAH for the sleep!! I hope he keeps it up! That is awesome (for everyone!)

As for the food issue..i would wait. I work at a daycare in the infant room, so I dont have personal experience from my own kids, but I DO have lots of experience starting solids with babies at work.
Most of the mommies wait til 6 months since that is what the AAP, WHO, and most pedi's recommend. Their lil tummies arent sturdy enough to handle solids right away. It is good to get Declan used to the spoon, so he can tame his gag/swallow/tongue reflexes. But dont worry if he doesnt actually consume any of the food for a while. If he is crying through it, maybe wait a little longer so he doesnt develop a "fear" of the high chair/spoon/etc.
Good luck! Let us know how it goes!
Again....i am NOT a parent yet....so take my "advice" with a grain of salt :)

Doublebanker said...

We just had our 4 month appointment for our son and our doc told us to start giving him oatmeal or rice. But he is keeping down the formula 95+% of the time.

Melba said...

This is awesome, how amazing that he's started sleeping through the night! As for the food, I have a close friend who did the homemade baby food and she had to try twice before it was a hit. In the end, her daughter was over 6 months old before baby food was a staple. I think you just have to base it on the baby. If he's not into it and you've tried a few times then I'd let it go for a while. Especially considering he's sleeping so well and he seems happy. :)

Melba

Doripink said...

Hey! wanted to let you know, DJ slept til 6am...no soothing, no fussing...I was floored! I think your prayers worked!!!!! Thank you!!! Happt Sat. Hope you had fun last night!
Dori

Shelby said...

YAY Declan! Colin does the same sleep through the night with barely any naps during the day. I dont mind it for a full night sleep though! Congrats!

Anonymous said...

Poor D. It sounds like you're doing everything right, though. It's just one of those stages and it'll pass by in a couple months.

That picture of you and your sisters-in-law is heartwarming. My future sister-in-law is a complete bitch and it got worse after she popped out a kid. Be thankful yours are wonderful.