Comments | new_moms: Advice, help, encouragement... anything?

rokica in new_moms

Advice, help, encouragement... anything?

Mar 28, 2007 15:00

I have two daughters, a 19-mo-old and a 1-mo-old. The little one seems to be a real high needs baby... crying a lot, often difficult to soothe and sometimes impossible to soothe. It's creating a lot of stress in our household... the older one is reacting well to the newcomer, and it wouldn't be such a big problem if the little one were an easier ( Read more... )

Comments 8

kls March 28 2007, 13:15:45 UTC

At this moment I can't think of any practical advice for you, but I will say hang in there! It gets better. Your baby will get older, and your toddler will adjust, and it will get better. We told our son that sometimes babies cry, and even though you try to make them feel better, it doesn't always work right away. Trust your instincts, and try to sleep, and before you know it, the baby won't be such a baby anymore. :)

tintaglia30 March 28 2007, 13:17:54 UTC

Well, words of encouragement I can do, advice, er, you seem to have covered everything!
I had my twin boys when my eldest daughter was a year and a half. I survived! :P You can too!
Currently I have my (just turned) three year old and five month old at home, juggling their demands can be very tricky.
I know she is young, but the 1 and a half year old will have to learn that she will have to wait, sometimes, it can't be helped. ripping a nursing baby of your nip to get the other one sweeties isn't really an option!

Good luck! :)

NAK so short response violentmae March 28 2007, 13:39:53 UTC

Sounds a lot like my situation when my son was born. Gripe water helped him quite a bit and he LOVED being in the MobyWrap. I would wrap him up in a front carry and he would just doze. Also, the swing was a life saver, it was the only other place he would be soothed, and I needed that so I could make dinner. But I know swings are for older babies...

Anyway, it gets better. The first months were really hard for me. It'll get better and your elder daughter will be just fine. Just give her as much love and individual attention when you can and maybe dad can take her out sometimes for some just her time. Good luck! It's a delicate balance and takes awhile to find, but you will and these days will be a distant memory. :)

spear_britney March 28 2007, 14:45:24 UTC

I'm right there with you with the newborn fussiness.
My 5 week old son has been a terror to comfort lately -
it is very difficult!
But take comfort in knowing others are going through the same thing :).

spear_britney March 28 2007, 21:06:49 UTC

also, my midwives gave me a helpful tip.
try giving your baby a little chamomile.
1 tsp to 1 cup.
we have founds this very helpful.
and gripe water has worked for us, too.

p.s. spear_britney March 28 2007, 21:08:07 UTC

and catnip has worked for us!

high-needs kids salixmom March 28 2007, 16:34:40 UTC

I feel for you. I have a similar daughter, very high needs. I also had/have an oversupply problem. One thing I found helpful is to realize that your baby is different and she does need more - and to be ok with the fact that you are doing nothing wrong. In fact it sounds like you are doing a great job balancing everything. I found comments from other parents, in-laws, etc who said things like "I don't know why you are having such a hard time", to be very hurtful. The truth is that if someone has not been a mom to a high needs baby, then they have no idea what it is like ( ... )