Cereal to get Baby to sleep.

[Guest guest]

Our pediatrician doesn't recommend anything other than breast milk or formula

for the first 5 to 6 months.

I know when I was a baby, my Mom started giving me cereal at 3 weeks old

because I was " such a big baby I wasn't getting enough to eat and waking up at

night time. " Well, let me tell you I ended up a huge baby, and I was chubby all

through my childhood. I always wondered if being giving all the extra food so

early is what started me on my way to being overweight. I could be wrong, but

that's just how I felt for me.

Jeanette

[Guest guest]

Our pediatrician doesn't recommend anything other than breast milk or formula

for the first 5 to 6 months.

I know when I was a baby, my Mom started giving me cereal at 3 weeks old

because I was " such a big baby I wasn't getting enough to eat and waking up at

night time. " Well, let me tell you I ended up a huge baby, and I was chubby all

through my childhood. I always wondered if being giving all the extra food so

early is what started me on my way to being overweight. I could be wrong, but

that's just how I felt for me.

Jeanette

[Guest guest]

Hi there. My baby girl is 7 weeks old today. At this point she is

only sleeping in 2 hour increments at night. I went back to work

last week, and the lack of sleep is really wearing on me. My mom

swears that she fed all 3 of us kids a little bit of cereal mixed

with our formula before bed, to get us to sleep, when we were only a

few weeks old. I am breastfeeding, and because I'm back to work,

I've been pumping and she's been taking a bottle when I'm at work.

I've started giving her a bottle right before bed as well, in order

to make sure that her little belly is full. I'm also giving her a

warm bath around bedtime, with the sleepy time bath products and

lotions. But it hasn't seemed to make any difference. I am begining

to wonder if I should try adding a little bit of cereal to her

breatmilk at night. Has anyone else tried this? Has it worked? Do

you have any other suggestions, that might help her and I get a

little bit more sleep?

Jodi

[Guest guest]

Jodi,

I haven't had my baby yet (due in a few weeks) but my mom swears by the

using a bit of cereal in the bottle at bedtime -- that's what she did

with me and my brother.

Best of luck!

Annette

Cereal to get Baby to sleep.

Hi there. My baby girl is 7 weeks old today. At this point she

is

only sleeping in 2 hour increments at night. I went back to

work

last week, and the lack of sleep is really wearing on me. My

mom

swears that she fed all 3 of us kids a little bit of cereal

mixed

with our formula before bed, to get us to sleep, when we were

only a

few weeks old. I am breastfeeding, and because I'm back to

work,

I've been pumping and she's been taking a bottle when I'm at

work.

I've started giving her a bottle right before bed as well, in

order

to make sure that her little belly is full. I'm also giving her

a

warm bath around bedtime, with the sleepy time bath products and

lotions. But it hasn't seemed to make any difference. I am

begining

to wonder if I should try adding a little bit of cereal to her

breatmilk at night. Has anyone else tried this? Has it worked?

Do

you have any other suggestions, that might help her and I get a

little bit more sleep?

Jodi

Children are a blessing, and a gift from the Lord. -Psalm 127:3

[Guest guest]

Jodi,

I haven't had my baby yet (due in a few weeks) but my mom swears by the

using a bit of cereal in the bottle at bedtime -- that's what she did

with me and my brother.

Best of luck!

Annette

Cereal to get Baby to sleep.

Hi there. My baby girl is 7 weeks old today. At this point she

is

only sleeping in 2 hour increments at night. I went back to

work

last week, and the lack of sleep is really wearing on me. My

mom

swears that she fed all 3 of us kids a little bit of cereal

mixed

with our formula before bed, to get us to sleep, when we were

only a

few weeks old. I am breastfeeding, and because I'm back to

work,

I've been pumping and she's been taking a bottle when I'm at

work.

I've started giving her a bottle right before bed as well, in

order

to make sure that her little belly is full. I'm also giving her

a

warm bath around bedtime, with the sleepy time bath products and

lotions. But it hasn't seemed to make any difference. I am

begining

to wonder if I should try adding a little bit of cereal to her

breatmilk at night. Has anyone else tried this? Has it worked?

Do

you have any other suggestions, that might help her and I get a

little bit more sleep?

Jodi

Children are a blessing, and a gift from the Lord. -Psalm 127:3

[Guest guest]

Jodi -

I would start by asking her caregiver to play with her during the day

and keep her awake a bit more. It sounds like she is taking her big

naps while you are working. You might also play nature sounds or music

in her nursery at night. It is nosy all day and the silence can keep

babies up at night. Talk with your DR about the cereal. I fed some to

both my babies but I thought they were closer to 5 months. Both mine

were preemies and did not sleep well for a few months. Once we got the

days and nights right, they did sleep for 3-4 hours instead of two. Do

you have anyone that can handle one feeding at night? I know you are

breastfeeding but one bottle in the wee hours may help you stay sane and

rested. The NICU nurses told me if I ran myself into the ground, the

baby would end up on formula, so pump and bottle feed to get a good two

hours of sleep if you can. I took their advice and it was the only

thing that saved me from my own hospital stay.

Good luck

Cereal to get Baby to sleep.

Hi there. My baby girl is 7 weeks old today. At this point she is

only sleeping in 2 hour increments at night. I went back to work

last week, and the lack of sleep is really wearing on me. My mom

swears that she fed all 3 of us kids a little bit of cereal mixed

with our formula before bed, to get us to sleep, when we were only a

few weeks old. I am breastfeeding, and because I'm back to work,

I've been pumping and she's been taking a bottle when I'm at work.

I've started giving her a bottle right before bed as well, in order

to make sure that her little belly is full. I'm also giving her a

warm bath around bedtime, with the sleepy time bath products and

lotions. But it hasn't seemed to make any difference. I am begining

to wonder if I should try adding a little bit of cereal to her

breatmilk at night. Has anyone else tried this? Has it worked? Do

you have any other suggestions, that might help her and I get a

little bit more sleep?

Jodi

Children are a blessing, and a gift from the Lord. -Psalm 127:3

[Guest guest]

Jodi -

I would start by asking her caregiver to play with her during the day

and keep her awake a bit more. It sounds like she is taking her big

naps while you are working. You might also play nature sounds or music

in her nursery at night. It is nosy all day and the silence can keep

babies up at night. Talk with your DR about the cereal. I fed some to

both my babies but I thought they were closer to 5 months. Both mine

were preemies and did not sleep well for a few months. Once we got the

days and nights right, they did sleep for 3-4 hours instead of two. Do

you have anyone that can handle one feeding at night? I know you are

breastfeeding but one bottle in the wee hours may help you stay sane and

rested. The NICU nurses told me if I ran myself into the ground, the

baby would end up on formula, so pump and bottle feed to get a good two

hours of sleep if you can. I took their advice and it was the only

thing that saved me from my own hospital stay.

Good luck

Cereal to get Baby to sleep.

Hi there. My baby girl is 7 weeks old today. At this point she is

only sleeping in 2 hour increments at night. I went back to work

last week, and the lack of sleep is really wearing on me. My mom

swears that she fed all 3 of us kids a little bit of cereal mixed

with our formula before bed, to get us to sleep, when we were only a

few weeks old. I am breastfeeding, and because I'm back to work,

I've been pumping and she's been taking a bottle when I'm at work.

I've started giving her a bottle right before bed as well, in order

to make sure that her little belly is full. I'm also giving her a

warm bath around bedtime, with the sleepy time bath products and

lotions. But it hasn't seemed to make any difference. I am begining

to wonder if I should try adding a little bit of cereal to her

breatmilk at night. Has anyone else tried this? Has it worked? Do

you have any other suggestions, that might help her and I get a

little bit more sleep?

Jodi

Children are a blessing, and a gift from the Lord. -Psalm 127:3

[Guest guest]

As far as I know most baby-related professionals are against adding

cereal to the bottle. Not sure all the reasons but I thinks it's not

supposed to be good.

Lenore

Cereal to get Baby to sleep.

Hi there. My baby girl is 7 weeks old today. At this point she is

only sleeping in 2 hour increments at night. I went back to work

last week, and the lack of sleep is really wearing on me. My mom

swears that she fed all 3 of us kids a little bit of cereal mixed

with our formula before bed, to get us to sleep, when we were only a

few weeks old. I am breastfeeding, and because I'm back to work,

I've been pumping and she's been taking a bottle when I'm at work.

I've started giving her a bottle right before bed as well, in order

to make sure that her little belly is full. I'm also giving her a

warm bath around bedtime, with the sleepy time bath products and

lotions. But it hasn't seemed to make any difference. I am begining

to wonder if I should try adding a little bit of cereal to her

breatmilk at night. Has anyone else tried this? Has it worked? Do

you have any other suggestions, that might help her and I get a

little bit more sleep?

Jodi

Children are a blessing, and a gift from the Lord. -Psalm 127:3

[Guest guest]

As far as I know most baby-related professionals are against adding

cereal to the bottle. Not sure all the reasons but I thinks it's not

supposed to be good.

Lenore

Cereal to get Baby to sleep.

Hi there. My baby girl is 7 weeks old today. At this point she is

only sleeping in 2 hour increments at night. I went back to work

last week, and the lack of sleep is really wearing on me. My mom

swears that she fed all 3 of us kids a little bit of cereal mixed

with our formula before bed, to get us to sleep, when we were only a

few weeks old. I am breastfeeding, and because I'm back to work,

I've been pumping and she's been taking a bottle when I'm at work.

I've started giving her a bottle right before bed as well, in order

to make sure that her little belly is full. I'm also giving her a

warm bath around bedtime, with the sleepy time bath products and

lotions. But it hasn't seemed to make any difference. I am begining

to wonder if I should try adding a little bit of cereal to her

breatmilk at night. Has anyone else tried this? Has it worked? Do

you have any other suggestions, that might help her and I get a

little bit more sleep?

Jodi

Children are a blessing, and a gift from the Lord. -Psalm 127:3

[Guest guest]

> I am begining to wonder if I

> should try adding a little bit of cereal to her breatmilk

at night.

> Has anyone else tried this? Has it worked? Do you

have any other

> suggestions, that might help her and I get a little bit

more sleep?

>

>

You will hear this advice a lot from the previous

generation...and you can chalk it up to " old wives tales

that they used to believe was true but that we now know

isn't true " .

they used to recommend things like beginning cereal at

2 weeks, mixing in egg yolk with the cereal starting at 2-

4 weeks, beginning orange juice by 6 weeks....

Now we know that breastmilk (and if breastmilk isn't

available, formula) is all that a baby needs for the first 6

months of life. In fact, we also know that introducing

any solids before 4 months of age (regardless of baby's

size) can cause all sorts of problems in their digestive

tract (as well as allergies) and can actually keep them

FROM sleeping as their tummies get upset. The 4-

month-minimum thing isn't because of baby's size...but

because of baby's development...and until their body is

developmentally ready for solids, starting them too early

does more harm than good.

beyond that...think about WHY your parents are

suggesting it...

they are suggesting cereal to keep the baby full longer,

right? In other words...give baby something with almost

no nutritional value so that they don't eat as much of the

stuff with all of the nutrition that they need. Not really

healthy for them...

they need to eat...and they need to eat that often.

During the 2am feed...just keep telling yourself, " this

isn't going to last long...this won't last long... " and as

hard as this is to believe, you will probably look back on

your middle of the night feedings (and even the lack of

sleep) with a smile on your face when they are older. =)

Soderblom CCCE CD(DONA) CLD

Student Midwife - Mesa, AZ

CAPPA Board of Directors

Doula/CBE/Pregnancy/Birth Photography

Owner: Birth Story Diaries - real births, real photos

http://www.birthdiaries.com

Owner: SouthwestDoulas.com

[Guest guest]

> I am begining to wonder if I

> should try adding a little bit of cereal to her breatmilk

at night.

> Has anyone else tried this? Has it worked? Do you

have any other

> suggestions, that might help her and I get a little bit

more sleep?

>

>

You will hear this advice a lot from the previous

generation...and you can chalk it up to " old wives tales

that they used to believe was true but that we now know

isn't true " .

they used to recommend things like beginning cereal at

2 weeks, mixing in egg yolk with the cereal starting at 2-

4 weeks, beginning orange juice by 6 weeks....

Now we know that breastmilk (and if breastmilk isn't

available, formula) is all that a baby needs for the first 6

months of life. In fact, we also know that introducing

any solids before 4 months of age (regardless of baby's

size) can cause all sorts of problems in their digestive

tract (as well as allergies) and can actually keep them

FROM sleeping as their tummies get upset. The 4-

month-minimum thing isn't because of baby's size...but

because of baby's development...and until their body is

developmentally ready for solids, starting them too early

does more harm than good.

beyond that...think about WHY your parents are

suggesting it...

they are suggesting cereal to keep the baby full longer,

right? In other words...give baby something with almost

no nutritional value so that they don't eat as much of the

stuff with all of the nutrition that they need. Not really

healthy for them...

they need to eat...and they need to eat that often.

During the 2am feed...just keep telling yourself, " this

isn't going to last long...this won't last long... " and as

hard as this is to believe, you will probably look back on

your middle of the night feedings (and even the lack of

sleep) with a smile on your face when they are older. =)

I also want to add that adding cereal to a BOTTLE is

considered a huge no-no as it's a choking hazard. If

they can't take it from a spoon...even if they are 7 or 9

months old...then they aren't ready. I don't know of any

pediatrician that would say it's ok to add it to the bottle.

Soderblom CCCE CD(DONA) CLD

Student Midwife - Mesa, AZ

CAPPA Board of Directors

Doula/CBE/Pregnancy/Birth Photography

Owner: Birth Story Diaries - real births, real photos

http://www.birthdiaries.com

Owner: SouthwestDoulas.com

[Guest guest]

(May be harsh, so delete if you need to now!)

Babies are animals... MEANT to awaken every couple of hours to touch base

with mama... to get the food that is perfect for them, made specifically

for them, dispensed cleanly only for them, digested easily and quickly for

them.

Imagine we don't live in this century... or even the one before or the

hundreds before that. Imagine that you are a baby... in the desert with

your mom... or the jungle... or the plains. Your cry makes your mother RUN

to you... if she didn't you would be eaten by another animal a lot bigger

than you. The reason our babies' cries are so distressing (according to

birth anthropologists) is to SAVE them and keep them safe. Babies who are

carried the majority of the time actually cry LESS when put down than

babies left to " cry it out. " (Read anything by Sears, but

especially Nighttime Parenting and The Fussy Baby).

All that being said, your baby doesn't have a clue s/he was born when mommy

and daddy had to work in the morning and that s/he is " supposed " to sleep

in a crib in another room and for several hours at a time. Babies' bodies

and biology is still timed to eons ago.

You are hardly the only nursing mother who has to work... my own partner

was in the Army when she had her baby and returned 6 weeks

postpartum. Many working mothers are finding ways to get sleep AND

continue nursing their babies... that is the great news! The odd news is

that you might find the next piece of information foreign or even as

controversial as giving cereal in a bottle.

Co-sleeping... something that has been done since the dawn of time and

continues to be THE way most people around the earth sleep... is the only

way most moms find (and loads of dads, too!) the balance of nursing and

working. Co-sleeping is having your baby sleeping in or next to your bed

(in a co-sleeper or in the crib with the side rail off) and you nurse and

sleep at the same time. This acquired skill is the first thing I teach

moms before leaving their homes 3 or so hours after their homebirths; they

are infinitely grateful! Myself, I nursed several kidlets by sleeping with

them... moving them into their own beds easily around the time they weaned

(2.5 years).

The arguments abound on both sides of this issue... and we could probably

go on for WEEKS about this topic (and I can easily see it being a total

flame war), but I just encourage everyone to RESEARCH Co-sleeping,

attachment parenting, marsupial mothering, Mothering Magazine, and

breastfeeding and obesity (exclusively nursing for MONTHS, with NO solids,

is being proven over and over to prevent the very reason we all had WLS...

morbid obesity/diabetes/eating disorders).

was right on as she explained the physiologic reasons not to

introduce solids early... and I will add that babies TELL you when they are

ready: 1) the get teeth 2) they sit up by themselves 3) they no longer

tongue thrust (remember all those babies we fed that pushed their food out

of their mouths and we would scrape it off their faces and push it back

in? THEY WEREN'T READY YET!) 4) they reach out for food off your

plate. Babies NEVER have to have cereal, baby food, bottles, pacifiers, or

formula... even working moms (I help moms learn how to AP all the

time). Babies can eat off your plate (no pureeing needed, either... just

make it mooshy for them), drink out of a cup and still develop fabulously.

Interesting topic... and right ON-TOPIC as far as keeping our kids from

getting so fat they qualify for WLS, too.

One last note... when we have kids, our needs are pushed aside in many MANY

ways for YEARS... it is just the nature of the beast. Finding balance can

be a challenge... is important, too, but our children are HELPLESS to

change anything in their environment... we aren't. Changing how we

PERCEIVE the situation can go miles towards our relaxing and knowing that

this isn't a permanent experience... VERY transient. My baby was JUST

nursing... I swear... and he turned 21 on October 20... it happens

*snapping fingers* THAT FAST!

Barbara E. Herrera, Midwife

San Diego, CA

Open RNY April 5, 2001

Starting Weight 350/BMI-64

Now 200/Alive and Healthy!

(Lowest Post-op Weight 160)

www.AmaMama.com

Transformation

Pics:

http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?p=999&gid=1006909&uid=631889&members=1

[Guest guest]

(May be harsh, so delete if you need to now!)

Babies are animals... MEANT to awaken every couple of hours to touch base

with mama... to get the food that is perfect for them, made specifically

for them, dispensed cleanly only for them, digested easily and quickly for

them.

Imagine we don't live in this century... or even the one before or the

hundreds before that. Imagine that you are a baby... in the desert with

your mom... or the jungle... or the plains. Your cry makes your mother RUN

to you... if she didn't you would be eaten by another animal a lot bigger

than you. The reason our babies' cries are so distressing (according to

birth anthropologists) is to SAVE them and keep them safe. Babies who are

carried the majority of the time actually cry LESS when put down than

babies left to " cry it out. " (Read anything by Sears, but

especially Nighttime Parenting and The Fussy Baby).

All that being said, your baby doesn't have a clue s/he was born when mommy

and daddy had to work in the morning and that s/he is " supposed " to sleep

in a crib in another room and for several hours at a time. Babies' bodies

and biology is still timed to eons ago.

You are hardly the only nursing mother who has to work... my own partner

was in the Army when she had her baby and returned 6 weeks

postpartum. Many working mothers are finding ways to get sleep AND

continue nursing their babies... that is the great news! The odd news is

that you might find the next piece of information foreign or even as

controversial as giving cereal in a bottle.

Co-sleeping... something that has been done since the dawn of time and

continues to be THE way most people around the earth sleep... is the only

way most moms find (and loads of dads, too!) the balance of nursing and

working. Co-sleeping is having your baby sleeping in or next to your bed

(in a co-sleeper or in the crib with the side rail off) and you nurse and

sleep at the same time. This acquired skill is the first thing I teach

moms before leaving their homes 3 or so hours after their homebirths; they

are infinitely grateful! Myself, I nursed several kidlets by sleeping with

them... moving them into their own beds easily around the time they weaned

(2.5 years).

The arguments abound on both sides of this issue... and we could probably

go on for WEEKS about this topic (and I can easily see it being a total

flame war), but I just encourage everyone to RESEARCH Co-sleeping,

attachment parenting, marsupial mothering, Mothering Magazine, and

breastfeeding and obesity (exclusively nursing for MONTHS, with NO solids,

is being proven over and over to prevent the very reason we all had WLS...

morbid obesity/diabetes/eating disorders).

was right on as she explained the physiologic reasons not to

introduce solids early... and I will add that babies TELL you when they are

ready: 1) the get teeth 2) they sit up by themselves 3) they no longer

tongue thrust (remember all those babies we fed that pushed their food out

of their mouths and we would scrape it off their faces and push it back

in? THEY WEREN'T READY YET!) 4) they reach out for food off your

plate. Babies NEVER have to have cereal, baby food, bottles, pacifiers, or

formula... even working moms (I help moms learn how to AP all the

time). Babies can eat off your plate (no pureeing needed, either... just

make it mooshy for them), drink out of a cup and still develop fabulously.

Interesting topic... and right ON-TOPIC as far as keeping our kids from

getting so fat they qualify for WLS, too.

One last note... when we have kids, our needs are pushed aside in many MANY

ways for YEARS... it is just the nature of the beast. Finding balance can

be a challenge... is important, too, but our children are HELPLESS to

change anything in their environment... we aren't. Changing how we

PERCEIVE the situation can go miles towards our relaxing and knowing that

this isn't a permanent experience... VERY transient. My baby was JUST

nursing... I swear... and he turned 21 on October 20... it happens

*snapping fingers* THAT FAST!

Barbara E. Herrera, Midwife

San Diego, CA

Open RNY April 5, 2001

Starting Weight 350/BMI-64

Now 200/Alive and Healthy!

(Lowest Post-op Weight 160)

www.AmaMama.com

Transformation

Pics:

http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?p=999&gid=1006909&uid=631889&members=1

[Guest guest]

-My pediatrician told me that I could add rice cereal (only) to each

bottle since my son had severe reflux. I started that around 6 weeks.

I can't see that it helped his sleep any. He is now 1 and is only

sleeping about 3-4 hours at a time.

Best wishes!

Those sleepless nights can kill ya! The only way I survived, is I

took a year off work! There is no way on earth I could have worked

AND gotten up with him through the night!!!!

Sheila

-- In OSSG-pregnant , " Lenore Levy "

wrote:

> As far as I know most baby-related professionals are against adding

> cereal to the bottle. Not sure all the reasons but I thinks it's

not

> supposed to be good.

> Lenore

>

> Cereal to get Baby to sleep.

>

> Hi there. My baby girl is 7 weeks old today. At this point she is

> only sleeping in 2 hour increments at night. I went back to work

> last week, and the lack of sleep is really wearing on me. My mom

> swears that she fed all 3 of us kids a little bit of cereal mixed

> with our formula before bed, to get us to sleep, when we were only

a

> few weeks old. I am breastfeeding, and because I'm back to work,

> I've been pumping and she's been taking a bottle when I'm at work.

> I've started giving her a bottle right before bed as well, in order

> to make sure that her little belly is full. I'm also giving her a

> warm bath around bedtime, with the sleepy time bath products and

> lotions. But it hasn't seemed to make any difference. I am

begining

> to wonder if I should try adding a little bit of cereal to her

> breatmilk at night. Has anyone else tried this? Has it worked?

Do

> you have any other suggestions, that might help her and I get a

> little bit more sleep?

>

>

> Jodi

>

>

> Children are a blessing, and a gift from the Lord. -Psalm 127:3

>

>

[Guest guest]

-My pediatrician told me that I could add rice cereal (only) to each

bottle since my son had severe reflux. I started that around 6 weeks.

I can't see that it helped his sleep any. He is now 1 and is only

sleeping about 3-4 hours at a time.

Best wishes!

Those sleepless nights can kill ya! The only way I survived, is I

took a year off work! There is no way on earth I could have worked

AND gotten up with him through the night!!!!

Sheila

-- In OSSG-pregnant , " Lenore Levy "

wrote:

> As far as I know most baby-related professionals are against adding

> cereal to the bottle. Not sure all the reasons but I thinks it's

not

> supposed to be good.

> Lenore

>

> Cereal to get Baby to sleep.

>

> Hi there. My baby girl is 7 weeks old today. At this point she is

> only sleeping in 2 hour increments at night. I went back to work

> last week, and the lack of sleep is really wearing on me. My mom

> swears that she fed all 3 of us kids a little bit of cereal mixed

> with our formula before bed, to get us to sleep, when we were only

a

> few weeks old. I am breastfeeding, and because I'm back to work,

> I've been pumping and she's been taking a bottle when I'm at work.

> I've started giving her a bottle right before bed as well, in order

> to make sure that her little belly is full. I'm also giving her a

> warm bath around bedtime, with the sleepy time bath products and

> lotions. But it hasn't seemed to make any difference. I am

begining

> to wonder if I should try adding a little bit of cereal to her

> breatmilk at night. Has anyone else tried this? Has it worked?

Do

> you have any other suggestions, that might help her and I get a

> little bit more sleep?

>

>

> Jodi

>

>

> Children are a blessing, and a gift from the Lord. -Psalm 127:3

>

>

[Guest guest]

> During the 2am feed...just keep telling yourself, " this

> isn't going to last long...this won't last long... " and as

> hard as this is to believe, you will probably look back on

> your middle of the night feedings (and even the lack of

> sleep) with a smile on your face when they are older. =)

one year and 4 day later.....

strange, but I'm still not smiling....

cackling hysterically from lack of sleep perhaps.... but not smiling!

<---fake computer animated smile

Sheila.....lol

[Guest guest]

> During the 2am feed...just keep telling yourself, " this

> isn't going to last long...this won't last long... " and as

> hard as this is to believe, you will probably look back on

> your middle of the night feedings (and even the lack of

> sleep) with a smile on your face when they are older. =)

one year and 4 day later.....

strange, but I'm still not smiling....

cackling hysterically from lack of sleep perhaps.... but not smiling!

<---fake computer animated smile

Sheila.....lol

[Guest guest]

There is no way on earth I could have worked AND gotten up with him

through the night!!!!

after reading the 2 posts by the midwives, I must add that my son was

awake every 1.5 to 2 hrs (still is usually can stretch to 3 hrs

though). I could not physically care for (not would I want the

responsibility) a mother and her fetus on night after night of

broken, interrupted REM sleep. I suppose it depends upon the type of

work that each of us do and whether or not someone (or two's) lives

were in your hands or not. I want to be alert and quick on my toes,

which my personal body couldn't handle.

Just my opinion and 2 cents....

we all are different!

Sheila

[Guest guest]

There is no way on earth I could have worked AND gotten up with him

through the night!!!!

after reading the 2 posts by the midwives, I must add that my son was

awake every 1.5 to 2 hrs (still is usually can stretch to 3 hrs

though). I could not physically care for (not would I want the

responsibility) a mother and her fetus on night after night of

broken, interrupted REM sleep. I suppose it depends upon the type of

work that each of us do and whether or not someone (or two's) lives

were in your hands or not. I want to be alert and quick on my toes,

which my personal body couldn't handle.

Just my opinion and 2 cents....

we all are different!

Sheila

[Guest guest]

> > During the 2am feed...just keep telling yourself, " this

> > isn't going to last long...this won't last long... " and as

> > hard as this is to believe, you will probably look back

on

> > your middle of the night feedings (and even the lack

of

> > sleep) with a smile on your face when they are

older. =)

>

>

> one year and 4 day later.....

> strange, but I'm still not smiling....

> cackling hysterically from lack of sleep perhaps.... but

not smiling!

>

> <---fake computer animated smile

>

> Sheila.....lol

*laugh*

12 months isn't " when they are older " ...that's still a

precious baby! =)

get back to me when they are a mouthy eye-rolling 8

year old like mine. *wink* (or, heaven forbid, a *gulp*

teenager!)

Soderblom CCCE CD(DONA) CLD

Student Midwife - Mesa, AZ

CAPPA Board of Directors

Doula/CBE/Pregnancy/Birth Photography

Owner: Birth Story Diaries - real births, real photos

http://www.birthdiaries.com

Owner: SouthwestDoulas.com

[Guest guest]

> > During the 2am feed...just keep telling yourself, " this

> > isn't going to last long...this won't last long... " and as

> > hard as this is to believe, you will probably look back

on

> > your middle of the night feedings (and even the lack

of

> > sleep) with a smile on your face when they are

older. =)

>

>

> one year and 4 day later.....

> strange, but I'm still not smiling....

> cackling hysterically from lack of sleep perhaps.... but

not smiling!

>

> <---fake computer animated smile

>

> Sheila.....lol

*laugh*

12 months isn't " when they are older " ...that's still a

precious baby! =)

get back to me when they are a mouthy eye-rolling 8

year old like mine. *wink* (or, heaven forbid, a *gulp*

teenager!)

Soderblom CCCE CD(DONA) CLD

Student Midwife - Mesa, AZ

CAPPA Board of Directors

Doula/CBE/Pregnancy/Birth Photography

Owner: Birth Story Diaries - real births, real photos

http://www.birthdiaries.com

Owner: SouthwestDoulas.com

[Guest guest]

lol Sheila! Same here, only it's 11 months later.

Marcy Ü

Re: Cereal to get Baby to sleep.

> > During the 2am feed...just keep telling yourself, " this

> > isn't going to last long...this won't last long... " and as

> > hard as this is to believe, you will probably look back on

> > your middle of the night feedings (and even the lack of

> > sleep) with a smile on your face when they are older. =)

>

>

> one year and 4 day later.....

> strange, but I'm still not smiling....

> cackling hysterically from lack of sleep perhaps.... but not smiling!

>

> <---fake computer animated smile

>

> Sheila.....lol

>

>

>

>

> Children are a blessing, and a gift from the Lord. -Psalm 127:3

>

>

[Guest guest]

lol Sheila! Same here, only it's 11 months later.

Marcy Ü

Re: Cereal to get Baby to sleep.

> > During the 2am feed...just keep telling yourself, " this

> > isn't going to last long...this won't last long... " and as

> > hard as this is to believe, you will probably look back on

> > your middle of the night feedings (and even the lack of

> > sleep) with a smile on your face when they are older. =)

>

>

> one year and 4 day later.....

> strange, but I'm still not smiling....

> cackling hysterically from lack of sleep perhaps.... but not smiling!

>

> <---fake computer animated smile

>

> Sheila.....lol

>

>

>

>

> Children are a blessing, and a gift from the Lord. -Psalm 127:3

>

>

[Guest guest]

I would like to add my vote on the side of co-sleeping. I had a crib

for my first baby, but my second and third babies never touched it.

I actually gave it away last year, as I know I will never use it

again.

I have found co-sleeping to be such a great way to take care of my

baby's night time needs, AND get plenty of sleep for myself. I can

nurse my baby and sleep at the same time! Yes, it takes some

practice. At first the little night time noises and wiggles of baby

may keep you up. And, learning to nurse in a side-lying position

takes some practice. But, it is so worth the effort to give it a

try.

In my experience, co-sleeping also kept my milk supply up really

well, and kept my periods away for well over a year each time. I

highly recommend it! Read up at askdrsears.com for tips on co-

sleeping safely.

http://www.askdrsears.com/html/7/t070600.asp

As for adding cereal to baby's bottle. I fell for that old wive's

tale with my first baby, but found that it didn't help at all. I

have heard that before 6 months old, the baby's intestine is not

mature enough to digest cereal anyway, and it only does damage to the

intestinal lining. There have been a lot of advances in knowledge of

nutrition in the last 30 years, and many times the ways our own

mothers were advised to feed us are now considered unhealthy by

modern standards. I know many doctors recommend cereal in the bottle

for babies with reflux, but that is really a separate issue and

should not be applied to non-reflux babies.

I hope these ideas help a little. It is hard to be a new mom, and

have all kinds of conflicting advice coming your way. I hope you

find a solution that works for your family.

Lynn

Baby #4 due 12-3-03

>

> (May be harsh, so delete if you need to now!)

>

> Babies are animals... MEANT to awaken every couple of hours to

touch base

> with mama... to get the food that is perfect for them, made

specifically

> for them, dispensed cleanly only for them, digested easily and

quickly for

> them.

>

> Imagine we don't live in this century... or even the one before or

the

> hundreds before that. Imagine that you are a baby... in the desert

with

> your mom... or the jungle... or the plains. Your cry makes your

mother RUN

> to you... if she didn't you would be eaten by another animal a lot

bigger

> than you. The reason our babies' cries are so distressing

(according to

> birth anthropologists) is to SAVE them and keep them safe. Babies

who are

> carried the majority of the time actually cry LESS when put down

than

> babies left to " cry it out. " (Read anything by Sears, but

> especially Nighttime Parenting and The Fussy Baby).

>

> All that being said, your baby doesn't have a clue s/he was born

when mommy

> and daddy had to work in the morning and that s/he is " supposed " to

sleep

> in a crib in another room and for several hours at a time. Babies'

bodies

> and biology is still timed to eons ago.

>

> You are hardly the only nursing mother who has to work... my own

partner

> was in the Army when she had her baby and returned 6 weeks

> postpartum. Many working mothers are finding ways to get sleep AND

> continue nursing their babies... that is the great news! The odd

news is

> that you might find the next piece of information foreign or even

as

> controversial as giving cereal in a bottle.

>

> Co-sleeping... something that has been done since the dawn of time

and

> continues to be THE way most people around the earth sleep... is

the only

> way most moms find (and loads of dads, too!) the balance of nursing

and

> working. Co-sleeping is having your baby sleeping in or next to

your bed

> (in a co-sleeper or in the crib with the side rail off) and you

nurse and

> sleep at the same time. This acquired skill is the first thing I

teach

> moms before leaving their homes 3 or so hours after their

homebirths; they

> are infinitely grateful! Myself, I nursed several kidlets by

sleeping with

> them... moving them into their own beds easily around the time they

weaned

> (2.5 years).

>

> The arguments abound on both sides of this issue... and we could

probably

> go on for WEEKS about this topic (and I can easily see it being a

total

> flame war), but I just encourage everyone to RESEARCH Co-sleeping,

> attachment parenting, marsupial mothering, Mothering Magazine, and

> breastfeeding and obesity (exclusively nursing for MONTHS, with NO

solids,

> is being proven over and over to prevent the very reason we all had

WLS...

> morbid obesity/diabetes/eating disorders).

>

> was right on as she explained the physiologic reasons not

to

> introduce solids early... and I will add that babies TELL you when

they are

> ready: 1) the get teeth 2) they sit up by themselves 3) they no

longer

> tongue thrust (remember all those babies we fed that pushed their

food out

> of their mouths and we would scrape it off their faces and push it

back

> in? THEY WEREN'T READY YET!) 4) they reach out for food off your

> plate. Babies NEVER have to have cereal, baby food, bottles,

pacifiers, or

> formula... even working moms (I help moms learn how to AP all the

> time). Babies can eat off your plate (no pureeing needed,

either... just

> make it mooshy for them), drink out of a cup and still develop

fabulously.

>

> Interesting topic... and right ON-TOPIC as far as keeping our kids

from

> getting so fat they qualify for WLS, too.

>

> One last note... when we have kids, our needs are pushed aside in

many MANY

> ways for YEARS... it is just the nature of the beast. Finding

balance can

> be a challenge... is important, too, but our children are HELPLESS

to

> change anything in their environment... we aren't. Changing how we

> PERCEIVE the situation can go miles towards our relaxing and

knowing that

> this isn't a permanent experience... VERY transient. My baby was

JUST

> nursing... I swear... and he turned 21 on October 20... it happens

> *snapping fingers* THAT FAST!

>

> Barbara E. Herrera, Midwife

> San Diego, CA

> Open RNY April 5, 2001

> Starting Weight 350/BMI-64

> Now 200/Alive and Healthy!

> (Lowest Post-op Weight 160)

> www.AmaMama.com

>

> Transformation

> Pics:

> http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?

p=999&gid=1006909&uid=631889&members=1

>

>

[Guest guest]

I would like to add my vote on the side of co-sleeping. I had a crib

for my first baby, but my second and third babies never touched it.

I actually gave it away last year, as I know I will never use it

again.

I have found co-sleeping to be such a great way to take care of my

baby's night time needs, AND get plenty of sleep for myself. I can

nurse my baby and sleep at the same time! Yes, it takes some

practice. At first the little night time noises and wiggles of baby

may keep you up. And, learning to nurse in a side-lying position

takes some practice. But, it is so worth the effort to give it a

try.

In my experience, co-sleeping also kept my milk supply up really

well, and kept my periods away for well over a year each time. I

highly recommend it! Read up at askdrsears.com for tips on co-

sleeping safely.

http://www.askdrsears.com/html/7/t070600.asp

As for adding cereal to baby's bottle. I fell for that old wive's

tale with my first baby, but found that it didn't help at all. I

have heard that before 6 months old, the baby's intestine is not

mature enough to digest cereal anyway, and it only does damage to the

intestinal lining. There have been a lot of advances in knowledge of

nutrition in the last 30 years, and many times the ways our own

mothers were advised to feed us are now considered unhealthy by

modern standards. I know many doctors recommend cereal in the bottle

for babies with reflux, but that is really a separate issue and

should not be applied to non-reflux babies.

I hope these ideas help a little. It is hard to be a new mom, and

have all kinds of conflicting advice coming your way. I hope you

find a solution that works for your family.

Lynn

Baby #4 due 12-3-03

>

> (May be harsh, so delete if you need to now!)

>

> Babies are animals... MEANT to awaken every couple of hours to

touch base

> with mama... to get the food that is perfect for them, made

specifically

> for them, dispensed cleanly only for them, digested easily and

quickly for

> them.

>

> Imagine we don't live in this century... or even the one before or

the

> hundreds before that. Imagine that you are a baby... in the desert

with

> your mom... or the jungle... or the plains. Your cry makes your

mother RUN

> to you... if she didn't you would be eaten by another animal a lot

bigger

> than you. The reason our babies' cries are so distressing

(according to

> birth anthropologists) is to SAVE them and keep them safe. Babies

who are

> carried the majority of the time actually cry LESS when put down

than

> babies left to " cry it out. " (Read anything by Sears, but

> especially Nighttime Parenting and The Fussy Baby).

>

> All that being said, your baby doesn't have a clue s/he was born

when mommy

> and daddy had to work in the morning and that s/he is " supposed " to

sleep

> in a crib in another room and for several hours at a time. Babies'

bodies

> and biology is still timed to eons ago.

>

> You are hardly the only nursing mother who has to work... my own

partner

> was in the Army when she had her baby and returned 6 weeks

> postpartum. Many working mothers are finding ways to get sleep AND

> continue nursing their babies... that is the great news! The odd

news is

> that you might find the next piece of information foreign or even

as

> controversial as giving cereal in a bottle.

>

> Co-sleeping... something that has been done since the dawn of time

and

> continues to be THE way most people around the earth sleep... is

the only

> way most moms find (and loads of dads, too!) the balance of nursing

and

> working. Co-sleeping is having your baby sleeping in or next to

your bed

> (in a co-sleeper or in the crib with the side rail off) and you

nurse and

> sleep at the same time. This acquired skill is the first thing I

teach

> moms before leaving their homes 3 or so hours after their

homebirths; they

> are infinitely grateful! Myself, I nursed several kidlets by

sleeping with

> them... moving them into their own beds easily around the time they

weaned

> (2.5 years).

>

> The arguments abound on both sides of this issue... and we could

probably

> go on for WEEKS about this topic (and I can easily see it being a

total

> flame war), but I just encourage everyone to RESEARCH Co-sleeping,

> attachment parenting, marsupial mothering, Mothering Magazine, and

> breastfeeding and obesity (exclusively nursing for MONTHS, with NO

solids,

> is being proven over and over to prevent the very reason we all had

WLS...

> morbid obesity/diabetes/eating disorders).

>

> was right on as she explained the physiologic reasons not

to

> introduce solids early... and I will add that babies TELL you when

they are

> ready: 1) the get teeth 2) they sit up by themselves 3) they no

longer

> tongue thrust (remember all those babies we fed that pushed their

food out

> of their mouths and we would scrape it off their faces and push it

back

> in? THEY WEREN'T READY YET!) 4) they reach out for food off your

> plate. Babies NEVER have to have cereal, baby food, bottles,

pacifiers, or

> formula... even working moms (I help moms learn how to AP all the

> time). Babies can eat off your plate (no pureeing needed,

either... just

> make it mooshy for them), drink out of a cup and still develop

fabulously.

>

> Interesting topic... and right ON-TOPIC as far as keeping our kids

from

> getting so fat they qualify for WLS, too.

>

> One last note... when we have kids, our needs are pushed aside in

many MANY

> ways for YEARS... it is just the nature of the beast. Finding

balance can

> be a challenge... is important, too, but our children are HELPLESS

to

> change anything in their environment... we aren't. Changing how we

> PERCEIVE the situation can go miles towards our relaxing and

knowing that

> this isn't a permanent experience... VERY transient. My baby was

JUST

> nursing... I swear... and he turned 21 on October 20... it happens

> *snapping fingers* THAT FAST!

>

> Barbara E. Herrera, Midwife

> San Diego, CA

> Open RNY April 5, 2001

> Starting Weight 350/BMI-64

> Now 200/Alive and Healthy!

> (Lowest Post-op Weight 160)

> www.AmaMama.com

>

> Transformation

> Pics:

> http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?

p=999&gid=1006909&uid=631889&members=1

>

>