Since we switched to formula, Dorothy is like a different child. We have had no inconsolable screaming in about 3 weeks, and let me tell you that I am very pleased with this development. She has also recently started going longer in between her bottles. She'll now go 3, sometimes close to 4 hours, and does much less of the "snacky" eating that she did before. If I had known how well she was going to do, I most certainly would have made the switch sooner. In the beginning, I wanted to breastfeed at least a year; longer if she wanted to. I had high hopes, and much mommy-guilt when I gave it up. But seeing how happy and content she has been so much of the time lately, I am confident that it was the right decision for us.
On the sleeping front she continues to do well. I was fully expecting when I had her that it was going to be a struggle to get her to sleep through the night. At her 6 week check her Pediatrician gave us a handout on sleeping through the night. We put her in her own room that very night and she slept 9 hours. The only times she wakes up at night to eat is when she has had a cold, a growth spurt, or has been in the same room with us (we all sleep much lighter when in the room together). Her bedtime is around 8 pm, but can vary some. If she hasn't napped as much, she goes down sometimes as early as 6:30. Those nights, she'll still sleep well, but wakes up at 6am. She averages between 10 and 12 hours. Even if she wakes up briefly, she puts herself back to sleep well unless she is really hungry, in which case I'll feed her and she goes right back down. I'm spoiled, I know:)
The rolling over has been really sporadic. I thought she would be rolling over more consistently by this point, but it's really hit and miss. She is definitely learning new things all the time, including how to laugh. She loves it when I dance with her around the room, or bounce her while I sing silly little tunes. Definitely my child!
In all, I'm having a lot of fun learning how to be a mommy to her.
6 comments:
Camille was on breastmilk exclusively all day but come that last feeding...we always used a bottle of formula. We called it her "Magic Potion" and it helped her sleep through the night starting at 6 weeks.
I think the bigger key is consistency, at least with my child. We have a bedtime routine which she anticipates and has done so since she was about 5 months old.
You're doing a great job, don't allow ANY Mommy guilt to get in the way of that.
Hi, I just wanted to post to you. I just found your blog and thoroughly enjoy reading it. Dorothy is a doll!!! I'm currently 19w1d and on complete bedrest. My cerclage was put in on 1/4 and have found your story inspirational. Best Wishes!
I'm glad Dorothy is doing so well on the formula. You did a great thing not insisting on breastfeeding when it did not agree with her.
Mommy always knows best!! :) I'm glad things are going really well, and um...yep...I'm very jealous of the sleep! Landond didn't sleep through the night until about 10 months and he was in his own room at about 3 months. Oh well...each baby is different.
Way to go Momma!
sounds like everything is going great :) So glad you made the switch since Dorothy is so much happier... Isn't it so fun learning to be a mommy? :)
Did you try avoiding ALL dairy products?
It made an amazing difference to my baby....she was settled and content as soon as I stopped eating all cows milk products. Apparently this is fairly common.
We've avoided artificial milk so far and hope to continue breastfeeding until 12 months.
Jill and Aimee (12 weeks)
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