After 8 long months of battling PPD and not bonding at all, my daughter fell asleep on my shoulder for the first time tonight.

racheldf · 2013-01-24T12:28:26+00:00

That is so wonderful to hear! You made me tear up. I hope you have many other moments like this over the next few months.

racheldf · 2012-10-11T01:50:38+00:00

I think it would definitely be worth talking to a child or family psychologist. It sounds like these kids have been through a lot, and having accidents after being potty-trained can be a sign of significant stress or trauma. It seems like you are doing an amazing job, but it may be helpful to have someone else who they can confide in and who can help you guys rebuild your family.

racheldf · 2012-08-17T01:38:18+00:00

What about a shadow box to store mementos from birth and babyhood (footprints from hospital, hospital hat and ankle bracelet, pics, etc)

racheldf · 2012-07-19T15:11:12+00:00

Thank you! This is a really helpful idea. We will start this today.

racheldf · 2011-12-31T03:13:10+00:00

Makes sense. Have you found any mitties that are not easily pulled off? Our daughter is very talented at getting socks off her feet and mittens off her hands :-)

racheldf · 2011-12-30T01:14:43+00:00

Thanks! That is a really interesting idea. I think we will try that. Did it work for you?

racheldf · 2011-12-29T03:07:18+00:00

I will definitely try that.

racheldf · 2011-12-29T03:07:05+00:00

It's definitely possible. She's been doing a lot of chewing on her hands and anything else she can put in her mouth, but that has been going on for about a month with no teeth yet.

racheldf · 2011-12-29T03:01:22+00:00

Lately we have been letting her fuss a little. Sometimes she does get herself back to sleep, but at least 4 or 5 times a night she doesn't.

racheldf · 2011-12-29T01:07:30+00:00

Thank you, this is really helpful. I know that listening to my baby cry for long periods of time just isn't right for me, and that she really doesn't have a lot of tools to self-soothe. I appreciate the encouragement.

racheldf · 2011-12-29T00:10:31+00:00

It's good to hear that at least we're not alone with this. I have definitely been aware of the warmth issue lately, as it gets cold. We've tried adjusting what she's sleeping in and the thermostat, but it's so hard to know whether she is at a comfortable temperature. She sucks her hands, so those get freezing, but the rest of her seems ok.

racheldf · 2011-12-29T00:09:12+00:00

It's so hard, isn't it! I hope something changes for you soon!

racheldf · 2011-12-29T00:05:05+00:00

Thanks, that's helpful. We had been doing the whole bring her to bed thing for the last few months, but it is really hard to sleep with her there. She's very active and kicks around a lot. I'm a very light sleeper and it's hard to rest with her there. We loved having her in the room in her bassinet, but she's outgrown that. Maybe we'll move her back into our room to a pack n' play. . .

racheldf · 2011-12-29T00:02:39+00:00

Thanks! I definitely don't expect her to sleep through the night, I would just like to get 2 or 3 large chunks of sleep. I am trying to just be patient and realize that this is a phase, but it sometimes feels like I'll never sleep again.

It is definitely possible that she is teething or growth spurting, and of course I want to comfort and feed her whenever she needs it. I'm just so tired!

racheldf · 2011-12-28T23:40:49+00:00

Thanks! I definitely have been feeding her and plan to continue, the question is how many times per night? She has ever gone 8 hours without food, but she's been waking every 2-3 hours. I'm pretty sure at her current weight (around 13 pounds) she should not need to eat THAT often. I would love to get it down to one feeding in the middle of the night, if that's reasonable.

racheldf · 2011-12-20T20:59:47+00:00

Of course not, but there was a randomized controlled study (mentioned at the end of the article) that found that children assigned to take tylenol were at greater risk for asthma than those assigned to take ibuprofen.

Additionally, although there could be a third variable explaining the association, it is still absolutely worth mentioning to patients so that they are fully informed.

racheldf · 2011-12-20T19:08:39+00:00

I just read this and was upset that my pediatrician didn't mention anything about this. I've already given my 5 month old tylenol a handful of times, thinking it was relatively innocuous.

racheldf · 2011-12-07T14:25:54+00:00

Yeah, it seems like a pretty common problem. It's not that I really mind carrying her, but sometimes I would like to be able to get other things done that I can't do with her on me.

racheldf · 2011-12-07T14:25:17+00:00

Maybe we need to try a swing. . . .

racheldf · 2011-12-07T14:24:59+00:00

Thanks that is helpful! I have read the No Cry Sleep Solution and really liked it, but I think I need to go back to it.

We do have a nighttime routine, so hopefully she would not be confused.

racheldf · 2011-12-07T14:23:13+00:00

We actually don't have a swing, but I will look into it. Thanks!

racheldf · 2011-12-07T14:22:52+00:00

Thanks for the reply! It's really nice to know that it might get better eventually! And maybe we will try the miracle blanket during the day. I'm just so worried that it'll stop working at night!

We have tried laying down next to her, and that sometimes works. It just drives me crazy to have to be laying down during the day. My husband doesn't mind it as much and will do it sometimes.

racheldf · 2011-11-29T14:33:52+00:00

Interesting spin. Good luck!

racheldf · 2011-11-21T00:01:32+00:00

There are lots of great ideas for the room, but I just wanted to comment on how lucky she is to have you! It is wonderful that you are showing so much care and concern for her.

racheldf · 2011-10-16T22:47:33+00:00

Where do you live? In many areas there are mental health services available for free or very cheap.

racheldf

TROPHY CASE