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<< the binky stays >> I hate to admit this but the damn pacifier is still here. In fact there isn't just one there are several of them and they are ALL still here. In fact one of them is in my son's mouth right now as he lay sleeping. There I said it. You're probably thinking I'm a bad mother. After all, if your child had practically choked on one YOU would have thrown it away, right? (See previous post for the horrible details). Here's the problem. My husband and I are both already short on sleep. When we try getting rid of the little suckers we get even less of the already little sleep we were getting to begin with. So here's the equation as I see it: Baby - Pacifier = Cranky Parents + Pissed off Baby So my husband and I decided the pacifier stays BUT baby must be monitored at all times when it is in his mouth. You should know that I've gone to several of the top literary sources I could get my hands on regarding getting your baby to sleep through the night (which is big business by the way), from SLEEPING THROUGH THE NIGHT by Jodi A. MindelL, to THE BABY WHISPERER by Tracy Hogg. That's how I found out the sleep association babies begin to make with breast, bottle and pacifier, and that I had failed in all categories because our baby relies on them all. Most of these books and articles I find to be full of contradictions regarding pacifier use. On one hand they say it's not a bad thing because babies have strong urges to suckle and it satisfies that urge, but on the other hand if you haven't given one to your baby before they are three months old, then don't. Some say if you've given it to your baby and want to get rid of it then take it away before the six month mark. Others say it's not good to take it away before the six month mark, that you should wait until one year. Then I found myself on google, which led to forums filled with desperate moms like me trying to find the answers, giving each other advice. I was horrified when one woman suggesting cutting off the tip and giving it to baby. Apparently once they realize there is no suction there to satisfy their sucking needs they will be turned off and end of story. How can this be considered safe practice? Sounds more like an act of desperation to me. Have we lost our minds? So here is my advice to you, if you're a new mom thinking of starting your baby on one...DON'T. At least not if you can help it. Don't do it! Also try not to let your baby get in the habit of falling asleep at the bottle or breast because you will regret it in the months to come when baby can no longer sleep without the aid of one or all of the above. And here's another problem I now have to deal with, MY HUSBAND. Talk about suckers, he's the biggest one I know. Our son has got him wrapped around his little finger. All the little guy has to do is sneeze and my husband is right there ready to scoop him up in his arms. My husband cannot stand the sound of our son crying. Not that I can, but he really cannot in the least bit tolerate it and I'm convinced he thinks I'm a bad mother whenever I let the baby cry for more than a minute. My husband would rather hold the baby in his arms all night to prevent him from fussing, and beams with pride each time he gets the baby to fall asleep in his arms. But here's the problem, the baby is beginning to associate this with sleep as well, and as far as my days go the baby is now expecting me to pick him up all the time and I have neither the strength nor the energy to do so. **** Here's my next dilemna....I am low on breastmilk. If I were a cow they would probably retire me - I'd be chopped meat by now. I don't know why this is happening. I feed my son several times during the night and pump at least twice a day on top of feedings. This is supposed to guarantee maintenance of my supply but alas it has not. Thankfully he is at the right age now to start him on rice cereal. I use the Good Earth brand because it is made from brown rice and is organic. My baby seems to be on the fence about the business of eating. One minute he is squeeling with delight, the next he is making faces and ready to cry. One night we got desperate and gave him formula. (This is also an organic variety). I have not wanted to formula feed my baby at all, at least not until the six month mark, but what else could we do, he was hungry and I had no breastmilk for him. He threw up most of the formula. Does this mean he may be lactose intolerant? Should I start him on a soy based formula? Will have to call the doctor. Babies are not meant to consume cow's milk so naturally it may take him some time to adjust. Also at five months his little digestive system has not fully developed. ***** It's a beautiful day out. Will take the baby and go for a walk. I don't get out enough. I'm beginning to feel like Emily Dickinson. Will somebody please send me a message in my new chatterbox. I'm getting awfully lonely over here.
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