Sweet Angel or Spawn of Something Else?
Magda manages to transform herself from a sweet little thing into a monster when it comes to night time.
Newborns are supposed to do basically three things: feed, poop and sleep. Magda does just fine with the first two, but is still working on the "sleep" one -- especially at night. I change her diapers, Jennifer feeds her (cringin with anticipation before Magda latches on) and during her feeding Magda falls asleep. Then I have to burp her, at which point she should fade away into a blissful slumber. Not so! During burping she wakes up and, even though I assume she's full, she wants to nurse again. And if she does fall asleep, she'll wake up while being swaddled or put in her crib, or shortly after that.
Saturday night was an especially bad. I hate seeing Jennifer all exhausted from being up and nursing pretty much continuously (or so it seemed). Last night was actually much better, so the hope is that we figure out what it takes to keep Magda asleep.
I'm jealous of Homer, because he blissfully sleeps by the bed while mom and dad are fussing with the baby throughout the night.
Scary Fact: According to the Mayo Clinic book, newborns spend about three hours a day crying. Ours tries to do this at night... We're still working on figuring out why she does it when the usual causes (hunger, wet diapers, gas) are not present. Apparently sometimes they just cry for no reason.
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Have you tried Guinness? Or better yet, a little Shiner?
The first weeks are quite a shock, it's true. Take comfort that it won't be nearly so much of an adjustment with your second one .
Dale and I got to the family bed because our child led us there, not because we had preconceived ideas about it. But every time he was away from the warmth of our skin, the rhythm of our chest rising and falling as we breathed, the noises our body makes, he was uncomfortable, stirred, and could not rest, no matter how soundly asleep he'd been. I think it's a self-defense mechanism--babies know they are not safe from predators if they're all alone (takes a long time for our genetic behavior to catch up with changing social situations), and you don't see any other mammals isolating their newborns or children when it's time to go to sleep.
Every child is different, of course. Perhaps you will find a way with Magda, something that will help her feel secure. I have read suggestions about putting a shirt of Jennifer's down for her to sleep on so that she can smell her mother's scent; I think there are little gadgets you can buy that will simulate a beating heart (someone gave us one when Jonathan was born).
I have the Mayo Book too. I came to the conclusion that they are too afraid to say they don't know something. I have never seen my baby--or any baby--cry for no reason at all. Needing comfort and safety or just a cuddle (which I guess amounts to the same thing) is also a reason. You might find some interesting articles to read at http://www.mothering.com/articles/new_baby/sleep/sleep.html.
All of us who have kids remember the first weeks with the first one! We love you guys and are sure you'll make it through. This will go by quickly and then you'll be on to something else .
My final comment is that I think the phrase "sleeping like a baby" is a vicious joke perpetrated by non-parents! It took me a *long* time to adjust my expectations to fit with our reality.
I think Magda will have her good nights and her bad nights (last night was good). We don't have anything against co-sleeping, if that's what she chooses, we just need to find out what works best for her.
I'm not sure if anyone knows the reason a colicky baby cries -- and a cuddle doesn't work in those situations -- but our doughter is by no means colicky (knock on wood).
I think the phrase "sleeping like a baby" comes from the middle of the afternoon when they are so damn adorable in their crib (or on your chest), making the occasional face and looking innocent and sweet.