Sleep/feed update

I've got to get better about finding time to post. There is so much going on to write about, but finding the time and energy - hard to do.

Thank you all for your book suggestions and stories of putting your kid(s) on a schedule (or not). Very helpful to hear what has worked for others. I got the Baby Wise book, and read it (skimmed some of it, to be fair) in an afternoon, and found it very interesting. We are already doing much of what the book suggests, mostly we don't feed on-demand, at least the way Ezzo describes it. Honestly, does anyone really do what he says not to do (feed every time the kid cries?? Really?? When do you pee or eat??)? Anyway, I like much of what he says, but I think he might be even too rigid for me - well, in a perfect world, I'd love to be that scheduled, but real life does not allow such a tight schedule. And the Critter doesn't eat every 3 hours these days, more like 3.5-4 hours, so why bring her back to 3? So now I'm looking into somewhat more flexible schedule programs, and have ordered the Baby Whisperer book, Jo Frost's infant book, and the Healthy Sleep, Happy Babies book. We'll see what they say, and I'll keep you posted.

But I think the Critter is aware that I want her more scheduled, because she is cooperating and beginning to sleep more at night. She's been really hungry at night the last few nights, and eating a ton (5-6oz?) then conking out. And last night she slept 6 hours. OMG - that is technically considered "through the night" which is a dream. So now we need to time that last feeding better, so the through the night is not "through the early evening and part of the night" and more of the late night and early morning. I think she might put us on a schedule before we can put her on one. Hey, whatever works.

I had my 6 week post-partum OB check-up yesterday. Learned that breast-feeding causes your estrogen to plummet ("in the basement" was the phrase the OB used) which is very similar to menopause. Which would explain the night sweats and occasional hot flashes I've been having. Mood swings too? Maybe. It's not as bad as the evil Depot Loopyron, but like the lite version. Who knew? And she did a Pap, which involved the spectulum. Which was by far the worst internal exam I've ever had. So very dry down there (more estrogen fun), and damn, that metal thing HURT scraping its way in. Ugh. And I told her about the crazy crying mood swing stuff, which she said was completely normal at 2-4 weeks post-partum, but to let her know if it happens again. Good to know the crazies is normal.

So that's it for now. We go in for the Critter's hip ultrasound today, and her derm appointment tomorrow. Busy week!