The saying "Every child is different" is definately TRUE! To be honest, I've been quite frustrated lately with our new, little angel and wondering if I've just forgotten with the other two how frustred I was with them. My pediatrician reccommended this book and I have to say that it's a ton of wonderful information every parent should read. It's written by a Brittish nanny with many years of experience with newborns. There's all sorts of information in here regarding getting your infant on a schedule, how to listen to your baby's cries and know what he/she wants (I'm a third time mother and still learning this!) and the list goes on. If you're planning on having a baby, have a baby or are pregnant, check out this book at your local library. =)
One thing I've definately taken away from this book is to SLOW DOWN and listen to my baby as well as read her cues. However, when you have multiple children, it's easier said than done. I have to remind myself daily to slow down, use slow movements, a calming/soothing voice and take my time feeding and caring for Norah. It's much easier on the weekends and at night when I have an extra set of hands to help out with the older ones.
We've always been a family that enjoys going to the beach, bowling, taking on a day at a theme park, Chuck E. Cheese, you name it. Today was the first time I realized that I haven't taken the time to get to know my child. Yikes! It takes a big gulp of pride to admit that as a mother (so bare with me), but ever since I've felt good enough to get out of the house, we have. Two reasons really...1.) I'm not one of those stay-at-home moms that enjoys being home all day, everyday, 24/7. 2.) My kids enjoy getting out and going on field trips. This fall, Avonlea will officially be in Pre-K so I need to get used to being in the house more, doing school with her and getting back on our school schedule. The summer has been really nice, going and doing things and being off our schedules, but in a few weeks, it's back to the drawing board for this family.
It is my prayer that this book will help me take the time to get Norah on a comfortable schedule so that everyone can be happy. I am a firm believer in schedules and while I do think they work, I am also a believer in making sure one can be flexible with their schedule. This book suggests keeping a baby on a 3-hour schedule and the acronymn the author uses is E.A.S.Y = Eat, Activity, Sleep, Yourself. This means that the baby will Eat, then have playtime or Activity time, Sleep (no longer than 3 hours at a time during the day) and then it's Your time. I have to laugh at the "Y" for Your time because when I do get all three of my kids down for a nap, the "Y" time is pretty short! There are chores to be done, phone calls to make, dinner to prep and odds and ends to tie up before hubby gets home and everyone wakes up from their nap.
I'd love to provide all the great information I collected from reading this book, but you'll just have to check it out for yourself. You won't be disappointed!
2 comments:
Hey Kell, glad you found something to help guide you with this little one. This is basically the same idea as Babywise - Sleep/Eat/Wake cycle. All 4 were on this schedule in some sort of way. Abby, the difficult sleeper, did this in reverse - but i didn't allow her to fall asleep while feeding.
Always remember these books are guidelines and not rule books, they also do not determine your success as a parent. You are an excellent mother!
This sounds a lot like Baby Wise and a friend of mine, who is a wonderful Christian mother, swears by it. I'm a big believer in a schedule as well, it keeps me sane and the kids know what to expect. I pray that this reading will give you some guidance.
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