Author Topic: 2 Weeks Old Tomorrow - Need Help Please  (Read 1643 times)

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Offline Mauisylv

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2 Weeks Old Tomorrow - Need Help Please
« on: May 30, 2007, 15:19:20 pm »
Aloha,

Little Ethan will be 2 weeks old tomorrow (first baby with no experience at all).  He doesn't do much but Eat, Potty and Sleep.  We try and keep him awake for a little after feeding him but he seems to fall asleep very fast so we haven't been able to do much activity with him.  We are also afraid to get him overstimulated which I believe happened again last night.

He seems to get fussy in the late afternoon & early evening where he just gets so restless.  Last night we couldnt get him to stop flailing (is that a word ;)) around for 4 hours.  We were so frustrated.

I am not able to feed him from my "girls".  I am pumping and feeding him 1/2 breastmilk and 1/2 formula.  Sometimes he gets just formula if I am low on milk.

At how many weeks should we encourage some real "activity time"?  Also, when they are this tiny what are some of the best things to try and do with him?  He cries at tummy time after a minute.  As I mentioned before we are also afraid of overstimulation.

Any suggestions are appreciated.  This board and my Baby Whisperer book have been a God send.  Thank you to all of you.
Warmest Aloha,

Sylvia

1 Boy - Ethan Maxwell born 5/17/07

Offline Samuel's mum

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Re: 2 Weeks Old Tomorrow - Need Help Please
« Reply #1 on: May 30, 2007, 15:36:28 pm »
He's still at the age where activity time may be as little as a nappy change. Eat/Sleep and need new nappies/diapers is all anyone does at this age.

It's very natural for them to only be awake for a few minutes if at all after a feed. If you want to do anything - just letting him 'be' when holding him/ looking around/ looking at your face. A gentle song, experiencing a new texture, a quiet chat.
I wouldn't worry too much about tummy time just yet - you could lie him on your lap on his tummy if you want. But obviously he won't have any real neck control.

Enjoy this time and try not to be so hard on yourself. Go slow and take time to learn about his cues. This is the time for learning his natural rhythms so you base your first EASY around him.

Late afternoon and early evening restlessness is very very common. Some suggest it's because of a build up of wind in the day/ feeling overstimulated or overtired/ feeling extra hungry and needing to cluster feed before bedtime. I would just keep him close and look at ways you can make the time more manageable - using a sling, planning meals a particular way, using family and friends.

As for feeding - would you like to be using 'the girls'? If you want any help with this visit us on the breastfeeding board. It's hard to maintain a supply with only pumping at this age as the way a baby feeds does particular things a pump can't reproduce e.g. a baby's tongue and mouth does a clever wave-like motion on the breast which stimulates the prolactin hormone and this is the hormone that governs milk supply in the long term. And the first few weeks are so crucial for getting a milk supply up and running. If you want to go back to the breast there are things you can do and ways to stimulate your supply. The vast majority of low supply issues can be remedied with changes in how feeding is managed and latching advice. Some mothers with low supply who need to give formula use something called an SNS which gives baby time at the breast at the same time:
http://www.lowmilksupply.org/abs.shtml
I'm just mentioning all this because without some support you may find your milk supply continues to dwindle and you end up just giving formula (the more formula you use, the less stimulation your breasts get - the more your supply reduces). If that's not a problem then no worries but we do have support on these boards if you'd like it.
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Offline Erin M

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Re: 2 Weeks Old Tomorrow - Need Help Please
« Reply #2 on: May 31, 2007, 14:44:45 pm »
Hi Sylvia, congrats on little Ethan!

The late afternoon fussiness is totally normal as Emma mentioned.  Both of my girls had a really rough time that time of day, would just put them in a carrier and go about my day or go for a walk or something.  At 6 weeks, looking around is about all the activity he's going to be able to handle right now.   As the weeks pass, you'll be able to notice that he's able to stay awake for longer and is more alert.  He'll start reaching out for things a little bit and that will help you to know when he's ready to play with toys -- I think as we approached the two month mark I was able to give my girls rattles, plastic keys, things like that.  There's a sticky up above about tummy time with some suggestions, but mine hated it too at this early age.  The only way dd2 would stand for it woudl be if I put her on my chest. 

Offline adaycm

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Re: 2 Weeks Old Tomorrow - Need Help Please
« Reply #3 on: June 21, 2007, 23:44:06 pm »
My LO is now just 6 weeks.  At two weeks all he was doing for activity time was getting his diaper changed.  Every now and then he would be awake longer, but very rarely.  Your LO will gradually begin to be awake for longer as he gets older.  Hang in there with the routine though.... we love it.  This is our first child as well.  Now our LO automatically will be awake after feedings because we have worked the EASY routine since birth.

Good luck!

Offline skatty

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Re: 2 Weeks Old Tomorrow - Need Help Please
« Reply #4 on: June 22, 2007, 08:09:35 am »
Hi I just wanted to add the sling was a life saver for fussy evening when my DD was young, I had a pouch sling and she was so cosy snuggled up while I did bits and pieces in the evening  :)

Also activity time just consisted of cuddles then  ;)
Katt






Offline sartje

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Re: 2 Weeks Old Tomorrow - Need Help Please
« Reply #5 on: July 11, 2007, 16:05:22 pm »
I'd just like to add that swaddling my fussy baby is really helpful.  Getting him into as tight a swaddle as I  can get and then holding him on his side is a lifesaver. Maybe that will help.

Offline mariacoops

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Re: 2 Weeks Old Tomorrow - Need Help Please
« Reply #6 on: July 16, 2007, 10:02:11 am »
I really feel for you, its all such a big surprise when they come along isn't it!  It sounds your doing just fine, just relaxe and enjoying being a mum.  I tried to fit my LO into a routine of what should be happening etc and I feel now that I missed out of just sitting and cuddling and letting him know your his world and he's yours.  Believe me, he'll be wriggling off you knee before you know it and you'll be wishing for these days where he's asleep in your arms.  There a world of time for activity. Don't worry. x
p.s. congratulations.