A Cure For Fussy Babies (Day 4)

Dealing With Fussy Babies and Infant Sleep Problems

On this Day 4 of my 5-Day Challenge my post is two fold.  Today I'm writing in response to a recent conversation on facebook - proud Mommies of newborns who are sleeping on their own  through the night AND I'm also testing out some more SEO with the use of the tag phrases, "fussy babies" and "infant sleep problems".  But don't you worry dear google, my post will be appropriate to the tag phrases.

Sleep; A precious commodity in a parent's life. 

Sleep; something we are ALL emotional about.

 
A most common question a mama receives in the first weeks of baby's life is, "how is your baby sleeping?"  Sometimes I'd like to knock that naive, well-meaning person over the head, when I get asked that.  How do YOU think a newborn sleeps? Like a baby.  Lots of waking, lots of nursing.


Infant sleep problems are normal for Most babies.  Dr. Sears provides a wealth of resources and encouragement to parents with fussy babies.  Our solution was to have our babies in bed with us.  It seemed natural to us, and it seemed unnatural to put our baby in a crib, alone in a room down the hall.  Hard core NINO mamas (Nine months In  Nine months Out)  feel that fussy babies best thrive in an outdoor womb, which would be baby wearing and co-sleeping.  Baby wearing can really help fussy babies and even cure infant sleep problems.  

Baby wearing and co-sleeping with babies, have been practiced in most cultures for millenniums.  It has only been in the last century or two amongst industrialized countries that fussy babies have been left to cry it out in their cribs alone.

There are 2 complaints I have received from disapproving parents of our sleep choices. The first, that parents will not get intimacy - I'm not going to go into detail here, except to say that this is not a problem.  There are many co-sleeping choices. Co-sleeper cribs, bassinets, hammock beds like ours, are just a few solutions for the infant with sleep problems.  With baby close by, it is easy to then bring them into bed to nurse. The second complaint is that we are spoiling our babies.  I assume that this is rooted in Christianity somewhat; "taming the flesh".  Here is my approach.  A mother working outside of the home may need or want to create an independent baby quickly and will train her newborn to sleep on their own for extended periods of time.   I will not argue with the fact that co-sleeping and wearing fussy babies can and may create a dependent baby, or even a needy baby.  But I do believe that there is more and more evidence that a worn, co-slept, dependent baby creates a more independent toddler and grown child.   Keeping baby close to us in these early years, we believe is creating a foundation of security and offers them a springboard into confidence and independence later - while still holding to a healthy respect and closeness with their parents.

The most valuable practice I learned as a new mama was nursing while lying down.  After my first and hardest birth, a home birth as well, I could not sit to nurse for several weeks.  The healing process was long and slow and I honestly did not feel I had a choice, when it came to co-sleeping and nursing in bed.   Now we thank God for the journey we had, as it laid the foundation for us in our parenting choices today!

My heart goes out to you Mamas if you have a fussy baby or are dealing with infant sleep problems - it can be hard on Mom and Dad.  We also have had seasons of fussy babies.  Joash, our 2nd, I was told he had colic - but I did not agree - Yes, he could be categorized with fussy babies BUT he was consolable in a sling!  

Wise blessings to you and your family in your parenting choices!

Day 4 - Fini