After three long, late nights, I made a decision. I was not going to go through another night like that. It must be me..it HAS to be me or the way I am not doing something right. My SECOND baby should not be having this much trouble sleeping at night/waking up multiple times. I have books on reserve to check out at the library--four to be exact. Before I went to read the forum boards on pregnancy.com, I was determined to read each book cover-to-cover to find a solution to get my baby boy to sleep better at night. But then I HAD to read the forums and discover I am not alone and maybe there isn't a solution. Which puts me back at square one. Here's what I have discovered:
1. Many moms are struggling with their babies who also have AR sleeping for long periods of time on their backs without waking....CHECK
2. Many moms are having to put their babes in carseats so they will sleep at night....CHECK (lately around 3 a.m. it's the only place Bay will sleep)
3. Many moms are having trouble finding a formula for their baby and have been through 5-6 different kinds b/f they found one that worked. Many are suggesting the Enfamil AR or Similac A--- (the one that's hypoallergenic) CHECK (Baylen is mostly b-f but when we are out and about, and I don't want to go to the car to bf or didn't have time to pump, then I give him a bottle of formula...we use Enfamil AR)
4. Many moms are still struggling with AR with their babies up to a year old. (I knew it might take awhile) CHECK
5. Many moms are struggling with finding meds that will even help their baby. Thank GOD Axid is giving Baylen at least some relief...although if I don't give him his meds when he needs them, he gets REALLY cranky and irritable. I just HATE it that he has to be pumped full of meds at such a young age.
6. Moms with AR babies continue to say how exhausting it is to have a baby who is fussy so often but feel bad for feeling frustrated b/c they know it's not their baby's fault--they just want him/her to feel better--and often feel like they are the only ones with a fussy and what seems like a mostly unhappy baby. CHECK CHECK CHECK
7. Moms added they must hold their baby upright for 20 min. after feeding. Hmmmm...this is not something we always do..perhaps we may try this little trick....but what about when they are ready to sleep for a nap or the night? When I put Baylen up on my shoulder, he wakes up instantly 95% of the time. Hmmmm must think how this would work...
I was thinking about switching to formula when I return to work in a couple of weeks just because I need that extra bit of energy for school. Honestly, it was more of a selfish reason because I thought it would be easier/more convenient..no pumping, no bringing in milk everyday, no worrying about the supply getting low at daycare, being able to get back into my old bras and not have to wear nursing ones all the time, not feeling like my boobs were gargantuan, etc. etc.
BUT, now I am having second thoughts BECAUSE: right now, he's on Axid and it seems to be helping him cope with the AR. His spit up sessions have definitely decreased, but he still gets really irritable and arches his back when he's unhappy or has a big burp. He still spits up. What would it be like if he's on formula all day? (I feel like it would be worse....b/c bm is easier to break down and he would not be as unhappy/feeling awful/fussy)
So, I am going to cont. to bf him when he transitions into daycare. One transition at a time is best for my big guy. I will try to keep up with his demand/supply as best I can. When or if it gets to the point that I can't keep up, then we'll go to Plan B, which is formula. What I am wondering about at that point is: will they use Enfamil AR at daycare if I ask them to or will I have to have my Pedi write a note to prove Bay really can only use this kind of formula? I guess we'll cross that road when we get to it. Right now I am going to try and make it through with bf him to 6 months. We'll see from there.
And on the sleeping front, well, I am still going to read those books, because maybe there's some little trick in there that will help my sweet boy stay comfortable a little longer than 2 or 3 hours at a time and not feel the need to party it up at 3 a.m. Because seriously, I'm DRAINED. Until then, I guess I'll be wearing a little thicker concealer under my eyes and drinking that second can of Diet Pepsi I need by lunch time to get me through the rest of the day/evening.
