Breastfed Babies

I think it's one of those 'this too shall pass' things - and just deal with it until it's over. I know it's hard! We're just now ending this stage! And it's been a year!!! Yikes, eh? But they're only little for a while, and only need Mom exclusivly for a while too... I'm sorry you're in the stress part of it. I know it's hard. Hang in there!!

Poor thing must feel miserable!
Antiobiotics can mess with tummies, and the only soothing she knows is mama's milk. And yes, this is about time for a growth spurt too.
Do you have a sling or wrap? If you don't, go get one. Wear your little one tummy to tummy, head under your chin. This leaves you with free hands more.
I would set up a little "nest" on the couch. I had pillows to prop my head up and my arm a little. I have a table with something to drink, the phone and my laptop, I could sit and nurse my little one and my oldest could sit next to me and we'd read books or watch TV or color. I can not count the times my husband would come home to find all 3 of us asleep on the couch. My head propped against pillows, baby asleep in my arms (I would make sure he wasn't burried in my breasts before I fell asleep), and my oldest with a pillow against my leg, asleep lying on it. He always knew it had been a crappy day when that's what he saw after work. We always got take out on those days ;)
While it is a trying time, it is a short time. Just find ways to make it special for your 3 year old. There is nothing wrong with a couple extra movies watched with a special treat to snack on.

Will she take a bottle? Maybe pumping and letting dad do the night time feedings for a bit will help her to not be quite so attached to you and help her bond with dad. My son is pretty darn attached to me at 12 mos, but at 2 and a half months not so much. Each evening I'd hand him over and go take a (long as possible) shower so he'd get used to spending time with dad. Now he screams likes he's being tortured when I leave him with dad or grandma...for about 20 seconds. Then he's distracted and over it. Maybe just some tough love. If she's full, hand her over and go somewhere where you can't hear! Good luck, to all 3 of you!

Its VERY normal for infants to just want mommy, breastfed or not, you are her main security. It wont last forever but it is her cue that she needs you right now and that's all she knows. She's been in the world for only 2.5 mos, it's her natural instinct. Explaining that to your 3 yr old will help her to understand too.
It will pass soon enough.

I had this problem and one of the reasons was I was rushing through the feedings and the hind (thick) milk was not letting down. The baby was just getting the watery stuff. So take your time and try to finish. Extended breastfed babies are more dependant, but... when they are about 3, they will be so independant, you will be kind of sad. I know it's hard to imagine now though.

As far as the traumatic tests, etc., I don't think babies forget ~ even in the womb. They may only be left with a feeling, not a memory and you are a safe haven and a comfort. You should be very proud of yourself for persevering.

As far as the three yr. old, having him/her sit with you while you nurse and maybe reading a short story can be a big deal. Stopping what you are doing when they approach and focusing in on their face will help you continue to bond. Hang in there, it gets better.
Blessings, M.

Typical, you should invest in a baby WRAP not a carrier. Something like a Moby wrap will be good for you! Heck, my son would nurse and then nap in our wrap and then I could walk around and grocery shop during all of this or I could do the dishwasher/laudry etc. The way the wrap works you and baby are covered up, the fabric is breathable so no one gets too hot and you have two hands free so baby is happy snuggles with you and your toddler gets mommy time too! It's a win win from my perspective.

Poor baby...and poor momma! I would definitely think the meds have a lot to do with it, but my babies cried a lot too and just wanted to eat all the time. Have you ever seen the "Happiest Baby of the Block" dvd? It SO helped us and my husband soon had the "Magic touch". He would swaddle them, pop the pacifier in (I know lots of la leche moms don't like that, but it never hurt our breastfeeding with two babies), and would bounce or rock with him. It was good bonding for them and gave me a break sometimes when they were cranky.

If she's still on antibiotics, doesn't that indicate that she is still not well? You said she is "doing better"... do you mean she is almost well? Of course if she is feeling ill she wants her mommy. Whether or not she remembers anything about her treatment. When we feel yuck we want whatever comforts us. And that is YOU. You are Mommy. You are the body sounds she heard while she was growing inside you. You are the first smells she ever encountered. You are her most comforting comforter right now. And she needs you--she doesn't feel well.

I know it can be difficult with the 3 yr old. I had an infant and a 3 yr old as well, many moons ago. They do sometimes respond to logic though. Tell him that you KNOW he misses having more time with you to play with him, that you KNOW that the baby takes a lot of your time right now and it doesn't seem fair. You know it. And you are sorry that it makes him feel sad. But the baby is sick, and just like when HE (3 yr old) doesn't feel well, he wants Mommy to cuddle with him and be with him until he feels better... so does his baby sister. Let him know it won't be like this forever--just while she's sick. And if you are the praying sort, you can ask him to pray with you that his little sister will be well and feel better soon, and that he and mommy and baby sister will all be able to play together soon.

And by all means, try to let him sit next to you on the sofa and read books (especially while you are holding the baby), and sit on the floor with him when he is building with blocks. Stand up and walk around with him as he makes a parade down the hallway. You can do all those things while holding/carrying the baby.

Be patient with your son, as he learns to navigate the new world of "big brotherhood". And be patient with your baby daughter, too. She doesn't feel well. :(

Poor baby is taking antibiotics. I feel crappy when I have to take them - imagine a 2 month old... she just knows she doesn't feel good and she wants her mama. How much longer does she have on the antibiotics? I bet you will notice a big difference when she stops taking the meds and her infection is cleared up. For now, I don't know what else you can do but hold her and do your best to muddle through until she is feeling better. Are you allowed to give her infant Tylenol or anything like that? Maybe that would help? :( Sorry you and she are going through this. It has got to be miserable!

My 3 month old is the same way, wearing him helps. But whoever said they could do laundry and load the dishwasher needs to teach my how to be able to bend over wearing a baby cause I can't do it without holding them to keep them from flopping around.

My bigger guy is only 17 months, so I totally get the jealous thing, and how hard it is to make time for two (when you can't even use the bathroom on a regular basis, lol)

If there is any sort of routine for naps and bedtime, stagger them just a little. my 3 month old isn't on a perfect schedule, but he's close, and here's what we do
11 am 17 month old goes down for a nap
12 ish 3 month old down for a nap
they both will sleep about 2 hours, so I have some quiet time and some time alone with each of them.

Now bedtime my older boy goes down at 7 and sleeps till 7 and the baby goes down at 9, wakes at 2am is restless from about 2-6 and then sleeps till 7ish.

We have also perfected matching nursing sessions with story time, favorite tv shows, snack time, games of peek-a-boo and itsy bitsy spider. He will bring me toys and we drive cars on the couch or build blocks ect. I try to make sure that every other session I am devoted to bonding with the baby, but sometimes it's just about making it work with as little screaming as possible.

And lastly, I don't get up at night. Some people may have a serious issue with this but it works for us, from 11-7 I am off duty unless there is a 2 baby emergency. In the beginning it was rough for my husband and for the baby, but they both figured it out, and it's important that daddy gets that time with the baby and that I can get enough sleep to function for 9 hours a day alone with 2 little guys. This didn't work for my 17 month old, he didn't sleep nearly as well, but generally the baby is only actually up that one time so it works. This also isn't a great idea if you have supply issues since a lot of your milk production happens during those middle of the night feedings. Generally I pump enough for 2 bottles when I get up and then nurse the baby right away and I've never really had any problems other than waking up uncomfortable.

It will pass soon. Just be there for her now. It is hard but it is a phase some babies go through at that age and it's very common. It happened with my first and not my second but I breastfed both babies. You do get a break eventually - just not yet!! I remember my husband used to get up when the baby cried and change her before I fed her so he could help a little but generally it was all me until about 4 mos old. Even if I pumped she would only take the bottle from me. She is still a momma' s girl.

This will pass. Babies eat, poop, and sleep. She's just tiny and her tummy is tiny and she needs to eat often. She's also coming up on the 12 week growth spurt. I think that you need to remember that ANY infant that young will want Momma a lot.

Wear the baby so you can also play with the 3 yr old. Or read the older child a book while you nurse the baby. Or have Daddy do something one on one with the older child so you don't feel like you have to split your attention for a bit. We have a picture of my daughter crying when her brother held her. The look on his face is "what do I do now?" Babies cry. My own nephew cries when I hold him sometimes. It's not personal.

Remember, too, she's been through a LOT in 2.5 months. She just needs you. If you were sick, wouldn't you want someone to comfort you? Wouldn't YOU want your mother?