Going Out in Public

My oldest was this same way. He had colic very badly. Now a days, they seem to link colic and GERD or really done away with Colic it seems. The swinging is calming and comforting and if he is swallowing then nothing is trying to come back up which maybe why he is interested in eating all the time. He may sit in his swing a certain way that keeps this from happening to. Surely you have had heartburn, so you know what I mean.

13 years ago they didn't diagnose babies with GERD. I took my son to the ER time after time, and was fussed at all the time about being a new mom. I should cut him off, he doesn't know when he is full...blah blah blah. He was about 3 months when it got significantly better. He is perfectly fine and healthy now. Not obese or anything like that as I was warned over and over again. I fed all my babies on demand.I was a bottle feeder too. I made sure that they sat up to drink their bottles and held the bottle so they got very little air.

I would make a dr appt to rule out GERD, ask about your pedi's thoughts on colic. Then you do what you think is right for your baby. God gave us instincts, follow those mommy thoughts and feelings! Try adjusting the way he sits in his car seat to match how he sits in the swing. If he wants to eat--feed him! Do what you feel is right in your heart and that is what will be best for him.

Hope this helps a little..hang in there! Congrats on your little one.

A.
www.WorkAtHomeUnited.com/aprilhinton

A.,
Wow! What I would do to get those precious days back! He is a normal newborn. They are all different. I wouldn't worry yourself. We didn't take our babies out in public until they were about 3mons. God bless you and your bundle of joy.

J.
www.deliveringonthepromise.com/40420383

You sound exactly like I did 6 months ago! My baby boy was either sleeping, nursing or upset because he was in his carseat. It was the only time he really cried and cried.

The eating and sleeping is normal I think. Babies have tiny tummies and eat little and often. They also need lots of sleep...by the time they wake up they are hungry again and it seems like an endless cycle.

My baby hated his carseat and would cry as soon as he saw it. Things only improved when he bought a bigger, softer seat which he loves now. All you can do is check to make sure the straps aren't digging into or something else is physically hurting him. I dreaded going out and pretty much stayed home for the first 4 months.

Don't worry about spoiling him at this stage. You can't do too much, he is too young to be spoilt, but your constant attention will reap rewards later when he is a secure, happy baby who doesn't worry that mom isn't going to resond when he cries.
My friend always said I was carrying my son too much, rushing to him to soon if he cried, paying him too much attention etc.... Well, he is 8 months now and a confident, secure happy baby who doesn't cry for every little thing. In fact, he hardly cries at all unless he is super overtired.

They aren't babies for long - lavish them with all the attention you want while you can.

I have a two month old daughter and it seems as though our babies have the same personalities. My daughter if comfortable at home and she loves to nurse. I am a mother of eight. Your son is fine. His personality should change when he gets a little older. Some babies do not like to leave their comfort zone at a young age. As far as his feeding habit goes, a breastfed babies will sometimes eat every two hours. That's because the milk is so easily digested.

Hi A.,

First of all, you're doing a great job, so give yourself a big pat on the back and take a deep breath. It does get easier! At this age, I'm not surprised that the baby seems like he wants to eat all the time. I think my daughter was still eating every 2 hours at that point (she is 15 months old now) and would sleep in between feedings too, so she was also either awake and eating or asleep. I think this is normal and they do start to become more aware of their surroundings and become more interactive at around 3-4 months old. I took my daughter out a lot when she was that little, so I think you just have to do it. They aren't always going to be happy at that age (unless they are sitting in their swing), but like you said....it probably isn't best to leave them there all the time. Try to time your outings when he has just eaten so that you don't have to stop right away to feed him. He should have a short period of awake and happy time just after being fed and then take a nap. I assume you are okay with him falling asleep in his carrier while you are out. This way, you don't feel trapped in your house all day and you can both get out and enjoy the warmer weather.

One other tip is that if you are breastfeeding, always know where the nearest Babies R Us is. They have the best mother's rooms there so that you can sit comfortably and nurse. It's a lot more comfortable than a dressing room somewhere. Once I got better at it, I could nurse my daughter just about anywhere, but I always loved going to Babies R Us if I just wanted a relaxing place to hang out for a few minutes.

By the way...I am a first time mom too and I remember how many questions I had at the beginning, so if you ever have a specific question or just need some quick advice feel free to email me (____@____.com). I am a stay at home mom as well, so I'm usually around.

Good luck!

A. - eating and sleeping is all they do at 2 months. As for going out and being fussy - he probably just likes the security of home. They are so new to all the sounds, sights and temperatures of the "big" world. It all goes by so quickly, I certainly wouldn't worry about these types of stages they go through, just accommodate if you can. At 3-4months they begin to get a bit more mobile and comfortable with different environments. Hope this helps - just advice from one mom to another. I certainly don't have all the answers.

God Bless!
B.

congratulations!
When you were pregnant he was probably use to you moving around a lot.. and well, even if you weren't moving around a lot.. imagine being in water.. how conforable it is.. being weightless, and without clothes.. what a change all this world is to him.. a big change..
There is nothing you can teach him now.. just yet.. he is teaching you in fact. He is going to teach you more than you can imagine. As a mother of three, I read every book possible, yet I never learned quite as much as I did by just observing them, and putting myself in their place..
And well following your instinct is something you must learn to trust. We have this great ability to know exactly what our child needs if we observe them well.. it works amazingly.
You already know that it may be the carseat, or that it also is the temperature change.. you already are knowing him well.. and well, I think you are right.
They are so beautiful at that age, that you want ot give in to every cry just because you understand them.. and that is what they need the most your understanding.. they need you near to hear your voice, and well, to feel you close to hear your heart beat..
It's all normal. It's normal for him to want you near him all the time, to want you to hold him all the time.. you are not spoiling him at all.. you are just being a loving caring mother, and that is what every child needs..
I have my 4 yr old now.. and well, I was the kind of mother when they were little that I gave in to their needs, just because it was my instinct.. and i was happy being that way... with love my kids grew knowing that I would be there when they need me, and that if they wait, it's ok, because I would be there soon. It's not spoiling..
Spoiling is giving in to every materialistic need, or selfish want..
Giving uncondional love to a newborn child is not teaching him anything wrong.. actually you are letting him know.. that you know him, and that you understand him. And that is the most beautiful connection you can have with him.. and although he may not remember.. he will always sense that..
Like my children.. they know mom will be there.. even if it takes me 10 mins.. or whatever it is .. I understand them.. and well, they also become caring human beings too.. they know that when mom needs their help, they are there to help me always too.. so think of the love you give as being the most important thing you can teach.. forget the said rules of if you give in, they grow up spoiled.. no way.. my kids know mom is important too.. but they do know that I do recognize their needs more than anyone can. And that is something no one can teach you, but you.

I am so happy that you are being such a toughful mother, and I think your baby is going to be a happy child.
My kids loved the baby swings too.. if you are concerned with that, then just slow it down.. of perhaps stop it.. and you go near him while he is sitting there and start showing other kinds of distractions.. like your voice, the eye contact.. the touch.. hold his hands.. and talk to him softly.. as you do.. tell him that you love his eyes, that he looks like.. and that you love him more than anything..etc.. just give him something to put his attention on while the swing stops.. and then just start walking away from the swing.. and keep on talking.. maybe even put soft music on.. and then well the next day.. try doing this more often, so that he does not get to use to the swing.. but then again.. i don't see nothing wrong with it.. My little one loved it too.. they get over it by the time they are getting ready to turn over, and sit up.. they want to do that.. and so the swing will be for playing with their hands, or seeing the world while sitting down, etc. It becomes more interesting for them.. you'll see..

God bless baby and your family!

C.