My baby is really unsettled and cries a lot... but it’s ok.

[Epacris]

DS2 is much more unsettled and cries a lot more than I ever remember DS1 and DD crying. He probably has a few unsettled periods throughout the day, sometimes they go on for an hour, sometimes most of the day. Sometimes they are at night, usually he’s unsettled from 4am to 6am. Sometimes he seems to go all day with only a few little cat naps. He does get a good 3 hour sleep in at least once or twice in a 24 hour period. He is definitely not hungry, he’s fully breastfed on demand and is putting on 250gs a week (little piggy)! There is no obvious reason for his discomfort but I’m sure he’s just getting used to this whole digestion thing, food moving into, through and out of his little body (I’m sure he’s thinking things were so much easier when it all just went in and out through his belly button). He likes to be upright and carried around, so that’s what we do.

Being a mother for the third time is such a different experience for me. I know I would have totally freaked out if DS1 behaved like this, thinking there was something wrong with him (or me). But with DS2 we just cuddle him and rock him and walk with him and know that he’s already growing up too fast.

Just thought I’d share.

[Arcadia]

I'm glad to hear you're coping mumma. I am much more relaxed about ds's unsettled periods too...in fact I just hold him close when he cries and don't even attempt the rocking/patting/bouncing this time around. It is so different when you have confidence you're doing things right!

[~Kim~]

Great post Rach.
I've often wanted to write something similar, but just didn't know how to.
They do grow too quick don't they.

[MummaSue]

My DD is (was) like that when she was brand new. Yes, I am a little freaked out

[Shanti]

Aw, that's a lovely post good on you mum

[beckoes]

great post! sounds like your doing a great job!! second...or third time is different! im so much more relaxed, if id been like this with DD1 it would have been so much easier!

[Epacris]

Thanks ladies.

I guess I just wanted to “put it out there” that DS2’s behaviour is well within the realms of “normal”. There’s nothing wrong with him (or me), it’s nothing to do with anything I’ve eaten, nothing is causing it and there is nothing to fix. I’m not going to stress myself out trying every old-wives-tale under the sun only to discover that none of them make any difference.

We’ll just keep cuddling him. I truly think that being relaxed and just accepting who he is at this age and stage is a huge help and why we are coping just fine.

And an extra hug for you MummaSue.

[Arimeh]

Awesome mumma

I'm much more relaxed this time round (even though she does have silent reflux so we had to fix that ) cos I don't find lots of screaming for hours on end too relaxing for me.. LOL

But in general day to day stuff - we rock, cuddle, kiss - LOTS more than I did with DS (poor deprived child...) and if she wants to go in the carrier all day - so be it.

She's 6 weeks old, and I already think its going too quickly!!!

[Epacris]

Mel, I know, I know, If only we knew then what we know now hey....

You can never, ever kiss and cuddle them too much.

[Arimeh]

You can never, ever kiss and cuddle them too much.

Oh I know!!! When DS got home from school last night I showered his face in kisses, and he's just looking at me like I was some kind of freak.. LOL.. then he had a huge smile on his face and was like.. "do it again"..... and again.. and again!!! He loved it.

[Kazbah]

What a great thread. Yes, it's so much easer to accept they are getting used to this world when you're back for a second child (or more).

[Epacris]

If only we knew then what we know now hey....

Mel, and further to this, I’ve thought a few times how sad it is that we’re retiring, just when we seem to have got this whole birth and parenting thing just right.... and after all the hard work our older children have done “breaking us in”.

Mate, your signature, I LOVE it, such an inspirational journey of growth and learning.

[*Beema*]

Round two is soooo much easier than round one

For instance Round one I read SOS roughly followed the timing, but not the rest. But this time we have never had any "routine for DD2" just let her do what she wants when she wants, and it is brilliant, if she wants boob she gets it, cuddles, kisses whatever, we have cherished every moment and never wished it away or wanted to get through quicker, we want time to slow down. And I think so much of this has resulted in me having a much more successful BF'ing journey, exclusively BF'd and she is only just getting into some solids now, and I don't care because I know she will when she is ready, not when a book or person dictates she will.

[MummaSue]

Round two is soooo much easier than round one

DH and I are terrified of having another. We're a bit traumatised to be honest! Will be a large age gap in our kids I think, if we have another!

[Swoop]

DH and I are terrified of having another. We're a bit traumatised to be honest! Will be a large age gap in our kids I think, if we have another!

Ditto Sue!

But it's comforting to know you're finding it so good third time around Epacris

[*EJ*]

I could have written a similar post. DD (our #3) has been a little like you describe your #3 and DH and i have often said we don't know how we would have handled this if it was our 1st. I have more patience that i ever realised i could have

Glad you're enjoying your little one.

[Lenny]

it’s nothing to do with anything I’ve eaten

Are you sure? LOL. Gosh i remember wasting hours examining my diet in detail. I should've just 'wasted' time cuddling him. And relaxing. I'm sure he thought there was something up - because mummy seemed so stressed!

[onthefly]

It's funny, because after DS I kinda thought all babies were like that at the start
I'm glad you're chilled about it and enjoying your baby Epacris