They really like to be held. By people. They tend to reject mechanical people substitutes (i.e. swings), especially when they are fussy and cranky. I have one of these. Dr. Sears writes about them.
Typically, my high need baby is pretty easy to keep calm. Hold her and walk around. That's what it takes 90% of the time. That last 10%, it's usually that she's a bit refluxy or gassy. Holding helps the reflux. Motion helps the gas.
That's all it takes. Yeah. That's all.
The hard part is that it's really hard to constantly hold a baby. While I absolutely adore holding her, sometimes I need to eat or pee or shower. For those short stints, I can usually sneak her into a bouncy seat or swing for long enough. Dr. Sears recommends a sling. I have a baby carrier, but not a sling. I am sometimes tempted to get one, but I would fear that she wouldn't get to see enough stuff or that she would get too hot. I sometimes make and eat breakfast with her in the baby carrier, but I can't sit while wearing it, so that doesn't work.
I am not complaining, mind you. I adore my bugaboo. It's just a part of her personality that I want to capture. This baby just loves to be in arms.
That being said, right now she is in her crib. We put her down for the night. But the first nurse down never sticks. She's not asleep, but she's happy as a lark in her crib. She's chatting away. And squealing. It's adorable. So maybe she's not as high-need as I think. Maybe she just knows that her mommy and daddy are suckers. :-P.
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4 comments:
Two words: Moby Wrap. Saved my life. Only two things you can't do in it. Shower and change clothes. :)
I immediately thought of the Moby Wrap, too. I can ask Lisa if she minds lending you hers since it's been awhile since she used it.
And all parents are suckers - at least with their first one!
Thanks for the tips. Thom, I would love to borrow your Moby Wrap if Lisa isn't using it anymore (I promise to take good care of it). I have an Ergo Baby Carrier, which I use around the house sometimes. But she's too small for it, and the 'infant insert' is really plushy, so I fear that she will get too warm. Plus I'm afraid that she can slip out if I bend over. Does the Moby Wrap get really hot? It will be less of a worry now that we're into September, but it's still pretty hot out here.
i definitely recommend slings! i have a baba sling, and it's gotten consistent use, evolving as zaden goes through different stages and development.
i'm also excited to see you mention dr sears. after reading quite a few baby books, i came across "the baby book" and got rid of the rest of the books.
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