Made yesterday a very quiet day with just me and Jessica at home. Also got to have that afternoon nap I had planned for yesterday but not managed to get due to the hospital trip. Jessica and I slept side by side on top of the covers of Ian’s and my bed. It was nice to have her beside me, being able to peer at her every so often to make sure that she was okay (which of course she was, but I’m a new Mum and I worry about the silliest things…!), and before I knew it I was as soundly asleep as her. Will try in earnest to get a proper nap every day when Jessica’s been fed and is sleeping. It was a nice sunny day outside and we probably should have gone out for a walk, but sleep had to take priority this time.
Unfortunately, last night ended up very similar to the night before the Sunday (4th). Jessica was trying to feed from about 9.30pm but wasn’t attaching properly and worked herself up into a state of frustration until she just cried and cried – absolutely heartrending… At around midnight, Ian was standing bleary-eyed in the kitchen sterilising a bottle for a formula feed while I was in the living room going through the list of singing, rocking, jigging, walking about, etc. to try to calm her down. Then I remembered reading somewhere that swaddling sometimes works to reassure a stressed baby, so I grabbed a towel and wrapped it around Jessica with her arms tucked down her sides. Strangely, it worked almost instantly – she calmed right down and even decided to breastfeed in a very professional manner for at least five minutes. After we gave her a bit of formula (as we figured she must be very hungry at this point) she happily breastfed for another little while. Once she went to sleep, she slept through until 6.30am…Have heard about evening colic – not knowing what it is, I couldn’t say if that’s what we’re dealing with, but I understand that it involves a lot of crying in the evenings. (If anyone knows more about it or has some advice, that would be very much appreciated.)
Both Ian and I are feeling quite shattered at the moment, so have decided to minimise social life this week as much as possible. I had made some plans with people for this week but have had to get back to them to postpone for now. One day at the time is how I have to deal with things at the mo: Jessica has to come first and, secondly, I have to keep my energy levels up sufficiently to be able to take good care of her. Next week we’ll already be in week three of her life, which is quite amazing. Maybe things have settled a bit more by then (or probably not), but at least we’ll be getting there and can hopefully go out and about more very soon, as there is only so long one can stare at the same four walls and listen to ones own voice…
Gabriella