A little sleep for me!

Since birth my baby had been sleeping with me in the same bed but after her 3^rd month I opted to get her a crib though we still sleep in the same room. I can’t imagine putting her to sleep in another room all alone! After 3 months (she's in her 6th month now), more than half of her sleep occurs at night now! Hoorah! Now I'm able to get some sleep!

On Motor Development:

Since birth, I've been monitoring my baby's development. Starting from birth to her early weeks she has always been very excitable and active during her waking hours. She smiles often and makes rhythmic sucking movements. She has progressed since and is now able to do basic motor skills such as grasping, rolling over, and sitting without support. She's also able to stand while holding on to something for support! These achievements are called ‘developmental milestones’. There are tests designed to identify children developmental progress such as the Denver Developmental Screening Test. Even parents can be capable of assessing their own child's development. There are websites that offer information and a list of developmental milestones. Here are some that I've stumbled upon:

Family and Classroom Educational Support

American Academy of Pediatrics

TEXAS - Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services

A child with two or more delays in two or more categories may need special attention. However, it is important to understand that there are environmental factors, including cultural patterns that may affect a baby's pace of motor development. Slower-developing children often catch up when given a supportive environment.

Zombie-eh-eh-eh

I haven’t been getting much sleep lately. These first few weeks she has been waking up every 2 to 3 hours, day and night! Hopefully at about 3 months, she’s going to be more wakeful in the late afternoon until early evening and start to sleep through the night. So until then… hello sleepless nights!

Solution:

I find it helpful to keep a diary of my baby’s activities. I record things like what time she sleeps, around what time she wakes up, when she cries for food and most importantly when and what breast I used in my last breastfeeding session. LOL With the help of the diary, I’ve been able to identify her sleeping pattern and create a breastfeeding schedule that is most convenient for both of us.

Details on Birth

Being a mom is unbelievably crazy. It’s extremely tiring but very rewarding at the same time. I’ve been too busy with my baby I even forgot to post details about her birth! So here it is:

Method of Birth: Natural

Birthweight: 6 ½ lbs.

Length: 18 inches long

FYI: An average neonate, or newborn, is about 20 inches long and weighs about 7 ½ lbs.

APGAR score: 8

Based on the APGAR score of a newborn the hospital workers are able to know ASAP whether a baby has any problem that needs special care. The APGAR scale is performed one minute after delivery, and repeated again 5 minutes after birth. It is used to measure a neonate’s appearance (color), pulse (heart rate), grimace (reflex irritability), activity (muscle tone), and respiration (breathing).

On Breastfeeding:

I won’t lie… It HURTS! But srsly, it’s just a matter getting used to it. Milk is the only food most babies need until about 6 months of age. Mother’s milk provides varying degrees of protection against certain diseases and is less likely to produce allergic reactions, and baby’s teeth and jaws tend to develop better when they are breastfed. Breastfeeding is an emotional as much as it is a physical act. Although emotional linkage can also be strengthened through bottle-feeding, I believe the warm contact with the mother’s body, and the benefits of breastfeeding is still the smarter option. Not to mention way more economical than formula! Do you have any idea how much a can of baby formula costs nowadays? It’s outrageous!