First Post-Natal Rant

[FreshTressa]

My DH got up with our daughter for the first year of her life. That is right, a whole year! He just couldn't stand to let her cry so he was up with that bottle the second she awoke.

They are so close now....I think a lot of bonding went on at that time, and he said after the first few weeks, she went right back to sleep and it was only like 10 minutes and he could go right back to sleep.

You are a wonderful daddy! I'd like to say it gets easier, but in parenthood you just trade one trial for another. Just when you think you can't take anymore, it will change and they will be onto a new problem. But it is all worth it!

Maybe your wife could break you one night a week so you can get at least one good night's sleep a week. That sounds fair!

 

[newmousecateer]

Are you sure it's not the smell from your feet that is keeping Kimerbly up?

 

[jfulcer]

Originally posted by Pat_Elliott
Jeff,

SOOO glad to hear I'm not the only one that ever tried this. Do you really survive, or are you a figment?

I actually LOVED the time at night - great time for cuddling and it's daddy only time. Bedtime for our house is 'Daddy Time'. Both girls (one 6yrs and one 18 mos) will go down like clockwork for me at bedtime, but if mommy tries both of them have trouble getting to sleep. There were even times when we both would sleep in the rocking chair for a bit on those 3am feeding shifts.

Towncrier, if I had to guess - I would have said that you had helped out also. I think I'm in good company - you, Pat and I.

 

[ahutton]

DH also did lots of getting up at night, especially with DD2 (now 18 months old!!) who did not sleep through the night until she was about 8 months old. We did a split shift. DH is more of a night owl, and took things until around 1:00. I went to bed at 8:30 when DD1 did, and got up with DD2 if/when she got up after 1:00. That way we both got a fair chunk of sleep...

Thank you to all the Dads to who share those night shifts. They never really stop. Last night it was teething and bad dreams. 12:00 for DD2 and 1:45 for DD1.

 

[SuiteDisney]

Just take it one day at a time, Pat, and remember....

...she'll probably be up at 2 am again tonight.

Ahhh, the joys of parenthood. We're beyond that with our kids. Now our 12 y.o. DD has raging hormones and her head spins around when she gets mad.

 

[Eiblis]

Just had to say

AWWWWWWWWwwwwww love the bath pic Pat.....she sure is a happy looking baby

 

[sharbear]

Hang in there Pat! Fortunately sleep deprivation causes amnesia so you won't remember this! My first was four weeks early, had poor sucking reflexes and had failure to thrive! It was terrible! We had to wake him up every 3 hours to eat and it took him and hour and a half to get through the feeding. My DH took the 11p.m. and 2 a.m. feedings and I took the 5am. We got through it and he's 15 now and eating me out of house and home. Now our worries are driving and Algebra II. I look back to those days fondly.

BTW, when I had my kids Cooper Anderson was on ABC overnight news. I still think of midnight feedings when I see Cooper!

 

[Toby'sFriend]

I think any man who does all the nighttime feedings should be nominated for the cover of People's Sexiest Man!

 

[ckmommy]

Hang in there Pat!! My DS (Twin B) 9 mos. just said MAMA--MAMA for the first time this week! Those little words make your heart melt and make you forget about those 2 am feedings. I was one not to take advise from anyone. When one of the twins would cry in the middle of the night, I was told to wake the other up and feed him also. I never did wake up the other. My nights were bed at 10--get up at 11:15 with twin A --fall back to sleep at 12--get up with twin B at 12:30 go to sleep at 1 (never really get to sleep), get up with twin A at 1:30.... repeat same pattern for 4 months! I just kept thinking that one was bound to sleep a little longer if I did not touch them. Not too smart! But, on the positive side, they have been sleeping through the night since they were 4mos. (and moved to their own room)! It will get better! I promise!!

 

[kimber79]

Pat, it does get better!! I was the one to get up all night with both my kids (DD - 17 & DS - 12). You are a very special husband and father to do this for your girls!

My sister and brother-in-law took turns ~ they only had to worry about every other night!

Enjoy every moment with her while she is tiny.........those times disappear all to quickly.

 

[mtemm]

So sorry you had a rough night! They do get better...at least until they reach the teenage years I hear. Hope it gets better soon!

My dh lucked out for the most part since I breastfed. If there was a spitup or blowout in the crib he had to deal with it while I nursed, but otherwise he slept. He did get up with my son early, though, and now that my son has weaned if he is up at night dh ends up on duty...hey, I put my time in!

 

[C.Ann]

Originally posted by Pat_Elliott
Oh, the humanity. Can I please have a smoke now?

Pat
Still elated to be a father, smoke free for 21 days, but getting REALLY edgy.

-------------------------

Sorry - but no - you can't have a cigarette.. I'm SOOOOO proud of you for being cig free for 21 days..

Just imagine KIMBERLY staring right in your eyes as you're lighting up.. That should take care of the craving for you - 'cause I know you made a special promise to that precious little girl..

 

[Sonya]

Don't worry about your feet, isn't it that nothing matters any more but your little DD?

I know it's very hard now, but it does get better. And although Sam's only been sleeping through the night for about a month now and I don't wish it any other way, I do kind of miss getting up in the middle of the night with him. But now that I'm back at work he can sleep as long as he wants!

You are a brave man to take all the nights, DH never did any! But I guess it was fair since he had to work and I was on leave.

 

[nativetxn]

NO! You may <i>not</i> have a cigarette, my friend.

Hope you get some sleep tonight

 

[Planogirl]

Smoking won't get rid of the edginess you're feeling. Just ask my DH.

This will pass. And then given enough time (like a few years), you'll smile when you remember this.

I would however wash my feet if I were you. It's likely to make you feel better.

 

[skuttle]

Hang in there! It does get better...they do eventually start sleeping.

 

[MickeyCrazed]

OK...7 hours later....
Have you washed those feet yet?

 

[MerryPoppins]

Try alcohol on those stinky feet. Wipe them down once or twice a day. It works like a charm.

I did all the nighttime feedings with both our kids. It's rough sometimes. I found my kids were lulled by the radio played low or by a musical. We watched a lot of videos. White Christmas worked every time with DS, so whenever I was desperate I pulled it out. We watched it year-round at 3:00 in the morning. LOL! Ceiling fans seemed to fascinate them, too.

This too shall pass. And keep away from those cigarettes. We want you to be around for a long, long time.

 

[momof3disneyholics]

You'll be amazed how many tasks you can accomplish at one time! Keep up the good work!
By the way, I think your daughter is sooooo beautiful, keep showing those pics!

 

[Val]

Remember, revenge is sweet.....when dear Kimberly is an adolescent (don't worry, it will happen at the blink of an eye) you can drive her nuts (but NOT to cigarettes) by going in her room at the crack of dawn and reading from your "baby's first year diary" all the lovely activites you and Kimberly did together these first few months. Be sure and sing the songs and say the silly sayings, too. And it's even better if you sing the songs in front of her friends!

As tired as you are, remember to grab sleep when she sleeps and keep your sense of humor. I never believed how quickly time passed- my oldest gets her driver's permit on Monday and I am so wishing for those precious middle of the night private conversations and sing-alongs!

hang in there- and no cigarettes. You don't want Kimberly harranging you about your bad habits!