Life The Last Two Months
So my son is officially two months old, and it hasn’t been the easiest two months of my life. Here’s why:
•Colic
•The Pacifier Struggle
•Strictly Pumping
•Finding The Right Formula
•Struggle Bonding
That’s just a short list of the main struggles up until here lately. First off, colic is probably the last thing I expected with my son. It made the first month of postpartum miserable! The constant screaming and crying. I felt like a horrible mom, because nothing I did soothed him. Finally, after he was a month old, the doctor at the pediatric office put him on famotidine 40mg. It has help tremendously. We still have our days, but he’s a totally different baby now that the problem was addressed.
Secondly, my son HATED pacifiers. I would pray everyday that I could just find one pacifier that he would take to soothe him. My son wanted to soothe himself with a bottle, but doing so would make his colic symptoms 10x worse! ): We tried every brand and finally someone mentioned to me the tommee tippee brand, and at first he didn’t like it. Now at two months old and consistently trying, he loves them! I assumed he would like the Dr. Brown ones since he took their bottles too. That was definitely wrong. Thankfully the other brand has worked so far 💛
Thirdly, strictly pumping as a SINGLE mom as the dad was absent was a living nightmare. I had the Elvis Stride pump, which was honestly amazing!! The only downfall was I had barely any help except for my grandparents taking shifts with me. Getting up every two hours to pump, while still trying to sleep and soothe him was the most exhausting thing I’ve ever done. It made my postpartum depression 10x worse. I will say it did help me lose quite a bit of weight. I started at 217 at my highest weight and 2 months postpartum I am now at 181 lbs. that’s been a major accomplishment. 😊 I did end up losing my milk production after a month due to not pumping as often as I should have, because I was ultimately exhausted from sleep deprivation. I am proud though, because I at least was able to give him a good amount of breastmilk.
FORMULA, oh lord. My son switched to multiple formulas after breastmilk and it was heartbreaking. He threw up nearly everything he drank, no matter what it was. Doctors kept telling me to give it time but at that point he wasn’t getting anything in his belly due to throwing it all back up. Finally one doctor listened to me and we tried hypoallergenic formula. Wic covers it too! From day 1 of trying it, it has been a life saver. No more throwing up, or major waterfall of a spit up from him getting sick off the formula. Took quite a while but we got it figured out!
Lastly, bonding didn’t come naturally to me as a first time mom. I loved my son, but I struggled to connect with him like I should have for the first month postpartum. I barely wanted to hold him, or have anything to do with him. I’d say a lot of it was to do with my postpartum depression getting progressively worse week by week.
Welcoming a newborn is often romanticized, but the reality can be challenging, especially for first-time moms. Many parents face similar struggles: dealing with colic, which can transform the first few months into stressful periods of sleepless nights and constant crying. Understanding colic and seeking professional help, like medication, can significantly improve a baby’s condition. Finding the right pacifier can also be a trial and error process. Infants have unique preferences, and it might take multiple tries with different brands to find one that soothes them. Single parents face the added challenge of managing lactation while juggling the responsibilities of caring for their baby. Pumping can be exhausting, and the fatigue can impact mental health. Support from family or friends can be invaluable during this time. When transitioning from breastmilk to formula, many parents encounter issues with sensitivity and reflux. Trying hypoallergenic formulas can be a lifesaver for babies struggling with traditional formulas. It’s essential to communicate openly with pediatricians and be persistent until a suitable solution is found. Bonding with a newborn can also take time, and it’s important for parents to know that feeling overwhelmed is normal. Engaging in skin-to-skin contact, baby-wearing, and spending quiet time together can foster connection. Seeking mental health support when faced with postpartum depression is crucial for both the parent’s and the child’s wellbeing. By sharing experiences and tips, parents can find community and support through shared struggles.
