Today was rough. The twins have been sleeping well at night (knock on wood). We usually give them their last bottle no later than 9:30 pm and try to have them in bed by 10:00. They have been sleeping until 4-4:30 am for about a week now.
Heaven, pure heaven.
This morning started like any other morning. We got up at 4:45 am and gave them their first bottles of the day. DH went back to bed and I slept on the couch with the babies on their boppies. DH left for work around 8:30 am and that's when all hell broke lose.
I am convinced they wait until I'm alone. I'm sure of it.
Christopher started crying so I figured he was hungry and made his bottle. He drank most of it but continued to be really fussy and antsy. He tends to get gas (haven't really figured out what's causing it because he doesn't get it everyday?) so I gave him some Mylicon and expected him to settle down.
Uh, no. He would only stop crying if I held him.
All. Day. Long.
He would start to fall asleep in my arms and I'd be able to put him down and then Kendall would start fussing.
And, then they would both start
At one point, I had to walk away because I felt like I was going to lose my shit. I just didn't know what else to do for them. I couldn't hold both of them for more than a few minutes at a time before my arms got tired and it was clear that whatever I was doing, it wasn't right. It's the most helpless feeling.... ever. I completely understand the "Fight or Flight" response. I wanted to run away (no, I would never leave my babies... it's just how I felt).
Kendall finally went to sleep for about an hour and Christopher did for a whopping 20 minutes before he woke up screaming again. At this point, it was close to 2:30 pm and I had been dealing with the crying for almost 5 hours (and that's not including my own).
I took his temperature and it was normal so I gave him more Mylicon. More gas. What the hell?
It took me all day to fold one load of laundry and I am exhausted. It's 5:00 pm EST and this is the first time all day they are both sleeping at the same time.
This does bring me some concern. I start back to work in 2 weeks and my SIL is going to watch them. I have tried to explain that she might have days like today but until you experience it, you can't understand it.
I mean, I am their mother and I felt like I was losing my shit today. She has 2 kids, ages 8 and 4, so I'm sure she has experienced everything. I'm sure it's just me and my first-time momminess.
Tomorrow has got to be a better day. Right?!
9 comments:
Try to hang in there- if this continues, I would call their doctor about reflux or colic asap!!!
Hugs!!!
Could be reflux or intolerance to formula/something in your milk. It was like flipping a switch with my daughter - seemed like she was doing fine on the formula, and then came the gas and fussiness. Turns out she was milk/soy protein intolerant - caused excessive gas.
Hang in there - every mom has those days. Call your ped if it continues! :)
I'm sorry it was such a rough day -- I hope tomorrow is MUCH better for everyone.
Sorry you had such a rough day. ((HUGS)) for keeping it together.
I promise it will get better but I surely cannot promise you that there will not be more crappy days - although I know you are already aware of this!
One time when my oldest was a baby (he's almost 11 now) his crying was really getting to me and I had done all of the things that I could think of to do to calm him down and nothing was working. I finally put him in his crib, where he would not be a danger to himself and calmly walked to my bedroom and put in some ear plugs! I could still hear him but it took the edge off and I was able to breath for a few minutes (okay probably more like 20) before going in and trying again. I needed to take a break before I seriously lost my cool. My hat is off to you with dealing with two little ones but think of it this way - you will never have to go through this phase again!
You're doing great, hang in there!
Jen
It could be the formula upsetting the babies, try a hypoallergenic type. It's expensive but most insurance providers do cover the cost.
We used it and it was like magic overnight!We use Similiac Alimentium... call your insurance company and ask about formula coverage use the term "enteral formulas" meaning easy on the GI tract, intestines and tummy.
It does get better! Are you sure the formula isn't bugging them? If there is nothing left to try, sometimes you just need to lay them somewhere safe like their crib and let them cry a bit and give yourself 10 minutes. I promise it gets easier. I remember a Mom of twins told me a few months back that it gets much easier after four months. She was right! Hang in there and ask for help. Just someone coming by for an hour helps so much.
Hi,
I have been a lurker on your blog for a while now, and am so happy that you had boy/girl twins. I am also 39, but my boy/girl twins just turned 16 last week, the time just flew by.
I can remember staying home alone with my twins along with my 3 yr old at the time. My daughter had colic for the first 6 months, and my son was just a sweetie, he cried only when hungry or in need of a diaper change.
They didn't have boppies then, so I had to use bouncers, and the swing was my life saver.
My daughter who had colic cried non stop all day and night, it made me want to cry, I finally purchased a carrier that I could strap on the front of me and put her in it so I could get my house in order and do laundry, and my son would be sleeping away in the swing.
It gets better, and they grow up so fast.
Words of advice, sleep when they sleep, it will keep you sane.
Congratulations,
Shannon
Oh, girl! I almost lost my cool a few days like this too with our boys. It is terrifying and exhausting, and I am so sorry!
A few things we have found that (sometimes) work when our babies are in that "mood"-
1) Gripe water. Have you ever heard of it or tried it? Sometimes a dose of it can really calm our boys. You can find it at Target or CVS/ Walgreen's.
2) Our babies like the stroller and to be moving. We've put them in the stroller and wheeled them through the house or down the block. It also helps calm us because it changes the scenery a bit, and babies don't seem as loud when they are outside either.
3)Swaddle the baby, and put him or her in the crib to cry it out. We have found swaddling sometimes puts them right to sleep after they have been fussy for long bouts of time.
My husband had a day like this where nothing would soothe our son. He finally put him in the back room, closed the door, and turned the TV up for a few minutes just so he could get the shrill out of his eardrums. He'd mute the TV every few minutes to make sure the baby was still screaming. Once the baby stopped crying, he went in to check on him.
Babies can be so frustrating- we all know this. And I hope none of this sounds condescending or anything; I am totally trying to help and give you more ideas to try.
Good luck, and thanks for your honesty. Being a mom is sometimes exhausting. Wonderful but exhausting! Hang in there!
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