The Bear

Having suffered through weeks of Berit's inconsolable crying bouts, we (all six of us) have finally regained some semblance of a functioning household and can smile (even Berit!)  The blog fell by the wayside for a while, which is probably just as well considering the feelings of contempt and despair that would have leaked into my writing.  I was able to get some caption-light photos posted, but we've missed a lot.

The crying (colic) started to manifest around week three.  I kept thinking this was a new normal that we had to adjust to, but the cries seemed to be pain-induced.  Having had friends go through colic babydom, I started asking lots and lots of questions, comparing notes and researching day and night.  There were some real low points in motherhood during the ensuing three or four weeks.  Desperate actions like nursing by candlelight while sitting on the toilet (after we both were in the bath) buck-naked because she had finally consented to eat or not moving from a slouched position and rocking her for four solid hours because Berit had succumbed to sleep during the witching hour and I didn't want to risk waking the beast.  I spent one night sobbing hysterically along with her while our beloved dog children paced and nuzzled me.  Berit and I got sick of one another when Pete was working his 24 hour shifts and traveling to St. Paul, leaving us stuck with one another for two long nights in a row.  Having two parents makes a world of difference with a colicky baby and I have incredible respect for single parents.  I don't know how they do it, but I guess, like I discovered, you just do it.  

The final cocktail that led to relief (for those parents suffering along with their little ones) is simethecone (baby gas-x) throughout the day, probiotics twice a day and no dairy for me.  The dairy-free existence is really about cow's milk proteins (it is NOT the same as lactose) and I am starting to try cheese occasionally.  As much as I miss my weekly gallon of milk, it is a small sacrifice to make for my daughter's comfort.  Of course, I realize that it may be little Bear's digestive system has simply matured enough to handle eating, but nevertheless, we're seeing huge improvement.  She still scrunches her entire body to rip farts that rival a dog's but the shrieks of pain are shorter and infrequent.

Based on my research and Dr. Sears, we have a high-need baby that needs to be held and hugged and carried and bounced ALL THE TIME.  It seems like a trick of fate since I was never really that into babies.  She also loves to suck but has taken forever to find her hands or any substitute for momma.  Pete's got the hold that includes sucking his hand (see photos below) and all pacifiers have been rejected to date, although we will continue to try.  (Yes, we tried to give her a pacifier.  We waiting until after four weeks when feeding was well established and I really agonized over it, again, consulting all my mom-friends and reading up on what brand was best.  Imagine my disgust when Berit promptly spit the thing out.)

So to catch up...

On October 23rd, Berit celebrated her one month existence with her puppy Wolfie (from Uncle Woody).  Aunt Krista gave us the cute monthly stickers.

Uncle Woody checks on the non-screaming Bear

One position that works, but only for dad...