Decision...

I've decided that letting Mira cry is not for me. It just doesn't seem right to make a 10 week old learn something from crying. My main reason for looking towards some kind of structure or schedule was because Mira was hardly napping during the day (other than the occasional several hour nap in the afternoon, but those are very rare). She sleeps great at night (7.5 hours two nights ago, and 6 hours last night). I started to get worried that she wasn't getting enough sleep in a 24 hour period, and am still wondering if she's not. What I have noticed is that she does get overtired and then will scream whether or not I'm holding her. So, my goal is to make sure I do what she needs so that she is able to take a nap during the day. I may try laying her down before she gets overtired or at least rocking her to help her start to relax, but if she starts wailing when I lay her down I plan to pick her back up and do it again. I think she's been waking up from naps because of the reflux. She has her two month check up on Friday so I plan to discuss this with her doctor. I am going to try to be more consistent on feedings so that becomes more of a schedule. Right now I just feed her when she gets fussy even if there's no way she could be hungry. Speaking of feedings (Sorry I never emaild you back, Barb!), I'm making more milk now, which is super exciting, but still not enough at each feeding to keep her full for 3 hours. I decided last week that I was tired of the disgusting formula and went to feeding her every time she's hungry. My goal is to feed her every two hours and then eventually go to every 2.5 hours. Thank you to all my friends who commented, emailed, and called me to discuss their thoughts and ideas about sleeping. Here is one email I received from a good friend: "Bottom line is you need to do what is best for you to make you a better mom and if that means her crying so she will sleep at night, that is what will work for her too, because God made her custom fit for you! Consistency is important, but what you are consistent with has to work for you!" I like the comment that God made her custom fit for us. Yes, sometimes I feel like a bad mom, always questioning if I'm doing the right thing, if I'm doing it good enough. Ultimately, Mira is a happy baby, smiley and has also learned to laugh, so I have to remind myself that I must be doing something right. I definitely love her beyond words and meet all of her needs consistently. That's the best parenting I can provide.