If I could use one word to describe Adriana over the past couple weeks it would be – changing! She is going through what appears to be many developmental milestones. This girl is always in motion. Her arms and legs are always flailing about. I call her squirmy girl multiple times per day. If her feet press up against anything her first instinct is to push off it with all her force. She has tried to spring off my belly a few times when I pick her up. The energy. Baby talk is also going on all the time, unless she is in the company of new people then she tends to be quiet and observant.
Adriana has also started grasping everything in sight – including my hair (ouch) and my necklaces. I see a lot of ponytails in my future. Or a hair cut! In addition to the grasping, she is scratching everything in sight. Textures are so interesting to her right now. She likes to scratch the top of my breast with her nails when she feeds sometimes. I am trying to gently correct this behaviour. ;) Her favourite book is her fabric book that makes the crinkle noises – she looooves scratching it all the live long day. It’s hard to keep up with filing her nails…they grow so fast.
Also, her hands and feet are suddenly very interesting. The other day I noticed that she spotted her feet and she had the funniest, most confused look on her face…like wtf are those???
I would be lying if I said that these recent developmental changes didn’t bring about some challenging times over the past couple weeks. I swear I was just saying “The 3 month mark is my FAVOURITE so far” a few weeks ago, and then everything changed, almost overnight. Lately, she has been quick to cry, often refuses to nap, wakes up multiple times in the night (like the newborn days), and mostly just wants to be held lately. It hasn’t been easy. I feel like that awesome grove we got into simply vanished into thin air. I’ve been feeling so run down.
And at this age, there are so many explanations for these changes in behaviour…
The dreaded 4 Month sleep regression (I’ve been reading a lot about this at 2am, lol)
Teething (she seems to be in so much discomfort lately)
A Wonder Weeks developmental “leap” (sure enough, I checked my app and weeks 14.5-19 are storm clouds!)
Growth spurt
Travel or disturbance of environment/routine (which we did a lot of over the holidays)
Transitioning from co-sleeper to bassinet (we just did this last week)
or umm…how about just being a baby? They tend to do that sometimes. ;)
So lots and lots of changes going on. I guess it’s to be expected. We’re just trying to give her a lot of love and consistency. Consistency is hard because some days she refuses to nap (yesterday she napped maybe three 15 minute sessions) which only creates an overtired baby who is less likely to sleep well at night. If you have been through this before you know exactly what I’m talking about! We are going to continue experimenting with an earlier bedtime to see if that helps.
We’re still working on getting her to take a pumped bottle. I bought some faster flow nipples last week and they seemed to help a bit, but she is still not latching on. She just gums the nipple and lets the milk flow into her mouth (half of which ends up coming out). I’m still EBF (exclusively breastfeeding) on demand, and aside from the challenges I continue to love it.
Current fav nickname: monkey-doodle
Teething: Nothing really new to report except for a lot of fist chewing, cheek rubbing, mega drool (hello bibs!), and extra fussiness. We also went through a couple days where she seemed to be using my nipples as teethers – she was rough on them. I even got a few tiny sucking blisters again and it reminded me how painful the early weeks of BF’ing were. Luckily, they healed up very quickly and it hasn’t been an issue since. Overall, she seems to be quite fussy/distracted at the boob lately and sometimes she will completely refuse to nurse and cry.
Exercise: As I mentioned, I’ve felt really run down lately so I’ve worked out maybe twice in the past 2 weeks. Oye. I think I’m the only person who stopped working out at the start of a New Year! Oh well. I just haven’t felt that motivated about working out lately and my eating hasn’t been great either (craving lots of sugar from lack of sleep). It’s a vicious cycle! I know activity usually helps me feel better, so I’m going to make it my goal to get in a bit of exercise each day this week, even if it’s only a 20 minute walk. Warm weather please hurry!
Weight: We are quickly approaching the doubling of her birth weight. She clocked in at 13.4 pounds on Monday (birth weight was 7 lbs).
Height: Approx. 24.5 inches – 4.5 inches up from birth
Current clothing sizes: She is mostly in 3-6 months now, although some brands are still a bit big. I’m in total denial and will occasionally try to put the 3 months clothes on her with bare-legged results, hah.
Well, that’s all for this week. We’re in a bit of a challenging time, but I know we’ll get through it. Feel free to let me know in the comments how things are going for you! Any new phases or developmental milestones to report? Sleep regressions? Maybe we can be zombies together. ;)
I hope 2015 is off to a great start for you all!
Oh, boy, my youngest NEVER slept/napped on any sort of schedule no matter what I tried. For the longest time, a nap was 20 minutes. If I was lucky. Now at almost two and a half, she nurses to sleep at nap time which is anywhere from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm, sleeps in ours bedroom on our bed by herself for 15-45 minutes then comes to find me and climbs on top of me and sleeps another 30-60 minutes. Now, at night sometimes she nurses down but usually nurses then falls asleep after, sleeps in our bed all night. Hey, at least we’re all getting sleep finally! When she was Adriana’s age she went through the fussy, wanting to be held all the time, too. My sling became invaluable! So, yeah, everything you’re going through is normal even though challenging and I promise you will someday look back and marvel at how you survived and the memories will be just vague and nostalgic enough that you’ll start seriously contemplating when to create the next one:)
Ah, my daughter went through all that at Adriana’s age, too! It’ll pass, like all things. I also remember right around that time (3-4 months or so) she discovered her vocal chords. So in between nursing constantly and while being in my arms allllll the time, she would scream/shriek (loudly) ALL DAY LONG, mostly just because she could. It only lasted a few weeks but I remember being more than a little frazzled. My best solution was to sing to her, constantly…she would quiet down and listen.
She’s 14 months now and if there one thing I’ve learned it’s that as soon as you get used to one routine, it’ll change…for the better or for the worse, but it will change. Hang in there!
hah omg that so sounds like her (using the vocal chords alllll day long!) thanks for posting this, it feels more normal now!
Hi Angela, I’ve recently come across your website in my quest to change over my eating and lifestyle to a plant-based one, so I really appreciate your website and the information you share; thanks for sharing so much of yourself and your experience with us!
Your daughter is a couple of weeks older than my second son; welcome to the joys and growth of motherhood ;) In relation to that I’m wondering if you’ve blogged anywhere about eating a plant-based diet and breastfeeding. I want to ensure that I’m eating enough of the right foods to maintain milk supply and energy, etc. If you could point me in the right direction for such information I will be so thankful. Wishing you continued blessings on your journey :)
Hi Alison, I recently just finished Alicia Silverstone’s new book called Kind Mama (we’ve got no babies yet, but I’m preparing the nest!) and she talks a lot about what types of plant-based foods are good for breast feeding (things like good fats, iron-rich foods, dark leafy green veggies, steel-cut oats, borage, fennel, etc.). She also has lots of other great info too!
Angela, I’m a first-time commenter, but a dedicated reader for about a year now and I want to thank you so much for all of your wonderful (husband-approved) recipes (also just finished reading your cookbook cover to cover!) and baby updates and sharing your life with us.
<3<3<3
I love these baby posts–My little guy will be a year this month, and it seems like just yesterday and forever ago that he was this age all at the same time. I don’t know how that’s possible? Any way, he did the same thing with the bottle–we tried several different brands/nipple flows and he’d only just chew on it. So after about a month, we gave up trying. I now wish that we didn’t; I feel like weaning him is going to be a major challenge this year! Nursing is still the only way we can get him to sleep (another newbie mistake I made). Hope that the sleep regression passes quickly & she finds some comfort in the teething process soon!
This sounds so much like me and my sweet boy, Sage, six weeks ago (he’s 21 weeks now)! We went through the sleep regression…oh he was up every 1-3 hours for a month straight. I was a zombie. It has gotten better (and I hope it stays!). About the bottle, my baby boy did not take a bottle until close to 19 weeks, and it was from someone else and I had to be gone. Like no where in site. We got him to take it from my husband by having my husband greet him when he woke up from a nap and had a warm bottle ready. Because I went through such a tough time with getting my boy to take a bottle I can give you sure hope that she will eventually! And those cat naps…for weeks Sage would take three 30 minute naps. It’s so nice to read this. I just nodded my head with each statement you listed :)
Just found your site – your baby girl was born on my baby girl’s duedate! My girl (Charlie) came three weeks early :) It’s so neat to read about your experience… I find myself nodding my head along w/ pretty much everything you say! This is my first child and, sure, there are tough times, but I wouldn’t exchange any of it for the world!
Hi Angela!
I love your blog and have been following since the beginning in 2009! I am 12 weeks pregnant and love reading all your baby posts! I was just wondering if you did anything with your placenta? I know it’s sort of a personal question but I have been reading that some people encapsulate it for consumption. Have you heard of this? Just curious of your thoughts. Hope you get more sleep soon :)
I immediately thought of ear infection when reading about her recent sleep regression and air travel. Thought I’d throw that out, although I’m sure it’s everything you noted especially the “being a baby” part;)
Hopefully you find that sweet spot again soon. Thanks for sharing your experiences with us, She’s adorable!
Hang in there mama! My daughter is almost 18 weeks and (fingers crossed/I almost don’t want to say it in case I jinx it!) I’m seeing a big improvement than her 14 – 17 week period. Her naps are still a bit of a hiccup (she used to have 2-3 hour naps twice daily in her crib, and now I’m happy if she can get 2, 45-minute naps at home), but her night time wakes up are decreasing (from about 8 per night to 1 – 3 per night) and she is SO much happier. She’s exclusively breastfed as well (on demand) and I’m finding her feeds during the day are about every 3 hours now (as opposed to 1 – 2 hours). There is a light at the end of the tunnel. And the holidays are so hard when your baby is going through such a developmental leap. We hosted Christmas dinner for 9 when she was 16 weeks old and wow, took a few weeks to recover. You’re doing an awesome job!
Gosh she is such a cutie! These updates you post are so fun and make my missed the baby days (mine are now 6, 9, 11, 13!!!)
One little tip I have with regards to the scratching during breastfeeding is to give her a small blanket or even a washcloth to hang on to. It helped with my youngest who was very scratchy!!!
Keep up the great job Mama!
Krista
Wow! So exciting! It is so cool that you are documenting how she is developing-I wish my parents did this-I’d love to know how I was when I was a little bean! I find the cold weather to be an impetus for low energy and craving sweets-so you’re def not alone there :) Hats off for being an awesome team–and happy new year!
So glad you are having an amazing time with your baby girl. The nursery is beautiful, however if you are like us you probably haven’t used it too much since she sleeps in your room! I also exclusively breast-fed/pumped bottle-fed for about seven months and it was awesome. Just know it gets easier every month as they get stronger! I remember my arms and body being so sore from holding her up to latch and then all of a sudden she is just able to do it herself usually between four and five months :) once you master the side-by-side laying down eating position you will never want to change it also helped us to have the lights off. Good luck they change so fast!!!
Would yo consider doing a baby products you’re loving?
That would be fun!
love that idea! i’ll try to put something together soon
Hi Angela, I look forward to your updates every week! Thank you for your vulnerability and opening your world to all of us.My son is a week or two older than Adriana and we are experiencing many of the same ups and downs. Wonderful smiles, cooing and just all around a ton of growth in a short period of time. Finding his feet has topped the list this month. It seems like a lot of extremes across the board. He can be very moody and irritable right now especially if naps are cut short but so fun and animated too. Finding a flexible schedule has helped immensely in having a little predictability aka sanity lol. I too have put exercise on the back burner mainly because I need rest and rejuvenation before I can even think about exerting more energy. I am trying to get outside in the fresh air every day and meditate. Hugs to you! We are tougher than we think, You are doing a great job ;)
Hi Dawn, Sounds like our little ones are going through a similar phase! I totally agree with the moods going from extremes very quickly! I read that is very common during this developmental leap. I’m trying to get outside for short walks too (even though it’s freezing) and it does help the mood, especially if it happens to be sunny!
Hi there!
My baby also loves to scratch my breasts while nursing. I read it’s very normal and baby’s way of bringing down the milk. Similar to what kittens do with their mamas. She’s also comforting herself and you! I just keep her nails short and enjoy the effection (while it lasts!)
hah I was thinking that too because she’s also been squeezing my boob once in a while (as if to get it to come out quicker!) It’s pretty darn funny how quickly they learn…
Oh my I remember those days!! They change so quickly don’t they!! The good news is that it can go the other way (happy, good eating and sleeping baby) over night as well. It’s like a seesaw up and down!! Keep up with the bottles, I went back to work when my twins were 3.5 months so we had to do bottles. We kept introducing them from 6 weeks on, a little every day and eventually they were hungry enough they took them. We found that they took the bottle more easily from my husband (or anyone else) than if I tried to give it to them…at least in the beginning. They preferred getting the goods from the original source!! I’ve read too drinking from a bottle its like learning a new thing so don’t give up!!
She is gorgeous and you are doing amazing doing all that you do with a little one!! Remember BF burns off tons of calories- a different form of exercise!! :-)
Best,
Sarah
The absolute best age is around 5 months. THE PUDGE! Oh the pudge and the smiles… and the inability to sit up without falling over… and the drool… and the fascination with everything. Its like the last stage before they start to become independent. Its like a little burst of sunshine after weeks of challenges. I absolutely miss having a smiling chubby baby sat on my hip pulling on my hair. You’re in for a lot of fun this spring!
Vivian is a week older than your little girl and I recognize everything you wrote! While I feel for you it is very nice to know that I am not alone, haha!
Hello Angela! Another EBF BW natural mama here:)Not sure what your family’s opinion on vaccinations is but please please do a lot of research before you vaccinate your baby. There is a lot of misinformation out there and the risks far outweighs the benefits. I’d also recommend reading ” how to raise a healthy child in spite of your doctor” by Dr. Robert Mendelsohn. It was written 80s but much of it still applies today. It has helped me tremendously and gave me motivation to keep breatsfeeding even though I really struggled at first just like you.
I love these updates. My (third) daughter just turned 9 weeks old and she’s already 14 lbs and 24 inches! We sort of skipped over newborn-sized anything since she was 9 lbs at birth. It’s such an amazing feeling to watch babies grow & develop on a daily basis. My oldest is 9 years old and, let me tell you, they aren’t little for very long. Infancy is fleeting. Cherish each moment, mama.