First Days

Nana with an exhausted Joshua

These first few days have been at once out-of-the-ordinary and ordinary, exciting and normal, easy and tough.

The house continues to function, with Eva going to school, kids needing meals, laundry to be done, etc. Mom and Andrew have picked up the reins awesomely in those areas. Tuesday felt a little weird but Wednesday and Thursday felt a lot more normal. On Tuesday while Eva was at school Micah just milled around, so unlike him. The big kids are adjusting well overall, though acting out from time to time. No surprises there.

My body is sore, not just from the birth but also from nursing so much- my hips and back are sore from all the side lying even though I use pillows for support. But recovery is going well. I'm probably doing a little too much but I just can't help it.

Joshua has not been a very contented baby. Periods of quiet alertness are extremely rare. When he is not eating nonstop he is fussing. He is easily roused, except for during his once or twice daily 3-5 hour stretches of sleep. Now, I expect frequent nursing. But what happens with this guy is he'll fall off the breast, seemingly content, and then within minutes he'll grimace and start to wail. Then he'll ask for more milk. Repeat. Just doesn't seem like regular newborn behaviour to me.

I now have a working theory: wheat sensitivity. I'm thinking that his tummy hurts and he asks for the breast for comfort, and then his tummy hurts more, etc, etc. Wave after wave until finally he konks out exhausted or the offending substance gets dilute enough not to bother him anymore.

On Tuesday night we didn't sleep at all- and I'd had pasta for supper with croissants for desert. Last night we had a wonderful night, with him sleeping from about 11 until 3, and then nursing contentedly from time to time until 10am. I'd had shish-ka-bobs with rice for supper. This morning was the best morning yet with finally periods of quiet alertness. And then I had 3 pieces of toast. This afternoon has been horrible. Inconsolable baby.

He also has skin issues. I expected newborn acne but he's kind of blotchy, kind of dry, and it seems really soon for the acne? And his eyes are still kind of puffy. I read that can be a sign of food sensitivity.

I'd love to hear from anyone with knowledge and experience with newborns and with food sensitivities. And I'd appreciate some prayer too. A mom feels so impotent when her baby is inconsolable! Especially since I have so many more tools in my parenting toolbag than I did when I was a new mom.

But I'm hopeful! I'm off the wheat and hoping for another great night with Joshua. I love it when he is just quietly looking around, taking in the world around him. Gives me a chance to take him in. His eyes are really blue! More blue than I remember either Eva or Micah's eyes being. I wonder what colour they will stay or become?