I have to admit, netflix’ing the happiest baby on the block DVD was a good idea. Setting aside time to read the book wasn’t going to well, however in less than an hour I had a decent idea of what to do if Kiddo started crying.
Last night I was able to get Kiddo to sleep (and stay asleep) for 3 hours (we had to wake him for feeding). 3 hours may not seem like a ton, but from what Mum and I have read, we’re dealing with a “grazer”, or a baby that eats a little and then likes to come back to the buffet shortly after…
Steps that have worked so far (in the order that I go through assuming the baby is in his crib):
- Shushing (SHHHHHHHHH) from a nearby chair;
- Putting my hand on the top of the baby’s head, snuggling his feet into my arm and shhhhhhhh’ing;
- Taking the baby out of the crib and sitting in a rocking chair, just rocking back and forth;
- Slowly counting to 100 in a deep voice that resonates from my chest while rocking;
- Taking baby for a sloooowww walk around the apartment while shhhhhhh’ing and gently bouncing with each step.
If Mum isn’t ready to feed during any of these steps, Kiddo gets a pinky finger to suck on. =)
Currently the only rocking chair we have is an older la-z-boy recliner that does not offer much lower back support. In hindsight, ordering a nursing chair like the Monte Design Vola Glider would have been a good thing.