We had our first play date this week! Our new friend is an older boy (8 months)...ooo la la! It was less of a 'play with each other' date and more of a 'play with each other's toys' date. But then again, I didn't expect there would be a lot of social interaction happening at such a young age. Our new friend was a little more interested in Lilah than she was in him, but I think that can be attributed to the fact that he is a little older. He would reach out and try to touch her and was quite excited to have her around. They did make eye contact with each other frequently, but that was the extent of Lilah's interactions. I am sure over time they will become more social.
The concept of the 'play date' is relatively new (20th century). The idea behind it is to schedule a time for children to get together to play in an unstructured environment that is different from what they would experience in more organized activities. The concept of the play date arose because in today's society, play opportunities are more limited than in the past due to increased safety concerns. In addition, hectic schedules (it is more often the case that both parents are working outside of the home) make it necessary for play time with other children to be 'scheduled'.
Before the play date, (ie. when I was growing up), parents were more likely to casually get together with relatives and neighbours and have the kids play together. It wasn't the case that play dates needed to be 'scheduled' necessarily. (I also grew up in a rural area and, therefore, my experience may have been very different from a child growing up in a city). Case in point, we now live in a city. We don't have any relatives living nearby nor do we have any neighbours with children. Hence, I have started to seek out opportunities for Lilah to play with other children.
Play date or no play date, it is incredibly important for children to bond with other children (even at a very young age). Recent research suggests that children have better relationships with their siblings when they have an opportunity to learn social skills with a peer ahead of time. It was previously believed that children take the social skills they learn from their siblings and apply them to their friendships. However, this new research suggests the opposite. The theory goes something like this...
Peer relationships are more fragile than sibling relationships. If you refuse to share with a peer, you risk losing that person as a friend. Siblings on the other hand are always there. If you refuse to share with your sibling, they are still going to be your sibling. If children learn appropriate social skills through play with their peers, they are more likely to apply what they have learned to their sibling relationships. The opposite is not the case. Children have very little incentive to learn these skills with a sibling because your sibling will always be there no matter what. The take home message from this research is that children need to develop more friend-like relationships with their siblings such that there is the cost of losing your sibling as a friend rather than just a time out if you are not treating them appropriately.
Let's not forget one of the more straight forward benefits of the play date...children get to play in an unstructured environment with other children. Many children today are simply over-scheduled and are given few opportunities to just play with others. We should never underestimate the power of play and the kinds of cognitive advances children can make by engaging in it.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Travelling with Baby
My daughter has been on more flights in the first six months of her life than I was on in the first 20 years of mine! How crazy is that!
We live in Baltimore, Maryland, but call Ontario, Canada home. Before Lilah was born, my husband and I would drive the roughly 10 hours back and forth. Lilah was born in Ontario so we drove when we came back to Baltimore when she was just a month old, but at that time she was still sleeping more than she was awake and slept most of the way (we also stayed the night in a hotel and did the drive over two days). Since then, we have yet to brave the trip in the car because Lilah is older and more active and would need more frequent stops making the 10 hour drive significantly longer. Instead, we have been flying back and forth when we travel home.
Lilah and I flew alone for the first trip back when she was about 4.5 months old. I was a little stressed out about travelling alone with an infant. I was worried about whether or not she would sleep, if and when she would eat and where I was going to feed her, if she would have trouble with her ears on the plane, if she would cry on the plane...and the list went on. Looking back, I really didn't need to worry so much (which is the way it usually plays out).
It was an exhausting day...30 minute drive to the airport, 1.5 hours waiting for our flight, 1.5 hour flight, 30 minutes waiting for baggage, 2 hour drive home. Despite the fact that it was a long day for both of us, Lilah was FANTASTIC! She stuck fairly closely to her normal eating and sleeping schedule which was great. On our first flight, I was lucky enough to find a seat between two very nice women who were helpful and accommodating. I wanted to breastfeed as the plane was taking off to make sure Lilah didn't have any problems with her ears. The woman to my left was more than happy to have Lilah's feet dangling over her lap and the woman to my right was great about trying to shield me a little so I didn't expose myself to the other passengers.
I started to feed Lilah a little too early and she was actually finished nursing before the plane took off. Even though she has never had a pacifier before, I gave one to her just as added assurance. She sucked on it a little, but was soon fast asleep. She slept for just over half of the flight and when she woke up, she was perfectly content to play on my lap for the duration. She did start to get a little antsy toward the end of the flight because it is pretty tight quarters when you are travelling with a lap baby (as a side note, make sure you do a diaper change before you board because there is NO space to do it once you are on the plane unless you are travelling with another person that can help).
On the way back, I wasn't as lucky in my seat choice. I ended up sitting beside a rather antisocial man who seemed slightly annoyed that he was seated next to a baby. I attempted to nurse as the plane was taking off, but again, Lilah was finished before lift-off. She took the pacifier a little more eagerly the second time and again didn't seem to have any problems with her ears. She did cry more during this flight because she was a little overtired and was having trouble falling asleep. She did eventually sleep and the rest of the trip was a breeze.
We recently took the same trip as a family which was much more relaxing! Having a second pair of hands was great! I had the same game plan for this trip (to nurse during take-off, then offer a pacifier) which worked about the same as the last time. Lilah slept during both flights, but had a lot of trouble falling asleep during the flight back to Baltimore which was a little stressful for my husband and I. I was trying not to be stressed out and kept telling myself that it didn't matter what anyone else thought, but it was a challenge never the less (I am not sure which was more stressful for my husband...the crying or having to watch Lilah as she stood on my lap with her hands on either side of the window looking like she was going to jump out of the plane. It was really quite amusing to see my husband squirm in his seat as if she could actually fall out of the plane).
Funny story...
As we were sitting on the plane waiting to take off on our way to Detroit, we noticed a beeping noise. We didn't think much of it until other people on the plane started to ask "What is that beeping?" Everyone started checking their phones and other electronic devices. We don't have a cell phone so didn't think it could possibly be us, but my husband picked up his carry on bag just to check. Sure enough, the beeping was coming from our carry on bag! We had packed Lilah's baby monitor in our carry on bag so that it wouldn't get broken in our checked luggage. It is set to sense her movements when she is sleeping and alarm us when there is none. The switch had accidentally been flipped when we boarded the plane and because it was not hooked up to the sensor pad, the alarm was going off. It was quite funny, but a little alarming to the other passengers on the plane, especially because in the midst of the searching for the mysterious beeping noise, my husband blurts out "It sounds like it is coming from the wing!" Nice one dear!
We live in Baltimore, Maryland, but call Ontario, Canada home. Before Lilah was born, my husband and I would drive the roughly 10 hours back and forth. Lilah was born in Ontario so we drove when we came back to Baltimore when she was just a month old, but at that time she was still sleeping more than she was awake and slept most of the way (we also stayed the night in a hotel and did the drive over two days). Since then, we have yet to brave the trip in the car because Lilah is older and more active and would need more frequent stops making the 10 hour drive significantly longer. Instead, we have been flying back and forth when we travel home.
Lilah and I flew alone for the first trip back when she was about 4.5 months old. I was a little stressed out about travelling alone with an infant. I was worried about whether or not she would sleep, if and when she would eat and where I was going to feed her, if she would have trouble with her ears on the plane, if she would cry on the plane...and the list went on. Looking back, I really didn't need to worry so much (which is the way it usually plays out).
It was an exhausting day...30 minute drive to the airport, 1.5 hours waiting for our flight, 1.5 hour flight, 30 minutes waiting for baggage, 2 hour drive home. Despite the fact that it was a long day for both of us, Lilah was FANTASTIC! She stuck fairly closely to her normal eating and sleeping schedule which was great. On our first flight, I was lucky enough to find a seat between two very nice women who were helpful and accommodating. I wanted to breastfeed as the plane was taking off to make sure Lilah didn't have any problems with her ears. The woman to my left was more than happy to have Lilah's feet dangling over her lap and the woman to my right was great about trying to shield me a little so I didn't expose myself to the other passengers.
I started to feed Lilah a little too early and she was actually finished nursing before the plane took off. Even though she has never had a pacifier before, I gave one to her just as added assurance. She sucked on it a little, but was soon fast asleep. She slept for just over half of the flight and when she woke up, she was perfectly content to play on my lap for the duration. She did start to get a little antsy toward the end of the flight because it is pretty tight quarters when you are travelling with a lap baby (as a side note, make sure you do a diaper change before you board because there is NO space to do it once you are on the plane unless you are travelling with another person that can help).
On the way back, I wasn't as lucky in my seat choice. I ended up sitting beside a rather antisocial man who seemed slightly annoyed that he was seated next to a baby. I attempted to nurse as the plane was taking off, but again, Lilah was finished before lift-off. She took the pacifier a little more eagerly the second time and again didn't seem to have any problems with her ears. She did cry more during this flight because she was a little overtired and was having trouble falling asleep. She did eventually sleep and the rest of the trip was a breeze.
We recently took the same trip as a family which was much more relaxing! Having a second pair of hands was great! I had the same game plan for this trip (to nurse during take-off, then offer a pacifier) which worked about the same as the last time. Lilah slept during both flights, but had a lot of trouble falling asleep during the flight back to Baltimore which was a little stressful for my husband and I. I was trying not to be stressed out and kept telling myself that it didn't matter what anyone else thought, but it was a challenge never the less (I am not sure which was more stressful for my husband...the crying or having to watch Lilah as she stood on my lap with her hands on either side of the window looking like she was going to jump out of the plane. It was really quite amusing to see my husband squirm in his seat as if she could actually fall out of the plane).
Funny story...
As we were sitting on the plane waiting to take off on our way to Detroit, we noticed a beeping noise. We didn't think much of it until other people on the plane started to ask "What is that beeping?" Everyone started checking their phones and other electronic devices. We don't have a cell phone so didn't think it could possibly be us, but my husband picked up his carry on bag just to check. Sure enough, the beeping was coming from our carry on bag! We had packed Lilah's baby monitor in our carry on bag so that it wouldn't get broken in our checked luggage. It is set to sense her movements when she is sleeping and alarm us when there is none. The switch had accidentally been flipped when we boarded the plane and because it was not hooked up to the sensor pad, the alarm was going off. It was quite funny, but a little alarming to the other passengers on the plane, especially because in the midst of the searching for the mysterious beeping noise, my husband blurts out "It sounds like it is coming from the wing!" Nice one dear!
Leaving Baby for the First Time
I recently left my baby with someone other than her father for the first time to attend my sister's wedding. It was one of the hardest things I have done as a parent to date. She was with my husband's parents so she was in good hands, but I thought about her all afternoon and evening and checked in more times than was necessary to see how she was doing. After all, it was the first time that she was being given a bottle by someone other than my husband, that she was being put to sleep by someone other than us, that she was being driven around by someone else and that she was apart from us! That is a lot of 'firsts' for one afternoon/evening.
I am sure it will come as no surprise that she was just fine. Her nap schedule was a little screwed up and she went to bed later than usual, but that is just par for the course. She was happy and that is all that really matters. Luckily, she was just around the corner and I was able to slip away from the wedding between dinner and the first dance to nurse her. The last time I had nursed her was in the early afternoon so I was starting to feel a little 'full'. I didn't have a chance to pump at all while I was away from her so I was worried about being engorged, leaking, and screwing up my milk supply (I know, I do seem to worry a lot). In the end, there were no adverse affects on my milk supply nor did I leak, but my breasts were full (although not painfully or uncomfortable so).
We picked her up at about midnight and transported her back to my parent's house. She must have been wondering what the heck was going on; it is not everyday we rouse her from a deep sleep and pack her up in her car seat. When we arrived home, I nursed her and she went right back to sleep. Everything seemed to be back to normal the next day and the anxiety I had been experiencing about leaving her had disappeared. Mind you, I am no hurry to leave her again and don't plan on doing so unless it is absolutely necessary (at least until she is a little older).
I am sure it will come as no surprise that she was just fine. Her nap schedule was a little screwed up and she went to bed later than usual, but that is just par for the course. She was happy and that is all that really matters. Luckily, she was just around the corner and I was able to slip away from the wedding between dinner and the first dance to nurse her. The last time I had nursed her was in the early afternoon so I was starting to feel a little 'full'. I didn't have a chance to pump at all while I was away from her so I was worried about being engorged, leaking, and screwing up my milk supply (I know, I do seem to worry a lot). In the end, there were no adverse affects on my milk supply nor did I leak, but my breasts were full (although not painfully or uncomfortable so).
We picked her up at about midnight and transported her back to my parent's house. She must have been wondering what the heck was going on; it is not everyday we rouse her from a deep sleep and pack her up in her car seat. When we arrived home, I nursed her and she went right back to sleep. Everything seemed to be back to normal the next day and the anxiety I had been experiencing about leaving her had disappeared. Mind you, I am no hurry to leave her again and don't plan on doing so unless it is absolutely necessary (at least until she is a little older).
We Started Solids!
Last night was the big night...we started solid foods! We started with the recommended rice cereal mixed with warmed breast milk. In the beginning, it is suggested that you serve up smooth and fairly runny foods so I am not sure whether my daughter realized there was rice cereal in there or if she thought I was just feeding her breast milk with a spoon! Anyway, Lilah gobbled it right up (about a tablespoon) while her daddy caught it all on video. I had a hunch she was going to be an eager eater...she didn't even make any strange faces!
I had originally planned on lunchtime feedings for the first week (it is suggested you offer solids once a day for the first week), but because both my husband and I wanted to be there, we decided to start out with dinnertime feedings. The literature out there is somewhat confusing when it comes to the timing of starting solid foods. Some books note that you should wait until after a milk feeding so as not to reduce the amount of milk baby is eating. Others suggest feeding before milk so baby is hungry (but not too hungry). I didn't do either. I breastfed Lilah and served up the rice cereal about 45 minutes later. The rice cereal must have kicked her metabolism into high gear because she wanted a top-up of milk shortly after the cereal. Introducing the cereal certainly did reduce the amount of milk she had because she then fed again at bedtime as usual.
We are going to stick with rice cereal for the next couple of days and then move on to carrots, sweet potato, rutabaga, pears, and applesauce. I plan on making all of my own baby food and can't wait to get cooking!
I had originally planned on lunchtime feedings for the first week (it is suggested you offer solids once a day for the first week), but because both my husband and I wanted to be there, we decided to start out with dinnertime feedings. The literature out there is somewhat confusing when it comes to the timing of starting solid foods. Some books note that you should wait until after a milk feeding so as not to reduce the amount of milk baby is eating. Others suggest feeding before milk so baby is hungry (but not too hungry). I didn't do either. I breastfed Lilah and served up the rice cereal about 45 minutes later. The rice cereal must have kicked her metabolism into high gear because she wanted a top-up of milk shortly after the cereal. Introducing the cereal certainly did reduce the amount of milk she had because she then fed again at bedtime as usual.
We are going to stick with rice cereal for the next couple of days and then move on to carrots, sweet potato, rutabaga, pears, and applesauce. I plan on making all of my own baby food and can't wait to get cooking!
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Introducing the Bottle
A few people have asked me to blog on how I went about introducing my daughter to a bottle. This was something I was very worried about before she was born! I knew I had to return to work only 6 short weeks after giving birth so getting Lilah to successfully take a bottle early on was essential. Every book I consulted (and the nurses in my prenatal breastfeeding class) suggested introducing the bottle at the 6 week mark after breastfeeding had been well established. This strategy was clearly not going to work for me and made me even more stressed out. My husband and I decided that we would start trying to get Lilah to take a bottle at the 4 week mark because that way we had two weeks to get it right before I returned to work. Luckily, breastfeeding came relatively easy for me and by the 4 week mark, I was feeling pretty confident. It took a few trys to get Lilah to take a bottle, but in the end we were successful. Here are some tips based on my own experience:
Tip # 1: Have a variety of nipple and bottle types on hand.
We initially tried Playtex VentAire bottles and nipples, but Lilah refused them. The only bottle and nipple we were able to get her to take (and the only one she takes to this day) were the Medela bottles and nipples.
Tip # 2: Make sure someone other than you gives baby the bottle, but have them simulate the nursing experience as much as possible.
The first few times my husband gave my daughter a bottle, he sat in the same chair that I had been feeding her in for several weeks and he tried to hold her in much the same way as I did when I was nursing her.
Tip #3: Take it slow.
Give the bottle only a few times during the first week and then slowly increase the number of bottle feedings in later weeks.
Tip #4: Be consistent.
We lived with my parents for the first 5 weeks of my daughter's life. In the process of moving back to our own place, we went about a week without giving Lilah a bottle. When my husband tried it again, she refused. He then found that by walking around with her in his arms, he was able to get her to eat. This lasted for a few days and then he was able to sit down and feed her again.
Introducing the bottle can be a frustrating experience for everyone. If you are not successful on the first try, wait a day or two and try again with a different bottle and/or nipple. And remember, don't persist if baby is upset as this will only make things more difficult. Good luck!
Tip # 1: Have a variety of nipple and bottle types on hand.
We initially tried Playtex VentAire bottles and nipples, but Lilah refused them. The only bottle and nipple we were able to get her to take (and the only one she takes to this day) were the Medela bottles and nipples.
Tip # 2: Make sure someone other than you gives baby the bottle, but have them simulate the nursing experience as much as possible.
The first few times my husband gave my daughter a bottle, he sat in the same chair that I had been feeding her in for several weeks and he tried to hold her in much the same way as I did when I was nursing her.
Tip #3: Take it slow.
Give the bottle only a few times during the first week and then slowly increase the number of bottle feedings in later weeks.
Tip #4: Be consistent.
We lived with my parents for the first 5 weeks of my daughter's life. In the process of moving back to our own place, we went about a week without giving Lilah a bottle. When my husband tried it again, she refused. He then found that by walking around with her in his arms, he was able to get her to eat. This lasted for a few days and then he was able to sit down and feed her again.
Introducing the bottle can be a frustrating experience for everyone. If you are not successful on the first try, wait a day or two and try again with a different bottle and/or nipple. And remember, don't persist if baby is upset as this will only make things more difficult. Good luck!
When the milk comes in...
In my last post on breastfeeding I talked about the early days of breastfeeding. I left off on the topic of ENGORGEMENT; the wonderfully painful experience you will have when your milk comes in!
As I mentioned in my last post, your milk will come in 2-4 days postpartum. This can be a very painful 24-48 hours, but push through because, just like labor, the pain of engorgement won't last and the reward is huge!
Engorgement is best described as a period of time in which your breasts feel very full and tender and your nipples are very sensitive. If fact, when you baby latches on, it will literally make your toes curl and you will want to scream. Don't worry, this sensation does go away after a few minutes of nursing! The absolute best treatment for engorgement is to nurse. Letting your nipples air dry and applying a nipple cream after nursing will also help. There are many old wives tales regarding things you can do to relieve engorgement, but nursing every 2-3 hours is the best and recommended solution. (It is actually the case that hot packs, warm showers and many other suggested treatments actually make engorgement worse rather than better.) I can't stress enough how important it is to make sure you are feeding baby frequently during this time. Milk production works by supply and demand and if you are not feeding baby (or pumping) every 2-3 hours during this time, your body will not produce enough milk.
During this time, your areola may be hard which makes it difficult for baby to latch on properly. If baby does not latch on properly, you will end up with traumatized nipples. If you need to express a little milk to soften the areola before feeding to make latching on easier for baby, do so! If you are experiencing pain in your nipples after the first few minutes of nursing and/or are experiencing any kind of pain in your breasts make sure you consult your doctor because there are a number of things that could be wrong (plugged milk ducts, breast infection).
Make sure you buy some breast pads before you deliver. Chances are pretty good that you are going to need them although some lucky women never d0. I used them day and night for the first few months. I was eventually able to stop using them because I no longer leaked during the day. I still occasionally leak at night, but not often enough to wear breast pads to bed. There have been nights when I have woken up and had to change my shirt, but that usually corresponded with times when my daughter went longer than normal between feedings.
I would love to be able to tell you that you are in the clear after the engorgement period is over, but that most likely will not be the case. Breastfeeding is hard work and it requires dedication on your part. I had been breastfeeding for 4 months or so before my body and daughter finally "figured it out". Mind you, I have never experienced anything like the pain of engorgement and things have definitely gotten MUCH easier, but there have still been a few bumps in the road which I will talk about in my next post.
As I mentioned in my last post, your milk will come in 2-4 days postpartum. This can be a very painful 24-48 hours, but push through because, just like labor, the pain of engorgement won't last and the reward is huge!
Engorgement is best described as a period of time in which your breasts feel very full and tender and your nipples are very sensitive. If fact, when you baby latches on, it will literally make your toes curl and you will want to scream. Don't worry, this sensation does go away after a few minutes of nursing! The absolute best treatment for engorgement is to nurse. Letting your nipples air dry and applying a nipple cream after nursing will also help. There are many old wives tales regarding things you can do to relieve engorgement, but nursing every 2-3 hours is the best and recommended solution. (It is actually the case that hot packs, warm showers and many other suggested treatments actually make engorgement worse rather than better.) I can't stress enough how important it is to make sure you are feeding baby frequently during this time. Milk production works by supply and demand and if you are not feeding baby (or pumping) every 2-3 hours during this time, your body will not produce enough milk.
During this time, your areola may be hard which makes it difficult for baby to latch on properly. If baby does not latch on properly, you will end up with traumatized nipples. If you need to express a little milk to soften the areola before feeding to make latching on easier for baby, do so! If you are experiencing pain in your nipples after the first few minutes of nursing and/or are experiencing any kind of pain in your breasts make sure you consult your doctor because there are a number of things that could be wrong (plugged milk ducts, breast infection).
Make sure you buy some breast pads before you deliver. Chances are pretty good that you are going to need them although some lucky women never d0. I used them day and night for the first few months. I was eventually able to stop using them because I no longer leaked during the day. I still occasionally leak at night, but not often enough to wear breast pads to bed. There have been nights when I have woken up and had to change my shirt, but that usually corresponded with times when my daughter went longer than normal between feedings.
I would love to be able to tell you that you are in the clear after the engorgement period is over, but that most likely will not be the case. Breastfeeding is hard work and it requires dedication on your part. I had been breastfeeding for 4 months or so before my body and daughter finally "figured it out". Mind you, I have never experienced anything like the pain of engorgement and things have definitely gotten MUCH easier, but there have still been a few bumps in the road which I will talk about in my next post.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Leaving My Baby for the First Time
I am only a couple of weeks away from having to leave my baby with someone other than her father for the first time. My sister is getting married, I am the matron of honor and my husband is the Master of Ceremonies which is going to leave little time for parenting. We are planning on bringing Lilah to the ceremony, but just before the dinner starts my husband is going to be taking her to her grandparent's place for the rest of the night.
I completely trust that her grandparents will take excellent care of her (after all, they did successfully raise 6 babies of their own, my husband included), but despite this, I am having a lot of trouble with the idea. Is this a struggle that every new parent goes through?
I don't know that I would be so stressed out about it if it was only going to be for a couple of hours during the day, but bedtime is a complete different story. For 5 months now, she has been getting used to our bedtime routine. I always feed her in the same place, sing her the same songs and put her down the same way. I keep wondering, is she going to fall asleep after being fed from a bottle by someone other than her father (which has also never happened before)? Will she fall asleep without her songs and in a strange place? All of these questions are floating around in my head and causing me to loose sleep.
I know that in the end, everything is going to be just fine. This is most likely going to be much harder on me than it will be on her. I expect that she will take a bottle from her Papa just fine and that she will fall soundly asleep in her playpen as if it were any other night. When she wakes up for her first night-feeding, her daddy will be there to give her a bottle and for subsequent feedings, I will be there to nurse her.
I am sure that after we have done this once, it will get easier. I don't fault myself for wanting to be there to take care of my baby and I expect that all of this is a perfectly normal stage that all loving, attached parents go through. I just wish the rational part of my brain would communicate all of this to the worry-wart mother part of my brain so I could stop stressing out about it so much!
I completely trust that her grandparents will take excellent care of her (after all, they did successfully raise 6 babies of their own, my husband included), but despite this, I am having a lot of trouble with the idea. Is this a struggle that every new parent goes through?
I don't know that I would be so stressed out about it if it was only going to be for a couple of hours during the day, but bedtime is a complete different story. For 5 months now, she has been getting used to our bedtime routine. I always feed her in the same place, sing her the same songs and put her down the same way. I keep wondering, is she going to fall asleep after being fed from a bottle by someone other than her father (which has also never happened before)? Will she fall asleep without her songs and in a strange place? All of these questions are floating around in my head and causing me to loose sleep.
I know that in the end, everything is going to be just fine. This is most likely going to be much harder on me than it will be on her. I expect that she will take a bottle from her Papa just fine and that she will fall soundly asleep in her playpen as if it were any other night. When she wakes up for her first night-feeding, her daddy will be there to give her a bottle and for subsequent feedings, I will be there to nurse her.
I am sure that after we have done this once, it will get easier. I don't fault myself for wanting to be there to take care of my baby and I expect that all of this is a perfectly normal stage that all loving, attached parents go through. I just wish the rational part of my brain would communicate all of this to the worry-wart mother part of my brain so I could stop stressing out about it so much!
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