Spencer is now 5.5 weeks old and I'm redefining this blog to be a running list of things I've tried to get him to stop crying. Actually, he hasn't cried at all yet today which is just strange. I don't know what to do with him. I know the basics: change diaper, feed, clean, dress, burp, etc., but I mean when all that is done. He's too young to "play" with. I carry him around and sing to him and dance with him, but all that gets old fast.
That's not the problem, though. The problem is sleeping. He doesn't like to do it during the day. And crying. He does like to do this during the day. I just never seem to know what he wants.
Like right now... He got up at 1PM, after sleeping for and unprecedented 5.5 hours. I fed him 5.5 oz, which is a lot for him. Then I spent an hour dancing, singing, burping, having tummy time, etc. At this point he started yawning, which I thought was a pretty clear signal that he was tired again. So I put him in his crib, which has been effective once or twice. He started crying immediately and continued for about 10 minutes. When I came back to check on him, he had spit up. So I picked him up, cleaned him up and put him in his swing. He fell asleep in minutes. He also woke up again within minutes. He's been in the swing for an hour now and this pattern has continually repeated itself. The only noise in the room is the swing motor and me typing on my laptop.
Is he sleeping enough? I don't know. Is he eating enough? I don't know. Is he eating too much? I don't know. Will he be hungry again in 1/2 hour, or 3 hours? I don't know. Will he actually go to sleep anytime soon? I don't know. Will he wake up and sound like he's hungry, but really just be gassy? I don't know. Will he wake up and sound like he's gassy, but really be hungry? I don't know. Will he wake up and sound like he is both hungry and gassy, but really just be fussy? I don't know. Will whatever decision I make (feed, burp, console) be the wrong one? Probably.
Will I feel like a loser because the only thing I DO KNOW after being a mom for 5 weeks is that I DON'T KNOW anything at all? Yes.
Will this ever get any easier? I hope so.