6-month checkup

check out his two teeth

Seth saw the doctor today for his 6-month checkup. I've been anxiously awaiting this appointment because Seth has been super fussy for almost three weeks. Seth is a great night-time sleeper but has a hard time napping. For several months I've nursed him to sleep and sometimes he's stayed asleep after putting him down and sometimes he's woke up. Typically he wakes up and then doesn't get a true nap in during the day. It's almost as if our friend's visit (Jess & Avery) jinxed us. At that time they were using the Ferber method to address their baby's night time sleeping issues. It was at this time that Seth's fussy nature became much more extreme.

Throughout my parenting years (only 2 1/2) I've basically acted according to instinct. It's worked so far with Sam, but not so much with addressing Seth's fussiness. So, I decided to consult literature on sleep and then discuss the problem at today's appointment. I now feel a whole lot better about Seth's complete inability or disinterest in soothing himself.

Basically, my pediatrician said there is no right or wrong way of helping your baby sleep. Different methods work for different babies and a whole lot of sleep "specialists" are making tons of money by writing books about one method that works for a few babies. I told him someone was making a lot of money off of me with all the freakin' pacifiers I've bought for Seth (he hates everyone). As for sleep books, I haven't purchased any, just borrowed a few from friends. I asked the pediatrician his thoughts as to when babies should completely self-sooth. His feeling is that, at 9-months, parents should begin to expect their babies to sooth themselves to sleep, if they haven't already learned, but until then it is perfectly fine to help babies fall asleep.

My approach now is to use a combination of patting, rocking, and nursing to help Seth fall asleep. I will try the non-nursing approaches first, and then when necessary nurse. I just can't do the "cry-it-out" (leave him in the crib and periodically encourage him thru voice) method anymore. I've tried it and Seth has cried for hours. It makes me feel like a terrible mother....as for Seth and sleep habits after 9-months, only time will tell :)

Measurements:

17 1/2 inch-head circumference (75%ile)

26 inches height (25%ile)

14 lbs., 7 oz weight (5%ile)

Seth dropped in weight from 25%ile to 5%ile. Doctor is not worried. Thinks Seth will be on the small size and will probably gain weight at a faster rate once he's eating solid foods.

** Seth has two teeth now. They finally came thru his gums a few days ago. I do think teething has contributed to increased fussiness, but only minimally.