Baby Crying All the Time

     I should have know it was too good to be true.  For so many months we had a pleasant daughter and now that her one year birthday is approaching, she has become a cry baby.  Whenever she cannot have what she wants, she cries.  If we don't feed her fast enough she cries.  If I am looking in another direction she cries.  My husband asked me if she is like this all day.   Although I wanted to say "Yes Knucklehead,"  I kindly replied "Yes and it's wearing me thin.  Please ask your Mom to come and help out."  

     At this moment she is in her swing and enjoying some down time.  Each day I play a music or book CD so that she can swing quietly and spend time with herself.  She really enjoys it and so do I.  All the books say that this is part of separation anxiety, but I'm pretty sure it's her new way of communication.  Although I know that she is a baby and feels that crying is going to get her the best response, I need some help in teaching her other ways of communication before I go batty.  I'm thinking of teaching her some simple sign language.  Any suggestions?

Understanding the Crying It Out Method

For some people, the Cry It Out method, means ignoring your babies needs and subjecting a child to unnecessary stress. However such beliefs are due to misinformation and lack of understanding. As all parents know, babies cry because that is their only form of communication. They cannot tell you if they are hungry, wet, hurting, or overstimulated. It is up to each mom and dad to address any sign of a child's distress. However once bedtime arises, each parent must determine if they have attended to all basic and emotional needs. If the answer to that question is yes then decide if the child simply wants to be held. This is where many people disagree. With an appropriate cry it out process, cries are not ignored. The parent checks on the child to make sure there is not a problem, but the child is NOT picked up. You may rub the baby's head or stomach. You can let the child hold your hand. You can even just stand there and look at the baby. However the key is not picking up the child when their needs have already been met. Eventually the baby will cry himself to sleep. After 3 nights, the crying usually subsides and the child learns to go to sleep on their on at the appropriate time. Whether you agree or disagree with this method, it is a personal choice that each parent must make to keep their peace of mind.

Snuggle up Baby

Patty has been a little fussy today. I took the advice of nice woman who told me to try using a snuggly or sling with her when she acts this way. It has worked wonders. I haven't heard a peep out of her the entire time and I've been all around the house. I guess she just feels better being close to mommy.

Fussy Baby Recipe

Patty loves this recipe. Not only does it eliminate gas, but it gets rid of watery stools without making her constipated. It also helps her sleep for approximately 3 hours. The recipe below is for moms still building their milk supply. If you can pump 4 ounces of breast milk then eliminate the formula and water. Enjoy.

Hot Patty Toddy
2 ounces of breast milk
1 scoop of formula
2 tablespoons of rice cereal
Fill 4 ounce bottle with warm water
Shake, remove all air bubbles, and serve

(To prevent gassiness and colic, I only use bottle drop in bags instead of the bottle alone)