The Little Darling

He's cute. He's cuddly. He inspires strangers to ooh and ahhh and melt. He's a little angel!

And then he wakes up.

Not having much (read any) experience with newborns, I really don't know if this is how it works for all new parents. Our little guy communicates using variations on crying. So far we have heard the wail, the shriek, the howl, the yowl, and a very creative version of the screech. Apparently, the Baby Whisperer and Priscilla Dunstan can interpret each of these nuanced forms of communication and can pinpoint precisely what any baby needs. Mere mortals, however, have to study, listen intensely, watch closely, and then guess.

Exactly what is one to do when the baby is dry, fed, warm, cuddled, and crying? Feed again, of course (poor Karin). These tiny little guys eat often. Every three hours is typical. But sometimes it's 2.5 hours or less. And sometimes a single feeding lasts for an hour and a half. In case you feel compelled to do the math, "time between feedings" is counted from the beginning of each feed.

Of course there is more to the baby than just eating, crying, sleeping and feeding. There are diaper changes, for example. Those generally can be placed in the "crying" category. And yesterday he had his first tub-and-water-based bath. He seemed to like it initially but then opted to establish it as a "crying" category activity as well.

I don't think this is supposed to be written in polite society, but I don't like the crying - on a number of levels. First off, it really hurts my ears. Secondly, it forces me to try to figure out, often without success, what il bambino is trying to communicate. What if I do everything possible to make him comfortable, satiated and clean and he still cries?

And while it is not easy for me, I can only imagine what it's like for Karin. She is going through the same thing, plus she has to feed him constantly, is enduring considerable pain in her nipples, perineum and now in her plugged duct, rarely is able to sleep, and receives contradicting advice from everyone she talks to.

Ahhhh advice. Advice merits at least a post unto itself. Let's just start with Mary Schmich and Baz Luhrmann's take on the subject: "Advice is a form of nostalgia... Dispensing it, is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts, and recycling it for more than it’s worth. But trust me on the sunscreen…"