Calling all mom's of MELLOW babies

I'm only on week 3 and things are going really well. I am trying to think positive but feel overwhelmed by the friends who love to tell you about their colic babies. And (of course) there are numerous postings on how things take a turn around week 6 or so. I'm looking for some positive stories. So mom's of mellow babies, please tell me you're out there and doing okay. Did anyone make it through weeks 6-12 without crazy crying?

Lanie

 

My oldest was very very mellow ... my twin girl also very very mellow. My boy had reflux and was slightly higher maintenance, but he's definitely not a hard baby either.

Yes, at 6 weeks it's usually the peak of things, however, my 2 girls, I already knew after a few days that they were not going to be difficult babies. They were content, not crying a lot, happy to lay around and look around, slept pretty long stretches early on, ate well ... and again, even my boy wasn't too bad, although the reflux was new to me.

They're almost a year, and it hasn't been easy but I think I did pretty well the last 11 1/2 months. I feel organized, in control (most of the time) and they're doing well.

 

Yup. We had some crazy crying for the first two days, then switched to Dr. Brown's bottles, and had a lot less gas, fussiness, and crying. We never had a serious crying for colic or anything else in the 6 - 12 week timeframe. I think it's just easier to remember and pass on the bad stories - not trying to take anything away from anyone who went through that, since I know it is hard. Our first did some of that, but the twins, nope.

 

I definately have mellow babies. They had no colic, have been sleeping through the night since they were 6 weeks old, and get fussy because they want to be in their cribs. It is alot of work, but only because there are 2 of them, not because they are difficult. So there is hope....

 

My babies, although not the best sleepers are VERY mellow and content most of the time as long as they aren't hungry or overly tired. I would say right around the six week mark is when the crying was the worst but then things got a lot better. They started becoming aware of things and were interested in things around them. The crying for no reason or the either sleeping, eating, or crying was over. I have pictures of them at 8 weeks just chilling in their crib together watching their mobile and at that point they LOVED their swings or at that time I referred to it as the "magic chair". If they were in the swing they were perfect. So have faith that they will be good babies and you don't have to go through crazy days of crying. We had days here and there and I had to be careful not to do too much with them as far as outings (they would get really overly tired and then cry). You learn what your babies like and don't like and make adjustments as you go. If you have good babies now, they will probably only get better, or you may hit a couple rough patches but nothing unbearable. Good luck and just know that if things do get tough we are all here for you. :hug99:

 

Mine were great!
They did like to be held - and carried and talked to - etc. But were never inconsolable. I can remember the few times they cried and I didn't know why - One time was when I was out of breastmilk and didn't know it. A bottle solved the problem. Another time was after their shots, before I learned to medicate them for shots.

The day one cried because I was out of breastmilk I freaked out afraid they would turn into these awful colicy babies. I was scared too. It never happened. They did cry - but only because I couldn't give them all the attention they desired (there are two of them!) I learned that if they were both crying, they were either hungry or tired - and it was easily solved.

You can do this! I miss those days now. And I never beleived anyone who told me that when I was where you are.

 

Yes! All three of mine have been super easy, mellow babies -- I've found that if I make sure they eat and sleep at predictable times, there is barely any crying at all -- even at that age.

Hope you're equally blessed, and that your little ones stay mellow!

 

YEAH!!!! That is awesome! My DH went back to work after three weeks and my mom had planned on taking the next two weeks off to help me. Well, she ended up not taking the time off because I really didn't need her help. They were so mellow and slept all the time. Yes I was tired, but it was totally doable. I think that the pps suggestion of regular sleeping/eating times is key....if you are lucky. We were.

Now that they are 2.5, well, that is a whole different story I won't scare you with!!!

 

In the last 5 months+ I can think of only 3 days where there was continuous crying for no obvious reason. So we stayed home on those days and the 3 of us cried together!

One twin had reflux but outgrew it quickly and hasn't needed meds since the 2nd month. She only cried during feedings anyway and we figured out right away what was going on.

I tell every stranger who says "how do you do it?" that it hasn't been anywhere NEAR as difficult as everyone told me it would be. I wouldn't call it easy and some days are just better than others, but overall I have felt extremely blessed!

 

No colic here - actually, really no issues, except not wanting to nap and sleep long stretches now that they are older (they napped and slept great until about 4 months). People just like to tell you the bad stories - I mean, remember when you were about to go into labor and everyone told you about their horrible experiences!

Erica.

 

All three of my babies were very mellow. I was so nervous about colic because my mom had all colicky babies (6 of us). But we were lucky. I went back to work when the twins were 4 months old and was able to work 1 day from home for two years. I had help here and there in those first weeks, my siblings, mom, etc would take turns coming over to help me out, but the help I needed was really due to the fact that I had a c/s and couldn't lift things.

 

One of sons was a calm, happy newborn and that lasted for several months. Enjoy!

 

Our DS is a very mellow baby, he gets a little fussy at night, but nothing in comparison to his sister. He is content to lay back and watch the world go by. I feel lucky b/c I don't know what I would do if I had 2 fussy babies, one is all I can handle!

 

Me! Both of my twins are pretty mellow & content, one more so than the other. But both combined have been a dream compared to my oldest child was. Sure they did have a "fussy" time when they liked to be held as newborns - of course it was in the evening, but even that wasn't constant crying. I would be shocked if the girls have ever cried more than an hour a day! Having the two of them has been awesome. Of course, both are sick right now with colds so this is probably when it's the toughest, but they are still sleeping through the night so how can I complain!

 

I had very laid-back, easy-going babies. They were happy most of the time. We had our fussy hour in the early evening but otherwise, our days and nights were remarkably uneventful. Everyone commented on how they just plain didn't cry. When they woke at night, we nursed and back to sleep they went. When they no longer needed to feed at night, they just stopped waking. Never needed to CIO.

You won't see many posts about easy-going babies because no help is needed there but that doesn't mean they don't exist.

My easy-going babies turned into happy-go-lucky, fearless, outgoing, adventuresome, and bold toddlers.

 

I ditto sunshinetwins... It has been nothing but a blessing and i mean that. I have had days when i felt a headache coming on or had PMS myself and wanted to melt. Not because of them but because i needed to simply take a deep breath... It has not been bad and i expected the worse since everyone wanted to tell me the horrible stories(most stories came from moms of ONE not twins)... Now moms i know like to say oh you just wait. it is almost like they can not stand the fact that it is easy on me and i am enjoying every minute. HELLO i planned this for many years... I enjoy even the ruff days because there were days i wondered if i was ever going to be a mom at all... Mine were never colic babies, or had AR or anything... If anything my little girl just enjoyed more attention but all in all they are both exellent babies... I would take twins all over again... It has been a smooth ride thus far...

 

QUOTE(Lanie L. @ Nov 14 2007, 07:30 PM) [snapback]496175[/snapback]
I'm only on week 3 and things are going really well. I am trying to think positive but feel overwhelmed by the friends who love to tell you about their colic babies. And (of course) there are numerous postings on how things take a turn around week 6 or so. I'm looking for some positive stories. So mom's of mellow babies, please tell me you're out there and doing okay. Did anyone make it through weeks 6-12 without crazy crying?

Lanie


We had no colic and no witching hour. Mind you, we had fussy days but nothing that is even close to colic. In the midst of it, I was barely functioning but looking back, it was pretty mellow!

 

I had the best of both worlds. My one twin girl was a breeze. An absolute breeze. Her twin sister, on the other hand, had other plans. I remember sometimes tending to my "crier" for a long day and looking at my other daugther and just saying, "Sorry....." She never ever gave me a problem.

But in defense of my crier, she is a spirited little lady. The crying continues off an on, but she is so bright and curious. And she sleeps the best of the two now, so no worries. My other girl is so bright too, but I can see that she just has the laid back temperment.

And don't worry....if it should come to be that you have to battle any uphills, you'll be fine. Even laid back babies can be tiring. The best of luck!

 

Lanie,
What a great post - it's good to encourage the positive stories.

FWIW, I woke up the day my twins were 3 weeks 1 day old (just 3 weeks ago) and was a new woman! So, I know you asked about the kids dispositions, but I thought I'd share that I think a fog lifts right at the point for moms.

Good luck and keep thinking positively. Even if one of your twins is a bit difficult, you'll have it in you to handle it.

 

Oh, and one thing I forgot to mention... DO NOT MENTION YOUR GOOD FORTUNE TO OTHER MOMMIES. Keep it quiet because the daggers will fly. That's why they tell you the horror stories -- they're jealous and they want you to tell them you're struggling and can barely make it through the day because then their experience sounds better (they had or are having a rough time but at least they didn't have twins...)

 

QUOTE(debid @ Nov 15 2007, 10:11 PM) [snapback]498125[/snapback]
Oh, and one thing I forgot to mention... DO NOT MENTION YOUR GOOD FORTUNE TO OTHER MOMMIES. Keep it quiet because the daggers will fly. That's why they tell you the horror stories -- they're jealous and they want you to tell them you're struggling and can barely make it through the day because then their experience sounds better (they had or are having a rough time but at least they didn't have twins...)


you are so right about that!
my boys have been easy so far, and my dd had been difficult (so i DESERVE easy babies this time around!). but i do say that they are easy to people, and i feel like i can tell a lot about someone by how they respond. one of my relatives, for instance, just keeps saying 'oh you're going to have a hard time when...' it makes me mad because i'm NOT going to have a hard time. dh and i will cope with whatever comes our way. when she says things like that i feel like she's saying 'oh you think it's easy now, but you're going to be miserable.' but that's just how she is -- a very negative person.

 

Out little men have been great since we brought them home. I was so scared because almost everyone told me how hard it was and how I should get rest while I can. And as soon as Samuel and Damien came home it has been so well easy, we have kept a schedule and thankfully most the time they do everything at the same time. Best wishes.

 

I'm so totally blessed with my babies. I have not had to deal with colick, reflux, no NICU, or any of the other issues that come with carrying / having twins and I'm thankful everyday. I will have a mini meltdown and then read a post where a Mom is at her wits end with reflux issues and it humbles me completely. My heart and my prayers go out to those Moms and keeps me from whining. My girls are mellow, easy going babies. We have our sleep issues <_< (Natalie is still not sleeping through) but I'm thankful EVERYDAY.

 

Are you sure its safe to post in here? Lol. I too have had the easiest babies. No nicu,colic,reflux. We did have a little thrush when i was b/f, but it went away within days. They are sleeping through the night and take great naps during the day. I hope this lasts!! My other children are 16 months apart and it was harder taking care of them. We're even thinking about having more.

 

my babies are so good! we consider my ds to be more fussy, but compared to other babies he is a breeze. i got very blessed with easy going babies

 

Oh THANK GOD you did this post Lanie and equal thanks to the repliers! I am 31 weeks tomorrow with b/g twins and have been trying to block out the sleep deprivation and possible dealing with difficult babies, when I already have an almost 4 and 5 year old at home! (who were both really mellow babies)

The positive stories made me feel SO much better, and reassured me that I have done this before and I can do this! My first two are 14 months apart.....my Irish twins! That was hard, having a toddler who was barely walking and bringing home a newborn...but I found my way and look back and wouldnt have it any other way. Sasha and Bennett are kind of like having twins anyway

Thank you thank you thank you, for the positive stories. I needed that, tired of all the "scary" stories and ridiculous comments. I am for sure going to refer back to this thread if I am getting anxious about the twins arrival.

Happy Sunday xojillian