Baby wakes and he doesn't know what time it is. The first thing I think is, let my husband deal with it this time - its the weekend. Not only that, I did the very un-smart thing of staying up later than my bedtime. In fact, I had been researching reusable feminine napkins on the internet until 2AM. Go figure that the little one wakes up at 5AM. Drifting back and forth to sleep and awake I register that he's not quite yet managed to figure out what different cries mean. Definitely little K is hungry, but we were advised to try letting him 'cry it out' a bit so as to push his waking time to 6AM (that is, during the work week). Babies don't get weekends. He's been changed (definitely a wet diaper) and put in bed. But then almost involuntarily as he drifts off to sleep he starts whimpering again. This being his usual tactic to be woken up, we lay in bed drifting in and out of sleep. If we were awake enough, our fingers would be crossed - maybe this will work? It doesn't and his wails begin again. I suggest to turn on the A/C fan since our room tends towards warm especially when the other rooms are cooler. This done, again little K drifts to sleep - obvious that he doesn't actually want to stay awake. Sudden squeal followed by more screams and cries.
Now I'm up. I quickly get him out of his sleep sack and undo his onsie. Onto the toilet for me with his potty bowl between my legs and poor little K is in the right position to 'strain if he must' to help anything that may have lodged itself enroute to the diaper (in simple terms, to take a poo). No, not kaka time for little K - not even a straining motion. Instead he cries and cries. Finally, we give in and Steph put son the kettle to prepare his bottle. I put little K's diaper back on and stand him up on my knees. Through his tears I see a distinct smile of relief. The usual "Finally, they understand what I want!!" gladness which babies emit when their sleep deprived parents finally cop on that yes, that IS what they want and need.
So why didn't we give him the bottle right from the get go?
- Because babies are also notorious for suckling to sooth themselves whether they really need it or not.
- Because if he were to drink more milk too early in the morning - he would wake up even earlier tomorrow morning (he's supposed to wake at 7AM but we accept the 6AM wakeup as well).
- Because we're not quite convinced he's going through a growth spurt - though perhaps he is!
- Because the last few mornings he has woken with the urge to have a bowel movement.
- Because formula fed babies are supposed to be fuller / longer.
Having gotten his milk and had his diaper changed twice, the fan turned on, the potty visited... little K is fast asleep. So is his Papa. His Amma on the other hand, awake. Fate: Mission accomplished? And now I too must head to bed.