No Time for Anything Else

Diaper, eat, sleep - repeat!

Since becoming a dad, I've had no time for anything other than baby stuff. You know, the usual diapers, feeding, napping cycle. It's weird, because while it does get draining, in a weird way I also enjoy not having time for extracurricular stuff. It keeps life small.

Everything is intentional right now. Tiring, but intentional. We are trying to make sure our daughter has everything she needs to grow strong and healthy. The first couple of weeks are a little stressful as we try to make sure that she regains her birthweight. That actually taught us something as new parents.

Trusting Our Instincts

At our first pediatrician appointment a few days after birth, the doctor was concerned at our daughter's weight loss (which was at 8.4%). She wanted us to take up an aggressive feeding schedule supplemented by formula.

Typically, 10% is where it's a serious concern, so we were still within the acceptable range. Still, this brought upon undue stress. We spoke with some other medical professionals, including our midwife, who were less concerned.

In the end, we avoided formula and augmented our feeding schedule accordingly to turn things around. And turn around they did as our little one met and then exceeded her birthweight.

Staying the Course

We still have to maintain the regular 2-3 hour feeding schedule so that she eats roughly eight times per day. There are also more doctor appointments in our future.

Becoming a dad is a shift that I'm still getting used to. I'm learning that newborns require a lot of constant attention and effort. The interactions are one-dimensional at this point, which is to be expected. I look forward to the days when she starts to smile at us intentionally. Something tells me that'll be the best.

#personal