Mommy Wants Mayonnaise: September 23, 2022
Hi Mommy Wants Mayonnaise,
As a single parent, I already feel I’m on high alert most of the time with my son. But at 8 weeks old, he’s now suddenly spitting up a lot. It feels like it’s constant and happens for the first hour after eating. What can I do? Is this normal?
-Stressed about Spit Up
Hi Stressed,
So many moms feel like their babies spit up a lot, so you are not alone! Are you breastfeeding or bottle feeding, or maybe both? For breastfeeding, you can burp your baby before, during, and after feedings to avoid the air bubbles that push milk back up. You can also experiment with nursing positions to reduce bubbles as they breastfeed. If you are using a bottle, is it pushing air into your baby during feedings? Have you tried a bottle that reduces the possibility of air bubbles in the delivery of the milk? Just like breast-feeding, you can also burp your baby before, during, and after the bottle to reduce the likelihood of air bubbles pushing up milk. You can also keep your baby upright for 10–20 minutes after each bottle to ensure milk is staying down in the stomach. In infancy, babies have more difficulty keeping milk down in not having complete control over their system yet. I want to assure you that this will get better! If you still feel like your baby is spitting up a lot, talk to their pediatrician who might have other ideas or things to try.
Hi Mommy Wants Mayonnaise,
My son hates getting dressed. Every time I try to pull a onesie over his head, he squirms and fusses. Am I doing something wrong? Is there a better way to make getting dressed a pleasant or at least neutral experience for him?
-Clothing Wars
Hi Clothing,
One of the things they don’t talk about in parenting classes is how to make getting them dressed more pleasant for everyone! Is it possible your son is feeling your anxiety about this activity? Is he squirming due to feeling constricted or like he can’t breathe for that brief period where material is moving down his face? Can he feel more relaxed after a bath? The good news is that there are more clothing options out there than ever before! Check out the onesies that snap down the side rather than pull overhead. Consider buying ones that are a soft cotton that stretches easily or buy a size up. With some strategic planning, getting dressed can feel less like a chore!
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Khara is a Licensed Mental Health/Financial Therapist and mom in Denver, Colorado. This column is meant for educational purposes only and does not represent advice or replace a trained professional. Any resemblance to actual persons, places, or events is purely coincidental. If you are struggling with your mental health, please dial 988 to talk with a trained professional.
