Annoying grandma advice regarding crying baby

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, your mom is actually offering more than what she's saying. Little babies need to be held, and, thanks to breast-feeding and being the one who carried the baby for nine months*, it's mostly by their mothers.

If you want detailed, in the trenches advice of how to deal with newborn fussiness, spell out your situation here or talk to your ped. But, for the first three months, the answer is often just being held.

*Or whoever is their primary caregiver in the case of adoption, etc

I've raised five children. My oldest just turned 24. I agree with this. I think what your mom might be trying to suggest is that most of the time the answer is not all that complicated. Tiny babies need to be held and loved on most of the day.

[Anonymous]

OP - I get your frustration. The newborn stage is so freaking difficult, and when something is off and your baby is crying, you just want the FREAKING ANSWER, just tell me WHAT TO DO and I will DO THAT. The problem is that, while people can give you some general advice (and oh, will they ever), no one can tell you what is "wrong" with your specific baby except your baby, and since your baby can't talk yet, you have to guess and try 900 different things until (1) one of them works or (2) enough time passes that it takes care of itself. It's so annoying, but once you accept that there is no "answer," you can stop expecting one, and your frustration levels will go way down.

How old is your baby?

[Anonymous]

Try reading/watching the DVD "the happiest baby on the block"

[Anonymous]

Maybe your baby is cold? Newborns have a hard time staying warm. And they do need to be held a lot. That's why swaddling can be so effective--they are warm and snug. And your mom is offering to hold the baby?

Not sure what your complaint is.

[Anonymous]

Don't ask your mom for advice. Ask her for help and support.

[Anonymous]

Maybe she's hinting that she's cold? Close the windows and turn on the heat, OP?

And be VERY thankful that she is there to hold the baby. Which is 95% of job in the beginning.

And, yes, please read happiest baby on the block - should be required reading for all new parents.

[Anonymous]

My mother in law raised two sons, but had not a clue as to what to do with my baby daughter way back when. I didn't expect anything. It was just as if she had never done it. I think they forget!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, your mom is actually offering more than what she's saying. Little babies need to be held, and, thanks to breast-feeding and being the one who carried the baby for nine months*, it's mostly by their mothers.

If you want detailed, in the trenches advice of how to deal with newborn fussiness, spell out your situation here or talk to your ped. But, for the first three months, the answer is often just being held.

*Or whoever is their primary caregiver in the case of adoption, etc

I've raised five children. My oldest just turned 24. I agree with this. I think what your mom might be trying to suggest is that most of the time the answer is not all that complicated. Tiny babies need to be held and loved on most of the day.

I'm 47 and, yes, it's been a while since my kids were tiny babies. That said, your mom is right. Young babies want to be held and snuggled. Mine used to *hate* being put down in their bassinets. This stage doesn't last forever and if your mom is willing and ready to come over and hold the baby while you get a nap or a shower - LET her!

[Anonymous]

I have to laugh at this post, because my mom is obsessed with bundling up babies. Maybe it is something about mothers of her generation, I don't know. I have a hilarious picture of me and my sister (she is 15 years older) where she is wearing a bikini and I (about 6 months old) am wearing a hat, sweater and mittens. Even now, she is always trying to slap a sweater on my kids.

[Anonymous]

You are ungrateful, OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have to laugh at this post, because my mom is obsessed with bundling up babies. Maybe it is something about mothers of her generation, I don't know. I have a hilarious picture of me and my sister (she is 15 years older) where she is wearing a bikini and I (about 6 months old) am wearing a hat, sweater and mittens. Even now, she is always trying to slap a sweater on my kids.

Cute. I agree that it's generational.

[Anonymous]

Maybe he IS cold.