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Hello I’m Diana, a 40 year old mother of 6 multi-cultural children between the ages of
7-21. I was a single
mother for several years. I currently have a blended family with my
7 year old daughter, my husband and his son, also age 7. I also have 2
grandchildren.
I have helped numerous friends and family members with
their parenting and birthing questions. I’ve completed four parenting
classes and have educated myself with hundreds of books and plenty of
experience. I really love helping people.
Submit your question, or respond to any posted ones
that are open for comment by filling in the form below.
Remember, there is no such thing as a dumb
question.
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[From Lisa in
UK]
Hi Diana, my daughter is 3mts old and
she always cries until we pick her up and now I can not
get anything done in my home until my partner gets home at
night. Please give me some advice on how to get her
out of this habit as its driving me mad thank u. mommy
lisa. |
[Diana's Reply]
Dear Lisa, I believe babies go
through a time of fear of separation. If you are standing there
speaking to her does she still cry? If so than talk to her even
though she might not know exactly what you are saying let her
know you are there and will be back. Leave the room for a short
time maybe a minute and return, letting her know you are there
in the room. Hopefully she will stop crying and when she does
only then pick her up. If you pick her up when she is crying
she will think she needs to cry before you pick her up. If you
talk to her and she is quiet before you pick her up she will
learn she doesn't need to cry. I hope that helps. Also, now
that she is 3 months old she is wanting more stimulation
possibly. More to look at and touch. Have you tried putting
her in a car seat in the room facing you while you work around
the house so she can watch you?
Good Luck with your precious one, Diana |
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[From Sarah in
Israel] Hi Diana, my daughter is
6weeks old. She was born 2.125 kgs (4lbs 11oz)
and is now just under 4 (8lbs 13oz) so is
gaining weight well and is now a normal weight. i am not sure how
to stop demand feeding or should i continue? it seems to be taking
us most of my day and if i try leave her for 3hours she cries. if
i feed in-between she is happy but just has a little and then
is hungry soon after. what do i do? also, trying to get her to
sleep through the night? any tips? |
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[Diana's Reply] Dear
Sarah in Israel, Your daughter is still very young. Being she was
low weight at birth her stomach is still really small. I'm not
sure if you are nursing her or bottle feeding. The good news is
that she is gaining weight so she must be eating enough. I totally
understand your dilemma. I would have to say first of all if you
are nursing, demand feeding is how it is. It's a full time job.
Sleep when she sleeps right now. You will want to keep her awake
during feedings by tickling her feet or changing her position. Of
course follow your doctors instructions on how long or how much to
feed her. Nursing her for 10-20 minutes at a time on each breast
until she develops her mouth muscles enough to stay on longer. I
don't want to say force feed her yet you need to get her stomach
to enlarge some so that she will sleep longer through the night.
Also not all little ones sleep through the night. Infants that
young really need to feel closeness with the mother. They have
been with her 24-7. One thing I did to help my children sleep
longer was to put the bassinet next to my bed right where I slept
so they could hear/feel me next to them. If that doesn't work lay
her next to you (you need to be very careful that you don't
smother her) When she sees that she can sleep for a longer period
and you are still around she might sleep longer. The trick is
weaning them off that before they become 4 months old. By 1-2
months my babies slept through the night. I was very fortunate
they didn't have colic. If she continues to not sleep through the
night or cries often you need to see your doctor. Enjoy your baby!
May God Bless you both. |
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[Visitor Comment]
When I
had my 2nd son and was nursing, he was hungry all the time. I was
not nursing him long enough on one breast to get the "fatty" part
of milk. I learned after I had my 3rd son to nurse on one breast
per feeding. The reason I learned was because the first part of
mother's breast milk is the thirst quencher and not as much
substance. The next part is the "meal", and the third part is the
"dessert". I can't believe no one told me this before, but I used
that technique with my 3rd son, and a daughter 4 1/2 years later,
each I nursed 13 months and easily transitioned into sippy cups or
a bottle. Just thought I might pass along some info that might
help?? Cassie, Brentwood CA |
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