Baby Swing

So one thing that was a HUGE surprise to me as a new mom was how much newborns want to be held. When we first got John home I thought he was different baby because of how he refused to sleep in his bassinet... even if it was right next to our bed... he did not want to be put down. He would only sleep if he was laying on us... it was so frustrating. I mean, when are new mom's suppose to use the restroom? Especially when dad goes back to work?

Since the first weeks of our little guy's life I have read how the first three months of a baby's life they are still developing their brain and they want all that they know... the comfort of the uterus. Which means being held or rocked or listening to your heart go thump... and usually all at the same time. In the book "The Happiest Baby on the Block" I read how you can simulate these things by swaddling, swinging, side laying, shushing and sucking. John is a pretty good baby because he doesn't require all at the same time... usually just a few.

They have been wonderful because I need to put him down for at least two hours a day to maintain myself so that I can give back to John. And my favorite tool (or I should say John's favorite) is the swing. Especially if I swaddle him and then put him in the swing... he just melts away.

I was trying to think of videos to make for the grandparents, but he really isn't doing much... so instead I made a video of the swing. At any point in the day he is either in the swing or in my arms... or occasionally in the car seat (which he hates if it's sitting still). He will sleep swaddled and in his bassinet/crib now... but it took a while to get him really comfortable there. He also loves the wrap... but that is another post... Here is the video...


video taken on 6/16/10, John is 6 weeks old.