Friday, March 19, 2010

"That's my daughter in the water..."

"...I lost every time I fought her...I lost every time." --Daughter, by Loudon Wainwright

So I love that song. One of the first things I listened to in the hospital after Emery arrived.

But it is abundantly clear to me that this is definitely MY daughter. Because don't be fooled by her snuggles and coos, and her sweet little baby smell. This girl is determined.

Determined to NEVER EVER DRINK FROM A BOTTLE IN HER LIFE THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

We're fighting a little battle here and trying everything: different bottles, different rooms, different people. Singing, talking, NCAA basketball. Walking, bouncing, sitting. Crying. (me and her) Ugh.

Everyone say it with me, "Three cheers for PLASTIC!" Come on, baby girl....please please please.

She is bound and determined to have a showdown; nay, a complete and utter battle of the wills. But this is one I must win, my friends. Mommy's going back to work in a little bit, and it's gonna have to happen. Bug had no trouble at all going back and forth--we never had to deal with this with him. And it's been a rough few days here as we've tried to reason with a 26 day old.

She has NO IDEA who she's up against.

I mean, I've done marathons and Ironman and stuff. I should be able to handle this, right? No problem. Bring it on, small fry.

Oh...
...but the screaming.

And the sad, little crying face.

aggggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

So I must be strong. We must be strong. Because this has to work--there's no way around it-- but I have a feeling that she's going to be a tough one to crack. Because, um, look at her mother. I don't exactly back down easily.

And I have a feeling that this won't be the first battle I ever have to fight with my fiery, determined, and snuggly sweet little girl.


12 comments:

Jennifer P said...

We're on the other end in our house. It's the Bean that is easy going and Newt that is displaying his mother's stubborn streak. I really hope that it all works out.

Christi said...

Good Luck! The fear of having a girl just like me is the reason I only have one child. Unfortunately, fate is cruel because now I have a stubborn son just like me. He just waiting until he was a teenager to show that side of himself!

Pining for Pinterest said...

She looks so precious :-)

Jen said...

I am praying that it gets easier for you. I am so sorry it is so tough. I was blessed with great babies... but remember... you are the mom. You know best. Keep trying and don't give up?

Question: Will she take a pacifier? If so, swtich out the pacifier for the nipple of the bottle... maybe that will get her to like it.

I nursed, so I cannot offer too much help.

TMB @ RACING WITH BABES said...

I'm not sure that this will help, but none of my girls ever drank from a bottle. They went straight from breast to cup ... beyond frustration. I hope your luck is better!

Trisaratops said...

Thanks, guys! :) I appreciate the support and advice.

Update...Baby Bean took almost 3 ounces from me this morning in a bottle! So bizarre, since the lactation consultant said there was no way she'd take from me. Poor Bean screamed her head off the last two nights with Matt. We're going to keep practicing! :)

UltraMamaC said...

my younger son just refused to eat ALL DAY when I went back to work. I pumped and he refused it. He'd eat at 4:00 AM, again at 6:45 AM and then NOTHING all day until I picked him up at 4:30 PM. He'd "nest" with me and eat non-stop, switching from one side to the other, from 9:30 PM until nearly midnight. And that was how he got his calories. Exhausted me but he was fine and fat and happy. Freaked everyone at daycare out until they realized he was fine.

Clare said...

i had some trouble with this with my daughter, i'd nurse on one side, then give her some from a bottle before switching sides. confused her enough to make her just give up with complaining.

jbmmommy said...

I went back to work when my son was eight weeks old. For two weeks he refused to eat from about 5am until almost 4pm. When he realized the bottle was his only option, he took to it. Today, he's a happy, healthy, determined five-year old. Good luck.

By the way, she's adorable. My daughter's the hardest of the three- a whole new world with girls.

Jen said...

Lauryl was trial by fire. The child refused a bottle up until the day I returned to work. My sweet, but determined sitter was certain she could break her. My first 2 10 hr days she drank an ounce or two at most. I bought every nipple known to man and my sitter and I decided on day 4 that I would come feed her if she had not given in. Our theory being that once we gave in that she would know she had won and I'd be taking 90 minute lunches with drive and feeding time (don't worry my ped said she was fine and I always fed her at dropoff and pickup and she had wet diapers all day). The first years breastflow nipple was our lifesaver. I recommend giving it a shot! Good luck and hang in there, she'll give in eventually!

Kate said...

Oh my gosh! She is so sweet. And in the end, determination is such a good quality for a girl to have. Hang in there.

Mnowac said...

I have no advice b/c I boobed the kid her whole life, but I am sending bottley vibes your way!