Nursing stories and baby songs

What could be more fun than thrush, milk blisters or mastitis? How about all THREE at once? Throw in a little reflux as well. Yep. Nursing is superfun these days.

Despite the hurdles, I wouldn't trade it. Mia's gained over a pound in the last two weeks alone, and there's no worry with breastfeeding of obesity or diabetes. I love the after-nursing cuddles. I love her milky smiles. Her first laugh (a sleep laugh - she hasn't done an awake one yet) was when she fell asleep while she was nursing.

(I've also managed to hook myself up with some tendonitis in the wrists - it's from picking her up so often. I knew having a baby would be hard on my body, but I wasn't expecting wrist problems!)

So we have a couple of songs for Mia that we always sing, and I thought I might share them. The first is a soothing song. I swear it is magic - I just made it up (which you can tell by the lyrics) but it works very quickly to take a crying baby down to a sniffly, cuddly one.

*chorus*:
Don't cry Mia, Mia don't cry.
Don't cry Mia, Mia don't cry!

There's nothing wrong with you,
You're just fine
Where's my happy girl -
Let's see a smile!

Not too complex! Works wonders. My stepfather calls it blatant propaganda :) I don't think the melody is one I copped off another song... it's an Emily original. The following verses I just make up as I go depending on the situation. She had her two-month shots today, so today the next verse was all about the doctor giving her needles and how brave she was.

The next is the nursing song. She gets so upset when she's hungry. I do see the cues and respond, but she escalates before I can get myself ready to nurse her. Nursing at this point still requires an extra cloth for the leaks in the other boob, a cloth tucked in underneath where she's nursing because she dribbles, and a baby washcloth over her shoulder for the same reason. Without these things it's a messy prospect, believe me. So while I assemble the equipment, I'll sing her a song to let her know it's coming. To the tune of Here Comes the Sun, by the Beatles:

*chorus*:
Here comes the boob
Here comes the boob
and I say, it's alright.

Little darling, it's been a long and lonely naptime.
Little darling, it feels like years since you've eaten!
*chorus*
Little darling, the smile's returning to our faces
Little darling, it feels like years since you've eaten!
*chorus*
Little darling, I've got the boob all ready for you
Little darling, it feels like years since you've eaten!

Usually by the time we get to the second verse, she's where she wants to be. I'm hoping with repetition she will learn that the song means she's just about to get what she needs and that lets her relax off the crying a little. And hopefully the Beatles' estate doesn't sue me for mangling their song!