adventures in babysitting
 

I pay $10/hour for a 20-ish year old babysitter who works days at a pre-school. I do not offer her dinner, but do the "help yourself to anything in the fridge or pantry". She ussually has a coke and mows through a bag of chips (she is at least 275 lbs.).

That said, the Brazenette is always asleep in her crib when the babysitter arrives, and has only woken up once while the babysitter was there...so really, we pay her $10/hour to watch TV.

adventures in babysitting
 

In the Baltimore-Washington corridor 'burbs, we pay about $7-8 an hour (rounded up usually to the nearest multiple of 10) for a high school freshman to sit two little ones in the evening. Grazing is expected, but she usually eats dinner with her family before we are even home from work. No way she's touching my computer, but she has run of the digital cable, DVD collection, CDs (right, like she's going to listen to the complete works of U2 and REM) and Playstation. She seems to like the Playstation.

We also have a couple of underemployed college graduates (they are "artists"), both of whom have prior experience working at excellent daycares, whom we pay $10-11 an hour to watch the kids during the day sometimes. Both are on Atkins (which seems to be working for both, BTW), so they tend to bring their own food, but we don't really care if they raid the pantry (except the one who keeps putting back the empty peanut butter jar back on the shelf - just toss it and get another out of the basement pantry). Both of these women tend to use their daycare/art experience to engage the kids, so they end up making hand turkeys and easter eggs and construction paper jack-o-lanterns.

No, you can't have their names.

Edited to add that the high schooler lives two doors down, so transport time really isn't an issue, and the clock starts for the older women when they get to our doorstep.

adventures in babysitting
 

Perhaps you should offer her dinner, consisting of carrot sticks or a salad.

adventures in babysitting
 

No way, dude. Fat & lonely = always available on Sat. p.m.

Brazen should leave Ding Dongs* lying around the house.

*Or King Dons or Big Wheels as geography may dictate.

adventures in babysitting
 

Well, home prices may be high here in Stumptown, but I pay less for babysitting than any of you. The very responsible oldest-child middle schooler (I think she's 13 now) across the street is Red Cross certified and only charges $5/hr. She's a gem--Magnus is always in bed asleep by the time we get home (contrast to once when she wasn't available and we had her less-responsible best friend, also Red Cross certified, come over. Magnus was still awake two hours past bedtime when we got home). As far as I can tell she never eats our food (though she'd certainly be welcome to). It's really nice to just watch for her to get to her door safely instead of having to schlep clear across town to take her home.

tm

adventures in babysitting
 

he might be joking about keeping a sitter avaialble, but you don't want to lose one because you're fifty cents cheaper than your neighbor, or because you have bad snacks. Stealing a sitter is acceptable in suburbia, people, and your sweet lovely neighbors who asked you to be godparent to their kids, will outbid you in a second. You think opposing counsel does shit? wait till you're competing for the 13 year old across the street.

Sitters
 

This was enlightening. I always wondered what people pay sitters. I have not yet hired a sitter to go to a movie/dinner that sort of thing and wouldn't feel write having someone else put Vietbabe to bed (and neither would she I'm sure). But for while she's sleeping, I'm going to start hiring sitters to catch a movie (like 500 feet away) and simply give my cell number if she wakes up.

But I am big on the combo thing. Example: I have a habit of hiring the grossly underpaid local cafe employees. One came over and helped me for 4 hours blow up balloons for Vietbabe's party, get the party tent set up, and "babysat" (she was big time safely sleeping") for 1/2 hour while I hit the store for last minute items. Total pay for 4 hours of work: $100. (Less out of pocket, considering the outrageous tent rental company wanted to charge me $200 to set up the tent and wouldn't have blown up balloons in my living room till midnite and sat for Vietbabe while I ran to the store).

I'm going to pay a higher than normal babysitting price and have the sitter (while Vietbabe is sleeping) "do stuff" like reorganize my cabinets, do a load of landry etc. It will be nice to come home from a movie knowing I put Vietbabe to bed, I saw a movie, and the place is in better condition than when I left. I also know a handyman who parented his now grown son who can fix stuff while she sleeps. Does anybody else pay more for sitters who do extra stuff around the house? As for dinner: I don't eat it and unless they dig formula, cheerios and frozen mini waffles, they're out of luck.

Viet_Mom

Non-Sibling Bully Sucker Punching Your Kid
 

Sis has 2 girls, 2yrs and 3yrs (both huge). The 2yr when she comes over lays claim on all Vietbabe's toys -- these are "mine" (and won't even share them) while Sis does nothing about it.

I don't say anything b/c Vietbabe doesn't seem to care. But lately she has been pushing Vietbabe against walls, and twice sucker punched her out of the blue. Sis just says, "see what it's like with a problem child?" (Um...yes, I do see it actually). Vietbabe is tough and cries briefly and gets right back up. Mom is annoyed that Sis does nothing about it (not even, "don't hit Vietbabe"). She did it again today when Sis wasn't there and I thought my Mom was going to go ballistic (physically) on the bully. I'm concerned b/c I think my parents get upset seeing this teeny baby getting clocked and they are very close to smacking the 2 year old (not calculated - just an upset immediate reaction to seeing Vietbabe fly across the room).

I don't know what to say to Sis. I actually feel bad she is dealing with this kid whereas Vietbabe (for now) is so incredibly easy (ah..13 months...heaven). Any advice on what to do? I'm not the conflict type so don't want to alienate my Sis (or tell her how to parent) and I don't want to stop having visits with the kids. But I know blood may drawn one day if nothing changes.

Thanks.

Viet_Mom

Non-Sibling Bully Sucker Punching Your Kid
 

welcome to the world of other people's kids. With friends, you can gravitate toward those who share your basic attitudes and values re: parenting (i.e., those that impose a reasonable modicum of discipline on unruly kiddos). With family, you don't get the same range of choices.

In your shoes, if 2 year old starts acting like Godzilla, you might take it upon yourself to intervene by separating the kids, or telling her "no" yourself- you probably can't actually impose a punishment for minor offenses without ticking off your sister, but it certainly sends a message that you think the behavior is unacceptable and might prompt her to do the same. If there is hitting, you may be within your rights to pick up the 2 year old and put her in a time out or in her mom's lap so mom can handle it- you may ruffle some feathers, but if the alternative is feeling uncomfortable with your nieces hangin out with your daughter, its worth it IMHO. (And if sis is not around (i.e., you are running a playdate), you have carte blanche to impose a time-out whenever the 2 year old gets out of hand).

Also, for what its worth, when No. 2 was about that age (or a little younger) and had issues with his big sister or older cousins or neighbors, I often gave him the same message I gave them about sharing and other behaviors- it didn't mean a thing to him until later, but gave the older kids the message that the same rules were being applied to young and old, and that they really were the rules.

And remember, Vietbabe will be 2 and 3 soon as well, so have a little tolerance for imperfect parenting in an imperfect situation (a little- not enough to let your child be hit). If sis has a 2 year old and a 3 year old at once, she may even appreciate the help.

adventures in babysitting
 

Threads and I are going to attract all your babysitters. We generally pay $12 per hour plus tip, and tip start at $10 - 15 for an easy evening where the kids are asleep most of the time. Open access to food, dvds, etc. Usually we try to develop a relationship that includes many perks, so the best ones stay with us. This means everything from lending them books, dvds, etc. to buying them presents on the normal occassions to helping them with their own school projects when we can. If we've been using someone weekly for several months, we pay them our usual amount when we go on vacation.

Most of our babysitters are in a child development program at a nearby university.

adventures in babysitting
 

If you want a long term sitter, it pays to be generous. And there are huge benefits from the kid (and parent) perspective to having a consistent sitter. We had a fantastic nanny who stayed with us for 10 years, until the younger started elementary school and she found another family.

The small kindnesses count for a lot in keeping staff, and a good caring nanny who ALWAYS shows up on time can really make your world livable.

Babysitters
 

I watched tons of kids in HS (it paid my way to Europe) - One year I had a T-TH family and a M-W-F family. The T-TH family paid better, but was unreliable about telling me in advance if they did not need me, left really crappy food (I was there for dinner every night and have never liked Mac-n-Cheese - blech), and were generally not as nice as the other family. On conflict weekend dates, the more reliable and nicer MWF family always won out - despite the pay difference. Just a thought.

Also, I never expected an Xmas gift or anything, but the times I got something (small with a nice note), it was really appreciated. Also extra dough if they say they were coming back at 10 and didn't show until 1am or what have you. And if you cancel at the very last minute (esp on a holiday), you need to pony up some cash (not as much as the time would have cost, but something to keep you off the bad-customer-list) and a big apology.

The only other things that would keep me away were cases where I felt over my head - the parents wanted me to go places I didn't know how to get to or take care of more kids than bargained for (never do this without adequate warning and extra cash - the sitter expects 2 kids and you dump the 3 neighbor kids on her too) If I had lots of kids, I would want to make sure my mom was home in case of problems, etc. - therefore advance notice is needed.

If the kid has some issue - tantrums/not potty trained yet - explain how you would like this handled - don't expect a 13yo to know how to deal with your kid the way you want. And tell her how to discipline the kid - your little angel may become satan spawn once you leave and unless you give the sitter some sort of way to manage this (that works!!!), the kid will only get worse (and you lose the sitter).

-T(I plan on training our cats to watch the kid, so I don't have to deal with any of this)L

adventures in babysitting
 

HAHAHAHA!!! How'd you know I'd ask!!!

We pay about the same for a highschooler who we pay to watch TV while my little people sleep and I take a pilates class. She will occasionally do a weekend morning. We also pay our nanny that for some extra, non-overtime sitting as well.

ML

Non-Sibling Bully Sucker Punching Your Kid
 

Jesus, I am just not cut out for this patient parenting thing. I'd be going ballistic right along with VietMom's Mom, and I'd surely have smacked the neice long since. (I've even been inspired to pick an avatar, once I can get it resized.)

The point about laying down the rules, even if there is no hope of them sticking in the primordial mind of a 2 year old, just for the sake of being seen to lay down the rules by older children is an excellent strategy, though. I'm taking notes.

Non-Sibling Bully Sucker Punching Your Kid
 

How to deal when other people do not control their kids is difficult. We recently went on vacation with a couple with a kid the same age as L'il Ty, which kid was out of control frequently. We certainly did not come down on em the way we would on our own, but there were also times when we rebuked em, etc., moreso than em's parents would, which caused some (minor) strain. Em burst into tears a few times at being scolded and was comforted by em's parents, which seemed to me calculated on some level to reassure em that em's parents were softies even if we weren't.

Hello
 

Hi all:

My wife and I are expecting our first little monkey in the family soon, and I thought I'd ask for your opinions, since you've been there.

Is there something you wished you knew/bought/read/did pre-labor, that you didn't do before but certainly would do the next time around? What's the best piece of advice you would care to share?

I know it's an open-ended question, I'm just curious to hear your experiences and advice.

Thanks,

Flinty

Hello
 

First of all, congratulations! How very wonderful for you and the Mrs.

Here's my advice, in no particular order:

1. Enjoy each other now. Shortly, your life will be consumed by another person. Go out to dinner. Go away for a long weekend (even just to a local downtown area). Get a massage. Get your wife a pedicure.

2. Do not allow family to stay in your house after the birth of the little monkey. Send them to hotels. If you can, hire a nurse to spend the first several nights with you at home. It was a great relief to hand the Brazenette off to someone and go to bed. Even though I still had to wake up to feed her, someone else brought her to me, and then whisked her away for a diaper change etc. leaving me to sleep.

3. Get the little monkey to take a bottle every now and then, and yes, a bottle of formula every now and then. It'll be good for you and your wife to know that the little monkey will eat even if you go to a movie.

4. Breastfeeding sucks (no pun intended!) in the beginning. If your wife is planning to give it a try, encourage her to make no decisions about it for at least 6 weeks.

5. Take a picture of the little monkey with an object of fixed size (a teddy bear or something...) and do this regularly every week or every month (I wish I had done this). You'll be amazed at how fast they grow.

6. Enjoy this. It's the most wonderful thing around.

Hello
 

I've been posting too much on the Politics Board, so let me give a point/counterpoint response and expansion to B&B's response:

Hello
 

Aside from proposing to burn What to Expect When You're Expecting in public squares (thanks, Ty!), this is the best advice ever given on the parents board. I am amazed at how something so "natural" can be so difficult and agonizing. And yet, just like the baby emself, once you get past the tough initial part you can't imagine life before or without it.

Edited to add: Congrats and welcome to Flinty.

Thanks to everyone
 

Wow, great advice and insight B N B, G3 and AG (and thanks to those who PM'd). I'm not freaking out yet, but I'm just so inexperienced that other than knowing I love the little monkey and the momma monkey, I'm not sure what else I'm supposed to be thinking about or doing. We've got the room and most of the goods ready, we have the books (including the one AG wants to go Fahrenheit 451 on), we're just lacking in knowledge and experience. But, I think, that may be half the adventure of parenting.

Thanks again, I'm sure I'll be asking tons of dumb questions in the future, such as, how to keep my job while sleep-deprived, etc. etc..

best,

Flinty

Thanks to everyone
 

There are women (my wife was one) who love breastfeeding, so don't assume it's thumbs down after the trial period. But even my wife will admit that there's a limit.

(And let me know when you want camera related recommendations).

quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by Flinty_McFlint
I'm not freaking out yet, but I'm just so inexperienced that other than knowing I love the little monkey and the momma monkey, I'm not sure what else I'm supposed to be thinking about or doing................... we're just lacking in knowledge and experience. But, I think, that may be half the adventure of parenting.

Thanks again, I'm sure I'll be asking tons of dumb questions in the future, such as, how to keep my job while sleep-deprived, etc. etc..

best,

Flinty
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



One funny thing someone told us was that it takes about a year before you realize its not a course that will be over soon, and you hand him back in.
When I think back, I remember how serious we took it at first. I wish someone has said to chill out, there are no right answers, and no need for rigid rules. Lot's of people start out looking at other parents and think "I can't believe she'd do that...." like pick up a pacifier of a mall floor and stick it back in babies mouth w/o washing, or yelling/hitting the kid, or whatever you think is the only way to handle the situation. In a few years they are much more pragmatic.
I remember once my little darling at 3 with all her Barbie crap all over the floor. We had friends over, a gay couple thinking of adopting. One of the guys had read some book on child rearing.
so I telling K. "listen, you pick this stuff up now or I throw it all away*." The guy remembers in Chapter 4 some technique and gets down on the floor "K. let's pick up this stuff together!"
Well, I was way to much of a vet to play that. I'm a native. I live with this every day.
*threats to "throw away" $500 of Barbie crap get hollow quick. by 4 She caught on no way it was getting tossed; too expensive.

Thanks to everyone
 

Congratulations - kids really are fantastic.

On the list of books to burn - some horrible book that purported to be "the truth that other books have kept from you". Reading it was a one way ticket to a nunnery - it made everything from labor to nannies to feeding seem like one slow-motion nightmare.

But it isn't - really! Some tough moments, but overall nothing even remotely close to what the book was talking about. If it comes your way, burn it and do the world a favor.

On the cautionary side - Mom is likely to have some very intense moments, particularly the 8 weeks after birth. Be kind. It is easy from a distance to say it's just hormones, but for the hormonee it is all genuine emotion.

And for trivial advice - get one of those carseat jobs that snaps into a stroller. The baby gets heavy fast, and carseats are awkward to carry by the handle. The babe will fall asleep in car, and the last thing you will want to do is wake him/her up by removing from the seat.

Which leads to my words to live by (passed down from sister to sister)
1. Don't wake a sleeping baby.
2. Tomorrow will be a better day (only on those days when junior has started the day by puking on your bed in the wee hours, necessitating a full change of sheets; whereupon things only got worse).

Hello
 

First, congrats.

I'll give one random piece of advice. If the little monkey will be headed to daycare sometime in the first year, check out places NOW. Many centers have waiting lists, especially for the youngest rooms (after they're a year old its actually a little easier). But more importantly, you can take some time to look at the center before the kid comes. Afterward, either the kid is in tow, or you're worried about whomever is taking care of him. We followed this advice, and then had to find a new place anyway because of some changes at the daycare and at home. It was great to not have to worry about where they would be going when they were very little, but a big pain to find a new place.

Oh, and read the books before you burn them. But burn them. The greatest piece of advice I received was this: whatever you do, the kid will think is normal.

Hello
 

Was this person a pedophile? I mean, it's true, but it's not really the be all and end all. Like, you could beat your kid with a belt on a nightly basis and the kid would think it is normal.

I know that's not what you were getting at, which was more that there is no one correct way that if you don't get completely right your kid is doomed, and I'm pretty sure everyone on this board is a thoughtful parent.

Nevertheless, it's important to remember that whatever you do consistently, the kid will think is normal.

This to me is such a good reason not to have kids.

Edit: Damn you people. I have been informed by PM that the above sentence is "inappropriate" in light of the "happy" event. Let's just say I have my reasons, and Mr. McFlintyflintflint is well aware of them.

But, given that you people have all decided to have kids (and some actually have them) congratulations to all of you on all the blessed events. My reluctance to have kids is no doubt my legitimate fear of producing more mes. But you are all fantabulous people, so mazel tov.*

*I don't know if I am using this term correctly, but I felt I needed an ending.

Hello
 

I believe it was one of the banned socks who first said "more fringeys!"

Or maybe that was robust puppies. But anyways, nothing wrong with more fringies. Much less frightening idea that more sebbies or paigows, right?

Hello
 

Toss-up.

Hello
 

Hey, I wasn't offended. It takes a village, right? And every village has a jealous monkey lover, right? Anyone? Bueller?

Hello
 

Actually, that's great advice, and something I really haven't thought about--since it takes a bit of long term foresight and I'm lacking in that respect. I'll be sure to start looking--thanks!

Flinty

Hello
 

Does that mean I get to babysit and imprint my behavior on the little monkey as normal? Cool!

Hello
 

Re: labor and birthing, one word: doula. I didn't have one and later wished I did.

Re: breastfeeding, I might give it longer than six weeks. For us, it took about three months before it was completely easy and automatic. The first week, in which Magnus screamed bloody murder every time I tried to feed him, and we ended up feeding him pumped milk via syringe, was particularly hellish. And I didn't even have cracked and bleeding nipples like my sister! Unless you have a serious problem (e.g. insufficient glandular tissue), breastfeeding is worth all the trouble in the long run. Even if you think you won't stick it out past, say, four months, some breastfeeding is better for baby than no breastfeeding.

Re: family coming to stay, it all depends on the family. I had a houseful (my mom, both inlaws plus my mil's mother), and didn't have to lift a finger. My mom cooked and cleaned, my mil and her mother unpacked all my boxes from moving four weeks before giving birth, and my fil rebuilt the front porch railing. They all got along great (our moms were friends since college, so there was no mil-mil tension), and were amazingly good-natured about being awakened every few hours every night (see feeding-as-torture, above).

Sleep now.

tm

Hello
 

My parents agree that my mom's post-partum depression lifted as soon as her mother and his mother left the house. Sadly for my parents, that was about three weeks after my birth.

Hello
 

I have no intentions of having anyone stay at the house. Most thankfully, Mr. Lex's psycho-family is out of state. My mom will come over, but she's about 30min away, so no need to stay overnight.

-TL

Flinty times 3
 

Congratulations! I don't have much to add to everyone else's excellent advice, but fwiw:

(1) the most important piece of advice: at first, sleep when the baby sleeps. Don't worry about cleaning up, doing other things, etc. when the baby is napping. You (and particularly mommy monkey, if she's breast-feeding) will be exhausted at first. Don't make it worse than it has to be. :)

(2) this may sound counter-intuitive, but if you can avoid it, don't have family visit immediately. Give yourselves a week or two after little Flinty is home from the hospital to acclimate a little bit to the new dynamic, get used to the new routine/lack of sleep, etc. And when family does come, see if you can stagger their arrivals so you don't have 5 or 6 people visiting you for a whirlwind week, then departing, leaving you completely alone. You'll be seriously sleep-deprived for at least the first 6-8 weeks. If momma monkey is breast-feeding every couple of hours around the clock, you both (but especially she) will be at the end of your ropes. It's heaven to be able to have a family member (or doula) watch the kid while you sleep more than you otherwise would, or leave the monkey cage just to get some fresh air and a sanity break. Staggering family visits means you have helping hands around longer, with less stress associated with having everyone there at the same time.

(3) occasional crying jags are normal. Occasionally, the little monkey may cry for a half an hour or forty-five minutes in the middle of the night for no apparent reason. If it gets too much to take, put the little monkey down in the bassinet/crib and leave the room for five minutes. Take turns with mommy monkey. Give each other breaks.

(4) the first time you see red-brick looking crystals in the diaper, in the first couple of weeks, don't panic. It's just a normal side effect of mild dehydration. This is particularly apt to happen about a week after birth, since the mother's milk doesn't come in for several days and the little one will lose weight during this time (this is completely normal). Don't try to supplement the baby's feeding at this point with water or a bottle if you're breast-feeding; that may interfere with breast latch-on and cause nipple confusion.

(5) make sure the little one starts getting daily experience with a bottle around 6-8 weeks of age, even if mommy monkey has been exclusively breastfeeding up to that point. We didn't do this the way we should have, and little chevy now won't take a bottle. It puts a real crimp in your ability to go out and do things, either with or without the little one, and it means you have to wait to have that flexibility until s/he's weaned to the cup.

Best of luck and congratulations again!

CDF

Flinty times 3
 

Do this in constant consultation with your ped. A friend's baby was, unknown to all, having trouble latching, and the ped set the first appointment too far out --- a month, I think. So the kid wasn't getting anything for two weeks, and no one knew, until the kid had seizures and had to be helicoptered to the nearest med center. Thankfully, no long term damage, but the mom was a wreck.

If you see red crystals in the diaper, don't freak, but check for all other symptoms of dehydration (flaccid skin that doesn't return after pinching; lethargy; there are others).

Pay for two in-home visits from a lactation consultant. Once upon a time, teaching how to nurse occurred mother-to-daughter, but most of our generation was raised on bottles and Mom don't know dick about it anymore.

Flinty times 3
 

Well, even having a mother who breastfed isn't a guarantee she will be able to give helpful advice. My mom, when asked, said, "I don't know, I just did it." Okay, whatever.

Someone else I know, a mother of nine, helped a family member (sister or daughter, I can't remember) by showing the baby how to latch on on herself, then handing the newly-educated baby back to mom. Some folks get really squicked out by the idea of a baby nursing at the breast of someone other than its birth mother, but that sounded to me like a very efficient way to solve the problem.

tm

Flinty times 3
 

Yes, obviously. But during the 4-6 hours that it takes the ped. to call you back (at least in NY), don't freak. And, from experience, it's fairly clear when the little one is having trouble latching on. The suggestion of in-home visits from a lactation consultant is an excellent one, though.

One important note: at some point near the two-month point, if mommy monkey is breastfeeding, she will probably suspect that she isn't producing enough milk. If the baby is latching on properly and generating wet diapers, along with yellow-mustard stool, don't freak out and assume that you have to start supplementing with formula. This tends to lead to early weaning. The thing that makes breasts make more milk (unless you're taking certain herbs or drugs, which your doctor can prescribe or recommend), is the baby's sucking. Babies go through growth spurts. The first one seems to occur, commonly, at about six weeks (judging by what the women in Chevette's new moms group have said). A lot of women assume that b/c of crying and constant suckling, the little one isn't getting enough, and start using a bottle with formula. It takes a few days for the breasts to catch up and start producing more milk. Assuming sufficient glandular tissue, though, most women can breastfeed twins. Let nature do its work. You can also use a pump; those help quite a bit.

Two purchase recommendations: a breast pump (preferably electric), if mommy will be breastfeeding, and a nursing pillow (boppy or other; different people have different preferences depending on torso length, nursing position/chair, etc.). My wife often used the couch pillows once little chevy got the hang of things. FWIW, the boppy is great as a support pillow when the little one is learning to sit.

Always consult with the pediatrician, but be aware that not everything new is automatically an emergency. Relax and you'll get through it. We all tend to get very uptight (naturally), and that's a good thing. Just don't let it get to you too much.

CDF (The red-brick crystals thing comes from personal freak-out experience.)

Flinty times 3
 

Okay, this sounds totally squicky to me. I would freak if someone did that with my kid.

Breastfeeding is a learned art. Both mommy and baby learn at the same time.

I remember when they first brought the Brazenette into the recovery room and asked me if I'd like to nurse her. I remember thinking YES and NO spontaneously. Yes, because I was full of love and motherly feelings for this little mewing thing, and No because I had no earthly idea how to even begin.

Brazenette never really nursed in the hospital. The nurses kept trying to get me to allow them to give her a bottle of formula or sugar water. I refused to allow them to do so. I am glad I stood my ground.

I recently sat in the Brazenette's room, nursing her just before bed, thinking how amazing it was that what was so difficult at first has become so effortless.

Flinty times 3
 

Something to keep in mind of course is that certain babies, for a variety of reasons, simply will not latch on ever.

My first daughter was like this. We went through two lactation consultants, did the whole pump and then feed with an eye-dropper routine, and basically kept at it until our doctor ordered us to go to formula. Knowing my oldest for two years now, in hindsight I think she simply didn't have the patience for breast feeding.

In contrast, daughter #2 has doen spectacularly with breast feeding. But she's a much more mellow kid.

Flinty times 3
 

My pediatrician would be fired if it took 4-6 hours to return my call about my newborn.