Toddler's Revenge

I've been home for four days and apparently Libby is not happy. According to J, while I was gone she was LESS fussy that she is now that I am home. She is being aggressive towards me and even deliberately bit me while nursing. She looked me straight in the eye and chomped down. When I removed her I told her firmly, "no biting" and she had no reaction whatsoever. She just looked at me with a blank expression. Usually she'd either scold herself by saying, "no, no, no!" or become embarrassed and crack a smile. This is the first time I've ever just seen her be defiant. Her sleep has gone to hell in a hand basket. Some of this could be due to Daylight Saving Time and "springing forward" an hour. But her sleep routine is off by two to three hours, not one!

Like today...she awoke at 4:30 a.m. which isn't out of the norm. She went back to sleep from 6:30-8:30 a.m. which is fairly predictable. But then, she didn't nap until 3 p.m.! This is 2-3 hours later than her "normal" time. And she slept until 5:30 p.m. So I knew her bedtime routine was out the window. Especially since we're usually having dinner by 5 p.m., so that was also pushed off about an hour. 7:00 p.m. is her normal bedtime and even with the change in time, I'd be okay with 8:00 p.m. But tonight, she didn't go down until 9:00 p.m. and that wasn't without a struggle. Since I've returned she wants to be at my breast for 45-60 minutes! She hasn't been like that in months!

So I am trying to be as gentle and patient as possible. Thankfully I'll have Friday and Monday off so we'll have four whole days together. I am hoping to just give her as much attention as possible and try to get her back to her regular schedule. I feel horrible that my time away has sent her off on an emotional roller coaster...I just want my sweet, lovable little back.

2 comments:

Sandra said...

Aww, poor Libby! And poor mama too =( I hope things get better this weekend!

Sarah said...

Poor Libby and poor mama! Bella bit me (not while nursing) when she was mad at me once... I had worked 2 12 hour days in a row and she had been home with Ryan. She's NEVER bit him before. I think it's their way to show us they are hurt and angry. Poor kiddos. We're having BIG adjustments at our house right now. I just keep reminding myself to be extra patient with Bella and give her plenty of TLC. Good luck mama!