Okay, that’s a lie. I do not drink decaf coffee, although, I would, because coffee is delicious. By the way, I take mine with cream, regular cream, no sugar. How do you take yours?
I can distinctly remember my Grandma giving me my first cup of coffee when I was young, she poured tons of half and half in it. I can also remember her making me breakfast, she cut up bananas and poured half and half over the bananas in a bowl, that simple little breakfast remains one of my favorite things to eat. Brings back such amazing memories of such a wonderful woman. She died many years ago, somehow, it’s been, I don’t know, 17 years or so? My God, how can that be?
Yesterday would have been her birthday. I thought about her all day. I even felt like her a little bit as I baked brownies and made a delicious dinner for my family. (I’m serious, it was AMAZING.)
Anyway, back to coffee. many of you have expressed concerns about my nursing and drinking coffee and also hearing my complaints about Elijah’s poor sleeping habits in the same breath. I really appreciate your concern, honestly, I do, but I just don’t believe they are related because I don’t drink caffeine except for coffee in the mornings and one diet coke in the early afternoons. Surrounding the coffee and diet coke, I drink about 120 ounces of water, every single day. I’m sure it’s possible that the diet coke is getting through my breast milk just at the time of him going to bed at 8:30, but he goes right to sleep, we can’t even keep him awake past 8:30. The trouble comes around 2:30 or 3, and then again at 4:30, and again at 5:45 and sometimes at 6:30.
But hey! Last night I slept for three solid hours, I feel like a new (totally exhausted) woman!
And, tiny baby boy has a tooth! A TOOTH! Wha? How in the? What in the? He’s just a baby who was just born and now he has a tooth and plays in his exersaucer and cries when I leave the room? Slow down time! Slow down, sweet baby!
Last night, I laid next to him in bed, my room was dimly lit and I was watching him doze off. Before he’d close his eyes, his eyes always met mine and he’d smile behind his pacifier. He did this over and over again and since he can’t say words, I saw those smiles and heard the words “I just love you and my family so much” and then my heart melted, right there on the floor and I realized what a perfect fit he is in our family. He just belongs. He’s meant to be.
Today’s weather is sunny and crisp with blue skies and soft, billowy clouds. I like today. I like it a lot.
Awwww I just adore that black and white shots of the tooth boy! I also love to read your Friday Morning coffee posts!
I drink my coffee black. Black as black can be. I remember my dad giving me 1st cup of coffee. I suspect I was around 12 years old. On Sunday mornings he would get me up a tad bit earlier than the rest of the family. We sip on our coffee and read devotions before church. Then dad would have me write out the check for our offering for church. (He signed it.) Every time I write a check these days (that is not many since we live in the world of plastic) I think of my Sunday morning with my dad. *sigh* nice dreamy thoughts.
Happy Holiday week end to you!!!!
I drink tons of caffeine and my girly sleeps like a log. I don’t think it gets to them.
He’s such a cutie!! Mine got her first tooth this week too!
My grandma always fried bacon and then scrambled the eggs in the same pan. My mother-in-law did that last Thanksgiving and it took me back. I missed my grandma a lot while making cupcakes for my son’s 2nd birthday. I was definitely channeling her.
I don’t think babies wake up in the middle of the night because of caffeine in breastmilk. I think babies wake up in the middle of the night because they are babies. You need to do what’s right for you, and if coffee and diet coke make you happy (I know they make ME happy), then you need to drink them.
Please. I tried coffee, I tried no coffee, I tried nothing but water, I tried no water, I tried wine, I tried EVERYTHING to get Tommy to sleep. If it was as cut and dry as just cutting out one thing, I’m sure you would’ve figured it out already (incidentally, the wine never worked for Tommy, but it made me happier).
Shane made that same pasta last week, since our garden is overgrown with fresh basil right now. Isn’t it delicious?
Ya know, I have never commented on a “stranger’s” blog before, but I just have to give you one piece of advice about the sleep. It is going to sound crazy, but earlier bedtimes actually help kids sleep in later and feel better rested and have less night awakenings if they are still waking at night. There is a ton of research to back this up. You wouldn’t want to all of a sudden put him to bed at 6:30, but move his bedtime up gradually by 15 minutes a night until you are putting him to bed between 6:30 and 7. Like I said, it might sound crazy, but I promise you he will be better rested and wake up less (unless his night awakenings are simply health related issues). You might be thinking that going to bed that early won’t fit into your lifestyle (I don’t know), but it is SO worth it. I am not a sleep expert or anything but I have read every single sleep book our there before I had my baby so I wouldn’t have to lose sleep at night, and he sleeps from 6:30 pm to 6:30/7ish am every single night and has been doing this (for the most part) since he was 4 months old. Good luck.
He sounds like he’s sleeping normally to me. I drank 2litres of diet soda while feeding my son, and oh the coffee? and he’s my best sleeper. Anything is better then walking around like a zombie. Do what you got to do, also as he gets older?
My mom was freaking out because I could eat chocolate while BFing she couldn’t. LOL Every boob owner is different.
Beth:
Love his eyes…He is so cute…have a great weekend…
What a sweet boy and a sweet momma! My ovaries hurt reading that post. No advice on the sleeping thing although I agree with you on the caffeine thing.
Hi love the pics. Could it be that he is hungry . I had that with all of mine good luck
Beth, I love your photos and your words. You have such a gift. I’m so glad I can across your blog oh so very many months ago. Reading your life is a joy.
I drank coffee during both pregnancies and while nursing. The only time it would affect their sleep is if I drank it after 5pm. I tend to agree with the previous poster about early bed times though. My 10 month old’s bedtime is 7pm. Since he was 6 months he’s woken at 11pm and about 430am to nurse and wakes for the day by 730. Sometimes he has restless nights but usually it corresponds with teething, big development change (rolling over, crawling), or illness. I would try moving his bedtime up, even my 3 yr old goes to bed by 8pm. Mommy needs her me time.
i agree with Ann. I remember someone saying to me the phrase “sleep begets sleep” or “the more a baby sleeps the more the baby will sleep” At five months old he should be feeding at four hour intervals furing the day and sleeping thru the night (7 pm – 7 am – roughly).
But, not every baby is the same and I always say to moms “do what ya gotta do to survive”.
BTW, I LOVE your blog. I’m from Toronto, Ontario and look forward to “hearing” from you every few days and admire your photorgraphic gift.
Your pictures of your sweet boy are the only ones that make me want to get a camera and learn to actually use it to take pictures of my family. He is just adorable. I hope the sleeping/nursing struggles ease soon so that you can truly enjoy every single minute. Not to say that you are not, but I know it is hard when you are exhausted and you just want him to be happy all the time.
I love the fact that you and I have babies 2 days apart, we both breastfeed and we both drink coffee! I drink a cappacino with skim milk and honey every morning and I have an iced one in the afternoon. My coffee drinking does not affect my 5 month old at all. She has been sleeping thru the night, 8pm to 6:30am, since she was 2 months old. Different babies have different sleep schedules and only you know him best. Coffee *cheers* to you, mama!
eew… so sorry for saying anything on that last post. I was just sharing from my own experience – I’ve been breastfeeding or pregnant for the last four years, so I’m really missing my own coffee! I hope I didn’t offend!
Seriously…he is just too much! I love his face…
Yes, amazing, beautiful Eli is really growing up. First I saw him about a week ago when he had gone from a tiny, fragile newborn to a solid, robust big baby – so strong and so alert. Oh yeah, he was alert even as a newborn so that doesn’t count.
Then yesterday he had become this big baby boy with so much personality and so smart! But wait, he always had a ton of personality and he’s always been so smart. Anyway, he’s changing so much in ways that it’s hard to put my finger on but one thing I can say for sure – He’s a heart stealer, melter, grabber.
His amazing eyes and beautiful smile are irresistible.
I can’t believe how big he is getting!
I love coffee so much that I do drink decaf and if I don’t get my coffee in the morning I feel all icky, I think its because of the routine since I have to drink decaf. I take my coffee with a bit of flavored creamer at the bottom of the cup, pour coffee on top, top it off with a splash of 2% milk. I love it!
I just always love your posts. They are so…real. Yet also, so beautifully written. You always seem to capture life, for all its good and all its bad, and I just thank you for this beautiful gift that you share with all of us out on the Internet.
Your little boy is beautiful. My little boy just started getting teeth (and crawling…he’s older than Eli, and was a little on the later side of getting teeth). But I still had the same reaction. How can my little baby be getting teeth??
He is so adorable!! They grow SO fast!! You should consider submitting a photo to Http://toocuteforwords.org !!
Good luck on the sleep front!
Honestly I can’t believe anyone left you a comment about what you drink and your baby sleeping habit. It is funny in a strange and weird way how strangers feel compelled to give you advice on parenting. Oh that baby needs a hat, it’s late in the day to be out with a baby .. ..
You’re the mom and you know better than anyone what to do. Next time you get that kind of unsolicited advice just ignore it.
You’re the mom and you’re doing an amazing job.
I love me some coffee. I have fond memories of coffee with my grandmother too. And I’m still nursing. And still drinking the ol’ joe.
I LOVE that sweet little face even more. Love reading your blog.
I have to agree with the going to bed early thing. My son would do the same thing- go to bed fine but wake up constantly after 4 hours of sleep. One day someone told me to put him to bed earlier so I put him to bed at 6:30 and woke up at 5 am and ran into his room to make sure he was still breathing- he was, and I thought it must of been coincidence, but from then on out he slept great. He’s now 18 months and still goes to sleep around 7 and sleeps great! He was the first child though so we could totally adjust our schedule to his so I’m not sure how easy that would be for you but I’m sure you’re willing to try anything!
I LOVE LOVE LOVE your blog!
Nicholas has been waking more in the last week which led me to google which led me to the book The Wonder Weeks. If you haven’t looked at it, you should. Along with Eli’s teething there is a whole boatload of developmental stuff peaking for him (and my Nicholas) right now. It was fun to read and made me just want to squeeze him and love on him when he complained at me to GET BACK HERE AND PICK ME UP, which he never used to do.
I drink coffee, too. Cream and sugar please. (non-dairy creamer right now. thanks a lot, baby.)
I can definitely back this up. All three of my kids sleep better through the night when they get to bed around 6 or 6:30. When I keep them up till 8 or so they wake up earlier, or wake up in the middle of the night. It’s really crazy. So, I’m not a sleep expert either. But it worked with mine too.
Yes, it is a BEAUTIFUL day in NWI!! I love days like this.
And that boy is just too georgeous!! The love for him and the whole family is just oozing through the blog.
You just made me remember that my Granny used to make me white bread and molasses for breakfast. It was really good.
And you also made me remember the days when K would fall asleep next to me in the bed…
AND, you made me want to kiss those sweet baby boy cheeks! Squee!!!
Have a great weekend Beth…
Strong coffee, milk, caramel macchiato creamer, sugar and….whip cream, cinnamon and caramel to top. I have to have it taste like Starbuck’s so I won’t go there everyday!
Just remember….this too shall pass. I’m holding on to that. My 9 month old twins slept through the night starting at 2 months. That all changed the moment they started teething. It’s beginning to get better and Eli will too. Hang in there!
Strong, with milk, caramel macchiato creamer, sugar aaaand…whipped cream, caramel and cinnamon to top. I have to make it taste like a Starbuck’s latte so I won’t go by there everyday!
About the sleep issue…just remember that this too shall pass. I’m holding on to that! My 9 month old twins slept through the night starting at 2 months, but as soon as they started teething everything changed. Things are beginning to get better now that they have a few. Just hang in there, it’ll get better.
Are you smoking crack with the coffee? No? Then I think you’re ok with just caffeine. If you are smoking crack then I might have to judge you.
So much we have in common, sista! I, too, take my coffee with swirls of cream and no sugar. And I like it strong. Just short of sludgy, actually. And I think your little boy in his exersaucer and being upset when momma exits his line of vision must be the same age as my little dumpling baby girl who is doing the exact same. Love your blog, and love your linky blog hop each week. Next week maybe I’ll shoot something entry worthy.
Oh and BTW, I have always drank THE most coffee when nursing, on account of I’m just so flippin’ exhausted. And all three of my children are healthy as horses and smart as whips. Probably, due in large to the caffeine. They’ll prove it scientifically later.
Someone else here said that babies wake up in the night because they are babies. I totally agree. In my book babies shouldn’t be sleeping through the night at a particular age. They are all different and will sleep through the night when they are ready. I have a 16 month old who just within the past month started sleeping through the night. Don’t feel like you are doing something wrong. Your situation sounds very normal to me!
Coffee w/ half and half please. I use to drink black and then tried it with the cream — no going back. I drink 2 to 3 cups of coffee a day and at least 2 cups of tea (afternoon and evening when everyone is finally in bed).
The only time my babies have had trouble with waking up is when they are about to pop a tooth or they are about to reach some monumental milestone (like crawling or pulling up or walking).
Babies do sleep like babies — some wake up all the time and some do sleep. Could be his tooth and now that it’s popped up maybe he’ll settle better?
Beth, I’ve never posted here before, but I am a regular reader and I LOVE your blog. I’m just a quiet reader, I guess. I have to say, though, please don’t feel guilty about your caffeine intake. I nursed almost 6 years between my 3 kids and never noticed any difference in any of the children when I had caffeine. With child 1, I had a little, child 2 some, and child 3 A LOT. I never saw any effect on sleep, behavior, etc. Keep enjoying your coffee. I know I couldn’t live without it. I hope you get some rest soon. Some people are just not sleepers. My middle child was a horrible sleeper from day 1 and still is, 6 years later. I think some people just don’t sleep like others. Hang in there, mama! You are doing a great job!
Don’t listen to those nags! I’ve been going La Leche League for a year and a half and have met plenty of coffee-drinking milk mamas with no sleeping problems. I don’t drink coffee, but I’ll admit to a drink or two every now and then – I wonder what they would say about that? It’s all in moderation, and you need to be a mentally sane mama to be a good mama. By the way, you are way nicer than me – I would have posted a link to this: http://parenting.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/07/09/unwanted-parenting-advice-from-strangers/
Eli’s sleeping schedule sounds like my little man’s. I even began to process of moving him into HIS crib so maybe he’d sleep better away from me and the milk…. LOL!!!! We’ve had a few night sleeping 11:30pm until 6:30am … whoo hooo…. but they were just teasers;) He’s been back in with me about 3ish each night after those blesses nights…
But I’m totally not wanting time to pass too quickly…. I’ll take those semi-sleepless nights of snuggling with my little dude before they slip away!!
I totally believe in mother’s intuition. So, if you don’t think that the caffeine is bothering Eli, it’s probably not. Every baby and every mommy are different. Eli is such a cutie and your photos are beautiful – as always.
Congratulations on the tooth!!! We just got our 2nd and it breaks my heart how fast everything is moving. I totally understand where you’re coming from wjen they look right at you and smile. My heart does the same thing.
Oh, I take my coffee with a little sugar and milk or half and half.
I think Eli just misses you in the middle of the night. I am not making that up, I read that in sleep books. I did the same early bed time with all 3 of my kids, and still, one kid was just so different than the other 2. I drank tons and tons of diet coke. Two of my kids slept easily, and the other wanted to nurse all.of.the.time. around the clock until he was 10 months old. Diet coke and baby sleep, totally not related. Salud! Here is to more diet coke!
Hey, I’m finally commenting! Lol although I only have 2 weeks worth of breatfeeding experience, I don’t think caffeine has that much of an effect on how a baby sleeps…..well at least mine I guess. I’m still drinking a lot of diet coke and just last night he slept for 8 hrs straight!! From everything I read and hear it seems like every person is so different. I think its very important to just do what works for YOU! But what do I know? Lol like I said, Dane is only 2 wks old! ………oh and those pics are way too cute! I can’t wait to see him! He’s getting soo big!
Love you!
Hi. I haven’t said hi for a long time, though I read every day. Eli is beautiful. I nursed three babies to a year drinking a cup or two of coffee a day. No correlation to sleep patterns! XO.
Aww, sweet baby. he’s getting bigger and cuter every day. Maybe I didn’t get it, but if you are talking about him not sleeping thru the night, well I had 5 and nursed all of them. Nobody Ever slept. I was always looking slightly off. I never got much sleep.LOL None of my nursing friends did either. I always wondered why the pediatrician asked if my baby was sleeping through the night. I had no idea they were supposed to. If I could move far enough away from them that they could not feel my skin then they slept for a good long while. But as soon as they felt mom flesh the little mouths would start sucking in the air until they found me. With every baby I nursed longer. My last one was 3 1/2. She thought that was awful until she had her baby last year. Her baby girl is now 14 months old and she has no plans to stop nursing any time soon. Don’t ya just love it? I wish I could nurse my grandbaby sometimes. It is just the most special thing in the world. I think you are doing great.
Well I’ll add my two cents again. I was one of the commenters on the caffeine. It just seemed sensible to me. And here’s the kicker. I sleep exactly the same way Eli sleeps if I have had coffee. Go to sleep well but wake many times. Just a thought. You might want to just do an experiment for peace of mind. Diet Coke doesn’t seem to bother my sleep much but coffee really, really does.
Good luck and hugs!!!
I support your caffeine habit 100%. Some kids sleep all night, some don’t. Some mamas drink coffee while breastfeeding, some don’t. Maybe not drinking coffee would help his sleeping, maybe it wouldn’t. But most likely, the caffeine brings you pleasure, and in all honestly its a pretty harmless pleasure.
Um yeah.. I really like Diet Coke and coffee too. Coffee with half a packet of sweet-n-low and a little international delight (any flavor will do). Eli’s such a cute little sweet potato. He looks like a smart little guy. I just love that picture you posted the other day of your 3 kids in the bed. Precious.
I support your coffee indulgence 100%. Some babies sleep all night, some don’t. Some mamas drink caffeine and breastfeed, and some don’t. Chances are, though, that your morning coffee brings you a lot of pleasure, and as women we give up so much that brings us pleasure in order for our children to be healthy and well. In the grand scheme of things, coffee is a pretty benign indulgence.
I am pregnant with my fourth baby, three years after my last. I have been re-reading a few parenting books, mainly because I feel like it’s been a while since I’ve done the whole newborn thing!
I just thought that I’d add something to all this discussion. I breast fed all three of my kids for 1-2 years. My twins, now 4 yo, slept like champs. Our third, however, was the worlds WORST sleeper, and kind of still is. We literally did the same things with all three kids with very different results. I just think it’s the way it is – kids are different. However, as I was re-reading the Attachment Parents Handbook (Dr. Sears), I thought it was interesting to read how he basically says that breast fed babies are going to wake up. Lots. At the least, more than a formula fed baby. That is just part of the way breast feeding is designed, and there are reasons for it. Closeness, frequent feeding for necessity, etc.
Anyway, I know that isn’t really all that helpful, but it did make me feel a little better when I think about our last baby. I mean, she woke up every hour until she was about 10 months old. So I feel your pain!
However, I can’t help but hope that this next one is a better sleeper than her!
Good luck!
I used to hate coffee until I got married and my lovely husband introduced me to the wonderful world of flavored coffee!!! Ooooo. Hazelnut, Highlander Grogg, Cinnamon Spice! Sooo good. Still, I take my coffee with milk and sugar so it is probably more like hot chocolate to serious coffee drinkers.
I completely agree with you. Drinking some coffee is not going to affect your breastmilk. I drank up to two cups of coffee a day with each of my kiddos and it never affected their sleep. Besides, a mama has got to have SOME of her simple pleasures.