How bad was the first year of your son / daughter being born?

[P1]

Originally Posted by KingOfJericho

What made things get so much worse over time? I've had just the opposite experience. She has become exponentially more fun as time progresses.

Interested in hearing this also...

[Sara]

It was absolutely pure bliss and torture at the same time the first few months for me. Now that my daughter makes 9 months next week, she's much easier to handle. She sleeps through the night, feeds her self. Getting things done is easier since she is a little more self sufficient.

I want another one.

[carve]

Forgive my ignorance, but would a kid without some kind of serious issue really starve itself to death? Nothing else in the animal kingdom needs to be force fed- they compete for a nipple. Perhaps just wait for it to get hungry? It seems like one of those inherent biological instincts that just takes care of itself, like breathing :

[KingOfJericho]

Originally Posted by carve

Forgive my ignorance, but would a kid without some kind of serious issue really starve itself to death? Nothing else in the animal kingdom needs to be force fed- they compete for a nipple. Perhaps just wait for it to get hungry? It seems like one of those inherent biological instincts that just takes care of itself, like breathing :

You must have aced sensitivity training.

[grimlock]

Originally Posted by carve

Forgive my ignorance, but would a kid without some kind of serious issue really starve itself to death? Nothing else in the animal kingdom needs to be force fed- they compete for a nipple. Perhaps just wait for it to get hungry? It seems like one of those inherent biological instincts that just takes care of itself, like breathing :

Have one and find out.

[UncleWede]

Newborns die in the wild all the time, quite often from starvation. We as evolved humans tend to try a lot harder to protect those who would normally die if left to the wilds. Think of all the medicine in your own family, how much life has been extended.

I would have died a slow, miserable, starving death from diabetes 36 years ago myself.

[grimlock]

^
UncleWede, it's a miracle you are here with us today.

[carve]

Originally Posted by UncleWede

Newborns die in the wild all the time, quite often from starvation. We as evolved humans tend to try a lot harder to protect those who would normally die if left to the wilds. Think of all the medicine in your own family, how much life has been extended.

I would have died a slow, miserable, starving death from diabetes 36 years ago myself.

...they starve because of lack of food, not because they choose not to eat

I guess what I'm getting at is eating and desire for food is a natural reflex. You eat when you finally get hungry unless there's some medical issue that is overriding this instinct. So, either he's not hungry when made to eat, or there's something else going on, right? If there's nothing wrong and he just hasn't made the connection between eating and satisfaction, if that's even possible, I'm sure he will once he's sufficiently hungry to make that connection

[IN54NITY]

^

...not going to starve, but if he's got acid reflux (OP's description fit it to the 'T'), it'll make life hell for the parents. No food in stomach, no acid refux, but kid won't eat much as she/he should eat. What's a stronger instinct, avoidance of extreme pain (burning chest/throat) or hunger?

[John 070]

Originally Posted by carve

...they starve because of lack of food, not because they choose not to eat

I guess what I'm getting at is eating and desire for food is a natural reflex. You eat when you finally get hungry unless there's some medical issue that is overriding this instinct. So, either he's not hungry when made to eat, or there's something else going on, right? If there's nothing wrong and he just hasn't made the connection between eating and satisfaction, if that's even possible, I'm sure he will once he's sufficiently hungry to make that connection

Are you a parent?

[MrHerboto]

My daughter who just recently turned two has gone through some phases; first it was a really bad time with colic and not long after that was over and things stabilized, it was chronic ear infections and several rounds of doctor's appointments and antibiotics. Now after trial and error, getting tubes put in her ears to help reduce the ear infection issues, and a lot of lost sleep, it's become a lot more fun. The biggest thing and I mean the biggest thing is focusing on your relationship with your wife. I didn't and I am reaping the consequences, I focused so much more on being the provider of means and not support that it really has taken a toll on my relationship with my wife. Enjoy it all though, I know for certain that one day when my daughter iis a moody teenager that I will yearn for the days of driving around at midnight trying to get her to sleep when I had to be up in four hours.

[panicos81]

First five months have been great for us. He wakes up just one time at night for a few minutes, eats and goes back to sleep. We were lucky and didnt have problem with colic? Now that he is starting to comprehent staff and laughs its even better. Hope it stays that way, or gets better even!