Taking care of a baby is as natural to me as breathing.

Taking care of my baby is whole new ball game.

I’ve been taking care of babies since my little brother was born when I was 3 years and 2 days old, to be exact. :) Then, when I was ten, some family friends of ours had twin boys. We have a picture of me at age 10 sitting on the floor with both baby boys propped up somehow on my little stick legs and I have a bottle in each hand feeding them. 

I grew up taking care of babies. Taking care of other people’s children continued even until just one week before Little Bug was born. Back in August, I began nannying for a family with twin baby girls.

To say I love taking care of babies is an understatement.

Now, I have my very own baby to take care of and these past few days have been some of the most precious days of my entire life – and the most nerve-wracking - at times!

For the first time in my life I don’t have “instructions from the parents” on what the baby needs when. It’s all up to me (and Dave) now to figure out Little Bug. :)

Little Bug left the hospital eating 2 oz. of formula every 3-4 hours. Since being home she has had several feedings where she has wanted less and several feedings that she has wanted more.

I am trying to figure her out and have come to the conclusion that I just need to listen to her because she will tell me in her own little way what she needs when.

But, when it is time to make a bottle I stand there and wonder, “Should I make 2 oz.? 3 oz.? 4 oz.?” She is also in the stage where she sleeps so much that she falls asleep in the middle of a feeding. This morning I stripped her down to her diaper in an attempt to wake her up so she would finish the feed! (It worked.)

I know it is a matter of learning my baby and listening to my instincts.

Right now all is content in her world after eating just 2 oz. at 7:30am.

Any tips you experienced mommy’s out there want to give me about a baby’s eating habits would be greatly appreciated!

Daddy just left for work. We miss him already!

- Elaine