How to Care for Your Newborn at Night Ally Killean
First, lie quietly and still for as long as possible, just in case the baby is only whimpering in his sleep. Remain still yet— your husband might wake up and hush the baby or change his diaper. When the baby’s whimpers turn to cries and your husband is still in his indifferent slumber, carefully and slowly sit up in bed. No matter how slow you turn and rise, the fresh line of pink disfigured skin above your pubic bone will sear like a white-hot brand that identifies you as a new mother. Turn on the dim lamp and take the two painful steps over to your newborn son who is now sufficiently crying in earnest inside his bassinet. Notice his arms flailing due to your inept attempt at swaddling two hours earlier. Consider trying to wrap him back up in the swaddle and switch on the vibration setting of the bassinet to gain a few more precious moments of sleep. Realize quickly that this is a pipe dream and pick up the baby. As you lift him, feel the drenched crib sheet that surrounds your son’s upper body and detect the all too familiar and sour smell of regurgitated breast milk. Proceed to stripping the bassinet and then the baby—who is now sufficiently scandalized about being hungry, tired, wet and cold—of its soiled linen. Curse yourself for not putting extra crib sheets or sleepers in your bedroom. Hold your baby close, walk across the hall to the nursery
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