The anti-sleep phase of Tadpole

Tadpole was born with some serious jaundice and we were released on a very strict feeding schedule. We started off in the hospital supplementing with formula and went home with directions to supplement with pedilite. We were already stressed with the simple fact that Tadpole was ours plus MIL (which is a whole blog of issues) was sleeping on the couch. Tadpole and I holed up in my bed and cried together for 2 days. We struggled everyday with latching issues and after about 15 minutes had doctor's orders to give him the pedilite. I think they just assumed my milk would be in by this point and the pedilite would just be extra to help make sure he was full to clear up the jaundice. Problem was that Tadpole wasn't interested in anything that didn't come in that cute little bottle with the easy nipple. We went back to the hospital on Day 2 to have his blood tested to check his jaundice and didn't even make it home before they called and said we had to come back immediately. His levels were several points above what is considered dangerous and they needed to admit him for more aggressive treatments. We stayed for several days before they would release him and those nurses badgered and pestered us to keep every minute scheduled. Yes, it was for his health but when we finally got him home with all clear from the doctor - we threw schedules and routines out the door. Two weeks was more than any of us could handle and its worked for us, atleast until now. Tadpole hit 6 1/2ish months and suddenly nothing could make him happy. He might be awake at midnight one night and out by six the next but would still wake up at 7 am. I go to the birth board (message board made up of mom's whose kids were all born in November 09) and everyone agrees that he is crying out for some routine in his life and some structure. Since I'm to the point of hiring a babysitter just so I can close the bedroom door and nap, I decide to give the whole structure thing a try. Today is officially Day 1 and at 3 pm, Tadpole has had breakfast, morning nap, lunch, and is in the middle of afternoon nap. Assuming that he goes to bed without me wishing my Mom lived closer, this structure thing might not be so bad.

Lesson here: All lax is bad, all rigid is bad, gotta find a balance :)