My child has what a friend of mine delightfully refers to as a “witching hour.” I swear, like clockwork, my kiddo starts crying at 5:30PM on the dot and does not stop until 8:30PM. All afternoon long, I watch the clock start nearing the 5:30PM mark and I start getting antsy…knowing the wailing is coming.
Many of my friends suggested we get a swing for Baby Key since he seems to love motion. The only way we could calm him was to walk around and sway him or if I put him on my chest in the Moby wrap. While I enjoy holding my baby or wearing him close to me, sometimes I need a break. Sometimes I need the use of both hands. Dare I say it, sometimes I just need a moment away from my baby. This does not make me a bad mother, does it?
Last night, I pretty much had it. Granted, around the 8:30PM, he finally quieted, but those 3 hours are completely exhausting. I needed help. I decided that come hell or high water, the Keys were getting an infant swing. We NEED it.
So, this morning, at 7:00AM, I was walking through the doors of Babies R Us. (Can you believe that Babies R Us opens at 7:00AM during the holidays? And that next week they start being open 24-hours a day through Christmas day? That’s insane!) I was on a mission. This lady needed an infant swing.
I did a little research and decided the Fisher-Price Snugabunny Swing was the swing for us. Unfortunately, the $169.99 price tag was a bit steep for us, especially right here at the holidays. When I looked online, however, the website showed it for $129.99. Thankfully, the store honored the online price, and with $15 in gift cards, the swing was now in a more acceptable price range. HALLELUJAH! Armed with my new swing, I returned home, praying it would soothe my little one.
As soon as I got home, Mr. Key was ready to put it together. In a matter of moments, Baby Key was in it and quiet…cooing and gurgling…and, dare I say, content. It was a miracle! Since my child was born, the only time my child has been out of someone’s arms is when he is sleeping at night. He cries and acts fretful and is so hard to soothe. However, THIS is what happens with a comfortable infant swing…
SUCCESS! Do you see that!? THAT is a sleeping baby! WOOT!
Okay, so I know lots of other mothers have children that sleep in infant swings, but do you realize what this implies? This means that for brief periods of time, I can do something other than hold a baby. Even if I can get half an hour at a time out of this thing, I can find a way to be productive.
Squats in the living room.
Lunges up and down the hallway.
Free weights to work my arms.
And yes, even a few minutes to write my blogs! Woo hoo!
If I cannot get outside right now to go run with Baby Key, at least I can get in mini strength training workouts while he sleeps in the swing. I know that in returning to my pre-baby fitness level, I will have to do a lot more than just cardio and finding the time to work in long runs AND strength training is hard.
This swing may be a total game changer for me.
So long, flabby arms.
So long, untoned quads.
So long, weak calves.
Hello, semi-regular blogging! You know, until I really get the hang of this mom thing…
I am armed with an infant swing. And right now, that makes me feel invincible. Look, I know that sounds ridiculous, but my kid is happy and quiet, so right now, that makes me Super Mom.
Pre-baby body, slowly but surely, I’m coming for you. Watch out. Mama is back!
katieRUNSthis 
This made me laugh! I so remember those days and just want to say that you ar not crazy or a bad mommy. Taking care of kids (especially an infant) is hard work! It’s exhausting and frustrating and sometimes all consuming, but it is worth it.
Hang in there as you all adjust to this new thing called parenthood.
He is so precious!
any mama will tell you that you will do just about whatever it takes to quiet a baby. I certainly started in the camp of “No Swing-it will mess with their ability to self soothe”. Yeah, that lasted all of about 3 weeks with the first one and then I caved.
As for the Moby Wrap–my youngest is 15 months and I still use mine with her when a stroller isn’t practical. It is one of the best inventions ever!!
We got a snuggabunny too… I think when our bubba was about a week old (he’s going on 7 weeks now). We’ve gotten good use out of it 🙂 At first he wasn’t a fan but since he’s more interested in his surroundings now, he can use the swing to put himself to sleep at nap time. We also use a rock’n’play – he loves sleeping in it. They are lifesavers! Mothering is hard work.
Miracle things, aren’t they?! That is one of my surefire ways to get M to nap!
oh my you poor thing. I hate that he cries like that every day but yay for the swing! Excited you are able to start your comeback!
Oh. My. Gosh. The swing is the very first thing I recommend to expecting moms. I loved ours and so did the baby!!!!
Honey, you’re so not a bad mom 🙂
Can’t wait to see your progess!!
*progress.
*sigh*
What a beautiful baby! I think it’s awesome that you’ve found a way to have some time for yourself. You’re an inspiration to a runner who is anticipating starting down the baby trail herself.
It’s wonderful you found something that works!! I’m so happy for you!! 🙂 One of my sons loved the swing, and one hated it. So funny that you never know what may work, but it’s so awesome when you find something that does! YAY!!
my mom STILL tells all my friends how I wouldn’t sleep unless I was in a swing or a moving car! Dad had to do a lot of late night drives to nowhere…
Ohh..the witching hour is the worst! I remember battling that and at times I just needed some time to get some things done, even if only for 15 mins. Glad the swing is working out for you! And no, you are not a bad mom for needing time for yourself! You need some time to take care of yourself too!!
I feel so much for you. Both my girls did the same thing. One from 5-8PM, the other from 7-10PM. I am not usually one to give unwanted advice, but Harvey Karp’s Happiest Baby on the Block really helped me deal with the second daughter better. I know this sounds so useless, but please hang in there. After 3 months (which I know sounds like an eternity right now), it does get better. He won’t scream like that forever! And please, take your much needed break from that baby. It does not make you a horrible mother, it makes you a better mother.
Oh my what a cutie! Just wanted to say I have been through it 3 times so I know where you are coming from. All 3 of mine were snugglers and always wanted to be held. I used slings and the Moby wrap a ton! Only, two of many ever tolerated the swing for short periods. I love the closeness too but I get where you are coming from in that sometimes we just need a few minutes to ourselves where we don’t have something attached to our bodies. They eventually get there and feel confident that an infant who is held a lot, all their needs taken care of, will become a confident and independent toddler. All my kids had no problems separating from me when it was time for preschool because they knew that mom and dad would always be there for them if needed. 🙂
Glad to hear you found something that works!! I am debating on whether or not I should get the swing/bouncy chair now (before baby is here) or wait until she is here and I know she likes it.
So many gadgets out there and it’s hard to know what is useful and what will just sit in your house taking up space while collecting dust.
Brooks LIVED In his baby swing. He had colic BAD and acid reflux. It was the ONLY thing beside long car rides that would sooth him. Thank GOD for that swing. It saved our sanity. He slept in it till he was probably 7 months old. it was the only way he’d sleep without being in my arms.
I think we’ve all been there as mothers. You definitely need to keep your sanity. And you’re not a bad mother for doing that. You’re actually a better mother for recognizing that you need to step away from the situation.
Just remember that any mother you talk to has been in your shoes and we’re not judging you for any of it because believe me, we all had our baby gear that just saved our lives where our babies where that little.
And along with Happiest Baby on the Block, I would recommend, “You Don’t Have to Let Your Baby Cry” (It comes with an awesome CD of heartbeat lullabies. My daughter is almost three, will hear the beginning of the CD and still to this day almost immediately calm down!) and a Miracle Blanket (if he likes to be swaddled). Those were my lifesavers in my time of need. I actually put these in the baby shower baskets I make for friends.
*When not where in paragraph 2.
Yeah, baby! Get some!! 🙂
That “witching hour” doesn’t go away any time soon. 😉
This is awesome. I had to send this to some friends who are having the same struggle. At 4 p.m. their baby just goes OFF until about 9 or 10 pm so you’re not alone. I love your blog and even though I don’t have kids, this is awesome information. By any means necessary you WILL get that pre-baby body back! Keep fighting sister! 🙂