New-baby resolutions

Tabatha and Brandon Urich have three kids under 2. They say they had to break some old sleeping habits that fell into place with their oldest, Katherine, before twins George and Jack arrived. (Photo: Kate Robinson Photography)

Buzz Baby is a column about life with babies from the perspective of a first-time mother. If you have baby stories to share, leave a comment under this article or email [email protected].

A new year. A time to make resolutions. New gym memberships. Goals to kick that afternoon cup of coffee, read more, watch less TV, get outside.

Dropping bad habits in the name of self-improvement is always a good idea, but what about when it comes to parenting habits?

Many new moms and dads plan systems that are as flawless as a shiny penny the day the new baby arrives home from the hospital.

Ah, the best-laid plans.

After moments of desperation, 3 a.m. feedings and scream sessions that last hours, those perfect plans can fall apart. Unplanned habits can develop in the middle of it all that can come back to bite you in the, well, you know what.

Recently, I spoke to some Buzz parents about what baby-parenting habits they are hoping to break this year.

Tabatha Urich, a certified professional accountant with Deloitte & Touche, and her husband Brandon, senior manager with Liquids Supply, are busy parents of three. Their oldest, Katherine, 18 months, recently became a big sister to twins George and Jack, now 3 months.

Parenting three children under the age of 2 requires some planning. Tabatha and Brandon decided they had to break some habits with Katherine before the twins arrived. “Katherine has always fought her naps really hard,” said Tabatha. “We got into a bad habit of letting her nap on our chest on the weekends. [It was] daycare guilt. When we tried to transition her to the crib for naps the month before the twins arrived it was a catastrophe.”

She said it took four to five weekends to crack the mystery. “I regret rocking her to sleep at night and wish I would have laid her down awake every night at a much earlier age,” said Tabatha.

Brandon says he probably didn’t need to warm the bottles with their first baby and regrets taking the extra time to do it at each feeding. “[Katherine] was born with a lip and tongue tie, so we thought she was a bad drinker because of that,” he said. “Warmer bottles seemed to help, but in retrospect, she just wasn’t a big eater.” 

Then there’s the baby gear that’s supposed to make life as a parent easier. But does it? Tabatha said she wishes she didn’t buy the fancy bottles with all the parts that go along with them for Katherine. That habit is already kicked to the curb with the twins. “We now use really cheap Gerber bottles, and they are awesome,” she said.

The Urichs are braving their new life as parents of three, taking with them what they learned with their first. “We are much more confident as parents this time around. I’ve realized that babies are babies, and they are not to be feared. Toddlers are a different story. I fear toddlers with all of my heart,” said Tabatha, laughing.

Sarah and Max Mischer just welcomed their second baby girl, Mary “Campbell” Mischer, along with big sister Molly. Sarah says this time around they will try to break the habit of swaddling the baby at night for so long.

Mom-of-two Sarah Mischer, her husband Max and big sister Molly just welcomed their second baby girl, Campbell, in December. Sarah said the second time around, they are hoping to teach the baby to self soothe by avoiding wrapping the baby in a swaddling blanket for so long.

“We swaddled Molly up until she was 6 months old. It’s a pain,” said Sarah. “I see so many parents not swaddling now, and I think logically about how it would teach a baby to self soothe faster. But who knows? If it gives me an hour more sleep I may change my mind.”

Elizabeth Borski, an account executive at Old Republic Title, and Joey Borski, a sales manager, welcomed Mary Georgia, in November. Mary Georgia is the third behind big sister Annie, 7, and brother Blake, 5.

Elizabeth said they followed a regimen with baby No. 1. “The best thing I ever did [with Annie] was stay on schedule,” said Elizabeth. “I read The Baby Whisperer, and it worked.”

Then, along came baby No. 2. With a 2-year-old at home, the couple forgot all about the ways of the Whisperer. Elizabeth said she thinks that because they did not use the scheduling techniques as strictly as they with Annie, it took Blake a lot longer to learn to sleep through the night.

Now, she said they are trying to get back on track. “With Mary Georgia, I am trying my best to feed every three hours and stay on schedule.”

Another habit they are trying to avoid? The pacifier. “On [Blake’s] first sleepover at my parent’s house, I forgot to pack the pacifier. So I guess you can say my mom took care of the hard part,” said Elizabeth, laughing. “After that, Blake stopped using his pacifier at night, and I have my parents to thank for that.” 

Now Elizabeth says she is a much calmer mom. “If something falls on the floor, it’s not the end of the world. If she cries, I don’t panic.”

So, here’s to a new year and a chance to drop some old parenting habits. Except for that afternoon coffee. On second thought, that’s staying.