Page 130
We sometimes run chuck seminars for the kids at the dojo, which means we have to be mildly competent ourselves first. They are kind of fun, but it’s damn easy to whack yourself in the back of the head, or on the elbow… or take one in the face because the person in front of you accidently let go of theirs on a back swing 
Thank you everyone for the well wishes and baby congrats, it’s much appreciated! Now anyone have any good ideas for babies that won’t sleep all night and the only thing that seems to calm him down is feeding… I can’t do that all night and I don’t think an over-full tummy is a good idea either 
Today’s vote incentive is a little sketch honoring one of my influences; apparently people are interested in what warped my brain.
Loading ...
October 26th, 2009 at 12:06 am
Love the comic especially Lech covered in vermin…and as for the sleeping baby its different with each one but my nephew after just getting back from the hospital would only fall asleep if you rubbed his back or tummy as you laid him down to sleep.
October 26th, 2009 at 12:08 am
Hehe, Death and Lech. They would make a good reluctant crime fighting team.
October 26th, 2009 at 12:15 am
breast feeding is the only thing that helps and sadly, that is called having a kid.
October 26th, 2009 at 12:45 am
and by not sleeping all night you mean less than 5 hours right? Cause a full nights sleep for a baby is 5 hours straight.
October 26th, 2009 at 12:47 am
Okay, I may be crazy, but….
I just had to read Lord of the Flies for school, and I can’t help but wonder whether the stone-throwing-glass-breaking-thingie going on there with Nerd and Gay as anything to do with the stone-throwing-glass-breaking thingie from the novel?
Because… because that would be very, very scary. Based on the interpretations we read. Very scary. D:
In other news, I lovelovelove Death ’s easy Fzzt while everyone else fights so..hard. XD
October 26th, 2009 at 2:07 am
http://www.thinkgeek.com/geek-kids/newborn-infant/c733/
I would try one of those. I’m actually looking into one for my cousin’s new spawn.
October 26th, 2009 at 2:30 am
Don’t worry, that will eventually stop. Newborns usually feed every two hours, and need to be changed that often, too. With my li’l one, it was every hour, though, lol.
October 26th, 2009 at 3:08 am
There are lots of things you can do. They don’t all work for all kids. one of the best ones I’ve used are things that generate white noise, like fans, static on the radio… you get the idea. There’s also a trick that I picked up a long time ago. It’s one of the techniques involved in hypnosis. You rub between the baby’s eyebrows very gently in downward strokes from about the middle of the forehead to the bridge of the nose. It puts them to sleep even if they’re fighting sleep. It requires some patience and it helps if you hum a tune softly while you’re doing it. It’s worked on my kids.
October 26th, 2009 at 3:53 am
Nightquil or Brandy will put a baby right out. If you have a plastic bag, those work well too as long as you know when to stop.
October 26th, 2009 at 4:07 am
First; love the expressions on the 5′th panel.
Secondly: What martial art is it you train? I’m a martial art nerd so I get curious. Me myself train in the Bujinkan system.
Thirdly: I can’t really give any advice, so I just wish you the best of luck with the baby
October 26th, 2009 at 5:22 am
It sounds mega cheeky, but when we realised all nathan wanted was something to suck for comfort, we gave him a pacifier. Obviously we fed him first till he started to fall asleep, then gave it to him ^^
Otherwise you’ll just have to wait it out. if you are lucky (and it took us 10 weeks) you’ll get the lil one into a routine. Good luck <3
Oh, and WHOOOT DEATH!!! ^_^
October 26th, 2009 at 6:13 am
My mum used to give my sister warm water, within 3 days she slept through the night. However I have no idea if that was right away or if it was a couple months after pregnancy.
October 26th, 2009 at 6:28 am
Poor Nerd, he was really awesome with his flail.
By the way, breaking his glasses like that is really the worst thing i read in this comic since some times. I know it, i have glasses.
October 26th, 2009 at 6:53 am
XD Love the vote incentive. Calvin n Hobbes remains as one of my favorite strips. And poor Nerd… Hope he gets those shards out of his eye quick~ |3
October 26th, 2009 at 7:06 am
gnaw gnaw gnaw…. way too funny!
October 26th, 2009 at 7:22 am
May I suggest a book called “Healthy Sleep Habits, Healthy Child”? My mom is a sleep disorders technologist (going on 15 years) and she got this book for me just before my son was born. He was sleeping through the night at two months old. Congratulations on your new bundle of joy! http://www.amazon.com/Healthy-Sleep-Habits-Happy-Child/dp/0449004023
October 26th, 2009 at 7:50 am
Death is my favourite by far ^^. I’d so want to hug him- after tying his hands behind his back ‘fcourse.
I have no solution for your problem, even with a midwife for a mother ^^. I don’t recall what she did to quiet me when I was younger… but Kitty_cat’s advice seems doable :).
@Jeremy; I don’t see the point in you giving ‘advice’ like that here, neither do I see the fun in you redirecting us to your offending gamesite. Outside of your gameworld, there’s life to be cherished. Please refrain from offending people and enjoy the awesome comic.
October 26th, 2009 at 8:02 am
@Prozac: Don’t worry, compared to the hits on the head that Sloth gives, you’re merciful.
October 26th, 2009 at 9:24 am
My two girls required some convincing to take a pacifier, but I’m glad we stuck with it. The fussiness is probably just the little man being so new, but you might also consider what you’re eating. My youngest had some pretty bad stomach issues until I realized that I couldn’t have anything with hops in it…aka beer, beer bread, beer-roasted-chicken, etc. Don’t worry, your sanity will return sometime between 9 and 15 weeks.
October 26th, 2009 at 10:01 am
ohhh. class in the eye. thats gunna hurt.
October 26th, 2009 at 10:50 am
Ow ow ow ow ow. I had something like this happen to me as a kid. Nerd will be in some serious pain.
October 26th, 2009 at 11:13 am
NO! NOT NERD’S SPECIAL WEAPON!! HE NEEDS THAT!!
October 26th, 2009 at 11:38 am
@Marjolein : Because, I can laugh at all aspects of life, even those which are considered taboo. I only typed in that address because I figured I get a response from someone like you. It wasn’t until after I clicked the link myself that I figured out it was a World of Warcraft site. I have no idea why they would be using a redirect address like that. Oh well. Roflcopter.
October 26th, 2009 at 12:09 pm
Babies aren’t supposed to sleep all night at that age. They’re supposed to grow, and they need food to do it. Give the little tyke all the food and love he wants. Doctors will tell you not to overfeed him, and to give him sugar water if he gets hungry between feedings. Ignore the doctor unless there’s a definite medical problem. My guess is that you didn’t give birth to a hummingbird. You can’t grow brain cells, bones, and muscles with sugar water. Many will also tell you not to spoil him with love and attention. That, too, is a crock. You can’t spoil a child under 2. They can get really used to a lot of love, but that’s not a bad thing. Love him, feed him, and enjoy him. One day in a few weeks you’ll wake up in an absolute panic because he didn’t wake you during the night. You’ll rush over to him to find him peacefully sleeping away. Of course, shortly after that he’ll wake up wet, dirty, hungry, and screaming. Another day begins. Enjoy your new family.
Guairdean, father of two and grandfather of two.
October 26th, 2009 at 12:17 pm
By the way, avoid pacifiers at all costs. My daughters rarely used them (their Mom insisted after we brought them home, but it was a point of serious contention), partly because they weren’t forced on them at birth. The nurse told me that she would give my youngest a pacifier as soon as they took her back to the nursery. I objected and her response was “The babies want them”. I told her that if my daughter asked for it by name, then by all means give it to her. Otherwise, it wasn’t to be done. I wasn’t their favorite pushover after that. I’ve never seen stone pacifiers from the cave man days, and I have never heard of the pioneers carving them around the campfire. They’re a modern invention to keep children quiet during soap operas.
October 26th, 2009 at 12:18 pm
more more more more more more!!!!!
October 26th, 2009 at 12:42 pm
That’s what you get for doing nothing Gay…. :}
October 26th, 2009 at 12:42 pm
[...] Bear Nuts by Alison Acton » Archive » Page 130 [...]
October 26th, 2009 at 12:44 pm
babe might be legitimately hungry if feeding is what calms him down. ours fed every couple of hours at first and is now down to once, maybe twice a night now (at 6 mo) but sometimes he sleeps all the way through with just being snuggled from time to time (we co-sleep. he loves having us within arms reach)
October 26th, 2009 at 1:18 pm
Try swaddling. My best friend works in a newborn nursery at a hospital and this is what they use to help newborns that wake up too frequently. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swaddling
Congratulations on the new addition and enjoy every moment!
October 26th, 2009 at 2:04 pm
Rythmic noise tended to calm my two children down. It did not even need to be gentle. My first son fell asleep to either the vacuum cleaner or the passing of the transport trucks outside. When my first son was sick we bought a small vaporiser / humidifier for his room and our second son used to sleep soundly to that noise.
We also used to cheat on feeding by taking breast milk and adding a very small amount of pablum. The breast milk was still thin. The extra weight in their stomachs let them sleep for another hour or so. The detriment was that the diaper the next day would stink. Man, when those kids start eating food other than breast milk - ugh.
October 26th, 2009 at 4:18 pm
It is all fun and games until someone gets an eye poked out!!:P
October 26th, 2009 at 7:00 pm
Congrats…yes I’m sory I’m late on these things…. cute kid though
By my knowledge kids usually get up to feed every 2 or so hours…so it’s normal for a while, than as the weeks go on the time bewteen feedings lenghtens and etc.
October 26th, 2009 at 8:08 pm
Lech’s expression in the fifth panel is priceless. Made me giggle with him all covered in squirrels.
October 26th, 2009 at 11:11 pm
Walking. Car rides. Rocking. And whenever the baby does finally go to sleep, drop everything and go to sleep too. Or you’ll never sleep again.
October 27th, 2009 at 1:24 am
The best thing that I did with my niece was to buy this small bear with a bag full of chai tea spices and I think some small stones that warm their in a cloth bag inside the bear that is easily pulled out and warmed in the microwave for 30 seconds till you find the temperature you like, its warm and has a soothing smell.
October 27th, 2009 at 1:29 am
My mother has a pretty good voice, so she would sing my little brother to sleep a lot. I also remember talking to him until he fell asleep, but I’m not sure if it was really all that effective. (I was seven at the time, it seemed like a good idea.)
October 27th, 2009 at 6:53 am
Re: Night time
Contact a Lamaze group. Lots of help and informed advice from the experienced.
P.S. It will get better and easier.
October 27th, 2009 at 7:42 am
My mom said that when I was particularly fussy, she used to feed me after taking a shot or two…I’m not sure how that affected my development, but I was a well behaved baby!
October 27th, 2009 at 8:21 am
I have no idea why, but the last two panels remind of the Christmas Story and, “You’re going to shoot your eye out.”
October 27th, 2009 at 9:58 am
put the kid in the car or sit in a rocker.
the motion will/should send him/her off to sleep.
October 27th, 2009 at 1:22 pm
That’s an amazing redraw of C&H, I could swear it was the original thing!
October 27th, 2009 at 1:36 pm
death and lech …… good team and prozac so funny
October 27th, 2009 at 4:01 pm
Every baby’s different but my mom said she would play oldies (Elvis, etc.) and I’d fall asleep lol.
October 27th, 2009 at 6:08 pm
once again, gay is being gay
October 27th, 2009 at 6:09 pm
Calvin & Hobbes vote XD
October 27th, 2009 at 7:14 pm
Congrats on the baby. Unfortunately as other parents have told you, the first few weeks there is no such thing as a good nights sleep. That’s why you will actually hear the excitement and relief in a parents voice when they say ” The baby slept the whole night!” The next big milestone is when the contents of the diaper actually stops resembling (and smelling like) the worst (and stickiest) industrial toxic waste imaginable (now there’s a color found in nature - NOT). It is actually a miracle that our species reproduces at all since of all the species, we can actually find out what will be involved BEFORE committing to the process. Still its worth it in the long run. Especially when they look up to you, with those big shiny trusting eyes, smile in just that way, and you automatically reach for your wallet to buy the triple-decker ice cream cone that you just know is going to end up in the back seat floor of the car. Ah Well…
October 27th, 2009 at 8:12 pm
They make a special teddy bear with a heartbeat sound and it makes the baby relax and feel safe. Get one.
October 27th, 2009 at 9:51 pm
I suggest getting a comft LazyBoy recliner and rocking you both to sleep. Make sure he’s near your heart so that the old familiar thumpthump will soothe him. Worked for me and my little poopysnookums
And stay with the breastfeeding! If that young’n was twardy enough to put the weight on you, he can darn well take it back!
October 27th, 2009 at 10:10 pm
speaking as a witness for my brother. some babies just need to eat more than other due to a higher metabolism. when he’s full he’ll stop. you could also try (crazy as this might sound) letting him loose on your husband. unless he gets pissy if he’s not getting food out of it.
October 28th, 2009 at 9:58 am
I love your comic and as far as your little one, my daughter was a half and half. she was eating all the time and since i couldn’t keep up with her i had to start substituting with soy formula(the regular upset her tummy) but i also found swaddling helped her sleep a little bit longer when she did go back to sleep.
October 28th, 2009 at 10:54 am
Some people’s kids are awake every hour. I was one of those who slept all night long (8 hrs or more) where my mom actually needed to wake me up due to her discomfort, lawlz. Yours will do what he does, and it’s okay.
Unless he has a disorder, he will eat as much as he needs. Most babies regulate themselves, and some need to eat a lot while others not so much. Also okay. Your doctor will likely agree, feed him however much he wants at this age. Most kids are pretty good self-regulators re amount food and sleep until about ages 3-5, where culture starts being able to influence them (”finish your plate” etc).
Other than your lack of sleep, the thing to keep in mind is, you don’t have to worry much. If any of the suggested techniques work, great. If not, you’ll just need to wait it out : )
October 28th, 2009 at 11:15 am
Haha! Funny. Though Ninja Nerd is nothing without bad weapons training :<
You should go trick-or-treatin’ for Halloween! Given you’re well enough, of course.
Prolly you should cover your baby basket in a white sheet, and when someone asks, tell ‘em Sammy’s dressed as an egg. If you have no white sheet; do not fret! Say it’s an Easter egg. For Halloween. Yup.
You and/or your husband should dress as penguins or dinosaurs or chickens or something equally inane.
October 28th, 2009 at 8:24 pm
My experience is that for the first few months it is about an average 2-hourly feeding schedule. It is grueling and tiring but there are some things you can do… Breast-milk is so much better for the baby, if you have time, expressing some milk perhaps in the morning for night-time feeds will help reduce some of your discomfort and struggling with a bra at 2am an there’s no worries about being in short supply. Also, cracked nipples are a big problem, make sure you moisturize them with a toxin-free, water-based moisturizer.
Using a little humidifier (you can buy winnie the pooh ones, how adorable) is great for your health, your baby’s health and provides some calming white-noise at a low level.
Swaddling is controversial, some parents are for and some against, but make sure you’re vigilant for SIDS.
For safe sleeping follow these guidelines from the SIDSkids foundation:
‘1. Sleep baby on the back from birth, not on the tummy or side.
2. Sleep baby with face uncovered (no doonas, pillows, lambs wool, bumpers or soft toys).
3. Avoid exposing babies to tobacco smoke before birth and after.
I found warming a little heat-pack very mildly helps as well as stroking the forehead, chest and holding thier hands, just being close has a soothing effect, as does gently humming and rocking.
<3 HappyG
4. Provide a safe sleeping environment (safe cot, safe mattress, safe bedding).
5. Sleep baby in their own safe sleeping environment next to the parent’s bed for the first six to twelve months of life.’
October 28th, 2009 at 8:28 pm
erk my window repositioned halfway through typing so please ignore the inconsistency there…ohh and lavender works great too, some lavender oil on a pillow for the older ones or a little lavender pouch or the lavender-enriched Johnson’s baby-wash…
My little niece loved it when I put her to sleep, she was a menace for her mother though.
<3 HappyG
October 29th, 2009 at 6:40 pm
Ninja Nerd’s got some of those mad skills I’ve been hearing about…to bad all he could hit there was Gay, lol. Oh, Prozac, keeping apologizeing to the squirrls, that is too cute.
October 29th, 2009 at 11:55 pm
I just realized one of the reasons I love this webcomic so much. Nerd’s expression in panels 9-10 should be the exact same, but there are these little details that make them very different.
Alison is very good at that kind of thing.
October 30th, 2009 at 11:25 am
we use a white noise machine with different settings and controlls, for waterfalls, heartbeat, rainforest, thunderstorm…. etc… and you might want to try a projector that shows cool stuff on the ceiling…. my son was in NICU for 4 weeks after he was born. they had him on a 3 hour rotation… then when we got home, after a week we moved it to 6 hours… and a little while after that he just told me when he was hungry / wet / bored …. good luck… Bear (yeah, that’s really what i call him) liked the projector a LOT and he still LOVES the white noise machine… his favorite is the rainforest with the dodo birds (which i secretly detest ;p ) so thankfully there’s a BUNCH of AA batteries @ my house !! …. Good Luck it’ll work itself out. it always does.
November 18th, 2009 at 1:50 am
co-sleeping saved my sanity in the early days of waking to nurse every hour. you will soon get the hang of propping one eye open long enough to stick your nipple in his mouth so he can nurse his fill.
also, babies will self regulate your milk supply for what their current nutritional needs are, so at 3 days, 6 days, 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, etc, any time they have a growth spurt, they will nurse more to up your supply. biology is an amazing and wonderful thing.
keep him close, nurse on demand, not on a set schedule, and sleep when he does.