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Original poster

To wake four sleeping children, then drag them to the shop in the pouring rain?

411 replies

PomBearEnvy · 12/01/2011 21:08

Okay I need advice, have posted here because its the busiest place. My Dc are all sleeping, aged 7yrs nearly3yrs and 18months.

I have an aquaintances newborn with me who I am looking after unexpectedly after a frantic phone call. Newborn is three weeks old, mum has been taken ill, rushed to A&E. She is a single parent and has no family nearby, I only know her through mother and toddlers.
Baby was dropped to me half hour ago by her very elderly neighbour, there was no-one else to take him when she was taken ill, he would have gone into emergency care Sad

I have nappies and clothes, but baby is usually breast fed. I am no longer feeding any of mine. I dont have formula.

Its pissing down outside, all the kids are fast asleep and will object to being woken or walking anywhere,I dont own a double buggy, no longer have a sling, and dh is working away.

How the fuck am I gonna get a newborn a 18month 3yr old and poorly 7yr old to the shop and back. aggggghhh!

Its a 6/7 min walk there, I could run in under 5mins, should I do that do you think? Leaving them sleeping? Or waking the seven yr old and talking to him on the homephone from my mobile? would that be insane? or is it more insane to try and get them all up and there with only one buggy and torrential rain.
Someone HELP!!!

OP posts:
spiderlight · 12/01/2011 21:46

Oh thank goodness there's help coming!

ballstoit · 12/01/2011 21:46

Yay for Poms lovely GP Smile

Sirzy · 12/01/2011 21:46

glad your gtting somewhere, sounds like a great gp

Guacamole · 12/01/2011 21:46

As OP has disappeared temporarily maybe she has found a solution. I'm hoping she has... Feeling quite distressed about the hungry little newborn away from it's Mummy.

thisisyesterday · 12/01/2011 21:46

I wondered if perhaps the mum just assumed she wouldn't be able to take him and was perhaps worrying and panicked and just thought to send him to a person she knew could care for him?

obviously with hindsight emergency care may have been better because they'd have had everything he needed! but what's done is done...

is there any way of getting him to the hospital so they can be together?
I would call them and ask their advice. They will be able to ask the mum if she'd like baby to come in... and if so you can try and arrange that now somehow, or in the morning?

FreudianSlipIntoMyLaptop · 12/01/2011 21:46

Wish I was near enough to help has anything been sorted yet? Hope all are ok :(

VJay · 12/01/2011 21:46

What a relief for you and well done on getting that all sorted Smile, I hope the babys mum is ok.

atmywitssend · 12/01/2011 21:46

OP did you see the post @ 21.40 - Dysgu has family in your village.

jonicomelately · 12/01/2011 21:45

Dysgu. Is there a Tesco or Asda nearby we could ring and beg them to send supplies to the house?

DirtyMartini · 12/01/2011 21:45

Oh god, thank god.

I am crying Blush

Good for you, well done.

ihavenewsockson · 12/01/2011 21:45

Glad the MW is on her way.

Take it as a compliment the lady nominated you to take care of baby. Smile

grumpykat25 · 12/01/2011 21:45

Hurrah! Glad you've got help on the way!

compo · 12/01/2011 21:45

Phew! Crossed posts

ja9 · 12/01/2011 21:45

marking place.... want to see everything is ok...

MissFit · 12/01/2011 21:44

I would wake up the 7 year old and give him the phone and instructions to keep an hear out for the younger children and ring if need be, and then run to the shop and back with the baby in a buggy.

compo · 12/01/2011 21:44

Hope you're getting somewhere? Has the neighbour told the hospital where the baby is? Poor woman, hope she's ok

Original poster
PomBearEnvy · 12/01/2011 21:44

Okay. have got a phonecall back from out of hours GP, who was GREAT! He is confused about situation, (as am I), says that in normal circumstances children are taken in with mother.
He can only think that mum has asked neigbour to bring baby to me, knowing she was going to be ill as she didnt want him in hospital. Or that she has been taken seriously ill and nominated me as next as kin Confused

I have no idea what is wrong, i am seriously fretting, i hardly know this lady she is lovely but just a casual friend. Gp is going to contact local community midwife to come out asap.
He told me to expect a call from hospital soon, and also social workers. has told me to keep in contact and midwife will be with me in the next hour. phewwwwwwwww

OP posts:
jonicomelately · 12/01/2011 21:43

I've suggested phoning the local 24 hour supermarket and begging them to send somebody around with supplies.

Strictly · 12/01/2011 21:42

Oh this is so horrible, poor OP and poor baby. I really don't understand why the baby wasn't taken with her. I was I wasn't the entire width of the country away.

stewmaker · 12/01/2011 21:42

Oh i hope OP reads this and Dysgu can help.....

SmethwickBelle · 12/01/2011 21:42

If you do do a dash to the shop for formula and a bottle please just tell your neighbour and ask them to sit in for the 10 minutes.

A newborn might sip a small cup or you can get water into them, water will keep them going til morning although chances are they won't like it. The priorities are is stopping the baby dehydrating and not leaving yours.

Cows milk isn't going to harm them longer term (IMO) but it might upset their tummy and if they're missing their mother that is an additional factor in their discomfort... it sort of depends if they are a 3 week newborn or a three month "newborn". If older than three months it might just bridge the gap til morning.

I wish I was nearer.

ScotlandR · 12/01/2011 21:41

penguin is right, cooled boiled water is what they give babies in hospital after birth, before mothers milk comes through.

phone to 7 y-o might be the best bet if no one can help, but try not to scare the little one!

best of luck!!!

xxx

ballstoit · 12/01/2011 21:41

Do you have bottles & steriliser? If so, go for boiled water rather than cows milk for now.

thisisyesterday · 12/01/2011 21:41

pombear have you spoken to the hospital yet?

Dysgu · 12/01/2011 21:40

I HAVE FAMILY IN YOUR VILLAGE - WHERE ARE YOU?