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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:
Jacaqueen · 12/01/2011 21:39

Where are her other children?

Phone SS for advice

penguin73 · 12/01/2011 21:38

Cows milk I believe is bad but cooled boiled water from your finger might appease the little one whilst you are waiting for the hospital/SS to help.

EricNorthmansMistress · 12/01/2011 21:37

Social services will have an out of hours number. Google your local authority SS dept and call the main contact number, they should have a number in case of emergency. Try to get through to a duty SW and beg for help. It might be hard to get them to understand but there is a child in need. Failing that (if you can't speak to someone) call the police non emergency number and explain, ask them to connect you to SS out of hours service. If you really have nobody to help then that is in their remit. Best of luck.

ohnoshedittant · 12/01/2011 21:37

If the worst comes to worst. Wake the 7yr old and talk on the phone. Take the newborn in the pram and RUN to the shop.

Casmama · 12/01/2011 21:37

Don't give cows milk to a 3 week old baby - there are very good reasons that it is not recommended under one year. (I don't know exactly what the reasons are but don't do it under any circumstances)

solo · 12/01/2011 21:37

Cows milk is no good compo, wouldn't be digestable I don't think, but I'm no expert at all...

tigitigi · 12/01/2011 21:36

Some random ideas if taxi is not going to work:

The idea of calling the hospital is good but I recall when I was stuck with a young baby looking after a relative in hosp Maternity would not give me any milk at all. Different hosp though so worth a go.

Call the local radio station - see if they will get someone onto it.

Local 24 hr supermarket manager - they might help get something to you - bottles, steriliser and formula.

dustycups · 12/01/2011 21:36

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

WimpleOfTheBallet · 12/01/2011 21:36

Well done Minipen..OP the delivery suite may well help you out here...I know mine would! Call them!

FrozenChocolate · 12/01/2011 21:36

Whereabouts in that postcode?

AnyoneforTurps · 12/01/2011 21:36

Sorry, the out of hours GP is not going to be able to help on this - it is not a medical problem. I'm not saying this to make light of what is obviously a very difficult situation, I just don't want you to get your hopes up. (I'm a GP). There is usually at least a 4 hour wait for a GP visit and that's for urgent medical problems.

This situation falls under the remit of social services but I can't see that anyone is going to be help you quickly enough. Baby will be screaming the place down long before. A sympathetic taxi driver is your best bet.

thisisyesterday · 12/01/2011 21:35

don't give cow's milk. yes, formula is made from it, but it is altered dramatically to allow human infants to digest it.

in an absolute emergency (ie, NO other alternative at all and otherwise the baby will die) then yes... but not in this situation i wouldn't

Honeydragon · 12/01/2011 21:35

If you have a local pub ask the landlord to send someone he trusts to drop some off if they are heading home?

Al1son · 12/01/2011 21:34

Phone your local police on a non-emergency number and ask them if they can help. If nothing else they could be trusted to stay with the children.

antshouse · 12/01/2011 21:34

Could your local police help? Not 999 of course but they may help if you explain your dilema.

compo · 12/01/2011 21:34

Would it be very bad to give cows milk? After all it's what formula is made from and is better than nothing?

minipen · 12/01/2011 21:34

I just started a new thread with postcode in, hoping that may attract somebody, so sorry I am hours away

taintedpaint · 12/01/2011 21:33

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Al1son · 12/01/2011 21:33

Phone your local police on a non-emergency number and ask them if they can help. If nothing else they could be trusted to stay with the children.

stoppinchingthedummy · 12/01/2011 21:32

phew sorry about that ive obviously read too many of those debates - i live about 2 hrs away from u which is no good ,ooh i hope someone can help

thisisyesterday · 12/01/2011 21:32

pombear

PLEASE call the hospital (and the delivery suite as someone else has suggested)

they should be able to tell you if mum is ok, and if baby can go and be with her.
if she is very ill hopefully they will have contacted her family who may be on their way, even if they don't live close by?

someone will be able to help you...

solo · 12/01/2011 21:32

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Scrumpet · 12/01/2011 21:31

Try posting on aberystwith local mumsnet to see if there's anyone near enough to you?

PeachyPossum · 12/01/2011 21:31

I would try the taxi company, I have known them to collect money, go to shop then come back. Hope everything goes ok!

ApocalypseCheeseToastie · 12/01/2011 21:31

There must be a 24 hour supermarket nearby ?

Have you tried phoning them, I think they would go out of there way to help