Please or to access all these features

Mumsnet classics

Relive the funniest, most unforgettable threads. For a daily dose of Mumsnet’s best bits, sign up for Mumsnet's daily newsletter.

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:
CupcakesHay · 12/01/2011 22:34

Wow - Amazing how helpful everyone is on MN. Pleased it's all a bit better for you pombear and hope the Mum gets better soon.

MintAeroBar · 12/01/2011 22:34

Have been lurking - glad to hear you may be sorted soon.

You are a great person to be doing this.

And well done MN as well!

Hope the babys mum is ok and the baby sleeps well for you tonight. Hopefully the Gp will be in touch soon for you with some news.

b1uebells · 12/01/2011 22:31

Too far away to go and get anything for you but is lovely to see MNetters helping one another. Hope MW arrives soon!!

Northernlurker · 12/01/2011 22:29

So baby has been at sleep for at least 1.5 hours? That sounds ok but I would keep an eye on how long it lasts. If mum has been ill he may not have been getting enough in terms of feeds/fluid. Poorly, dehydrated babies will just get v sleepy I think. Once you've got some milk it would be good if he's rousing.

YouKnowNothingoftheCrunch · 12/01/2011 22:28

Glad to hear you're ok :)

Hope baby's mum is alright and the mw arrives soon. We're here if you need us x

I'm going to bed now!

ALovelyBunchOfCoconuts · 12/01/2011 22:28

MN at it's best :)

DebiTheScot · 12/01/2011 22:25

Wow this thread really does show what an amazing place mn can be Smile

Also brilliant that the GP is so good.
Hope the baby sleeps until milk arrives- sounds like a very good baby for only being 3 weeks old! And hope her mum is ok too. I feel sorry for the mum that she didn't have any close friends or family to ask.

soccerwidow · 12/01/2011 22:24
Smile
solo · 12/01/2011 22:23

Phew! :)

AfternoonsandChristmasLooms · 12/01/2011 22:23

Fucking Hell. I'm in tears here! Mumsnet really is amazing.

Glad things are getting sorted PomBear.

StealthPolarStuckSpaceBar · 12/01/2011 22:22

When this is all over you deserve a glass of wine and a huge bar of chocolate - in fact PM me your address and I'll send you the chocolate!

StealthPolarStuckSpaceBar · 12/01/2011 22:20

So glad you have managed to get some help.
Some MNers have offered help too - please take them up on it if needed.

Hope the baby is soon asleep with a full tummy and reunited with its mum tomorrow morning - really hope she's OK :(

PomBearEnvy · 12/01/2011 22:19

Thank you for all advice, waiting for community midwife now. Baby is ( thankfully) still sleeping, seems oblivious bless!
I am in contact with a lovely mner who has pm'd me with her mobile number and has family who will be willing to help in the area, phew, thank you!! GP has phoned back once again, to say that he is trying to chase up mothers admittance to hospital, and is trying to find someone to correspond with in social services.

Have boiled the kettle, and in absence of steriliser have put an old bottle in a saucepan on the hob to sterilise just incase I am still waiting for MW when baby wakes, at least then he can have cool boiled water.
My 18 mth old is stirring now, so i;m going to settle, will try and keep you updated. THank you to all who have helped especailly the pm messages with practical help xx

OP posts:
Unwind · 12/01/2011 22:18

Yes, when did you stop breastfeeding? You mihgt still have milk.

Best wishes.

verytellytubby · 12/01/2011 22:15

Sorry I can't help. Fingers crossed milk arrives soon.

Strictly · 12/01/2011 22:13

Oh no I wasn't offended tainted don't worry :) Horrible situation for everyone. Poor baby must be getting hungry, they feed so often at 3 weeks, especially at night.

taintedpaint · 12/01/2011 22:13

Good point solo, I didn't even think of that.

PomBear, you're dealing with this wonderfully, I only hope if I was in a similar situation, I would be half as good as you at coping!

Please keep us updated if you can.

MumNWLondon · 12/01/2011 22:13

Pombearenvy - have you managed to speak to the hospital to find out how the mother is. Must have been dire emergency if you sent you the baby with a means to fed it.

Hopefully you've got some formula by now.

Leo35 · 12/01/2011 22:12

So glad that MW will be with you soon and that GP is willing to help out with a seemingly impossible situation. Hoping for a good night for you and all your LOs tonight! Take care - lots of us rooting for you, and the LO and poorly mum.

LadyOfTheManor · 12/01/2011 22:12

Pom Let me know what's going on! The MW could be a thousand years-we all know how unreliable they can be. I'm happy to give you formula and a bottle (i can pick up en route) but I'm not sure HOW far you are away from me I don't want you to leave it too late and the baba wake up and leave you more in the lurch Confused

ScarlettWalking · 12/01/2011 22:09

Pom have you seen there are some mn here in your area please contact them god knows when the midwife will arrive

YouKnowNothingoftheCrunch · 12/01/2011 22:09

Pom, have pm'd you. Hope you're offline because help has arrived!

IwishIwasmoreorganised · 12/01/2011 22:09

So pleased that the mw is on the way.

Well done Pombear.

Do let us know if we can help any more though.

xx

solo · 12/01/2011 22:07

Tainted also, if the Mum wanted the Dad to take the baby, surely she would've contacted him directly or even indirectly and not PomBear in the first instance...I know I wouldn't want my exes contacted under the same circumstances.

Lawm01 · 12/01/2011 22:07

Wow, what an amazing thread!

Have read with my heart in my mouth, but so glad things seem to be getting sorted for OP and baby.
MN gets too much bad press, but when it comes to the crunch nothing beats the solidarity of mumsnetters.