okay so i obviously know NOTHING! how to occupy my 8 week old during the day???

[chunkypudding]

First baby and am struggling a bit - my lo doesn't want to nap much during the day and isn't keen on being left too much to his own devices, but I think I keep overstimulating him by overdoing the 'play'... result, screaming crazy baby, frazzled mum.

I'm not bothered about ramming the poor wee thing into a routine, but could do with opinions on good amounts of daytime sleep to avoid overtiredness, how i can keep him peacefully occupied, and ooo just what the hell i'm supposed to be doing all day really!!!

Thanks for any support anyone can give, please don't make me feel like a total numpty, i used to be quite smart y'know

xx

effie - it could be a growth spurt i guess, he's really hungry today too...

he was v skinny at birth as i had a rather knackered placenta (resulting in em csection.) for quite a long baby he didn't weigh much (7.3lb) but went on a feeding frenzy growth spurt and put on about 1 lb a week, has slowed down to half lb past 2 weeks...

he's now 13lb at 8 weeks, nearly doble his birthweight...

and i'm bf... maybe that's why i'm so knackered

he's already gone from 25th to over 75th centile - if this is another spurt i think he may well be a giant

thanks for the advice and support all. you are lovely. i'm ok, just having a rough few days. he's been feeding for 20-25 mins or something so maybe he'll fancy a snooze soon

double not doble

Oh, bb99n - yes! DD (who was a TERRIBLE napper) always went to sleep and slept much better outside in her pram (well wrapped up and close to the house and not left to cry before you all try to unmask me as Clare Verity).

DS was similar, v long and skinny, born on 25 percentile and shot to 91st in a week

lots on growth spurts here

www.kellymom.com/bf/normal/growth-spurt.html

no-one told me that it can make them really, really grumpy. DS was a nightmare during spurts, but he settled down between times

When it was pissing down with rain for days, I'd get in the car and go somewhere random. Bluewater shopping centre was always packed with mums who had tiny babies wandering round in a 'I don't need anything, but am glad to just get out'.

Walking in the rain with a big umbrella and Ds in the sling is quite nice though - and a good excuse for a huge hot chocolate at a cafe.

Best group I went to was at a local church where they would entertain the babies whilst you ate the provided lunch. Bliss! And they were just so welcoming too.

Another thing was one of the churches had a cafe, and it was dead cheap and someone always came over and chatted which was nice - and DS likes old ladies

You do sound like you're having a bit of a down time. Any chance of dh/dp having a day a week off just to give you some company ?

Also - may well be a growth spurt. If your placenta was knackered, then his born centile won't be reflective of his natural centile, so will be racing to sort himself out.

chunky, I also had a baby born on the 25th centile, who proceeded to rocket up to 91st. I always wondered if that's why she was an unsettled wee thing - almost as though she couldn't rest and relax when she had so much growing to be getting on with.

put on babytv radio in the background its on their website babytvchannel.com

Chunky I second everyone else's advice. It is tiring especially when BF'ing so make sure you look after yourself and eat well and sleep / rest as much as possible.

What kind of sling do you have? It's possible to bf LO in some slings so you can still be mobile and hands free while feeding.

I felt like I was twiddling my thumbs for months but make the most of it. It won't be long before you have to entertain him and you won't get a chance to sit and watch the telly, read a book!

really, having a restless grumpy crying child at this age is COMPLETELY NORMAL, as is feeling sh*t. Many of us have been there and we're still alive

I agree with going out for a walk in the park,
that would be good for both of you.

still alive yes but definitely a different person for having been through it... and not necessarily in a good way...

I have one of these slings

Great for bf'ing and generally soothing...

I find fresh air in the mornings is good.
Relaxing time in the afternoon can be helped by playing mozart or bach.
Both my babies loved them at this age, they would just listen with wide eyes.

Come on Choosy, it's not that bad is it?

well, he just slept for... 5 mins!!! wooo

could he poss have a dodgy tum? pretty fequent poo action going on...

crikey still hungry! this is such a strange feeling, its like i just got to know him a bit and now everything has shifted again and i can't read the signs properly anymore!

yep, just as you get used to things they change

Progree is so rapid at this age- try to go with the flow. Make sure you are drinking enough water whilst bfeeding so much too

Sorry. Will cheer up. 12 weeks is often a great phase, that'll be here soon.

I didn't mean to reprimand you choosy!!
I know I sound a bit matronish sometimes
Are you okay?

Walks with pram
Babygym/playmat
cuddles
baby massage

It is hard work and you will spend the next xxx years feeling lost!! Sorry! It does get easier in many ways. You start to pick up they're cues, but every time you get used to them and their routine they go and have a growth spurt/development spurt and change!!!

Just have confidence in yourself as a fab mom, which you are and will continue to be. One day at a time. You'll soon discover loads of great things about each other

xx