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Behaviour/development

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

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Original poster

19 week old - any advice on...well, anything???

43 replies

Honeymoonmummy · 20/03/2009 22:25

I have a 19 week old DD, my first, and thought since I'd learnt so much in the first 19 weeks, there was probably a lot more to learn.

So I invite you all to give me your pearls of wisdom about anything from weaning (and BF) to sleeping, from behaviour to keeping your carpets clean during the potty training... you never know, you might make the next Mumsnet Guide!

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

kitkatqueen · 20/03/2009 23:17

Ok this probably is a bit tmi but if your dd is unwell and liable to be sick keep a plastic jug nearby to catch it in - It really saves on clearing up in the middle of the night/day!

My dd1 was very unwell aged 7 mnths and would grab the jug when offered it if she was retching, bless her little heart! With dd2 I used the jug method practically from day 1.

Good luck!

Original poster

Honeymoonmummy · 21/03/2009 17:59

Brilliant! Anyone else? What's that one thing you wish you'd known at the outset??

OP posts:

screamingabdab · 21/03/2009 18:06

Hi there.

I've got one for now. Metanium is the best nappy rash cream.

Pheebe · 21/03/2009 19:01

What I really really which I'd realised with ds1 is to go with the flow and not feel theres a rush for dc to do well anything.

It doesn't matter how you wean as long as you do

Sitting on the floor and just being with the dss is better than any toy or game you could buy

O and sudocreme is the best nappy rash cream

kitkatqueen · 21/03/2009 21:34

That Mother and Toddler groups are as much for the Mothers as the Toddlers - tea biscuits and friendship are v important when you have a little one.

Also that the mothers that you meet there will be the same ones that you will see in the playground for many years to come. The friendships that you make at mother and toddler groups can last a lifetime and make a massive difference to your life.

Marthasmama · 21/03/2009 21:41

To enjoy every moment because they pass so quickly. When dd starts talking keep records of her funny little mis-sayings. You'll forget them and wish you had written them down. When it comes to potty training time, the most important thing to do is RELAX. Dd will do it when she's ready and stressing only makes them more reluctant. Don't wrap her up in cotton wool. She needs to experience life and that if she climbs on the arm of the sofa she may fall off and it may hurt. Warn her but let her experience it for herself. It makes them more resiliant in the long run. I can't think of anything else at the moment, but you know where I am.

Original poster

Honeymoonmummy · 21/03/2009 21:52

Goddammit MM, is there no getting away from you???

OP posts:

StarlightMcKenzie · 21/03/2009 21:58

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Original poster

Honeymoonmummy · 21/03/2009 22:10

OP posts:

screamingabdab · 21/03/2009 22:54

A much-used phrase here on MN:

"This too will pass" (especially in relation to toddler troubles)

They will learn to speak even if you don't speak to them every waking moment

Even if this one doesn't hit/bite/have monster tantrums, the next one may, so don't be too smug!

Learn to say sorry to them when you (inevitably) make a mistake

yousaidit · 21/03/2009 23:05

when your dc starts to want to talk or notice whats going on around them and is communicating with you, when you put them to bed on a night give them a hug. dd's face when i put her to bed and say 'ooh let mummy give you a hug' is pure joy. that few seconds of warm toddler squeezing is fantastic and leaves dd trotting off to the land of nod with a huge smile!

Original poster

Honeymoonmummy · 22/03/2009 12:54

Awwww

OP posts:

MIAonline · 22/03/2009 19:43

I would say try and write some of of down. I wish I had kept a little diary my Ds is 2 and I have already forgotten such alot! Remember they are tiny and it all goes so quickly. Don't let anyone say they are so and so age now, so they should be doing this and this by now. Allow yourself to be proud but not smug. Keep them as happy as they can be and they will reward you with being happy more of the time iyswim? Try yo stay as calm as you can around them if even you are inwardly worrying!

Yousaidit was right about the bedtime, every child deserves to go sleep feeling loved, My Ds says everynight to me love you Mummy, sweet dreams after I have said it to him since he was born

Sorry that was a bit more sentimental, than practical!

lazybones · 22/03/2009 20:01

Keep a text file on your desktop so that when you're on MN you can quickly jot down any new things your LO does.

yousaidit · 22/03/2009 22:22

may i add, i am not a soppy mum by any means, but child hugging at bedtime does also stop you from tearing your hair out after they have gone to bed because it does relax me also!

naomi83 · 23/03/2009 09:58

hhm, nearly 5 months old (thinks back to days of sleep deprivation) number 1 tip has to be grobag sleeping bags. it keeps them cosy all night so you don't need to worry about SIDS/getting too cold/too hot etc. also makes it easier to take them away for the night or move them to their cot. number 2 would have to be at least 20 mins of tummy time twice a day, even if they seem to hate it it speeds up crawling. we did this with DS from birth despite moaning and occasional crying, and he was crawling by 20 weeks. tip number 3 for this age would be getting daddy to do early night time feed (9-11pm) either EBM or formula so you can get some more sleep

sazlocks · 23/03/2009 10:04

mostly they all sleep through, eat some solids, crawl, get teeth, walk, speak etc at some point. Not necessarily when you think it will happen, want it to happen or at the same time as their friends do it.
enjoy

lazybones · 23/03/2009 10:13

It's all a phase: if it's a good one enjoy it while it lasts, if it's a bad one then don't worry, it will pass....

BackToBasics · 23/03/2009 10:24

Do get rid of cradle cap when they are babies and have no hair. Don't just leave it and let their hair grow and think it will just disapear. Otherwise you will end up trying to get it out of a thick mass of hair and have to put up with lots of whinging and tantrums from your toddler as you try to apply the treatment shampoo.

BackToBasics · 23/03/2009 10:27

"number 2 would have to be at least 20 mins of tummy time twice a day, even if they seem to hate it it speeds up crawling. we did this with DS from birth despite moaning and occasional crying, and he was crawling by 20 weeks."

Agreed. My dd was never put on her tummy, she hated it. She didn't crawl until 11 months! My friends who put their dc on their tummys were crawling much sooner.

Original poster

Honeymoonmummy · 23/03/2009 22:21

I can't do tummy time much unfortunately, she has reflux

I have the grobags, they are a godsend!

Re EBM, I just can't get the hang of expressing. The only time she tends to sleep in the day is when she's feeding. Fortunately she sleeps fairly well at night.

OP posts:

kitkatqueen · 23/03/2009 22:24

sazlocks and backtobasics - Don't understand the need to make babies crawl asap. Am I missing somthing?

Best way I know of removing cradlecap without fuss is to slap on a really thick moisturiser or if you can nealesyard baby balm and leave it to soak in all day or for a couple of days if you can! LOL - wash the hair and run through with a nit comb with rounded metal ends - cradle cap is softened by the oil in the moisturiser and comes of completely. Never had any luck really with the shampoo's and the kids hated them.

Original poster

Honeymoonmummy · 23/03/2009 22:35

I'm not sure if she actually has cradle cap, it looks a bit scaley but only if you look really really closely - do I need to bother with it?

OP posts:

kitkatqueen · 23/03/2009 22:42

Personally I think,only if it bothers you or gets worse - generally it does get worse for as bit. Your call!!

pudding25 · 23/03/2009 22:46

My dd (10.5mths) was given tummy time every day -she still isn't crawling! They do things when they are ready.

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