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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

whistlejacket · 23/03/2009 22:58

I used to be a big fan of tummy time, not sure about it now though. I made both my boys do it a lot as babies, DS1 whizzed around on all fours by 9 months. DS2 is now 9 months and bum shuffles. He hates being on his tummy. Not worth forcing it if they don't like it I think.

On weaning: Annabel Karmel says introduce them to a wide range of foods at an early age and they're less likely to be fussy eaters. I diligently spent many (wasted) hours working through her recipes with DS1. He's now 3 and makes a massive fuss over anything that isn't pasta, bread, yoghurt or chocolate.

Like the tummy time thing, they all have their own likes and dislikes irrespective of what you do sometimes. There's quite a lot of pressure around what you should and shouldn't do. Give them lots of love and attention, try not to think about 'milestones' and I'm sure you can't go wrong.

BackToBasics · 24/03/2009 08:37

My dd won't sit still long enough for me to put in a moisturiser or to comb it out. The shampoo is working, it's just taking a few washes to go!

naomi83 · 24/03/2009 13:26

our DS also had reflux, just put muslins down and used washable playmat. every video we have of him trying to crawl ended with him pucking all over the mat, but to give him credit, he also pucked all over the swing, baby carrier and bouncy chair too!

Original poster

Honeymoonmummy · 24/03/2009 13:27

Ha! She is getting a lot better esp now I've gone DF. She feeds and sleeps on a towel.

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Original poster

Honeymoonmummy · 25/03/2009 08:17

Anyone else?

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AddictedtoCrunchies · 26/03/2009 17:10

Don't compare them to everyone else. My closest mummy friend's little girl was walking at 11 months and my beautiful boy still isn't interested at nearly 14 months. and there's only five days between them in age.
However he would beat Usain Bolt in a crawling race - he's like lightening so I guess he thinks 'why bother walking?'

Trust your instincts. I never ever wanted children and my pregnancy was unplanned. I had a horrible labour culminating in a c-section and a 10lb 6oz boy. But as time's gone on, I've trusted myself more and more and now there's no one who can bring up a child as well as me.

Don't beat yourself up if you give him/her a jar of food, or a crisp etc. I swore he would only ever have home-made organic food made with pure mountain spring water (if you know what I mean). Yesterday he ate a weetabix and yoghurt for breakfast, a jar of something or other for lunch (after swimming) and then helped me eat my Quavers in Subway after that. And he's still alive and thriving today.

Don't buy designer baby clothes - leave it for someone else to. Tesco, Asda and Next do perfectly good stuff which washes well and isn't dear. And god knows you'll be washing it. Regularly.

Original poster

Honeymoonmummy · 26/03/2009 18:23

Wise words Addicted, I'm a big fan of Asda baby clothes already

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BackToBasics · 27/03/2009 08:33

I like Asdas 0-18 months clothes but have found toddler age is rubbish. I have bought tops in there for dd that have shrunk after the first wash on a standard 40 wash.

AddictedtoCrunchies · 27/03/2009 12:36

Never underestimate the power of Vanish.

My son poos like his dad and they regularly escape his nappy onto his vest and pajamas (and I do use the right size nappy..). I have a special bowl in the kitchen, often sitting on the draining board full of hot water with a vest or two soaking away..

PS. his dad's poos don't tend to escape, I just meant the frequency and amount was the same as his dads...

Original poster

Honeymoonmummy · 27/03/2009 23:23

BackToBasics, I've ended up putting all DD's clothes out to dry on the maiden because the tumble seems to shrink them all. It's new as well, bought specifically for that purpose

I've just bought some Vanish because DH spilt a cup of coffee over the new nursery carpet

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lucamom · 27/03/2009 23:40

A few pearls which worked for us - have 2 yr old and 7 mth old boys, the most joyful boys in the world and, despite doom and gloom merchants warning me off having 2 close together (but only once I was pregnant - cheers!), the past 2 years has been fab, and so will it be for you with your little one!

Second (or third) the grobag thing, both have slept in nothing else since early months. An added benefit is that they provide an extra sleep reassurance/association if you stay away from home or go on hols - no mater what cot or bed, there's a little piece of home.
Shops/cafes are reluctant to heat baby food, so if you get out and about a lot once baby's on solids, and want to feed baby, heat the food at home - slightly hotter than normal, it will cool over time - decant into a baby bottle with lid, and take with you in baby bottle thermal bag (Avent do one in Boots/Mothercare for about 8 quid). Just bring a long spoon and you have hot food on the go.
If you've got to 19 weeks still bf, you may have already discovered this, but don't scrimp on breastpads. I economised and bought inferior ones and it really isn't worth using anything except Tommee Tippee or Lansinoh ones!

Above all, enjoy! Too many people (I've found it to be mainly experienced older folk/Moms of more than one child) seem to enjoy gloating over any difficulties you have or may have - head advice when it suits and is well intentioned, ignore when it riles you!

Original poster

Honeymoonmummy · 29/03/2009 18:59

Thanks Lucamom, I've been thinking about the age gap before trying again myself.

I've not got a leakage problem TBH so I've never had a problem with cheap Tesco's breast pads. I suspect they wouldn't be much use if you really overflowed though!

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piscesmoon · 29/03/2009 19:08

My advice is not to wish the time away by wanting to be at the next stage. Just enjoy it and don't compare.

kitkatqueen · 29/03/2009 22:58

Honeymoonmummy - I used the asda/tesco's pads with dd1, but with dd2 and ds I have used the washable ones and they are soooo much nicer!! might be worth a try and you never run out!

Original poster

Honeymoonmummy · 30/03/2009 09:15

I had just a couple of trial washable pads but kept losing them down the side of the bed

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kitkatqueen · 30/03/2009 21:21

When yr LO starts potty training go ahead and buy some of the foaming froggy soap - its excellent for encouraging them to wash their hands - however don't buy the refills - buy some asda smartprice bubblebath its about 18p for a litre. Squeeze in about 2cms worth of the froggy bottle and top up to 3/4 full with water, shake lots and you wil now have slightly blue foam instead!!!

jiggle your amounts to get the thickness of foam that you want. Save a fortune.

Original poster

Honeymoonmummy · 31/03/2009 15:19

Thanks Kitkat! I have no idea what foaming froggy soap is but I'm sure I soon will!

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kitkatqueen · 01/04/2009 22:10

Sorry - thats what my kids call it its really Kandoo

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