Graduated Elderberry Pavlovas - Thread 7

[Cavort]

Newly diffed right through to new Mums. A thread for the over 30's expecting their first baby.

I am far too soft for CIO even if it was proved to be 'safe.' for baby. I hate hearing her cry for me when I can't respond, like in the car.

DH's ex did CIO with DSD and, he hasn't suggested it, but I wonder if he thinks we should do it. I hope not. I guess they'll never know, but maybe if she wasn't left alone in a room crying for her Mum she wouldn't be the clingy wuss she is today. She is a very good sleeper though.

I've read another discussion and most people are saying their line faded - but it varies in how long it takes, between a few months to a year for most by the sounds of it. Like most things, sounds like it varies person to person, but the good news is they're all saying it faded!

I don't think I'd do CIO, but there are a lot of more gentle sleep training methods that I would consider if necessary. My niece was a horrible sleeper until she was 4 years old, never wanting to go to bed, crying, getting out dozens of times etc - I do believe that in her case, some training would have been good for everybody.

I think I'm a bit of a lazy parent but I'm going with the just roll with it approach. She'll sleep when she wants to and as long as that's mostly at night I'm ok with it. I just can't be doing with turning it all into a big battle of wills, I just don't mind if she naps downstairs in her bouncy chair while I vaccum round her or spends all evening asleep in her dad's arms. If I find the time to read a book I want it tobe something I'm interested in not a bloody baby training manual written by some spurious 'expert'. I'm probably wrong but not worrying myself about having a set routine is working for me right now. (Maybe I'll regret it later?)

I haven't got a linea negra yet but maybe I just can't see it under the lovely coating of dark downy hair which I have all over my bump

I have a line too, its only pale though and only came out in the last few weeks. Had the midwife this morning, all is good and he has turned, head is now down....eeek.

Hazle I think sleep training in older children is fine. As soon as they're old/intelligent enough to realise there will be consequences for their chosen actions.

Someone gave me a book called The Sensational Baby Sleep Plan, which is basically a version of Ferber's CIO method, but this one also says you should also stop all night feeding as it encourages them to wake. Can you imagine your baby waking hungry in the night and you refusing saying, 'baby, you'll just have to get used to being hungry until you stop asking?!' It probably does work eventually but just seems excessively cruel. Maybe when they're older and just playing up but this book says to start refusing night feeds as young as 8 weeks.

Good news Mother

Sounds like a minefield with all the advice on sleep! Hard to know what will work and what's a bit harsh/strict. I guess a lot of the time you have to adjust to your baby too? I'm really keen to hear any tips that you're trying though!

Good news on head down mother! So I'm 31 weeks, should my midwife be checking that at my next app in a couple of weeks? My hypnobirthing book says I should print the pic of an engaged baby and put it somewhere I will see it often, like in the bathroom, to subconsciously remind my body to adjust to accommodate the ideal position. This is one of the ideas I was more sceptical about so I'm not going to make DH and I look at that every time we each go to the loo!

starving an 8-week old baby? No, I think I'll pass. Waking up and feeding him for 10 min really does not bother me. So hmm, feed the baby, baby goes back to sleep, everybody happy - or refuse to feed, baby screams for hours, nobody sleeps?

I didn't get the line, but I'm blond, so maybe that's why, not much pigment in the first place.

It's weird how you get an image of someone in your head, I thought you were brunette Hazle!

Cavort, have you signed up for swimming yet? Took miles again today. Finished at midday and he's been asleep since - all the mums were saying how much they love it as it tires babies out! Hopefully will help Miles get back in his routine, he hasn't had a proper lunchtime sleep in ages. Put him underwater myself this week!

Alex I think some people over-think it. Your baby will tell you when they are tired or hungry and you just follow their lead. Despite us moaning about this week's night wakings, all our babies do mostly sleep at night now and they've done that all by themselves.

Janey yes we have a place reserved starting after half-term with a free taster lesson the week before half-term. I am looking forward to it but am slightly dubious that the pool we're going to is in a very affluent area and I worry the lessons will be full of WAGS. I already know I won't like it if they are so will probably have to transfer somewhere else where normal people live. I can't wait to dunk her underwater - especially after this week!

hazle you're brunette in my head too!

Really can't wait for water babies after seeing a pic of Miles doing the back stroke!

ah must be the nickname, but no, that is totally random. I put a photo of me and DH up so you can picture me more accurately when having any odd dreams about a Berry meeting

How strange to see the parents when we've only seen the resulting babies.

Great photo, I think Victor looks like your DH Hazle.

I will try to find a decent close up pic of DH and I but they're thin on the ground as DH ruins them.

Yeah must be the nickname. I thought you were brunette as well. On that note I'm ginger!!!! Not proper red hot but definitely on the red side
I also agree on taking baby's lead on hunger and sleep at least until they are a bit older.

Ha, this is like a confessional now! Photo, Lol? Of Lara too?

Photo uploaded of Elodie's parents from our drunken pre-baby days. We still look like that but you just need to envisage large eye bags now.

Oooh is that at the Grand Canyon hazle? I was too so scared to do it! Oh iPhone so can't see pics properly at all but will try later to have a nose look.
Will also try to upload one of DP and I. No-one to comment on the age difference please

Janey you make me want to comment on the age difference

It's ridiculous mother, he looks 12, she looks 50

Only joking, you would never know there was an age difference! (because he looks so old) Hehe, but seriously, Janey is gorgeous enough to pass for 20s easily!

Loving seeing everyone! I want to upload a pic of me and DH but am worried I've blabbed about discussed work probs - is that really para?!

Oh don't upload one, you're far too attractive! You could remove it once everyone has stalked you had a look?xx

Evening my favourite panel of experts. Hope all is well and eye bags from lack of sleep are not too big! Also hope the last few weeks of pregnancy are not dragging too much for those still on this side of the fence!
I am at my diet at the moment and hoping my multivitamin is working hard. Also incredibly grumpy as our house is on the market and I hate being in during viewings so am currently sitting outside in the car! One of the cats is in the window staring at me and clearly thinks I am weird!
Only 4 days until I find out if I'm camp blue or pink, although I'm pretty sure I know already. I've lost count, are most berry babies so far girls or boys?

Good idea, I've just uploaded a sneaky one which was on my ipad, so I'll take it down tomorrow and put my cat back! DH looks like a grumpy git in this one though (he's concentrating on taking the pic!), and I haven't used my GHDs!

Funnily enough you look like I imagine you cavort - at first I thought I was psychic but then remembered that great pic I've seen before of you in your wellies and wedding dress! (My pervy ipad tried to change wellies to willies then!)

Cross post, what do you think you are merk? I have no idea yet and am having a surprise! Can't wait to find out now!

Girl, pretty certain. Either that or monkey as she looks suspiciously primate like from her face shape on the scan