August 2021 Babies - Final evictions and the fourth trimester

[BertieBotts]

Time for a new thread! :)

29 gorgeous new babies have joined us already, welcome to the world 💖💙🥳

@Smurf123 - Welcome to the world, baby Sophia 💖
@wimbler - Welcome to the world, baby boy 💙
@Jessicapebbles - Welcome to the world, baby Ebony💖
@Inmypjsagain - Welcome to the world, baby boy💙
@PurplePansy05 - Welcome to the world, baby Leo Alexander 💙
@WinterBabyof89 - Welcome to the world, baby Rosie 💖
@Winecoffeeteamum - Welcome to the world, baby Emily 💖
@Ready2020 - Welcome to the world, baby Rowan 💖
@Magik01 - Welcome to the world, baby Isaac 💙
@Hoares3 - Welcome to the world, baby Ellis 💙
@Daffodil21 - Welcome to the world, baby Elliot James 💙
@sarah13xx - Welcome to the world, baby Freddie 💙
@MrsB2019x - Welcome to the world, baby Ella💖
@Biscuitcat - Welcome to the world, baby Rowan 💙
@Whatshouldbemyusername - Welcome to the world, baby Arya-Nyah 💖
@notinthestarsigns - Welcome to the world, baby Erin 💖
@Aaaaa1519 - Welcome to the world, baby Anum 💖
@Angelesque - Welcome to the world, baby Isaac 💙
@Millymay13 - Welcome to the world, baby Ethan Benjamin 💙
@WolfMother326 - Welcome to the world, baby Alasdair William 💙
@BertieBotts - Welcome to the world, baby Alexander 💙
@RandomCatGenerator - Welcome to the world, baby Solomon 💙
@lucyrp - Welcome to the world, baby Evelyn Rose 💖
@HopefulB - Welcome to the world, baby Chloé 💖
@Mmr224 - Welcome to the world, baby Alasdair 💙
@Smallbean27 - Welcome to the world, baby boy 💙
@Fran919 - Welcome to the world, baby girl 💖
@Caz1226 - Welcome to the world, baby Dougie 💙
@Ava50x - Welcome to the world, baby boy 💙
@dirtyfries - Welcome to the world, baby Frankie! 💖

Counting down until till they welcome their munchkins:

@Dia12 - EDD 8 August, Girl 💖
@livingwithbees - EDD 16 August, surprise 💛
@Sheisfee - EDD 19 August, Girl 💖
@Alittlexmasmagic - EDD 22 August, surprise 💛
@LottSE20 - EDD 22 August, surprise 💛
@ame88 - EDD 28 August, Girl 💖

Can I ask, what temperature are you keeping in your homes during the day? Ours yesterday was 19.7C and I felt cold. However, DS was napping a bit more than his usual (he's now started some naps during the day) and he was fine in a short sleeve vest and a babygrow. I know the safe sleep temperature is between 16-20C but does this apply throughout the day too? I'm just thinking, he'll surely get cold once awake if I'm chilly? xx

Bertie, if you've not used it regularly it migh improve in time, I never got much at first, but gradually the fact that the other breast was being stimulated helped. But like I said, it might be that the supply is now established and there isn't that much "spare" left to collect. I suspect it will come very useful when weaning starts, I hope to collect then and save for when I'm back in work xx

I always have our thermostat set to 20-21 degrees even before DD was born 😳😂 hate a cold house, and I was even chilly at home yesterday with it set to that temperature 🤣

@wimbler it sounds to me like your having some trauma from the birth, I had it with my first birth (different circumstances) and got referred to the parent and baby unit to discuss how I’m feeling both before and after the birth. I’ve found it really helpful. I’m not sure if that unit is just something in Staffordshire or a nationwide thing though. It might be worth contacting your health visitor and see if she can get you a referral to it or something similar?

Try not to beat yourself up over it. Your body did an amazing thing, and I’m sure in time you will heal.

Re the Hakka (I’ve got the Aldi version- £2.49 in the sale bargain!) I use it the same way as @PurplePansy05 just attach it while BFing. I only tend to use it for the morning feed but get around 80-100ml from it!

Had a nightmare yesterday, got a call of the nursery saying DS1 had a temp, was really pale and not himself. He was totally fine when I dropped him off at 8am! So had to do a covid test yesterday evening which wasn’t fun. Fingers crossed for a negative result today. 🤞🏼

Can I ask a question about dummies? I’ve got nothing against them as DS1 had one but Isaac doesn’t seem to take to them at all. Tried mam and tommee tippee. He falls asleep without them fine and doesn’t particularly ever get into such a state where I can’t calm him myself.

However we do have the tommee tippee 0-2 month ones that we brought in desperation when he was born. I tried the other night when he just wouldn’t settle and he sucks it and it just falls out. Do you think it’s because the teat is too small?

DH also used it last night to get him to sleep as he was over tired, but pretty much had to hold it in while he sucked. He’s ordered some 0-6 off Amazon but I’m in two minds using it!

I remember how much it was a pain when DS1 was in his own room and I’d have to go in constantly because his dummy had fallen out and he couldn’t put it back. But if DS2 likes ot and it settles him should I just bite the bullet?

I’m at a lost what to do!

@Magik01 Freddie’s my first so I have nothing to compare it to but I bought dummies before he was born. Didn’t really have an opinion on them either way but since he’s been born and time has gone on without him having one I’ve decided not to use them. I don’t know whether he’d like it or not but not having any problems with him just now so think it’s best not to bother. There are odd times when he’ll be screaming before bed and I think I could just use them but I kind of don’t want to give in now 🙈

I’d say if he’s not absolutely loving one then just leave it. Unless you’re having so much of a problem getting him down that the benefits would outweigh the possibility of having to get up during the night to put it back in. I’ve got him a Sophie the giraffe for when he starts teething as a sort of alternative

We don't use a dummy either - nothing against them at all and we did buy some but he just doesn't seem to need it (he does have his moments though!)

@Magik01 We use the Tommee Tippee orthodontic approved ones in size 0-6 months - they're small but bigger than 0-2 and they suit him well. They do the job of calming him down for 5 mins when we need it! xx

@lucyrp Last month temp in our house was usually 21-21.5C. Now I'm feeling cool and I don't know whether to set my thermostat at that this winter, not sure what's best for DS. And then I suppose I'll need to decide on what tog sleeping bag to use. I just wasn't sure if the temp advice applies to all sleep including naps or just sleeping at night xx

I feel terrible for using a dummy now as we always said we wouldn't but now we seem to rely on it quite a bit 😬 whenever she's a bit grizzly she always has it or if she's upset in the car and we can't do anything until we get to our destination she has it.

@PurplePansy05 our house has been around 28 degrees until the last couple of weeks where it's got much cooler. I haven't changed how I dress DD for bed she's always had a vest and a sleepsuit on under a cotton sheet and cellular blanket for bed xx

I've also just realised that I forgot to say in my earlier post re togs - I've been sticking to 1.5 because DS always wears a vest and babygrow combo to bed. I also got him slightly warmer babygrows which feel lovely and snuggly, but not too thick. He wore one last night. So 1.5 tog feels fine with this, even at just under 20C. Not sure when to switch to 2.5 xx

We're in 2.5 tog here, but we have the window open a bit for some air in the night because we have the door shut to keep the cats out. Plus we're in north Scotland 😂 although you wouldn't think it sometimes!

We use a dummy for naps and night time and when she's upset and we can't do what we need to sooth her.... which seems like quite a lot. I do wish we never started on it but I guess it helps. Not sure how to stop using it now.

I kinda feel like I'm not dressing her warm enough now. We're in a new build though and it feels warm. She's in a tog 1.0 with a long sleep suit. No vest underneath. She sleeps fine with that on...I guess she'd tell me if she's too cold.

Having an absolute cat nightmare. Just posted about it in the litter box. My younger male cat is being an absolute monster to my old lady cat since the baby arrived. Shes miserable and I love her so much and it’s awful. :( I feel so sad and stressed about it which isn’t helping general baby stress and tiredness.

On a more positive note…DS is now 6 weeks and it feels like a big change in the last few days, where he’s a real baby rather than a little tiny fragile newborn. Eyes open, so curious, awake a lot - it’s lovely! @PurplePansy05 was it you who recommended Hey Bear? It’s a hit in this house!

@Ready2020 @lucyrp I’m in the same position with the dummy! When he’s inconsolable it’s seems to be actually magic for calming him down - but I’m definitely a bit reliant now…

On the subject of togs, are people sticking to the recommended 16-20 degrees? We’re mostly at 23 - 20 and below is so cold?!

@sarah13xx’s suggestion of a Sophie the giraffe instead of a dummy sounds sensible. Some babies just aren’t into dummies. But as I say, for us, they are magic (Tommy Tippee and Mam).

@BertieBotts I’ve tried repeatedly - it does not work, it won’t add a child. Thanks anyway. :(

We have a range of dummies and sizes dd isn't overly interested in any of them. Smallest mam one seems to be like the best and might settle her to sleep if she's fussing after being fed for hours on end but your sort of have to keep hands behind it so it doesn't fall out as otherwise she loses it and shouts for it every few seconds. Otherwise she doesn't look for it.
I've bought a 2.5 tog today in 0-6 months. Even if I wanted lighter all the shops here are only selling 2.5 tog unless you order online. In saying that dd slept from 11-530 last night so although I thought she felt freezing she clearly wasnt bothered

OH thinks that we put DD down too early for 'bed'. We start around about now to walk her and calm her as she is grouchy if not held. It takes her a long while to go down though which does make me think she's not tired enough but she doesn't settle in the chair or just sitting on us. She needs to be walked but isn't closing her eyes to sleep. She doesn't want to be fed to sleep around this time of day either as I think she's used to the routine of me not being around as I usually go to bed about 7 or 8. Or she is just too unsettled.

Saying all that she is currently on my boob half asleep which is not like her. OH is going out once again tonight and I told him he needs to get her down to sleep before he goes!

Yes, glad all the babies seem to like it @RandomCatGenerator. Still a hit here too! 6 weeks was a big change for us too and now at 8+ weeks he's a proper little boy, very curious and chatty. He's grown so much as well, weight and height are great! I'm so relieved after the rocky start, it caused me so much stress. He's had his vaccinations too and is a very sleepy baby today, not even interested in feeding much. I had to pump twice because my breasts felt really full, got over 150ml already. Luckily no fever, I was advised to give him Calpol regardless, maybe it's helped.

Has anyone else's baby reacted the same way? He's peeing and pooing fine and had 3 feeds this afternoon, but just seems very tired and subdued. How long does it last? xx

Also @RandomCatGenerator re your cats, I had the same issue when introducing my younger cat to the household and the best thing was to keep them apart and allow them to spend time together gradually, supervised and short amount of time, increasing slowly if they get on ok. You'll likely need to give each of them more attention too. I know it's hard work, but it's like settling them in again, it's a new world to them as well. Feliway plug in works wonders, too, as does swapping their blankets - I'd add a baby blanket that you might not use again to the mix, or some cheap muslins. They'll adjust in time. xx

@PurplePansy05 I've tried Hey Bear a couple of times but Elliot doesn't seem interested!! He's very interactive though thankfully so I'm not too worried..!

DS1 has a disco light and he put that on today and DS3 loved that. DS2 did as well actually, he was being so hyper today and it really calmed him down. Might get another projector for their room.

Agree 6 weeks seems like a whole new stage! His face has got chubbier and he's lost that newborn "alien raisin" look :o

Defo normal to be sleepy after jabs, I think it normally lasts about a day.

I think there is much more range in temperature that they are comfortable/safe at - the gro eggs etc always make it seem like it's this ipossibly thin line but I don't think that's quite right. I go by cold hands/face means they are too cold and sweaty means too hot. I was always advised by midwives in the UK that cold hands were fine, but it seems to wake mine up if they are.

@Ready2020 DD "bedtime" is usually around 8pm I.e bathtime, feed then sleep

@BertieBotts DD always has ice cold hands and feet!

Bedtime is 8pm here too then back up for a feed about half 11.

@Smurf123 that’s funny, he slept way longer than usual last night too and it was the first proper cold night here. Our room is always so warm (the gro egg always says 24/25 no matter what it feels like it seems) but last night it was only just 20! I wonder if being slightly cooler is what caused him to sleep so well. It was his first night in the 2.5 tog sleeping bag, he’s been in the light one up til now. I’ve gone for a sleepsuit but no vest underneath