High need baby support thread

[LittleWaveyLines]

Does this sound like your baby?

1. Feeds frequently daytime
2. Feeds frequently nighttime
3. Needs to be constantly held
4. Wont sleep alone
5. Hates the car seat/pram
6. Short naps

If so - join the club! :)

Three whole times?

To be fair, ds only needs 2/3 feeds overnight (which I take to mean the hours when I'm asleep) but as we're ff it means a lot more fuss than bf. Lying down to feed was always my saviour - must be frustrating if its not quite right

And I wish ds would create a poo explosion. He has gaviscon induced constipation...

Wow, 3 times would be a dream right now.

Sorry you've had a poo night Spanner. Not great here either. I think I need to begin to stop hoping each time I go to bed that DS might have a good night or even a great one. It'll happen when it happens - am fed up with obsessing about it.

I just had no clue (naive first-time mum) that things would be so hard sleep-wise once we were out of the tiny newborn stage. I am in awe of those of you with more than one baby/child to look after. I don't know where you get your energy, but I want some of what you're having!

Had my assessment yesterday at the GP, went okay. Name is on waiting list for cognitive behavioural therapy (yikes) - he doesn't think I'm depressed, which is a big yay. But there is a lot of anxiety there, so that's where we'll start I guess.

Hope you all have good days

You'll be pleased to know that DP no longer considers himself Supermanny but he did bring LO downstairs at 6am to allow me a lie in and got LO to have a nap without the assistance of a feed so I got a whole three hours. This is possibly my longest sleep for five months so I'm feeling a little high

Steady truth - don't do anything rash

Tickle I'm glad your assessment went well. I hope the waiting list isn't too long!

DS's screaming fit continued after his 10pm feed last night. Most odd. Yet this morning (and during his night feeds) he was the happiest little chappy about

Currently parked in his bouncer in front of the tree lights - think he's dropped off. I'm seriously considering stringing them up on the ceiling of the bedroom over his cot for when he finally sleeps in it as he's never put so much as a toenail in it yet!

Hey tickleme, my friend saw a ace CBT in Colchester who really helped her. She paid for a few sessions but only saw her three times or so. If you like, I can try and get the details for you?

Congrats on the sleep truth. DH also got up with DS so I had a lie-in. He brought him back after two hours, DS had a couple of sucks on the boob and fell asleep for another hour and a half. So am just getting up now. Lazy cah!

Well DS woke up at least 6 times last night but did decide to get up for the day at 9 so I am joining Queen as a lazy cah...

It's Friday. I love Friday - it means DP is home early and I get 2 days to share DS (and after today he's off until the new year!!)

I've even managed to write most of my Christmas cards.

A glass of festive mulled wine for all who want one - who cares that it's not even lunchtime yet.

This thread is great. Wish it had been around when I had my DD, who was 6/6 for the mentioned traits. Incredibly frustrating when people whose babies sleep through building works would tell me that I needed to get her into a sleep routine... was coddling her...was going to have a clingy child etc etc. Thankfully I am a very opinionated, bolshy person who was not easily swayed by others 'helpful advice' and just continued to do whatever I thought was right. She was BF on demand (and she was very demanding!) and we co-slept. DD is now 3 and a happy, loving, (usually) well-behaved, independent and sometimes strong-willed child. She still comes through and crawls into bed with me in the early hours of most mornings but this will not last long and I know I will miss it when she stops.

Everyone says it but it is true that this time passes so quickly. Am now pregnant with DS due March so I will have to wait and see if I need to come back to this thread! I am hoping my penance is paid and I get one that sleeps... but probably wishful thinking.

Hi Queen, that's so kind of you, thank you. I think the guy said my appointments should begin in mid-January so not too long a wait really.

That's good, just didn't want you to be waiting for ages!

After being awake for almost 6hrs DS finally gave in and went to sleep in bed next to me - and he's still asleep almost 2hrs later! unfortunately I only managed half an hour but feel a bit more refreshed. I'm just wondering if DS will notice if I get up attempts commando roll out of bed

Good to hear from you cheezcurl - and hope you get a DS that sleeps!

Ooops didn't mean to bold the commando roll bit - sleep deprivation catching up with me!

Sit down ladies!

I have just been OUT. I wore a new frock (in a style specifically chosen because I couldn't possibly have breastfed in it) I drank and ate nice food. I had conversations that weren't about babies. And I got home to a calm, quiet house - DP drinking , LO fast asleep.

Thank you cheese, you've reassured me that there may be other (longer!) nights out in the future.

Sorry Cheez, blame autocorrect, or baby brain, I'm not sure which got your name wrong!

Awesome Truth!! I'm very envious sounds like just what you needed!

We had a good night last night, think I only fed 3 times between 7 and 4am, not bad! We went swimming for the first time yesterday, DS seemed to really enjoy it, and it knackered him right out. He was also beautifully behaved when I went for an informal meeting with my manager at work. He was an angel while everyone cooed over him and commented on how cute and alert he is

DS was up 9 times overnight and wanted feeding 8 times (and a cuddle the other time). I can't do this for much longer so we're going to start weaning him. I know it won't change dramatically overnight but I need to do something.

Yet another thing for me to feel guilty about :( I tried to talk to the health visitor yesterday but she didn't respond to my voicemail. I've been struggling with the frequent night wakings and feedings for the last 8 weeks (I've lost 10kg!) and there's only so much DP can do as the fastest way to get him back to sleep is to feed him, and I hate expressing with a passion.

Sorry for the self-centred moan, just feeling crap.

Oh Spanner! Sorry to hear how low you're feeling, exhaustion is utter, utter evil.

I know what you mean about expressing, and about you doing the night wakings as its quicker. I'm exactly the same (plus DS is a bottle refuser) , and it's such a weight feeling like there's no way of getting help or a break from it.

Not sure I have any practical suggestions, just lots of sympathy.

Sorry you had such a shite night :( I'm feeling the burn a little bit too, my back and knees are killing me! I hope your HV gets back to you with some good suggestions but you're the mummy and you know your baby.

My DS is nowhere near ready for weaning (well, BLW) but some days I sort of want to try a bit of something to see if it will help him sleep better. Saying that though, yesterday evening he fed like a demon, yet still didn't sleep for any longer at all - in fact, he's slept longer stretches on fewer feeds. My son is an enigma, wrapped in a mystery, wrapped in another enigma...

Sorry for the hijack lady...

Truth That's great! So jealous! Mainly of the fact that you got to wear something without worrying about booby access

Spanner. Fwiw I was at that point a few weeks ago (3). Just felt like I needed some control over what was going on. I did start weaning, albeit slowly. Ds took to it wonderfully!!! He eats anything I give him. I'm doing purees and finger food. The purée keeps him from getting frustrated, as he really wants to eat! I noticed from last week that nights have settled a lot! Could be coincidence, but he definitely doesn't feed as much, and I've got my evenings back. He goes down between 7-8 and doesn't wake for food until around 2!!! It means dh and I could now go for a meal if we wanted, which is such a sense of freedom! We haven't been out yet, but we had friends round for drinks last night. It was great, and made me feel human again and not just a milking machine. Do what you want- your baby, your choice!! Thinking of you mama!

Mampig that is really wonderful to hear! I've been trying DS on some purees but although he's taken some, he's not super interested yet. I'm sure he will in his own good time so I'll just keep trying. Your post gives me hope that it might help the nights though!

That's fantasticMampig. I'm sorry, I've forgotten, how old is your DC? I'm trying to decide whether to try weaning early or wait until 6 months. DS is big and constantly grabbing at our foods (and anything else that he might be able to fit into his mouth) so I'm wondering if he's ready. However, friends have told me nightmare stories about their babies becoming even more unsettled after weaning so I've been putting it off until Christmas Day because I have romantic ideas about a big family dinner

BTW, my bubble was quickly burst after arriving back from the party. LO woke every hour until 2am, when he decided to stay awake until 5am. DP considered his duty done after looking after sleeping LO for the evening and was as useful as a chocolate teapot overnight. He did however get up at 7am and leave me to sleep for three hours again. Bliss!

Hope everyone is having a good evening

I've just spent an hour steaming carrots in a sieve over a pan of water and pushing them through said sieve as the food processor left them too lumpy he is my pfb after all!

Another crap night but mainly because I'm lying awake working out the timings for Christmas dinner (cooking for the inlaws for the first time) instead of sleeping :(

Truth- ds is nearly 6 months now

Hola! Just had MIL round (ack!) and DS decided to have his worst gagging episode since we started BLW. Argh. Also had a 'you're not still BF him are you?' comment. Why do people think its ok to say things like that?

On the plus side, I think his sleeping is slowly getting better. Was thinking about it today and although we still have some horrific nights, we have had three nights in the last 2 weeks when he has only woken once or twice. That is a definite improvement! DH keeps reminding me to look at the bigger picture whenever I lose perspective and he is right. It's also coincided with weaning so maybe it is to do with having a fuller tummy. Oh god, I've just jinxed myself haven't I?!

It's ok - none of us heard a word

Sounds like arm punches a plenty are required. It's been a bit up and down here - the reflux seems a bit better (prob all the meds) and we've tried butternut squash today. He couldn't get enough of it! It's the first time I've really seen him wolf something down! His eczema is really bad though, even with the stronger steroid and his sleeping is not exactly stunning but hey ho - I'm counting my blessings.

We're off to London tomorrow for a few days and then have guests for Christmas before going away again, so I'm unlikely to be around much. Merry Christmas to all!

Have a great xmas button!

We had a shit night last night, with him stirring every 30 to 60 mins. It was unusual for him though, he wasn't really hungry most of the time, nor was he especially upset, but he just didn't seem to settle even though he really seemed to want to. I thought maybe he had an unsettled tummy but tonight I discovered he seems to have cut his first tooth, as it feels very sharp! So perhaps it was that? Gave him some sweet potato, just on my finger today and it's the first time he's really gobbled something up too! Also may have something to do with the tooth I guess?!

Had DP take DS in the sling round the supermarket today, he's always been a bit about wearing him, bit too "modern man" for him! I think DS actually prefers being with him though. And I think DP actually really enjoyed it too!

How's everyone else? Been quite quiet round here!