How to stay awake during night feeds part 7 - put in your orders for sleepy dust!

[TeaandHobnobs]

Can't believe we are on part 7! and I'm still here

Welcome one and all

[BrainGoneAwol]

small it's so depressing when you feel you've gone back to newborn hours! Babybrain seems to be falling back into 3-4 hourly now that his tooth has settled down. So miraculously I got another block of 3.5 hours.

I was reading somewhere (another thread on mn I expect) that the nhs offer sleep counselling if your baby isn't sleeping through at 6 months. Do any of you know anything about this?

[Smallgreenone]

Glad baby brains tooth has settled for you. You're right it, is depressing. NHS sleep counselling- no not heard of it unfortunately but if its on offer I want it! When he gets to 6 months I expect miracles! All the sleep sites I've looked at say that from 6 months a baby really should be able to sleep through etc so if we're still here after that 6 month hurdle I'm going to bite the bullet and spend the money. Just so fed up of being tired and going to bed early and missing time with DH. Hope others have had good nights.

[LookAtHerGo]

Thanks smallgreen. I'm quite happy to pump after feeding I can do both their bottles at the same time and it takes 15 mins. Pumping is quite a speedy job with my big yellow machine. To give him his due he would do a feed if I ask him to, he does do 'the big one' with me at midnightish and he's been dealing with dd if needed in the night.

Re sleep counselling, my dd (16 1/2 months) didn't sleep through until 11 months, all the books say they should or at least half do or some such, she just took longer.

Hope everyone has a good day today.

[MrsNPattz]

Getting ready for our class here, he woke at half 7 so not a bad night.

That's hubby gone too - we didn't see him. I feel sad now how pathetic - he will be back on Sunday night!!

[ChilliBanana]

I would be happy for one or two wakings at 6months!

Baby chilli is full of cold and having such trouble breathing, yet slept for longer stretches than he has for a few nights. It makes me laugh that I now think 3hours is a long stretch though

Apologies for not name checking, I see some bad nights were had, all round and a virtual bacon butty if anyone fancies it.

[Ameybee]

I hear you small! And feel the same! Think I could accept shorter stretches if I was still bf but you would think on formula it would be different! DD was completly different on formula & a much better sleeper!

Just keep the faith, it will happen she says hopefully!

I'm finding weaning is making him a little more settled HV horrified I'm doing it he seems to really like his creamy baby porridge.

Nap dust to anyone trying to catch a few zzz's today! Xx

[GoatBongosAnonymous]

Look we didn't make it past sixteen weeks. Because Kid was such a slow feeder (average 30 ml per hour) the mix of bf, bottle, express meant that I wasn't sleeping - and his suck wasn't good enough to keep my supply up himself... So the lack of sleep won in the end! I am so in awe of what you are doing. (Ps Kid is now making up for lost time as hard and fast as he can go. He's a right lump now!)

small I am convinced that the idea that ff babies sleep better/go longer between feeds is a myth! Or more to the point, Kid is convinced We had a couple of weeks when that happened and I thought hurrah, we are finally reaping the advantages of ff! But no. He has decided that feeding every two to three hours at night is definitely the way to go. Honestly, without the feeding and sleeping business, this parenting lark would be a doddle!

This post has taken forever. But Kid is finally down for his morning nap. Yay! I got a shower!

[funchum8am]

Morning all, last night for worse before it got better, she woke at about 1:45 and 2:20 so I gave calpol thinking she might have earache as she was grabbing her left ear a lot....result was merely a return to hourly waking. Then up 3:30-4:40 having fed her til she couldn't take any more and refused but was still wide awake, tried shush pat, holding, rocking etc....no joy. So I put her back in the cot and went into our room to say to DH that I didn't know what to do but let her cry, which she did for ONE minute and then fell asleep again!! Does that even count as cc?? Am I a bad parent or not?!

Anyway she only slept 4:40-5:45 but it was bliss, she is usually up at 5. I am seriously tempted to let her cry a few minutes at night wakings where I know she isn't hungry because it does actually send her off to sleep within minutes...but I don't agree with this practice...totally perplexed really.

To all who have had bad nights.

Look I am off to hunt for that expressing thread now...

Small - sympathy....

Mrsn I am skiving off to the Cotswolds and we have hired a self catering place between I think 12 of us. Pizza and wine at home tonight then walking/shopping tomorrow and a meal out. And some SLEEP!!!

[funchum8am]

Here you go Look, hope it helps. Certainly shows you are not alone!

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/breast_and_bottle_feeding/a1657487-How-many-of-you-have-express-breast-fed

If the link doesn't work it is a thread started on 12 jan by user spice17 in breast and bottle feeding.

[MrsNPattz]

I felt really sorry for one of the mum's at baby group, she had been awake since 12 and is having awful trouble like this with her little one most nights (he was born 3 days before little man, so 4.5 months). Her hv has suggested she try dairy free formula as he has awful tummy trouble. I hope it works for her. I might mention this thread to her next week, at least she would have some company. She just seemed really down and fed up

[MissingMyMarbles]

Funch
" I am seriously tempted to let her cry a few minutes at night wakings where I know she isn't hungry because it does actually send her off to sleep within minutes...but I don't agree with this practice...totally perplexed really."
This is me!!!
I am praying that she will sleep through by the time I go back to work. It's making me really upset just thinking about her crying and looking for me. She got really upset at crèche at church the first time I put her in (Sunday gone) and I am panicking as to how she will be at nursery. I have a training day on Tuesday: thank God my mum is coming down because DH is a bit hopeless when she cries, bless him, he thinks that I can solve all with my wonder function boobs
Sorry for self indulgent post. I think I must be exhausted as I am actually in tears over this, and I don't cry readily.

[TheDarkSideOfTheSpoon]

marbles sending you a big hug, and letting you know you're not alone with seemingly "wonder function boobs". DH thinks boob is the answer to everything therefore if she cries he absolutely definitely must give her straight back to me as there's nothing at all he can do because he doesn't have boobs

We had a really good night at last, she woke at 2 and 6. At the 6 o clck feed I didn't feel too good and by 7 I could feel a migraine coming :( Thank goodness for DM who has today off and came up, took the girls and sent me back to bed. Just up now feeling lots better but just delicate, babylump had had some ebm while I was asleep but still devoured a proper boob feed like it was going out of fashion.

Had such a nice day planned today as well :(

mrsn I'll keep you company this weekend, DH is off to Cornwall tonight for his job interview and won't be home until Sunday night.

[funchum8am]

marbles I am in tears fairly regularly too and it is also very unusual for me. Maybe we should move in together and do shifts!

DH has taken it as a matter of urgency to get over his belief that boobs fix all as he takes over daycare in less than four weeks, but still brings her back to me every morning when she takes 1oz from him and then cries for boob. But he is trying and I am grateful. He has 2 days and nights to try his own methods this weekend. I am now feeling a bit guilty about going away but tbh if I hadn't had it lined up I might have cracked up by now. She is pretty cranky today so I am worried she may be coming down with my cold, but no symptoms yet so may just be a fussy phase . Hope she is better for DH! She does adore her daddy and he spends most of the weekend with her while I sleep anyway so hopefully will be ok.

[MrsNPattz]

Yey for company Heff! We are managing ok so far, had an early bath and are both in our Pyjamas was going to get my tea ready but little man decided he wanted his! So just catching up on one born every minute while he tucks in!

Sorry you are struggling Marbles and Funch! You definitely deserve the break Funch!! Have a great time xx

[Smallgreenone]

Cotswold break sounds lovely funch. Hope you're migraine has gone heff
I'm a bit down today- family stuff. I think my mum is deeply unhappy and I feel so sad for her. I wish I lived closer and could see her more. It's all complicated but I think it's a mixture of loneliness (workaholic father totally ignores her), guilt (finds looking after 94 year old grandpa very hard), lack of self worth (never worked and now all her children have gone feels redundant). She said today her dogs are the only reason she gets out of bed and I feel so awful that she feels that way. In some ways she lives the easiest of lives that most people would love to have and in other ways she has the hardest time. I'm sure shed be happier separated from my dad but I know she won't even consider it.
On a better note, baby small has gone into his cot awake and I have not heard a peep from him, not even a grumpy grizzle.

[MissingMyMarbles]

Small, family stuff is hard when you're a distance away. Is it you who has family in County Durham? Good work baby Small

Thanks Heff and Funch.

Hope your migraine has done one, Heff. Horrid things.

Enjoy your weekend, Funch.

for your friend, MrsN. Tbh I don't actually know of that many babies who were sleeping through by 6 months, let alone earlier. I wonder who thisajoritu is that they base these books that make you feel like you must be doing something wrong or your baby is not normal on?

Amey and Goat, Missmarbles will have to take a bottle of formula for the late feed when I go back to work, but I am reassured that it isn't a cure all that I should have done ages ago, although to some extent, I'm sorry that it isn't

Finishing bedtime feed. Tonight will be better......

[TheDarkSideOfTheSpoon]

Last feed before bed here. DH is playing with dd1 who really should be in bed by now but I think he's really going to miss her this weekend as they always go out for breakfast just the two of them one weekend morning and he won't get to see her now for a couple of days since I decided I didn't want her to go with him this time.

Migraine thankfully didn't last all day, my wonderful mum had the girls until I got up at half 2 feeling better bit just a bit bruised. We went to se my grandad at 5ish, had a couple of glasses of champagne and now feeling much better :)

mrsn such a shame we're not closer to each other, a pj party would have taken both our minds off being on our own this weekend! :)

small so sorry your DM is having a difficult time, its so hard watching those we love suffer xx

funch have a fantastic well earned break this weekend.

[MissingMyMarbles]

Dies anyone else's baby gets so excited that they bang their fists/arms in the high chair tray???? Missmarbles has given herself bruises

[LookAtHerGo]

Thanks for the link funchum :) mixed responses, some dud it easily for a long time others not for as long.

I've pumped every 2 - 2 1/2 hrs today, I've just about kept up with the amount they've had to drink, but I'm hoping a day or two of hard pumping will boost supply and I'll have excess. Kind of like a fake growth spurt.

Going to try and get some 'decent' sleep tonight. Got a trip to visit friends and relatives tomorrow/Sunday, the boys first trip away.

Sorry for not name checking.

[MissingMyMarbles]

Does not dies
and
on not in the high chair

[MrsNPattz]

I know Heff it's rubbish that we live so far away - I really think we could be friends same goes to all of you actually

Small, your poor mum! Do you have plans to see them at all?

Going to attempt transfer soon, I may be back...........

[Ameybee]

Ah small, that's sad. Could she come stay with you occasionally and help with baby small maybe?

I'm just cuddling a sleepy DS, think he's hungry so DH making a bottle! Hope he sleeps tonight! X

[larlemucker]

Evening, phone battery dead last night so couldn't post.
Sorry no name checking, we're off to bed as the travel cot has arrived so tonight is Arthur's first night in his new bed, wish us luck!

[StitchAteMySleep]

That must be hard small :( Are any of your siblings closer?

Marbles, Stitch does that, but has never managed to give herself bruises, missmarbles must be doing it with quite some force!

Glad you are feeling better after your migraine Heff, it must have been the bubbles that helped.

Good to hear baby brain is sleeping more Brains.

Yay for showers Goat. I can never get time in the day as Stitch has one long nap and during that time I try to give dd1 my attention and get some of the cleaning done.

Look have you thought about herbal ways to increase supply, Kellymom article here.

That sounds a lovely idea for your friend MrsN, she must be so tired.

Stitch and dd1 both sleeping peacefully. DH had a day off today so I got a lie in until 8.30pm, bliss. Have been having weird cramps and nausea today. I am hoping it is my period about to make a reappearance, been cramping on and off all week. I have bought a pregnancy test just in case. Will be POAS in the morning, always wanted three kids, timing could be better though if I am, but que sera sera.

[Smallgreenone]

Wow stitch another one already?! You are brave!
My brothers aren't close to home either. Mum would love to come up and stay but she can't leave my grandpa as he lives with my parents after my grandma passed away last year. It's hard for him too as he's unhappy, lost his lifelong friend, list his independence, uprooted away from his home for 50 years to live with my parents. It's just hard for everyone. I'm going home not next week, week after so hopefully baby small will cheer them all up. He's already been up for a feed once tonight I'm hitting the hay now hoping for a couple of hours.
Releasing sleepy mice