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New thread for all Chinese mothers

260 replies

wyls · 16/10/2005 20:56

I think this might work?!

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Original poster
wyls · 12/12/2005 21:37

Yingers, cant help you there with a routine for two. Sorry.

Talking about routine, how many naps should a 6 month old take? 2 or 3?

Also, do any of you do dream feed? When should i stop? And what's the best way to stop dream feeding?

Hope you are all well.

OP posts:
Pam70 · 13/12/2005 14:05

I did the GF routine as did csa I think but then I know many people who aren't fans. It worked for me even with two, I just shifted baby's naptimes around if I had to pick DS up or take him out and baby napped in the car or stroller.

Not sure about dream feeds - I breastfed DD till about 13 months but she slept through the night from quite young (was lucky there I think).

I crashed my car last week and the insurance company want to write it off although damage is superficial (to body rather than engine) sigh

Original poster
wyls · 13/12/2005 21:11

Hi Pam, sorry to hear about your car. Hope you are ok though.

OP posts:
csa · 14/12/2005 13:18

o dear pam. hope you were fine. were dd and ds in the car with you?

and yup yingers, gf for me too. didn't really dream feed - afraid that doesn't quite fit miss ford's routine : it's more wake them right up (covers off, lights all the way up) so they are absolutely aware that they are awake and feeding and then dim the light back down half way through the feed
i exaggerate but it felt like that sometimes
but more seriously, like pam, a lot of ds2' nap times had to be fitted round ds1' routine (which is more or less gf too).

Pam70 · 14/12/2005 13:39

Ds was in the car with me - was taking him to school and as usual rushing to get him to school so I can get into work on time.

Does anyone else feel like me? Like life is just one constant rush, rush, rush and I spend it yelling at DS to hurry up - can't yell at DD to hurry as she doesn't know what it means yet

I really feel under so much pressure some times and then I ask myself if it's me who's putting myself under this pressure. So what if I'm a little late every morning to work, at least no one's been hurt? Do you think that's a good excuse for the boss? Actually boss has never mentioned it and probably would never but I just hate being thought of as the late straggler coming in at 9.05am!

And can't manage it any quicker either as DS' school gates don't open till 8.30am - sorry just feel the need to rant.

csa · 14/12/2005 15:11

hi pam. feel exactly like you. will rant more later too but need to get ds2 up, milked and dressed and rushed out of the door to see doc now(sent home from nursery today with high temp)

later......

smorg · 16/12/2005 14:54

Hope you are alright pam. These things can play on your mind for days. I too feel like i'm always in a rush and then i wonder if i locked the door or turned the gas off etc.before i left the house.

can you not arrange with your work to start your day at 9.15 and finish earlier or make up the time elsewhere? I'm sure if your boss knows the problems you have, they'll understand.

blossom2 · 19/12/2005 19:16

Hi everyone .. i haven't caught up on my reading yet but hope everyone is well.

Just a quickie to say Many congratulations yingers on baby! hang on in there, it does get easier.
And welcome to all the new posters!!!

SnowMum · 19/12/2005 23:47

Hi everyone, sorry not posted for ages but (like everyone) been v busy. Sorry to hear about your car crash Pam. Good to know you and DS were fine.

Weaning going well for my 6 month DD - she loves her food. Been cooking my way thru AK recipes. However since giving up bfing, DD's eczema has gonna real bad. My GP is referring DD to a dermatologist and my HV is referring DD to a dietican. Life was certainly easier when she was smaller! The eczema really irritates DD, she often wakes several times a night (was sleeping 12 hours beautifully) which means I am shattered as well.

Sorry for rant. Been stressful time plus getting xmas stuff sorted out. Having quiet xmas, DH taking time off work between xmas and new year which will be lovely.

yingers74 · 21/12/2005 18:28

Glad weaning is going well, I quite enjoyed making the purees!

Tah blossom, how are things going for you?

I think my major prob is that I keep comparing dd2 to dd1, although I of course love them both, dd1 was quite an easy going baby who kinda just did what was expected on the whole. I know I need to stop this!

Has everyone finished their xmas shopping and is anyone going out to celebrate NY? I think we will be staying in with a dvd!!! Very rock and roll!

Pam - hope things are ok with you? I too always feel I am in a rush, get them up, get breakfast down them, playgroups, housework ( and I don't even do much), lunch etc etc, it seems to never end. I hate myself for getting annoyed at dd1 when she is procrastinating.

anyway in case I don't post again for a while, merry xmas all! I shall also be turning 31 on xmas eve, not really celebrating, still cannot believe I am no longer 21!!!

blossom2 · 21/12/2005 22:39

Merry Christmas to everyone and hope the new year is wonderful!

dd2 is now 5.5 months and we've only just started weaning. she isn't really taking to it but we might try giving it to her at a different time of day. all is well although we've had a few weeks of colds, teething so its only just settled again. she's all smiles and giggles which is lovely. she has rolled yesterday, rotate herself and can sit for a couple of minutes so i cant leave her now without finding her in another position. i cant believe she is so mobile already - its overnight!

I know what you mean about comparing the kids. i found myself doing it more at the beginning but dd2 is showing signs of her own personality it doesnt even enter my mind these days.

what gets me is people saying that its easier with the second baby - where did they get that one from its been a real hard struggle for me so far.... and i feel more of an ameteur with dd2 than i did with dd1 ... does anyone else feel the same sometimes??

but i am looking forward to Xmas since dh has just under 2 weeks off. and we've done most of the xmas shopping - just ordered a barbie fairtopia playset for dd1 - oh joy!!

have a great one this Xmas everyone....

smorg · 30/12/2005 22:28

Happy New Year to everyone. I will prob be in bed again tomorrow as I've been unfortunately hit by the flu bug, as has DS.

Hope 2006 is a happy and peaceful one!!

Atchoo!!

Rojak · 03/01/2006 11:08

Happy New Year everyone!

Have changed my name - new year, new me and all that! (was Pam!)

We had a good Xmas and New Year and pigged out far too much, back at work again today sigh

yingers74 · 03/01/2006 16:06

Happy new year everyone! Am still recovering from xmas and new year pig out, although it was a quiet one as no one wants to babysit on NY eve!

SnowMum · 04/01/2006 22:01

A belated Happy New Year to everyone and I hope everyone had a great xmas too. Am too recovering from the xmas pig out plus a cold. Had a lovely xmas (inbetween feeling ill!) and really enjoyed DD's first xmas - she's getting cuter everyday - and yes, I am biased!

As its the new year, DH and I are thinking of holidays - anyone got any suggestions for somewhere sunny, with a beach, family friendly, not too difficult to get to and that is doable with a baby under 1!

HeyBaby · 07/01/2006 12:23

Ni hao! Just found this website - mate, does it cover everything or what?! BTW unfortunately I don't speak Chinese (despite copious amounts of pretending to learn at Chinese school - boy do I regret it now) so that intro was just a lame attempt...

I am Chinese born in London (BBC) but grew up in Oz and my DH is an Aussie but we're both living in London right now and have just had a baby son! Well, last September anyway so he is now approx 3 m.o. Both our families live in Oz but my mum flew out to be with us for the birth and help for a couple of months. I was so homesick when she left! Has home-cooking ever tasted so good?!!

I really miss the family support thing but definitely don't miss the family trappings/politics etc. It was interesting reading some of the MIL situations in this thread! I wish I could speak Mandarin so that my DS will learn. When Por Por was here she started speaking mandarin to DS but at 1-2 months he was a bit small to pick it up I think !

What is everyone doing for CNY this year? We have been invited to a big restaurant gathering organised by friends in NW London (Phoenix Restaurant). We went there last year and it was packed! DS is not at the sitting up age yet so not sure what to do as don't really relish the thought of holding him throughout the entire meal of 100 courses or whatever. Any suggestions?

HeyBaby · 07/01/2006 12:27

BTW - Snowmum - we are also looking for some winter sun!!! Ryanair and Easyjet were both having sales but the hottest place they fly to is probably Spain. A friend of mine with a 3 m.o. just went to Malta (think highs around 15 degrees) but haven't spoken to her yet to see how it was? We are taking time off in Feb this year but despite my aversion to cold weather we are looking at a driving trip to France as it's our first family holiday and we can just throw everything into the boot! We did go to Florida a few years ago(when it was just the two of us) and that was certainly a v family friendly and warm place to be around this time!

colditz · 07/01/2006 12:28

Pssst heybaby, not chinese, just browsing thread, but if you take the carseat into the restaurant with you, you can leave your baby sat on the floor in it next to your seat....

hijack over!

HeyBaby · 07/01/2006 12:36

Just kept reading further - this thread goes on for AGES! Pam70 article really interesting and in response to the Q you posed (re why we're all married to Caucasian guys) ..... well, in my sitch I've always lived in Western society so have to say that I would either marry a Westerner or else someone else like me (another BBC or ABC) but there weren't too many ABCs or BBCs to choose from in Qld (well, I looked hard and couldn't find any and no WAY I was going out with someone my MUM set me up with eg family friend .....). Having said that, most of my good girlfriends are ABC or BBC. Strange hey? Plus the Chinese guys I dated always seemed to remind me of my Dad in one way or another (typical Chinese male patriach ....) which I always found rather off-putting.... Anyone else have that experience?

Rojak · 07/01/2006 22:13

Heybaby - it's Pam here - I did a name change over the New Year.

A lot of my Chinese male friends prefer girls who are demure and soft spoken. Two traits I unfortunately lack.

Then again, a cousin once told me a joke about men who married Chinese women whom they thought were subservient and demure only to find out after they were wed, that these girls were in fact "Crouching Tigers, Hidden Dragons"

HeyBaby · 08/01/2006 09:29

Ha ha ha .... The Zhang Zi Yi Chinese doll-types huh? I know what you mean ....

yingers74 · 09/01/2006 13:07

Heybaby - welcome to our thread! Totally get you about the guy thing, pretty much all the chinese men I knew were related to me in some way or another or their mums knew my mum and it was way too incestuous for my liking hence married a good english boy!!!!! However, I did watch a fair bit of HK tv growing up hence I know there are some pretty fine chinese men out there who are not related to me!!!!!!!!!!!! Luckily for dh I never met them!

I remember being at this party when I was about 18 and this guy kept looking in my direction, I knew his gf who was also chinese and found out later that he has a real thing for asian girls!!! I find that so weird.

HeyBaby · 09/01/2006 17:21

Yingers - Didn't watch any HK tv when I was growing up but HELLO Russell Wong (saw him in the Joy Luck Club) - he was alright!!!

Original poster
wyls · 09/01/2006 21:02

Happy New Year everyone! Havent been on here for ages, hope everyone is well.

How's everyone's baby doing? My DS is going to be 7 months tomorrow and he's finally sleeping through the night without his dream feed.

Snowmum, this site might be useful www.babygoes2.com/index2.asp for finding a holiday that's baby friendly. We are also looking to go on holiday this year, probably in March, just before i go back to work in April.

OP posts:
SnowMum · 10/01/2006 18:31

A warm welcome to HeyBaby - re your "what to do with baby who can't sit up yet when at restaurant" - how about a sling? My DH used to put our DD in the sling when it was our dinner time and she wouldn't settle without being held. It did the trick for us but you do have to be careful with your chopsticks and not drop food on baby!

With regard to chinese actors, I'm sorry but Russell Wong is no match for Tony Leung! I've had a crush on him since my teens!

Ta for the website info Wyls - will check it out later. Not really looking to go away now (altho would love to) most likely to go around late April/early May and probably somewhere in the Med. Been thinking of Greece or southern Italy. Am due back at work in June so fancy a break just beforehand.

Glad to hear your DS is sleeping thru Wyls. My DD has regressed to getting up a couple of times a night! Not sure what is going on. She was sleeping thru from 7pm-7am until she was weaned. Since then she's been v erratic, sometimes sleeping thru (esp when DH is on night duty) and sometimes waking several times. I've tried decreasing her solids to increase her milk - she now takes approx 3-4 cubes of puree at all 3 meals plus she downs about 30oz of formula! Am giving serious consideration to letting her cry it out - not an option I relish.