To wake four sleeping children, then drag them to the shop in the pouring rain?

[PomBearEnvy]

Okay I need advice, have posted here because its the busiest place. My Dc are all sleeping, aged 7yrs nearly3yrs and 18months.

I have an aquaintances newborn with me who I am looking after unexpectedly after a frantic phone call. Newborn is three weeks old, mum has been taken ill, rushed to A&E. She is a single parent and has no family nearby, I only know her through mother and toddlers.
Baby was dropped to me half hour ago by her very elderly neighbour, there was no-one else to take him when she was taken ill, he would have gone into emergency care

I have nappies and clothes, but baby is usually breast fed. I am no longer feeding any of mine. I dont have formula.

Its pissing down outside, all the kids are fast asleep and will object to being woken or walking anywhere,I dont own a double buggy, no longer have a sling, and dh is working away.

How the fuck am I gonna get a newborn a 18month 3yr old and poorly 7yr old to the shop and back. aggggghhh!

Its a 6/7 min walk there, I could run in under 5mins, should I do that do you think? Leaving them sleeping? Or waking the seven yr old and talking to him on the homephone from my mobile? would that be insane? or is it more insane to try and get them all up and there with only one buggy and torrential rain.
Someone HELP!!!

Morning Pom

Just checking in to see how baby and Pom are doing this am. And also, how baby's mum is - any news?

You did a brilliant thing last night.

And so did all the lovely MNers who volunteered to help.

Please let us know that everything is ok.

Ooh what a nice story!

If you pm me your address OP I'll pop a sling in the post if you like, I've a spare one. Do you need anything else? Newbrn carseat? Double buggy? Help with school run?

Pom - just read this thread, you sound ace.

hope all are well this morning....do you need anything pom?

Just read though the thread. Mumsnetters are amazing

Hope all has worked out well.

Just seen this thread. Hope midwife arrived and you managed OK in the end.

I have been reading this with tears in my eyes and a lump in my throat at how amazing MN is. Everyone who offered help is amazing.

And OP you have done a wonderful thing to take in ts lady's baby when you don't know her that well. How society should be really but how it so often isn't these days.

Fingers crossed baby, mum and you are all OK this am...x

Again another well wisher

Hope things went well with MW

Hope you managed to get some sleep with baby [if its the case you had her over night]

Agreed with other posters, you have done something remarkable, Also the fab MNers, have all rallied around, clubbed together, and tried all possible to get baby and OP help, you are all also remarkable

Just found this thread. It goes to show just how amazing MN is. I hope you got the help you needed last night, and I hope the Mum is okay.

Pom Bear

Please let us all know if there is anything we can do - I( certainly have newborn and 0-3 baby girl clothes I can send down...

Hope everything is OK with Mum & baby.

I don't usually post, more of a reader. I read this thread last night, and I'm just checking in, hope everything is ok this morning.

Another one popping in to see how things are?

Just thought I'd see how you're doing Pom. My sister is fairly near to you if you need any help. She also has many a baby type thing if you need anthing e.g monitors, buggy etc.

Any news on babys mum? Hope you had a good night, and that things aren't too hectic

pom please update us on you, baby and baby's poor mum.
You have done an amazing thing, not many would

The OP may be dragging around the hospital today...or even having to see SS re what to do with baby. If the babies Mum is really unwell then they won't keep him with her.

Bump.
Another one reaches for the kleenex..
Hope all is ok with you Pom, you lovely lady.
Any news on Baby's Mum?

Hi - hoping all is ok today?

Update
Baby is now safely in care of granparents who travelled through the night from the midlands to get here after being contacted by the hospital/social services??
Mum is in a bad way I don't know details but it seems she attempted suicide

Midwife eventually arrived last night after 12pm
In the mean time SS had finally rung to say that they were looking into circumstances and were going to sort things out. Unfortunately, they had no-body in the immediate area but would get somebody to me as soon as possible. Lady explained that as mother had made her own arrangements to get baby to me, it was basically not a 'priority' as baby was safe and being looked after by someone trusted by parent.

A LOVELY LOVELY LOVELY MNer who wants to stay anon managed to phone a family member who lives 20ish miles away, and was willing to drop milk off. She was a great emotional support, Thank you!

In the end a localish friend who doesn't have a car rang around and got through to a taxi firm who got formula to me from the 24hr garage, they refused to take payment for journey (which would normally be £20ish at that time of night) and the driver insisted on paying for milk out of his own pocket!!

Midwife was great when she finally arrived, and helped me settle baby and feed, as the poor thing was battling with a bottle and my youngest kept waking so I would have really struggled.
She stayed most of the night with me,the out of hours GP kept in contact also. People who obviously care!
SS got a very nice man here in the early hours, who told me about mum and agreed it would be best for baby to stay with me until Grandparents arrived (they had been contacted and were on way)

Phew that was long, I hope it makes sense. I am so tired and emotionally drained that I feel like im in a dream.

THANK YOU to all of you, especially the people who although not local were willing to drive miles and help. And a big thank you to the mumsnetter and her extended family who I'd never spoken to before last night, but were willing to help a complete stranger. Amazing!

aren't people wonderful?

please pass on to the mother lots of love when you get a chance to talk to her, tell her there are lots of strangers out there who feel for her and care and hope she will be on the road to recovery (physical and emotional) soon.

What a wonderful thing you did Pom and to all those who were willing to help out. How very kind the taxi people were too.

And for all those w@@kers out there that slag off mn they should come read this.

Gosh how sad about the mum. I hope she is ok.

I found your thread this morning and wish I had been able to help.

Do let us know how things turn out.

You are a fantastic friend to that family, even if it was all a bit of a shock!

OMG. What a nightmare.
Pom - you were a star. I know you were landed in it and didn't have much choice but you were/are a star.

The taxi driver not taking any money has had me in tears. What a nice man.

Glad OOH GP was so good too. They get a lot of bad press.

Poor mum. Hope she is ok and gets the help she needs.

aw, really heartwarming. Hope that the mother pulls through & gets the help she needs. Well done Pom & everyone who helped.

that is lovely

well done, hope you can relax a bit now...

wow what an amazing thread - MN at it's best

Well done Pom Bear, and wishing you lots of strength. You've done something amazing.

Poor little baby and poor woman.