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!!!

You did Good, don't beat yourself up about something you could not have possibly known.

But I understand how you can feel like that: I have just found out that the family of my DS's best friend have been having a really terrible time for months and I had no idea . I am not sure how to approach it as it seems that mum is trying to keep thing under wraps...

I hope the baby will come to love his GPs and will be reunited with his mum v soon.

Pombear - you did enough. When she needed someone she thought of you and you did such a great job.

Midwife and doctor sound lovely too and as for the taxi driver and mumsnetter family - really good to know how warm people. When that little baby needed total strangers to go out of their way and help him they did. That's as it should be but it's also marvellous and affirming. I hope you have a peaceful night tonight, you must be exhausted!

Pom thank you for keeping us updated. I was lurking last night and have just read the updates which have left me with tears.

It just goes to show there are some amazing people in this world, yourself included.

Just read this whole thread and I'm blubbing like a baby.

It does show the power of MN.

POM can I just say - do not kick yourself, I think the fact this mum chose you when she was in dire need shows you have, in whatevr way, been a great friend and support to her - regardless of how many times you've talked to her.

Wow! Been at work today... all caught up now. Quite a story! Well done POM and mystery MNetter...xxx

Pom thanks for the update, you did brilliantly. And if your friend was new to the area its a huge compliment to you that she entrusted him to you
Stop berating yourself.

Pom

I can safetly say it will have been the GP and comm midwives breathing a HUGE sigh of relief that the baby had been left with someone with such care, common sense and human kindness.

You should be very proud of yourself x x x

Well Done x x x

Well done Pom!

Been lurking and was looking for an update. Sometimes life throws you a wild card its how you react that shows the measure of your character. Good for you, and hope your new friend and her little one can be happy.

x

Again, really keeps fingers crossed for poor mum

Pom- you have nothing to feel bad about. This mum trusted you with her 5 week old baby, I think that speaks for itself

Oh Pom, what a lovely lady you sound! They say that kindness eventually comes back to you; well I hope it comes back tenfold to you and your family.

I had a major panic, when I checked for the thread in AIBU, and couldn't see it. I thought it had been pulled and couldn't imagine why!

It deserves to be a Mumsnet Classic. I also think they ought to have a Good deed of the Month Awards. Lets call them the Pommies! I nominate yours truly for the first one!

Pom and anonymous mumsnetters - well bloody done.

You find out what people are really like when things go wrong and you really went above and beyond. Good for you.

And best wishes to the mum, poor thing. It's hard enough with a new baby, let alone in her circumstances.

Pom just checking in for an update - hoping you, mum and baby are doing ok. Am wiping the tears away at such a story of human kindness, team spirit and support. All involved deserve to feel like they made a big difference to help someone in desperate need.

As an aside been on MN for years and never clicked that x's weren't the done thing - who cares you all deserve them so here's some more xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Wow and

pom don't kicked yourself, the truth is if she was that down a coffee with the kids is unlikey to have changed that.

Mn at it's best.

Pom - if this woman trusted you and thought so much of you that you were the person she named as the safest person for her newborn baby to go to you should not be kicking yourself. If someone entrusted their child with me when they were feeling so vulnerable and lost I'd pat myself on the back and think I must be a good human being. Well done and I hope this situation has a happy ending for the mum & baby. With friends like you I'm sure it will.

Hope all are ok.

ignore the troll everyone.

Wow pom you are amazing.

Blubbing and smiling at the same time.

Pom, thanks for the update.

Of course you weren't to know she was in a bad way :( Hopefully now she will get the help she needs.

well done Pom - so good to have faith in human kindness restored

Pom, you have been amazingly calm in a really tricky situation. What a moving thread.

I hope the mum gets the help she needs and that she recovers quickly.

update
To anyone still following thread.

Mum is still in serious condition in hospital, but is out of the 'danger zone'. Hopefully she is on the mend physically, although will obviously still be in a bad place emotionally

I am going to be looking after baby again tomorrow as Grandfather is heading back home to bring back clean clothes etc, and Nanna is understandably wanting to stay with mum.

Am emotional just thinking about the little mite, although he seems oblivious to everything happening around him apparently, I just hope that everything turns out okay in the long run

Oh and on a nicer note, I got to meet anon MNers sister today! She came round with a lovely box of chocolates and I bribed her into staying for a cuppa and opening them with me . Lovely lady (and hopefully a true friend in the making! ) can you tell I dont know many people here

Thank you for the continuing support you lovely ladies xx

Thanks for updating. Glad that the Mum is out of the danger zone now. You're doing a great job- I bet the GPs are very grateful that they have someone in the area who their daughter trusts, that they can turn to.

\lovely to hvae an update. So sorry the mum is still serious though :( How are you getting on? CAn't imagine looking after someone else's 3wo!
On another note, the poor mum must be so engorged :(

Glad to hear the mum is on the mend, real sad the circumstances of her hospital stay.

You are a true star.

The grandparents seem to be coping at least she does have family who will support her.

Hope the baby is good for you tomorrow.

Take care.