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Original poster

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

411 replies

PomBearEnvy · 12/01/2011 21:08

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 Sad

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!!!

OP posts:
AnyoneforTurps · 12/01/2011 21:36

Sorry, the out of hours GP is not going to be able to help on this - it is not a medical problem. I'm not saying this to make light of what is obviously a very difficult situation, I just don't want you to get your hopes up. (I'm a GP). There is usually at least a 4 hour wait for a GP visit and that's for urgent medical problems.

This situation falls under the remit of social services but I can't see that anyone is going to be help you quickly enough. Baby will be screaming the place down long before. A sympathetic taxi driver is your best bet.

FrozenChocolate · 12/01/2011 21:36

Whereabouts in that postcode?

WimpleOfTheBallet · 12/01/2011 21:36

Well done Minipen..OP the delivery suite may well help you out here...I know mine would! Call them!

dustycups · 12/01/2011 21:36

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

tigitigi · 12/01/2011 21:36

Some random ideas if taxi is not going to work:

The idea of calling the hospital is good but I recall when I was stuck with a young baby looking after a relative in hosp Maternity would not give me any milk at all. Different hosp though so worth a go.

Call the local radio station - see if they will get someone onto it.

Local 24 hr supermarket manager - they might help get something to you - bottles, steriliser and formula.

solo · 12/01/2011 21:37

Cows milk is no good compo, wouldn't be digestable I don't think, but I'm no expert at all...

Casmama · 12/01/2011 21:37

Don't give cows milk to a 3 week old baby - there are very good reasons that it is not recommended under one year. (I don't know exactly what the reasons are but don't do it under any circumstances)

ohnoshedittant · 12/01/2011 21:37

If the worst comes to worst. Wake the 7yr old and talk on the phone. Take the newborn in the pram and RUN to the shop.

EricNorthmansMistress · 12/01/2011 21:37

Social services will have an out of hours number. Google your local authority SS dept and call the main contact number, they should have a number in case of emergency. Try to get through to a duty SW and beg for help. It might be hard to get them to understand but there is a child in need. Failing that (if you can't speak to someone) call the police non emergency number and explain, ask them to connect you to SS out of hours service. If you really have nobody to help then that is in their remit. Best of luck.

penguin73 · 12/01/2011 21:38

Cows milk I believe is bad but cooled boiled water from your finger might appease the little one whilst you are waiting for the hospital/SS to help.

Jacaqueen · 12/01/2011 21:39

Where are her other children?

Phone SS for advice

Dysgu · 12/01/2011 21:40

I HAVE FAMILY IN YOUR VILLAGE - WHERE ARE YOU?

thisisyesterday · 12/01/2011 21:41

pombear have you spoken to the hospital yet?

ballstoit · 12/01/2011 21:41

Do you have bottles & steriliser? If so, go for boiled water rather than cows milk for now.

ScotlandR · 12/01/2011 21:41

penguin is right, cooled boiled water is what they give babies in hospital after birth, before mothers milk comes through.

phone to 7 y-o might be the best bet if no one can help, but try not to scare the little one!

best of luck!!!

xxx

stewmaker · 12/01/2011 21:42

Oh i hope OP reads this and Dysgu can help.....

SmethwickBelle · 12/01/2011 21:42

If you do do a dash to the shop for formula and a bottle please just tell your neighbour and ask them to sit in for the 10 minutes.

A newborn might sip a small cup or you can get water into them, water will keep them going til morning although chances are they won't like it. The priorities are is stopping the baby dehydrating and not leaving yours.

Cows milk isn't going to harm them longer term (IMO) but it might upset their tummy and if they're missing their mother that is an additional factor in their discomfort... it sort of depends if they are a 3 week newborn or a three month "newborn". If older than three months it might just bridge the gap til morning.

I wish I was nearer.

Strictly · 12/01/2011 21:42

Oh this is so horrible, poor OP and poor baby. I really don't understand why the baby wasn't taken with her. I was I wasn't the entire width of the country away.

jonicomelately · 12/01/2011 21:43

I've suggested phoning the local 24 hour supermarket and begging them to send somebody around with supplies.

Original poster
PomBearEnvy · 12/01/2011 21:44

Okay. have got a phonecall back from out of hours GP, who was GREAT! He is confused about situation, (as am I), says that in normal circumstances children are taken in with mother.
He can only think that mum has asked neigbour to bring baby to me, knowing she was going to be ill as she didnt want him in hospital. Or that she has been taken seriously ill and nominated me as next as kin Confused

I have no idea what is wrong, i am seriously fretting, i hardly know this lady she is lovely but just a casual friend. Gp is going to contact local community midwife to come out asap.
He told me to expect a call from hospital soon, and also social workers. has told me to keep in contact and midwife will be with me in the next hour. phewwwwwwwww

OP posts:
compo · 12/01/2011 21:44

Hope you're getting somewhere? Has the neighbour told the hospital where the baby is? Poor woman, hope she's ok

MissFit · 12/01/2011 21:44

I would wake up the 7 year old and give him the phone and instructions to keep an hear out for the younger children and ring if need be, and then run to the shop and back with the baby in a buggy.

ja9 · 12/01/2011 21:45

marking place.... want to see everything is ok...

compo · 12/01/2011 21:45

Phew! Crossed posts

grumpykat25 · 12/01/2011 21:45

Hurrah! Glad you've got help on the way!