October Babies

[pie]

Not sure if anyone else is ready to join me here yet...bells, woodge???

Been up since 4am, please tell me that I'm not the only one!!!

Spod and Bluebear - so sorry things are so crap. I'm thinking of you.

Suppose I'm quite lucky really - Eleanor at least sleeps well at night. Last night she went from 21:30 to 07:00 (when I had to wake her to get ready for the school run) with only one waking. OK she was up for 2 hours, but still... jolly good for a 4 week old! My only problems are getting feeding cracked (excuse the pun ) and the fact she needs constant cuddles. And the cuddling is quite sweet really.

DD1&2 are both ill, given it to me, I have a fever now, nose running like a sieve. Oh well

Gosh, none of us seem to be getting off to a very good start huh?

I hope you get to you GP ok Bluebear. I've been on the ADs now for 12 days, my mood has generally lifted, though to be honest it still isn't taking very much to set me off on a black mood. Morbid thought, perhaps like yours. Is there anyone who can help out whilst DH is stateside? As an aside as you were at QCH do you live near there or me? I'm Notting Hill way. Perhaps when our ADs get going we could meet for mutual moaning!

Spod, I've always heard that babies can't do the day night thing till 6 weeks, are you sleeping when she is? To be honest, and no offence to the September mums, but I think they are obssessed with routines over on that thread But then I guess their babies are getting older. But then that might just be my own approach to parenting. Whichever, don't tie yourself in knots. I saw your post about painkillers, I hope you get some relief.

Oakie, your poor poor nipples. I don't what to say or suggest, but I'm sure you will do what is best no matter how the feeding turns out.

Lots of hugs to everyone on this thread xxx

Meant to also ask bb, have you been on lustral with your last PND? I'm having terrible side effects, dizzy, blurry vision have nearly passed out a couple of times. I know the side effects wear off, anyone know how long?

One more thing, anyone's baby smiling yet? Mine is exceptionally grumpy!

no real smiles yet altho' a couple of times she has looked pleased to see me/enjoying herself.... bathtime... or when happy after feeding/changing.... perhaps when the smiles kick in i'll tolerate the sleepless nights more???? ha ha ha ha ha!!!! Hope you're right about the 6 week thing pie.... it gives one hope and a milestone at least... glad i have a sense of humour and dh to help out... don't know how you cope with your litany of difficulties and PND on top of sleepless nights must feels just awful so am counting my blessings (whilst allowing myself to grumble a bit)

How you feeling Pie?
I'm west of QCH, but still within meeting-up distance once the panic attacks are under control.

Haven't had lustral. I was on prozac last time, don't think I was on it long enough for it to make much difference. I didn't start taking it until just before I went back to work, and TBH the routine that part-time work gave me, and getting away from screaming ds, made me feel so much better I stopped the ADs. I was still depressed, up and down, for a further 17 months but was too stupid to go back to GP.
I was hoping you would give Lustral a good reveiw IYKWIM as it seems okay to take whilst breastfeeding and that was one of the problems I had last time (Locum GP refused to prescribe anything whilst I was still feeding).
Was on Prothiaden/Dothiepin before.. helps with insomnia but turned me into a zombie in the mornings - no good when you need to wake up and attend to babies. Didn't feel like it lifted my mood, just made me too tired to do anything.
I've had four taxing hours with ds this morning, now he's gone to MIL's until 5ish. Dd wanted lots of feeds from 6am on and so ds started the dangerous behaviour again... started to use Time Out but even 10 seconds behind the door led to him becoming a gibbering wreck.. going to stick with Time out for now and see if it has any effect...at least gives me a few seconds break to remove any 'triggers' and calm down.
Positive things: Have done 8 nights of controlled crying with ds and last night he went to bed without any fuss (hurrah).
Dd smiled for the first time yesterday and then again this morning (hurrah hurrah).

Spod - how was last night..any better?

Oakmaiden - wow, what a good sleeper!

hi bluebear... last night was better... have decided that trying to set a whole day routine just makes her worse at night so we're going for smaller milestones to start with... like getting her into a bedtime routine with play, bath, dim lights etc, teaching her to send herself to sleep, starting bedtime at 8.30 in her crib. But she sleeps better in my bed so when she wake for first night feed i put her in with me and she slept for solid 4 hours.... which is great... double what she does in the day as she feeds two hourly... and sleeps well in the day which seems to chill her out. Decided to concentrat on getting to know her rather than trying to force her into a routine... seems more natural IYKWIM. How about you? whats your day been like... ihope the panic attacks are stressing you too much.... nearly time to see the doctor eh? hope that goes well. Pie... poor you... a cold...we've all had one too!! Oakmaiden.... hows the feeding going...any luck??

Spod, that's sounds like a great way to do it. Enjoy getting to know her and give her a few 'markers' so she can work out what bedtime is. You sound a lot more relaxed.
I've been moving dd's bedtime routine forward from 10pm to 8pm and tonight 7.30pm (have to admit bedtime routine at the moment involves nappy change, sleepsuit, swaddle, and a good feed whilst I read mumsnet (dark room, no other distraction than my keyboard) then burp and into her moses basket). She's making little grunty noises as I type but hopefully will take herself off to the land of nod shortly.
Still find it strange that she hates to be rocked/cuddled to sleep (especially after 2 years of rocking her brother), she's much happier to have a little foot massage and then put into her bed.. they're all different aren't they.
Wondering if I dare have a little glass of wine to fight the insomnia but don't want to feel groggy if I have to get up in the night... and feel a little worried about alcohol in the milk (I know in theory it's okay but still a little worried).

hi bluebear... you too sound more relaxed... as for the wine... I have been having the odd glass... wouldnt drink more than one... as you say can make you groggy. but I had one to ensure tat i fell off to sleep the other night. I waited until after I had given her a good night feed when I knew she wouldnt feed again for a few hours and the RAN TO THE FRIDGE AND GULP DOWN A GLASS OF CHARDONNAY (sp?) Last night was a challenge!!! dd refused to sleep in moses basket at all, had a massive 4 hour feed which inevitably gave her wind so we didnt drop off until 3.... we started bedtime at 8.30. But she did sleep for 5 hours in bed with me, then woke at 8, had small feed and played until she sent herself off at 10am and we both slept for another 2 hours. I am keen to get her to feed more in the day and be awake more during the day.... thing is feeding sends her to sleep and I just cant wake her.... any suggestions for keeping her awake?

Well yesterday was awful. Went for my 6 week check, poked and prodded yuck yuck yuck. I have an ear infection, my temp was 102.7 all day yesterday. Had osteopath but as I was achy all over it just made it worse and I was in substantial pain all night. My fever has come down today abit though. Rowed with DH as he was just 'business as usual' and I couldn't even hold the baby I was shaking so much.

Due to feeling so ill I didn't take my AD yesterday so I don't think that helped. Made sure I took it today though!

Bluebear, Lustral is seen as the safest to use when b/f, even says so in the BNF, so your doc would have no excuse. I think the side effects are getting better, and remember it effects everyone differently so try not to worry on that front.

DD2 is still sleeping badly, up every 2 hours, but to be honest I don't have the emotional strength right now to try to do anything about it. I can't handle at all being cried at so she gets anything she wants. If she starts crying I seriously start contemplating running away!

Argghh, shes off again!

Pie - hope you are feeling better soon. Eleanor fluctuates beween being a little darling (asleep) and a nightmare child who makes me want to jump out of the window (awake and crying). We are still having hellish evenings where she spends hours either feeding (which makes my nipples sore) or screaming (which makes my head sore!) but apart from that we are surviving.

One thing - anyone got any ideas how to get her used to being put down - cos she still will not tolerate it for more than a moment - not even a ride in a pushchair, let alone sleeping on her own!

Oakmaiden - probably won't help but this is how I put dd down. Swaddle her in comfy blanket and cuddle in dark room until you see a yawn or her eyes keep trying to shut (if you miss this time and she gets overtired it becomes a lot harder). Put her into bed, but keep a hand on her tummy (I assume she sleeps on back)and gently pat her, I do about 2 pats per second to begin with and then slow down until I just have my hand resting on her - by this point she is either asleep or extremely dozy, then I take my hand away and wait to see if she wakes. I don't talk to her at all when putting her to bed - ds has such bad sleep problems I'm really trying to help dd sleep properly - Last night she went 8.30 - 4 without waking (ds went 8 -10- 1 - 5 though so I've been awake since 4).
Spod - never managed to wake a baby who really wanted to sleep - I imagine you could juggle with them and they wouldn't wake! I have occasionally managed to sleep-feed dd when I've got worried that she was sleeping too long during the day. I'm trying to encourage sleep at night and hope the result will mean that she'll be awake during the day.
Pie, know what you mean about running away, although my daydream is taking the kids and running from dh ( He is lovely, it's just that interacting with one more person feels like the straw on the camel's back sometimes. ) Hope you're feeling better.

Thsnks bluebear - only problem is she just won't be put down at all - regardless of patting!

We have had a busy day today - first saw the b/f couns again, who has referred us to Southampton to get E's tongue tie looked at further. Then had an appointment with a cranisl osteopath who says that as well as having very overlaping bones in her head (which she has - even I could feel that her skull wasn't right) she also has a bone in her palate that is "stuck" and in her opinion that is why she doesn't like to get a ful mouthfull. I can feel that her head is less ridged already. So we will see.

hello all.... i know i am tempting fate but... we've had 3 good nights with dd.... she refuses the moses basket... so I'm giving it to the cat who is the only one who seems to like it.... it was killing my back leaning over it anyway and she wont always go down at 8.30 when I want her to... BUT we are getting into a bedtime routine with bath etc... which she likes and when she does come to bed with me she does sleep and only wakes to have small feeds.... last night in bed at 1am.... and shes still there. And yesterday she stayed awake alot more during the day... 4 hours first thing in the morning!! Its far from perfect GF style (dont want that anyway) but feel like we're making progress. Also gripe water for wind = fab!

So glad to hear you are getting more rest Spod!!
Personally I could never get the hang of b/f and not having the baby in the bed. I am sleeping between both my girls at the moment! (well not right this second but you know what I mean )

I hope the CO works out for you Oakie, DD2 seems to have some benefit for a couple of days then goes back, but hopefully that will build up.

Does anyone know when a baby grows up of needing to be swaddled? I'm running out of things big enough to swaddle her and tried to put her in a grobag but the little arms went flying and she woke straight up.

How are you doing bluebear? Have you seen your GP yet?

Hi

Just invading from September babies thread!

Pie, I want to know too about the swaddling thing - Harvey is 11 weeks today and is still being swaddled! He has started sleeping through about 10-12 hours so I obviously want that to continue and Im sure swaddling still has a lot to do with it but he is getting sooo big - like you, I tried without and his arms just woke him up

Also running out of things big enough to swaddle dd in, think I'm going to try a cot sheet tonight (probably folded somehow), I've got some flat (not fitted) sheets so maybe that'll do.
Seen GP, got citalopram, no side effects so far, don't know if I'd notice more dizziness and nausea though as insomnia so bad I feel dizzy and sick all the time. Ds has been ill since Thursday, feverish and grumpy (think it's mild tonsilitus but am bad mum and haven't taken him to GP - obviously some virus), so have been doling out TLC to him and feeding dd almost non-stop during day. Either dd is having a growth spurt or my milk is finding it hard to keep up so today is baby day (as long as ds stays well enough for nursery), doing nothing but feed me and dd and rest (and a little mumsnet for mental health).
Great that things are looking up Spod!

hello, another interloper from september.i weaned ds2 off swaddling by doing half swaddles or sleeping bag for short daytime naps only at first (ie not big lunchtime nap or night but all the other times). and if he woke then tried to leave him to see if he would settle back for a few mins. he quite quickly stopped flailing around so much wyhen not swaddled, took only a day or so. hth

Hi... how are you all? hows the sleeping going? and now that a few of you have been taking ad's for a few days how are you feeling...? I do hope they are helping. Things here are okay...dd is sleeping better at night and awake more in the day... still feeding 2 hourly during day though.... but can manage 4 hours at night. She smiles her little face off now....and is still piling on the pounds. had her 6 weeks check and shes in the 91st percentile for everything. Anyway.. how are you all?

Great to hear things are getting better Spod.

Been run off my feet as ds has had tonsilitus with an added complication of intense sibling rivalry, but the good news is I've had no panic attacks since Saturday and for the last two days I've felt normal again
dd is still piling on the ounces, and is generally very content (also 91st centile)

Eleanor has gone to sleep in her Moses Basket this evening (after a lot of coaxing)!!! First time she has EVER gone to sleep whilst not being cuddled (and that includes in her car seat or pram).

She went to Southapmton General today to have her tongue tie snipped, and then off to the cranial osteopath. Hopefully things are on the up!

Great news Oakmaiden
I'm glad you went to Southampton...... hope things do improve ASAP !

Eleanor is now having a nap in her Moses basket, so thought I would avoid actually doing anything constructive with this time, and come and post on Mumsnet instead.

She slept in her basket all last night, and settled really quite well, considering that until now she has been constantly cuddled. I started bedtime at 9 o'clock, had her in her crib by 21:30 and was able to leave the room by 22:40. Sadly she has a dummy to chomp on, which really seems to settle her, but I hate. One thing at a time, though. Anyhow - she slept until about 2am - had a half hour feed and took about 15 minutes to settle - woke again at 5:30 for 20 min feed, took a very short time to settle back, woke briefly at 6:30 and properly at 8:30. Not bad, really! And now she has gone back down for a nap.

I don't really want her to sleep alone, though. I missed having her snuggled up to me last night. I think I will do it like this for a few days, and then start bringing her back in bed with me after the night feeds, once she has got used to sleeping in her crib. Because she is so small and cuddly and cute.

Oakmaided - have you noticed any change regarding breastfeeding since the tongue-tie was snipped?

Mears - to be honest not as much as I'd hoped. But then, I was hoping for a miraculous change, I think! I think it is a bit better - she certainly seems to be latching a bit more firmly, and actually feeding a bit more quickly, although to be honest she still doesn't seem to be getting a really good mouthful and is still pulling my nipples into weird wedge shapes. Apparently she is quite old to have a tongue tie snipped for b/f purposes though (?) and it may take her several days to work out that she can feed differently. Or so I was told.

just wondered how all your babies are... everyone tells me my dd is huge (she is)... just want to compare....shes 57cms, 11.5 lbs, only just squeezing in to 0-3 clothes.... at 6 weeks...how about you guys?