Finding it hard to leave the house with six month old

[LivelyGoose]

My six month old has a nap every 2 to 2.5 hours at the moment. Any longer and he's absolutely feral. They aren't at fixed times and I take my lead from him on when he has them. He's huge, heavy, and crawling already. He also takes forever to finish a bottle and has awful reflux so has to be kept upright for half an hour after each feed and has a morning feed schedule that fits around his daily dose of omeprazole. If I don't adhere to this he vomits profusely all over himself and me. All of this, plus keeping the house semi-sorted during nap times makes leaving the house really hard and I get really restless, bored and lonely during the day. What do other people do? I can't wear him because he's absolutely gigantic and weighs a ton. I know some people will say I should just force him to fit in with my schedule, but if I can't feed him and put him down for a nap when he needs me to then he starts to go ballistic.

When he’s been fed - half hour upright in buggy and take him for a walk. When he needs to Kip lay him down and keep walking. Get yourself some decent headphones and listen to a podcast. Stop for a coffee.

have a bag ready packed for you both so you aren't faffing around trying to do this and keep him upright etc.

It’s really really hard when you get stuck in this loop to feel there’s a way out - but it doesn’t last forever.

Re: chores, I would let things slide for the sake of your own mental health. You don’t need to hoover/do laundry every single day. If his clothes get covered in sick, then buy a few more cheap spare clothes. Give yourself a break.

Things will get better when the baby goes down to 1 or 2 naps. Hang in there.

What's a container baby?

She said in her post she can wear him

I have an 8 month old, who also suffers from reflux. It is finally getting better now, but, for the first 6 months, I used towels rather than muslin cloths. They reduced the amount of sick that went on me and him! I always felt better when I was out and about. He very much sleeps in the pram and car and is a 2nd child so has no choice but to fit in around his sibling. We did try omeprazole for about 3 weeks but honestly it was a right faff to administer in terms of timings and really didn't make much of a difference!

I’ve worn them in carriers well into toddler age for naps when I’ve needed to on holidays etc, if you have the right carrier and it’s correctly positioned it should really distribute their weight. Sling libraries will listen to your needs and let you borrow a larger carrier to see how you get on with it. You can probably back wear him now too which may be easier but I do understand baby wearing isn’t always for everyone (including the baby!).

Like others have said, the alternative is to pop him in the pram and get him used to walks. You’ll feel so much better for getting some fresh air and he may start to nap in the pram in which case you can pop somewhere for a coffee/sit and read and just take some time for you.

I'd persevere with the sling use of you can - build it up from short periods, and try to back carry as it's a lot easier physically.

I understand that you have a health condition, but honestly, your going to end up carrying him in your arms on and off for years, so getting him happy in a sling so carrying us physically easier can be really useful. As he gets heavier, your body gets more used to it.

20 pounds is large for his age, but shouldn't be an issue with a well fitting sling, and many very well into toddlerhood. That way, you can get out and about, and him stay upright, and he can nap in it if needs be.

I'm so sorry that you are worn out and lonely and kinda bored. That's not unusual, especially if you don't have friends about in similar circumstances. Any playgroups or library reading times about? You might meet some parents happy to sit around, half-catatonic, but at least out of the house.

It will get better. I know that's minimal comfort.

Is there a playgroup within walking distance?

I feel you it is tough. My husband works 6-6:30 it's exhausting. I'm not sure this will help because you said he has a feed schedule and I don't know what that is but this is what my day tends to be like with my 6 month old
6:30- wake and feed ( isn't always the same time)
I then do housework whilst he goes in his bouncer chair, jumperoo, play mat all whilst he can see me.
9- nap
9:30- feed
Out the house. Usually get 90mins - 2 hours put him semi upright in the pushchair
11:30 nap
1- feed
1:30- out the house ( some days I only go out in the morning)
4 nap and feed
I then do more house work, prep dinner etc again whilst he does play mat, bouncer chair etc
7- Feed and bed

This is a rough guide it changes daily but getting out the house is do able. Also I never do housework during his naps that's my rest time! You must be exhausted. You don't get a break and you need to give yourself some downtime in the day or you will get burnt out.

I am currently doing this - I find it hard to leave the house, even now at almost 10 months. Just going for a walk while my baby sleeps in the pushchair and I listen to music and a book keeps me from going crazy everyday. The walk can be an hour / hour and a half to keep me exercising and my spirits up and the baby falls asleep really calm and happy.

Keeping your house mess free is great, but I would also second that this is the time you are allowed to let your standards slip a little and just rest. Especially if you have problems with tiredness. Be kind to yourself.

It is hard when you have a cranky baby and no help to be honest.

As I side note, I would say it's a little bit unusual for reflux to have gotten worse at this age, has it been investigated further than just prescribing omeprazole?

Have you started weaning? Mine first was extremely grumpy just before we started. Think he was ravenous.

Can your baby just hang out on a mat with some toys in the kitchen (or wherever you need to do jobs). He doesn't need to be in a pen or a container. That would free you up for nap times.

A totter + tumble mat has been my best ever purchase and has lasted multiple children and a dog. They can topple over backwards as much as they like - it's great.

My rule for naps in the early days has always been, one in the cot, one on the move and one contact nap. Works a charm. Babies get used to what they're introduced to!

Ok so put him on the play-mat while
you do jobs…

You don’t want him to be a container baby… but at the moment he’s a baby that doesn’t get out much. So you need to find a compromise.