June Mummies 3 - One handed typers over here!!

[Cooperoo]

A new thread.

Please share. Was up at 11, 1.30, 2.30, 5. Yawn. All because dd started her sleep at 7pm. That is what I should be aiming for isn't it?
On the brigh side I have put her down awake four times over the last 24 hrs and she has gone off on her own.
DD2 going steadily backwards on the toilet training and I am worried I have forced the issue.
DH, dd1 and dd2 all asleep at the mo. I think I am off to join them.

I mean dd1 of course. If I had had a ds this number thing wouldn't be an issue lol.

Kat- Hope you are OK and try not to worry yet. Let us know.
EYM - I live in Cyprus at the mo so I have a few more months of BBQ weather .
Byee for now.

Katz - my DS3 weighs 14 IB 13 oz at 7 weeks!!!
Hope everything is ok with your DD

Afternoon ladies, back from our travels again - friends' wedding in London (more of which below) and trying to play catch up whilst half asleep and thinking of all the unpacking I have to do.

Katz, hope it all goes well at the scan.

Welshie - please tell us how the sleep lady performed this miracle! And also can she travel to the wilds of Suffolk to perform the same miracle on my ds?

Coop - I still haven't been to the doctor about the reflux because I can't decide if that's what it is. Plus I will have to try and see one of the doctors who isn't the horrible GP who thinks dh is drug seeking, or she'll think I'm some kind of Munchausens by proxy mad woman.

Anyway, another horrific journey, this time by car to London. All started off well, Toby in the car seat upright instead of flat, sleeping nicely. About 15 miles into the drive, I remembered that dh had to pick up pain meds at the GP surgery. "Oh I'll just get them when I get back" says he. I grit my teeth to avoid screaming and point out we're not back til Saturday, the surgery will be closed til Monday and he doesn't have enough to get through the weekend. (I was already majorly hacked off at having to do all the packing, and carrying the stuff out to the car myself, even though I always do have to). So we go back.

I was hoping if I just nipped in to the surgery we could be on the move again before ds woke up. No. They hadn't labelled up the meds so I had to wait. When I got back to the car, he was screaming blue murder. We managed about 10 miles into the drive before we had to stop again to give him some food to calm him down. Set off again, he started screaming and screaming, to the point where I told dh to turn the car round and we couldn't go to the wedding on Friday.

Literally at that moment, ds stopped crying and slept until we got to the North Circular, where the stop-start driving woke up him up but he only bellowed when the blanket I was using as a sun shade fell on his head! Argh.

Anyway, KVG, mandy - yes, my ds seems to be doing a lot of crying as well just now Interesting comment about the bouncey chair, he doesn't seem too keen on his (well, throws up a lot which I take as a bad sign), I wonder if a sturdier one would suit him better.

I must say I really am getting hacked off with having a chronically ill husband. (I imagine he's quite fed up about it too). It doesn't help when I feel like shouting "I don't care if you have chronic fatigue, so do I now!"

Hope all are having good weekends xx

Fingers crossed it works as well tonight but in response to interest here's some more info.
Sleep lady was recommended by 3 friends.
She is a former HV and since set up a sleep clinic in Muswell Hill in London, she does home visits too - is known as an expert in her field apparently.
She talked to me for an hour about ds and then came up with a plan to suit his 'issues' - sucking to sleep, co-sleeping etc She also gave me the confidence to take action early - before it became a real habit (which I wanted to do although I know some would say I'm taking action too early). She was incredibly gentle - she's not as strict as Gina at all eg.said I could bf when I wanted in the daytime - and bfing at night is part of her solution - it all seemed very relaxed to me and was important that ds woke up so happy and has been really happy all day too. I can supply her details if you really want them - she does consultations all over the place I think but with a discount if you live in N London. She charges 90 quid but that includes 3 months of follow up support by phone and email - which I thought was a bargain really - I so want ds to have good sleep habits as I think it is a gift for life.
Will post on how tonight goes tomorrow - but I am committed to this now and even if it takes a few days I believe in her methods.

Ninety quid! I think I would pay 900 quid for the results you've had so far, welshie Funnily enough, I was in Muswell Hill this very day, my bro has just moved there so they have a chance to get my oldest nephew into a decent secondary school next year.

Hope all goes as well tonight!

I would have paid more to trib - I can't describe how happy I am to have my evenings back - he's been sleeping/feeding on me every night since he arrived. I am just so happy

I agree trib, 90 quid can be much cheaper than all the chocolate and beer I'm using to confort myself....

Welshie, would you mind CAting me with her info?

Thanks!

So... how was the southern meeting?

Another good night here following the sleep lady's plan .
I think the best thing for me is getting the evenings back - but he does yell a bit then when I put him down, doesn't yell at all the rest of the night though so I do subscribe to the view that that's his way of winding down after his day - and I think he'll stop doing it soon as it's for less time every night. Again he woke up cooing and smiley.
I think the timing of introducing this has suited him too as I'm now confident he's over his windy unhappiness and his digestive system has settled down. He's nearly 14 weeks.
I think having an expert come in and take a look at what you're doing is really helpful too - she told me stuff I knew but I needed someone else to say it.
Suppose I'm saying that I think there's a few things coming together making it work for us.
I've got to do it all myself tonight as dh is away on biz in Paris (lucky sod)
Lua - I'll cat you with her details now.
Sorry this is a bit me me me - but I'm obsessed with making it all work at the moment.

Welshie - That sounds fantastic and a bargain if you ask me. DD2 has begun waking three times a night again and so I think I need to get a grip now and start on some sort of routine. She is able to settle herself I have discovered and so I am going to keep putting her down a little bit awake. The only time she can't do this is when she is over tired and so I need to stay on top of things and spot the signs.
After my mammoth expressing in the middle of the night I have only been able to get a max of 3 oz off whatever method/time of day and dd2 having taken the bottle so beautifully at first is now refusing it completely and having a screaming fit about it all . Just like dd1.
DD2 on the other hand has turned another corner in the right direction on the potty training so all is not lost.
Trib - So sorry to hear you had such a difficult time away. It must be so hard for you especially with your dh being ill too. Get to the docs about the reflux or speak to your HV and make sure they take you seriously!! What a nightmare. All I can say is that this won't last forever. He will grow out of it although it can't seem like it at times and you must be exhausted and feel so alone at times . Remember we are here to sound off too.
Have to dash. dd2 just woken up.
Take care Junies xx

I will NEVER get the dd1 and dd2 thing sorted. You will have to bear this in mind when I type my posts from now on or I will always be correcting myself and double posting. Sigh.

Coop - well done on the potty training - didn't realise you'd taken that on at the same time. You're so right on the settling question too - I think I've said before but it's the most important thing we can teach them. Don't think I learnt it very well as a baby as I still find it hard to settle myself as an adult.....
Trib - it must be so hard with a dh that can't do as much as you need him too - really annoying too when you're knackered as it's difficult to carry on being sympathetic to them. I'm sure sleep lady would come to Suffolk if that was a serious question.....

Welshie, I know what you mean. Half my problem at the moment is that I find it difficult to sleep in the day, and after the 4 o'clock feed I find it nearly impossible to go back to sleep again, argh. Maybe sleep lady can come round and teach me how to send myself off to sleep, perhaps I should try swaddling myself

I will CAT you anyway for her details, my ds is a little bit behind yours in terms of getting out of the colicky stage, but I do dimly see the light at the end of the tunnel, he managed to have a nice kick about on his play mat for half an hour this morning without either vomiting copiously (only a bit) or getting some very painful trapped wind. I think the Dr Browns bottles are probably helping a bit there, plus regular sling time. But sleepwise, he's still sleeping on a parent for nearly every sleep, day and night.

Welshmum - I know different things will work for different folks, but could you give a bit more detail about what your sleep lady said? We're in Northern France and I don't suppose there's much chance of getting her out here?! Would it be any use to just do something like that over the phone?

Sorry to bombard you with questions, but what is the plan for last feed before bed? At the moment, we do bath, feed, bed - so ds is practically asleep on the boob before we put him down.

Does anyone else do things differently? How about you lucky sleep-through-the-nighters?

Afternoon ladies hugssssss

wow weshie sounds like your doing really weel with the sleep lady good luck to you and keep telling us the secret to a full nites sleep lol.

I dont know about the rest of our june babies but william was awful yesterday we couldnt put him down he didnt sleep all day and by time we came to 8 pm me and hubby were exhausted as he was up three times previous nite. He did fill some pretty big nappies though about five lol so maybe he had upset stomach lol what do i know.Anyway we got out lovely boy back this morning thank heavens hes sleeping peaceully and so is hubby.

Trib sorry to hear you had such a bad time trying to get to wedding. We ve got my siteres wedding comming up in Novemver in Wales im dreading travelling all that way with william.

Coops your doing amazingley well with potty training good luck to you.

William has his irst injections tommoro hope he is ok and i will also be talking to my doctor about the cancer screening so wish me luck girls.

chat later xxxxxxxx

lol my keyboard playing up again

Lots to catch up on again!

Thanks for all the tips about feeding etc, I think you are right about expressing so DH can do a feed. I was out yesterday morning and evening so DH got to spend a bit more time with DS2 and they both really enjoyed it I think. DH feels he got to know him a bit better which is nice.

Welshie, so pleased things are working well with the sleep lady You must feel like a new woman getting your evenings back. If you've got any handy hints to pass on just let us all know!

Trib, I'm not surprised you get sick of the situation, it must be emotionally exhausting as well as physically. The baby stage won't last forever so you will eventually get some more sleep but it must seem like a long time away at the moment. Sometimes you need looking after too and it doesn't sound like there is anyone doing that for you. Have you thought any more about going to your mum's? Your DH could recharge his batteries whilst you're away, and so could you.

Lummox, I thought I had AF a few weeks ago but like Bubb, it only lasted a day or so and went away again (I'm also bfing).

Bubb, no rolling going on here yet but DS2 is definitely trying. I think his fat rolls get in the way

Tea, your drawing dilemma really made me laugh. It's good to know what's in store for me in a few months time.

Had my hair done yesterday, doesn't look too bad but the best thing about it was being child-free for three hours and the fabulous head massage that wasn't anywhere near long enough. Sigh. It cost so much money it will be 6 months before I can afford to go again!

Well DS1 has fallen asleep on the sofa (he's been up since 5.30am ) and I really should wake him up otherwise he'll never sleep tonight. Hope you all have a good evening and plenty of sleep tonight.

Welshie

I can only echo everyone else - details of the sleep lady PLEASE!!!!!

we're trying to get ds to take a bottle - he is currently remonstrating as I type. Been giving him a b ottle once a week, but he' s never been too enthusiastic have to say......I want to go out on Tuesday but it's not looking too hopeful. I feel a bit like Cinderella, except I've got the dress etc, just need ds to play ball. I really wanted to go as I'll feel like I'm doing s omething 'normal' again....

feeling a bit crap today dh and I had an argument over something really stupid and we haven't really cleared the air......and just generally a bit low. Been looking into centre parcs for a break but its v expensive...anyone got any suggestions for somewhere to go that has a nursery/creche and is v family friendly but not too expensive?????

EYM - Good Luck!!! Will be thinking of you. Let us know how it goes.
Red - Hope you are feeling better and that ds plays ball. Fingers crossed.
Welshie - I think we are doing OK with the potty training as dd1 has been showing the signs for a while now but I had been putting it off due to baby birth and trip to the UK etc. She has two hours at creche tomorrow so it will be interesting how that goes....
Mrs W - glad you enjoyed your hair cut.
Trib - Just wanted to send you a . Take care.
Well all this talk of sleep training has obviously inspired me as I decided this afternoon that dd2 was going to bed in her cot this evening and not staying with us in the front room. So at 8pm both dd's were tucked up asleep in bed. By 8.20 though dd2 was awake and took 40 mins of feeding and walking and jiggling to settle again (breaking all the rules about getting her to settle herself lol). I stuck to my self inflicted staying in the bedroom idea and she did drop off and has stayed asleep so far. The problem is I will have to wake her in 30 mins or so for that last feed and nappy change lol. Oh it is fun this baby malarky. Maybe I will leave her and see what happens....tough call will have to see how she is. Take care all, bye for now.

Happy to help with details of sleep lady. Our problems were co-sleeping and sucking to sleep. It was a tailor-made plan for us and I wouldn't want to get hopes up if you know what I mean.
So some basic pointers (bear in mind he's a good size, feeding well in the day and is nearly 14 weeks now)
Do what you like during the day but they must be awake after 4pm for a 7pm sleep start - don't worry about feeds or sleeps apart from that proviso. (loved that bit)
Have a night light on in their room so they don't associate pitch black with sleep - hard to replicate on holiday/summer time etc
One good long bf at 5.30pm ish (one breast only) then bath, other breast but only for 5mins - don't let them fall asleep on it - if they do wake up with little chat and winding them etc Then show them a favourite picture book - this is so they associate the book with going to their cot - not the bosom.
Put them down with a gentle goodnight - not too much fuss.
You can then stay and pat them gently as they yell their heads off - no rocking or feeding though OR leave and come in and reassure them every 15 mins or so - again no rocking or feeding.
When they wake in the night you go in and feed them for 5 mins - no more and don't let them fall asleep at the breast. Put them down as earlier and if they yell follow the same routine. (ds only wakes once at around 12/1 and hasn't yelled at all just gone straight to sleep after some cooing - how lucky am I?!) On no account bring them into your room - if you're trying to end co-sleeping which I was.
A longer feed will be required around 4am she said - v true for me.
Follow the same procedure even if it's 0630 then when they wake after 7am you open the curtains and trill 'Good morning darling' and start the day.
She has a long complicated and very gentle system for comforting the initial yelling when they first go down. The problem for us was the ds hated it so I just said goodnight and left him - going back to reassure every 10 mins or so.
This has worked for us so far BUT it this plan did follow an hour long chat with her about the way he fed/when he was hungry/tired etc
I kind of think that even if she can't come to visit you a phone consultation might be worth it as it did seem such a specific plan for us - but hope some of the tips might help.
Good luck all xxx

Should have said you reduce that 5 min feed over the period of a week until you are just reassuring them (except for the 4am feed) I'm a bit anxious about this bit but am trying just 3 mins tonight - see how we go - she's been right so far. You shoyld be left with a baby who goes down nicely at 7pm waking only for one feed at 4 and sleeping til 7am.......oh my goodness, how tops would that be???!

Should also have said that you show the same picture book every night for the training period and that they're not much interested at first either although ds did consent to at least cast an eye over 'Cat is Sleepy' tonight

evening all,

Welshie-great news about the sleep lady.hope it works for all the other junies who are also having problems with sleep.I knwo you'll probably hate me for saying this,but I honestly can't remember the last time I was woken up in the night.Ds has slept from 10.30-7am since he was about 4 weeks old,so certainly no complaints here.

Coop-I'm reallu pleased the potty training is going well for you.must be great to get your dd out of nappies.

EYM-good luck at the doctor's tomorrow for you and william.

Mrs W-know what you mean about the hair.I have to get mine done every 4 weeks as it's very short-it comes round so quickly!

RHM-sorry to hear of your argument.Hope you've patched things up now.
We've never been to centre parcs but we go away about 3 or 4 times a year to holiday camps.The're great value and ideal for families.We're actually off to one on Saturday and the other great thing is that we wont be the only childless couple there anymore.

Trib-sending you a very big hug.xx

Morning ladies

Welshie - Welcome back glad you had a good time, and very of your new sleep routine! We seem to be following everyone else with a 1-2am feed and then a 5-6am feed then up at about 7.30 so I'm going to try and concentrate on getting rid of one of these feeds, just not sure which one! . DD will go into her own room in 2 weeks once we get back from our week in Devon (hope the weather lasts!), so I will see what happens then.

Lummox - periods...b/f for a week and then bottles...I had a bleed for about a day when dd was 9 weeks, but then it stopped I couldn't say when it would have started properly after that because just after that I started taking the pill again, so my period last week was a pill break, but I'd guess from the tummy rumblings that it wouldn't have been long after the 9 week bleed.

Southern meet was very nice, fab weather and all the babies are too georgous (bit biased tho ) shame there were only a few of us, next time hopefully there'll be more...p.s Charley ds wanted to know where the lady who likes curly hair was?? He's very unhappy now as we're off to the hairdressers this afternoon - not his favorite thing at all!

Trib - sorry to hear about your awful trip to the wedding - it must be very hard too when dh can't help very much either...mind you as I've told you in our emails a healthy dh isn't always useful either!

Mrs W - glad your dh got some time to bond abit with ds2...btw is ds1 talking all the time yet? I'm fast revising my opinion that the why's are most annoying...my ds never stops talking, and like most of his toys there's no volume control just on and off, and so far I can't find the off switch...suppose it serves me right for willing him to talk so much all those months ago...ladies - be careful what you wish for...you get it ten fold!

Right better go - ds's talking has woken dd up again, hmmmmm - and he's kindly interupted his monologue to tell me 'mummy baby's crying, mummy, mummy she's awake!' yup - no kidding