March 2010 - Six months in - will they ever sleep?

[Arcadie]

Welcome to the latest thread for mums of babies born in March ( and a few in Feb and one in April!).

Come on in. Find out who'll be pg next and who's weaning onto what.

Anna my friend's baby has a belly button hernia. My friend was very worried and the baby was seen by the paediatrician last week. Apparently there's nothing they can do at the moment and they have to wait see if it fades away with time. Hers is very small but they have to keep an eye on her. If the belly button becomes purple they need to take her to the hospital. I guess is nothing too serious, but it should be checked.

Heckle at your DH. I sometimes really think they live in another world...

x

Pixie only 3 days?!! Time really flies :)

yey for Pixie

anna, both mine have umbilical hernias, DD's is much worse than Alex's. What we were told is to leave them alone (and not to try taping a coin over them, for example, despite advice of interfering well meaning non medically trained friends and family). They generally fix themselves but if they don't then the medical profession won't do anything about them until they're 3. We postponed DD's fix because we didn't want to put her through an op when she was already disrupted by Alex's arrival and the consultant said that wasn't a problem. So in short it's really common and not that major an issue. We were also told that you will know if there's a problem because your child will be screaming in pain and vomiting, at which point call an ambulance. I should caveat this by saying you should speak to your GP anyway and get the process going and advice from a medical professional who's actually seen it - I'm surprised it wasn't picked up at the 6 week check [takes off lawyer suit and redresses in sick stained jeans and hoodie].

Must phone the office to find out about their response to my request to do 2 days per week at home. Both children are asleep so now's the opportunity to mumsnet do phone calls!

We are back from our 6/7months check.
Good weight 20lbs 120z and a tall baby 73.5cm.
He screamed a lot! But HV is very nice and said that it's a good sign , that it's pre-speech thing + a sing that he's really teething.

I asked about the milk, and as Pacific said about 1pint per day. HV said some babies just go off milk after they've started on solids so I was advise to put as much milk as possible in his food + yoghurt+ cheese.

I feel such a big relief. I don't know why I was so nervous.
x

I got my 4 day week! Woo hoo!

Though since I'm compressing almost all my hours into a four day week (from 35 hours over 5 days to 33 hours over 4 days) it's not exactly part-time or anything, but still - means I can return to work knowing DS won't be in full-time childcare...I'm also not back to work until March but I'm such a planner that I wanted to get this sorted out well in advance.

PD have a good last day of maternity leave!

Evitas yay for a good check up. These sorts of appointments are always cause for worry/nervousness but sounds like your DS is thriving

Anna glad there are lots of reassuring stories about belly button hernias (had not heard of it before today ).

OK, off to do a quick tidy up and get dinner started. Will be back for a proper check up soon.

Ooh, excellent news Flip. Yeah, it's something of a PITA to have to condense 5 days work into 5 (I do that too) but worth it to have the extra DC time.

How did your phone call go, Bluey? I work one of my days from home and am a leetle bit concerned that work may want to rethink that. (Although they can't actually do so without my agreement given the terms of my flexible working arrangement.)

(and frustrated emoticon) at your DH, Heckle. I soooo know where you're coming from. Sometimes I feel like yelling (and maybe even do) "You're a parent too! Why can't you decide what they'll have for lunch/remember that we need to wash their PJs/buy nappies".

Not yet sure when I'm going to see my new nephew. Could be 3 or 4 weeks, I reckon. Edinburgh's a long way away so it's not like I can just pop in. Will have to content myself with photos for a wee while longer.

into 4 even .

Really must preview.

Hi, all, I will be quick tonight, sorry:

anna, yep, umbilical hernias in babies v common and nothing to worry about. The vast majority outgrow them as their tummy muscles strengthen and knit together. And I feel your pain re sleep...

heckle and everybody else, I know it has been said before, but what we all need is wives; never mind useless husbands ! Mine will generously offer 'to hold Joe' (well, yes, I should think so, he is your son as much as mine) then go off with baby on arm and watch TV/sit at computer which invariably causes Loud Baby Screaming (one must be upstanding when holding Joe, ideally walking - unless boob is inserted in mouth; that is allowed sitting down although I have been known to feed him walking around when he is really agitated ) which means that I hurry back to take the blessed child back off his daddy again . Useless, no help, annoying . So, heckle, I feel your pain too.

Pixie, thank you for the flashback - believe you me, our bathtime rule is very, very necessary... Innocent times, eh?
Glad you are finding yourself on the countdown to your DH's return .

Sariska, give us a shout when you are in Edinburgh - we can always do a reccie of JL ....

evitas, at almost 21 lbs; you are obviously doing something right.

Well, I have packed bag for childminder for Joe, packed breast pump , laid out clothes for the morning. Wish me luck, to get my troops out of the house @ 8am... Work will do me good, right? Right? Right??
All of you doing 5 days work in 4 days make me feel inadequte - at least mine is 4 days from the outset (30 hours). Oh, I am trying so hard to see the obvious.

IWCAS, no advice on turning babies. Usually the outgrow it though, or learn to turn back themselves, or turn into babies who prefer to sleep on their fronts (DS2 was like this, still sleeps on his front, as do I ).

I have just started reading 'What mothers do especially when it looks like nothing' and halfway through the introduction I already feel validated and encouraged . Highly recommended read if you can find the time while you are 'doing nothing' .

That was ment to be a quick post ....

Pacific Good luck for tomorrow.

Flip well done with the 4 days

x

Good luck Pacific! It will do you good, honestly .

of Flip - my application got turned down. The reasons are actually understandable but they will get a lot less work out of me and some days I will have to leave at 4 p.m. which will invariably be in the teeth of a crisis. Arse.

Heckle and Pacific, I'm in sympathy. DH is brilliant generally but it's the whole thing of saying they will do something and then bothering you the whole time. I manage it, why can't you? Still, could be worse, could be my parents when my Dad was working away most of the time and didn't do much of the grunt end of childcare when he was home.

PD good luck for tomorrow.
FLIP great news

X

Melk, loving your chat thread!

I'm on the wine too IWCAS . It was the end of a wine box so I had a very large glass and there was still some left in the bag so had to glug it to make some space again as there was no point putting the silver bag bag in with only a dribble remaining!
I've had a shit day, literally, between toddler poo in the pants, in the buggy, excessive baby poo, dog rolling in fox poo and cat poo in the front garden (I don't even have a cat by 5 o'clock I'd had enough and was ready just to crack open the wine then. Somehow I managed to wait til 9.30pm before getting the glass out.
I'm not quite sure how Baby G manages it but the last 3 days when we have gone out for our dog walk I have put on a clean nappy before leaving the house. We have to go out in the car and in that short space of time she manages to poo. This means I have to do a quick front seat of the car nappy change before I can pop her in the sling ready for the dog walk. There is no time consistency in the poo (as in time of day) just consistency as in bloody inconvenient.
I spent all day chasing my tail (as well as cleaning up poo). I've had 4 really bad nights sleep and as you all know everything seems much worse when you are tired.
I was at my Welsh class today but it was eerily quiet. Seems like chickenpox has been doing the rounds so I am nervously waiting to see if the girls get it. I feel ridiculously itchy just thinking about it. I know it's an inevitable part of childhood but I don't want it yet!!!! Cabin fever sends me over the edge and although we don't have a calendar full of important social events right now it would be a PITA to stay at home all day and I would go crazy.
Anyway I've been dithering over coming to London or not. It is a long way for a day trip and I've not booked tickets so is now pretty pricey and whilst I would love to meet up with all you MMM the chickenpox scare has made my mind up. I really don't want to be infecting the rest of the lovely March babies so I'll not be coming on Thursday. I hope you have a lovely time and I do want to hear all about it.
I'm looking to see if I can make the Secret Scottish meet up in December. The dates might work for me.
Anyway enough me me me chat from Smac.
Pacific I hope you get on okay tomorrow and that Joe and the CM get on fine too.
flip glad you have your 4 days sorted.
bluey sorry it hasn't worked so well for you.
rebecca and toostressed well done for booking smears. Next you have to attend
pixie you sound so much chirpier. Glad the countdown is almost over.
scooby hope you are okay.
melk your toddler thread is very good. Sorry to hear the pad thai caused some vomiting, you didn't spill on what the new purchases are ?
DH had an assessment at work today which means he gets promoted to the next level and I'm very proud as he has hated all this training. We were trying to get some friends together for a night out on Saturday and now it is going to be a bit of a celebration. Babysitter booked I now just have to find something to wear. My clothes are very much catering for toddler groups, slummy mummy and dog walking. I have nothing suitable for a night out
heckle sympathy. I feel like I do everything for the girls in this house
donttry I have been experimenting with night nappies. DD2 is such a heavy wetter because she guzzles milk all night still . I've been stuffing my wonderoo v1s with 2 microfibre inserts and a bamboo insert and that sometimes works. I have bought some second hand bamboozles (by Totsbots) which I put an extra microfibre booster in and a fleece liner (to make it feel a bit drier). I've tried this with a wool wrap for 2 nights and it seems quite good. Tonight I've got her in a bamboozle and motherease rikki wrap.
Bumgenius just can't cut it at night, not even nearly, I can't get enough stuffing in the pockets.
I've got a Real Easy (all in one) from Babykind which they say boosted can work as a night nappy but it's not enough either. Ditto with a Totsbot Easyfit v2 (boosted).
I now have a ridiculous amount of nappies. I've gone a bit mad on Cloth Nappy Tree recently buying second hand things to try out to solve this night time issue and I've had a turnaround on my view of Flips. I'd previously thought they looked a bit insubstantial but infact they are pretty absorbant for day time use so I've bought a few (again 2nd hand) as they are very trim and don't take up much space in the change bag (and I also leave one in the car - see above for dog walking poo incidents!) As DD2 is not tolerating disposables at all I thought having some flips in my stash might work out for going on holiday as they are much less bulky to pack than many of the others and still dry so quick. Right enough nappy waffle.
annamama so pleased you are back. Your 'cold turkey' hasn't been that long! I know nothing about tummy hernias so you are saved from the wine induced whitterings of Smac
night night all

Hi all

Sorry for absence. Not taken the hum pthat McHammergate ( and at the idea I was paranoid) has been resurrected but rather been poorly as has Simeon who hasn't slept properly in days and also had visitors here which meant he was in our room. Really shouldn't still be up at this hour but wanted to say Hi.

Melk at Elking pastimes. Glad you liked cake and found out who it was - did was decide on IWCAS in the end?

Sariska and Dalrymps Conrgats on Auntydom - it's great isn't it!?

Nappies will look at thread and post asoon.

Pixie Hope weekend was glorious and that this week is going ok now you know you can cope.
urm..... hello to everyone else. brain = mush

Oh and if it helps anyone else to feel better about their LO, Simeon doesn't sit, crawl, eat food or do anything but chew stuff. he is however perfect :)

hello!

Am trying so hard to keep up but you are all so CHATTY

Good luck PD - hope it all goes well. FWIW I am 100% happier, more relaxed and enjoying my DC since I started back (although only part-time). Hopefully it will be the same for you [hopeful]

anna My DS2 has an umbilical hernia. Iasked about it at his 8 week check and the dr said it was nothing to worry about and he didn't need an op - I might just want one IF it didn't correct itself (usually by 1 year he said). It looks smaller and smaller as time goes on (maybe because his tummy is getting bigger and bigger ) so I'm not going to pursue it. Hope your Dr appt goes OK

sariska and dalrymps congrats on becoming an auntie!

smac A fellow poo-sufferer here! DS1 also pooing in pants/on floor, DS2's avocado poos are not the best either - and then my neighbour keeps giving me detailed descriptions of her constipation/laxative-use and subsequent poo-ing - too much poo in my life!

flip excellent news re 4 day week although I guess they will be four pretty long days...

I am loving this age - all smiles and babbles and loveliness. I love babies before they can move or talk DS2 has now started crusing a little bit (but nowhere near crawling). He is so proud of himself that he laughs hysterically as he does it - very very cute

Good morning

Arcadie great to see you back!

Melk loved your thread. It made smile

IWCAS how was your night? Less rolling?

Bluey I'm sorry about your application being turned down. So what will you do now?

Smac hope you'll have a better day, with less poo...

DrSki I'm glad you are enjoying this phase. Is he sleeping well?

We had another crap night. TTSP, TTSP

evitas - well he feeds twice a night which I consider good but I know it is not brilliant either. What was crap about your night?

DrSki I've lost count of the number of times I was up... he was screeching very loudly between 3 and 4am (I just hope he didn't wake the neighbours ). The trouble is that he wasn't really hungry, because he snacked 4 times (like 30/60ml each time) and wouldn't go back to sleep after. A friend told me to give him some ibuprofen instead of calpol - I think I'll try that tonight. And of course, today he's a very unhappy boy.

Well, two feeds per night is not bad and as long as you DS keeps laughing and making funny things you will forget the nights :)

flip glad you got your 4 day week and bluey sorry you didn't get yours

PD hope work going ok today and Joe is happy at CM

melk loved your toddler confessions thread. It made me laugh and want to cry all at the same time! at the toddler that peed in his mums handbag!! and at the toddler who would only go to sleep holding a pringle!!!

smac sorry you had such a shitty(!) day. I think it is very civilised of you to have glugged from the glass rather than straight from the wine box!!
Oh and I have just realised that the reason BG's are called pocket nappies (just 3 months into using them) is that you put the liner in the pocket {blush] jeeez I used to hold down a very stressful professional job, what has happened to my brain!!! I sometimes think there is a mangey half blind hamster on a broken wheel in there where my intelligent mind used to be!!!!

evitas and all those with sleep issues hope TTSP

IWCAS on the rolling over thing. DS was doing this but very quickly learnt to sleep on his front and now seems to prefer it. I frequently find him the wrong way round in his cot with feet through the bars or over the rail on his tummy fast asleep.

oh no poor your evitas TTSP indeed

I remembered what I wanted to say - PD hope your first day goes well. that you have to be back earlier than you'd like and I'm sure but also hope (paradox?) that Joe is having a good day.

Afternoon everyone. This could be a quick post, depending on when Isobel wakes up. She's been napping for 2 hours now .

Valium, welcome back and hope you enjoyed your trip and managed not to throttle any family members. P.S. If a peanut butter cup with my name on it happened to make its way into your bag for Thursday I'd be your new best friend..

Arcadie nice to see; hope the DCs are keeping you busy in a good way. How is your DH doing?

evitas glad your checkup went well; I'm taking Isobel to be weighed this week for the first time in quite a while. I'll be interested to see if the weaning has affectd her weight. Also hope the teething/sleeping is getting better for you.

Flip that's great news about your job, you must be really relieved to have it sorted.

Smac sorry to hear you won't make it to the London MMMM, hope your DCs avoid the pox.

rebecca good luck with the smear on Thursday. Any chance you'd feel like popping in to Regent St afterwards?

Sariska congratulations on your new nephew, how are mum and baby doing?

sarah Isobel crawled off the bed here the other day too. I was right there, she just moves so quickly now! She was trying to get closer to the cat..

Pacific hope your first day back at work goes smoothly and that Joe gets on OK at the childminder's.

She stirs... better go. Waves/hugs to everyone else :)