March 2011 - we made it!

[Muser]

The waiting is over, the babies are arriving. March 2011 mums, come on in your time is up.

phew, have spare 5 mins...well, sort of, LO is kicking his legs about on the floor having nappy free time!!
was hoping for some advice from others on night time sleeping, or at least to know I'm not alone in averaging 3 or 4 hours a night for myself?? Angus seems to be awake every night between 10 and 2.30am then he'll settle for an hour or so before another feed and then maybe a couple of hours after, am exhausted!!!! And can't sleep in the daytime, at least AD's have kicked in a bit and I'm feeling nowhere near as bad as I was a couple of weeks ago...
I know a lot of you are trying cosleeping but its just not for me I'm afraid, and to be honest even whn I've tried it he still doesn't sleep, keep putting him down in his moses basket and he'll sleep for 5-10 mins then start crying again, this goes on.....and on.
5 weeks old tomorrow how are the other 5 week olds geting on?
sorry about the me me me thread, everyone else is probably knackered too!

highland this is the first time I've been on in ages as we've moved and only just got internet.

We've got the same problem. I think it is just a problem if you're not happy co-sleeping, and I'm not. Elijah won't sleep in his cradle unless he's totally zonked out on us first- so by the time he's fed and is zonked enough to sleep in his cradle it's almost time for another feed.

Not much advice really- just that I feel your pain and I hope someone else has an answer! I feel like the walking dead at the moment and it's tough getting through days when your on your own in the house when your that tired.

Elijah is nearly 3 weeks old. I was hoping things would get better.. but if your Angus is 5 weeks maybe that's wishful thinking!

We had sleep problems to start and found swaddling and white noise really helped. It also does get better. To start with my little girl would be up until midnight and waking a lot in the night. Then she started going down at 11pm and sleeping between 3-4 hours, feed and then another sleep until 7am ish.

Last 3 nights I've had 2 where she went to bed at 9pm and one at 10pm. And I haven't changed anything, it's just her. Last night she slept from 9pm until 2.45am. Then 3.30am to 8am. It was brilliant! So it does get better.

I feed her to sleep in the bedroom with the lights low and her swaddled. Helps calm her down I think.

We are now at 9 weeks and had the first immunisations today. Not fun.

Hi everyone
DON'T get much oif a spare minute to use the interrnet these days!
Ethan is now 4 weeks and 3 days we weighed him today he is now 9lb 2oz he has put on almost 2lbs in 2 weeks! he is a boob monster
As for sleeping things do get better(eventually, dd didn't sleep through until she was about 8 months!), I get despondent and havve to keep reminding myself that babies need to wake frequently to feed they have such small tummies, and they want to be near their parents as it is comforting and all they know, going from the womb to the outside world is a massive change! Though at 3am all I want to do is sleep myself not have a sleeping baby on me with me wishing i was asleep too!

I've started to get out a bit more been forced to really as dd is on school holidays so need to entertain her and I'm feeling more confident about breastfeeding in public.
oops lots of typos sorry am tired and brain not engaged!

Explosive poo nappies in the middle of the night - yuck not liking ;-((

Hope all are hanging in there! Using typing as a means to keep me awake. Antibiotics working well feel so much better bleeding has all but stopped, smel and stinging sensation gone. Pelvic floor still abut dodge tho.

Settling babies - hmmmm tricky. DS was a mare in this respect E bit better (or DH and I just more confident in putting her down in basket and not worrying about little but of crying for first 5 mins (cue her now being a mare) - so practice sleeping in baske/ pram lots in the day as well. Also perhaps a dummy. And Grobag sleeping bag things - big hit if baby doesn't like swaddling they stay at nice constant temp but can't kick off covers. We use a 1 toy mainly as new house and bedroom seems to be warm. Only other thing is that always get baby dressed for the day when get up in the morning (even if just fresh babygro) and undressed in evening - I hate it but they seem to like routine - who am I to argue.

Right think we have had sufficient post feed/ poo upright time so hopefully back to bed.

It gets better honestly hang in there (eat cakefor comfort) xx

Sorry for awful spelling and grammar - tired

Good to know I'm not he only one!!! Although (fingers crossed it wasn't a one off) I actually got 8 hours sleep last night so feeling like a new woman today! Obv not all in one block, but in 2 hour chunks!! Went to bed same time as him at 7.30 and I think because I had that sleep until 10 I had much more patience to settle him in his moses basket afterwards. Phew, its hard going these first few weeks isn't it? I have so much respect for those of you who have older children to look after as well.
Jupiter your exploding poo comment made me laugh, was changing Angus' nappy on the bed at 3am the other night and an exploding poo made it off the changing mat just as an arc of pee wet the sheets....I almost cried! Bad enough having to change a their clothes / nappy etc as well as having to chnage my own bed!
Also, have been using a grobag as he's not a swaddly baby, and always bath him at 6.30 as he seems to like this and always goes down fine at 7-7.30 pm its just after the 10pm feed that its a nightmare!
KPidgeon I think I'm just unlucky that Angus has his night / day mixed up still, hopefully your Elijah will get it sussed a bit sooner!
Right time for cake (good advice Jupiter! )

ps. Glad your feeling better Jupiter last thing you needed on top of dealing with a newborn!!

Hello all.

E went from about 9pm till 4.30am last night so feeling a bit less meh today. Although he has done something similar twice before but it hasnt amounted to anything so not getting too excited, rather just enjoyign the moment. We had been out all day and travelling about so maybe that is why.

Just popped in to check on him sleeping and walked in just as he was cracking a lovely smile (prob poo) in his sleep. Makes it all so worthwhile.

The holidays are winding down here now. Have kept the DC so busy with visiting friends and park trips across London. DH is off from tomorrow and back to work Monday so we have shopping etc to do but also hoping for some family walks, and have some friends round on sunday. Then almost back to school time... and I have really enjoyed it actually and was dredding it with baby and 2 active boys. Must thank mothe rnature for the weather though as it would have been entirely different otherwise.

Poo explosion at 3am here too! Thankfully all caught on the changing mat/ lots of baby wipes.

Hi all

Just wanted to say hello to everyone. Ive been reading everyones posts regularly but either never have the opportunity to post or have nothing sensible to say!

All ok here, little E still feeding every 2-4 hours, including during the night. I'm finding it quite difficult fitting a newborn into DS's routine, she always wants feeding either just as I've put him in the bath or just as I'm about to start his bedtime story and have a cuddle with him. I'm keeping myself sane with the thought that it WILL get easier, I'll get used to juggling two and it'll naturally get easier anyway as little E gets a bit older and falls into a routine/feeds less frequently.

Hope everyone has a lovely Easter weekend, hopefully the cheery weather will continue... Take care everyone x

DD is feeding loads in this hot weather, anyone else finding this? She was 3 weeks old yesterday so maybe it's also the dreaded growth spurt. She's settling more in her Moses basket at night now thank god - I don't mind co-sleeping in principle but I definitely sleep better when everyone is in the right bed!! At the mo I take her up with me at 10ish and she's usually settled by 10.30-11ish, wakes between 2-3 for a feed and then up again at 6ish. Feeding her to sleep most times at the moment but don't think it can be avoided at this stage?

Also - are people doing an earlier bedtime yet? Can't rem

Sorry phone went nuts - was saying I can't remember when we started early bedtime routine with DS. Think it was from about 6 weeks...

Evianbaby I know what you mean about juggling! I've had an extra pair of hands most days from DH, MIL or my mum so far but when the help dries up (this time next week!) I guess that's when I'll have to start trying to settle her down at the same time as DS... I've got a bouncy chair for her stationed in the bathroom for when I bath DS, I'm anticipating breastfeeding her whilst he's in the bath then putting her down whilst I settle him - if she doesn't go to sleep though I suppose I'll just have to shut our bedroom door whilst I get DS into bed :( Feel so bad about the odd 5 mins I have to leave her to cry like that though - I guess it's unavoidable when you have more than one kid? What do you think?

Lozario We usually get S to sleep from around 7 or 7:30 pm until 10:30, then feed and put her down again around 11.30. She usually wakes for another feed at 2am. A couple of times she slept from 11.30 to 4. That was sweet but hasn't happened in weeks.

Lately, she feeds at 2 am, then starts waking up every hour or every 45 mins from 3 or 4am onwards and snacking until I give up trying to settle her around 7am and take her downstairs so I can have breakfast. Have tried giving her bigger feedings at 10pm and 2am in an effort to get her to sleep better in those wee hours, but so far nothing's working. Anyone experiencing simiiar or have suggestions?

She's 5 weeks tomorrow, and I've read that there's a big developmental leap at week 5. During this time (or just prior to it), they supposedly get quite cranky and needy. This morning she's only content cuddling and sleeping in my arms, so maybe we're right on schedule.

Lozario - I think you are right, with more than one you cant really help but have to let them cry sometimes. It is useful for them to learn to self settle a little and at least when you are just doing bedtime it isnt a prolonged time, just 5 mins so you are abck to comfort fairly soon.

I have had all 3 DC in bed by 7pm a couple of times but TBH with E if he isnt ready, hasnt eaten enough or whatever it just doesnt work so i just try to keep him calm and generally he sleeps on his beanbag with us in the living room until I go to bed. \he still seems tiny so am just letting him dictate a bit at the mo. I did very very loose controlled crying with DS2 but not until he was a good 6-8 months and then I still used to go in and sooth loads rather than leaving him to just cry to sleep, it did work and didnt take long but think I will wait until E is a fair bit older.

I guess taking him with me for bedtime story could work as then it will be his routine too.

Last night E slept from 9pm - 5am. Amazing. I find that days we are outside he really does sleep much better.

Also re: feeding. E is 5 weeks aswell and seems to cluster feed in the morning and the evenings maybe it is a developmental thing.

Just a note to say that Elijah slept yesterday afternoon and through the night in his cradle- amazing for us. Even more amazingly, the first time he was zonked out totally so didn't know he was in it but the next two times he was sleepy but still awake and went to sleep in the cradle. This is a massive leap forward.

What I've done differently is fed him for an hour at a time- usually it's been half an hour. Does anyone else feed for an hour? E is 3 weeks old. It's quite harsh on the old boobs but if it does the trick I don't mind!

Hello All

Have had NO time at all, and just thought I'd post a message and Leila has just woken and is looking balefully at me from her chair- so looks like not going to manage this one either! Hope you are all well, am v of you who have LO's sleeping 5 hour stints! Leila did a couple but since her first lot of injections we're back to 3 hour nights. But she is totally gorgeous and I am madly in love with her.

Gotta go. love to you all
J xxx

Now young M is at his grandparents on a mat on the front lawn in the nude kicking and wriggling. My parents have been looking after ms and the boys so that DH can have some time off. Went out for a meal last night child free.
At least if you have boys in the nude you can just about catch them as they are about to wee if you are quick.

Nice to hear from you ladies a d hope you are able to spend as much time outdoors with your little ones.

On sleep, we have gone naturally from a 11-12pm bedtime to a 9-10pm. I have tried to start bedtime prep earlier but not with any success. As she's gone earlier by herself I expect it will happen again. She sleeps really well when she does go down, a 5 hour stint before a feed and then through until morning. So I'm not inclined to mess with it now.

Wow, such activity on here today...perhaps because of the holiday weekend and having help at home with our LOs?! [busmile] (sorry, had to use the bunny emoticon, especially since our LOs are all born in the year of the rabbit!)

DS is 6 weeks old, and only a few days ago did he begin sleeping in 4 - 5 hour stints, though up to now it was 1 - 2 hours and I was on the edge of madness! Now we are putting him down between 8 - 9pm, after a massive FF and sometimes a bath and belly massage, followed by a BF.

He still seems cranky, and sometimes I wonder whether he is a stressed baby, as he always clenches his little fists and smiles so infrequently. Could it be the wind, which is slightly better these days, but is still a bit painful for him?

BFing question: does anyone have the experience of LO treating your boobs like a puppy on a chew toy? Mine latches on well sometimes, seems peaceful, then seems to have a nightmare that gets him out of his trance and starts to pull at me which is painful (and a bit scary!) Happens every day and really isn't inspiring me to BF too often as I need time to heal each day! Please tell me it's not a symptom of thrush (as I read in the Food of Love, which is hilarious, BTW)!

Happy Easter, everyone!

Happy Easter everyone - the middle of the night feed here again, but seems like a good time to post as just holding E upright so milk stays down andwind comes up so can one handed type on phone.

Ace news re more babies settling in cribs and baskets. Agree that with two you some tikes do have to leave them for 5 mins but in an odd kind of way I am sure this means E has bad to get used to going in Moses basket???

We are feeding every 3-4 hours here about 3-4 Oz at a time. Is often 3 hours in thd day and 4 at night. DH does a feed at 11pm ( occasionally is dream feed) and then she generally stirs again sometime between 3 and 4 am before sleeping again til morning. More sleep than was pregnant. DH has done middle of night feed quite a few times but tbh I worry about him nodding off he he might have had a couple of glasses of vino - am I irrational??

What do others do re night time nappies - rightly or wrongly have become inclined not to do change unless poo (exploding) or sopping if not too bad i leave it on basis that when we get to through the night she won't get changed.

Right obligatory (good word I think for 4am ;-)) 20 mis upright winding is over time to go back to bed and gain strength for excited 4 year old Easter and egg hunts. Almost a crisis as was in bed (DH feeding E) when remembered Easter bunny hadn't been and had to then get back up and sort out) - hopefully DS won't mind that Easter bunny has drawn terrible bunnies on hastily scrawled notes with eggs!!!

Thanks ladies for providing somewhere something to do to keep me awake!!

Jxx

Sounds like everyone's LO's are starting to settle down a bit. I put Angus to bed at 7pm now as he is usually exhausted by that time, after a bath and feed. He has still been waking up every 2 or 3 hours for a feed (and not always settling in between!)....but last night he slept from 3am until 7.45 this morning, woohoo, couldn't quite believe it had to check he was ok! Maybe this is a sign of things to come, maybe its a fluke, who knows, but happy easter everyone [bugrin] !!
ckny1 sounds like what Angus does sometimes when he has really bad wind, he'll be feeding happily then starts pulling away ferociously whilst still attached (we call it 'bungee nipple' here, its quite unpleasant!!!) not sure what to do about it though. I've been trying to drink lots of fennel tea to see if that helps his wind but sometimes he just gets so grumpy at night, if he seems in pain I also try lifting his knees up towards his chest and then back down a few times and this usually gets a few farts out!

Thanks, highlandbird. "Bungee nipple", ha! And oof! I also suspected wind, which he is so filled with I sometimes worry he'll pop, though fortunately it comes out and nearly knocks us out! :) I'm also drinking the BFing tea with fennel...

A huge admiring bow to those of you with more than one LO, I'm in absolute awe and hope that all your sweetie pies are enjoying the holiday!

Ah it's so nice typing on the computer and not bloomin' phone whilst I'm feeding or winding or something! Great having an extra pair of hands! Actually my mum is on her way up again so I'll have had extra help around here for the first 4 weeks of Lara's life which has been GREAT because I don't feel at all stressed and I've been able to enjoy her teeny-weeny-ness (although she's chubbing up pretty quickly!). I've had a few days on my own with DS and DD so I know it's possible... but VERY hard work! Basically a madhouse but once you accept that you can pretty much get on with it.

I think over the next week I'm going to start putting Lara down earlier - up until now I've enjoyed having the time with her downstairs as she gets quite ignored during the day when DS is running around, but she's cranky in the evenings now until she goes to bed so last night I went up with her at 9pm - she settled quite quickly and woke at midnight for a feed and then again at 4am for a feed. Didn't really settle back in the basket after that one so DH snuggled with her, was really sweet seeing them asleep together this morning. (In our bed obviously, he didn't get in to the moses basket!)

I find that it's much harder to get her to settle on her own in the daytime though, and DH is definitely better at putting her down at the moment - I think she smells the milk on me or something. Not that it's bad for her to have lots of cuddles but I do worry about when I'm on my own with both kids as I can't carry her all the time then!!

ckny1 sometimes Lara feeds really fussily when she's overtired too - she goes mental, on/off/on/off, scream cry etc! So sometimes if I can get her to sleep for a power nap, she feeds a lot better when she wakes up, even if it's only been a 20 min sleep or something. It's awful to see them struggling with wind though isn't it - I can literally feel it gurgling through her little body when I feed her and she mainly farts it out too so it must go right through her! (I'm rubbish at winding) Oh and with the smiling - I thought exactly the same about DS1 - at 6 weeks I thought he was a miserable little sod in fact! He didn't smile at all until about 8 weeks. But now he's a very cheerful chap. Once the digestion stuff settles down they seem much less miserable with life I think.

Jupiter I agree about better sleep than when preggo. I'm still so over the moon not being pregnant, I couldn't bear it at the end. If we have a third DC, it won't be for about 3 years now, but I'm already dreading the prospect!!! We had an EASter egg hunt here too this morning, took ages as DS starting trying to eat them all as he went along, unwrapping them and handing me the "chocolate peel"! When we got up this morning we asked him what the Easter bunny brings and he replied with confidence, "Cucumber". Hmmm?!

KPidgeon well done on the self-settling - Lara hasn't fallen asleep on her own since she was born! Both mine have been over-alert newborns! Must be all that chocolate I ate when preggo...

Phew that was mammoth - back to writing thank you cards now...

Lozario - thank you cards! Oops not done any yet for baby presses or ds2 birthday....... Takes forever!!!!!!!