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October 2011 - Let the poo obsession begin

999 replies

PenguinArmy · 13/10/2011 10:55

Come chat, moan, boast (by stealth of course), vent, rage, relax, worry and be reassured. Welcome to all the new babies. Stats thread here

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
TallyBear · 21/11/2011 12:10

mpops, I also could have written your post. I have moments when i feel really overwhelmed and inadequate (I think there is nothing like motherhood to make you feel like a failure!) Most of this is around feeding. I've stopped bfing now and i feel so bad about it, like i'm letting him down. It was so painful and i don't think there was enough so he was frustrated and still hungry afterwards. other mums makes it look so easy. i think he also suffers from reflux which means frequent burp breaks (during which he's crying his heart out as the bottle's gone) and holding him upright for 20 mins afterwards or he is sick everywhere. feeding can take up to an hour in total.

no typical day. try to get up by 9/10am. dressed/breakfast, daytime tv on in background then play by ear really. want to try to get out at least once a day, even if just walk around estate. s can often not settle until late at night - he tends to have evening colic. start off downstairs, once settled i bring him upstairs. when he wakes in early hours for feed i take him next door to spare room/nursery and feed there and sleep in spare bed for rest of night so don't disturb dh.

what does everyone else do during the day? we tend to bring moses basket downstairs for when he wants to sleep during the day. at night settle him in that and carry all upstairs.

I've got a few rattle toys which he loves following with his eyes.

PenguinArmy · 21/11/2011 13:39

I was feeling really good yesterday and then someone asked if we were happy being back in the UK? I said that we miss CA greatly, don't hate it here but don't enjoy it either.

They tried to be cheerful saying well at least we have our friends and family but we moved to a town 2.5 hrs away so we don't have friends/family nearby. Do feel lonely and the groups are I go for are quite big so not really a friend making opportunity. I miss the small NCT groups and also old uni friends in old place.

Think DD makes it hard as she's too old for baby groups but not in pre-school groups yet plus she runs everywhere so needs that constant supervision on the move. Not conducive to sitting down and talking to people.

Babies (well mine) love contrast at this age e.g. black photo frames on a pale wall. Can make some patterns with a black marker on some paper. DS isn't put down on the play mat as his sister then kinda attacks him. Not on purpose mind, however sling counts as tummy time so not worrying about it. With DD I was a bit silly at making sure she had a few minutes of tummy time each day.

OP posts:
Bumpsadaisie · 21/11/2011 14:33

We don't have a typical day either but it sort of goes a bit like this.

6.30am or 8am, DH leaves for work.

8am ish, DD wakes up. If DS is still asleep, go into DD and read, chat to her, give her some juice, make myself some tea. If DS still asleep, get DD dressed. But if DS is awake when DD wakes up, then I feed him while trying to persuade DD to sit in bed reading for a bit and drinking her juice.

Once DS is fed, changed and conked out again, and DD is dressed, I put Charlie and Lola or another 10 min programme on iPlayer on my iPhone for DD while I have my shower and get dressed. After that DS hopefully stays asleep upstairs while DD and I go down for brek. I stick in a wash at this time.

One morning a week we go out to toddlers in the morning. Another morning my parents come round to collect DD for the day so we all have coffee when they come. Probably another day we go out for lunch to my friend's in the next town.

At some point DS wakes up so I feed him again and change, while trying to persuade DD to play with her toys or if that fails sticking the TV on for a bit!

We have lunch at whatever time it looks like it will work - ie when DS is fed, changed and asleep again. Then DD plays a bit more and, while DS is still asleep, I try to tidy away the lunch things and get a stew/bolognese/something similar, on the go for supper later on. If DS obliges by staying asleep long enough DD and I hang out that mornings wash and put away the stuff that has dried.

Then DS prob wakes and I feed and change. DD is getting tired so prob the TV goes on again for 20 mins.

Then its 2.30 ish and if we haven't yet been out, I load them in the car and go out for a bit of a drive and a walk/fresh air. DD's only 2.5 but since turning 2 won't nap except in the car. So she has 20 mins sleep while we drive about, DS is asleep. I listen to my iPod and eat a Mars Bar! Then we have a little walk / go on playground and then head home.

When we get home I feed DS and change him and put him in his chair or mat.

DD watches TV from 5.30 while I get her supper ready. She eats at 6 and we go up for a bath at 6.45. DS is much more awake at this time so I am often feeding him while she eats/ is in the bath etc. Or he is in the sling or in his basket with his dummy! While DD is in the bath I get her to sing a song (so I know she isn't drowning!) while I run up and tidy up her room after the days shenanigans.

DH gets home 7.30pm. If DS is asleep, he prob gets in the bath with DD, then I get her out and do story and bedtime. If DS is awake, DH takes him while I do DD's story.

DD is asleep by 8 and hopefully by the time I get downstairs DH has settled DS in his basket with his dummy. DH finishes off prepping our supper which I have probably started earlier in the day.

We eat about 8.30 and watch TV, with wine Smile

At some point DS will wake up and not want his dummy anymore but want booby instead. It tends to be around my bedtime anyway, so at that pointy I head upstairs, feed and change him and we go to sleep. He is in my bed, DH in the spare room.

Generally DS sleeps pretty well and having been fed at say 11 will wake again at 3 and then in the morning between 7 and 8, say. Thanks goodness DD sleeps through pretty much reliably, though with the shock of DS' arrival she does sometimes regress a bit, including one nightmare night two days ago when she was crying for me to sit with her between 2 and 4am solidly, together of course with DS being desperate for a feed. Two screaming children in the early hours of the morning was NOT fun Grin!

Yawn! Right now DD is doing stickers at the table, DS is asleep and it is really calm. But soon I know she will be having a tantrum and he will be screaming for a feed!

Then it all starts again!

Bumpsadaisie · 21/11/2011 14:35

PS and Saturday mornings, DS gets his weekly bath with me while DH takes DD out!

GroovyRach · 21/11/2011 17:30

Hi everyone!

God, its been a fast few months! I have been reading these threads and trying to keep up, but found it so difficult to post. Now settling into a bit of a routine with DD so will try and pop on more regularly to keep up with everyone. So happy to hear that everyone has now had their babies, cant believe how many there was when i read the stats thread! Congratulations to everyone :)

So life with little Sophia has been quite an adventure so far! I never did get round to posting my birth story but i will do it one day. I want to keep a copy for myself anyway, but just finding the time to do it is proving difficult! She was 7 weeks old on fri there and weighing 9lbs8. Was 6lbs2 at birth so gaining well i think. Is now ff as of a few weeks back. Was finding bf difficult so switched to expressing but it was taking forver and as i am on my own, i just couldnt keep up! feeling slightly guilty that i did stop and im toying with the idea of trying to express again, even if its just for one bottle a day but im worrying with the fact its been around 2 weeks since i did that the milk will be gone :(

Anyway, nap time is over, but i will be back from now on. Ive missed all the chat!!

xx

EdwardorEricCantDecide · 21/11/2011 18:27

Good to hear from u groovy glad ur doing well and settling into mummyhood.
bumps I think we have the same life/routine/kids lol (except that ds watches quite a bit more tv) Blush

I went to my first ever playgroup/mother and toddler today, ds loved it now feel bad I left him for 2.5 yrs before taking him.

emmazed · 21/11/2011 18:53

thanks bilblio J is currently asleep in his basket with the extractor fan on and a dummy in his mouth. actually he has just woken up, but he was asleep for almost 45 mins which is fab.

it is great to read everyone's days - i feel like i am being really lazy as i dont get up until J's 9/10 feed rather than his 6/7 one. i wonder if he wont learn about daytime properly, and it maybe why he wont settle until at least midnight. or maybe he wouldn't settle anyway, and at least i get some extra sleep.

i keep obsessing about (not) being a good mummy as well - i feel so bad about not bfing any more, and that i have started to use a dummy, and all the other things i do wrong/dont do. but i have started to relax a bit, knowing that i will drive myself mad otherwise as there is no way i can know everything/do everything right. although i dont like that so many of feel this way, it is also nice to know i am not the only one who worries about all the little things to do with being a parent.

PenguinArmy · 21/11/2011 19:07

there isn't right or wrong, but what's right or wrong for you. Even if you're doing differently the second time (like me) it doesn't mean the first (or second) time was wrong, just your circumstances have changed.

DD had a dummy and I was back at work at 4 months. DS doesn't look like he needs one and I don't plan to ever express, even if I go back to work between 6 and 12 months. I still feel guilty about DD having a dummy but I tell myself that I have to trust I made the right decision at the time. When I then reflect why I made that decision i'm normally all right again.

hope some of that makes sense

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happymummytobe · 22/11/2011 04:16

Hello all - 4 weeks in to motherhood and I've finally re-found this thread! Am reading through and catching up. Lovely to hear how everyone is doing!

CheshireDing · 22/11/2011 07:11

Glad to see you back Groovy, I have been wondering how you have been getting on with baby and ex-P and hope everything is going okay. Did you get a mention at your Brothers wedding? Grin

HV is coming today which is making me cranky/giving me a stress head, which I also know is stupid. I am trying to not let the last time dwell when I see her. I am sure she is a nice lady really . Cleaned up in preparation and DH said now she will think I need help because she will think the house is too clean and why is there not washing everywhere and why I am not still in my pj's! I told him it is all a front and that most of the time I cannot even get to go for a wee.

Should also be having a 6 week GP check today, although this is the 3rd time it has been booked, I think P is really heavy and long so we shall see.

GroovyRach · 22/11/2011 08:49

Quick post, yes had S on fri at 8.13pm, out hospital at 5pm Saturday and made it to wedding by 9.30pm Grin

Not a clue how I done it. Im blaming the gas and air for my confused state of mind that saw me drive myself an hr with a 24hr old baby to the wedding Blush. Never told anyone I was coming, just turned up and gave everyone a fright Wink

Be back later properly. Hairdresser coming to sort my roots that are currently down to my ears. Attractive...!!! Wink

bilblio · 22/11/2011 10:44

emmazed glad to hear the extractor fan works. :)
White noise is great. I interrupted Seth's feed last night to eat my tea ( there's nothing worse than cold scrambled egg.) I had one foot on Seth's bouncy chair twitching him so he stayed quite while I ate, and typically he fell asleep. I decided to do some tidying while I could, I put some washing in to dry and he ended up sleeping for 1.5 hours!

We've started getting proper smiles here in the past few days, although I think the ones he's giving me now may be associated with the aroma from his nappy. Hmm

DH has man flu (he said that himself) so Seth & I are off shopping this morning. I hate shopping. DH does the cooking, I just push the trolley when we shop normally.Plus I'm veggie so get all confused over meat choices.

The shopping list DH gave me is all meat veg & fruit.
The one I made is toiletries, cleaning stuff and sweet things. I'm planning on baking for the school fair and getting Christmas baking started. There are 5 types of sugar on there! Shock
That sums us up really. :o I do the cleaning and treats, he keeps us from starving :)

CheshireDing · 22/11/2011 13:01

Bilblio I am veggie and hate it when DH asks me to buy some meat for him, I have no idea about it!

Everything all good at GP check and I can start going back to the gym, P weighs 9lb 10oz at 7 weeks so considering she was 6lb at birth she is a right heifer now Grin. Apparently she was on the 9th centile and is now on 25th.

Baby swimming tomorrow :)

MrsP81 · 22/11/2011 13:02

Hi groovyrach and happy, welcome back!

I have been quite ill the last couple of weeks so just been trying to keep my head above water really. It's hard to feed and settle a baby while I am coughing so much that I am sick. Am currently on antibiotics and DD seems to have gone off my milk. Not sure if they're related but I do have a bitter taste in my mouth so wonder if my milk tastes bitter too.

mpops I could also have written your post. I don't have a typical day at the moment, just doing whatever it takes to make it to the next day really! I feel utterly useless tbh. Every time I think I am starting to understand DD her behaviour changes!

I am jealous of your run penguin, looking forward to being able to go for one too!

PenguinArmy · 22/11/2011 13:12

I gave up looking for meat the other week, was too confusing.

We had our 6 week (!!) check today, DS is 10lbs 3oz (birthweight 6lbs 11oz) so a 3lbs 8oz gain. DD weighed slightly more at birth and didn't weigh that until 3.5months. Looks like I might have a normal gainer this time around. I mentioned to the GP that he does a gaspy thing, almost like he's drowning/full of liquid during feeds at time. He asked questions but then didn't actually say anything. A nice simple 'nah that's nothing to worry about' would have been appreciated but I know if it wasn't he would have said something. Gone on the pill this time.

DD is starting to get better, her rash is going down but still tired. DS has slept most of yesterday and today so a bit worried he might get it but hoping with some sleep/rest plus antibodies from me it will be alright

MrsP :( I hope you are recovering

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Penelope1980 · 22/11/2011 21:08

Hope you are all well - A is growing so fast he's already out of many of his clothes! I am shattered this week - was fine last week but finding this week much harder as I am struggling with insomnia and can't get back to sleep after the night feeds. It's a problem as am so tired, but keep thinking of stupid upsetting stuff (that always seems rediculous when i think about it in the cold light of day) and then get stressed that I'm not asleep. I'm not sure what to do about it.

MamaMaiasaura · 22/11/2011 21:11

Can't believe Jessica a month old today. Got her weighed last week at 3w3d and she was 11lb3, little fattie Wink. She's got a good routine at night and went from 11 to 5am last night (usually its till 4). She's been under weather with bit of temp and very teary. Reckon she's got sore throat like her brothers. Temp better today tho. She still won't settle in day for sleep unless on me and sleeping in bed at night. Makes it hard to spend time 1-1 with ds's. Shes lifting her head more and smiling more too. First smile which wasn't wind was around 2 weeks and lifted her head around 3 weeks. Tho head control been good from early on. She's very lovely but am finding it hard to give ds's time and feel guilty for that. Also secretly worried I'm not doing so well. Sorry me me me me post again Sad

GroovyRach · 22/11/2011 22:20

Any tips for getting a 7 week old to sleep..? I'm close to the edge right now!

CheshireDing · 22/11/2011 22:26

My 7 weeker is awake and feeding so no Grin

GroovyRach · 22/11/2011 22:43

Lol. She just doesn't go down any earlier than midnight! I'm exhausted, eyes are stinging!! I knew doing this on my own would be hard, but didn't think this hard.

But then they smile and all is forgiven Grin

MrsP81 · 22/11/2011 23:26

My 5 week old is also awake and has been since 6pm, screaming the house down so I don't have any tips either! And she doesn't smile yet so harder to forgive.

GroovyRach · 22/11/2011 23:40

Yes, S has been screaming constant since 8.30pm. She is soooo tired aswell but just won't give in!!! Angry

GroovyRach · 22/11/2011 23:46

She is falling asleep in bouncer, can't let her sleep in that tho can I? All hell will break lose if I attempt to move her into basket!!

CheshireDing · 23/11/2011 01:59

Clutching at straws here and I am sure you have tried but P likes:-
less caffeine and more fruit/calming tea drank by me
holding her until she is floppy-arm asleep
massage before we go to bed
alternative - a lady I know said she used to hide in the bathroom with the fan on

LittlePebble · 23/11/2011 04:30

Hello everyone, nice to have you back groovy, mrsp and happy.
We had a hellish weekend with really bad wind Sunday night and think it's direct result of eating broccoli and cabbage for tea as has been much better since.
groovy I get E to sleep however possible and move to Moses once he's deeply asleep. Also HV told me to drink chamomile tea to help sleep (mrsp might help your insomnia?)
E currently feeding through very snuffly nose poor mite.