Jan 06 babies - no sleep til....!

[GeorginaP]

Hi there. Anyone feel up to joining me from Jan 06 ante-natal thread?

Hello 1 and all..Well, Spring is here! It's bloomin'cold but mostly sunny! Looking forward to the summertime!
Happy as ever to read things are mostly going well, altho' :( for SweetKitty and your poorly lo's, I'm dreading the first time Bee gets really sick, her gas is enough of a problem! (tho' it appears to be settling a little! - thank you for the tips Eshay!).

It's late and I'm very tired, but I had to come on and share my latest experience! Took the LO to Cambridge today to meet up with my family (we're in Norwich!), her first time on the train! Anyway, we all went for a nice afternoon meal in Ask (semi-fancy pizza/pasta place!). Towards the end of our meal a middle aged woman and her partner came in and were sat near us, they ordered their food and drank their glasses of red wine.... I was rather stunned when the woman commented on my age (or lack of). I felt her rather snide "Gosh, another young mum" was unnecessary! Yes, I am 21 (22 in a few weeks :o) BUT I'm in a steady relationship, prior to pregnancy I worked and studied, we own our own house and I am doing a damn good job at raising our baby (imho!). At about 6 (so not exactly prime time evening-meal) Beebe became slightly unsettled and cried for a few minutes... the woman then made two further comments about my in-abilities as a mother and my miserable child (she's 5 weeks old, babies cry!!!).

All of this obviously left me rather annoyed and slightly upset. Do you all want to know the worst thing about this though? The woman and her husband were sat at the table with their son (who must have been about 5)... So she was a mother! I was very tempted to turn around and retort with "personally I find it rather sad that you find your own child so uninteresting you have to sit criticising mine!". I really did feel for him, when he wasn't been completely ignored he was being treated like an adult.. 5 year olds are meant to be messy and having fun, not sat all prim and proper! Scary stuff.

Anyway Bee needs feeding, then hopefully there will be some serious sleeping! Tho' I fear she may be completely over-stimulated!
Have a good night all!
Love and zzz's xxx

lilstarry - that's awful, what a horrid woman! Don't let her get to you. You know what a good job you're doing and thats all that matters.

My mum & step-dad arrived today from Glasgow to visit for a few days so today's been a flurry of cleaning, changing sheets etc. Lots of fun!

I've been an avid ebayer for a couple of years now, and bought almost everything we needed for DD there, as well as making a few quid selling bits and pieces I no longer use (have a load of baby related items on there at the mo if anyone's interested in having a browse - same name), but I recently discovered something that's almost as much fun as ebay. Freecycle! In the last week we've had someone come and take the double bed we no longer have room for in the spare room, and have received a travel cot, a sofa bed to replace the double bed in the spare room, and a Silver Cross Wayfarer Carrycot/Buggy combo. All for free! How cool is that? I'm particularly impressed with the carrycot/buggy. It's in immaculate condition. My mum's taking it back to Glasgow with her for us to use when we visit. If you haven't discovered Freecycle yet have a look at \link{http://freecycle.org/\freecycle.org/} It's basically sites organised around geographical areas where people can offer up items they no longer want to anyone willing to collect. It's a great way to get rid of items that are too good to scrap, but not really worth selling, and a fab way to pick up some great stuff. Sorry if I'm going on, I'm just really impressed with the whole concept.

I've posted some pics of Lola on the yahoo group, it wouldn't let me add to my original album so have created a 2nd album under the Due in Jan heading.

Off to Blackbush market tomorrow with mum and DD, will be nice to get out of the house. I think DH will be glad of some peace too!

Still no resumption of bedroom activities. I'm currently sleeping on the couch with DD in the moses basket next to me, as it's just so much easier to deal with the night feed etc if I'm downstairs. When the parents leave on Tuesday tho I'm going to move upstairs and move DD into her own room. I know 8 weeks might seem early but she's kinda outgrowing the moses basket (width-wise, not length). We have a video baby monitor and her room's so close to ours it won't be much different to having her in the same room. We'll see, if it doesn't work will rethink but gonna give it a go.

Well I'm off to get some rest, feel wide awake so prob won't sleep for a bit. Night all.

just a quickie -

lyra - how about 2 single duvets? Easier to control where everyone is in the bed!!

rach - lol @ tingles!!

lilstarry - stuff that lady!! sounds like you've got it straight tho :)

BBWBL - freecycle sounds brill - we have lots of stuff like that ... shame we're not in UK

sk - dd2 also threw up for the 1st time this wk - odd these bugs seem international. little mite was very confused :(

everyone else lots of love!!
t
x

ohhhh, i feel like pants. totally self inflicted so can't be too upset. dh and i went out for our first date since nov last night. nice meal, nice wine.....monster hangover . was vomming in the loo at 1.30am..... ughhhh.

hangovers and babaies don't mix. had forgotten this vital bit of information.

just wanted to say hi to you all.

will write more tomorrow and catch up with everything that's been going on.

kisses

g xx

hello from Chez kitty renamed pukesville!!! Had an awful weekend, after Abbie being sick Weds/Thursday, Talia was sick Friday, Abbie was having diarrhoea nappies then was sick Friday night again, 4am I awoke with stomach cramps you guessed it sick and diarrhoea spent most of yesterday in bed with Talia who was also sick again (projectile vomiting not the usual posseting) then last night awoke to DP being sick in the ensuite - lovely. Have no clothes left they have all been sicked on. Think we are over the worst of it now.

Lyra - congrats about getting back in the saddle we have still not more due to both of us being so tired and Talia been so unsettled at night, have e-mailed you re your cosleeping question but basically I am an awful mother and Talia sleeps under the duvet with the 2 of us but her head is at my head level so she doesn't go under the duvet. If the little madam gets over on her side she can roll onto her front which she loves sleeping on.

lilstarry - old bag in the restaurant I would have had to say something to her, none of her business what age you have your babies at!

Lisa - will check out that site thanks for the link. Know what you mean about the moses basket T sleeps in hers in her travel cot during the day, I know that does not make any sense but travel cot is to protect her from Abbie and she's too big for it now as well. Your back must be agony sleeping on the sofa too.

Tickle - good to see you too sorry about your DD

Georgie - am very at you being hungover yes hangovers and changing nappies don't mix!

What a lovely morning it is here. No snow but a beautiful blue sky so I'm hoping to go for a nice walk later on. FIrst I have to get myself to the post office though. I still have a pile of Thank You cards sitting on the table and a present for my mum. She's turned 65 today and I am late sending her a gift... I did ring first thing this morning so she knows I haven't forgotten.
SweetKitty, I so feel for you with the whole family being sick. It's hard enough caring for two kids that close in age when they're all healthy and happy. This weekend everyone in our household finally seemed to be back to normal again and it make such a difference.

WE have been very brave and put Alex in his own room last night. I know 6 weeks is considered very young but I take heart from the fact that I never slept in my parents' room. Back then no one did that. I was a bit nervous but his room is right next to ours so we hear him when he makes any noise louder than a snuffle. We used the baby monitor too, with a clock ticking next to it so I could be sure it worked. And what a good night I had. I still had to get up and feed the little man of course but in between I just got much more sleep, and better sleep too. So I say, Lisa, go for it when your guests leave.

Alex amazes me and loves trying to stand already. When I support him under the arms he can take quite a bit of his weight on his legs
already. I don't remember Thomas doing that at 6 weeks. He does not like being put down in his play nest though. He lasts about 1 minute and then wants to be picked up again. What do the various babies do when they're not feeding (apart from sleeping obviously)?

Hi there - fab day here too got the carpet cleaners in today as Millie's anal glands exploded everywhere yesterday - it was absolutely vile. The smell got everywhere. DH has taken her to the vets then it's another bath for her when she gets back(she hates them - poor thing).

Eshay - Dom hates his baby nest too. Being on his tum isn't much better as he seems to get frustrated that he can't move - just launches himself forward with his legs onto his face. We were given a load of toys that a friend's baby had grown out of & the best thing is a musical keyboard affair that you can turn over so that the baby can kick it to change the music - it'll keep Dom happy for 15 minutes or so. Apart from that I seem to end up carrying him around so he can look at things - he's very inquisitive.

Sweetkitty - you poooor thing - what a nightmare! hope you're all feeling a bit better now. One thing after another isn't it!

Georgie - bad luck hon. I felt similar last weekend when DH came home but was just too embarassed to admit it . Night feeds after good food/wine... baad combo - good lesson learnt early for me I think!

BBWBL - what a fab site! I've registered but not looked properly yet.

(excuse rest of post - now 1 handed)

Lilstarry1 - [angry} at old bag!! - people can be so judgemental can't they - sad that they know no better. My DD gets filthy looks every time we go out as everyone thinks Dom is hers & that Im the gran!!

DH is looking after Dom later so I can go & give a friend a massage (she's been really stressed out ever since her drink got spiked with drugs at a 40th birthday houseparty (how scary is that!! - luckily she was able to contact someone before she passed out)Anyway - best go feed again. have agood one all x

Hi everyone, gorgeous day here too! like the first day of spring :)

Finn is sleeping a longish stretch (5-6, did 12.30-7.30 last week :) ) hrs first off at night (in his own cot - hurrah!) and then coming in bed with us maybe for the early morning. We are very lucky, the bedside cod is fab. We have a kingsize bed - even with that dp is 6'5'' and has to lie diagonally! I do worry that dp would squash him so what I do Lyra , is to always make sure I'm feeding to the left of me (cot side) so Finn has plenty of room and is outside our duvet (which I wriggle back under). I feed 1,2 or even 3 sides to make sure he ends up back on my left! Tickle's suggestion of 2 singles sounds good - and what about a bed guard? Also we have started using a grobag now he's bigger (anyone else?) which is fab - keeps him portable and cosy, solves the bedding problem v.well.

Finn loves kicking under his playgym and mat but he's not happy in a low chair - I find propping himn in the pram better.

Lilstarry - welcome to motherhood! you are not going to believe what total strangers are going to say to you (mostly - 'I think s/he is hungry?' every time they squeak). There are plenty of old bags out there with an opinion on everything - just take it as a compliment, she probably thought you were about 17

Sweetkitty - hope Abbie is better, poor thing and don't be misled - our sex life doesn't have much foreplay at the mo - hence the need for a bit of KY!

Iris - sympathise with poor Millie, we have been noticing a total lack of Finn's socks recently - until they turn up in the garden in Billy's poo! Not surprisingly he also likes my (supposed to be reusable) breast pads! I have about 2 left.

I am still loving my nappies (I know I am sad! _ I don't do any housework though!) Tots bots fluffles are great, really soft microfibre (bit like a bumble in design?) and for anyone without a tumble drier - they are virtually dry straight from the washing machine.

quick question for you lovely ladies.... has anyone ever done Gina Ford on their baby? Even just a little bit? Have started today as am at wits end re: night wakings etc. Have read bits of it and does seem to make sense. Think I will cherry pick bits that suit rather than following it to the letter.

Am back in the saddle. ohh it was lovely ....if a little quick . But don't tell DH i told you this

Bugger, supper reeady. better dash.

More later

g xx

Georgie - I probably should be embarassed to admit but I've no idea what her methods are (perhaps I should find out). I'm just doing what I did with DD & hoping it works. I've started getting Dom up at his first proper morning feed (now I can stand it) in the hope that he'll sleep better at night. he did go down 2 hours earlier last night so something worked what's everyone else doing then?

georgie, i am a bit of a Gina fan although i have not actually started alex on her routines properly. She changed my life around when Thomas was little. I was doing the whole on demand thing and it was just not working for us. I ended up cluster feeding all evening (7pm-2am) almost every night and was completely exhausted. Then DH bought one of her books and I introduced a few of her ideas, mainly the feeding times. Suddenly Thomas was much happier and my day was more manageable because it was more predictable. I do have to say Thomas was probably around 5 months old when I started.
I have not started Alex on GF's routines just yet. He has just needed much more sleep than she suggests, he can be impossible to wake. Also, we have had too many guests so his room has been a mess with people staying there. I am trying to introduce a few of her ideas this week but I am finding it quite hard as Alex just loves sleeping. The evening routine has worked a few times now, where we put him down at 7pm and wake him for a feed at 10.30pm. Of course last night he would not go down at all until 9pm but he did then sleep through till 2am so that wasn't too bad. He does generally wake twice in the night, I can't wait till it's just once. What is happening at night for you?

hi girls :) one handed as usual... theo is talking & smiling to my navy/white striped t-shirt as he feeds!

iris your poor friend - what a shocker! did they find out what it was?? How could anyone think that was amusing?

Theo spends a lot of time on his changing mat (out of reach of dd2!) under a mobile. he loves it. in the evening tho he's hard to put down, (like the expression cluster feeding!) and goes to bed around 10.30pm with me... feeds til around 11 then he sleeps til 4.30 or 5 so no gina here, as this is one rhythm i don't want to break :)

friends have lent us a cradle which is suspended from a beam in the ceiling - it's lovely to rock him to sleep - it's at the foot of our bed. he'll stay in with us for a long time, as the other 3 are downstairs sharing one room!

How's the feeding going everyone?

congrats georgie on the bedroom activities - our lips are sealed

off to meet dh at work for lunch - not so glamourous, as i take the food, 2 kids and we eat in a barn, but hell - it's sunny

Hello All, this really is a quick 1 - Where on earth is the yahoo picture site people keep talking about? Only, I'm very keen to see all the little ones! If some one could point me in the right direction I'd be very grateful :)

How are you all? I'm fine, little tired (goes with the territory tho' doesn't it?) Have started co-sleeping, didn't really want to as I don't want to have problems later on.. but Bee seems ok in her Moses basket during the day so I hope it isn't too much of a problem! As for GF, I just couldn't at this time, it all seems far too controlling! I like the idea of routine but I also like the idea of accommodating and responding to Bee's needs, which vary hourly let alone daily!

Ok, must dash, need to make a shopping list :o
Love to you all

Lilstarry, I'm no good at doing links but here is the URL for the Yahoo site. You will have to sign up and then you can see quite a few of us and our babies (also people who were due in other months). health.groups.yahoo.com/group/mumsnetpix

hi all we're all feeling much better her now thanks for all your best wishes, horrible when the little ones are ill

Horrid rainy day here today went to Mother and Toddlers which was good, did a bit of shopping, then went a bit mad with the housework (both babies were asleep) even managed a shower am completely exhausted now and will probably be in bed by 9.

Talia is sleeping a lot better now usually last feed at between 9-10pm, feed around 3ish then thats her until about 8. Pity Abbie gets up at 6.30am. She has even slept in the bedside cot then I bring her over for her feed.

lilstarry - I used to think that about cosleeping mostly due to others warning she would still in in our bed age 5, it's like a guilty secret admitting you like cosleeping. I love it when they are little. DD1 moved out into her travel cot at 9 months but still came in with us in the night, she went into her own cot at 15 months absolutely fine, now at 19 months she has her nap in her cot and sleeps through the night no problem, go with you feel is best for you and your DD thats my advice.

Georgie - congrats about getting back in the saddle I don't blame your poor DH to be honest poor love

As for Gina Ford - I read her book after DD1 was born thought sod that far too regimented and sold it on ebay. I'm a bit of a lazy go with the flow type of mother I must admit, I have had it easy with DD1 who sort of fell into her own routine. I also find it difficult to stick to regimented nap times etc at weekends if you want to go on days out or have visitors etc

Anyway hope everyone else is surviving, Talia has started with teh gummy smiles and giggling makes it all worthwhile doesn't it [snile]

Is it true that girls get into a routine more quickly than boys? Just wondering after a comment a friend made today. (I'm sure DD slept much longer at night and younger than Dom but I'm not sure whether that's just me being a bit "rose tinted specs")

Had a quick flick through Gina Ford in Waterstones today - blimey she's strict!! Feel like I can't be arsed at the mo but may change my mind if Dom continues snacking every 2 hours through the night. Any tips on how to keep him awake for a full feed or do I have to make him wait and just grin & bear the screaming ab dabs?

Sweetkitty - we're just getting the regular smiles now too. They bring tears to my eyes (what a wuss ). Dom gave my dad a huge grin a few weeks ago when they met and I was starting to get a bit paranoid that there was something wrong as he seemed to be looking all around but not actually at us. Love the fact that he's so obviously progressing.

Tickle - they think they know who it was but can't do anything unless they catch him. The hosts were totally mortified.Police are involved though. He apparently spiked 4 girls drinks (all who were there without partners) with cocaine and, they think, rohypnol. Apparently the concoction could have been fatal - with it being with alcohol. Luckily each of them felt so ill that they got taken home before passing out. My friend has been beside herself ever since and is having real problems coming to terms with it. It's so scary that it could happen at a house party though!!!

Rach - your fluffles. I'm still waiting for my order from the Nappy Lady. Do like the Motherease ones though which we're using at night (even DH does and that's saying something!!)

I went to a mates for a clothes swap party earlier (excellent staging post pre charity shop) & got a few new clothes but apparently Dom screamed for the hour I was there so I feel really guilty (why - I don't know. After all he's DH's child too) awake now so best go feed. night all xx

Hi lovely ladies

Where does the time go? Libby is 8 weeks old now and had her first jabs yesterday. Chripes alive she screamed the place down.

Gina Ford routine going really well. Am following it loosely and Libs seems to be beter for it. And me to be honest. Like to know what my day has in store for me and at least with a routine I can plan things.

last n ight was magic. She went down like a log at 7pm. We woke her at 10pm for a feed and i was in bed by 10.45. She slept until 4am then quick feed. Back on bed by 4.15 and then up again at 6.15 for lovely snoozy BF in bed. She's in her own room now and that's much better. Still in the basket, but in her cot.

Think this might be a winner.

Anyway, how is everyone?

Sweetkit - everyone better in your house now? Sounded awful that you all came down this this bug. Must have been poo/sick central for a while!

iris - can't beleive what happen ed to your friend. How frightening must that have been? Someone should take him downa dark alley and knock seven shades of sh$t out of him.

Rach - those condoms sound fab! what brand and where did you get them .

Lilstarry - grrr to the rude lady, it is amazing how eaasy it is for others to critise to detract from their own problems.

Libster is also smiling away. Huge grins for her big sister and her daddy. If I lay her under her mobile she chatters away to me. her best sound is something that sounds like 'yogi'.

Am really enjoying this time with her. Much more so than with Mollie. Guess its just experience and being a little more laid back.

Right better get on. Am having a shocker with Lambeth council. I rented my house to them and they were supposed to pay the rental sum on 1 Feb. So far I've got diddly squat. It's a nightmare of red tape and sheer stupidity. Am speaking to my solicitor now to try and recover the money. Arrgghhhhh. How can so many people be so unprofessional and down right stupid. A lobotomised chimp could do their job better.

Love and hugs to all

G xx

Hi all

Not keeping up here! I think Gina Ford really divides mums! Actually though I think you can take from it what you like. I don't think you can prescribe for all mums and all babies though. I don't like to be told when I can leave the house! Personally I prefer to go with the flow this time as I have the luxury of 7 months off (work anyway!), although when I had my ds1 and then ds2 whilst working I needed some structure and routine to feeding and sleeping. Unfortunately one was up at 6am and one at 8am and this is true even now they are 12 and 10. Dd just fitted in wherever and however. I think babies fall into their own routine. I wouldn't like to put FInn down at 7pm because I'd be afraid he would be up all night! I'll leave that until he sleeps through and then I will wake him for a last feed whenever I go to bed. I actually try to keep him awake in the late evening to make him really tired so he settles quickly when we go to bed (11ish although he depends on dp's hours). He then wakes about 4-5 for a feed and goes straight back. Breakfast for him is then about 8am. I think he still has 3 'meals' 2-3 more snacks maybe and a good bedtime feed. I can actually manipulate his sleeping etc by feeding on demand I think if I need to go out etc.

Iris - have you tried changing his nappy/offering both boobs/winding etc to wake him up a bit to take some more?

Georgie - on your own head (er tail...) be it! They were normal durex condoms and came with trial sachets of 'PLAY' - the one I remember is called 'TINGLE' - I think they sell it separately too!

BTW I'm having a financial morning here, peeing with rain constantly for the second day running so we can't get out for a walk. Anyway, I hope you have all claimed your child ben - you need the birth certificate and they can only backdate it for 3 months. Also, child tax credit (suppressing a rant here...apparently I owe them £2,500... I am disputing!) for your new babe - remember you get twice as much for a child under one.

HELP!!!
Lola had her 8 week jabs today and has gone from being a wee angel who NEVER cried, to being totally inconsolable. She's been crying every time I put her down since about 4pm when we got back from the docs.
Any advice much appreciated. Is this normal? Will it last?

Oh Lisa - I'm so sorry Calpol? (think they do a baby version) I know Homeopaths can give a remedy to counter the negative effects of jabs if that's any use (no idea what it is though as I've yet to get Dom's sorted). Has anyone else's LO had a bad reaction?

Feel a bit guilty about being so joyful this morning in the light of that

Weather's better here than it has been(no rain) so at least well be able to go out for a trundle today.Has anyone still got snow? I'm so miffed it missed us. Think I may have a breakthrough with Dom. I gave him 3oz bottle of EBM before his bedtime boob last night & got 2 lots of 4 hours sleep!! Poor thing was obviously waking so much before because he was hungry. It worked really well as he didn't have much at either 2am or 6 despite nappy change & best efforts to keep him awake (thanks for the tips Rach)I've just expressed 4oz for tonight so fingers crossed this is the way ahead (though I've thought that on many occasions over the past couple of weeks) but I can't believe how awake and refreshed I feel - I've been like a teary wet rag the last few days I was getting so knackered.

Has anyone's baby got a favourite place? Sounds strange but every time Dom is put on the changing unit (nappy on or off) he is instantly calm and starts chattering & giggling as if he's talking to someone directly above him. It's really lovely but slightly strange. Anyone else got this?

Lisa all I can say is try giving her some Calpol (you can start at 8 weeks)

Abbie neverminded her jabs so I have no advice other than that think I gave her some Calpol anyway afterwards and a good feed.

Talia seems to be settling into a routine at night (fingers crossed) last night asleep at 10.30pm I woke at 4 and she was restless offered her a boob she never took it, she eventually had one at 6am and she's still asleep now (right boob going to explode though), like Rach though I like her to be awake late evening as hopefully can stock her up on milk to go through the night, does have it's disadvantages as it means DP and I never have any baby free time but it's not forever. Eventually I will start to bring the last feeds forward.

Am off to order a new bed today for DP and I (no innuendos please) am annoyed as our bed is only 3 years old and is knackered one of the struts underneath is broken (at DPs side!) so we are rolling on top on him. Am keeping the headboard though it served me well as I remember grabbing it so tightly during labour!!!

Better go Abbie has the nappy bags all over the carpet.

Hi all,

We had a good night, only one waking at around 3 and then not until just before 7am. Still, I am feeling quite tired today. Not sure why. I just had a bath with Alex. He loved it! I've never seen him smile so much. He most enjoyed floating on his back while I supported his head only. The tricky thing was getting out. I had everything ready and within easy reach but it's tougher than I thought, trying to keep baby warm while you're dripping water on him...

Yes, GF definitely does divide mothers. As with anything that concerns babies, what works for one baby might not work for another one at all. And the same applies to the mums of course. I discovered I quite like a bit of structure in my day and I love the fact we pretty much have our evenings back to ourselves already.

Lisa, I hope Lola has forgotten about the mean nurse with the needle and is feeling better today.

Rach, thanks for the reminder about child benefit. All sorted!

IRis, Alex' favourite place is definitely over my shoulder. He's such a shoulder baby. It's only since yesterday that he seems okay with spending some time in his play nest. He still hates his bouncy chair, while that was Thomas' favourite thing in the world! Alex does seem to like lying on his changing mat although he doesn't much enjoy being put down anywhere else.

SweetKitty, good luck with the bed ordering today. Get a big Ikea one. They're absolutely huge compared to UK sizes.

Hiya

I had a crap night - not sure why, but Finn is a little unsettled, I hope my new healthy eating regime is not reducing my milk supply.

Lisa poor Lola, I hope she is feeling better today - it is 'normal' I think, that's why calpol say it can be used for post-immunisation fever at 2 months but of course it may be a total co-incidence? I'm lucky in that none of mine ever had any adverse reactions but I am not looking forward to next week at all, dp had convulsions as a child and I hope Finn doesn't get them too if he has a fever.

Pressed send too soon there! I watched the new series of 'desperate midwives' on BBC3 last night and saw a couple of c-sections - I ended up in floods of tears, think it brought it all back to me and they weren't even emergencies!

Finn is liking his bouncy chair a little now - he can almost (accidentally) bash the toys. He really likes kicking with his nappy off best.

Sweetkitty - good luck with the bed, I have an ikea bed too and the kingsize are definitely roomy, they have these nice mattress toppers too.

Lyra - hope you are ok? Not seen anything from you on here for ages!