May Baby Mayhem!

[Bodeccia]

Hello fellow May mums. Let's follow on from our lovely ante-natal threads, here's the first of the post-natal ones. Join us as we work out how to handle nappies, feeding, colic, crying and all things newborn, or just to celebrate the joys of a new baby!

[sunshinela]

Hi ladies,
I've been having a quick read and noticed a lot of your babies are sleeping well at night. I was wondering of anyone's isn't? My son is 20 weeks and isn't the best sleeper. He usually gets bf and rocked to sleep at 7, wakes up an hour later, gets rocked to sleep again and then would wake twice around 3am and 5am for a feed and then wake for the day around 7. HOWEVER for the past 2 weeks he falls asleep in our arms but wakes crying as soon as we put him down in the swing it cot. He wakes every half hour and takes about an hour to get to sleep again. We feel so so desperately tired. Is anyone else going through something similar?

[goodname]

sunshine ds2's sleep is quite good although it has worsened lately and i dont know why. However ds1 was about as terrible as yours, i remember the feeling of exhaustion so well. The only advise I can give is to let him sleep next to you, lie down in bedwith him, get him to sleep and then gently roll him on to his side and then just go to sleep yourself even if it is 7 0 clock. you need to get any sleep you can.
He could just be teething or having a developmental thing (see the wonder years book or website for more on that) though so it might pass really soon. Hoping it gets better for you soon

[sunshinela]

goodname thanks for your suggestions. I think it might just be a developmental thing but what is really really worrying us is that he has not been sleeping for 2 weeks now. It seems a bit too long as most people say your baby should resume back to sleeping after a week. I really hope this isn't a new thing and we are set for no sleep for the next few years. It's so hard to function. We are both just a bit upset as bedtime and nighttime in genreal has become a chore instead of a pleasure you know?

[Cydonia]

Hi everyone, can't believe I missed all this action on here!

Sunshinela - I don't know if this will help or not, but my DS is 18 weeks and his sleeping went all wrong at the end of August and is still not great! We have a long bedtime routine which has helped him go down quite easily, but he wakes generally every 2 hrs after that! I suppose I'm lucky that he does then go back to sleep after a feed, but it's still a pain. Sometimes he is better, like Sat night when he only woke twice, but then last night was back to about every 2 hours again. I struggle to get him to nap for longer than about half an hour at a time too, he usually has less than 2 hours worth of naps a day. I'm hoping he'll sleep better when he starts solids but I'm worried by then he will have a habit. If you want to check that you're not alone there is a thread in sleep about 4 month sleep regression/developmental leaping which made me feel better!

Limeflower your situation re a second child is almost exactly like mine! My DB lives abroad, but doesn't seem to be having any children, and BIL has one son who is 19, so do feel bad that DS won't have any cousins or siblings if we don't have another. Plus I apparently have a bicornuate (sp) uterus and was told to have a scan before TTC again. DP is also not keen on having another as we're getting on a bit, it's hard isn't it? We've been together for 12 years, why didn't we start this baby lark sooner?!

Wrigglebum that's interesting about the clothes, DS is fairly long and slim and his 3-6 months stuff from asda and next is still a bit big, especially the tops. Primark stuff fits much better, not tried tesco yet. I find I usually have to go up a size in asda though for myself.

Imissbrie I was thinking about getting one of those seats as struggling with bathtime at the moment. I have a sponge baby shaped support but it keeps slipping down, especially since DS had started wriggling and kicking his legs. It's a battle to keep him above the water! Does the seat just fit in a normal bath or still in the baby bath?
We go to a few classes as there's a good Surestart network round here so everything is free! We do baby massage ( this is great as also do some songs then have a cuppa and a good chat afterwards ), baby time, baby yoga and sometimes go to the BF support group too. I want to try swimming too but I need a new costume and haven't got round to looking for one yet.

Phew sorry that was a bit of a mammoth post! I was going to bore you all with my tongue tie worries but have just heard an ominous rumble in DS's nappy so better go and deal with that!

[LimeFlower]

Right then imissbrie as far a I know there are 2 FB groups-one from "late May bambinos" in PG forum and one from antenatal thread(the one we were on)

On "our" thread mythical offered to set up a FB group so you'll have to pm her if you want to join,have a look at her posts,there was no link unfortunately.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/antenatal_clubs/1429874-May-be-Babies-The-Third-Trimester?pg=11

The other FB was set up by katykuns from "late May Bambinos" and there was a link but can't find it.

Will try to write some more later as DS might wake up any minute now.

[cupcakefairy]

Sounds like all our babies are going through the so called 4 month sleep regression! my ds2 was doing so well then suddenly went crap.around 12 weeks and hasn't gone back yet! He goes 7pm to about 10pm when dh will pat him back to sleep (doesnt take long so obviously not hungry, grr!) Then typically wakes at 12, 2, 4 then 6.. I feed him every time cos it's just easier but sometimes he doesn't go straight back down & that's when I get really fed up..he was awake for an hour last night just messing about. I also have to change his nappy even though he doesn't poo, it gets so full of wee it leaks by morning if I don't so that means waking him up too much to change him :(
Just soo tired at the moment & really hoping it'll change soon. Ds1 did this too til he was about 7 months old.. we've started weaning now but doubt it'll help really.
My advice would be just keep to all routines..babies love routine & it will eventually sink in. Stay consistent with the way you deal with it.
sunshine it's so hard when u can't put them down isn't it. Ds1 was like that (thankfully ds2 found his thumb early on & just sticks it in when we put him down) with ds1 we did a form of pick up put down (baby whisperer method) where we rocked him for a few mins then let him cry for 1 min, then went in rocked him again etc. I know not everyone agrees with letting them cry at this age but when you KNOW they're tired & they're resisting it it's sometimes the only effective way to teach them how to sleep.

[imissbrie]

Just a quick post to let you know there is light at the end of the tunnel, Heidi went through the regression and has came out the other end. Getting up only once through the night for a feed!

[Cydonia]

When when when?! Last night DS went to bed at 8.40pm, and woke at 11.30, 2.00 ( awake here for over an hour ) 4.30 and 7am. He's been very grumpy today, messing about when feeding then screaming to be fed again and only had 2 naps of less than 30 mins each! Does he not need to sleep??? Hopefully he'll be tired and sleep better tonight but I doubt it :(

[LimeFlower]

Hello everybody:)

I'm off to the kitchen soon to clean up a bit.

cupcake how is your diet going?Asking because I put 3 kgs on and feeling an urge to do something about it.I came across this thread www.mumsnet.com/Talk/_chat/1576790-what-are-your-fav-healthy-ish-meals
and whay SCOTCHandWRY said stroke the chord.Sent her a pm asking for some details,hope she'll answer.

Hello sunshinela and goodname unfortunately can't say anything about bad sleeping habits as DS sleeps most of the night with just one wake.This morning we were just cuddling up in bed snoozing with DS at my boob when some b***d called with marketing research or something at 8 am and woke us up.GRRRRRR,NO,I'M NOT INTERESTED,I DON'T NEED SOLAR PANELS/LOFT INSULATIONS AND MY COMPUTER HASN'T GOT WINDOWS ON IT!JUST LEAVE ME ALONE!

Sorry for the rant,just the cheek of some people when you say "thanks but no",they still persist and call you rude when you raise your voice to say "thanks but no".

Cydonia I went once to baby massage and DS hated it.He wasn't the only one although I must admit he doesn't like being dressed/undressed with clothes going through his head.I'm trying to deal with it quickly but it's not easy when he wriggles like mad.DH was even worse-tried to pull the blouse off DS without unbuttoning it first(he didn't notice).By the time I rushed to the rescue DS was screaming blue murder.

Right then,off to the kitchen,lurking regularly but writing when I have the time(rarely).Take care everybody :)

[Cydonia]

Yes, sometimes baby massage is more 'babies screaming en masse'.... I quite liked that though, until I went I thought it was only my baby that screamed its head off for no apparent reason!

[LimeFlower]

Hello :)

Anybody here?

Will check later in the week-DS had his last jabs today,squeaked twice and that's it.Brave boy.
Managed to defrost the freezer and wash all the shelves.Sod the dishes,will do them tomorrow.
DH has installed a new boiler so the house is roasty-toasty:)
Was thinking about my MC-exactly 2 years ago was my EDD.Oh well,didn't mean to be(or maybe a bit later).
Saw my MIL without the cast first time-her hand doesn't look well

[Wrigglebum]

Yes we're still around, just pretty busy. I've been going to lots of school visits as we have to apply for school for ds1 this year. It seems so early as he's only just 3, but he's a July baby. Really want to make the right choice as between the two of them we'll be at that school for 10 years! It's also down to where we might get in as catchments here are tiny. Decisions, decisions...

We're still waiting to pass the sleep regression stage! About 4 wakings a night but co-sleeping helps. Adam's started eating a bit, we're trying a more blw type approach this time as ds1 really struggled when we introduced lumps. Adam can sit in his high chair no problems, pick up things and bite and chew. We'll stick with fruit and veg until he's 26 weeks but he's doing well. Asparagus and broccoli are rather a hit and he did well on his pear slices. Some is definitely going in as lumps are coming out the other end!

[cupcakefairy]

I'm glad others are still in the regression phase... ds2 is just waking me so much :( and we can't sleep train a bit like we did with ds1 cos I can't let him cry in case he wakes ds1. The worst bit is that ds2 wakes around 5.30 for a feed and by the time he's sorted out and back in bed, ds1 is getting up... I'm so tired :(
Just really hoping it all sorts itself... with ds1 we put him in his own room which helped loads but as we only have 2 rooms it's a bit of a dilemma

ANYWAY... lime the diet is going really well thanks! Been on it just over a month and have lost 12.25lbs, very pleased. Still a long way to go to get back to pre-preg weight...about another 18lbs!! I put on so much this time... but am starting to fit back into clothes, yippee!

ds2 is a hungry boy so weaning is going well but am only giving him one meal a day at the mo...I'm sure he'd eat more but I'm actually too lazy so will start with breakfast in a couple of weeks.

[Bodeccia]

Hi all

We're back from France, seeing A's grandparents. Travelling with her wasn't as bad as I feared. We were given a travel cot before going, but I didn't use it much. A was either with us in bed or sleeping in a carry cot (less bending down for me).

I think we're through the sleep regression phase, in fact A slept through from 10pm to 6.30am for the first time - a.ma.zing! I don't want to jinx it, so I'll leave it there. She was a bit of a nightmare beforehand, waking every two hours for about a week. I should mention that when we were in France, our friend (who has 2 DDs) said that they slept through from 6 weeks. Both. Well, I'm happy for her

We're about to try weaning at some point soon, I've just ordered a high chair, spoons etc. A is 19 weeks now, and she isn't showing much interest in food, so I'm not going to push it. When she starts grabbing food from our plates or appears to be still hungry after her feed, I'll give it a go.

I have one last week of maternity leave, then its back to work - yikes! I'm dreading/looking forward to it. I'm looking forward to earning a bit more money, we're sick of being so skint. I'm a bit sad that I'll not be able to take A to the activities we've been doing during the week. However, DH is going to do the child care, so I'm relieved we haven't had to go through the rigmarole of all that. I'm also glad she'll be with someone she knows. I haven't been apart from A ever - she's been with me (or in my tummy) all the time, and I'm a bit sad that I'll be away from her all day :(

Well done on the diet, cupcake!
Sorry you're having a tricky time, lime. I'm not sure you ever really get over a MC. Sending you hugs ((())) I hope your MIL's hand gets better, I bet she's glad to get rid of the plaster.
Best of luck getting your school wriggle. I can't imagine where to start with all that..!

[SirCharles]

Morning all. Just checking in. I lost this thread for a while so glad to find you all again.
Are you still BF? Having struggled to get it started (PTT not snipped til 4 weeks, no milk, v skinny baby had to be seen by paediatrician to ensure nothing else going on, now I'm taking domperidone and mothers milk capsules) i am still BF and have no immediate plans to stop. Hurrah it works!!!

Not caught up on the whole thread yet but see sleep is a hot topic. PFB sleeps for about 3-4 hours at the start of the night and about 2-3 hours towards morning. Luckily we co-sleep from the middle of the night feed which means I am less tired than I could be!!! He starts off in his side car cot but it is a real pain getting him in there some nights. He falls asleep on the boob but transferring him to the cot can be a delicate mission. Recently he has started to wake up 20-40 minutes later too. Luckily DH picks up the reins then and gets him back to sleep but it is quite tiring. Hopefully it is a phase he will get through soon. Amusingly one night last week he slept for 3 hours from 8pm. At 9pm we were both looking at the clock and dared not mention out loud to one anothe that it was amazing he had not woken yet!!!!
After SiL DS2 died of cot death in the summer (@6monthas) we got an angel mat. Amazing piece of mind (when I remember to turn it on). Stops me running upstairs when PFB sleeps longer than expected!!!

Cannot believe the 6 months weaning onto solids stage is looming. Is there any reason why some of you are starting earlier? (just interested as there is so much conflicting advice around). PFB loves his high chair. He looks so cute in it too. We don't give him food and he has no interest in toys but he loves join in at meals.

Looking forward to checking in again soon.

[LimeFlower]

Wrigglebum what would happen if you didn't apply for the school now?No school at all or just not such a good one?
about the lumps coming out of the other length

cupcake wooooow!congratulations on shedding the weight!please pass a few tips/recipes as I'm still looking for some inspiration-today I had such craving for something sweet i swear these biscuits are blinking at me in the cupboard that i ate big pot of yoghurt and half a pineapple.not sure whether it's good or not but started to think that sweet stuff is the same addictive as cigarettes.

Bodeccia good luck at work!I'll try to find the high chair 2nd hand somewhere locally.Thanks for the hugs-they are always welcome:) I don't think I will ever forget the date but I got DS at the end so it's much easier than if you're longing for a baby

SirCharles sorry to hear you've had some struggles with bf-glad you got it sorted.I had DS on antibiotics at 3 weeks old not putting weight,not so helpful HV and lovely bf supporters.Still bf,DS gets 1 bottle of formula at night(reduced from 3).I love bf,it's just only-my-time-with-DS-feels so special when i can look at him,cuddle,stroke and feel his body against mine.

As for weaning-not starting until DS indicates that he needs that.Went to charity shop and got a book with recipes Annabel Karmel.A bit disappointed as had a quick glance and didn't notice beetroot at all which is my favourite veg.DS quite grumpy now,he's definitely teething as he wants to bite everything and his hands are constantly in his mouth.Going through 20 bibs a day or so.

Off I go,take care ladies and write a few words if you have time haha

[goodname]

Ha think beetroot for babies would lead to some scary nappies :)). We are suffering very badly with sleep here too, read that at 4-5 months the way babies sleep changes so they gave deeper sleep but it means they are more shocked when they awake from sleep cycle. Don't know how this helps but its interesting to know. I am in similar position to cupcake with no spare room for ds2 but complicated by ds1 still sleeping badly. Also struggling with having ds1 waking at 6 or 6.30 and then no nap all day means no down time at all. Have to admitt we are watching more bob the builder than I would like just to cope. Hate that as we were very much a no tv family before baby came however needs must and I heed some peace to get ds2 to nap :(. Hope sleep gets better soon for everyone. Hate that person who has 2 dc sleeping thru from 6 weeks just annoying. My cousin left both hers to cry to sleep from first week this shocked me but they sleep amazingly well. I couldn't do that though just don't have it in me

[TheOtherHelenMumsnet]

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[LimeFlower]

You're right goodname ,many stories around beetroot scare from adults-I remember going to see midwife and completely forgot about the visit munching beetroot for dinner.Next day appeared at the surgery guilty looking with a sample of pinkish pee

I hope DS is going to like beetroot because his father is a fussy bugger picky eater so 1 of them is enough in the house.

I haven't got a clue how people manage with more than 1 child.I'm thinking about 2nd already when my 1st is giving me hard time sometimes.

DS will go for a nap in the pushchair while walking and sometimes when he feeds(and in the car obviously).If I manage to close my eyes just for 5 minutes feeding him I feel soooo much better but then I freak out that I'll fall asleep and crush him.

The same with us re tv-no tv in the house.I can stick DS at the front of washing machine when I'm doing colours-the same interesting chewing gum as TV.

Just waiting for the washing machine to finish and cooking the dinner for tomorrow,then bedtime at last-my little bugger darling was up in the night and started the day early-he had a few naps in the car while I was on my legs all day.

Take care ladies x :)

[goodname]

I think I have the only baby in the world who absolutely will not nap in the car or the buggy. car = total meltdown everytime :(

[sunshinela]

goodname my DS used to make me walk for 3 hours a day as this is the only place he would nap. Suddenly a few weeks ago he stopped napping in his stroller and car seat. He screams when I put him in them. So you are not the only one! Fussy little monkeys!

[SirCharles]

Ha ha. You are not alone *sunshine, goodname". My DS will sleep in the buggy or car if he fancies it but otherwise will just scream & scream!!!

[SirCharles]

limeflower have you tried bf lying down? You could have 40 winks and be safe/not worried you will crush the baby. I do it every day and it is brilliant for resting.

[Cydonia]

Limeflower I'm chuckling to myself picturing your LO sitting watching the washing machine! My DS likes the noise/vibrations but hadn't thought about watching the colours go round, will have to give it a try.

SirCharles yes, still BF-ing here, 20 weeks now. It's not easy, been struggling a bit recently with positioning and a worry about tongue tie but definitely worth it. What is annoying me is people who admit they don't know about BF-ing ( MIL, friends, mothers of friends, DP ) giving me 'advice' about giving water, juice, formula, weaning early blah blah blah. I've read so much on the subject and been to support groups and had loads of great advice on here, I know what I'm talking about, you don't, so f**k off!! Just wanted to get that off my chest!

DS is sleeping a bit better (shhhh!) but there's still a lot of teeth to come through yet so I'm not counting any chickens yet. This week he's discovered he can grab his feet, which is making nappy changes even more of a challenge. I'm thinking of taking him swimming soon as he loves splashing in the bath now. Has anyone been yet?

[goodname]

We have started taking the bus and train eerywhere! Finn sleeps in the sling but hes blinking heavy or being fed, that is it except occasionally in a darkened room with the hoover on when he is overtired like last night.
Still well and truly bf here, needs fed every 2 hours as he is a hungry wee thing. Starting food now as he is 1 week off 6 months. wolfed down his banana tonight so will see how tommorrow goes.