Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Post-natal clubs

Join our Postnatal Clubs forum to find parenting advice for newborns.

April 2012 - Feeding, Facebook and finally summer!!

997 replies

Flisspaps · 15/06/2012 15:45

Apologies for the rubbish thread title - thought I'd cobble something together though!

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
LaTristesse · 26/07/2012 21:40

Hehe Holly, I grew up in Broadstairs! Your description just about sums up why I left at the first opportunity! Grin

hugandroll · 26/07/2012 22:00

Aaarh this heat is a pita. A is so frustrated and is currently sobbing his little heart out as he's tired but just can't settle well enough to go to sleep. Just don't know what to do with him. I'm already keeping the curtains in the living room closed all day do the sun doesn't heat the room, leaving him in a nappy only or vest at most unless out. He's had more feeds than normal to stay hydrated (he turned his nose up at water) so frustrating I can't fix this for him and I'm his mum.

newmummyvicky · 26/07/2012 22:01

Hi I've must been enjoying the sun, although its a bit hot for L and sleeping at in night is hard too! We set up a little paddling pool in the garden for her, and taken her to our local beach- penty of baby suncream.

We decided to take the leap and move her in her own room, I was sad to leave her but the talking in the night was bad, keeping dh up for hours. The sleep regression is carrying on, she bee waking every 3hrs. But last night was every 4hrs, so not as bad 830pm 1230 and 400am. Her room is so close, its like 10feet away across from us. Im leaving doors open to hear her cry/wake. But it stops us hearing her chating and we won't disurb her either!
She is still in her small crib, gonna wait a couple of weeks till moving her into cot.

I brought some baby rice today, thinking about weaning about the 20+ week mark! Because im still feeding her 8-9 bf a day. So im thinking about the rice in the morning with help fill her up. I have a really good cow&gate baby book- free from online. Looks great, ideas, tips and receipes.
Anyone else gonna be weaning early?????

Bearcrumble · 27/07/2012 15:16

No, I don't plan to wean before 6 months - baby rice is less calorific than milk anyway.

I really haven't enjoyed the last couple of days of heat - my house is a real heat-trap upstairs and it has been sweaty and uncomfortable. Why can't we have some pleasant weather - ie about 23 and a nice breeze.

Those with older kids - how are you finding having to be more hands off with them when you are dealing with the little one? I still hate having to walk on pavements next to busy roads with a single pram and 2-y-o walking. He won't always hold my hand but I don't want to take the double all the time or he'll never get used to walking proper distances and get road sense...

I finally have a chance to post as DH has taken DS to Camp Bestival for 2 nights. First time away from me apart from when I was in hospital having DD. I am a bit anxious but I'm sure they'll have a lovely time.

DD was 16 weeks on Thurs so had her final set of 3 jabs. She was fine with them all - no calpol needed. She's not sleeping through but she goes back off fairly quickly when she wakes. Last feed at 11 usually sees her through til 3 or 4 then she comes in with me and sleeps til 6 or 7 - whenever DS wakes up.

laughingGnomette · 27/07/2012 16:41

hugandroll - I hope A got to sleep ok in the end. Our bedroom temperature measured 29 deg C last night with a fan on and windows open :( I felt so sorry for N, it took ages to get him to settle too.

You're right digital, its going so quickly. It's not like I have any big nights planned anyway. I can't even imagine starting to wean in 2/3 months time. I've bought playtex naturalatch nipples and bottle as my last ditch attempt as I've heard good things about trying them on bottle refusers. I'm not expecting it to work but worth a try.

Bearcrumble - 23 and a breeze sounds like heaven!!!

digitalgirl · 27/07/2012 17:01

bear ds1 is 3.11 and I'm struggling to be honest! I try and arrange playdates as much as possible as its difficult to entertain him on my own without resorting to plonking him in front of the laptop. He's grown out of cbeebies but not old enough for cbbc so he's not even interested in tv! He's getting better at going further distances by scooter but for a while we were getting the bus or driving to places that we used to walk to or he'd be too tired by the time we got there.

Bearcrumble · 27/07/2012 17:26

I think the one o'clock club is my saviour - it's within walking distance (double pram - not toddler walking distance) and has indoor and outdoor stuff to do, there's shade outside so can sit under a tree with DD and it's fully enclosed so no concerns about DS going off if he goes momentarily out of sight. Unfortunately it is probably going to close soon because of the cuts - the best I can hope for is that it is a preschool in the mornings and still a one o'clock club in the afternoon. I usually go twice a week so will be pretty devastated when it goes. Also DS knows all the ladies that work there and we'll miss them. I guess it won't be so bad as he's starting preschool 3 afternoons a week in Sept. I hope he settles quickly and doesn't miss me too much.

I am missing him like mad now, can't believe it is this bad - thought I would be relieved to have a rest.

He's not that keen on telly either, Digi - it depends, sometimes he will watch but often he tells me to turn it off. At the moment he likes Mr Maker, I Can Cook (bloody Katie) and Come Outside. I don't know if I have mentioned but he is obsessed with clocks and when DH went to Vienna for work he bought him a dvd guided tour of the Vienna clock museum so we have to watch that quite a bit . He's also mad about 'How It's Made' on discovery science. The big geek.

Thaleia · 27/07/2012 19:34

Our week was a mess ... Raphael started to become a really pukey, vomitty baby. He's hanging on to his line so no need to worry just LOTs of washing. It might be because he sleeps in our room due to the lack of space in our one bed, but comes every 3hrs now. I'm exhausted.

We also had the jabs yesterday. Today's bedtime must have been the worst in absolute ages.

Would anyone be interested in tickets for Beach Volleyball @9pm on Saturday, 4th? We need to find some takers and it's only a week from now.

hugandroll · 27/07/2012 22:04

My ds1 is 4 but has low muscle tone so although he can walk fine he gets really tired quickly so we have a buggy board it is a godsend! When we are by a particularly busy road he has to stand on it so I know he's safe.

As far as entertaining him goes if we have play dates it's fab. He is spending way too long on the computer for my liking when a is clingy, we get out when we can so he can burn off some energy and on good days (I really do mean good days) I play cars with him, do craft etc. I read him a bedtime story on the nights I'm not exercising and dh does the nights I can't. He goes to full time school in September and it will do him the world of good.

Had an afternoon tea today which feels like a waste of both money and calories as it wasn't filling at all. Oh well back on it tomorrow.

A has been better today. I gave him a cool bath this morning and introduced him to foot splashing. He loved it and was full of smiles. His angel care monitors came today so can start the process of him going into his cot from tomorrow.

Jellybellyrbest · 28/07/2012 09:04

Hey Ladies! Here in NI we haven't had the stifling hear you're all experiencing; some nice sunshine & rain & it's been more pleasant than before. Am glad as found the (brief) hot weather diff with Em.

Had a disastrous night out last night. :-(
Left Emily settled & asleep with DH to go out with colleagues. Bottle ready (formula). Older DDs wakened her 5-10 mins after I left & she screamed incessantly for 1.5hrs. She refused the bottle & was inconsolable. Cue cross daddy; 2 older DDs sent to bed early, & after 1.5hrs daddy texted mummy to come home. Cue sad stressed mummy.

I think 2 things caused it; Emily seems to have become very attached to me & cries when handed to a'one else. And, having only had the odd ounce from a bottle she's not used enough to having it & has decided she doesn't want it now.

Anyone else have a v clingy LO? I don't generally go out v much (saddo-do miss my running but got back to it twice before eventually & know it'll happen again). But; with my Bridesmaid duties coming up I will have hair trials/fitting etc & hate distressing Emily & whoever I leave her with. Don't know what to do about this!!!

Thaleia · 28/07/2012 09:24

I'm just wondering about "enjoying the time as it goes so quickly" ... is this really it, is this "the best" and I must enjoy because they grow so quickly because I just hope, it's getting better & better. I was never that much into babies, never cooed over other mums babes and although I love mine very much I can't stop thinking: hurry up, I want to go to the playground with you and on the swings :(

Jellybellyrbest · 28/07/2012 09:43

Ps. Thinking about Emily's Christening which will be Sept/Oct. Both older girls wore my Christening Gown, as did all my siblings/cousins & all the granddaughters born so far. But: Emily's Godmother is not coming from New Zealand till Sept so we've delayed her Christening. Hence my gown won't fit. Have any of you bought a Christening gown? No idea where to start looking!!!!

Jellybellyrbest · 28/07/2012 09:44

Ps. Thinking about Emily's Christening which will be Sept/Oct. Both older girls wore my Christening Gown, as did all my siblings/cousins & all the granddaughters born so far. But: Emily's Godmother is not coming from New Zealand till Sept so we've delayed her Christening. Hence my gown won't fit. Have any of you bought a Christening gown? No idea where to start looking!!!!

Bearcrumble · 28/07/2012 09:58

Thaleia I was a lot like that with my first. Looking back I think I probably did have a form of post natal illness but because I was anxious rather than depressed I didn't twig. He was a very bad sleeper and in my experience that takes so much of the potential for enjoying it away because you are just so tired and that, of course, bleeds into every aspect of your life - you feel resentful, can't think straight, have a hair-trigger temper and then you feel very guilty for all those things and for not enjoying your baby as much as you feel you should.

I couldn't even rest when someone else took him because I had awful separation anxiety and would just lie on my bed all tense and imagining terrible things happening to him. I really thought about him dying all the time.

I have to say that it gets harder in some ways - because they become more complex as little people but I do find my toddler a lot more interesting for longer periods of time than my little baby. She is beautiful and smiley but after you've cooed and played with her for a bit you want to do something else!

I used to go for long walks with the pram when DS was tiny and non-sleepy. That did help my mood but I used to get even more tired. We went to some mum-and-baby groups but possibly not enough. I think you should aim to see other mums for an hour or so nearly every week day if possible. I think things like baby sensory or baby massage are just as much for the mothers as they are for the little ones. I used to go to a free postnatal group run at a local childrens' centre on Mondays and to rhyme time at the library sometimes.

It is great once they are walking - but you have to be prepared to go and steer them away from the telly/DVD/other things they shouldn't touch 50 times a day. Saying 'no' doesn't work at that age so you have to physically move them and distract them. They also fall over a lot and haven't got any sense of what's safe so it is a bit stressful. DS was a late walker - 15 months I think he finally let go of my hand. Each stage has its good and bad aspects.

Some people just adore small babies and I can see the appeal - they are lovely but if I had to choose I prefer children that you can interact with verbally and have a laugh with (even if it is only poo jokes). Having had one before though, and knowing she is my last I am enjoying every day - doesn't mean I am not bored and tired at times. And guilty, always guilty that I'm not doing enough, that I'm not a good enough mother, that I am too selfish and just want to go on the internet and watch telly when I have these precious beings that do grow up too fast.

newmummyvicky · 28/07/2012 16:47

I'm enjoying L being a baby, I love cuddles and her sleeping on me, but I can't wait till she is older too, holding your hand, talking and a taking her to the park. Don't want too wish the time away!
But im looking forward to her sleeping through the night lol. But I had a feeling that's not gonna happen till she is on solids?
She was up 2-3 hrs bf feeding last night, I read somewhere the this 4month sleep regression stops at 20weeks. So fingers crossed.......x

I've booked Lyras chistening on September the 9th, she will wear my old chistening gown. But my friend had her little girl in a pale pink/white pretty dress, there are loads about! :)

hugandroll · 28/07/2012 17:46

I still haven't booked Aaron's christening we will prob have to wait until November as One set of godparents are away one week in oct, my mum and dad for 2 weeks in oct and our church is fully booked for weddings and chistenings until then. I'll just buy him something smart and pale colours to wear.

I'm enjoying the baby stage a lot more this time. Even though he is a "harder" baby than ds1 who was so laid back and

hugandroll · 28/07/2012 17:47

Posted too soon as on phone lol.

Laid back baby but is a whirlwind of a preschooler so Im finding the baby Stage easier.

Bought some of ds1 school uniform today, now he IS growing up too fast.

HenriettaChicken · 28/07/2012 17:58

It's my first but loving the baby stage too. Knackered and drained today though: feeding every hour or 2 and has discovered his voice! Also very clingy today. Must be another growth spurt.

Also he's been waking at midnight the last couple of days, interrupting his usual 9-7 routine. I guess I really can't complain too much about that!

HollyPockett · 28/07/2012 19:00

Oops, sorry latris!!

HollyPockett · 28/07/2012 19:14

Pressed send to soon :)

I hope it gets better for you and LO thaleia. I have to say that joining the baby massage for DD was more for me than her :). I've now made a great network of mums and we go for walks and buggy fit and swimming. It stops me from getting bored and going mad with cabin fever. I'm very lucky, DD is a really good baby, but her conversation isn't the best :)

She's really starting to change now. She's found her feet, and is now a gymnast. Her legs are up and in her hands most of the day, and she's mastered the rolling on it her side. Seeing her Progressing this week has been quite amazing, every day she's got that bit further with it.

We've booked her Baptism for Oct 7th and she's going to wear my gown from the 70's, it's fabulous! She just needs it altering a tad :)

JambalayaCodfishPie · 28/07/2012 19:37

We're just starting to organise a christening, my older DD is going to be done at the same time. Smile

Can you believe there's an April 2013 thread?!

hugandroll · 28/07/2012 21:36

Omg already? They must have literally just poas. I didn't even find out until 5th August last year!

justhayley · 28/07/2012 23:41

Hi all,
Havnt been on here for ages hope your all well.
I need to have a read over the thread to catch up.
Feel like Noah has changed so so much in the last few weeks and is really developing a little personality. He's now grabbing and holding things and although obviously he's not eating yet he's fascinated by food and stares at anyone who's eating, he also likes to hold a carrot in the buggy - not to eat of course, think he just likes the colour.
Hes finally into toys and entertains himself for 20/30 mins with a little elephant with ears u crinkle, his attention span is fantastic.

I'm yet to get a full nights sleep but it is getting better. We always have a 3am feed but are now missing either the 1am or 5am so I'm only up twice. He then wakes at 7 for 45 mins and then goes back till 10! Grin this is fab as I can either get myself organised and shower in peace or go back to sleep with him! Tonight iv put him in the crib for the first time so we shall see how that goes, so far he seems happy I'm however missing him & contemplating getting him back in my bed for snuggles

Havnt had him weighed for 4 weeks so am going to do that tomorrow. His last weight was 11 lbs 2 so I'm thinking he's now about 14-15lbs.

Well think that's it on my side.
Will catch up with your posts during my 3am feed lol

Xx

Thaleia · 29/07/2012 08:03

I didn't want to sound sooo negative. I love DS and he's fun, I just hope & wish, it'll be more fun soon!!

I don't know what to do, he's sometimes refusing the bottle and whilst it's not a big deal when we're home (he'll get one with the next feed), we were planning to let him stay with a friend whilst going to the Olympics. He probably needs to have 2-3 feeds on the bottle.

What shall we do? He won't starve himself, I'm sure but can I ask her to handle a screaming & having fits baby till he eventually takes it? Otherwise we could take him, but it's going to be a long & stressful afternoon for all of us :(

HenriettaChicken · 29/07/2012 10:38

Thaleia I've heard that sometimes babies take the bottle more readily from others anyway, as there's no association of milk with them. I might be wrong, though. I would explain the situation to the potential babysitter & let them say if they mind! I personally think it'd do you good to have an afternoon/evening off! And if R is hungry; he'll eat!

JustHayley how did the crib go?

Today we are finally moving Bill onto 3-6 month clothes and will start to pack away most of his 0-3s. A few bits still fit (dungarees etc) but babygros & vests are being stretched to the limits. I'm quite sad about it... Sad

He's been a little more high maintenance than usual over the last few days: yesterday he did 9 feeds instead of usual 5-6! And wanted to be held ALL THE TIME. Already today we've had more smiles than all of yesterday. DH thinks it was because, after spending 10 days with my parents I was tense & wanted my own little family back, and DS picked up on it. (and also my parents - who are awesome btw- can be quite, erm, stimulating, around him, and play quite enthusiastically when perhaps he needs space/calm.) I also think a growth spurt collided with all of it.

So my parents left at tea time yesterday, Bill settled by 9.30pm and slept through till 7.30am! I feel like a new woman. I guess we both quite like normality. Wink

How's everyone else?