Postgraduate brookers - Brooking No Argument for happy, healthy and sleeping DCs..

[musicalmrs]

New thread time!

Oooh, fingers crossed then biscuits!

Seriously sleep deprived and irritable in this house...

Oh, I warmed twice too and also feel like crying over wasted milk! All that effort poured away...

A can now lift her head up and look around at tummy time and shows vague flapping signs of attempts at rolling over. She hasn't had much tummy time because it made her cry lots until recently.

DD1 was pulling her head up and rolling over at 12 weeks - how can they be so different?!

I hear you on the sleep thing dream. On a good night A will sleep from 18.30 to ten -ish, up for half an hour feeding, back up at midnight for a feed and then another feed at three for half an hour before up at 6.30. On a bad night she'll be up for an hour in the middle somewhere.

21 weeks of that is seriously messing with me physically and mentally now.

Plus we're seeing MIL more than normal at the moment which seriously messes with my head as well. The dds laughing together is about the only thing I like in my life at the moment.

Sleep deprivation makes me very grumpy it would seem.

Builders arrived at 8 am this morning and started sawing,banging etc at 8.30! They had spoken to the neighbours last week about being early and luckily they were fine about it!
Sun shining again today:) we need to pack up ds1s room today so the builders can break through this week and then we are going to attempt an ergo walk.

Mastitis again. Feel like giving up.

Oh no ninja that's rubbish and ouchy too. for you. I guess antibiotics and go tomorrow should sort it out quickly?

How are things going otherwise?

Oh Ninja. :( You can do it though. The mastitis will get better and bfing will get easier. And we will brook no argument with that.

I was thinking today that when soldiers go to Sandhurst for officer training, the idea is that the army breaks them (through sleep deprivation, physical exercise and exhaustion, demanding utter obedience etc) and then re-moulds them so they become the kind of officer the army can use. Having a newborn is a bit like that, isn't it? You're utterly broken, then after a few months you emerge as a mother dedicated to serving the LO, grateful for a few hours of unbroken sleep and the odd gummy smile. Sad but true!

Oh ninja, you poor thing. Let M feed from it loads now, bottom lip nearest the blockage/red bit, paracetamol and a hot bath with massage to breast might help before you get your antibiotics. I've had 4 blocked ducts so far, really painful, I had a temperature and felt shivery, achey and generally rotten and wanted to give up on the spot every time, so maybe wait a few days then decide. Xxx

Ninja, that sounds awful. Hope you get ABs soon. Just take it one feed at a time and see how you get on. Are your nipples still sore? Keep slathering on the Lansinoh. You don't need pain from two parts of your boob at once!

It's funny how fast you forget. I just remembered bursting into tears and wailing at DH that my nipples were agony one evening. It all seems like a blur now, from the smug vantage point of 19 weeks. at Pet's Sandhurst analogy! Yy, that's why everyone always says the first 6 weeks are a blur, because you are so bloody exhausted and confused!

M did 9pm to 1.30am, then was up at 4.30, then woke up for the day at 8.15. We were dog-sitting for my mum's retrievers last night and Mum had said to let them out at 6.30/7ish. I though M would be up at around the same time so didn't set the alarm, but lo and behold she slept in! Thrawn beastie.

Btw Too what play gym have you got which keeps M happy for an hour?! ignores the fact that it may not be down to the choice of playmat that DS is only happy in his for about 10 mins max

And what on earth does thrawn mean?

Thrawn = Scots/Doric for stubborn, self-willed, someone who goes their own way and damn the consequences.

Not sure what the gym is called - it's a Mothercare jungle themed one. Found it! here Oh look, it's on sale. M spends ages lying on her back looking in the mirror (fastened above her so she can see herself) cooing and squeaking at her reflection, or pulling the monkey to make it play a tune. You could probably achieve the same effect by suspending a mirror above DS.

Aha, thanks. Nice mat, too. Seems to be out of stock atm though - but I'll try moving the mirror on ours so DS can see himself in it when he's lying down.

We have the Lamaze activity mat ( bought with Tesco vouchers) and the Galt play nest and gym (present from work collegues) D likes both for up to 1/2 hour or so. He did fall asleep in the nest this am so I just covered him with a blanket:). Both have mirrors which he studies intensely! He also likes to be in the bathroom as we have a mirrored wall and he likes listening to running water ( the taps, not other bathroom related things!)

Oh Ninja you poor thing. Sending lots of hugs your way. This too shall pass (whatever decision you make).

Woohoo, well done to all the rolling babies! Excellent work mini NBs! Sadly DD still loathes tummy time with a passion and shows no inclination whatsoever to roll over. The brief periods I can get her to go on her tummy for, she spends all her time trying frantically to crawl (although obviously she's not nearly coordinated enough to get anywhere with that yet.)

We've been at my parents' house all weekend with my Mum and baby sis (while DH was off hiking mountains with my Dad). My Mum and sis looked after DD overnight to give me a break, so I'm feeling so much more human today for the first time in ages! DD was very good for them. She was delightful and chatty while we were all up watching films, then she fussed for a bit when we wanted to go to bed at half 11 but by half 12 my sister had managed to get her to sleep. She then slept through to 7 She was up for less than an hour before my sis managed to get her back to sleep, and she then slept until half 10 I've already asked my sis to move in with us when we move to a bigger house

So, can anyone with the bjorn bouncer please explain to me what is different about it compared to other bouncers? We have a really basic £12 bouncer from Mothercare which we keep in the bathroom as a place to stash DD when you're on your own and need the loo / shower. She's perfectly happy in it and coos and kicks away to herself whilst she waits for DH or I to finish in the bathroom. I can't see what else a bouncer could be used for? How does the bjorn one add to the experience exactly? I've just heard so many people raving about it!

Thanks for all the kind words. There's been a lot of tears here today. Here's looking forward to anti-bs and strong painkillers tomorrow! Doesn't help that m appears to be having a growth spurt so fed for 2 solid hours then had half hour break then back on for half hour. I am in pain. The super sore nips were getting better but not so sure now. Dinners ready so got to go x

Argh, just lost a very long post.. :(

Ninja, you poor thing :( Growth spurts are also no fun- especially with blocked ducts. I hope they clear up quickly with the anti-bs and strong painkillers. I seem to be prone to blocked ducts, but luckily none have progressed to mastisis yet..

Agree with the Sandhurst analogy Pet! Think it's impressive how quickly you forget too - e.g. me complaining about a two hour cluster feed, when they used to be around five...

Question for you brookers. Iz has had a few funny turns recently (3? 4?) but two today, which have scared me. She'll be laying on her back on her playmat, and will suddenly fling her arms out straight, have a funny expression on her face, head dead straight, big eyes, and hold her breath so she goes progressively more red. The first time it happened today I was fetching something from the next room (and thus automatically felt like an awful mother), but it happened again this afternoon when I was sitting next to her. When it happens, I lift her straight up to my shoulder and rub/pat her back, and she cries- big, proper cries and big real tears.

Does anyone have any ideas what it could be? Dr Google suggests it's a fear reaction - though they seem to suggest it's a fear of falling, but she's on the floor when it happens. It's getting me worried about leaving her alone on her back, when she used to happily play like that while I made a cup of tea (popping in and out of the room - not out for any length of time!) etc. Worried :(

Oh ninj

You poor poor thing. What I hate about mastitis is that everyone says 'you have to keep feeding through it'. They're right of course but it's the last thing you want to be the case isn't it. Both times I had it I would have gladly thrown in the towel if it would have made it get better sooner. You really really do have my sympathy.

Did you have blocked duct troubles with DS?

I know it won't help with this bout, but is it worth getting a lactation consultant or whatever to check the latch to prevent (or try to prevent ) in the future?

Musical no idea what that is - it sounds frightening though doesn't it! Can't hurt to ask your GP or HV I reckon? I'm sure it won't be anything but I would want my mind putting at rest?

musical, sounds a bit like Ben when he's refluxing badly. He's very upset afterwards too, I just stroke his back as patting for him makes him reflux more. He goes rigid but with wildly flailing arms and legs, stare-y eyed, red, also gulping often and sometimes pukes when picked up (but not always). It's horrible. So ?? reflux, but maybe ask gp/hv. Not that hv much use IME. He doesn't breath hold usually though, think more gulpy though now I'm not 100% sure... Maybe pomme will know more, she's our reflux expert :)

Poor Ben still colicky/ miserable/ refluxy...

A does a lot of the arm flinging musical if laid down too soon after a big awake feed. It's normally better after a sleepy feed for putting her down but is an issue at night after a night feed. I think it is the shock of the milk coming back up. I keep her upright for a good while post awake feed but that's easier now she's older and can use the jumperoo. Bouncer for a bit i guess?

We don't have the breath holding thing. I had a friend with a very colicky baby who did, it was scary but he grew out of it pretty early I think iirc. I think it's just a reaction to getting really upset? Might be best to check with gp on that one?

How old is iz musical? Sorry for being rubbish. Has she had jabs yet? A was so bad after all her jabs and looking back it was a classic reflux symptom (I just thought she was a bit wimpy compared to ultra. Stoic dd1 ). Might be worth asking gp about that too just in case.

eBay update- bidding on a baby bjorn babysitter... with a bid sniper as I watched one pip me to the post on an auction earlier, gah. If you can't beat 'em, join 'em and all... wonders if bid snipers are legal?

Poor A pomme . They'll never remember any of it though, thats always comforting. A jumperoo you say? hmm,

RATS!!!!! Beaten again, by another bl*dy sniper, 5 bids in 2 seconds??? Bl*dy snipers!!!!! and only lost out by 99p too. I am cross.

Dream, I hate snipers :( and poor Ben - he always seems to be suffering :(

Thank you Biscuits, Dream and Pomme. I had thought of reflux (and a couple of links on Google said a few things about it), but hearing your wise words has helped convince me that it could be what it is. Thinking about it, one of the incidents today would have been soon ish after a feed - not sure about the other one.

Will definitely mention it to someone - potentially the breastfeeding supporter as she's very knowledgeable, and then to a GP or something. Suspecting this blocked duct may be becoming mastisis now (as I'm feeling run down and achy), so I may be there sooner than I'd planned!

She isn't refluxy all the time, but it tends to come and go in phases. Yesterday and today have been particularly refluxy, so that would tie in with that. Will keep an eye out as to whether it's gulpy too Dream - to be honest, I'm not sure how much attention I pay after going into hyper panic mode - will be sure to pay more if/when there's a next time. Either way, DH heard me comforting her earlier (he was only around for one of the episodes) and is now worried, so I'm sure I'll be seeing the GP sooner rather than later!

Pomme, I think it may be a reaction due to how quickly she goes back to normal if I pick her up (apart from crying, which I suppose is the shock). I've heard before that if babies hold their breath for too long (normally due to tantrums!) they just pass out and start breathing again, so I'm trying not to worry too much. She's 9 weeks old, and had her first jabs last Monday - so almost a week ago. She's definitely been more fussy since, though that could be because DH has been around and we've had a weird week, so her routine hasn't been as strictly adhered to - too much excitement for her to happily go down for naps etc. Hmm.

Thank you lovely brookers for calming my nerves again :)

Biscuits I've been going to the. Surestart bf clinic for the last couple of weeks which has been really helpful.
Dream that sounds v annoying re the snipers
Musical. Do not let it get as far as mastitis if you can help it. It's horrid.

Patience Dream - you will be victorious against these weaker bidders

T'is frustrating though when you're outbid by less than a whole bid though isn't it, so you know it was almost yours....

I'm not very patient biscuits plus with one chair broken t'is a royal pain now. They're new on bambino direct for £82.60, I'm tempted to just buy new and sell on eBay thus making it the price of second hand overall iykwim. I've never sold anything on eBay though being the flaw in my plan, and i bet I'd end up keeping it for my childless but engaged little sister...

DD has just woken up!! After 10 min nap in the car yesterday plus was asleep by 7:30. Sadly shows we're near no nap,time for her... Those babies though. Asleep for 9pm, S up 11:30, 2, 4, 6:30, B up 2:30, 5:30 but grizzled for 30,min first which I was trying to ignore, 7:30. Where's the mummy sleeping time?!?! I feel rough...