December 2012: 8 hour sleeps and chubby chops all round

[WillYouDoTheBunnyHop]

New thread for us ladies

Tried dream feeding once but he wouldn't open his mouth so never tried it again. Not looked at high chairs yet, does the ikea one fold?

No dream feeds here, T has gaviscon before feeds and I'd be worried about choking her if she wasn't expecting it. Tbh I like getting into bed with her still asleep so I can read and give DH a cuddle - was hoping to dtd this week but no sleep is not making it likely! I tried dream feeding with other 2 but it didn't really work.

Ikea high chair is great but doesn't fold. Also gets too small if they are chunky toddlers like mine were. I think it was dd1 that got stuck in it!

Mothercare have a nice looking one that folds for only £29 that I think we'll get. The one we had for dd1&2 reclined which meant they could sit up with us from a young age but I can't get a replacement cover.

Fx for better nights tonight!

WL I'm sure a WAHM on Facebook or somewhere could make you a cover for your old high chair. Do you still have the original one? If its fabric you could get one made up, and if its padded plastic you could maybe get one made out of the PUL used to make nappies - waterproof but lovely and soft feeling. Just an idea, might cost more than a new chair.

That's the trouble stacks. I don't mind paying a bit in the interests of the planet but when it's way over the cost of a new chair...what's a WAHM? Mil is pretty nifty in the seeing dept but she thought it would be really tricky so hence the cost I guess.

Things not looking great for tonight - T didn't settle so is back on the boob. Lucky her had 2 lovely long naps today (in the pram - was not having any of it when I tried to get her in cot).

WAHM = work at home mum. If your MIL thought it looked too complicated then it probably would be too expensive to get one made. It sounds like you thought it was a good chair and so might be worth the trouble.

T is thrashing around like crazy while feeding. I don't know if he's uncomfortable as I'm sitting up with him instead of laying down, or just fighting sleep, literally! He's panting, kicking, scratching and thrashing. No crying though.

I just had a thought. Maybe my boobs are empty? T has fed loads today and last night, but hasn't swallowed for the last 5 minutes that I can see. He's almost fallen asleep suckling, finally, but there's still no swallowing. Could that be what's causing the wake ups overnight too? I don't see how I can have supply issues now after ebf for 15w. Maybe he's just got to the point he needs both though? Anyone else had this?

I missed a day and it's just taken me 30 mins to catch up!

I cannot believe they decided to make a malteaser bar when I'm on a diet. This is an outrage. I did lose 5lbs this week though, which begs the question how much shit have I been snacking on these last few weeks?

I did the dreamfeed once, did it too late and it made him wake up all night, now I just feed him if he wakes.

I'm currently letting him whinge himself to sleep (not cry I promise, I'm too soft for that). He's just doing little moany groany noises but is clearly exhausted. Fingers crossed he falls asleep.

stacks your boobs may be empty but LO sucking will stimulate them to produce more. DS does that at every growth spurt then when the growth spurt stops I end up squirting across the room if he pulls off mid feed

Well I took DS to the clinic as I thought we may have thrush, no definitive answer but shall pop to the bfing cafe on Friday and see what they say I think. Good news is I had him weighed and he's 14lb 8oz. Still sitting nicely just above the 25th line (where he was at birth) so I'm obviously doing something right. :)

Bad news for today, the pest we thought was a mouse was probably a rat and I'm now freaking out about it. My under stair cupboard is full of droppings :( we have pest control coming in the morning. I doubt very much I will be able to let DS sleep in his cot tonight. I'll be too worried!

stacks it was a good high chair but I have strong environmental views and find it really hard to chuck away something that still works perfectly well. However, as was the case with our tv, if repair is way more expensive than replacing its just not possible.

We've had quite a bit of thrashing and pulling today too, although thrre has been definite seallowing - after last nights antics I guess it's likely to be a growth spurt then.

Bfers - astonishing fact - less than 2./. Of babies make it to 6 months ebf! To those with crap GPs - I told a gp friend on Sunday this could well be because of a lack of good support. Can't remember where I read it but there's figures on how much £ it would save the NHS if breast feeding rates were higher. Interesting stuff but so rubbish that there even knowing this support is so patchy and often voluntary.

stacks have you tried taking fenugreek for your supply? I've been on it for a few weeks now and I'm sure I can feel the difference in my supply or maybe I've just bought into the hype... kellymom.com/bf/can-i-breastfeed/herbs/fenugreek/

Sorry to hear about ypur rodent issue isthat, I would probably be freaked about letting a dc sleep in a cot too.

I never dreamfed ds, just fed him when he was awake.

ds has been sleeping for the past hour or so. His sleeping pattern has changed in the last few days. Where previously he would sleep 10/11 through until 6/7 the last few nights he has woken (quite peacefully) at 4ish and had a feed before going back to sleep. Aaaagh!

I think a lot of it is that people just aren't told how hard breastfeeding is and when they hit an obstacle don't have the support they need to carry on.

Ds being a bugger to settle again. First feed three hours after bed time. How can I tell the difference between regression and growth spurt??

2blessed that's amazing sleep even with the 4am wake up!

IsThat mice are bad enough but rats poor you!

I think spotty has hit the nail on the head for me - I wasn't expecting it to be so hard to sufficiently nourish Z with breastfeeding (the actual act of feeding was fine, but I couldn't get the results). One of my NCT classes was on breastfeeding and I remember thinking "what's the fuss about? Of course I'm going to breastfeed! Why would I go against what my body is surely going to do naturally in a wonderful exhibition of clever mother nature at her best?". Little did I know. I think it's especially hard for a first child, as having a new baby is such a headfuck to begin with; the coincidence of the importance of establishing supply at exactly the same time as the baby blues was really difficult for me. If I have another baby I think I'm better equipped to understand things and to appreciate the effort involved and to have the confidence to keep going. I really am in awe of those of you who'll keep going to 6 months and beyond.

spotty he's been in that pattern since he was 5 weeks old. Hoping the 4am wake up is temporary.
I agree about breastfeeding. I think there is a lot of pressure on us to just take to bf like a duck to water just because we are women. I found the first week really tough and was considering giving up before I reached out for support.

secomds I didn't have the wherewithal about me to stick to bfing with dd or ds1 (but I was 17/19 when they were born, I think that made a huge difference) but now being a chilled out 3rd time mum, with a bit more life experience under my belt, I've found it a lot easier this time.

Spotty, if you work our the while 'regression or growth spurt?' Issue, do let me know. 2nd feed post-bedtime here. It's getting worse.

I've wondered if the sleep regression is also a little bit of an evolutionary thing to stimulate supply - I'm definitely fuller after 2/3 weeks of regular 2 hourly night feeds though it's hard to tell if it was as lo was a bit poorly with a water infection.

the first time I heard of 'sleep regression' was at a class and a mum said it happens 19 weeks after edd. but can be a little while either side of that. we're that this week but have had more frequent wakes for the last 2/3 weeks. (since he was 14 weeks but 16 from edd)

however, I noticed feeds were much shorter last couple of nights and a couple not even wanted so Dh has been resettling him (very easily indeed actually) 8-12 while I slept in the spare room and I've just made him feed for much much longer. he's fast asleep and am going to see if can push till 3 or 4 before an actual feed.

I don't know if it's right or not but it feels like he needs a little help at the mo and if he really needed it he would yell. basically he's crap at self settling again we've found simply holding his hand and a hand on head seems to instantly calm him back to sleep sometimes. so reckon it's worth a shot..... ?!

I agree I never thought bf was half as hard as it really is.

he was so distracted this morning I had to walk about holding him while he fed. the tongue tie snip has made a huuuuge difference too. I'm very it's not routinely properly checked and snipped anymore - so many women would continue if it was. was to see my new 6 wk old nephew had a huge classic tongue tie last week, really clear to see. they struggled but just switched to formula. but they didn't seek help either - however if it was something that was more known about generally it could then mean that parents would seek help.

I'm on the point of writing a letter to someone/ thing as it's potentially a health issue plus affects speech and dental stuff in later life. I'm convinced the little boy next door has one - has issues with his speech and at almost 3 struggles not to 'slather' or dribble constantly.

Well ds is 19 weeks but only 14 from EDD I don't want this getting any worse!

I don't think I'd have stuck with bf if I'd tried with dd. everything is much harder first time round.

Second wake up here but he took an hour to settle last time so only been asleep two hours...

Clarella dp can't poke his tongue out, not even joking, he can get it just a tiny bit further than his lips. And he says 'f' instead of 'th'..

I hope everyone is sleeping soundly!

Clarella I had my tongue tie snipped.... When I was 15!! The orthodontist picked it up. I'm glad he's feeding better, you've really been through a lot. DS is getting really distracted during feeds now too, the only way he'll latch is if I'm bouncing him at the same time.

Thanks nutella and clarella for the probiotic advice, I'm going to get some today. He won't bottle feed though, can I give it on a spoon?

isthat sorry to hear about the rat!! Hopefully the pest control can sort it asap. Since we moved out here we've had mice, cockroaches, venomous spiders and huntsman invasions!

I agree seconds, spotty and isthat breastfeeding is much harder than anyone lets on. It also really depends on the baby too in my experience. DC1 and DC3 took to it really well and gained weight quickly but DC2 really struggled. Every feed was a battle and his weight just kept plummeting. He much preferred the bottle and around 4 months he just turned away if I tried to breastfeed him so we stopped. He'd had colostrum and a few months of breastmilk so I was more than happy to end the battles and weight loss at that point!!

Another bad night here, the worst ever I reckon! It was a blur of feeding, crying, bouncing etc. Every time he woke me up he was somewhere I didn't expect him to be, either in our bed or his or latched on! At one point I looked at the time and it was only 1:30am!!

Oh my poor boy has a horrible cold tonight. He sounds like he can hardly breathe he is so snotty!

Oh Seymore sorry things aren't improving for you

We're on our third wake up here.... I'm hoping its a growth spurt as then I know it won't last long

spotty it does but just not far enough it seems.
eggs pillows are a good plan!

Feeling for you Seymour, are you in the regression zone, or could it be a one off?

Hope your poor little man gets better soon fod, O had a cold a few weeks back and it sounds miserable for them..

20 weeks here, 18ish from edd, and he slept 8:20-2:20 then 3-4:50 and will hopefully go cack down till 6:30/7 ish. 4 month sleep regression occurred at the stroke of midnight on his 4 calendar month birthday (19/3) and we appear to be emerging from the woods as this is the best of three better nights... Until teeth of course