March 2013 - still too sleep deprived to think of a funky title

[StormyBrid]

Old thread here.

We seemed to be running out of space (again) so I made us a new thread.

Could be worse, plonko, at least it's nice and warm. Running across the landing in your pants is going to be less fun when it's sub-zero!

Flying with a baby sounds a bit nightmarish. Do let us know how it goes, because we're probably going to have to do it sometime soonish - the man's dad is likely to want us to visit him in Germany again at some point. And as he pays for the flights, I'm not turning my nose up at what's effectively a free holiday (although must beware of the cake next time).

How old is miniYo now? Wonder Weeks reckons 22 weeks plus is the fussy zone prior to the 26 week mental leap. It does mention unsettled sleep, which we have here too. The stormlet doesn't have the determination of miniYo though; unsettled for her means needing dummy returns every forty five minutes for the first couple of hours, then sleeping until three, having a feed, and ecking to herself for an hour and a half.

pud don't go panicking that he's going backwards just yet. Could just be a growth spurt, and he may be back to his usual pattern in a few days. Or he may not, but it's a good thought at least. We're doing the opposite, first feed keeps getting later. 3am last night, which is I think the longest stretch of sleep she's had since she was a couple of days old.

Agreed with vj that you will get through this, SoYo, but I'd be inclined not to think of it as a battle, mainly because you can't impose your will on a baby and make them sleep (as you know all too well), so you're never going to win, as such. She'll figure out how to sleep herself eventually though, I can promise you that. All you can do in the meantime is whatever helps you to stay sane (short of putting her to bed in the shed for a bit of peace, because that's probably up there with duct tape). I just wish there was more we could do to help.

And finally, a bit of good news. Remember how my baby thinks milk is, like, totally lame? Yesterday at the 11am feed, she drank seven flozzes without a single bit of fuss. God knows where she put it.

Yep Stormy, if wonder weeks are to be believed we're right in the thick of it. She's 24 weeks today! I gave up after 4am and brought her into bed where she snoozed until 6.30 but I caught some of your insomnia and couldn't sleep, it was a nice chance to read my book in peace though!

Plonko she may well be teething, can't feel any primed to come through but she's gnawing on everything she gets near.

Pud hopefully it'll be a short phase and you'll have your good sleep back soon, for pity's sake don't let her talk to Mini-Yo though!

Right, I'm off to yoga to find my inner 'I don't need sleep' zen. Have a good day everyone!

Hello all. We had 1930 to 0900 here last night. Hhhmm... Hope the pain killers from doc aren't making her drowsy.

The USA trip isn't perhaps our most sensible idea ever. We did a trip driving coast from LA to San Fran and then over to Yosemite and Kings Canyon and down to Joshua Tree a few years ago and loved it so much we started saving on our return for a further trip sometime in the future. Just after we found out I was pregnant we thought the saved money might instead be good for lack of pay during maternity but at roughly the same time DH's best man announced his wedding in Joshua Tree. He'd come over from LA to our wedding last summer so we really wanted to go to his and that's what made us decide to use the money for a trip: once we'd paid for flights we thought we might as well make a proper trip of it. So we fly to Las Vegas and go to the wedding party for 3 days and then we're heading out from California across Arizona and Utah in a motor home! We're away for 3 weeks. It'll be just as DD has turned 6mo and so we'll be in weaning heaven. We hope to go to lots of National parks: Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, Zion, Capitol Reef, Canyonlands.... I am super excited now I write about it but terrified with equal measure! I have no idea how the long plane journey, jet lag or life on the road will suit DD. But one thing's for sure: it'll be an adventure!

soyo and pud I hadn't refreshed the page since Soyo's initial enquiry about my trip so hadn't realised that you had terrible nights. Sorry to mention the epic sleep our end I feel bad. Wasn't trying to rub your noses in it.

Right ladies, I need your help! What do you do all day? My maternity pay has just stopped (apart from smp), so I basically can't do anything that costs money. We go out for walks occasionally, play, meet friends, but it still seems like there are many hours of the day when we're both just sitting around bored! My 'baby entertaining' capacity is quite limited, and I'm finding I'm looking forward to going back to work in November just to have a bit if structure. I am NOT designed to be a SAHM. Please give me ideas to stop me just lounging in front of cbeebies MNing whilst mr tumble does my job for me

vj we're skint so never do anything that costs money. We go to the park, go to the shops every day for food, visit my dad once a week. Often send her over to my brother's for an hour or two, where she likes the change of scenery and loves the fish. As for at home, I favour the benign neglect school of parenting - dump her on the play mat and let her get on with it!

SoYo so, with a bit of luck, in a couple of weeks you'll be out the other side of this wonder week. Hopefully things will settle down to the usual level of crappy sleep instead of this fresh hell. I prescribe lots of tea and cake to see you through until then.

Reckon I've done ten thousand steps again today. Into town, traipsed round Wilko's, Tesco and Primark, trudged home. Now recuperating on the doorstep with a fag while brother's girlfriend feeds the baby.

SoYo I wholeheartedly support Dr. Stormy's prescription.

Stormy I've added the 10000 steps thing in to my daily routine. So far up to 7200 (so a free app on my phone says) so I think we'll have to go for a shortish walk later.

Eco your trip sounds fantastic. It'll be great fun and excellent family bonding time. We never did the motor home thing (dad has a mortal fear of caravans and the like, having grown up in a 'static home' - see previous posts on poverty stricken floozy grandma) but one of my best morose is rolling into a town called eureka at dusk. No hotel vacancies except for one that had god knows what on the mattress , nowhere we could eat and we had no clean clothes left. Character building stuff . Real family bonding.

Vj my days are similar to stormys, were trying to save every penny we can so we can buy a house (literally with just pennies at the moment). We go to see friends, go to my mums, pop to the shops on foot (more time consuming), and he lays on his play mat while I get on with what is like to do. Plenty of cuddles and physical play but I get tired flinging a fat baby round for hours on end.

Today DS has been called a girl. Twice. I'm thinking of taping a fake moustache to his face, but I think that's up there with shed naps and duct tape.

vj I am in the same boat as you in respect of being home all day and finding it hard to be a baby entertainer. We go out to lots of free places like museums and parks and go for 2-3 hour walks in the sling most days. At home I do encourage lots of independent play but my DD gets bored very easily so most of the time she follows me round the house in sling or bouncy chair while I do stuff like working and unpacking boxes! The mundane stuff seems to entertain her more than any toy - she loves the washing machine and also plays with an array of household objects. But I must admit there are times when I find it hard and always glad when DH has time to play too. We don't have a TV here so not an option unfortunately. I am looking forward to nanny starting in October who can act as baby entertainer when I don't feel like it or don't have time!

soyo last night DH and I embraced full on co-sleeping. Normally DD is in her bedside cot but I was so tired yesterday that I just needed anything that would maximise sleep. It was a revelation! I was vaguely aware of DD waking pretty much every hour and a half or even less time and feeding occasionally but I never really woke up properly at any point and pretty much feel like a I had a full night of sleep! I am pretty stiff from staying still most of the night but that is a small price to pay for feeling well rested (or at least as close to well rested as I am likely to get for the time being!). Time to embrace family bed properly for us I think! I guess evolutionary our little ones are programmed to stay close to us night and day so makes sense they sleep better that way. I know I sleep better snuggled into DH than alone and I'm supposed to be grown up!

Guess I'm a bit weirdly evolved then - can't sleep if anyone's next to me! Reckon that's yet another thing that depends on the baby. Ours was happy enough in her own room for six weeks, and doesn't like us hanging around when she's trying to sleep.

Another vote for washing machine as baby entertainment. DD can see ours from her doorway bouncer and she's fascinated.

Stormy I'm embracing both coffee and cake, plus I completely agree about sleeping. DH and I have separate duvets so we never touch in our sleep....it's the stuff good marriages are made of!

Rainbow, co-sleeping is a cuddly revelation but I do get very stiff from being in one position. It's definitely a good thing to have in the bag for the bad nights.

Eco, your road trip sounds amazing. I've always wanted to do that, hopefully in a couple of years we'll manage it.

VJ I spread my day out into little blocks at home. Time in jumperoo, time in gym, time watching mummy do washing, lunch, play on floor time, baking. I try and break this up with short walks around the area and longer walks in parks plus a wander around the shops or supermarket etc. it's amazing how much time little bits of things can take up. I have to say it helps having met a lot of other mums too that I can meet up with.

Just goes to show how different we and our little ones are! stormy lucky you to have such an independent baby! Not heard of any little one being able to settle alone so consistently like that without sleep training (love to know your secret as sleep training is just not for me!) but then this thread just shows the wonderful variations in all our babies! When I am feeling the strain of calming DD I just remind myself that she needs me by her side to stop the lions eating her! The plus side of soothing her to sleep by cuddles is that once she is asleep she stays asleep till next feed so for now we are avoiding dummy returns in the evening which is nice - although fully expect that to change any day (looking nervously at monitor!).

eco your trip sounds amazing! Babies are so adaptable and portable at this age! Although must admit would be nervous of long flight! Am dreaming about going to Florida on holiday this year but the logistics are a bit to overwhelming.

No secret to it really, Rainbow. Naturally pretty relaxed and easygoing baby, plus putting her in her own room (so we don't disturb her) at six weeks (so I doubt she remembers anything different now), plus two nights of controlled crying. I was told it would be hell at the time but worth it in the long run, and that's certainly true. Must say though, if mine had had miniYo's temperament I may well have done things differently.

As for dummy returns, we've had a few the past few days, but she's going through a fussy phase. She's usually alright these days, and is actually getting pretty good at putting it back herself.

Evening all. Hope all's well with everyone at the moment, and the various small people are busy putting their sleepy hats on and promising us all a good night. One can hope anyway.

Arghh the 10000 step thing. Don't. You're making me feel bad. Once upon a yester-year I used to do that and then some before breakfast with the dogs. Now I'm lucky if I break 5000, and my ar5e is for the first time in its skinny life moving south. That said, at least I have an ar5e now, so regardless of its position that could be called an improvement.

Eco wow, you are an inspiration. Here's me in a quandary, because DH has a work thingummy in Chicago in Sept, and wants me to go (what with the US being somewhere I'm not keen on him going for reasons we won't go into but you can probably guess at), and I was thinking it was a step too far to take the worselet. Perhaps it's not! If everyone else can do it, that would imply I should be able to as well! I can't even entertain the idea of leaving her with MIL, although MIL would bite my hand off at the chance.

SoYo I loved co-sleeping. Miss it loads, although I'm guessing the worselet might be a slightly less cuddly companion now the milk bar has dried up. I've seen the kicking she does at night, and don't fancy being on the other end of it. Happy memories..... . Thank you for thinking of me the other night (although I'm sure you must have much more interesting things to think about during the night feeds!). Will bore you all keep you posted with how I am tomorrow. Fine I'm sure, and glad to have it sorted I can guarantee.

Plonky forgot to answer on the low GI thingummy. You're right about the low sugar and cr*p avoidance. It's basically a method of avoiding blood sugar spikes to keep insulin levels at a sensible level - so regular meals, protein with every meal, and lots of slow release carbs. Or in other words if it is brown, has the texture of a brick, and looks like horsefood you're probably onto a winner. I hadn't realised just how many bad habits I'd got into, as although I'd be the first to claim not to have a sweet tooth I am really craving chocolate and may have eaten the crumbs out of a shortbread tin earlier

VJ same here - walks, playtime on the mat, playtime in the bouncy chair, time out in the moses basket, more walks, washing machine TV, dancing to music (that's me dancing, her laughing), playing ball with the dogs, and sleeping in her pram in the garden. That's pretty much our life right now. It ain't glamorous, but it's way better than my days of general skivvy, gardener, and tree surgeon.

Stormy so 22 weeks is a wonder week is it? Explains a lot. Last week was hard work. This week in comparison is easy. The tiddler has gone from all out milk refusal to downing 200mls every meal without a huge amount of fuss about it. Solids are still a bit no go though... I try, she rejects. As for other major achievements... hmmm, that'll be none then! The incessant rolling has stopped completely, after she clonked her head on the cot bars and hurt herself quite badly. Seems to have put her right off. Her replacement activity is toe sucking... continuously... which makes bath time interesting.

Toe sucking's a popular pastime here too. Not in the bath though. We managed to distract her from rummaging in her bits tonight, got some rubber duckies.

So worse, I'm thinking your sh is either of the Middle Eastern persuasion or has drug convictions. Can't think of any other reasons you'd worry about him getting into America.

22 weeks is theoretically when the fussy phase starts prior to the wonder week that is week 26.

dh, not sh. What would an sh be?

worse good luck with the exploration tomorrow. Will DH be taking you with DD in tow? We?ll be thinking of you and hoping you get some answers. Go to Chicago! Your mind will be at ease as you?ll all be together with DH and it?ll be a grand way to pass some time you can also give me some survival tips for long haul flights.

vj we spend quite a lot of time on a big blanket here. We take it with us room to room, or outside on drive or in garden (depending on what jobs need doing) and as long as I?m doing something for her to watch and I natter to her she?s happy to google around. We quite often walk to meet DH when he?s on his way back from work. He has a car seat so he pulls over when he sees us and we all bundle in. We take picnics to various parks/National Trust places (as we?re members that?s ?free?). We have signed up to some classes that our local sure start centre offer for free. We park on the edge of the city and walk in. We meet NCT and hypnobirthing mums/babies at each others houses. We meet childless friends for tea out. Following a baby sensory course we have put together a bag of slightly hippy alternative toys for use in 1-2-1 play sessions (ones where you are playing with your LO so can safely play with non-toy stuff): space blanket (2 for £1 from poundland ? best money ever spent on DD; literally never tires of it), plastic mirror, fibre optic wand (£2 evil amazon), B & W striped fabric, pin wheels, feathers, ribbons, hand puppet, sleigh bells, wind chime, wooden spoon! Baby massage is a nice way to spend 15 mins with your LO when they?re in the right frame of mind.

plonky did you make your 10000 steps? You?re really serious about the size 10 thing aren?t you!
soyo tonight! Tonight is going to be the night that miniyo goes crazy for the sleep. I can feel it in my waters! Keep us posted (hopefully at 9 tomorrow morning when you?re revelling in a block or two of sleep).

stormy wilko?s eats my days! When I nip in there for a new mop head I emerge an hour later laden with bags. Ours is on three floors! Imagine. That?s a good way to pass time vj!
The second hand buggy got pressure washed today which was a fun spectator sport (DD enjoyed the noise and occasional splash). Looking forward to getting out across the fields in it soon. The neck/shoulder injury mean a sling is a no no right now.

The football is on here. I find it tedious as I don?t understand it, despite having a patient explainer in the shape of DH and despite having been to many games. I?m just not interested in the rules. So, I just went to watch DD sleep for a while. Beautiful . And now I?m off for a bath and a chocolate éclair.

Thank you everyone. Some good reminders there of things I used to do, but for some reason haven't for ages. Think I've got stuck in a bit of a 'mummyhood is dull' rut. I am currently the embodiment of 'only boring people get bored'. Time to sort myself out.

Worse- good luck tomorrow. I'm sure you will get the peace of mind you need. Will be thinking of you. And go to Chicago. There's no good reason not to (brownie points for mr worse as well, he really is serious about making things right isn't he?) I assume you'll be staying in a hotel? Therefore things are easier than home - someone to make your bed/cook your meals/etc. And they LOVE formula feeding in the states so they'll be much more set up for it. Plane will be easy- sterile bottles and ready mix formula picked up from boots airside.

I also don't really like any hint of snuggling in bed, unless its really cold, and even then I'd rather a hot water bottle than a human. I really didn't enjoy our holiday where dd and I had to share a room, she's so bloody grunty and wriggly. Having said that I do like our snuggly time from about 6-7am, but that might just be because it gets me an extra hour's snooze. Soyo-separate duvets is inspired. I may have to suggest that one. DH won't be impressed though, he takes me dislike of cuddling as a personal affront.

Oh, and eco, your trip sounds amazing, I'm hugely jealous and looking slightly miserably at our package holiday to corfu in October

Wors you should definitely go. DH is making the effort, you wouldn't have to make meals and you'd all not have to worry about each other plus there's good shopping to be had can I send you a list

VJ the other place to check out is your local library. They often do baby reading or nursery rhyme sessions and book start things. We go and get books and have a read in a new environment every now and then!

We went out for dinner at 7 with my parents which was lovely and DD slept but now she laughed at the idea of bedtime. Instead she's watched some football and I think we may try again after the post match interviews!

Worse I'm enjoying the Jillian Michaels workouts for all her 'stick your arse out' instruction. For the first time in my life I have a bum! I hope your procedure goes well tomorrow. The GI thing sounds doable but a major mental adjustment to make. And yes, I also think Chicago sounds a lot of fun.

Eco I too am a football widow, so I'm having an early night :) and yeah I'm pretty serious about getting smaller. I have too many bad associations with bigger, and I'm getting sick of my capsule wardrobe. Also, your alternative toy box sounds awesome. Not sure how DS would cope with a feather (actually, I do. He'd try to eat it).

vj I highly doubt you're bored because you're boring. I can't wait to get back to work, even if its as mind numbing as it was before mat leave, because the sahm shoe doesn't really fit me either. I'm not particularly bright or ambitious, but I need to keep my mind busy and there's good banter in the warehouse. I'm a big believer in making my own happiness, so back to work it is. I'm just trying to make the most of the next nine weeks.

Hmm cosleeping. If I were bfing I'd be doing it a lot. But considering he's such a light sleeper and I radiate heat like a, um, radiator...probably best we just have the sleepy hour. I think we've hit the 22 week fussy period here too. He's reverted to shrieking all day (another reason for long walks) and not sleeping as well as he did a week ago.

Stormy a sh** is exactly what DH has been, hence his travel restrictions. It's not so much that the US wouldn't be pleased to see him, it's that a certain US colleague would too pleased to see him, hence he won't go there without inviting me. You can get over these things and move on, but he is not surprisingly a little uncomfortable about going places that might look suspect.

Eco, yup, the man has the baby.... for the entire day . She'll break him by 2pm I hope

SoYo Library! Why didn't I think of that?! I'm adding that, and all Eco's home made play to my list.

Looks like I am going to Chicago then. O.M.G transatlantic flight . I'm sure I'll cope.

We have time in bouncy chair usually watching mummy cook, load dishwasher and clean kitchen / sort laundry. Time in high chair watching me eat. Time on playmat either alone while I mumsnet get on with stuff or with me lying beside him desperately trying to get him to roll being interactive . Time on big muslin in middle of room where view is better and wriggling easier. Time in door bouncer. Time in big cot with cuddly toys. Time reading books together. Time doing singalong nursery rhymes with actions that make me look a loon. Time listening to proper music of all types! Flying round the house is also a favourite. Staring at the cat is a current winner though.

Out of the house, walks round the garden feeling trees and flowers. Walk round the block in the sling. If we've gone to town then doing the shopping, poss a walk round the park, going to one of the groups run by the children's centre, visiting granny and grandad. We go and see a friend and her two kids every couple of weeks - her toddler is lovely with him!

Worse - all the best for tomorrow. Will be thinking of you. And USA sounds good; agree mr worse does seem to be really trying and you can buy those huge tubs of skippy peanut butter

Not that we're flying long haul any time soon. Or indeed flying short haul. Or indeed even going on holiday. Starting to count the days til I go back to work, not really in a good way, but there's nowt to be done but get on with it.

Forgot that he obv comes to my pushchair boot camp exercise class and pramercise in the park. And tomorrow we're doing a local village show with friends.

Eco, that sounds great, we did a similar trip two years ago. Traveling with baby stateside involves organization. Especially stuff for the plane. The formula is not the same. Pack the usual stuff (powder you use) in your suitcase. as hubbie is American we have done Miami, LA and new York with DS. Much easier post 12 months when can be bribed with tv and snacks! Also as DS loved sleeping bag taking that for plane really helped.

We fly tomorrow. take off and landing are tough on ears. Have a dummy or if like dd your baby doesn't take one you must have a drink for take off and landing to help with ear pressure.

Plonko I find the packets tough. Instead I took the water boiled just as we left house in bottles and formula powder seperately measured out in the bibi carry thing. Then add powder when you want to use bottle and if necessary heat. If they ask you to taste water from bottle you can. Also total change of clothes, and a disposable changing mat handy, sometimes the change in air pressure leads to explosive poos.

Wish me luck tomorrow! DS first flew at 6 months. Dd is just a bit longer so hoping ok. Great granny is I'll in Ireland and really wants to see dd so can't put off any longer.

How did your night go soyo? I hope it's getting better for you.

I've been lurking as i've had a busy few days (free baby group at the lical children's centre, lunch with post-natal mums, shopping, visiting friend with three week old - not broody but very reminiscent - and visiting DD's grandparents) and not much to report. I did get a full on giggle from DD in the bath last night - first time and it made my heart smile! DH is working evenings and missed it so tried to get her to laugh again this morning and nada. Not a sausage. Harumph.