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.

[vjhist85]

Ah yes worse, we do like our plastic tat educational toys in this house. KF- never feel guilty for resting. If you do, sit down and work out how much you achieved just by 8am, let alone the rest of the day! You'll realise you're definitely entitled to coffee and shortbread!

[KFFOREVER]

Ah worse i too thought our ww was over after a great day of lovely long naps and fussy free baby but then it starts all over again.

Sorry vj you are having a bad day. The whinging is worse than crying it really gets to me.

[SoYo]

Try metanium cream for the nappy rash. It's brilliant but tell her not to be alarmed at the yellow colour and not to get it on her clothes! We use it in hospitals for bed sores but all the major places sell it in the baby section.

[Rainbowbabyhope]

I second the the metanium cream recommendation for nappy rash - wonderful stuff.

leni sorry you are going through such a tough time and you you OH realises what a gem he has in you before its too late. The emotional blackmail he is subjecting you too is totally unacceptable!

worse can't believe you have crawling! DD shows very little interest in any kind of motion. Just stares at stuff as if willing them to come to her! She is however a massive fan of sitting in her highchair and putting thing in her mouth all in support of her love of food!

I'm starting the couch to 5k running course this evening. My weight has finally really started to drop off in the last few weeks so am feeling motivated - the amazing powers of breastfeeding! Ensuring we have a a lot of healthy food to share with DD has also helped so much. No more junk allowed in the house! Plus I never have full portions anymore as a third of my food tends to be consumed by the little one -- nice side effect of blw!

[StormyBrid]

Guess who just cut her first tooth! That would explain the recent grumpiness. Had a peek this morning and the bottom right gum looked a bit wonky. Stuck my finger in this afternoon and there's a tiny bit of tooth poking through. Are we in for a few days of utter hell while it shifts into position?

worse I've had to give the man so many lectures about salt already. He likes to throw it in the pan when boiling pasta, potatoes, vegetables. I can't see the point, plus I don't like my food salted (except chips). Got stupidly sensitive tastebuds so even really bland stuff suits me just fine.

Leni my urge to give your bloke a right ding round the earhole just got stronger. I appreciate it's not the most convenient thing in the world, but if he's not willing to give you a bit of space when you need it then it sounds like he isn't particularly bothered about your happiness. I'll shut up about it for now, but if you need to talk (or rant) we are all here for you.

vj I have no experience of nappy rash (the only one we've had so far was thrush related and cleared up in no time with clotrimazole). My sympathies for the poor child though, it sounds horrible. We use bepanthen, my sister swears by it.

KF even without having to do any parenting, getting up at 5am is reason enough to have coffee and shortbread. Enjoy it, and enjoy the brief peace!

Today's attempt at crawling involved stretching out the arms and vibrating with sheer force of will. Entertainment value was high, but forwards motion was a bit lacking. Fine by me though, I like the way she stays where I put her. My cousin's son, who's one next month, has just started walking. No more nice quiet sit downs for her!

[LaLaLeni]

KF thank you - and everyone else too. It really helps to be able to rant here actually. We have no joint accounts but this is a joint mortgage. All the savings we have are in my name because I earned them. He doesn't seem to care about my feelings at all or even think I'm a worthy human. And to think he used to splash the cash just to try and impress me...

He talks to me like I'm a child, despite me basically wiping his arse.

Would that cream work for my horrendous under-boob rash too? Big sore spots that haven't responded to cortisone cream. Pretty gross along with my flabby tummy.

[pudtat]

Gosh, loads to catch up on and am on stupid app on phone so will forget everything except...

Big hugs for Leni. Can I join the queue to slap your oh? He really can be a piece if work can't he? On your behalf.

We've found sudacrem very good but tbh have only had small pink patches occasionally which go within the day. DS has prob the reddest patch ever at the mo, which is improving but came yesterday and still isn't gone. Think the real nappies can help as no chemicals next to the skin to irritate further.

Go crawlers!!! Still just doing swimming motions here thank goodness. I'm trying to plan baby proofing and its doing my head in. Why are fire guards so ugly!?

We've started weaning though very little going in, just on... On him, on the high chair, on the floor... Still he seems to be enjoying it so we'll keep on as we are. Blw at the mo. though have given yoghurt on preloaded spoons, he's doing quite well with them considering...

Had to take the cat to the vets for her jabs this week. She had her weigh in, and DS still hasn't caught her! I reckon another fortnight should do it.

[LaLaLeni]

Yes Pud, the more slaps the better.

[SoYo]

Warning, this post is full of self pity...

We had a week of waking every 4hrs & the last 2 nights we're back to every 1.5-2hrs. I am broken.

[KFFOREVER]

soyo poor you. Im struggling on 3hrs cant imagine 1.5/2hrs.

Where is everyone?

[KFFOREVER]

soyo is it teething? Or is she waking up hungry?

[worsestershiresauce]

Oh SoYo that's rough . Probably a stupid question, but could it be the weather? I've had a bit of night waking here, which is unusual, and I'm 99% certain it's down to the temperature change over night. Or perhaps its a wonder week thing?

Have you thought about changing her day time schedule to see if that would improve her nights? Maybe keep her up later in the evening, so you can fit in an extra feed? If she goes to bed having eaten more, and slept less, she might sleep longer. Might be worth a try.

Or if you have budget have you thought about getting a maternity nurse for a week or two to help with routine? These guys sorted out a friend's ds who was waking every 2 hours

www.maternitynurse.co.uk/

[pudtat]

Is she really hungry or just wanting cuddles? If hungry then hopefully just a growth spurt and should pass soon. Big hugs in the meantime, you truly are a hero.

[SoYo]

Thanks guys, KFF and Pud she was hungry on 2 wakes and wanting cuddles on the other 2, the ones with the cuddles she fell asleep when I picked her up very quickly but woke up when put down (very annoying) but to be fair to her she doesn't do that very often. I left her in the hope she'd settle herself but had to go to her once she was in a full on screamy fit. I'm still just not ready to leave her to cry. In times past I'd just have fed her every time as it's easier but I'm trying very hard not to do that now and allow habits to be formed.

Wors thank you, that's exactly what I'm going to try. I got her and somehow managed to drag myself up an hour earlier than usual, she's had 2 good naps and one tiny one, and I'm planning to try to get her through to 8.30 before putting her to bed with an extra post dinner feed. We'll see how it goes.

Once I woke up a bit this morning we've actually had a lovely day, we went to a free rhyming session at the library this morning and DD loved watching all the bigger kids singing and doing the actions, then had a walk with the dog, made some soup for our lunch and then met a friend for coffee. Plus it's Fish&Chip Friday once DH gets home! Who can feel crappy when there's deep fried, battered goodness to look forward to?!

Right it's dinner time for the madam, we're going to give scrambled egg and toast a go! Wish me luck! It really is difficult to fit all these feeds and meals in isn't it? Plus I keep snacking every time she's eating which I'm sure I'll start noticing the effects of soon!

How's everyone else? Any goss?

[Plonkysaurus]

Glad you had a better day SoYo. Words have deserted ne today, but your perseverance and positivity is like, so cool.

We've been having more night waking too (definitely teeth), and while Ive not got a chippy tea (lamentable, i really want one now) I'm more than happy to dive head first into the cheap plonk we opened last night. Ratatouille and chicken for dinner. I tend to make a bit too much so I can save and blend it for ds's lunch/dinner the following day.

Weaning wise were leaning more towards spoons. DS gets frustrated if he's actually hungry and I offer finger food, and he's showing signs of wanting to reduce to three bottles a day. I'm fine with that really, though it did mean sharing my slow cooked lamb ragu with him at lunch.

Bought him a gilet today, it's so friggin cute. I love autumn.

[Plonkysaurus]

Worse I meant to add, sorry to hear you're having a tough time. I hope your dh listens to you and you get to have more of a family life soon.

[Anypants]

soyo - does mini-yo have a comforter? I find that if I want DD to snooze, I stroke her nose with her teddy's paw and she sticks her thumb in and rolls onto her side to cuddle him.

[WingDefence]

A lot to catch up on, as usual.

leni (or any of you), have you been following wavesandsmiles saga at all? Her twunt DH left when she was pg, she was hospitalised many times with hyperemesis, and is now a single mum to 3 DCs. Anyway, we met on the JustShagging conception board and she used to tell us all sorts of low-level things her nasty Ex said to her. But then she kicked him out after it all ramped up and the rest is history. All with the help of the vipers on MN.

So basically I'm saying that really, really please post something on the Relationships board because you will get brilliant support on there. We can give you baby support with minileni, but you will get amazing advice and hand-holding there (and on here).

Right, please ignore this post if you want to, and I'll post again about baby stuff next...

[WingDefence]

worse thanks for that weaning list. DD is 24wks today and I am being awful and putting it off even though she stares at our mouths when we're eating! Another MNer is lending me her copy of BLW but I'm likely to combine it with pureeing not purring which ipad wanted to autocorrect to

With DS we used Ella's pouches from early on after a couple of weeks of pureeing fruit & veg myself and later on we used the bigger Ella's once we were out and about as well as Hipp jars. He only liked certain jars though she we used those when we were travelling.

SoYo, DD is now waking up at 10pm, which we think is anticipating the dream feed. And that sort of defeats the object of a 'dream' feed, doesn't it? She grumbles again at some point, which I tend to ignore and she goes back down, then wakes for a feed 3-4am, then rumbles still on/off till 6ish and then wakes for the day 6:30-7. Well, that's going by the last couple of days anyway. I'm sure it'll all change again tonight...!

Part if me is looking forward to her weaning onto food and also weaning off the boob, simply because I think it'll be easier for her to sleep through (hopefully!) and also to get her into more of a routine before I have to hand her over to childcare. Sob.

[Plonkysaurus]

Wing she divides opinion but I've found Annabel Karmels iPad app quite useful. Only about £4 I think, and great ideas for different stages.

[vjhist85]

Evening all. Well we've had an eventful day, with two old friends visiting with their 3yo boy and 20mo girl. A lesson learned in toddler-proofing the house. Also if I think I don't get much done now, I'm really dreading the toddler days. Chaos!!

We have gone from 5 to 3 bottles in one day! Of the 5x7 flozzes I was offering, tiddler was drinking about 4 of each. So last night we dropped dream feed. She woke up 4 times, but not hungry just wanting her dummy back, and that's no more than usual. And today we had lunch instead of 11am bottle. Result? 3x7oz bottles drained, 3 big meals consumed. Amazing how liberating it is knowing I can go to bed whenever I want, and I only have to make 3 bottles beforehand! (Now just waiting for her to sleep 7-7...chance'll be a fine thing...)

Right. I need to go and work. On a Friday night. Bloody mr Gove promising one national curriculum and delivering another means I've got a lot of work to do. On a Friday night. God bless KIT days and the fact I can claim them from home!

[Eigmum]

Hi all. Big hugs to leni what a prat. Hope for his sake he realizes what he has before he loses it all. Stupid men. Whoever said the sensible things about finances and legal advice is right. Make sure you have some cash in your own account and know your rights. It has to be an extreme situation for any parent to et sole custody so he's talking Boll**cks!

Mini eig is doing great. No jars here she hates them. We are baby cook and Annabel karmel all the way. I am STILL breastfeeding and can't see me stopping. Can't believe it but I like it and mini eig loves it and I'll just have to see if I can manage to keep some feeding up when I am back at work in 2 weeks time, very sad about that but need the cash....

Big hugs to all and good weekends!

[WingDefence]

Don't work too hard vj!

plonky, thanks for the recommendation. I've got an old AK book so I should really dig it it and read it properly. I'd forgotten about it so double thanks!

eig, what's baby cook? I do still love BFing as well, although I keep trying and failing to remember not to MN/FB/watch TV etc while feeding her as it's not going to last forever and I know I'm going to miss it when it does stop.
But I'm not sure I'm keen on continuing with a feed every morning and evening as I know some mums do when their babies get older - I am keen on not having to wear breast pads and damn nursing bras forever!

[Eigmum]

Babycook is a Thing for making purée. It's a lot smaller than a steamer mixer and we got a double one and use it as a steamer for us.

www.mothercare.com/Beaba-Babycook-The-Original-Baby-Food-Maker/Steamer/Blender/275615,default,pd.html

I know re the morning evening feeding and can't believe I am even entertaining it but I am .....

[pudtat]

Hi Eig. Back in just under two weeks for me too . In full handover mode here with the man having now finished work til Jan.

I have begun to drop feeds in preparation, hugely stressful last week as coincided with teething and him going on nursing strike - left me very uncomfortable, upset and bloody pumping which I hate.

Better last couple if days, though drop the other daytime feed this week. Should leave us on morning and night. I dream of proper bras and high neck dresses and hope I can get my fix at work before coming home and changing into pjs and breast pads. I thought I'd want to stop but I don't yet. May have to as supply regulating down worryingly quickly and don't know if it'll stick on 2 feeds only, but certainly not ready to wean myself off it fully just yet.