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.

[StormyBrid]

Hmm, it's been all silent on here for seven hours. Does that mean everyone's getting lots of lovely sleep? Everyone except me, of course. Have I mentioned I hate insomnia? Gave up after the half past four feed.

We have finally made the switch to 3-6 clothes. And they're not ridiculously baggy. Where did this enormous baby come from, and what happened to my tiny scrunchy one? So we are planning a mission into town today to buy new baby clothes. As the buggy's a bit enormous for the bus, I shall be being brave and using the mei tai. Which DD seems to like, but we've never been very far in it, so this could be interesting.

[vjhist85]

You'll get there with the nights stormy- I'm guessing mini-storm won't take bigger bottles during the day? We started only offering 3oz bottles at night, the plan being that she wouldn't fill up at night and not during the day. Worked brilliantly and last night was officially our first night of sleeping all the way through! No dummy returns, only just got up - although dream feed wasn't til midnight as I was out last night.

SoYo you are not the only one still yet to dtd- and I haven't been bfing for 3 weeks so don't even have that as an excuse. Poor DH, think his hopes got up first when we moved her into her own room, then when I stopped bfing. I told him the other day that whilst I'm still not up for it, thinking about sex no longer makes me feel sick so we're clearly getting closer...not sure that made him feel better tbh...!

[Rainbowbabyhope]

Stormy we go everywhere in our sling - it's so liberating! We never use the pram anymore as I just can't be bothered with it and DD doesn't really like it. We go out for full days nearly every day in our mei tai and it works so well. I just make sure to give DD some time out of the sling now and again but otherwise she is happy looking around from it and charming everyone we meet with her baby sounds! Tbh not sure why we bothered getting a pram in the first place as don't think we will get any use out of it. We are moving into the countryside soon into a village with no pavements so pram will definitely be impractical there!

[StormyBrid]

The pram definitely has its uses - can't fit much shopping in the sling! Only worry with the mei tai is she's never been in it more than half an hour, and if she gets tired she's rubbish at sleeping on people and may go into meltdown.

I just gave her a bit of my toast. She had fun making a mess of it.

[LaLaLeni]

Worse I use a Manduca which can be used on my front, hip or back and is super comfy and easy to put on. Babies facing out isn't recommended because then all their weight is taken on their groin once head control is good then they can go on your back.

You can get pouch slings where baby can sit like on a kangaroo with legs folded up facing out, but they're not brilliant for going outside and walking far.

I had a Connecta too but DS hated being put in it and I found the straps were super difficult to put on and then cut into my neck. Shame though as they do fold up really small!

[Plonkysaurus]

Vj I think it took me awhile post bfing to get my sex drive back. I'm sure that's no coincidence either, it must be natures way of ensuring you don't make more babies than you can feed.

Stormy let us know how you get on. Yesterday was the longest I'd carried DS so I doubt I could manage a shopping trip. Would love the freedom of no buggy, though they'd have to figure out a way of attaching a shopping basket to my Connecta first.

Oh and I'm kind of with you on the sleep. DS was disturbed when we came to bed even though we were being quiet as church mice. And he wanted to play at 3am, so naturally dp and I had a domestic. I think he had too much nap time yesterday. Anyway I'm shattered.

Needless to say I've spent the morning moving the cotbed into his room and I don't feel at all sad about it.

[StormyBrid]

I would let you know how the shopping trip goes, except we've cancelled it. Bumped into my brother's girlfriend this morning and she said she'd get us more vests and sleepsuits, as they'll all get passed on to her anyway.

I've been productive mummy today. Had the kitchen spotless by eight am - getting up at half four has its uses. And I had a bath with DD in the bouncy chair, which she found exciting for some reason. Speaking of baths, she's just about outgrown the baby bath, but can't sit unaided in the sink yet. Suggestions?

[SoYo]

Stormy we've never used the baby bath as madam hated it. We just put a few inches of water in the bottom of the big bath, lie her flat on her back in it and let her splash about. She loves it!

I've restarted using my carriers, both the stretchy cloth sling and the baby bjorn but I obviously hadn't realised how heavy madam has become. I'm not sure I could have done more than an hour in either. Luckily she likes her pram!

Plonk I think I'll be moving madam in the next couple of weeks too. Part of me thinks I'm getting up too soon with her when she starts making noise and some of the time I need to wait and see if she settles. I've been trying this out over the last week and it sometimes works but I think it'd be easier if she was in her own room. Plus now that she's rolling I'd rather she was on a proper mattress and not the travel cot one.

We've been for lunch in York today with a friend and then went for a coffee at a national trust hall where we were told children under 6 aren't allowed, but only after we'd ordered, and that they'd make an exception this once as madam seemed so well behaved. Normally I'd have told them where to go and left but as my friend had brought me there I didn't, cue much hilarity as my cherubic baby turned into miss farty pants! Ha

[StormyBrid]

Hmm, big bath could be possible, but I was hoping to delay the permanent backache it will involve. Will keep pondering. Are you near York then, SoYo? I lose track, but I didn't think anyone was remotely near me.

[ecofreckle]

Hi stormy we got given this strange device for the big bath. It's for when they're too big for the baby bath but not yet sitting. here is one: seat thing
It's another piece of plastic crap with a lifespan of a few weeks of course but may help. We have also done the same as soyo with her flat on her back. Loves splashing and thumping legs and arms down onto bath.
soyo and plonky we finally moved DD into her own room last weekend for the same reasons: waking her upon turning in ourselves and also being hyper vigilant on the night time noises. She's now remaining asleep when we head to bed, although just as I put our lights out I creep over and open both of our doors for overnight so I can hear her rather than her through the monitor iyswim. The first evening we walked into our bedroom at night and PUT THE BEDSIDE LIGHTS ON and had a READ and a CHAT was stupidly exciting!
Well done mini vj ! Do you feel brilliant today as a result? I remember the 3 good old days 5 weeks ago when DD slept through. Maybe as you are hitting it a bit later on than our 12 weeks you will manage to sustain it. Keep us posted with how it goes tonight.
vj and soyo I'm afraid I'm in your no sex club. I'm planning on feeding for a good while longer if nature lets me so fear this may be a bit of a long haul if I have to wait for that helpful hormonal kick up the bum. The one major hurdle in my mind is that my boobs feel totally unsexual now; certainly not like they're anything to do with DH. And I still wear breast pads at night because with DD's total lack of any night time pattern the boobs are havoc. You ladies that were back in the saddle whilst still BF are you chilled with your new-style boob timeshare and did you find it OK? Or maybe that's too personal a question....unsure of MN etiquette.
soyo I'm surprised at the NT with no under 6's policy. Worse and I seem to be keeping them in business at present but maybe we should consider a boycott until they get a consistently good baby policy!
We're just back from a sweaty walk around a nature reserve in the Broads. DD was forward facing in Baby Bjorn but I do feel she's getting a bit heavy for it; the straps dig in a bit. We have been given a kari me sling - anyone had any good experiences with one?
Been thinking of naming ceremonies. We're both atheist (with me verging on some pagan/mother earth spirituality) and so a Christening would not be appropriate. We were thinking yurt/bunting/cider for a small number of people but it's the ceremony that I have a visual block on. Anyone else planning on doing anything?
And worse did you get your dinner? Or do you need meals on wheels?

[vjhist85]

I know an anecdote does not a rule make, but a friend of mine has a 23wo ebf baby. She was despairing-baby was feeding every 3 hrs day and night, so 3 feeds per night. Eventually she put her in her own room (up til then she'd been in a cot in their room) the very first night she went from 10pm dream feed to having to be woken at 7.45am. They had obviously been waking each other up, and she'd just been sticking her on the boob assuming it was hunger. Now they don't disturb each other, she has slept through 3 nights in a row...

Eco- re: boobs. Whilst I can imagine my sex-drive returning one day, I don't think I'll EVER like the idea of DH going near the boobs after 4 months of bfing. And I would have beaten him off with a stick if he'd tried when they were all milky and leaky and solid. No siree.

Today I'm thoroughly exhausted and i don't really Know why. I'm still hoping for a bigger gap between dream feed and first feed of the morning, might move dream feed forward and see what happens...

[worsestershiresauce]

Phew, finally, 5 minutes to myself. Yay!!! Miss madam has been a right little whatsit today with the milk refusing. If she was any older I'd be wondering if she'd over heard the HV announce her new weight (15lb 5 ) and was watching her calories. As it is I can only assume she's being a madam. An hour and a half to get 3flozzes down her.... every feed. I am a broken woman I tell you and DH is doing the evening feed as soon as he gets home

Eco yes, dinner arrived, and with enough time to ping in the microwave and shovel down before herself awoke. What a result. It was disgusting mind, as are most ping style meals, but it was at least hot.

As for the personal question, DH sorted that one all by himself. He didn't really go near. He was either scared of being doused, or like me had started to look on them as a functional feeding tool. Not sure which as I didn't like to ask. It's situation normal now, so rest assured the awkwardness wears off.

SoYo the NT cafe dissed mini-yo . What???? Isn't their entire clientele parents (and old people)/ I'd have asked them to check with head office, loudly. I bet it's just one (childless) cafe manager being an ar5e.

Thanks for the sling advice Leni, sounds like I'll have to do a bit of reading up to find one that works. No hurry though as both the tiddler and I find the carrier too hot in this weather, and prefer the pram. On that note, how do you keep the sun off when using a sling? I find a hat doesn't work, and feel a prat carrying an unbrella/parasol/shade thingie.

Stormy another one here who just uses the big bath. I fill it full enough for her to basically swim, and she absolutely loves it. That's where we're off to now actually - bath time!

[StormyBrid]

worse have you considered giving up on a feed after less time? I ask because it sounds like you've probably not got all that long between the end of one feed and the start of the next - perhaps she's not getting enough time to work up an appetite? Also you don't want her thinking darting about is the way to go with feeds. Maybe give up after half an hour, and do the next feed as scheduled, and she may get on with it a bit more?

We're both getting an evening off bathtime tonight. Brother's girlfriend is getting some practice in. Makes a nice change, not being soggy by half past six.

Just saw something on the news about the full moon causing crap sleep. Not in this house - the full moon the other day was the first time in ten weeks she's slept through!

[Rainbowbabyhope]

stormy answer to sling plus shopping is a rucksack and plus you have your arms free like a normal person rather than glued to buggy so I have been known to carry a few bags. Mind you I have been carrying DD everyday since birth for 3-4 hours a day min (we love long walks) so I just don't feel the weight. I love baby wearing - in fact it's my favourite thing about having a little one. The few times she has been in her buggy I missed the constant kisses and the little face looking up at me chattering about what she can see. I think we will be carrying well into toddlerhood and probably sell buggy. I do however stick to carriers that support hip to knee so baby bjorn is no go for us.

eco DH totally not bothered by breastfeeding when it comes to my breasts - in fact he says he is so full of admiration and pride to see us feed that they are even more special!! I on the otherhand do find DH attention in that area a bit odd - not surprising given that I see a little mini head guzzling away at them multiple times a day! Think it will be a while after stopping before they become mine again which I am fine with.

Can't imagine moving DD into her own room atm - I love co-sleeping and the fact that I don't need to really wake up for feeds. I would be so much more tired going backwards and forwards between two rooms having to wake myself up. Having said that in our new home we will be setting up a montessori style nursery with a floor bed where we intend to start settling DD in the evenings when she gets more mobile with the intention of bringing her to bed with us each night after first feed. Probably start doing this at 6-8 months so I guess that will be a partial move to own room.

[pudtat]

Hello fellow Marchers. Sorry have been radio silent for a bit, been lurking but have been really busy and somehow felt like I wanted to be in the moment with DS rather than posting about it when I had a quiet minute here and there...

Sleeping going well here. Regularly getting through to gone 5 and even gone 6 occasionally from dream feed at 10pm. Very nearly there! Feeding went a bit funny in the heat (he didn't want to!) but has improved over last few days as a little cooler. Weigh in today saw us hit 6kg exactly and regain the 9th centile line (we got referred to hospital when we hit 2nd). He's a long drink of water though!

Managed to get some lovely bargains in a local shop a few days ago, posh organic kids clothing brands for tiny money... Brill!

Baby monitor packed up this morning. Thankfully I got it via John Lewis and they have a new one winging its way as we speak so will be with us tomorrow. In the meantime I-thingy to I-thingy it is! Amazing how panicked I was about not having my evening - he's good as gold really but I do like to be able to keep an eye on him in order to relax downstairs.

Still in with me in the spare room at the mo, and likely to stay there until I stop bfing I think. Sadly I will need to start the wind down in about a month as I return to work end sept. Would like to see if my supply will cope with just doing a morning and evening feed, but with all the probs I've had I am trying not to hold out much hope!

As you can prob guess from the above, given dh and I rarely even share a room at the mo, dtd not really been on the agenda. I have my coil fitted next week, so we shall see. Not been relevant so far iykwim.

Have been very good about going to my fitness classes and have even followed Worse's lead and got signed up with a personal trainer! Will be doing 2x 30min sessions a week with her at the gym in addition to at least one class. The jelly belly will be beaten!

Tried to be a yummy mummy today, as took my mum out for lunch. Managed to dress up a bit in new maxi dress which kind of hides the lumps, had a shower only yesterday afternoon, took the buggy but forgot to put in contacts instead of specs so didn't have the big sunnies #fail.

Glad to hear baby Yo getting the hang of sleeping and super mummy Yo managing admirably when not! Snort at various outfits which haven't hit the cute button as expected (we wore baby's first political t shirt today with environmental messages all over it ) and virtual clip upside the head for any dh's who have been less than supportive. Had to laugh at mine tonight, during bath time he suddenly asked if I could manage if he popped downstairs for a wee. I managed not to point out that I had been on my own entirely for 4 days and nights last week and therefore could probably cope for 2 mins!

[pudtat]

Oh, and another one for pram rather than sling in this weather - he gets way too hot and sweaty in the Moby and so do I! He's in the carrycot bit so plenty of wriggle room, a great uv shade (we have the uppababy vista and its been a godsend with the weather) and fly nets so lovely shady walks in the park by the river don't come with side effects!

[worsestershiresauce]

You're absolutely right Stormy, I wouldn't normally persist with the milk, but it's hot, she's sweated buckets and on the amount she actually wanted she'd have ended up very dehydrated. On a normal day I'd probably give her half an hour, a ten minute break, offer it again, and take it away if refused. It's a catch 22 isn't it - hot weather kills the appetite, but increases liquid requirements. I suspect the problem might be solved now post a rather difficult nappy.

Rainbow what carrier do you have? When it cools down I'd like to get dd out of the buggy, as I mistakenly bought one the size of a small tank. It's great off road, but getting it into let alone round a shop is quite a trial.

Ah, catch up properly another time.... duty calls in the form of a loud squeal

[SoYo]

Stormy I'm in Leeds so not too far, you're in Hull aren't you?

Pud it's good to have you back! Amazing sleeping going on there and yay on the weight gain. Nice try on the yummy mummy plans but no yummy would be without the massive shades....fail! I have also failed in this today, I've just opened the door to my neighbour and not realised I still had most of a boob out without a baby attached. Nothing yummy about that!

I'm also a bit unsure about the boob thing, they do seem to have stopped being anything to do with sex and only to do with nourishing baby....not sure what I'd do if DH tried for a cheeky fondle, luckily due to exhaustion of both of us and room sharing we're avoiding that hurdle!

Rainbow it sounds like you've got it all planned and sorted, it does sound like an idyllic parenting experience in your house, a bit different from my give it a bash and hope for the best style! I can't get the hang of full nights of co-sleeping, we just wake each other up all the time so both get less sleep. I do love our couple of hours of snuggly sleep that we do in the morning though, it's definitely something I'll miss from these baby days.

When I was driving earlier I had a realisation that I've really started enjoying being Mini-Yo's Mummy, we may have a lack of sleep, bugger all routine and no time for myself but she's a little ball of monsterely delight! I'm not sure when I started enjoying it so much but I'm bloody glad I have!

[ecofreckle]

I just googled 'why are baby bjorns bad?' and am now batting myself over the head for being such a terrible mother for the last 4 months. Somewhere in the baby fog I must've missed researching slings. I also just googled how to put on the Wilkinet sling contraption we've been given and will be trying it tomorrow. Bad week for the guilt this week :-(

[vjhist85]

Please nobody elaborate on why baby bjorns are bad. We don't spend hours and hours in it but when we do I love it so I'm happily ignorant especially considering how much bloody money it cost me

[SoYo]

Eco I'm a bad mummy too! We don't use our baby bjorn much now but did as a newborn, not a great purchase, probably should have done more research there too! We do have a mummy facing pram but half the time I realise I'm just thinking or enjoying the silence that comes with sleep rather than talking out loud so not sure I'm helping much there either! There's always going to be something to feel guilty about but that just shows we're trying our best and we care!

[SoYo]

Don't worry VJ, I did look it up after it was mentioned but its not enough to stop me using it when the need arises or make me buy something new!

[Rainbowbabyhope]

soyo we are far from being sorted here! Wish that were the case! We co-sleep using a bedside cot mostly (fashioned from a cheap ikea cot) as I too find proper co-sleeping difficult as I like freedom to move in my sleep! We don't face same level of sleep issues as you but it has been a very long time since I got more than a 2-3 hour stretch at night and even those feel heavenly atm! Feel like a perpetual growth sput here!

Apologies for making anyone feel bad about baby bjorn choice - because we knew we wanted to baby wear we did loads of research (plus I am a lawyer so don't make any decisions without extensive research anyway!). I think it's not an issue if it's not prolonged use anyway. We use the sling so much that having good leg support really makes a difference.

worse we have been using moby wrap until recently when it got way too hot to use and I was finding it to not be supportive enough for an increasingly wriggly DD. We are now trying a simple mai tai which is brilliant. Also considering getting something like a beco Gemini for other relatives to wear (so can easily buckle up) and for nanny when she starts later this year but not quite brave enough to make the investment. We have a sling library here where you can try and hire sling with is brilliant and would recommend seeing if there is one near you.

[ecofreckle]

rainbow you didn't make me feel bad! I made myself feel bad! Mothers seem to be good at that. It's given me kick up bum I needed to explore the other two we've been given. Long overdue. But, like soyo and vj, I'll stick with super simple bjorn for quick jobs. But not climbing mountains.

[SoYo]

Madam has stopped me getting too excited by last nights sleepy antics. Full on mega wake here, I thought I'd try and settle without feeding and the tantrum was impressive. She's now attached to the boob and gulping away with an angry look in her eyes!