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.

[Plonkysaurus]

SoYo at least she woke for a reason, not just play! Aw your post about being excited to be mini-Yo's mummy made me a bit gooey. I thought the initial rush of love was enough but I had another one earlier this week. The strength of the feeling is something I could never have foreseen. I just loooove him.

The only reason we don't have a Bjorn is because I wanted something prettier i also plan to use it a lot in the winter as rain + hills + buggy = soggy mummy. I can't remember who asked about bad weather and carriers, but most soft structured ones come with built in or detachable hoods, and you can get weather proof covers.

The first night in his own room was heavenly! He went down at 7, cried at midnight (leg stuck in cot bars), then I brought him into our bed at 5.30 when he stirred. We got up for the day at 7. If I were still breast feeding we'd have done the same as you Rainbow.

Right best get sorted, off to view a nursery then we're swimming with grandma!

[worsestershiresauce]

Well wonders will never cease. Madam slept through despite being more than a full feed down yesterday, so that's me happy. To be fair she's looking a tad chunky imo, so dehydration issues aside it probably did her some good. She's definitely not starved!

Rainbow your input has been really useful - having read all the various reviews I think the beco gemini would work for me, so thanks for the recommendation. I'm all for simple and effective, and much as I like the idea of a stretchy wrap n tie option, the reality is I'd end up in a big sweaty knot and the worselet would end up in the pram.

SoYo I know I shouldn't laugh, but the angry looking feeding did elicit a small snort. The tiddler used to do that when I first tried to introduce bottles. It was a look that said 'do that again and I'll really kick off'. I kind of miss it . Good luck with getting her back on track with the nights though, it must be exhausting. If I had any tips I'd share them, but unfortunately I don't, I've just been lucky.

Pud I reckon I should be charging commission from your PT lady, what with my advertising and all . Seriously though, it's worth it as they that are trained so have a better idea of what we need to do to get back to normal. I'm guessing I'll feel grateful in the long run, but sometimes mid-session, whilst doing let another cat pose I get an irrational urge to punch mine.

Eco your naming ceremony plans sound lovely. I'm not sure what we'll do, although DH is vaguely thinking about a christening, more for his family than ourselves. We're not church goers, but our parents are, and it might be a nice gesture. Hmmm, tough one.

[StormyBrid]

So very jealous of the babies who are sleeping! Last night I got four hours in total. Doing my zombie impersonation again today. Am thinking I may copy Eig and try some pureed food from 21 weeks - if it stops her waking up hungry that would be amazing. We're still not consistently getting enough milk down her to cut out a feed entirely, but of course getting milk in the night means she hasn't the need to up her daytime intake.

So, what do we need for feeding slop? Some sort of chair, bowls with suction things so she can't throw them at the cats, spoons... Anything else?

[KFFOREVER]

stormy my ds still wakes up too. Im getting about 4/5hrs sleep at night. After i feed him i cannot get back to sleep and just when i dose off he wakes up. Ive been giving him baby cereals unfortunately it hasnt made any difference. He actually drinks more at night than during the day.

We have moved ds into his own room. Its just too hot for 3 of us to sleep in one room and he has outgrown his crib. He rolls around now and i wake up to find him on his stomach and crying. He hasnt mastered the skill of rolling back yet.

Its been a long time since ive been on here but i just cant seem to catch up. Looking after ds, housework, dinner etc. Not looking forward to starting back work. Im sure it will be ten times worse.

Got to go ds has woken up. He now has 1hr-2hrs nap in the mornings. Much better than the half hour naps.

[StormyBrid]

Noooo, don't tell me food doesn't help! I may have to cry. Nice to know I'm not the only one who sleeps even worse than their baby though.

Hmm. How does milk fit in with proper food? We're still on three hourly bottles, proper food's going to affect that, isn't it? Suddenly realising I know nothing about weaning. And can't ask the hv or there'll be a lecture.

[vjhist85]

Lovely day here, night 4 in a row of no night feed (if it helps stormy, I reduced night time bottles by about an ounce a week, this meant I wasn't starving her but she ate more in the day. It took about 3 weeks, although we still always make up a 3floz bottle for the middle of the night just in case) I'm afraid I've heard from lots of people that purees don't help them sleep, so perhaps work on the milk thing first? Have you tried stretching out the gap between feeds, maybe by 15 minutes at a time so she takes more at each sitting? Sorry if I'm teaching you to suck eggs, I know you've been at this ff lark for substantially longer than me!

Just got home from visiting worse and the worselet in their beautiful home. Some very cute interactions between the small people whilst lying on a rug in the garden I'll happily admit that seeing them holding hands (however accidental!) brought a tiny lump to my throat...

[StormyBrid]

We've been talking about ways to deal with the night feeds. The man's been doing dummy returns rather than milk if she wakes at ten - trying to push that feed forward to midnight. We need to try the same for the silly o'clock feed too, but he worries I'll wake up if she insists on milk, and we've both had colds, so we've been taking the path of least resistance really. Think we'll try reducing the size of the second night feed to start with. And I shall check my ridiculously anal very handy milk diary, because I suspect she doesn't normally clear that one anyway.

Mmm, Friday. I love Friday's. DD has gone to my dad's, I'm in the garden with a friend, and the man's just gone out for a couple of bottles of wine.

[StormyBrid]

Argh! Stupid phone! I can use apostrophes perfectly, honestly.

[KFFOREVER]

stormy this weaning lark is another challenge for us. ive mainly given puree at breakfast. i gave it to him in the evening to see if he sleeps through but nope.

I use his formula to make the breakfast then i give him some milk and a few spoonfuls of the baby porridge. Beaware its messy. At the end of breakfast me and him are covered especially when he does a big sneeze whilst feeding. Ive also pureed banana and he liked that. to be honest i think he likes the spoon against his gums

vj congrats on the sleeping through. Ive tried reducing milk feeds at night but he screams blue murder if he isnt full. Im sure he will grow out of it at aged 5.

[Anypants]

Haven't started the weaning here yet but am thinking about it after DD dropped below the 9th centile line yesterday Asked the HV if it was a sign she's not getting enough on just milk and she was really helpful - 'maybe', she said. Thanks. Been putting it off as she's been so settled at night and I fear change will muck that up

Took Babypants out on our boat today for the first time and she loved it! Not quite a cruise round Monte Carlo but the sun was ouy, it was calm and she was looking all around witg her fascinated face on. Relieved as it was a regular thing to go away on the boat for the weekend before she came along so it would be lovely to do it with her. Plus, it may be the closest thing to a holiday we get this year...

[Anypants]

out and with
Stupid phone.

[SoYo]

Worse it was a very amusing angry feed!

Any a day on the boat sounds good, if it wasn't for my dreadful travel sickness I'd be so jealous. I love the water and really wish I could get on with boats!

I've spent all afternoon making puddings here for a party we're going to tomorrow while DH watched madam, a bit of alone time for me and the KitchenAid was very therapeutic! Not quite sure how they'll turn out as I generally take recipes as a suggestion only but fingers crossed!

[StormyBrid]

There was me thinking motherhood was a great equaliser, and then it turns out one of us casually happens to have a boat. Lack of social status just hit me in the face. I don't think I'm getting a holiday until Mum accepts the inevitable and goes into a home, then me and my dad can split the cost of a holiday cottage near my sister's.

[KFFOREVER]

A boat .

[worsestershiresauce]

Ah stormy but motherhood is a great equaliser as it doesn't matter whether you are a princess or a pauper, you still have to go through the pain, pleasure and often sheer terror of raising a small demanding dependant person. So what if someone has a boat, they're still one of the crew. Pun intended

VJ I must confess my heart squeezed a bit at the hand holding... it was beyond cute. The bit where the worselet poked her guest in the eye and then stole her dummy... less so.

Speaking of pleasure and pain her smallestship has just provided both in equal measure. The mother of all nappy explosions all over the bouncy chair, and an evening in the garden listening to her snore. Baby snores are the funniest thing ever, DH and I were pi55ing ourselves. I didn't know babies could snore.... but apparently they can. I blame her dad as she certainly didn't get it from me.

SoYo I have that approach to recipes as well. The results are variable. I'm sure yours vary on the side of delicious though. Have fun said through gritted teeth as no one has invited me to a party

Over and out. I have an evening of snoring ahead of me, so have much to do in the line of finding ear plugs.

[Anypants]

Ah yes, well, when I say boat, it's not one of those big flashy white things that you see in CSI Miami - it's a bit old and clunky and we bought it years ago when we were footloose and fancy free. It's DH's refuge when he has some spare time - 'just going to do some work on the boat'. I think I suggested selling it as it wasn't very practical with DD and he looked like i'd just suggested cutting his fingers off.

[LaLaLeni]

I've just got DS to boob feed twice!! After a huge gap of no boobies AT ALL I'm amazed. Will try again for the night feeds tonight... After the first one I squeezed my nipple to see if he'd emptied it and milk shot across the room - I never ever had that before.

DS put his hand on our 2 yr old neighbour's thigh today - it was very cute but she obviously didn't appreciate the gesture!

Our secondhand Jumperoo arrived today and I was quite shocked that the seller hadn't bothered to clean it at all. There were dirty marks all over as if it'd been in a shed or something. Not amused as she said she'd put the plastic bits in the dishwasher (?). So rude.

OH still pissing me off big time. But we're moving soon so keeping my focus on packing (actually saw an ad for those vacuum bags for clothes etc and bought the offer, most unlike me) and chucking out/freecycling stuff.

Should I get rid of DS's old clothes and the baby bath and co-sleeper?

[Eigmum]

stormy I know this probably isn't baby led weaning (isn't) but this is what I did with my son and he is a happy healthy 3 year old. If your milk feeds are say 7, 11, 1,4 and 7 now .... Then introduce a bit if baby rice (just a couple if baby spoons ( the tommee tippe heat sensitive plastic ones) are great. Best time is just before 11am feed as gives you time to see any reaction, all new foods should be introduce mid morning or at lunch. You are then aiming for 7am milk, 11.30 solids and water, 12-1milk (moving to 2pm when baby having lunch, 5pm tea, 6.30pm bottle. I tried a bit if baby rice today, she wasn't really ready. My son had lost his tongue out reflex when I started weaning him at 18 weeks and was easy, she still has it so I am going to wait a week before trying again.

[Eigmum]

And you don't really need anything. Feed them in bouncy chair and get a tommee tipper beaker for water and some heat sensitive spoons. These are great because they are soft and you can see when the food too hot as they turn yellow.

[Eigmum]

Also on giving them what you eat. I think it's hard for them to digest wheat especially before 6 months so if you start early it's baby rice and fruits ( apple and pear) and vegetables ( carrot and butternut squash) are a good start.

[Eigmum]

Finally while baby rice has little nutritional value it's made with there milk so gets more milk in them and tastes familiar and helps then learn how to swallow and deal with food when it has a familiar taste hence why it's a popular first food.

[Eigmum]

leni I have signed up for a table at the mum2mum market in Wimbledon in mid September to take all my baby stuff to sell as I'm ow I am not having another and all my friends have there own stuff or we've lent stuff around already.... Just don't get a decent price on eBay and lots of post hassle!

[SoYo]

Thanks for the weaning tips Eig, it's a whole new world again for the small people!

Something miraculous happened last night....madam went to bed at 8 and other than a few snouty stirrings where she self settled she didn't wake up until 4.15!!! It's a bloody miracle! I feel good today even though she then woke up at 5.30 & 7 and I also woke at 1.30 and 3 wondering why she wasn't awake!! I'm sure we'll be back to normal tonight but its definite progress, she's never done near that before without milk.

My baking yesterday has not gone to plan, I just went to cut the brownies and they're basically still liquid....not good as they were my backup pudding in case the other two didn't work!

[StormyBrid]

I like the way normally the fact we're all from different parts of the socioeconomic wossname doesn't really register. A boat was just a bit too much of a mental stretch! I can't even picture one; the only two options in my mental library are "bloody great ferry that's basically a very slow-moving hotel" and "tiny rickety wooden rowing boat".

worse the snoring was one of the many factors in putting DD in her own room at six weeks. It does make me laugh on those rare occasions I get to hear it.

Leni whether to keep stuff or get rid depends on two things: are you likely to have another baby; and have you got the storage space? If the answer to the first is yes but the second is no, try and find a friend with a garage. But otherwise, why keep stuff you're not going to need again?

Lots of helpful info there, Eig. Thanks. We still have the same tongue thrust reflex to a degree, but I've noticed with the calpol during this cold that she's less likely to shove things out of her mouth than she was just a week ago. So we're getting there, and will see where she's at when the booster chair thingy arrives. I'm amazed though, when I opened the laptop just now the NHS weaning page was open. The man has, for the first time ever, actually taken it upon himself to research something baby related! He also got up at 6.50 with DD, has been to the shops, done the washing up, tidied the living room, and made me a cup of tea. Considering I didn't actually ask if it was okay for me to get ratted yesterday and have a stinking hangover this morning, this is even more amazing. He is a good one.

I would say "Go, miniYo!" but the last time I did that we crossposted, with you bemoaning the fact that she'd woken up screaming or similar. So I'll think it but not say it, to be on the safe side!

[worsestershiresauce]

Stormy I love the fact we're a box of all-sorts. It's just refreshing not to be judged for where you live, what you have, who your friends are, how much you earn.... all that sh*t. There isn't one person on here I don't like, and that's probably because we are all just being ourselves and not worrying about making a good impression.

I started life on a Belfast council estate and ended up in the 'big house'. I genuinely get on with anyone regardless of who they are. My DH is the same. Small town Essex boy done good. Sometimes in RL people are friendly to me until they find out where I live. Sucks huh.

Don't have a boat though .

The thing about life is be happy with who you are and the rest is easy.

Aaaaaand OFF the soap box