March 2013 - time to wrap them all up in tinsel

[StormyBrid]

Old thread here.

worse we're like Plonky on the timings - we keep mealtimes and milktimes separate. I spotted something in Evil Baby Whisperer that suggested around this age milk should be at the time you'd give a snack. Thinking about it, that's pretty much what we do - milk at the crack of dawn, 11am, 3pm and bedtime, food at 9am, 1pm and 5pm. It seems to work, and Fartypants is definitely in the process of reducing milk herself. Those middle two feeds, she's having about four ounces now.

How is the worselet on mush? Does she show any preferences? If we were sticking with baby led weaning we'd be getting absolutely nowhere. Savoury mushes, she'll try a mouthful then get distracted by the cat. Fruit mushes, she practically inhales. For a reduced stress option, can I suggest getting yourself to Asda? They've a hell of a range of cheap fruity mushes, and then at least you're not having to throw away purees you've spent hours lovingly creating.

Incidentally, six month old Molly may love her porridge, but all that means is that Molly's a total weirdo - porridge is vile. It's weetabix all the way round here, with mashed banana in.

eco hang in there, it does get better. How long until 37 weeks for you?

I am thanking my heathen gods we don't have crawling yet. Nappy changes with rolling are bad enough. Especially when it's a particularly horrific one.

We too have joined the snot club. Its hard work looking after a baby when you are ill yourself.

Hope we all get better soon.

Greetings from Wales!

So sorry to hear about all the poorly babies!

plonk how exciting! A newborn to snuggle! Psst, I've just found out that my bf is very newly pregnant. Well, I say found out, I just knew and managed to wrangle it out of her. She's nearly 8 weeks and nobody knows. I feel all smug!

We're having a very relaxed, if rainy and windy, week away. It's very strange sharing a room with DS but he doesn't seem to mind. He wakes us up by singing and knows that I'm right next to him now so when he wakes up, it's cuddles in bed while I get my eyes working. Swimming every day definitely helps in the sleep department too. I've not escaped the night wakings though, as nearly 6 month old niece is here too so we hear her little screeches every now and then.

SIL gave her a bowl of chunky meat the other day and she cried through the whole thing and then was sick. Not even 6 months old and eating minced beef...I had to bite my tongue but I can wear my judgey pants here, right? Just for a minute?

Thanks Plonky. A absolutely hellish night last night as she just screamed ands screamed for hours. DH had to deal with most of it as I seem to have succumbed to a flu like bug. If I've caught it from her I can fully understand why she is screaming. Everything hurts.

I think it was a bit of an eye opener for DH as although he does some night wakings he has never ever had to do the relentless slog that is getting up again before you have gone to sleep after the last wake. The 'I have work' excuse is very handy isn't it. Like full time child care for 14 hours without a break on zero sleep isn't work . But I digress. To give him his due he just got on with it, and then went to work at 7am.

Something I'm amazed she could swallow it. I'm still blending mince here, lumps being poison and all that. I doubt it will have done her any harm though, other than to set back her weaning by putting her off the whole idea for a while. Hard isn't it, not to raise an eyebrow. I used to raise an eyebrow at my sister feeding her dd nothing but cake every time she came to visit. I understand now though! It was a case of get her to eat something when visiting so that she didn't have a meltdown on the way home. Yesterday I went out and bought brioche, scotch pancakes, and biscuits in the hope the worselet might eat one of them. But no. All she had in 12 hours was 150ml milk.

Get well soon other sick babies. It's miserable isn't it.

worse if it makes you feel better, I have come to the conclusion that baby led weaning is a lie intended to make us all feel terrible. Babies just aren't designed to tuck into hearty family meals. They're designed to throw food around, refuse to eat anything that isn't pureed fruit or cake, leave stashes of weetabix in their hair for later, and generally drive parents to despair and gin. I bought some lovely almond fingers the other day. DD was having none of it. I ended up eating the entire packet myself. Whoops.

As for the Snot Club, I think we should have special membership badges. This is getting ridiculous. It's been nonstop since a week before Christmas here, and I know some of you have been expiring for even longer. Can it hurry up and be spring already? I want to breathe through my nose, dammit!

We've actually been having a fairly easy time of late though; the man's cold turned into viral laryngitis (doctor's orders: no talking), and he's just been back today and told his whole throat's basically horribly infected so penicillin is the order of the day. He vaguely thought this meant he could sit at home on the xbox all day instead of going to work. Hah! Not when I'm dying of snot too. So it's been both of us around all the time since last Tuesday. Does make Shoutypants easier to deal with.

Oh, and no nursery here yet, just vaguely thinking about the future. Only two more years until we qualify for the free hours, and I'm pretty sure I still won't have a job then so won't need 'em for the childcare aspect, but it'll be good for DD's social skills so she'll be going anyway.

And she squeaks! Best dash.

stormy I think like everything else baby led weaning suits some babies and not others. It's worked great with DD however she too has her off days on the food front but we just try not to stress about them and have the policy of not offering anything else other than what we are eating which seems to have a good motivating effect!

Sorry to all who are ill. We have teething and that is hard enough with colds, flu and upset stomachs! We are all pretty tired with disturbed nights and I am missing lie ins more than ever.

On the plus side DD has finally starting doing some signs! She seems to be able to do signs for milk, potty, nappy and food. Admittedly most of these are pretty similar so it can be tricky to guess what she wants. Except for milk which is accompanied by enthusiastic pointing and bouncing in direction of the breasts! Are those still ebf finding a sudden increase in desire to latch on and then not actually feed but just quick snacks?

Stormy you're so funny. I may have just snorted at that

I think we may be getting better here, as although apparently not well enough to actually eat anything, the worselet was well enough to raid my handbag and disappear off at speed with my keys. She knows this is naughty, hence the attraction.

Night all. I hope you all get more sleep than I do! She's going to be hungry, but that's allowed. Sick babies get a dispensation.

Rainbow we have increased desire for all things boob too, mostly because madam has discovered she can access them by pulling my top up. Delightful! We also have extreme teething. There's 3 little buggers trying to come through & the accompanying rubbish eating & pants sleep.

Best of luck for tonight everyone! We've done a runner to my parents as DH is on call but madam can smell the different house and an excuse for coming into my bed. I predict I'll give in around midnight! Is it terrible that I'm horribly jealous of DH getting a full nights sleep?

Be gone bugs! So sorry you guys are having a horrid time of it. Snowdrops and crocus are out here so I predict wellness soon.

Something your break sounds lovely! Especially the snuggles. Glad you're finally getting a holiday. Rain in Wales?? Don't believe you

Shattered and pud you are being battered down there. You both ok? Hope so.

Worse you sound at the pantry end of your tether. No wonder. You will have earned a 'get out of wonder weeks free' card after all this. I hope you're tucked up in bed with a bell to ring when you want dh to bring you night nurse/hot toddy/cold flannel.

Rainbow hi there. We have very short feeds now yes. Three minutes ish I'd guess. She never says no though. I'm not loving my moon cup :-( did you see that I had an insertion injury and that plonky is a convert?

Mind blank now about rest of your messages. Sorry! Oh, worse, night nannies, didn't ood or wing have one in the early days? pm them maybe or do a thread search on here? That's how we found our sleep consultant.

We have started with Ann (the angel) on our sleep work. Day one today. Changes to routine, toys and white noise first of all for the next week. We'll see how we go. Our wonder night was just that. A one off. Sigh!

We're currently in a travel lodge. Never do this. It's seven hours from Norfolk to our destination in Northumberland where we begin our holiday tomorrow. Therefore we split the journey a little by making it as far as here tonight. Vile We're all in one room and our girl is really princessey about noise and disturbance so dh and I have been under duvet in dark since 1930! Good chance to catch up on administration via tablet and phones.

We had an offer on our house yesterday. Just mulling that over.

Ecobaby decided 0545 was ok as a time to get up this morning so I suppose I'd best try some sleep myself. Night all and happy Friday!

You would think babies would like to catch up on sleep if they were up partying in the night. Nope usual wake time despite being up 3hrs.

Im so tired. Will catch up later when I have had a coffee.

This has got to be a quick one as we are on our way out, but I just wanted to say good luck with the sleep training Eco, and hope you get a mid morning nap Yummy.

DH's sleep training here is working. I'm so grateful. As is the worselet as rather than falling asleep on me, then waking when I try and put her in the cot, for hours on end, she is falling asleep once and staying asleep. Last night she slept from 9.30pm until 12.30am, had a feed, change and a cuddle, then went through until 8am. DH puts her down in her cot, and stays with her but doesn't pick her up again. The crying lasts about 4-5 minutes before she drops off. This has got to beat 2-3 hours of pacing.

Worse that's fantastic news. I know not all babies would respond to sleep training but it seems to be the answer for so many families. I think being up all night with your baby is not only bad for you, but also that not teaching your child to sleep properly is bad for them. We all know what over tiredness is like. I can't bear to think of a baby feeling that tired for that long, and would much rather put us through a few tearful nights to get better long term sleeping habits in place.

That was much longer than I expected!

Something enjoying the booze cruise welsh hills then? How re you getting on with your baby backpack?

Stormy for the love of imaginary gods, please use your dd's free nursery hours when she qualifies. I know two toddlers - one stays at home with mum all day, the other has 15 free hours. The difference in these children is astounding, and the nursery attending child is much more gentle and less prone to tantrums. The stay at home child is not at all socialized and can only be described as a tears way (though I expect you wouldn't stand for that!)

Eco how was your night atop the A1? Hope the rest of your journey goes swiftly (nice day for it at least). Enjoy your getaway! Perfect for mulling over selling your certainly lovely house and moving on to new pastures.

It's looking likely that DS is also going to attend nursery on Monday mornings. Precisely half the week. Big shuffle round at work means my mum and I are splitting another role between us. Not really sure how I feel about this. On the other hand we have a weekend of friends, family and food to enjoy.

Hi All
mini farmer has had a busy week , he went to his childminder for a trial and he had a great time , he was his usual happy cheery laid back self throughout, he will now go there 1 full day per week , her house is only 3 fields away from us its very handy.
Also moved mini farmer into his own room last night , he slept absolutely fine thankfully as i was worried as id kept him in our room so long . He went to bed 7pm and woke up at 07.45 he would have slept longer but daddy farmer had been in the lambing shed all night and popped in clattering n banging for a cuppa and woke us both up !
hes now starting to stand on his own for a few seconds here and there without his trolley
busy busy here on the farms 80 lambs were born during the night , its like living on a maternity ward ??
hope everyone is well Christi ??

Well done Wors and MrWors, when we did that it revolutionised our evenings. It was and still is so worth it. Next task here is to move the night feed to before bathtime but who knows when I'll pluck up the courage for that one!

Christi that's great, MiniFarmer is coming on so well and it'll be lovely for him to get a day socialising and you get a day to feel like you again! Lovely news about the lambs too, I thought that would be later in the year. I always fancied giving lambing a go!

We've just had a fab dinner with my parents and there's a brandy coffee and bar of choc with my name on it once I get Madam down. Fingers crossed she decides tonight is a night for sleep!

Evening everyone. Wild and woolly here in Northumberland. We arrived and ecobaby had a nap here and is now asleep in her room with a sea view that she's largely oblivious to! The log burner is lit (stormy and plonk is that right? lit? alight? light?...I'm only a teacher you knows) and I'm in the bath warming up after blowy walk. It's very lovely to be here.

Doing the first night of sleep work in a dodgy travel lodge on the A1 wasn't perhaps my brightest moment but guess what? Result! Maybe a flukey one, but nevertheless! The first night with no night feed since start august I believe! We had 50 minutes of settling at 2300 ish but that's it! And we've not changed much yet. Maybe it was the all night white noise or maybe it was indeed a never to be repeated fluke

Betty you don't need to feel at all terrible about being jealous of your dh sleep. I'm jealous of everyone's sleep! Sounds nice at your parents. Has madam gone to sleep now and unleashed you on the booze and choc?

Yummy How are you feeling now? Hoping tonight is a much better one for you.

Plonky don't go wearing yourself out now will you? What with baby and wedding planning and work it'd be easy to get run down with extra responsibility. But it's good that you're working with your family as you can chat that stuff through as it happens. Great that nursery had a space.

Worse, do you hire out dh? He sounds handy with a baby! So pleased you're getting results. Has she eaten more today and therefore on the mend? Hope so.

Right turning to a prune so better hop out. Maybe it's time for a again if she's not going to need my boobs any time soon!

Well done on the sleep training worse and eco.

eco did you accept the offer on your house?
DH is on duty tonight. I am exhausted after 3 weeks of rubbish sleep. DS is ill so all he wants is me. Did the sleep lady say anything about teething, illness changing sleep patterns? Is the idea that you start the sleep training again?

christi 80 lambs?! That is amazing.

We have full on walking now.eeek. Is the next stage buying proper shoes?

I've been up twice since she went down an hour ago Eco

Betty ... Yes a day to be Me yikes !
mini farmer loves being sociable we go to 4 different baby activity groups his eyes light up when he sees all the children and hes offski right in among them all , it will be great for him to have time to be with others without me being there cramping his style ??
yummy ... IM loosing count , they are being born thick and fast now , daddy farmer is like a walking zombie bless him , hes been awake for 36 hrs now poor soul ,
i feel abandoned between mini farmer in his own room daddy farmer outside in barn bedroom is horrible , infact im lying on spare bed in mini farmers room just now.

plonk it may as well have been a booze cruise with the amount of alcohol I consumed! The carrier is FABULOUS. It's so comfortable and DS slept in it so that's a thumbs up from him, I reckon.

worae well done on the sleep hope it continues to pay off

eco are you enjoying your break? Did ecobaby wake up to look at the view in the end?

We're finally home, we decided to travel back last night instead of this morning like everyone else there, and I think we're ever so silly for driving through bedtime but DS did us proud. It's so nice to be able to let him loose without having to watch his every move for fear of him pulling things off or eating...anything.

I am officially a zombie. You know it's a bad night when you're chanting 'go the fuck to sleep' at your baby under your breath. I was going to dive back today but I feel crap so going to stay tonight, the only problem is that that risks another bad night here & feeling worse tomorrow. Hmm.

Have you bought the book yet, Betty? It's DD's favourite at the moment.

how has your weekend been everyone? Still standing after the gales? Ecobaby has decided she doesn't like the lid on her back carrier which, in this terrain and weather, might be a bit limiting! Also she's not had more than one night feed since Thursday which I suspect sounds unremarkable to most of you but Betty, shattered and yummy might feel me

Well done baby Eco! Keep up the good work. Maybe she could write a how to guide for some of the other minis?!

My bf is at her wits end ATM as she hasn't had long than 90 mins straight (and mostly 45 mins) for 8 days. Her lo is only 5 weeks younger than DS and has never been a great sleeper but it's getting ridiculous...

Eco fantastic news on the feed front, not so much on the little life lid. No advice from me as we're using an Ergo for back carries, I just have to make sure he's bundled up really well.

Pud your poor friend! I hope they can find a solution soon, she must be completely broken. How's your DS? Any better or still suffering the constant barrage of colds? Hope the antiBs are having the desired effect.

This goes for all the other Snoticuses too.

I think you may be right about spreading myself too thinly, Eco. I've been having a mighty good think this weekend and I think I'm just not organised to add another working day on top of keeping the house in order, looking after DS, wedding planning and working 3 days a week. Ho hum.
Crap night here (for us), was up at 1am administering cough syrup, 3 am with water and 5 am with milk, then he refused to go back to sleep. Not surprisingly he's now having ameba whinge.

Apologies all - i've been a-lurking but DD has decided to only have one nap a day, she's got constipation, DH and I had a massive falling out for a week (all sorted now ) and I just haven't kept up enough to post. Plus, I lost the thread as I haven't posted for so long!

Sorry for all the poorly babes and crappy nights and stupid weather (yawn - roll on summer). Can't scroll as am on phone but wanted you to know i'm still 'ere .

Reasonable weekend here. Still fully paid up members of the snot club though. And I seem to be incapable of sleep. Could be worse though - at least DD sleeps!

We're switching to one nap too. After a week of daily nap fails it seemed less stress. Going well so far. And she's napping for longer than an hour, which is marvellous.

Can't quite believe I'll have a one year old in less than four weeks...