July 2014 - sleepless nights but lots of smiles

[NancyinCali]

The old thread is nearly full so here's a new place for us to chat about our July babies. Help yourself to some tea & cake to keep you going through the sleepless nights .

John lewis do bright coloured bodys as well. Keep meaning to go into h&m to look at baby stuff!

The John Lewis ones are fabulous. They're soft and thick and just feel lovely.

Any advice for babies with diarrhoea? I had gastroenteritis and then on wed ended up at gp as ds wasn't feeding. He then fed in the waiting room. He was fine yesterday but awful diarrhoea today. I know I need to keep trying to give him feed- more regularly than normal? I know dehydration signs to watch out for. He has had a bit of a temperature but not worryingly high at the moment.

Ohh kiwi I don't need much more convincing to buy lovely things from John Lewis!

I think just stick to your normal feeding pattern for your baby. If he's looking dehydrated then add in another (if he'll take it). Make sure you use a good barrier cream for his bottom because diarrhoea is awful for their skin. If there's no rash I use Vaseline, and then Sudocrem when there is rash. Hope he's better soon; you've had a tough run.

I've discovered that shopping with a toddler stops you from spending loads in John Lewis so you could always borrow one?

How about a swap kiwi? Fussy, poorly baby for a toddler?

ickle you could try giving boiled water and as kiwi said just keep slathering his bum in vaseline.

Heh ickle. There are days when a poorly baby would be easier than a toddler.

Sorry to hear about the runs ickle.

Also apologies for not being on here much. DD does not sleep at all during the day so not much chance for me to MN!

Anyhow my news.

DH had a nervous breakdown yesterday, probably only a small one but it didn't feel that way. Things are calmer today but my emotions are all over the place and I am not feeling the love at the moment and I feel bad about that but it has just made me so angry. This will pass won't it? He has been feeling suicidal as well.

Sadly my annoyance is more to do with the fact I felt pressurised into having a child when I wasn't that keen and I have now found out he wanted to leave me to cope on my own. Feeling a bit selfish really and I know I need to be more supportive so feel free to tell me off.

Bloody hell liquid! No judgement here, sounds like you are having a really tough time and I think you are allowed to feel however you feel- it doesn't stop you supporting your dh. Do you have anyone to support you though?

I am a bit disappointed as had a night out tonight and return to hear that ds2 has screamed his head off all night, that dh won't look after him on his own again and that I should stop breastfeeding because DS is not interested in expressed milk :-(. Hopefully have a more reasonable conversation in the morning.

Oh liquid huge hugs that is so so hard. Make sure you have lots of support and hugs in rl and keep talking to to dh...

casmama oh dear sorry ds was unhappy if he won't take expressed think breastfeeding is only option! I would be tempted to get dh to look after ds more with you in another room/popping to the shop so they get more used to each other. My dh struggles too as ds can be clingy. ..hope you are ok x

Thanks ickle good advice. I am also thinking I need to try and get DS into a routine so it is easier for other people to take over. I feel bad for my dh - he seemed shellshocked and DS is normally such a chilled happy baby when I'm around that the contrast must be particularly hard to take.

Hope you are ok this morning liquid.

liquid sorry you're having a rough time. tbh I think you're entitled to be selfish in your position.

casamama I don't think you/dh should give up just yet - keep trying expressed milk and play with the temperature of it and/or try a different bottle/cup. It can make all the difference. DS prefers milk quite hot when it's in a bottle. I also think your dh should spend more time looking after ds - one night isn't a reason not to do it again and what would happen if you were ill and couldn't look after him?

I had a little cry earlier as ds is now in the pushchair as opposed to the pram and much happier as a result and can hold a bottle on his own now :( he's growing up too fast. He also managed to get out of his bouncer (I know I should have strapped him in) and take his trousers off (no idea how - I left him for 2 minutes and when I came back he was eating them!

Thanks Auntie, I think you're right. I had a chat with dh and we agreed that we need to try giving DS a bottle once a day so that he gets used to it and build up my time away from him a bit more slowly. I think dh just felt really shitty being unable to comfort him but is reassured that DS didn't want to take a bottle from me today either. We'll get there.

Thanks for the support.

Auntie, you talking about your DS getting his trousers off reminds me of the first time I left Ds1 with dh to go away for my sisters hen do. He was 9 months old and it was a hot summer night so dh put him down in just a nappy. When he went through in the morning he found that DS had pooed in his nappy then managed to get his nappy off and smear poo all over himself and the cot! He'd never done it before and hasn't since. Sneaky things babies!

They do grow up fast but they still need us so much and will do for a long time to come.

casmama that's hilarious I can imagine look of shock in the morning!

Hows everyone's weekends been? Dh been on a stag do so doesn't feel like a weekend to me! Both boys napping on the sofa at the moment!

auntie hows things? X

Just an advice, hope it helps. The arrangement that me & my dh have is that I do night duty on week nights (not that my ds wakes up at night anymore, he wakes up once at about 6am for feeding) and dh does "night" duty on weekends. I think that has helped my ds to get used to his dad. And also the fact that i sometimes go out for an hour or 2 on saturdays to do some shopping & leave ds with dh. My point is I think if you leave ds/dd with your dh more often then they will really bond with your dh as well

Casmama When I first gave my ds a bottle he hated it too! He would make faces lol. But we had to persevere and he finally started taking it. Don't worry it'll be ok and you're doing such a great job!!! Xx

Lol @ the stories!

ickle things are 'ok' - me and dp are arguing a fair bit, the house is a mess because we've got builders in and I'm exhausted maybe too exhausted to feel much tbh. Thanks for asking. I just don't recognise myself these days. How are you now? Have you all recovered?

Hope everyone is ok.

Awwww hope u feel better soon auntie

Thanks marya. Just taking things slowly- have a works night out in two weeks thou so not that slowly

Oh dear auntie not really the best timing for building work which is stressful at the best of it...hope its over soon and worth it! Our house is becoming more cluttered/messy and I don't like it. ..my solution is to hide it under the spare bed! Also no idea how I'm going to get back on top of the washing pile...

Thanks for asking I'm fully better but ds has had diarrhoea since last wed. Took him to dr on mon who wanted stool sample. If he still has it today need to go back again. ..he doesn't seem bothered by it- still getting milk in him and he's not dehydrated but not nice!

casmama going out with my nct group tomorrow night for drinks. ..should be interesting! (How on earth will I stay awake beyond 10pm??!)

ickle you may want to report your last post as you name your DS.

Sorry to hear about the runs though. DD also doing very runny nappies at the moment but only occaisionally.

Well things have got worse and DH has now left his job by mutual agreement. I have come to my mums for a few days to get away from him. So angry. He basically started a new job and didnt like it. I can understand that but he surely could have continued and looked for work at the same time? We now have no income. He also has a tendancy to be a limpet following me around the house and wanting to come to baby classes so him being at work is the only 'me' time I get. I go back to work 4 days a week in March... Am still very very angry.

Thanks liquid have reported am such an idiot!

So sorry to hear about your dh that would really frustrate me to- could he take dd to baby group without you so you can have a bit of time? I hope he is now looking very hard for a new job...

Good luck Ickle!

Sorry to hear things are worse Liquid. Does your DH have medical support? Did he leave because he couldn't cope? I can understand you being angry but in your shoes I would worry about isolating him if he has been feeling suicidal. Would you consider going back to work early?
I really sympathise- my dh lost his job when ds1 was 5 months old and it took a while to find another one. I stayed off for the nine months I had planned but it did take time to get back on our feet financially

Anyone else got teeth? Ds has 2 as of today just poking out of gums at the bottom. Any advice on brushing? Muslin or toothbrush? Hoping for a better night sleep now they are through the gums!

muslin ickle and congrats!

I have decided to go on a "diet"

I'm 11st 13 and need to loose 2 stones to have a good, healthy BMI & my aim is to achieve this by my next birthday (August '15).
so I'm going for much less sugar, minimum animal fat, high protein, high fibre, mid carb with more water, more fruit.
I will have plant based oils and nuts & seeds, make sure I have breakfast everyday, fill up on soups to help reduce hunger and will try and improve my rubbish sleeping habits.
Day 1 today - ok so far. wish me luck!

Happy Sunday, I hope you have better weather than us!