October 2014 // thread 3 // Maybe we'll get some sleep soon.

[MundayCakes85]

Last thread is full so here's a shiny new one

Baby Badger still protests when we try to sneak her into her Moses basket and I think part of the problem might be that the mattress is quite hard in comparison to our laps / being cuddled. Would there be any risks or problems if I put a soft towel or fleecy blanket between the mattress and sheet to make it softer?

(I am aware this may be a ridiculous question.)

Is it possible for babies to power nap? Dylan has had no longer than 10 minutes sleep at a time since midday! Sleep baby sleep!!

My first week flying solo too and DH in spare room at night.. Our screaming period is 11-3(at the latest so far...) I am getting better at putting up with it though I think...

Mrsb, I reckon it's power naps here too. No real proper nap during some days, just the 5 minutes after a feed. Particularly on days when I feed loads for growth spurts etc. No time to sleep mum..nom nom...

I don't know if its sheer luck or because I cut dairy from the start but at 7+5 we don't have any extended crying. She's still only crying 5 minutes or so a day usually just before a poo. SO DIFFERENT to her brother (shudder). I'm dreading it kicking off soon but I really hope we get away without it this time. Its so horrible you have my sympathies - anyone with a colicky baby deserves a medal and gin. At one point the only thing that would soothe Jonas was being clipped in his car seat and then swinging the seat. Great for toning up bingo wings . He cried from 7pm to midnight from 6 weeks until we finally got omeprazole at 12 weeks. I aged years.....

Having typed this I'm terrified I've jinxed her

She proper cried earlier when Jonas trod on her hand whilst she was on the changing mat . His apologetic rugby scrum "cuddle" increased the weeping by an octave or two .

Sore could it be sick related wind? E wasn't a fan of how fast the milk comes out of the bottle so gulps air/ pulls away and then has a fair bit of sick afterwards.
We also have some days where sleep is not an option- don't they realise it's Mum that wants to nap?

badger I would put somethjng soft there - I ised a sheepskin for both of mine

Oh god miracle babies... Anyone watching? So so sad making me so grateful that i will be having a sleepless night tonight with a healthy baby

Munday- could it be related to that even if the sick was 20 mins after he'd had the bottle?

I managed to keep him fairly quiet and happy with his vibrating chair and dummy tonight. He's still been awake though so hopefully it won't mean no sleep tonight?

I did a bad thing.

Baby screaming, boyfriend trying to console baby by making a really irritating clicking sound in her ears. He keeps going, even though she's getting crosser and louder. I just said 'next time you're really pissed off or upset I'm going to make that clicking noise in your ear and see how long it takes for you to cheer up'.

It was irritating me more than the crying. Oops.

First try with grobag tonight. Fingers crossed.

Stigz I can't watch it. DD is often referred to as a miracle baby which really upsets me, especially when nurses say it. I know people are trying to be kind but it's just a horrible reminder to me about how things could easily have been sickeningly different. And how most medical staff expected her not to be here. Tears welling up as I write this!

Having been "diagnosed" with colic today she is currently sleeping soundly after doing an epic poo! Always one to prove people wrong it would seem! Hope it lasts although like Happy her bad time has been between 11 and 3 so it might all kick off very soon.

Sore my little lady likes to keep a small pool of milky dribble/ spit to surprise me with, some times half an hour later! Might be worth mentioning to HV/ Dr?
Pebble understandable why that would upset you, how old is your DD?
We were all settling down for an early night when E woke herself up doing some impressive farting followed by a huge poo! Hopefully be back in bed soon

She's 3 weeks 3 days. Had her home for exactly a week now :) Funny how fast this week has gone compared to the first two!

Pebble I think that's a very natural reaction. My twin sister's DD arrived at 27+3 and at her lowest was 1lb14oz. For the first year, easily, if not longer, when her DD was called miraculous it made her shudder. Now, 3 years on she is retraining as a NICU nurse to help other parents through the toughest days any of us could ever imagine living. Don't be surprised if you experience PTSD further down the line - you've been through so much buoyed by hope, hormones, autopilot and adrenaline - if it does - my sis found talking therapy really helped and going thru her DD's extensive notes (she was in hospital over 90 days) with a doctor was invaluable too.

We generally have crying between 7pm till 1am although that's based on about 5 days of observation!

Went to see a breastfeeding specialist today and she recommended our DS has a cranial osteopathy session. Has anyone had this? DH is not convinced of its credibility.

Thanks Yellow. I'm fully expecting it to hit me properly in a few weeks. Booking a debrief session with the doctor to talk through my labour and what went wrong. There's also a monthly support group for anyone who's been discharged from NICU so might go along. Although I'm not sure talking to other mums will help. I picture it be a notes comparison exercise rather than coming to terms with my feelings. Will give it a chance though.

She found it hit her on her DDs due date (world premature baby day Nov 17th - the irony!) and on her first birthday. You might find the NICU meeting starts off comparing notes at first as a way in to talking about feelings. I really do take my hat off to you

It's amazing how us humans find extra strength in tough times. You shouldn't admire me, everyone is capable of getting through the worst imaginable things. I'm genuinely fascinated by the human brain's ability to focus in the moment and then wipe out trauma over time. I remember nothing about my Dad's funeral and very little about the later stages of his illness. In time I suspect I won't remember a lot of the last 3 weeks either. I've got a memories box though in case I want to.

goats- I said similar to DH a few days ago and it seemed to help because I think he genuinely didn't 'get it'; his default response was to be loud and playful, even when DS was tired and upset and needed soothing rather than to be played with. You're obviously a nicer person than me because no feelings of "oops" here

pebble- sorry to hear that but glad your DD is ok now. If you don't feel the debrief completely helps, is there any other sort of counselling you'll be offered other than talking to others who've shared a similar experience?

Munday- hope E fell back to sleep quickly

Hope everyone is having a better night than last night :) DS had a feed at about 10:30, then a poo that was possible the worst smelling poo in history! and is just waking up for round 2 now. Then it's DH's turn and I'm off the hook until around 9am

Nearly five hours in one stretch! Well done niblet. Longest ever stretch

Yes same long stretch but crying 11-1 ish and sleep til 5 ish. If we can get rid of the crying stage.... mind you I did quite a bit of feeding which helped stop the sadness.

Well done to those babies doing longer stretches of sleep. We're like clockwork awake every 2 hrs although, hope I'm not going to jinx it, she usually goes straight back down. We'd be up all night otherwise.

Well done to those that got a 5 hour stretch! Fantastic! We had a mixed night, baby Adams had a whole bottle of expressed bm and was still hungry for more I'm thinking a 6-7 week growth spurt. Saw the ladies from our local sure start centre yesterday so hoping to go to some classes and meet some other mummies - gets a bit lonely with just a baby and cats to talk to lol!