September 14 babies - bring on the weaning!

[KitKat1985]

New thread for the Sept 14 babies. :)

Oh dear everyone. Am also is a bad mood. Had finally got DH to agree to giving me a break from the baby whilst I met a notoriously unreliable and heavy drinking friend for lunch today. Have been (naively) very excited about a few hours break and defrosting milk and the like in preparation. Noted on FB that said friend was posting until late last night with content which rather implied she was shitfaced a bit tipsy. Received text this morning to say she now can't make it as she's ill. Yeah, right. Although obviously I can't prove that she's too hung-over to make it I have strong suspicions, and she's got form for this kind of thing. Was thinking about just going out alone but sense that DH would be a tad offended if I just went out on my own without him for no clear reason, and he has already cheerfully said oh never mind we can all go out together then. I just want a baby break. Sob.

Oh dear ... Everyone ... I am happy we at least have the forum and are in the same boat. Kitkat I would definitely go out alone; you did tell him, didn't you, that it is about a break for you not about meeting your friend? It is probably too late but I would just say oh now we defrosted the milk, etc, I may as well go for a walk And come back, then I would go for a spontaneous plan, like get your nail or your hair done or get a massage or even just go for a meal, whatever really available -without appointment- around you and makes you happy...

I did get a lie in from 8 to 10 this morning, which was so necessary as I was doing some work for my company and slept at 1am then woke at 2:30 for a feed and at 5:30 and 6:30 just to sooth him to go back to sleep and at 7:30 he was awake.

I wonder if you told your HV when they asked that yep I cosleep and you're not going to stop me.... what would they do?

They won't tell you off. They aren't allowed to tell you off. There are government guidelines on co-sleeping so the HV is obliged to give you the leaflet and talk to you about co-sleeping safely (which is fair enough). But government guidelines do not say not to co-sleep and your HV, like all HCP, is obliged to follow government guidelines.

It's not regional. Advice doesn't vary from area to area (aside perhaps from different home nations) since it comes down from the Health Secretary in the government.

Your HV may have personal thoughts and opinions on co-sleeping. But what advise a HCP gives has to NHS policy - which means that safe co-sleeping (not no co-sleeping) so be explained to parents.

Kitkat - go out anyway. You need and deserve it! Just take a book or magazine and go sit in a coffee shop for a couple of hours. I'm sure it will make a huge difference.

Oh, I didn't realise there were more posts on the next page

Great news about getting an offer holls. Hopefully they up the offer for you. It's always hard trying to project what you will be able to afford in the future, especially with a new baby.

Maybe your DH grump is just because he wants to look after you and baby and he is worried about making the finances a struggle. I find my DH gets the grump often on things that, when we talk about then, are about his hunter-gatherer instincts wanting to shield me from all worry (which is never required, but he still always looks to protect me)

KitKat - Go out and do something else baby free instead. One of my favourite things is a walk around a garden centre and tea and cakes in their café. Whatever your thing is though - go for a run, have a massage, get a haircut, go shopping or window shopping.

Or, just hibernate upstairs with earplugs and a good book for a couple of hours quality duvet time.

Hard times all round at the moment! We're also not doing great on the sleep front... can anybody more knowledgeable say when the sleep regression's meant to end???

KitKat Probably not helpful but if the same situation comes up again I'd go out anyway, sounds like you really need a break. I've found even a couple of hours makes a MASSIVE difference as well and then everything else doesn't seem so hard again.

For Nazly and any of the other refluxy babies, what they said about reflux/weaning/ebf/formula:

If you're ebf then either introduce formula and then when your lo is used to that, wean them, or vice versa - i.e. stick with ebf until they're used to some solids, and then introduce formula. They said it's got the potential to upset a delicate stomach introducing solids and formula at once, and if you introduce both together (for example by adding formula to baby rice) and one causes a reaction or makes the reflux much worse you won't know if it was the solids or the formula. Hope that makes more sense!x

Poor and usually ever patient dh is really struggling this weekend. I had to send him to the nursery last night when dd decided that 4-6am was playtime as he just looked broken! I really feel for him, especially as he got up with her early yesterday so I could have a 3-hour lie in - bliss!!

That's really interesting about introducing solids and formula to ebf reflux baby. Makes good sense when I think about it.

Andy Murrey just lost the final of the tennis. That means Mummy Time is nearly over. DH took older children out this morning so I could watch the tennis in peace, just me and baby. The quiet tranquillity will soon be broken!

Oh thanks Apple have been checking out the thread to hear from you about this. That makes sense but it is difficult. Some baby cereals have formula in them already btw.

Ds is 25w in a a couple of days and today I put some cow milk in his puree. They say you can do it from 26w but expressing more for food is really difficult for me. But then I know he does not have allergy to cow's milk as he was tested for it...

Ds will be six months soon; and I feel I need a sleep/nap routine in place; currently he only sleeps on boob. I need a no cry-it-out solution; any suggestions please?

Afternoon Nazly

How's it going with the dummy? Sucking is a great way to sooth a baby to sleep (as you'll know from breastfeeding). Other things a baby can suck include finger, thumb, hand, muslin square, comfort toy.

Hey all. Actually all worked out good today in the end. Me, DH and Jessica actually went out and had a really nice day together. And the milk I've defrosted will be good until tomorrow when DH has agreed to have Jessica for a while whilst I go to the shops (I have some Next vouchers from Christmas just itching to be spent and I really need to get out of maternity clothes now!).

Also had a chocolate muffin this eve not helping myself with this weight loss malarkey and Jessica literally tried to grab it from me. DH had to take her away from me in the end such was her desperation to get it!

Kitkat, so glad you had a good day. Sounds like Jessica may be a little chocoholic in the making! DD is showing absolutely no interest in food at all yet.

Not had a great day. Ended up having a meltdown at DH. Both of us are exhausted and at the end of our tether. Decided to try a totally new approach to night times, with DD in her own room. Feels a little scary, but something had to change. I can't do this for much longer.

KitKat - that sounds really nice, glad you had a lovely day.

Team - I saw your thread on the sleep board. I hope the new plan works for you. Sleep deprivation is horrible.

nazly, have a look at no cry sleep solutions. we r also struggling with sleep and have been for 4 weeks or so - I think 4 month sleep regression started for us at 3 and half months, but ds was 2 weeks late. last night he slept from 8-6 with 4 wake ups and that was the best night we've had in a while

we have had loads of wakeups - 2, 4, 4.15, 4.30, 5 but last night a bit better. sleep regression is a bitch.
team I hope own room helps - I found b was much more settled. and I leave white noise on all night!

Hope it works team. If nothing else I found that I was sleeping 'properly' between the wake ups once we moved DS because I wasn't listening for every snuffle and shuffle.

Can I ask about jumperoos? DS is starting to want to stand up, pushing with his legs when I hold him and we don't have one currently. All the ones I've seen online take approx 11kg which is 24lb. DS is already 19lb so I'm not sure how much use I will get out of it. Or will the next 5lb not go on as quick as the last 5lb?! Is it worth it? Should I get one? Or, does anyone have any other ideas? We have a door bouncer but it will only go in one doorway in the house which is upstairs which is really not ideal, and it's boring for DS because I'm just there watching him, he can't watch the day to day life of just me at home getting on with things. Ideas?!

I don't have a jumperoo and don't plan to buy one Honey. But the that's just because I've no need to buy any extra baby stuff. If I was buying from scratch I'd probably get one.

Are they not much the same as a baby walker, just stationary?

b got a jumperoo for christmas. it has come into it's own this week. he bounces like a mad thing with an evil cackle!!!! however...I often see them on second hand pages on fb - you could get one cheaper and then sell on again.

I agree Honey with Holls. Jessica loves hers but maybe if you're worried about DS outgrowing it quickly get a second hand one - I'm sure you could pick one up for a tenner or less. xx

Honey we don't have a jumperoo, DS is already 17lb so not planning on buying one either but we do have an activity bouncer from mothercare. He sits in the middle & the chair swivels round so he can get to all the different activities & the bottom can either bounce or remain flat. Once he's too big for sitting in it it turns into an activity table. DS loves the activities but not worked out the bouncing yet, much like he hasn't worked out bouncing in the door bouncer, he just hangs there wondering what's going on.

topsy I'll have to look at that one.

I've looked on eBay but many seem to be going for still quite high prices. Where else could I buy second hand?

Hon definitely recommend rainforest Jumperoo, it is amazing and the designers are genius. The weight limit is 26 pounds, and yes, the growth is not going to be that steep from now on, but I would say by 7-8ish months they may not be interested anymore in jumperoo. So short life. Having said that, I would definitely get one. I got one in amazon for 64; I will sell it on ebay for around 25-35 so it has costed me 30 quid. I'd pay triple that as he has some of his happiest moment in it and I get some amazing child free time too!
Or you could do what my friend did, bought it for 28pounds on ebay, used it 2 months, sold it for 30! Net profit!

Fate thanks for that; I didn't know there is a sleeping board, off to check that too. He sometimes get dummy and sometimes not. The other night at 5:30 ish he wasn't settling with dummy so I gave in and as soon as I put him in feeding position he started making that excited baby reaction, you know, the fast breathing, happy face, looking for boob hungrily one; and I thought am I being really mean here ...?

Oh definitely feed if the dummy won't do. I don't think it helps to use a dummy as a way to not feed a hungry baby. But it is useful as a means to sooth and settle when baby wants to suck to sleep but isn't hungry.

Basically if I have a grumpy baby I go:
(1) Sniff bum, change nappy if needed. If still grumpy...
(2) Feed if more than 2 hours since last feed. If still grumpy...
(3) Dummy in and settle for sleep.

If your DS is genuinely hungry in the night (and not just looking for comfort) then it would be mean not to feed him. The only real way to make him not hungry in the night is to feed more in the daytime or just wait until he is able to go longer stretches in the night without feeding.

I've been looking at a space saver Jumperoo from Argos as we do have a real space issue and this one folds away. It just doesn't rotate the 360 degrees which seems to be the only difference with the full rainforest one. Do you think this would be ok? It's £80 but ik sure I've got a £40 voucher somewhere I can use.

Jumperoo Argos

Last night DS woke up A LOT .

nazly I've found the sleep boards really interesting and occasionally helpful. I always offer dummy first at night but if he's really screaming I pick him up and he starts grabbing at my pyjama top and desperately trying to find boob so I feed. I have to say though that I've been trying to try a little longer with the dummy before feeding because I think I give in too quick and actually DS will go back to sleep if I give the dummy a chance. Sometimes it works sometimes it doesn't. These babies are little pickles!

we have local mummy facebook pages - lots of jumperoos on there.

b woke up lots in the night.