August 2015 - Let the Sleepless Nights Commence

[nolongerwaitingfornumber2]

My DC2 was born on 5th August and I'm up in the wee hours feeding away. Anyone else with their August babies care to join me?

I still can't believe he's here and in my arms!

Glad there are some other co-sleepers

My DH is hopeless with babies and you'd think with this being our DC6 he would be amazing!! He is happy to sit cuddling her when she is peacefully sleeping but that is the extent of his 'help'. However he is great from toddling age onwards - well great at entertaining them, playing, rough and tumble etc - still no use at getting them ready though!!

Think men are just so different and don't even realise they are doing anything wrong. DH came in from work last night and said he was going for a cycle as the evening was so nice and of he went without a care - yes, ok, I've been on my own all day with toddler and baby, collected other 4 from school, tea to make, homework to do - off you go for a bike ride - aaarrrgggg

Dozy don't you dare waste your morning shopping - that's what the Internet is for!!! Have a good ole sleep missus!

Last night was as expected, up every 2hrs and the wide awake at 6am! Had our 6 week doctors check this morning and we're all cleared so no more home visits for me now until 4 months - yay!

Yes to drinking more coffee MaGrat - there's always room for more mummy fuel!

Loveandsmiles - I have a cycling DH too and with him cycling to work he really doesn't need to do long weekend ones at the moment too! Glad Dads step-up come toddler time. At that point I'll be on a chaise lounge fanning myself and eating grapes

I managed my first solo shop and car trip this morning only to a giant asda to return some baby clothes we were given as gifts. It was the quickest shop ever and I rewarded myself with a jam doughnut pack. Guess what's for lunch!!!!

Too late mzzf I went shopping. I hate online shopping when I don't know what sizes to get. My boobs must be bigger than I thought because struggled to fit in tops I normally would have.

Feel better about having a few items I can wear now that aren't maternity. Got a pair of jeggings from peacocks that were super cheap and comfy so I can stop wearing my maternity jeans. Primark was rubbish but got some cardigans and vest tops for cheap.

Now I just need some sleep! Piper slept the whole time I was gone so she didn't need a bottle so has had a breastfeed. Why can't she sleep like that at night?!

Ah dozy that sounds really hard. Hope you got some decent rest while nanny was in charge. Or if not some rest some decent retail therapy!!!

DS didn't have a great night and is being super hard work today. My friend is popping in later and am hoping to go for a shower when she gets here. He is currently sleeping like butter wouldn't melt.......on my lap of course. After me feeding then rocking for ages. But hey it's one way to get back into my jeans right???

Fatty and liveandsmiles good to hear about that about dads and toddlers. Mzzzf am with you on the chaise lounge. I will be kicking back once the toddler years start.

Co-sleeping is a funny one isn't it? Before you have baby, you let people tell you how bad it is and then you have your baby and realise it's such a good option. We have a next to me crib too and DS sleeps half in there and half in bed. The Moses basket just wasn't for ds and pleased I didn't stress myself trying to get him to sleep in it.

Nolonger we have a sling on order. Can't wait for it to come and get my hands back.

Ah cross post dozy. Enjoy your new clothes!!! I really need some new stuff too. Think will be great for moral to have some decent clothes to wear!

Thanks everyone! Although the rational part of me knows I'm doing everything I can, it's reassuring to hear everyone say that it's just the luck of the draw with babies who cry.
We had a much better night last night. I've started ds on infacol, which seems to have helped loads. I've been trying to encourage him to sleep next to me in the bed since he was born, but he seemed to prefer the Moses basket on it's rocking stand. But last night we co-slept and it was lovely.

We've been out for the day as dh is back at work properly tomorrow. I got some clothes that fit - just loose Jersey tops from h&m that will lift up easily for breastfeeding.
And I braved my first public bf while out for lunch. It was a bit stressful as ds did the biggest poo ever, screamed through being changed and struggled to latch on for the first time ever. But we did it! I'm assuming it will get easier when he can support his head better. He also did something weird when he pulled off which made my milk squirt everywhere. Another new trick. It went all over the table and dh and I got massive giggles as a result. A lunch we won't forget in a hurry!

I've read about the 4th trimester as well nolonger. It totally makes sense - they spend all that time inside us, of course they need time to adjust to the outside world.

Don't beat yourself up with what if's mzzf. So many people have told me their tales of falling / dropped babies - I think it must be a right of passage. All that matters is that you're all fine.
Congratulations on your 1st solo shop

Sorry you had a shit night dozy. I hope the retail therapy has lifter your spirits. I'm pleased I got some clothes today as I've been feeling very fat and frumpy. Cross fingers for a better night tonight.
That fb group sounds interesting, will have a look.

A quiet coffee and sleepy baby sounds like a much calmer option than baby music group magrat! I hope you enjoyed the peace.

What sling did you go for kbro? I'm loving my Kari-me stretchy wrap. The ergo is looking good as well, but I've not tried it properly yet.
My friend was suggesting a ring sling yesterday as well. I feel a new obsession coming on! It used to be handbags - motherhood has obviously changed me

I hope everyone is having a good day and that we have lots of sleepy babies out there.

There must have been something in the air last night as we had a bad night too. I was also struggling to sleep even when DS did drop off...grr!

My DH is a bit rubbish too sometimes. He's great at playtime with our toddler but never thinks to change her nappy or the baby. As we're away this week I have been carrying DS in a sling pretty much all day every day. Last night I asked him to pick him up as he was crying and he said he was too tired. I hit the roof. He weighs over 10 lbs now and I was exhausted from walking round with him and playing with DD but he didn't think I might be tired and need a break. Hopefully I made my point!

Frolic, I get the milk thing every time we feed as DS breaks off because my letdown is too fast and I squirted everywhere. I have to put a muslin over my nipple to staunch the flow (DS actually seems to prefer expressed milk in a bottle because the flow isn't so quick). Sometimes if DH is snoring away while I'm up doing a night then I squirt him with milk on purpose to wake him up and then act all innocent

Haha frolic that's hilarious!! Well.Well.done you for doing your first public breastfeed. It definitely gets easier. I only get stressed out when dd is being messy with it and grumpy which sometimes she does but when she goes on easily then I feel quite relaxed.

I went for a walk into the local town today because dd was asleep and the weather was nice plus I need to start building up my exercise. She only went and woke up screaming her head off in the shop so I sat on a bench in the middle of the town and fed her. It was actually ok. Felt like some breastfeeding warrior haha.

Good to hear I'm not the only one with a selfish dp although it would be better if we all had super helpful ones instead. I reckon when dd gets older he'll be better because of the the interaction thing. He does like having cuddles with her when he comes in from work though. And he is sorting tea out every night because dd feeds anywhere from 5-10pm in the evenings so I don't have chance to cook.

It's so typical that when we had warm weather I didn't enjoy it because of being pregnant and now I would enjoy it but it's getting colder. It was warm in the day but getting cold at night.

Hope we all have better nights tonight.

Sorry I've not replied to anyones posts, feel selfish that I've just moaned about my 9wn stuff.

I have a fast let down as well nolonger. But I've never had it do that before. It was like a garden sprinkler. Ds usually just latches on and goes for it, which is probably why he's so windy. I do like the idea of strategic squirting at dh - shame I've already made him move into the spare room!

Not selfish at all dozy. This thread is the place for us to moan.
Well done you for the public feeding too - I love the idea of breastfeeding warriors! The thought is so much worse than the reality isn't it?

Ds is being super chilled and sleepy today - can you all cross everything that it lasts all night?

Don't apologise Dozy, of course you're allowed to have a good old moan here. Love the name Piper btw, sorry you had such a tough night but well done on the shopping and the warrior-ing - hope you're having an easier time tonight.

Definitely super reassuring that everyone's men seem to be the same when it comes to the babies, I know OH will be great when DS is older, and actually he was brilliant tonight just before bed which made me feel bad for bitching

Everything crossed for you Frolic, I must admit this is our first night feed and DS went down around midnight - 4 hours sleep feels like a real gift.

Hurrah for being signed off MzzzF, our 6-week check is Friday and while I'm looking forward to it, it will mean I no longer have an excuse not to do some exercise

Sending sleepy vibes to all the babbas, may you all be resting well.

I've just hard nearly 5 hours sleep!!! Used the crib tonight rather than the moses basket. I'm not sure whether it's the crib thats made the difference or she was just having a good sleep. Either way I'm very grateful for a little more rest! We fell asleep together on the sofa last night watching TV as well so that helped prevent the mammoth evening fed from going on as long as usual. Let's hope this is the start of things to come.

Haha clstow I hear you on the 6 week thing. I said I'd start dieting after 6 weeks. I don't want to though! I like eating chocolate and cakes. But I also like being slimmer so I'll have to sacrifice something. Definitely going to start slowly with the exercise and just go for long walks to start with. Then build up to something else.

Hope everyone else has had good sleeps tonight too.

dozy,lol at breastfeeding warrior. I am very envious of your 5 hour sleep - it feels like DD has been up all night - blocked nose and feeding do not go together - at one stage she was practically glued to my boob with snot - just lovely.

nolonger really interesting about 4th trimester - been reading more during the long night - it definately makes so much sense - feel better when there is an explanation for wanting to be held 24/7!!

Going to get my nails done this morning as a treat - well it will be a treat if DD sleeps and toddler sits quietly on the iPad!

Dd1 slept 8-6! Get in! First time since dd2 was born. Such a relief.

Well done all the bf warriors! And all the solo trips out. It took me ages to leave the house with dd1. It all seems very daunting.

I hit Tesco yesterday and bought a big cardi, a couple of tops, a couple of dresses and a couple of pairs of jeans. Hopefully that will keep me going til I can shift my weight. Surely feeding two will make it drop off?! I don't want to give up the Jaffa cakes.

My parents are arriving tomorrow for dd1's birthday and for my dad to meet the baby and my brother is coming for the night too so it's all go at ours this weekend. Hope everyone has a good day.

Wow! Nathan slept after his half 7 bottle and didn't wake until 10 past 4, then he was up for an hour, and has just woke up now!

I don't think that's going to happen again tonight is it?

I need to diet. I'm huuuuge

I hate all you guys who slept last night! I've not had a continuous hour all night, most I got in one go was 45mins, followed by a two lots of 30mins. So I've racked up an impressive 1hr45 sleep last night - woo
Arrrrghh crying baby - again!!!

She's having a feed about every 3 and a half to 4hrs, burping afterwards and then dropping off - all fine but she keeps waking up after about 20mins and will need settling again. This will happen about 4 times the she'll sleep for a longer period. Whyyyyyy?????

She's now a bit grizzly but looks so very tired and has fallen alseep almost upright on my shoulder now. Any handy suggestions as to what's going on?
And how do you guys get your little monkeys off to sleep again in the night? Do they stay down once you've done your magic?

Talking of Jaffa cakes - I've literally just scudded an entire packet this morning but being up all night makes me hungry!! I think they'll be a lot of biscuits on the agenda today!

Oh my god! We had our worst night last night. Ds was so unsettled. He didn't sleep for more than 10 minutes until 4am!
How is it that my lovely boy, who is so happy and chilled all day has a personality transplant as soon as we go up to bed?
I'm starting to think he just hates our room. NOTHING would do last night - co-sleeping, Moses basket or being held. He just lay there looking at me or crying when he wasn't feeding. I eventually got him to sleep in the pram this morning.
Aaaaarrrrrgggghhhhh!
Now he's totally flat out and snoring! He must be exhausted.
It's going to be a long day.

Really pleased for those of you who had a good night. They do make all the difference.

Lots of sympathy and for us today mzzf and loves. Hopefully tonight will be better.

Ahhh frolic I totally feel your pain!!! Mini mzzzf is now sparko sleeping on her pod next to me on the sofa. I can't sleep now as I'm wide awake - grrr!!!
I thought I was doing all the right 'this is daytime and this is nighttime' stuff, so she's knows it's different. I think she misses sleeping on me maybe?! But then when I put her in the bed with me with DH got out she wasn't having any of it either, so maybe not that... She's normally awake at this time now so our day is a bit tits up now, I was planning on going out. Ah well, adapt and overcome!

At least the rule of 'being healthy when I've had 6hrs sleep' is out of the window today!! Pass the bloody cake!!!

Mzzf- my extensive Jaffa cake research has reached so far the following conclusions:
The "real" ones are ok
Cadbury ones are terrible
Tesco are totally acceptable
Lidl are the yummiest

I know I have other brands to include in my study so as to make it definitive so in the interests of science I'll carry on. Taking one for the team.

Sainsburys are yum!

You mean my loyalty to the real ones is wasted?! I feel cheated!!!

Sod lack of sleep, this is the real crime!!!

Wondering if mini mzzzf is growth spurting?? Re the weird sleep. Or she's just being a little git

Mzzf and frolic there must have been something about last night as DS was the same! Feeding every 90 mins and crying when not feeding. I got literally no sleep until DH went to work at half 7, then we both slept til half 9, before waking up to continue with the feeding frenzy. Have taken him out in the pram now to get cake and coffee!! Sleep deprivation is so weird!

Markies ones are also good.

I am so loaded with the cold. And thrush. And a uti. Anyone would think I had a compromised immune system...!

Feeding frenzy usually means growth spurt. Might be the reflux too. Apparently propping up the cot on some books so the baby is more upright helps. With dd1 there was no reason. She was just a git. Hours and hours and hours of rocking and pacing. Dd 2 is sleeping fine so far. I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop. Currently she is proving my theory that it's all accident of birth because we haven't done anything different.

Joskar I'm very much following your idea of 'bollocks to following plans'! Although you may have worded it differently. Whilst having dd in a routine would be amazing - how on earth can that be possible for a 6.5week old? Any routines at the moment are sheer luck not guru parenting.
It's like the old weight watchers diet thing, if diets worked they'd be no fat people and likewise if there were a way to get babies to sleep soundly we'd all know about it and be doing it for day one.
That thought alone makes me feel better, doesn't get me any sleep but makes me feel better!!

Ah sorry to hear so many bad nights. We had an ok night but oh my god the worst day ever yesterday. He fed and screamed all day and was in my arms from 6am to 8pm. I practically through him at DH when he (finally) got home. It's so hard on the bad days. I know it's just normal but can't help thinking it is Something am doing wrong and of course my default worry is that feeding is not working. Esp as we had some green poos again. Grrrr. In the end I went to bed and left him with DH and a bottle of formula. Am wondering if we are also having a growth spurt. Which I know if we are I should keep feeding to up my supply but I really had enough yesterday. However today is another day and he has been a bit easier today.

The sling we got is a seven slings one. Not sure what it will be like, but we had a voucher for it so got it for £10. So worth a try. There is a sling library nearby so may go there too. Agree it could be addictive!!!

Nolonger v interesting about 4th trimester. Been reading up about it today after yesterday's disaster.

Mzzzf to settle DS I have decided it is just random if he settles or not. We can do the exact same thing that worked the night before and have a terrible night. We do lots of rocking. (And by we do, I mean I do lots of rocking. DH rocks for about 2 minutes before deciding he must need feeding and come back to me - Nolonger well done at hitting the roof. Sometimes it's got to be done)

Hoping everyone that had a bad night is having a better day.