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!

Haha fatty a kitten u absolute nutter!!! U loved my kittens but I still remember them being hard work when they were little as cute as they were. Very cute ginger kitty u have there.

Nolonger hope dh starts pulling his weight soon. Not wanting to generalise but they do tend to just like the fun parts don't they.

Frolic I hope the sleepyhead works for u. Some people swear by 'ewan the dream sheep' to help their babies sleep. I'm thinking of investing in one although dd does sleep most of the time these days. She just doesn't like to settle after her 3am feed so would be useful then.

Ewan does sod all. Useless, lazy ass sheep.

Ds has slept for 2 hours in his pram and then another 1 1/2 hours in bed so far tonight. Much better than last night. Cross fingers it will keep going - he seems quite settled and sleepy now as he feeds.

That does sound similar mzzf. Although, he's not very sick - just a bit possety, especially if you lay him down too quickly after a feed. He does seem to go stiff with pain, but this is always followed by a big fart or poo or usually both.
I know what you mean about colic being a bit of a generic, annoying term for everything. I'm going to take him to the gp next week to talk about reflux if things don't improve. I just wish the poor little guy could tell me what's up.
We'll give the sleepyhead a go as well. Hopefully it will help him feel more contained and maybe help transition between our bed and his crib / cot. Dh is also quite nervous about co-sleeping and will probably feel more inclined to join us every now and again if ds has more of a 'barrier' around him.
taking the pram upstairs is also an option I hadn't really thought of.
Lovely view for your dog walk

We haven't tried colief nolonger, but he's been having infacol for the past few days and it has definitely helped the wind.
Your il's sound a bit of nightmare. I've not seen mine much so far, but you can fully expect to see me coming on here to rant when I do.

i really feel for those of you with dp's / dh's who are being crap. I'm very lucky that I can't complain about dh at all at the moment. He's also very lucky because I don't think I could tolerate any shitty behaviour when I'm this tired!

I'm another one who is mega sweaty at night jockstar. I'm usually one of those people who is always cold, but having ds seems to have completely reset my thermostat. I hope your hands feel better soon.

Amazon keep trying to sell me an Ewan dozy, but I've not succumbed yet. Do let us know how you get on of you buy one?
And for the record, you don't need chocolate orange at Christmas- it's really all about the mint matchmakers

Talking of Christmas, the sloe's are nearly ready, so ds and I will be making gin in the next few weeks. I can't wait to get stuck in this year as I didn't get to drink much of last years due to finding out I was pregnant.

Here's hoping you're all having a good night. I'm about to peel ds off my chest - wish me luck!

Best of luck Frolic, I know a couple of people who have a Sleepyhead and both have massively sung it's praises - definitely worth a shot. Also, I remember the shock when DS left his sleepy newborn phase... I was in tears for days, but people told me things improved around 6 weeks and I clung on to that and now DS is 6 weeks and things are easier, so please be reassured it sounds like you're doing a great job and it won't stay this hard forever.

We were given a Ewan as a gift but DS doesn't seem bothered by it. Might be useful if we end up doing nap training as a sleepy cue though so not giving up on it just yet.

George is gorgeous Fatty, I think everyone deserves a new pussy after giving birth

I know how you feel Nolonger, sometimes it's not just that I want OH to help more, it's that I want him to want to help more if that makes sense. He's been busy most of this weekend but has promised we can have a family day tomorrow so I'm looking forward to that.

Ah yes, the night sweats, I'm also suffering. Another of the oh so glamorous things that you get to experience as a new Mum. At least we're sweating out all those chocolate orange/Jaffa cake calories.... Or at least that's what I'm telling myself!

Mint matchmaker!!! Yes frolic! !! Also a Christmas favourite! Ahhhh all this talk of Christmas. It's not actually that far away now really. First Xmas and new year that I don't have to worry about what I'll be working (nurse so have to work xmas). I'm not ready for summer to be over yet but it's happening so will have to embrace it.

I've just bought some mint matchmakers for my dad for part of his Christmas present!
I don't get the Christmas stress. Having DD a week before Christmas meant I had to be super organised and its stuck so I'm always organised now. Got most of my DCs presents. Just need stocking fillers

nolonger I too have never heard of a poddle pod or sleepyhead - need to google!

frolic my DD1 had colic - cried and wouldn't settle every night until 3 months when it magically stopped - the only thing that soothed her was walking around with her in my arms - not great when you are barely able to stand due to tiredness. Colief did help - maybe try it like nolonger suggested?

fatty a new kitten and a baby - wow - are you mad?!?

DD2 has just pulled a note from her school bag saying they are going on a forest walk tomorrow and need wellies and waterproofs - hers too small - can we go and get new ones today - not what I had in mind - still at least I know now and not tomorrow morning as we are leaving for school (which is what usually happens )

fatty I am a super organised Xmas person too - 1 DS born before Xmas and a DD born on 29th Dec - crazy month to have a baby but when I was pregnant with them, all Xmas stuff done and dusted early = no stress. Kept in this routine.......

Frolic we don't have a sleepyhead but I do know people who swear by them. Esp as they make co sleeping easier if a bit anxious about it. I also know people who have tried nolonger's suggestion of raising one end of the crib and it's really helped. Might be worth a go too?

We have Ewan the sheep as someone got us it as a present. I think it helps settle DS quicker at night. He was tending to be up for 2 or 3 hours so by the time finally went down he was almost ready for another feed. However I also wonder if I just tell myself that so I feel more in control when really is just random if he sleeps. Also worry the heartbeat sound is soothing to DH and that's why he sleeps so bloody well!!

Nolonger I know what you mean. I always have to tell DH what to do and would be nice if he could take charge occasionally and jump up to do things.

Fatty that cat is gorgeous!!! And fresh new pussy made me laugh a lot.

Is it sad to confess am v excited about being Santa for the first time this christmas. Even though I know DS will of course not be in the least bit fussed!!

Hi everyone those sleepyheads do look good! Realised that DS has a touch of wind or colic and he turned one month yesterday so got some gripe water
Horrible to see him in pain with his wind! We have baby yoga near me which I want to start with him- it's meant to be fun and relaxing for both of us with added health Benefits. Went for a massage yesterday which made me feel like a new person- I'd highly recommend it! When I went downstairs to pay it turns out DH had already done it which was a lovely gesture after a tough week! Hoping to go to a garden centre this afternoon to maybe find a tree to plant for DS

Aghhh yes to mint matchmakers!!! I'm such a rebel I'll even eat After Eights at 7.45pm

Oh god and yes to sloe gin, in fact any gin! It's safe to say there may be a few occasions where I will be getting 'bungalowed' this Christmas!!

I was suckered into getting a Ewan. He's not bad but he's not a miracle worker wxcept at making DH fall asleep instantly (!!), I think she likes looking at him and his red glow whilst he's doing his thing but really any classical music off my iPhone helps too - I recommend Einaudi.

Yep the night sweats are hormone related ladies. And all those lovely hormones will be affecting soft tissues too - like carpal tunnel and spd. I'm not expert on BF obviously but I imagine it'll settle down when your boobs get into the groove, or you have a period.

I frickin LOVE Christmas (only 96 sleeps to go!). I was a bit stressed last year with looking after DHs family and managing the early stage of pregnancy so this year will be totally different. Part of the excitement for me is all the organising and buying gifts. And like you Dozy I'm loving the guarantee that I'm not working on or over Christmas or being on call - woohoo!!!

I think we're coming out the other side of this growth spurt now (she's 7weeks today) but now we're having mixed messages about when to give her food. I don't know if she knows really. We've been demand/baby led feeding her up until this point but now I think I need to start eeking out some kind of schedule for timings. She can still have the volume she wants but there needs to be some regularity to help with her sleeps right?

Ah MaGrat a massage sounds bloody blissful! I may ask for one for Christmas!!!

Anyone else wishing there were adult versions of sleepyheads?!

Thanks for all of the advice and suggestions, you are all awesome
It helps so much to be able to ask questions and know others have had the same experiences.

The sleepyhead is already working - just by the sheer fact that I spend £100 on something to help him sleep, ds decided to have a great night! He still woke every 2 hours to feed, but slept beautifully next to me in bed inbetween. No fussiness or screaming. We even had a big lie in. Yay!

I'm another Christmas lover! And super excited about being a little family this year. I daren't by any edible gifts yet as I would most definitely end up eating them before giving them out.

A massage sounds fab magrat. I would love to have my neck done as it's getting very stiff from leaning down looking as ds all the time.

Happy Sunday everyone

Ooh massage sounds heavenly. I've got my mum on her way Down, and DP off to the royal mail centre place thing to collect the parcel I missed yesterday. It's more Christmas presents! (Hide and squeek eggs, for DS2 as he will be nearly 5 months and nearly big enough to play, and "how to be a time lord" book for my DS1 as he is Dr.who obsessed!)

Mzzzf how are our babies already 7 weeks? Mine will be on Weds. Already seems to be growing up too fast!

We want to sign up to baby sensory but not sure what the best age is to do so. What do people think?

DH has been much better this morning. I think I made my point yesterday and he's trying to be a bit more proactive. I even got a lie in!

We have found white noise did help DD settle but not used it with DS yet. I just played a track from You Tube though that was 10 hours long on the ipad. Worked wonders when she was a bit older but still waking multiple times and not able to self settle - around 4/5 months.

I'm considering using the travel cot at home and ditching the crib because he's slept much better in it this week than he ever does at home. Could be age and the sea air though.

Another Christmas lover here too! I have been pregnant or bfing for the last 3 Christmases though so not enjoyed much gin! I'm chocolate orange though whereas DH is mint chocolate which I can't understand.

evolutionaryparenting.com/guest-post-breastfeeding-and-alcohol-consumption/

Someone shared this about drinking and breastfeeding and saying it's such a minimal amount thats passed through so you're ok to drink a bit and still breastfeed. I wouldn't get wasted but makes me feel less guilty about the odd glass of wine.

I want a neck massage too! ! Also from straining to look at dd feeding. I think we all deserve one and should have loving partners to treat us to one for all our hard work . If only mine was as thoughtful as that haha.

Last night tonight on our mini break. It's been good but I'm looking forward to bring on our own again without all dps family. They are nice but I'm quite over protective of dd and like to do things my way. They haven't really been interfering or anything but it doesn't take much for things to annoy me. Even just simply the way Mil rubs her belly constantly and talks about how much wind she has. I don't even know why it annoys me but it really does! Because I know she doesn't really suffer with wind problems, she's very good at getting her wind up from both ends so maybe that's why. Fil offered to hold her while we had tea, she was attached to my boob at the time so obviously I declined lol.

Hope everyone else has had lovely weekends.

I happily have a few drinks and bf. I've been breastfeeding for two years - I'm not that much of a saint!

Dd1 is two tomorrow. Went out today with two sets of gps for lunch to celebrate and I've made a chocolate cake for tomorrow. No proper party but quite excited to see her open some presents. Seems a million years ago AND only yesterday both at the same time. This time two years ago I had just gone into labour.

Demonic, battery eating Ewan was a total wash out last time but I'll give him another chance this time. A friend has offered me the swaddle straight jacket thing with the zip on arms. She swore by it.

I can't be doing with thoughts of Christmas. I'm already getting pressure about where we spend it. I'd love to tell them all to bugger off and it just be us but no chance. Gah.

Argh I came up to bed at 11.30pm, fed DD, put her down in the Moses and then 20mins later began the start of this current awake-a-thon!! I keep calming her down, putting her in the moses and then inevitably gong back to her when the crying starts minutes later. Sh is laying in bed in the same room sleeping whilst all this is happening. I don't care about him sleeping but wish he'd go to the spare room instead so I can feel free to look after dd without worrying about making noise.
She's fed, clean, warm - why won't she sleep!?! She'll drop off in my arms, or in the basket but just won't fucking stay asleep!
It's payback for a few ok nights isn't it?! Well I've tasted sleep and I want more dammit!!!

And Ewan can fuck right off, he's done bugger all to help tonight!!!!

I feel your pain, mzzf, been up since fucking 2 with Fergus fussing and oh so helpful OH keeps waking up briefly from his bloody snoring and giving me this look like "would you sort that out?!"

I WISH I COULD, MATE.

Oh mzzf how frustrating for u ! I don't know what to suggest. Naughty ewan not being helpful.

Happy 2nd birthday to your dd joskar. As soon as my Bro had kids him and his wife refused to go anywhere for Xmas. We had to go to them if we wanted to see them. I couldn't be like that though lol. Plus I like other people doing the cooking heehee. I'm not sure what we'll do this year.

Good evening / morning

I love the look of those hide and squeak eggs fatty.. I'm very excited about Christmas and buying toys for this little dude.
How's the new pussy behaving ? Easier than the baby?!

No idea about baby sensory nolonger. People keep suggesting I try baby massage to help with the colic, so we'll go on Thursday.

Thanks for sharing that dozy. I don't fancy a drink at all at the moment. All the months of feeling nauseous have put me right off. But it's good to know that the odd one won't do any harm if I change my mind.
How 'helpful' of your fil! Maybe he was planning on bf'ing the baby himself?!
My mil is desperate for is to leave the baby with her. She was trying to get dh to take me out for a meal when ds was 2 weeks old. It's a bit like that seeing him with us isn't enough for her and she would much prefer to have him alone. I've made it very clear I won't be leaving him with anyone until i'm ready probably when he's about 21

Happy birthday jockstar's dd! Have a lovely day celebrating.
I was given some swaddle blankets from a friend. She called them magic blankets and swore by them. I put one on ds and he went crazy - he loves flailing his arms about, even in his sleep, and the blanket absolutely infuriated him. Another one of those things that proves all babies are different and that there is no cure-all solotion. I hope you have better luck with them.

Sorry for the shit nights mzzf and siani. You have my full sympathy. Definetley send your other halfs into the spare room. Dh has been in there since starting back at work and I'm finding it so much easier just to get on with caring for ds. It's a bit sad after sharing a bed for 14 years, but we both know it's only temporary. And dh is a much happier bunny when he's not tired

It's so far, so good here again tonight. Spending all that money on the sleepyhead was well worth it as it really does seem to have envoked the law of sod and caused ds to sleep reasonably well before it's even arrived.
I've just been on the scales and totally horrified myself. I may need some hand holding as I withdraw from the digestives tomorrow.

42 mins of continuos sleep is what I've been able to Tot up tonight...awesome

Still awake. Oh my god I actually want to die. OH alarm has just gone off so I might just give up and have a cup of coffee and a little cry.

Hide and squeak eggs are still very popular with dd1. Definitely a good buy. Another good thing is a space blanket. They're about £1 or so. You know the foil blankets they put round folk who've been in an accident? Those. Babies love them. We also had an inflatable duck bath for dd1. Saves having to fill the whole bath. Obvs only for use once they're sitting up.

As far as groups go I think choose something you like. Babies don't really care. It's more for you to get out the house and meet people. Pick a group with biscuits and other nice mums/parents. Asking for swimming lessons or something for Christmas is a good one. There isn't anything like that round here but I have lots of friends in big towns and cities who really loved it but it can be pricy. I'm going to ask a gp to buy dd1 dancing classes this year. Baby massage is nice. Probably not anything you can't figure out how to do yourself though!

I also want to kill dh. It's totally unreasonable of me because he wants to help and when he wakes he always asks if there's anything I want him to do. Yes! I want you to bloody well lactate so I can sleep! I wouldn't mind but dd1 is up for the day at 6 and I feel all my chance of sleep slipping away. He's lying here sleeping and I'm just so damn jealous.

We're off to the outdoor playgroup this morning then to the swings. Dh is coming too because he has to take the car to the garage. Seemingly the alternator is banjaxed this time. Every month something else needs doing to that bloody motor. However we'll have a nice morning I hope. Last week we went on a pirate treasure hunt and hoisted a flag and painted parrots. Love the outdoor playgroup. Dd1 has such a good time. 2 is definitely more. Fun than babydom.

Hope everyone else has a happy Monday.

Feck. That's her now.