It's the Christmas party at Mugabe nights, pull up a bar stool and order your shots! August 2015

[FattyNinjaOwl]

New thread for all the regulars at the bar, and the not so regulars too.

Just been reading about cola ham on a slow cooker facebook group peachy. I got a slow cooker for Xmas and I'm not sure what to do with it yet. I want some easy recipes that I can just throw together.

I've still been vomiting so having a day in bed while dp looks after dd. He's gone out so i presume he's gone to his parents which means he won't really b looking after her but never mind. I hate being sick, it's the worst.
Sorry you've been down everything. I can understand that too. Sometimes I find it all so overwhelming and I start worrying about when she gets bigger and all the stresses of looking after someone forever. But I do love her to bits so that helps.

Magrat have u only been using ready made all this time? That must be expensive! My dd will take anything, powder, ready made or ebm. She's not fussy. Except if I breastfeed her. Then she's fussy. Another day of not feeding though because I'm not well so another day of her getting too used to bottles.

Everything sorry to hear your feeling low. I have days like that too. It just all feels to much. However if you are worried about PND then do talk to someone. Don't suffer in silence. The only tip I have for dealing with the endless tiredness is I try not to clock watch in the night. Don't know if this is utter bollocks or not but having been away from home for over a week now we've been in 3 different bedrooms and none had clocks which kind of made the endless wake ups easier? Think is cause the next day I cant fixate on how little sleep I've had as I genuinely don't know. That and co sleeping are saving my sanity today.

We are heading back down south now. Staying in hotel tonight to break the journey up as such a long way in one go. V sad to be saying goodbye to family but looking forward to getting back into own rhythm again. And also not having to say 87 times a day 'no he is not cold!!!!'

Oh and dozy feel better soon. Sickness bugs are the worst.

Hi all hope everyone had a nice xmas. So ds is refusing to feed he normally has 30oz a day but last 3 days has managed about 15 he has a congested nose and i think he is still teething anyone know how i can get more milk into him as worrying he isnt getting enough

Good evening! We've survived a day with the in-law's. It was actually really nice and Ds was a little star. He put up very well with being passed around and having loads of strangers (we hardly see them) in his face. And I managed not to remind SIL, who kept holding Ds, of how she never let anyone hold her babies 😉

I finished my antibiotics for the womb infection yesterday. Ds is already feeding a million times better. But tonight, I've just had a bit of pain and what appears to be my period has arrived. Has anyone any idea how do I know if this is a period or something to do with more infection? Tmi, but it's fresh blood. I really don't want to to go to the gp again.

I hope you feel better soon dozy.
Slow cookers are fab. I make loads of curries, stews and soups in mine.
Can I ask what bottles you're using for piper? I cannot get Ds to drink out of one at the moment.

Mmmmm mini stollen for breakfast mzzf. Today I've been smashing some festive bakewells. I hope you're having a lovely time with your mum.

clstow and loves, I hope the war on snot is successful.

Oh magrat, I think I would have killed dh for such stupidity! Ds is a very noisy finger / thumb sucker. I've admitted defeat in trying to get the dummy on the go, he's so not interested. Tonight will be interesting as I noticed one hand is getting a bit sore so I've covered it up with the inbuilt mittens on his sleepsuit.

Sorry you're feeling a bit down everything. 💐 I have found the past few weeks really tough with sleep regression and more than our fair share of illness. It's been much worse than the newborn stage. The relentlessness and tiredness are a horrible combination. It doesn't surprise me that pnd often starts around 4 months. I feel like I'm coming out the other end now, but if you don't feel the fog lifting in the next week or so, do talk with someone.
My tips for the tiredness are coffee, fat Coke and cake!
I am very envious of your ham in Coke. I usually make one at Christmas, but since we've been out for lunch every day and dh is veggie, it didn't seem worth bothering this year ☹️
New Year's Eve will be a very quiet affair chez frolic. Probably some nice things to pick on, and hopefully a lot of sleep!

Safe travels kbro.

kbb23 have you got a nosefrieda or one of the snot sucking devices with a mouthpiece that you literally suck on to clear baby's nose? DS is full of snot at the minute and feeds MUCH better if I suck out his snot first. The snot sucker with the squeeze bulb is piss useless in comparison to the one I suck on. Other than that, maybe offer feeds more frequently?

Thanks siani i have a snot sucker only thing is he doesnt seem to have many bogies at the mo he just make snorty noises all day and night.

X-posts earlier kbb.
Ds has been really snotty, but all in the back of the throat, so snorting noises and, like you, snot suckers not helping.
He didn't seem comfortable at the breast for a while. But I did find that feeding him after he'd been upright for a bit, rather than straight after waking seemed to help.
I also found the saline spray helpful - much more than the drops.
I hope he feels better soon. Tomorrow is a normal work day, so you should be able to contact a hv if you're worried.

Thanks frolic I've tried the saline drops they seem to work for a very short while he'll drink 2oz then refuse the rest. But now youve got me thinkin maybe its a sore throat rather than a snotty nose thats botherin him. Think ill try and take him to docs tomoro.

That's probably a good idea. I took Ds a couple of weeks ago when he wasn't himself after the first cold we had and he had a sore throat. He didn't have anything for it, but I felt better knowing what was wrong. the gp told me to use calpol. Might be worth trying if you have some.

Kbb have you tried albas oil on a cloth near him? That worked well for DS to unblock him and then feed straight after.

Another deserted mugabes or are you all slumped in a dark corner?

Getting to the end of the tether/reserves now with only having 2.5hrs as my longest block of sleep and need to hear "it will improve". I'd just love to know when! I caught my reflection today and I'm officially a mombie. I thought I was doing ok with minimal sleep, but it appears my face thinks otherwise!! I have to laugh otherwise I'll dehydrate from crying 😁
My mum mentioned (god it's lovely having her here!!) that maybe it's time for seperate rooms as she reckons DH/I are part of the issue and that we disturb her. Siani is it you who's gone seperate rooms already?! Anyone else?
I'm not 100% dismissing it because I have noticed DH snoring, rearranging covers etc and me moving about on our creaky bed does set her off sometimes but I'm not sure if potentially walking back and forth to another room all night is the right option either...

NYE?! I haven't got a foggiest of what we'll do. She's not a fan at being out and about at night so I'm guessing we might treat this one as a normal night this year. Shane really as DH didn't get a decent NYE last year due to me working and being preggo etc. Poor guy!

Anyone landed and cheap sleeping bag deals as mini mzzzf's massive feet are trying to poke through the end of her current one!

Ok, she 'appears' sound asleep next to me so I'll try and transfer her over and pray for more sleep!

I'm here! We've had quite a few visits to the bar tonight 😴

I'm here. DS only sleeping for an hour and 45 minutes at a time. Still at the in laws and I'm so desperate to go home. Tomorrow we head back thank god.

I would definitely put her in her own room MzzF. A sleeps on his front, but if he didn't I would have had him in his own room weeks ago. I swear we wake each other up. Gotta be worth a try? Could always bring her back if the corridor pacing is too much. It will improve. I wish I knew when but it will. You're a hero for coping with so little sleep for so long.

NYE we're going to a friends house. They have a 6 month old so we'll put the babies to bed upstairs and enjoy a few drinks. Well that was the plan but if DS's sleep doesn't improve I'm not sure I'll be feeling too social.

Totally agree about the tiredness Everything. One good night seems to make up for several bad ones. I cope with lots of coffee, and asking for help. I'll get DP to clean /make dinner etc so I can go to bed early without stressing about the house. I think just focus on getting you some sleep. Whatever it takes.

Gotta go... DS asleep. See you in 105 minutes 😴😴😴

Alright lovelies, big old sweaty hugs to those feeling shit, ill, tired...gentle cuddles for the poorly babies - we're using a vapour rub called snufflebabe and it definitely unblocks her...I put it on a few times a day - hope that's ok, looked fairly natural...

In terms of feeling shit, that is definitely me. This sleep deprivation has turned me into a monster, I'm so miserable and sick of doing brave face. But I agree with everyone else-talk it out. Whether it be with a HV or family or a friend, having a rant and a cry, especially a cry makes me feel a lot better xxxx

So, I just wanted to give you some hope on the sleep front, and yes I know this could be a one off. Last night we were still at my parents and she did two three hour blocks and then a two hour one - for us that was EPIC and a major step up from the every hour that's been going on for a couple of weeks. Tonight she was asleep at 9pm, then 12:45 and now 5:30am!! IT DOES GET BETTER, I hope. Albeit the 12:45 Feed took an hour but hey I can't be greedy (used to it taking 30mins). Hold your heads up high ladies, drinks are on me xx

mzzf you need to get some sleep lovely, otherwise you are putting your own health at risk. Is there no way that you could leave mini-m with DH and pop some ear plugs in for a night? Just one block of 6-hours would make such a difference. You can't keep going indefinitely with this little sleep

We were at the bar, just too irritated to speak! I let DS nap too long yesterday afternoon/evening and it took until midnight to get him to sleep. He would drop off but then wake at the slightest unexpected noise. And DP was in full sleep apnoea mode, snoring deafeningly and then stopping and gasping. I complained on Facebook and he apparently saw when he got up for a shit or something and went to lie on the sofa... Which also woke DS. Still, we managed midnight to 3 and around 4-8, so it's a good sleep in the endend, just a very frustrating start!

Not us who are in separate rooms but I was talking about starting towards that with DP. I think we wake each other sometimes, too. Otoh, DS is so HAPPY in the mornings, I'd hate to change that.

Frolic I use Tommy tippee bottles but I'm guessing she takes them easily as I've used them from the beginning. The longer u don't use bottles the harder it is to get them to take one I think. Some ppl on fb group are just going straight to sippy cups instead of bottles as u can use them from early on anyway. I haven't had my period yet and I'm mixed feeding so I'd be surprised if yours has come back with fully breastfeeding? I'd keep an eye on it and go back to gp if it doesn't seem right.

Mzzzf really sorry you're still not getting much sleep. Like others have said, could someone take her for awhile so u can get a solid block of sleep?

I'm regretting not putting dd in her own room when she was sleeping through as I was waiting till the magic 6 months. Now she wakes up in the night but don't know if it's because we're in the room or not. I just end up co-sleeping because I can't be bothered keep getting out of bed when all she wants is company. She falls straight back to sleep so it's not hunger. I'm prob making it worse by letting her sleep in with me but it's easier. If I moved her to her on room and left doors open we'd be able to hear her easily enough. It's not far away at all. Might just give it a try.

Good morning! Dh has just taken Ds down stairs for 2 hours so I could lie in. Bliss! He's back on the boob now though. I think he's playing catch up after a few days of not eating well due to the cold. He fed 5 times in the night. Oh well, hopefully it means he won't have dropped any more centiles at next week's weigh in.

Thanks dozy. I have Tommy tippee as well. I think I'm just going to keep trying with them and a beaker, rather than spend a fortune trying different bottles.
It probably is to do with leaving it late. I'm so annoyed with myself because he was taking one quite well at about 6 weeks, but I didn't keep it up. I've got a beaker, so will try that today.
The period thing is a strange one. So far it looks like a period and feels like a period, so I'm going to see how it goes before rushing to the gp. I wonder if all that pain was the lining of my womb thickening for the first time with c-section scar tissue rather than an infection. That might explain the lack of temperature / feeling ill.

Epic sleep improvement Molly! Congratulations fanby!

Definetley worth a proper think about trying her own room mzzf. You've been so long without any decent sleep.

Well DS suppased himself on the sleep front last night. Up I think every 45 mins as well as lying awake in my arms for 3 hours smack bang in the middle of the night. He's now asleep in the car. I might poke him every 45 minutes to see how he likes it. Oh my god when will he sleep again??? When???

Mzzzf def try the own room. I know loads of people that have moved baby out before 6 months and said it has helped. After last night am tempted to move DS into a different flat never mind different room. Sadly we have space issues which means we are stuck with DS for a bit longer. Can you go to bed for a bit while your mum is here? I know it's hard cause you want to spend proper time with her but you need some sleep.

NYE just staying home. Hopefully sleeping at some point. Think will treat us to some nice m and s food and dvd.

Morning all, on our way down to Brum for a Christmas duty visit to DSis 🙁. Still, will be over soon and buys us another 6-months or so...

For those of you suffering with snotty babes, Boots are doing a third off all snufflebabe stuff at the moment, including the magic tube nasal aspirator. It's only £5.99 and you can order on 'click and collect'. Well worth it.

frolic your period theory sounds very feasible. You may well be joining joskar and I in the bf'ing early period gang. Having said that, although mine came back at 12-weeks I haven't had another one since so I suspect they will be irregular until I stop feeding. Fist pump for five-feeds-frolicbaby. He's giving grumpy 2 a run for her money. We need to stop these two copying each other's bad habits...

Sleep is still a thing of fantasy here at the dwarf house. DH had a good long daytime nap yesterday and so did most of the nighttime toil. My turn tonight. Grumpy 2 is only feeding twice, in between times she is waking due to the 4-month change in sleep cycle and then struggling to self settle. We had been feeding her back to sleep but now she is 17-weeks and over her cold we are focussing more on soothing rather than feeding. It'll pay dividends in a while but is knackering currently. Grumpy 2 is going in her room this week but one of us will still sleep in there with her (we have a spare bed in there) until she is 6-months. It's more to get her gradually used to the change than anything else. It's also at the back of the house away from grumpy 1 and the neighbours so we won't worry so much about waking people up if she struggles to go back to sleep.

NYE - off to a friends house, they have a son grumpy 1's age and a 2 year old. Don't think we will make it to midnight there but will have nice food and company for the first part of the evening at least. They came to us last year and it was lovely. We lasted till 9pm at which point we celebrated the new year as if it were midnight and then all went to bed!

Kbro thanks for the olbas oil tip didnt work with the feeding but did make him quieter and less snorty in his sleep so that was good. Took him to docs its defo teething and a sore throat so got some ibuprofen to get down him and hipefully that will help. Mzzf we put ds in his own room a few weeks ago and he seems to sleep fine just means i get up every hour to check on him now if he goes quiet on monitor. Frolic my csection scar was quite irritable and itchy before and during my first period but quickly disappeared when my period finished.

Doing the please sleep dance and hoping for 3hrs straight. It's sort of like a rain dance but involves offerings to the gods of kinder buenos, leftover Yule log and sherry!! 😁😁

Fleece looks awesome frolic!
Slow your NYE sounds lovely.
Kbb - teething sucks. Have doses mini mzzzf up tonight as she's developed a roses red cheek again and is just oozing dribble!
Kbro - I hear you on the sleep thing. I can cope with little sleep if I knew when it would bloody end!!

Forgot who said it re cups but mini often sips water from a cup no worries so maybe you BF guys won't need any bottles at all.

Hope you've had grand days all round. Dropped my mum at the airport earlier, tearful goodbyes as always. But it struck me as I was driving home how much closer I am to my mum now. Anyone else notice their own mummy/daughter relationship deepen?