October 2016 #1

[Afreshstartplease]

Don't think we have a thread yet so here we are!

Ds arrived here 18/10 @ 5am one day before due date

All of mine have been like this more or less

I have magical powers

they are all formula fed

fresh haha! You know, I have wondered if breastfeeding is sort of the culprit. I love it and don't at the same time. I feel pretty trapped to the sofa.

For example - right now, my toddler is napping. And so is my baby - but I can't get up and do anything and enjoy the nap as I have to sit here and continually feed, feed, feed for comfort while he sleeps. Every time I put him down he pings awake. Even with movement, white noise, a dummy... I know it's a phase, but I've always been a pretty active person so sitting aaaall day and not leaving the house isn't great. And I look pretty awful as well, to be honest.

Arg whinge over!

Where's a magical sleep wand when you need one?!

Contemplating phasing breastfeeding out earlier this time (I went almost a year with my other DCs) but then I'll have zero ways to get him to sleep!

Don't you love it when your DPs spend all of 5 minutes settling them and then bring them over because they might be hungry? Defo an occupational hazard when breastfeeding...

Nickname I hear you... even the sling isn't foolproof. When is this phase meant to end? I'm exhausted and feeling unproductive and useless plus I think I've hurt my wrist from all this nap nursing....

Hungry that sounds all too familiar too

Lillian-that's great! My baby loves it!

I'm now on a routine. Went through five weeks of regression, but baby now goes to bed just fine and naps are still sometimes 30min, but he still has it in his vibrating rocker and has to be rocked to nap. However, he finally slept 7 hours straight last night. It freaked me out so much, I kept waking up anyway and gave him one dream feed, just in case. All of his naps and his bedtime is timed right now, so working out quite well. It wasn't easy. My regression was absolute hell.

That's good to hear newmother! It's hard to get a routine isn't it? Glad that's working out for you!

I think we're out of the regression now - we were in it for about 6 weeks but we're getting one 5-6 hour stretch followed by 2-3 hour stretches to make up for a good 10-11 hours in the evenings now.

Three things I am still struggling with:

1. Naps are another beast and still results in a meltdown unless I'm out and about with her in a sling.
2. She still wants to nap or fall asleep on the boob which enjoy in the evenings because I dedicate that bedtime slot to read, play and nurse her to sleep. But for nap times I need to get things done while she's asleep!
3. Her bedtime is 10pm! Would like to slowly move it forward to 8 or even 9pm but I think I need to get her into a routine and schedule first so I can slowly move that forward. I tried to just jump and move it forward to 9pm once and she woke after 40 minutes treating it like a nap and wasn't sleepy enough for bedtime until midnight!! The health visitor said to move it forward by 10-15 minutes each time.

Heck, move her bedtime earlier by 5 min even, so it's unnoticeable. My baby is only needing 3.5 hours of naps a day anyway, so it's working out. I have four times of the day that I set aside for naps and that's it. As for night sleeping, that was a fluke, but I'm happy to say he is flip flopping between waking once or waking twice (midnight and then 3am). To be honest, after that scare, I don't mind his night waking. I'm also just so happy that I will be going part time at work. I had to quit my previous job and am looking for a new one, but coming off maternity leave doesn't feel so bad anymore.

We have rolling!

Has anyone given any solids yet?

Yup, I started on creamed porridge by aptamil in the mornings and single veg purées every other day at 5 1/2 months. Will start going for veg purée every day when he his six months. I just didn't want to overload his digestive system.

Ds has just turned 5 months and I haven't done any yet. I had hoped he would sit up first but I don't even think he will sit up by 6 months!

No solids yet here but planning to soon I just need to do some research! What food processor, what to start with, chair, etc

Going to wait until after Easter break!

Hello all!

How is everyone doing?

We're going ok fresh! DD is no longer napping on the boob or feeding to sleep (except for nighttime feeds but she's half asleep the whole time anyway) so definitely makes life easier. Her naps are still a lousy half hour and she's still waking to feed during the night but overall much better!

We've had some success with her taking the bottle. Not a full feed yet - she'll take 20ml, 35ml and once 60ml before realising she wants boob. At least she's taking it now so we'll just have to keep at it!

Planning to start her on solids next week yikes!

How are you going??

Hey all!

Hope you are all doing well.

We had big news in the Derry camp last week. Babyderry is going to have a bother or sister in December.

Congrats derry!!! How exciting! Braving the two under two huh?? Wonderful news!

The topic of number 2 has come up for us ... we'd like them close in age so will probably try after Christmas.

For now I'm in the wars with 6 month growth spurt, fifth leap and teething! On top of that I'm abroad without DH so am dealing with a jet lagged and stressed baby on my own almost enough to make me reconsider number 2 with DD sleep regressing - feeding to sleep and waking throughout the night again

Thanks Lillian. A bit of a surprise for us but the two lo will be close and I have bought everything anyone could possibly need for a baby. Irish twins here we come!

Wow congrats derry

What will your age gap be ?

My eldest two are 16 months apart

Thanks Fresh. They will be 14 months apart. How did you cope 16 months apart? I'm really anxious that it's going to be too overwhelming.

TBH it was fine. DC2 was a bit of a velcro baby too. There was no jealousy from DC1 because I think he was just too young for that.
They both had naps in the day until around age 4 so I used to get a couple of hours child free!
DC3 gave up naps before 18months. That was a shock to the system

They always have someone to play with. They share interests and friends. They have similar abilities which works well.

Obviously they do fall out sometimes but no more than other siblings

My other age gaps are 3.11 years and 3.6 years. So far I prefer the smaller gap!

Thanks for the reassurance Fresh. Im probably overthinking things as usual.

It is a daunting thought I know derry But I'm sure you will be fine!

Hope everyone is going well?

Starting 6.5 month DD slowly on solids and giving one bottle of formula a day now. On the other hand her sleep has gone to absolute $hit and she's waking every 2 hours demanding a feed at night. No damn idea why!?

Hello all!

Hope your getting more sleep Lillian!

Ds now 7.5 months. Three meals and four occasionally five bottles a day. Generally sleeping okay although sometimes wants fifth bottle in the middle of the night! He can sit and roll, and now wiggle around the floor like a little worm!