May 2017 #16 Sleep deprivation, mumnesia and first smiles

[crazyzooo]

New thread to celebrate the small things (like first smiles and eating steak with one hand), commiserate over the less fabulous stuff (poonamies, vomit eruptions and wind spring to mind) and someone to talk to at 4am

Loved the article cox thanks for sharing.

I only had 1 visit from hv then a phone call to see how we were. Nothing till 10 months now. Again it seems different depending on area.

Glad baby mighty (& baby Paige!) got through jabs ok (I'm dreading it !) baby Badger had a much better day today thanks :) tbh I think it was coz we were out n about, lovely sunny walk in the woods, I hate being shut in!!

More replies and catch ups next feed....

rise a lot of it is about gut feeling, but I'd look out for how they interact with the babies- are they left in bouncers, what do they do if they won't nap, what happens if they key worker is not in etc. The best indication is looking at how happy the children appear. It's also worth posting on your local parents FB page asking for experiences.

Has anyone's baby had the bcg? If so, was there any reaction? Baby Bees has hers on Friday.

Oh paige I'm so sorry to hear things with you and DH aren't good. What a difficult time. Would either of you consider couples counselling? I realise that trying to fit that in at the mo could be stressful in itself but our relationships undergo such a transformation after a baby arrives. I know we've had our rough patches as a couple.
Please tell me to mind my own business, just offering a hand hold really x

I'd love to get a bit of a supply going in freezer. Naturebond sounds really good but baby Badger has both sides per feed and I'm not much of a leaker. I'd worry it would be taking away from the amount she needs. She's only very little still. Had considered taking fenugreek again to up my supply but not sure about buggering about with it now it seems on track. Any thoughts?

@Badgerbird BabyW has both sides at every feed and I'm still using the NatureBond on the opposite side. It doesn't seem to affect her eating at all. I often leak from the side I'm not feeding on so figured it was worth collecting those bits!

@1004Rise re nursery - I'd asked about ratio, staff turnover, outside time, routine, child numbers, how and what they feed them. And then just lots of questions like how will you get them to sleep, what will you do if they bite/hit etc, what if they don't eat meals, do they leave the premises etc.

I think you just get a general feel though, by watching how the kids interact with the staff and whether they seem happy.

@mightymouse76 - I know it was a while back ask, I haven't been on for a while. There was a Facebook discussion about front sleeping. I put DS down on his side and front during the day. And if he's in with me it's side during the night too, which is fab as I don't wind him at night.
I persisted with DD with back sleeping when we didn't fall asleep together feeding because of all the 'guidance' and I'm def getting more sleep this time around. And DD now pretty much always sleeps on her front!

We've also had round one of Jabs. He screamed and cried. Feed straight after to help. Calpol 3 doses. Had a cuddle / sleepy and slightly irritated day, but all in all ok.
We already have calpol in so I took it with me and gave him some right after the jabs. We had no noticeable fever.
I wouldn't suggest giving calpol before the appointment, as anything could change/delay. But to give as soon as possible after, and then feed.

I purchased a naturebond after recommendations on our FB page - used it yesterday, opposite side to feed only and collected about 5oz of leaks. (That's equal to about a 10min pump for me)
It's hard to attach once it has liquid in it, so I'd recommend decanting right away, either into a bottle, or mines gone into a freezer bag in the fridge. And I topped up during the day. I'll make up to one bottle and then freeze I think as I have none in the freezer so far. I think it's fab. Although I didn't attach it correctly on my second use and had to change my t shirt!! 
I type as I read, so pretty much what MrsJW said!
@1004Rise - as others have said - it's a lot about the feeling you get when you go in. We visited a few nurseries with DD, the best one wasn't available, but it turns out I loved the second choice. The staff really made an effort with my DD, and I felt like it was a second home for her. (Although they didn't do outside play as much as I'd have liked because it was a really busy nursery and to be fair, she was a baby!) the new nursery we have now has outside play every day. She's settled - but it's different for me!  the answer you should get going a baby into a nursery is that they will as much as possible try and follow your routine. So it doesn't matter what time the nursery lunch is, baby should be given milk whenever her routine dictates. Then they ease them into the nursery routine as they get older and start dropping naps and bottles.

@Paige84 - I don't have a lot to comment - my DH was seemingly unhelpful with DD. He's later admitted he was scared and didn't know what to do with a baby. He's much better with her now she's up and mobile. I hope things improve for you. x

@teainbed wow how did baby Tea get to be 12 weeks (although it's taken me so long to catch up that it's nearly 13 weeks now!) does that mean you start counting in months now? Glad you had a good holiday even if it wasn't the most relaxing one 😜

@Paige84 I have no useful advice but have a virtual cup of tea and a hug from me too. I hope H goes back to being DH soon.

We have no daytime routine at all... complete pot luck. Today is a good day we're both washed and dressed by 10am and she's currently sound asleep. On less good days I try to focus on getting dressed and her in the pram as she'll sleep for ages as long as I walk.... problem is then I get nothing else done 🤔 We had a better night last night with a couple of longer sleeps which I needed.... seems to me that the bad night's run til I just about reach breaking point then just before I break we have a good night. That was a really good article @CoxsOrangePippin darkness sounds a bit dark 🤔 but there's definitely a fog.... and they're right you do forget the worst bits.

DH doesn't cope well with the sleepless nights so usually ends up in the spare room during the week, this actually works better because I'm less worried about waking him up while trying to bounce Baby Rise back to sleep at 4 am 😁

We did a test run with baby Rise and a bottle this week, she took it without a problem I just have to build up a bit of a stash so we can make it a regular thing. After reading all the recommendations on here I've ordered a naturebond, I'm quite leaky an she only feeds from one side each feed so it seems like a better solution than catching it in breast pads 😊 I will need to buy an electric pump, the manual one is ok but needs too many hands, I'd feel like if she wasn't feeding I'd be pumping, takes far too long 😣

We have 8 week jabs tomorrow... dreading it and to add to the paracetamol confusion my HV told me that they'd give her some at the surgery and then give me a prescription afterwards - amazing how the same thing is so different everywhere 😊

@mightymouse76 I googled the African sling thing... I'm impressed at your resolve not to step in and when your DH tries it (if you let him) I'm not sure I could watch 😳😉

Thanks for the nursery advice... we don't have a huge choice and this one is the best for location so I'm hoping I like it 🤔

Oh and I found a use for all the knitted cardigans we have ..... dress her in summer clothes on a nice day and then remember we're in Scotland so it's not really that warm

I've not tried the African carry no. I have back carried my eldest but not when so tiny and that's also scary to get them on!

Paige does baby smile is you smile at it yet? If so does your oh respond? Might ease his worries about two autistic kids. (I believe that's one of the first signs although you can't get a diagnosis till much later)

Yes @1004Rise 3 months now! Jabs went ok, cried at the jab but loved the rotavirus. He's having a monster nap now for once instead of catnaps which is nice.

We've used the same nursery for 12 years. It was recommended by a friend and we've stuck with them. My niece and nephew are now there. I know that's not much help either but I did get a good feeling when I first visited. It's quite small and a converted house rather than purpose built, there's loads of squishy sofas for cuddling and reading and a separate area in the garden for babies so they get out every day. We know the manager really well now and although there's been staff changes over the years it still feels like 'our' nursery. We tend to use 2 days a week and my parents do a day as well as a bit of wraparound.

@mrsjw15 what's the temperature issue?

Oh god we're in post-jag hell - only non-screaming when walked in sling, any slight deviation and she screams like she's being hurt . Doesn't help she's just spitting out the calpol. DS never reacted like this, hope it passes quickly!

Evening ladies

Took dd to her first ballet class and now I feel like I need a glass of 🍷.

Baby nate has got his jabs tomorrow and am worried, as he's been quite fussy today (as though he already knows what's coming in the morning!).

Are any of your babies drooling lots and attempting to knaw their hand off? Nate seems to want to eat his hand as a potential food or comfort substitute. Had thought he might be teething but 9 weeks seems a bit too soon for this to happen plus I can't see any pearly whites attempting to make an entrance.

Hello ladies I need some advice from the experienced mums amongst us. Jacob had his 7 week check today and his head measurement is off the scale at 43.5cm. We discussed with the HV that it is a family trait of my OH's and showed her his baby book to prove it as we knew it would get flagged up. She's referred Jacob to the hospital but didn't explain who or why and what will happen next. Any advice?

@BouncingBlueberry probably a routine appointment with a paediatrician but if he is developing normally and it's a family trait I suspect they won't do much more than monitor it.

@jennymac31 BabyTea is doing this and now sucking his thumb. I believe the teeth can start to move from 2 months but obviously it's unlikely that any teeth will appear for some months.

@Acorncat hope she settles.

@jennymac31 yes! Lots of dribbling and hand gnawing here! It started after his tongue tie was snipped so assumed it was him getting to grips with his new tongue but I'm not sure now!

@jennymac31 lots of dribbling and palm sucking from baby newbie too but I think it is for comfort. No teeth in sight yet!

@jennymac31 baby W has been trying to get her hand in her mouth almost from birth but she's quite good at it now when in certain positions and loves it. Also very dribbly and blows bubbles a lot.

@CoxsOrangePippin I read that you shouldn't mix milk that was at different temperature although I can't remember why. So I chill a new lot before combining. Although I forgot for a few days!

@jennymac31 lots of hand sucking here too. What time are jabs tomorrow, ours are at 15.40... hoping for a good night's sleep tonight because I'm not expecting one tomorrow!!

@Acorncat hope baby acorn settles for you soon

My naturebond arrived today, so I'll see what I get from it tomorrow 🤔

Wow, that's some head measurement!! They probably just want to eliminate any potential issues, so I imagine a pretty quick appointment where they take a sensible look at baby and check everything's normal, if a little large!

Oh and hand sucking/gnawing on my pinkie knuckle here too.

@1004rise - it's at 9.30am and he's got his 8 week check at 10 but not sure he'll be in a happy mood when we see the doctors, after having the jabs.

Thanks for the responses ladies - just don't remember dd drooling and hand gnawing so early on.

I don't either Jenny - but things generally seem to happen a lot earlier this time so either I'm misremembering or it really is?!

Really struggling to keep up! Just posting to say I hope everyone is doing ok....will catch up with thread soon!

Thanks all for the naturebond tips- @MrsJW15 I see what you mean about decanting after each use- mini mighty kicked it off on the second session 😁

We're on day 5 of seriously cranky baby...he was inconsolable the day before his shots so not sure how much can be attributed and how much is just 'normal' for a 9 week old. He has worryingly started refusing one boob, the most productive one. Appetite seems down, he cries out in sleep a few times an hour, and totally freaks out before/when passing wind or pooing (so almost all day!). Starting to get a bit concerned, although I read that the diphtheria jab can cause stomach pain and loss of appetite? Crossing fingers for a happier baby soon.

@WishIWasSleeping thanks for the sleep position insights. It does seem some babies are wired to sleep on their fronts or sides, regardless of the advice!

@1004Rise good luck with the jabs today. And I can guarantee that if DP does try the African wrap, I shall spend the entire day time walking 30cm behind him.
And on the cardigans...😂

@savagehk I saw a mum wearing her 16ish month old on her back this week, and it looked great but I think I like to see mini? I'd need a rear view mirror! DP is a bit less anxious so I'm sure he'll be on it as soon as baby is big enough for a dedicated back carrier.

@Acorncat how's baby acorn today? Hope you have had some sleep.

@jennymac31 good luck with your jabs too.
Mighty is drooling buckets!! Even more so because he only likes to be held in tiger in a tree hold, facing out and leaning forward. My sleeves will never be the same 😊

Hey @Sipperskipper! I'm back in your neck of the woods. Lovely weather, eh? Not looking forward to the heat again next week though...

@BouncingBlueberry mini's head is also really big, but again a family trait on his dad's side. I was told it may need monitoring but not to worry for now. I hope you get seen soon to put your mind at rest.

We've been referred to a paediatrician due to a concern over a facial birthmark-it's been bleeding this week, all rather stressful on top of everything else. First available appointment isn't for 60 days at a not so good hospital, and 90 days at a better one...if it gets much worse I'll be haunting our GP for some progress...

Hope everyone has a good day