The March-ers 2019 - Baby Talk #1

[Angelmiracle]

Congratulations to all the mamas with their new babies 🌸

Now the fun really starts 😄

@toastfiend - baby boy - 28/01/2019
@TheWanderlust - Baby girl - Althea - 7lb6oz - 16/02/2019
@PurpleFlower1983 - Baby girl - Matilda - 17/02/2019
@Wineandchoccy - Baby girl - Lois - 6lb12oz - 19/02/2019
@Harley8888 - Baby boy- Logan - 7lb4oz - 01/03/2019

@Sheeni we've had him in dungaree style outfits that are just a vest and the dungarees. Got some rompers as well so baby grows without the scratch mittens or feet

I had a perfect prep machine for dd1 as I mixed fed from 7 months @CaseofEllen it was briliant.
To stop the frothy issue you swirl the bottle to dissolve the formula rather than shake.

Sorry haven't really caught up with the thread over the last few days. Also had the "what to dress him in" dilemma and plumped for long sleeved body suit with short sleeved vest, plus a light blanket as I got out our 0-6 month lighter grobags and they're huge beyond huge.

We've got a perfect prep and think it's useful even though we are only doing one formula feed a day. We live in a v hard water area so will need to descale lots & like @sictransitgloria we've already been descaling the TT electric steriliser. Tbh I hadn't read/heard of any of the "it's bad for baby" lashes but even now think it's probably worse if you get it wrong with doing formula the "old fashioned" way with testing it on your arm etc. We got ours because we know we will need to move to 100% formula within a few months and whilst I have my treatment we don't really know who will be looking after him as it'll be a case of anyone and everyone so we wanted to buy anything such as this which will mean even the "I don't have a clue about babies" people (aka us until 7 weeks ago) can help out easily. If you are investing in them don't be fooled by the "special offer" prices of like £90 as we paid £55 at black Friday and continually see them around the £60-70 mark but then always see other stores where they're not at that level then say they've got a special offer for £90ish. Then put them at a reduced price a few days later, so anyone who buys them at RRP must be stupid (imo) as they're always "on offer" somewhere!!

@badbadbeans I'd be ok with husband going if you were ok with it, so I'd be more annoyed simply because he knows you're not ok with it and is still going, rather than the act of going itself. Has be changed his mind?

@melissa112 I'm with you with the dry/cracked hands. Mine are the exact same! I doubt it is a cold sore maybe just a little sore on your lip. I suffer from cold sores and you can really tell the difference when you get one. Sore, blistering and weepy.

Had a really bad day and night with baby, she's been really fussy and seems frustrated. Wouldn't be put down for more than 5-10mins. She's constantly moaning and kicking her legs and throwing her arms about.
It's not wind or stomach ache really not sure what's been up

@kee80 it's horrible isn't it, DPs hands are the same and he's not an anxious person, just washes them more these days. They just don't have any time to heal inbetween the next time i have to wash them. How old is baby now? George is good overnight and will fall asleep if i put him down awake so i can't complain really but omg the days! For about a week now we just can't put him down without full on scream fest even if we've got him to sleep on us first. Which he fights too. I have an app called wonder weeks and apparently this week he's having his first development leap so could be clingy and cranky so makes sense. Not sure if yours is a similar age (George is 6weeks tomorrow and the leap is apparently at 5 weeks)?

Is it normal to not want to be held in the cradle type position already? I remember my friend saying to make the most of it because her baby didn't like it when she was more mobile and trying to crawl but hes not even 6 weeks and much prefers to be sat up on our knee and occasionally lies upright on our chests. Once he shows signs of being tired we lie him in the cradle type position as he used to love it but he just starts crying! Not sure if its just part of this development leap. I hope so as I'm not ready to give up the cuddles yet!

@cardboard33 probably a stupid comment but is it the length of the sleeping bag you were worried about? Ours are really long too but i think as long as their heads don't fit inside the neck bit they should be fine. Unless the necks are bigger on the light ones? Sorry if I'm asking you a really stupid question

@cardboard33 has the limescale damaged the perfect prep machine at all? My steriliser is damaged from limescale I think. Agree re doing the feeds the old way...having to measure out the water and formula powder is always a bit hairy half asleep.
@kee80 my baby was also fussing yesterday. He slept 30 mins at a time if that for most of the day. Wanted to feed all the time. I am worried about overfeeding him as I know that can happen with formula but I am just going with it.

@Gronk27 haha her actual name is even lovlier

@melissa112 she will be 5 weeks Tuesday. She's the exact same really good night sleeper goes down awake and only wakes once around 3am for a feed then straight back till around 7.30. I was wondering whether it was some sort of growth spurt she's having. Hoping today's a better day for her. She also only likes to be sat up on our knee now looking around or will settle a little laid on our chest.

@Sictransitgloria She's the same, seems like she wanting to feed more, she's constantly mutting when she's frustrated but will spit milk out so we gave in and gave her dummy which seems to have helped a little

Thanks everyone! We ended up with a bodysuit and a couple of blankets - our bedroom was roasting (up in the attic)!

@melissa112 that chart is really helpful - thank you . Your hands sound really painful Skin Food by Weleda is really good for dry skin, if that helps?

@Sheeni I have no clue what to do today! Too hot for leggings or a sleep suit round here. I'm going to put DD2 in a short sleeved bodysuit and see how that goes. Lots of sun cream and a ridiculously big hat.

A just had a just sleeved and legged sleepsuit, bit longer that a romper and a muslin on to stop any chill. So warm! And she slept sloundly. She is generally a hot baby. We’re sticking with short sleeved and legged rompers or vests in the day and cellular blanket if needed.

@kee80 ah that's good to know I'm not the only one, guess as they get more alert they want to be looking around more. I read somewhere that there is a growth spurt between 4-6 weeks. Hope today is easier for you both.

@MistakenHoliday you're welcome, and thank you for the advice on the hand cream, I'll have a look at that.

We have George in pants and a tshirt today. Its 21.3 downstairs where we are according to gro egg. He seems ok in that but wouldnt know what to do for outdoors. Is it ok to use sunscreen then? We have a UV protector bit that pulls out on the pram but it doesn't cover him fully so we haven't been out before 6pm ish the past few days. We have a lovely lake thing a few mins away but just don't know if its safe in the day and theres loads of midges in the evening now!

Thanks @CaseofEllen @Sictransitgloria @MistakenHoliday @SquirtlesMumAgain @kee80 @cardboard33 @Sheeni @Wineandchoccy @Jenfur for responding to my AIBU! Well, he did go off at 11am yesterday. My in-laws were brilliant and actually the day was fine as they looked after my toddler a lot - I basically only had to make him lunch and supervise him in the paddling pool for a bit. He slept through the night and got up with Grandpa this morning, and in a spectacularly unusual move, baby J slept in two chunks of three hours overnight so I didn't feel like I was losing my mind this morning. (I would have had more sleep if DH had been here though as he would have taken him in the evening.)

So I was feeling a bit guilty about having been so prickly with him about going. Until this morning when DS1 refused to be with his grandparents and only wanted to be with me, and DH didn't come home early as expected. He has literally just turned up saying he feels sick and needs to lie down and that he will never drink again. Apparently it took him hours to get home as he had to keep pulling off the road to sleep! My mother-in-law saw me about to blow a gasket and sent me to bed 😊

Oh now he has come upstairs with DS1 in tow (baby is with mother in law) saying he feels like he might faint! I have a suspicion he is lying down in the guest room. I also suspect he has put videos on his phone for DS to watch while he sleeps. If that is the case I shall have to collect DS as that's not fair on him! Why do some people (don't want to say men, but... it is mostly men!) feel the need to behave like teenagers when their bodies are no longer up to it?! I am tempted to go and see if my MIL wants to go out somewhere with me and the kids.

@MistakenHoliday I hope your weekend flying solo is going well and that you are enjoying the things you had planned.

@Gronk27 thanks for sharing that article - a very good read. I think many of us buy into the romanticised narrative of what becoming a mother should be like, and are then somewhat nonplussed by the reality. Fingers crossed the frenulotomy does the trick for you guys. I have reverted to rugby hold as it's the only one where I can get him to latch painlessly most of the time, and I am making a concerted effort now to heal my cracked nipples by not tolerating poor latch. If they don't look better in a week then I shall seek help again.

@melissa112 my hands are cracked and bleeding too. You just have to wash them so much with a baby! I have invested in some really nice organic hand soap (organii brand) which has helped the situation as it seems to be less abrasive.

@melissa112 it's more that I think his head will slip through the hole - he's got a really small head, it was 3rd percentile when he was born and 7 weeks in it's still tiny, as they commented on it in his 6 week check up. However we only looked at it briefly at bedtime so planning to look at it today again and see if it is ok.

@sictransitgloria I don't think there's perm like scale damage, although we have been de scaling it more regularly and left it on for longer than the 10 mins as they said on the videos that you can leave the vinegar for up to 24 hours. We left it on for a few hours then gave it a good scrub and it seems ok. Husband is generally in charge of all things bottle related so I don't use it as much, but he's not complained that it's already ruined.

Is anyone else feeling like they're feeding way more in the last few days? Not sure if it's related to the hotter weather? He's been feeding pretty much non stop and then is still grumpy in between feeds. I've also had to offer both breasts every time to satisfy him whereas I usually just do one, and it doesn't feel as much milk is coming out as I can't hear the usual gulping sounds as much. We are concerned as I had to pump and dump for 36 hours this week and yesterday was his first day back on the breast so don't know if the constant bottles mixed with just expressing have impacted the supply?

Husband vomiting so I had to take both boys almost immediately. I've done my best for a few hours but DS1 was, despite being asked not to, bouncing on the bed just now where I was sitting trying to feed DS2, whose latch slipped and he bit my nipple. Sent DS1 to husband who then claimed that the vomiting is not a hangover, it's a bug. Not sure I am on board with that but can't risk it so got Grandpa to take DS1 away so I can feed DS2 without having him bounced off my boob. Happy Easter! I am one seriously hot cross bunny 😂

@cardboard33 I have been feeding a bit more, although I think it may have started prior to the hot weather- not sure. But that makes perfect sense - of course the heat would make them thirsty. I always have to give J both breasts and he feeds 8 - 10 times a day. However if you can't hear him gulping at any point that is maybe worth keeping an eye on? Is he still having plenty of wet nappies?

@BadBadBeans your DH just keeps digging that massive hole doesn't he?! HOT CROSS BUNNY 😂

We've just got back from an afternoon picnic in the park which has been lovely. I can't lie though, I'm looking forward to DH being back tomorrow, I really miss having a grown up to talk to! DD1 has missed him massively too - we had tears at bedtime last night because he wasn't here

To everyone who's been talking about babies throwing up feeds - DD2 managed to do it three times yesterday. All three required complete outfit changes for her and me and the third meant I had to change the bedsheets to (at 3.30am!) She's fine in herself so I'm assuming she's just guzzling too much. There's a faint smell of baby puke in the air at the moment!

@cardboard33 Baby has definitely been feeding more in this hot water. It’s roasting today!!

We had my PIL and my parents over for lunch today. DH cooked but still exhausted from having a house full. Was all a bit full on! But survived it. My Mum and Dad are local so they’ve just gone home and DH has taken the in laws to a pub and then back to their hotel. Going to attempt to get the 5 and 7yo to bed early so I can actually sit down!!

@badbadbeans my DH has caught a few mysterious “bugs” in the immediate aftermath of a night out too... funny that, eh?! Hope he feels better enough to help you out soon.

@MistakenHoliday yep, dig dig dig! Really glad you have had a nice weekend despite DH being away. The weather helps doesn't it?! Although it is tricky having little ones outside in the blazing sun. J throws up feeds half the time too - I am sure he is sickier than DS1 was. I usually have to change his Moses sheet once a day due to massive vomits!

@Hermagsjesty sounds like you had a lovely, if busy, day! Haha so it's not just my DH whose immune system mysteriously gives up after a night out with his mates then... what jokers.

Well DH spent the whole of yesterday in bed. I did take him a cup of tea unrequested at dinner time as he clearly was not going to surface for dinner. I have barely spoken to him as I have had my hands full with the kids but have propped my head in a few times to check he is alive! Grandpa, bless him, came and did DS1's bedtime again because I was feeding J. Good job I have grandparents on site eh? Anyway I didn't get a nap for the second day running due to DH's absence, but my karmic reward for not going nuclear is that J slept from 8pm till 2am, and I slept for 5 hours of that so am feeling FREAKING AMAZING!

@cardboard33 we are formula feeding but definitely increased during the day times. Noah is 4 weeks tomorrow and for the last two days has been having 120-150 mils every two hours!! During the night he's going 3/4 hours which is normal for him but honestly, can't keep up with the day times atm. Glad it's not just me and hopefully can put it down to warm weather 🤞🏼

@BadBadBeans sorry that your DH hasn't been much help today but so pleased you got some sleep! Isn't it crazy that 5 hours feels like 12 hours when you have a baby 😂

We had a really bad night with Noah last night, he was totally out of routine and didn't sleep between 5pm and 2.30pm bar one 30 minute slot and one 45 minute slot so we were exhausted. Finally got him to sleep at 2.30pm and he was awake again at 6 for a feed - back to sleep at 7 until 11 but DPs parents arrived at 7.30am as they travelled a long way so wanted to get here early so even though he slept another 4 hours we didn't! We then had both sets of grandparents over for the afternoon and did a buffet type lunch outside. By 7pm I was knackered and getting agitated so DP sent me to bed and I slept from about 8-1!! Woke up, did the 1.30 feed, got him back to sleep about 2.30 and now back in bed. So grateful to DP and DS for that sleep.

On that note, does anyone else ever feel shocked by how quickly their feelings change? Literally this time yesterday we were all basically crying on the sofa not sure how we would cope and now it feels so different. It's a rollercoaster!

@caseofellen Definitely know what you mean with fast feelings changes. We had one good day and night on Friday and we were so happy and positive about this whole parenting thing for a change.
Since then, two bad days and nights later, I've been crying frustrated tears because I've had it.
My LO is overtired. When he's like that, he refuses to sleep, wants to suckle all the time. If I feed him, he's sick or gets very windy, so squirms and cries in pain. We started using a dummy and I think it messed up his latch. I was losing it last night, because he wanted to feed, but just couldn't latch on. He was rooting around, frustrated, screaming his lungs out. While the nipple was literally in his mouth, but he just wouldn't/couldn't latch on. I wonder how much longer I'll be able to breastfeed, if it continues like this.
Also, I feel like the worst mum ever. I didn't even think he might want to drink more often because of the weather. As I said, he likes to suck a lot, so I just thought it was that and just kept shoving the dummy in, if it was shortly after a feed.

@Sheeni that was us a couple nights ago, it does get better and then worse and then better again! Also, don't feel like the worst mum ever. I didn't click about weather until I read this post either.. kept feeding on demand and muttering to myself that 'he's had everything he needs and more, what else can I f*cking do' all evening being a mum is HARD!

Oh no, i didn't even put together that him still being hungry after his feed was due to the weather. He has been on 4oz every 3 hours but we had to up it to 5 the past few days as he was still hungry or thirsty i guess. He's draining the 5 now but not every 3 hours. I worry about overfeeding with formula but the HV already said to me last week that if he was draining the 4 to try 5.

I was really upset yesterday and dont know if this will sound silly. DP has been off work since Thursday and has obviously had a lot of time with George while he's been off which has been nice. I mentioned that i was paranoid i had a coldsore and didnt hold him for 12 hours a couple of days ago (10pm-10am so mostly while he was asleep overnight anyway). Well yesterday he just wouldnt settle for me and when i held him on my knee he wouldnt make eye contact with me anymore but was staring at DP. We went out for a walk yesterday evening and took him out of the pram as he was crying. I was carrying him and he was staring at DP again but then when he took him he didn't look at me even though i was walking next to them but twisted his head to stare at DP while he was carrying him.

I feel really silly for saying this and obviously am glad he has bonded with his daddy but i just was so upset that he didnt even look at me and worried that I'd broken our bond by not holding him for 12 hours the few days previously.

Is this normal? I'm scared he won't want me anymore. I sound ridiculous don't i. I just spend so much time with him i was confused as to why he stopped looking at me. I haven't been impatient with him or changed anything in the way i interact with him. He did fall asleep looking at me this morning in my arms which was lovely so maybe im just being over emotional

It doesn't help that DP woke up in a mood today, had a go at me because there was a 0-1 vest in the 'in use' clothes basket even though george has grown out of them. Barking at me as to why it was there. I'm sure he's got arms too and can move them!! Then we always pass him to the other person while we wash our hands after a nappy change but after he had had a moan he changed his nappy then put him down in his moses basket when i was sat right there instead of giving him to me..he knew i was upset yesterday about the no eye contact thing. I don't like to moan about him and he's been helpful mostly but just thought that that was a bit spiteful and upset me even more as it was obviously done consciously.

Anyway, just feeling a bit emotional today. George is 6 weeks today and it's all going so fast!

@melissa112 you won't have broken your bond! Loads of people share feeds so dad will have the babies overnight with mum not touching them at all. George is just probably getting more alert and is able to see things further away, so is a bit more distractable! If it makes you feel any better, J barely ever settles for me but settles for EVERYONE else! I have decided not to take it personally! (Although it is bloody galling!)

DH has acknowledged today that he obviously can't take his drink any more 😊 I am going to make sure he has both boys as much as poss today while I get on with all the jobs I haven't been able to do!

@BadBadBeans i know you're right, I'm just being a bit of a numpty. Thank you for the reassurance. I've noticed he settles more easily for his dad. The HV tried to reassure me by saying i was distracting because of my milk but now i formula feed so that doesn't quite hold up now! I think its easy to overthink things isn't it when emotions and hormones are in play.

Glad your DH has admitted it was a hangover 🤣 or as good as admitted! Hope you manage to get your jobs done. Baby J's 6 hour sleep is amazing!

We're wanting to take George out today but no idea where to go. We've been doing a walk round the lake most evenings but because of the weather haven't been out in the day with him for a while. Where do you guys take your little ones or do you just do your normal stuff, i.e. supermarket, go for a coffee etc and take baby? Has anyone managed to do lunch or dinner with baby in tow?