October 2019 Babies

[Figuringitout]

Creating a thread for graduates of the October pregnancy thread. Hoping to see some familiar names, but also welcome new ones who want to chat about how their newborns are getting on.
Thought I’d tag a few other people who might want to come over. Feel free to tag others - no offence if I missed people; I have baby brain!
@Frizzy1986 @Em39ma @HJWT @SC0508 @cattaxi @KatnissK @Sw2102 @Positivity86

@Dee123456 glad you’ve managed a nice weekend. Fresh air and me time are both good for the soul!
I’m not sure about teething. He’s very diribbly and chomping on his hands. But I’m not sure if that’s just what they do at this age! I can’t see any actual signs of teeth under the gums, so we’ve probably got a while to go. I’m happy to wait!
Do you think your little one’s teeth are on the move?

Hello @Frizzy1986! I’m glad your ds has settled with the weight. I hear you on feeling like you don’t get enough time with the siblings. Isn’t it crazy that our babies are heading into their 5th month?! Have you started thinking about weaning? Ds1 started crying every time we ate at about 5 months, so had food not long after.
Waking frequently is definitely still the norm at this age. Ds was better as a newborn than he is now! He’s been napping in the pram mostly, but I feel like I’m constantly telling the other kids to be quiet when he is, so want to try getting him in the cot more.

First night feed done. Fingers crossed it’s a good night for everyone.

Aw glad your little one is doing well now. I know I need to try and worry a bit less about his feeds.

No everyone says he is because he always has his hands in his mouth and drooling a whole lot but I don’t think they are anywhere never coming through. I am also happy to wait.

I am trying to get my little on into his cot during the day. He went down for about 20 mins yesterday which was a first but he does tend to sleep a lot longer if I am holding him. So I end up doing it which I know isn’t great.

My little one also gets up at 5am for a feed and started the whole babbling, lol. He talks himself to sleep.

What time do your little ones get up or does it Differ as you have the school run. My little one tends to sleep in most morning and not sure if that’s normal. He isn’t a great napper so thinking he is getting most of the time at night but not too sure.

Thanks for your kind words and advice.

I do have a perinatal support worker because of my mood and it does help but I think I’m a too much of a worrier. I am hoping it will ease with time.

@Dee123456 I’m sure the worrying will ease. Becoming a first time mum really is a huge shock to the system & can knock our mental health. Great that you have the perinatal support too. The best thing you can do for your baby is look after yourself 🙂

We generally get up about 7, but my little dude would probably sleep a bit later. Tired after all the 4 am babbling no doubt! He doesn’t last long until his first nap - about 1-1.5 hours. When he was really small he pretty much slept all morning! It was great!
We’re also working on cot naps. He’s always napped in the pram in the kitchen, but I think it will be better if we can get him going upstairs as our downstairs is open plan & the other kids are loud! We had 2 pretty decent sleeps in the cot today, but took a while to settle for both.

I hope you’ve had a good day. Ds is already snoring! We had a lot of fresh air today & I hope it’s wiped him out.

Yea I wasn’t expecting the hit to my mental health but I will get there. Slowly by surely.

My little one has been sleeping in pretty late these days. But hasn’t been sleeping much during the day so thinking he’s catching up. He’s a bit nosey so when he’s out and about he doesn’t tend to sleep much. But if he’s home and in the peace and quiet he will nap for a while.

Yea I have him in the kitchen ours is open plan too but I’m the same. I would like him in his room so it’s a bit more peaceful. It’s definitely a work in progress.

Aw that’s great! :) that’s my little man just went down. Hope u had a lovely day. Fresh air is always good!

Yea today has been a good day. Little man had a long lie so was a bit of a dash to his baby class but we made it. Had a Sainsbury’s delivery, the perinatal support worker & I managed to cook some dinner for me & Hubby. Successful day. Just going to take it day by day. Today was a win :)

Glad yesterday was a good day for you. And I hope today’s going well so far. Taking it day by day is definitely the right thing.

I find that they days never quite go to plan with kids around! I’ve had to collect the teenager from school this afternoon as she was sick. Just after I got the baby to settle nicely for a cot nap. Luckily, my mum lives close by and was able to come and help. I just hope the rest of us don’t start puking now!

How are you getting on with the naps? We seem to be taking less time to settle each go.

Hope there ok! Yes every day is different and very hard to plan.

Well done with the cot naps, seems its going well. How has he been sleeping at night, still babbling at 5am or getting more settled.

Not been a successful day with cot naps. First nap wasn’t long at all and it made me revert to just putting him down in the living room this afternoon and he done well and slept for an hour and a half. But he woke and was still a little tired so he’s in for a wee cuddle just now.

Have u thought about weaning? Are u going to wait till 6 months or start a little earlier?

An hour and a half is a great nap. Never mind where it happens!
We’re having some good nights and some where he’s really bright at 4am. He’s in his own room, but I go in with him when I’m ready to sleep. It’s starting to feel like I’m disturbing him. But it’s hard to leave him alone when the advice is stay with them until 6 months. But then I co-slept for ages & that’s against advice. Sometimes this parenting lark can feel a bit “dammed if you do, dammed if you don’t.”
How are your nights going?

It’s crazy how quickly we are coming up to weaning time, isn’t it?! I’m sure October was only 5 minutes ago.
I’m not going to go by age, just do it when he seems ready. Ds1 was showing signs around 5 months (sitting up well, good hand eye coordination, interested in food.) I think we gave him his first food around 5.5 months when he started crying every time we were eating!
Ds2 has started to watch us eat. But I think we’ve got a while yet until he’s ready. I’m in no rush, but also quite looking forward to watching him try new things. We got a high chair the other day & he’s been enjoying sitting with us at meal times.

Have you decided when you’re going to wean?

Yea I was pretty shocked and was sitting about waiting for him to get up, lol. I don’t think he’s used to his mattress in him room yet and that’s why he doesn’t sleep as long but I will keep trying. Im just trying not to hold him as much as it’s just easy but I know he will get used to it.

That’s good he’s in his own room though. My sister in law told us to get a bed in there, I should have listened, lol!

Nights going ok. He has 2 feeds through the night. He did get up a few more times last night and we sometimes have the babbling himself to sleep after his 4/5am feed. I think having a dummy will make it more difficult when he goes into his own room. He doesn’t always need it but when he wakes, he often needs it to get back to sleep.

I know so many recommendations but I guess you need to try figure out what’s best for you. Which is the hard bit for me.

Not yet, I’ll just wait and see when he’s ready. Try hold off as close to 6 months as poss. But yea excited for him to try new things.

Aw how exciting. It’s nice when they are sitting in it, you realise how quickly they have grown. The time has flew by.

Don’t worry about holding and cuddling him if that’s what feels good for you. Ds1 was / is a snuggle monster. I held him and slept with him so much. I loved it. He’s 4 now and sleeps ok in his own room. I’m a bit gutted that ds2 isn’t as much of a fan of being held to sleep. I used to love just gazing at his brother sleeping in my arms. I still love his sleepy face.

You are so right about doing what feels best for you. It gets easier to figure that out as time goes by. I think sleep deprivation makes it harder to think clearly too.

I’m just listening to ds on the monitor making funny little whimpering noises. I think he’s having a bad dream 😢

He would honestly sleep for hours in my arms. I don’t know how it’s comfortable for them. I am trying to put him down more just so he doesn’t get used to it but now and then I will just hold him. I know looking at their wee peaceful faces when they sleep.

Yea the sleep deprivation is tough. I think more so now because it’s broken sleep but overall I think I should be getting a good amount but I am always tired. Think I better just get used to it lol. My little one had a restless night last night. Hoping tonight he will be a bit more peaceful as he’s been out and about today. That’s him just down.

Hope you had a nice day!

I hope you had a better night. We had a pretty good one up until the 4 am talking practice! Maybe he thinks he’s a lark?

Make the most of cuddling him to sleep. I’m a bit sad that ds2 seems to prefer his own space. He fell asleep on me at a school concert yesterday & it was lovey.

It’s so sunny here today. We’ve had an epic walk with the pram. So good to get some sea air. He’s asleep in his cot now and I’m trying to motivate myself to do some sorting in the attic. It’s like a jumble sale up there with all the outgrown clothes.

Ds seems to settle quicker at bedtime, but not really for naps. I still have to hold him or rock him to sleep, but come 6 months I’m going to start some form of sleep training. I know some people will hate me for that, but he only naps for 30mins 3 times a day and I feel he is so overtired all the time and then he sleeps badly overnight.
I need to help/force him to self settle so he can nap for longer. It’s the right decision for us as a family and I know research has found that it doesn’t have a negative impact on them from that age. I expect we will try it over the long Easter weekend and if there is no improvement then we’ll leave it.
I had a 20min nap today while he slept and it was amazing.
My next plan is to get out more on walks. I think maybe my mental health is suffering at the moment and I lack motivation to do anything, am eating badly too. I need to force myself out more for walks with the weather picking up. I worry that ds will then sleep lots in the pram though and Will then struggle to nap in his cot.

Being a first time parent is a massive shock to the system, but it gets easier and you learn to wing it. It becomes a different kind of exhaustion when they are older and they want you to play schools with them or various make believe activities.

Yes, we had a better night :) our little one is into blowing raspberries and has taken that up through the night lol

Yes I know I should make the most of it. It won’t be forever I can do it. I still haven’t managed cot naps though. Iv had a busy week and we have been out and about so he’s been sleeping in the buggy, car seat and on the couch at his grans. Least it’s times when I’m not holding him though so moving in the right direction. I will keep trying though.

I have found going out has really helped my mind. Especially the walks. I’m so looking forward to the weather being better so I can do it more often. Clears the mind and my little one likes being out in the buggy so win win!

Yes big shock and I know I will have lots of hurdles to overcome. This week has been a good week, hoping it continues on!

My little one was 5 months today. Where has the time went!

@Frizzy1986 you are right to do what works for you. Teaching them to sleep is actually really important. Overtired babies are not happy!

I’ve managed a walk most days this week & it’s really helped me feel a bit more sane. Definitely good for our mental health. And daylight is ace for the babies sense of day & night.

I hope everyone’s having a good weekend. Mooching about and housework here today as we have a day out planned tomorrow.

5 month has come so quickly @Dee123456

Hi everyone, I’ve just been catching up on the thread. It’s great to hear how the babies are developing. My little lady is (a massive chunk) busting out of some 6-9 month clothes rolling, babbling a lot and has started self soothing (with literally no input from me - she’s my last baby and I would hold her all day, but she wants to be put down...) We’re now dairy, egg and soya free and she seems to have quite severe intolerances which we’ve not quite got to the bottom of, but restricting my diet more was making me unwell. Anyway we are now under a paediatrician and dietitian as we start thinking about weaning, I can’t bear she is 5 month already... ok
It’s such a roller coaster and it’s really reassuring to hear other mums are also experiencing the same whether it’s first baby or not.

Hey @Figuringitout! My little dude has done the same with self settling. It’s great, but I wouldn’t mind more cuddles!
The diet thing sounds hard. I hope you get some good support from the dietician with weaning. I can’t believe we are at that stage already.

I hope everyone is ok. I got 7 hours sleep in a row last night for the first time in so long. Feel like a new woman today!

Hope things get better for you & your little one. Hopefully weaning will help.

Definitely a rollercoaster and agree it’s good to chat to other mums.

Aw that sounds amazing! My little one has been getting up more through the night and has been a bit unsettled. Not too sure what’s causing it. Hoping it’s just a phase.

Hope everyone is doing well.

How are you @Dee123456? I hope your little one is settling.

I think we’ve had a bit of a bug as I’ve had stomach ache and poor ds did so many poo’s this morning. He was still pretty jolly, but I’m sure we’re in for a long night.

Finding it a bit hard not to obsess about Coronavirus. I know they say it doesn’t hit children badly, but it’s so hard not to worry when they are so tiny & helpless.

@cattaxi Hope your little one is ok and their little tummy has settled.

He’s just getting up more for feeds, I’m thinking because his last bottle is getting earlier. I think he’s just changing again just when you get the hang of his routine, he moves on. I’m trying not to worry and move with it. He really is getting quite big and is an active wee soul.

Yes the virus is getting a bit out of control. It is difficult not to worry.

@cattaxi Omg I'm so jealous. 7 hours. God I don't think I've had that long since I was about 20 weeks pregnant.
Ds is waking every 3hrs for feeds still and seems to be going through a leap (I bloody hope that's what it is) as he's very unsettled after his feeds. I'm lucky to get 4 hours total spread across the night at the moment. 😴 😴
@figuringitout the intolerances sound hard. Hopefully they are manageable for now and that things change as she grows older. Oh and wow for her size. Ds is quite long, but after being born at 9lb 2 is chilling out on the 25th percentile at 15lb 6 last week. He won't have doubled his birth weigh by 6 months I don't think, but I'm fine with that now I know he has found "his curve"
I need to get more 6-9 clothes as I think his length will mean he needs to go into some of them (although they will prob drown him on the rest of his measurements)

I'm trying to be realistic with Covid 19. It's great that it appears kids are pretty unaffected which is my first priority. But, I am worried and I genuinely think as a nation we should be. Some people are a little too relaxed about it for my liking.
It's not the flu, its far worse than the flu. The mortality rate is significantly higher, we have no immunity as of yet and its so new and spreading like wildfire. I know heart disease kills more, so does cancer etc, but they arent contagious, they don't spread through contact so you can't really compare.
They don't cancel football, marathons and who knows, possibly the Olympics at a cost of millions of pounds and probably millions of jobs for nothing.
But, as a household, I anticipate we will be fine. Its about doing our best to save the lives of those more vulnerable than us. Those people must be bloody terrified. My parents are concerned due to their age so are being more cautious than current advice and I worry for them and my grandparents, which at the age of 34 I'm very lucky to still have 3 out of 4 still alive. I fear that by the end of this, I wont.

Good morning!

@Dee123456 that’s exactly what they are like at this age. As soon as you get a routine settled / sorted, it’s on to the next thing! We’ve just got into a nice groove of 3 good naps a day now. I bet it all changes by the end of the month.
Our tummies are all ok now, thank you.

@Frizzy1986 glad your little dude has settled on his curve now. Ds1 is tall & skinny. H&M clothes are pretty slim fitting & serve us well. Not for super chunk ds2 though 😂 I’ve got all of ds’ clothes from about 6 months. I’ll need to sell half of it & replace with a wider fit.

It’s hard not to get caught up in the virus anxiety. I’m very worried about being separated from ds of I need treatment as I’m asthmatic. And I’m hugely concerned about my parents who are in their 70’s and both have bad chests. Trying hard to focus on the positives and enjoy some nice family time this weekend.
I hope you are all ok.

Just checking in and saying hi to all, hope everyone is keeping safe and well in this strange time. I keep feeling anxious about the virus for my asthmatic partner and my parents, my mum is now 71 but also has heart problems, so she’s a worry for me. Down here in Cornwall I also worry people will come down here over Easter to escape, but will bring to virus with them! We have had coughs and colds continually since January so it’s difficult to spot if someone has something new!! Good luck for everyone who will now have their children at home for many weeks too. I don’t think I’m going to try and do too much work with them but I think I’m going to need a very loose routine.

My little girl is now nearly 5 months so not long until I’m thinking about weaning, can’t believe we are there already!!
Take care all xx

Another one checking in to say hello in these scary times. It’s so hard not to worry. How is everyone else doing?
Ds is loving having the older 2 and dh about much more. But he’s so excited his naps & routine have gone to shit and that’s affected his night time sleep, which was going so well 😢 He also seems to be showing some readiness for weaning. Another job to do!
@Maryrobinson81 we are in north wales & the tourists have swarmed. It was as busy as a bank holiday here this weekend, despite the non essential travel warnings. I despair of how our already fragile health service will cope.
Stay safe all x

Hi all, another check in. We are doing OK so far. Home school is a struggle, just trying to do naps and not feel like I'm abandoning my 6 year old. Also trying to teach her things as she loves to learn so I don't want her to not be.
Ds has had some good nights and slept from 2am til 6:30-7 which has been amazing. We've started weaning this week. Just letting him play really.
I'm really anxious and stressed and worried about it all if I'm honest. I've cried quite a bit. I'm not sure some people take it seriously.
My Aunt's dad died from it this week, and my other uncle has COPD so has been sent a letter to tell him he must isolate for 12 weeks. Just feels very scary. I'm terrified I will be that one person who gets really sick and dies from it and I leave my children behind.

Hi all. Hope your all doing ok!

Yea scary times. Didn’t see it getting this bad. Not enjoying being stuck in though. Miss getting out and about and all our wee classes. Hoping this is over soon but I don’t see it! Just trying to get a new routine going and have been doing daily walks to get some exercise and fresh air. Managing morning cot naps but the afternoon ones seem a struggle, he just wants to snuggle in. I have also started weaning and it’s going well :) he’s even taking his bottles better which were always a struggle. Can’t believe he is 6 months next week. Not sure where the time has went!

Stay safe everyone and enjoy time with the family whilst everyone is in! Bet we all miss it when it’s over! X