Ttc first baby catch up with our babies!

[Fivebyfive2]

Just putting this on in case anyone wants to catch up? We're all at different stages, so might be able to help each other out?

@Delilah7 @RanchoRelaxo @MrsR16 @thumper59 @trashkitten10 @Bostonfern @crossfitgirl sorry I know I'm missing people, I'm blaming newborn brain!

I'll leave the link on the 'pregnancy' catching up thread xxx

@Fivebyfive2 My sisters house is all tiles and laminate so they got a foam rug thing for their daughter when she was on the move. She did struggle on the laminate - she looked like a little turtle that had got stuck haha.
Teething we are the same - my HV said teething starts just with the teeth moving under the gums and you usually don’t actually see a tooth until closer to 6-7 months. But it can bother them for a good while before they break through. So calpol is fine, it’s such a low dose anyway and just takes the edge off! She also recommended the baby Neurofen as that has the anti inflammatory aspect too if their gums are really hurting!

Hey ladies, I had no notifications on this thread today, so checked and there are loads of messages I've missed!!

@Fivebyfive2 my downstairs is all laminate too! I have some foam tiles as Ethan is all about sitting at the moment and I don't really want him clonking his head on the hard floor! The tiles are enough to make sure he doesn't damage himself although he still gets shocked on the occasional time that he does lose balance now (which really isn't that often!) the tiles are bloody brilliant - I'm considering getting some more to just cover more floor space! I'm also in the same boat with Ethan's teeth! Loads of aggro from them, super red cheeks, drool like you wouldn't believe, pulling at ears, etc but still not a hint of a tooth popping through! 😔 I've got baby bonjela but haven't used it just yet.

@MrsEG @ELW85 Ethan tends to sleep about 1.5 hours after waking up (melatonin is still rife in their system!) but then we can vary awake times from anywhere from 2 hours to 4.5! 🤦‍♀️

I will read all the messages at some point! Had a long evening on MS Teams tonight and have an even longer one scheduled tomorrow night, so am enjoying my cider 😂

Hope you're all ok, lovelies!!

Wow this thread is moving fast!

I read this blog recently which I found v reassuring about naps which might help you @ELW85

www.babysleepscience.com/single-post/2017/03/20/Nap-101-Post-1-Does-my-baby-have-a-nap-problem

@MrsEG @MrsR16, thanks for the tips ladies!

Well, last night was awful 🙁 After cat napping all day, Joe conked out 3.30 till 5.30 in the evening, then he was really grumpy from about 6.30.... We got him ready for bed about 7 and it he was asleep for 8. Then awake at 9 till 9 30...asleep until 11.30, back to sleep at midnight... Wide awake 1am till 3am!! We tried the projector and lullabies in his cot, to see if they'd relax him, epic fail! And then he was wide awake again at 5am, he is just now having a feed and I'm hoping he conks out again and will let me put him down 🙏🤞

I also had this horrible dream where someone took him off me for a break (I knew them in the dream but it was just a random person!) but they took him to bed and were about to squish him... Then we found a big bruise on his back and people thought I'd done it! I haven't told dh about the dream, I'm worried he'll think I'm cracking up?!! I'm seriously thinking of asking my mum to just come over today to help out, but I know I shouldn't really.

Thank god it's Friday at least, I feel a Chinese takeaway coming on tonight ladies! Today and tonight will be better hopefully. In the meantime, I'm just glad I had dh's fathers day biscuit box delivered to my parents house, or I'd be scoffing them all this morning and having to order him another one 😂

Sorry for that epic, crazy post. Hope everyone is OK today?! Xxx

Morning all!

I’m chipper this morning because little Finn did 8-2 and then 2.20-6 last night, with a feed from 2-2.20. I’ve never felt so refreshed!
I realise it’s a total fluke but after the 3 hour stints of the night before, it feels amazing. I’ve not had nearly 8 hours sleep in a long time!!

@LikeTheFruit - thank you, that is really interesting! Basically I just need to get him to sleep independently... good luck me, haha! It’ll break my heart if he cries but I guess he cries when he’s tired anyway.

@TrashKitten10 @MrsEG @MrsR16 - wow awake time really varies then! I thought there was something wrong with Finn when he wanted to go back down so quickly but clearly not!

@Fivebyfive2 - I’m so sorry you’ve had such a rough night. I’d written my post before I refreshed and saw yours. I know it’s no consolation, but Joe and Finn look like they’re taking good and bad nights in turns, so I’m sure you’ll have a great night tonight!
It’s soul destroying when they’re wide awake in the early hours giggling and chatting away when you can’t be mad at them but also want to cry your eyes out. Massive hugs.
I probably shouldn’t say this, but if you’re feeling really rough today and that you need a hand, it’s better to have someone there than break yourself. Even if she pops into the garden to give you some company?
I really could have done with someone yesterday but to be honest, I don’t have a great relationship with my Mam so that wouldn’t have helped!
Your dream is classic anxiety about how everyone is viewing you as a mother, nothing to worry about there; you’re doing an amazing job and you should be proud. These are stupidly hard times and we all need to be a bit kinder to ourselves xx

@MrsEG - I meant to say, I think those books are an amazing idea! And I might steal it, haha!
I’ve been thinking a lot about how crazy the world is at the moment/always and how much I want Finn to be happy in his own skin and support everyone else to feel the same. My audible credit this month is I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings (I have a listen holding him after night feedings) so I’m hoping I can get a deeper understanding and pass that on to him.

@ELW85, thank you! I'm feeling a bit better now, sitting up in bed with Joe and my cat asleep on me (too scared to move either of them, F it I'm just enjoying the peace!) I'll probably just settle for calling my mum about 7 times instead 😂

On a brighter note, here is Joe, being super pleased at doing his new favourite thing... Sitting forward! Shame it was at 5.15am, but look at that face 😀

@Fivebyfive2 - pleased you’re feeling better! I just got up to get ready and there was a spider in my skirt. Had to contain the squeal to not disturb Finn!
Ah look at Joe - such a gorgeous happy lad!

Oh @Fivebyfive2 Joe does enjoy keeping you on your toes, doesn't he? But look at that adorable face 😍

@ELW85 yay for Finn having a good night! That's awesome! Eugh, I would have squealed at the spider! My least favourite things... 🤦‍♀️

@MrsR16 - I’m under no illusion it’ll change tonight but I’m just grateful for the rest!
The spider was horrendous 🤢
How’s you today?

@ELW85 we're not too bad! Ethan had a small wake up about 4 but got himself settled back down about half 4, which was nice! 😊 going for our walk soon - need to pick up his gaviscon!

@ELW85 he complained a little bit when we first put him in the cot to nap but he got used to it quickly. He naps twice a day, each nap is around 1.5 hours.
Have you heard of an app called Huckleberry? You use it to track sleep and it recommends the optimal time to put the baby down for his next nap.

@TrashKitten10 I think consistency is supposed to be important, so the baby knows what to expect. I made DH do all the check in visits while we were sleep training cos I found it so upsetting hearing him cry and not being able to cuddle him.

@Fivebyfive2 apparently ambesol liquid is really good for teething, might be worth looking at if Joe is suffering. At 8 months Dex still has no teeth and no sign of getting any!

@MrsR16 - that’s good going! Enjoy your jaunt 😊
We’ve got loads of Gaviscon kicking about as it just doesn’t work for poor Finn!

@Stormtrooperjulian - I’d only seen that app mentioned in a thread yesterday so I’ve downloaded it now. This will be day 2 of data, so I’m looking forward to seeing the hints!
Does it work well for you?

@stormtrooperjulian, I've just downloaded that ap, started logging from today!

@MrsR16 Glad to hear Ethan had a good night!

@Fivebyfive2 Sorry to hear you had a bad night, it just completely ruins the next day too doesnt it? When it happens with us I go to bed when they do. So like 8pm, I go up with a book and a brew and I’m usually asleep for 9 to catch up a bit!!

@ELW85 What a great sleep from Finn! Even if it is sporadic now at least you know he can do it! I’m sure he’ll get there!
Ah yeah the books are fab - we got Strictly No Elephants, What if we were All The Same, and Happy In Our Skin this week - all came well recommended!

@stormtrooperjulian So many people recommended Huckleberry to me so it must be good! I just found it way too confusing with two! How is Dex getting on?

So the boys had a weird night; They both went to bed like a dream, giggling through the bath and no tears when they went in to their cots - I was watching on the monitor as they just cooed away and then drifted off. Buuuuutt I was then up with Ruairí tonnes, at about 3 I admitted defeat and sat at the top of the stairs outside their room reading my book!! He’s easy to settle but just wakes so much. They’ve both been the same with their naps today. Send caffeine!!!

@MrsEG - he never gets through the early morning in a oner and 6am is our wake up time so I was amazed! He was just lying there happily chatting away to me!
Oh dear! I hope the boys settle soon; caffeine most definitely required!

@stormtrooperjulian does Huckleberry work for you? It's mostly pretty good for me (apart from when I didn't realise Ethan wanted to drop 2 naps and go from 5-3 in 24hrs! 😂) although we've just had the biggest fight to get him to sleep...

@ELW85 that is rubbish! It's so much trial and error isn't it? It's really difficult when they just can't express what's wrong! Good on Finn for just chatting away happily! I love mornings wake ups like that 😊

@MrsEG oh lovely! I can't imagine how hard it is with two babies! Although Conor sounds pretty chill 😂 enjoy your caffeine and don't feel guilty!

@ELW85 @MrsR16 it worked well when Dex was younger. I don't use it any more as Dex is down to 2 naps a day and in a pretty consistent routine so we don't need it.

@MrsEG he's doing well thanks! He's in the 8 month sleep regression so his sleep has been a bit disturbed for the past few nights but hopefully that won't last long. He's been crawling and pulling himself up for a while now, I can't believe he's over 8 months old already! I go back to work in a couple of weeks.

@MrsEG, are you in bed yet?! I am 😂

We actually had a good day; a bit rocky around lunchtime, but had lots of smiles, dh got home early which pleased little man no end (god they're gonna be thick as thieves as he gets older!) Took Joe for an early evening stroll after a late afternoon bath. Had Chinese takeaway. Dh read him a story (absolutely captivated, it was adorable!) then I fed him, brought him upstairs and gently roused him a bit when I put him in the snuzpod.... He woke, did a big smile and went straight off to sleep! Fingers crossed for a good night, or at least no 2am parties 🤞🙏

Ladies, just realised that this is the last Friday I need to spend being in bed when he goes to bed! He's 6 months next week, so hopefully I can start to get some of my evenings back... Dh and I are planning a movie night 😀

Morning ladies

We had a good night! Ruairí went to bed at 7 and woke at 10 but then slept right through to 7. Conor didn’t wake at all (never does - he is a dream sleeper!!) I feel like a new woman. Didn’t do anything different so god knows why.

Is anyone else really struggling with boredom at this stage? This morning I had the boys in their swings and we were singing nursery rhymes etc - I just feel like I’m in Groundhog Day and every day is just feeling exactly the same. I’m really struggling to see a light at the end of the tunnel at the moment.

@Fivebyfive2 Glad you had a good day! I’ve loved having the boys in their own room - mainly as they settled so much more without constantly kicking each other in the face! But it was also so nice to kinda get our room back. Good luck with it!

@stormtrooperjulian Oh my gosh where has all that time gone! Will you be working from home at the moment?

Hope everyone has a good weekend!

@MrsEG, I'm massively struggling with boredom now, especially now Joe is coming out of the 'just save things at him' phase but isn't very mobile yet!

In fact I was about to ask @MrsR16, what do you do with Ethan nowadays, as they're similar ages??

We had a 'meh' night... Not awful, but not great. Lots of little wake ups. Ah well. He's bright as a button today! Here he is trying the high chair for the very first time 🙂

@stormtrooperjulian We haven't got ourselves fully into the Ferber method but DH and I have had a chat and decided to follow the basic principles you posted about and leave Daisy increasingly longer periods of time then go in and offer a pat and shhhh and leave again once she's quiet and calm. She seems to be getting better already so hopefully it will continue :)

@MrsEG How glorious to have a full nights sleep :) definitely feeling the boredom too. Some days it feels like just passing the hours until bed time. I'm trying to plan a new little activity each day to keep us both amused. So far messy play has received mixed reviews but treasure baskets have been going down really well.

@Fivebyfive2 Joe looks very grown up in his high chair! Won't be long until it's smeared in food ☺️

God, I leapt out of bed this morning. Daisy has been waking up pretty reliably at 5:30am (joy!) and starting to chat away to herself. This morning I woke at 6am to silence. Look at the baby monitor and it was just an empty cot. My heart skipped a beat and I ran through and there she was, practising her crawling technique quietly at the wrong end of her cot out of the view of the camera. What a monkey 😂

Afternoon all

Had one of the worst nights with Finn ever...he even managed a 30 min wake up from 4am.
I’m shattered today and don’t feel like I can do anything right. I haven’t managed to get him down for a nap peacefully all day and DH isn’t in a good place with work so I’ve pretty much cried all day.
Sorry to be such a downer, but this is definitely one of my lower days.
DH doesn’t think he wants another child anymore because of the work involved, which is a bit of a sticking point as I do everything with Finn. And he’s only 10w today so I really don’t think it’s the right time to be making those decisions.
Sorry for the ramble; I’m a wreck today.

@trashkitten10, lol talk about keeping you on your toes!!

@ELW85, oh sweet, I'm so sorry to hear you're having a crap day xx If it's any consolidation I'm pretty sure dh would have returned Joe if we'd had a receipt those first couple of months... Things didn't really click for him until around week 12 when Joe became more interactive and slept a little better. Now they're thick as thieves! It's really early to make big decisions, I'm almost 6 months in and still go back and forth about another baby, it's one of those 'see how it goes' things I think?? Try not to put so much pressure on yourself with his sleep if you can... There will be days where he fights every nap and nights that feel never ending... But the next night it could all fall into place! He's still tiny and you're all learning together; that thought still helps me even now xxx I think you're doing an awesome job with him, for what it is worth 😀

@Fivebyfive2 - you’ve got no idea how much your post means to me! You’ve made me cry but out of relief!
DH is usually wonderful but he’s really not getting to grips with LO as well as he thought so he’s shying away from stuff. We had words last night and a huge talk this morning which has seen him put more effort in but it’s just so weird going from this perfect (and I mean sickly movie style relationship) into this where we bicker.
It’s great to know that not everyone has just sailed into parenthood smoothly (although I’m sorry your first couple of months were like that too) and that things get better as they get older.
And I totally agree with you; another child us a huge decision and I keep saying to him that 10 weeks in us but the time to even think about it.
For me, we should see how the first year goes and reassess then.
Thank you so much again for your post, it’s really helped xx