Glad to hear your sis is getting some comfort and joy from O JL. Won't help her in the slightest as I'm a complete stranger but I do think about you and her and hope she's finding each day a little easier. I miss having you on our thread. [hatlesssademoticon]
MrsJB don't worry about thinking you were being brash. You will always be that sweet lady whatever you post (in character and candy-giving terms). I'm always reluctant to offer advice about anything baby-related being qualified in precisely no way at all but I've read enough about gut maturation and weaning to earn a PhD. In fact maybe I'll do a PhD on that instead of the psychoanalytic representation of the child in the modern gothic novel (what I actually have funding for). Anyway, I digress...
AbbyLou- croup. Bloody farking croup. It's usually nothing at all to worry about and as it is viral you can't cure it, only treat the symptoms. The barky, seal-like cough you describe is called stridor and is the main symptom of croup, along with the hoarse voice when crying. The stridor should only last a couple of days. Unfortunately, croup is only part of a virus so that may disappear but you may still find that Ruby has the main virus for a while afterwards. If she has a coughing attack there are two ways to help. Firstly, steam as you already know is fantastic so in the bathroom with as many hot taps on as possible. More effective in our case was cold air. Wrap Ruby up warmly and take her outside. Many babies who seem to have very bad croup attacks at night are fine on reaching the hospital with worried parents and it's down to the cold air. Tis a bugger but the attacks are usually at night too as the baby is laying down. Raise the head of the bed or cot a wee bit to help her breathe. You can also try putting a wet towel over a radiator in the room she is asleep in or putting a tiny bit of decongestant on a rag near her bed (not too near though)- or a couple of drops in a bowl of water in her room. Croup usually isn't serious (it is infectious though and is laryngitis in adults so if you get it like I did you may well lose your voice completely). The main problem we seemed to have was how sore her throat was which made her reluctant to feed. The best remedy for this I found was dreamfeeding as she didn't notice the pain. Trying to feed her when awake was a nightmare. You can also try cooling her milk down, offering cooled water or cold watery fruit and veg (cucumber/melon) to keep her hydration up and soothe her throat. I'm sure she'll be absolutely fine, it's just one of those things and their throats are so tiny that the inflammation just makes it so much harder for them to breathe. Look out for any difficult breathing. If she struggles and starts to 'suck' in breath instead of breathing naturally (underneath her ribs might pull in or her throat might pull in instead), she is breathing fast, she refuses to make eye contact or doesn't seem to 'know' you then you must get her checked out. It is extremely unlikely that she will suffer this badly from it though. M was in a small minority of babies who needed help and some nebulisers and steroids were all that were needed to get her over it. Lots of cuddles and love. It is extremely common and should be over before you can say 'is there a seal in the room?'.
TYG was going to say you sound like a lovely sil but that's a given, you're just plain lovely anyway. Special magic Irish lady we call you in our house.
LG&T/SuperMum, try to enjoy the peace. I know you won't, you'll miss the noisebag brood like mad but I bet those quiet moments with B will be absolutely lovely. Will let you know exactly what day we will be descending upon your good person. DH's work being buggers about some corporate summat and he has to be there or the world will implode and sod the first day of our holiday.
M still a grumpy beggar but very good today. Took her Xmas shopping and she grinned at all of Norfolk, charmed a sheep out of a field and stole some cucumber and devoured it. Christmas shopping nearly finished now. M was ratty and sore by 7pm and resorted to Medised to help settle her. She was clawing at her cheek and gums and screaming and after the blessed drugs was asleep within 10 minutes. Still feel like a crap mother drugging her though. Teething gels don't work, she eats them and powders calm her but don't stop the pain. Calpol not too effective. Oh when will it end?
Started a treasure basket today for M after realising that none of her toys were as interesting as a crocodile clip, an envelope and a chamois. As a floaty, hippy type the idea of heuristic play is very appealing anyway so we have a basket with such delights as a rubber duck, emery board, pumice, egg timer, measuring cups, wash mits, curtain rings etc etc. Or in other words- Bits Of Crap Out Of The Kitchen Drawer. M loves it. I fully recommend. Going for a seasonal effect too. Added a pine cone, red ribbon and some conkers. Going to make a Christmas stocking for M tomorrow with Other Bits Of Crap From The Material Drawer.
Prat in town today said my precious baby wasn't 'late for dinner, was she, har de farkin ha'. I clawed his eyes out with my bare hands. Was I wrong?