TTC First Baby Catch-up With Our Babies Continued!!

[ELW85]

Hi all

As I’m rubbish and keep double posting I thought I’d start a new thread as we’re nearly at 1k.
I don’t have all of the OG’s so apologies for anyone I miss or anyone I miss in general (blaming lack of coffee this morning!!)

@Delilah7 @RanchoRelaxo @MrsR16 @thumper59 @trashkitten10 @Bostonfern @crossfitgirl @Fivebyfive2 @MrsEG @purplefig @LarryDavid @Lemonysherbet @Stormtrooperjulian @MrsH497 @LokiCat @Cupcakesandglitter

@Fivebyfive2 - that’s the most adorable thing ever! He looks so much older than he is, in the best way.
You are, you’re doing a cracking job!!

I’ve just ordered a baby sensory box and have a virtual weaning course next week. It’s all happening!

How did everyone get on? Joe did 7 till 5.15 with 2 wakes at 11.15 and 3am, both under 20 mins, although I just fed back to sleep. He's already having a nap so I'm back in bed but while we were up I put a wash on, made dhs sandwiches and got an online shop ordered. Possibly the most productive I've been in weeks!

Well apparently he doesn't want to sleep after all so we're playing again 😂

Morning all! Hope all the babies slept well :) I am spending so much time on my own with rye boys this week, I’m utterly drained! They both want my attention constantly!

We managed to wean Conor off all his colic/reflux stuff this week and he’s been fine, I am SO pleased. GP seems happy that as his gut has matured at the 6 month mark the reflux has gone. Hallelujah!!!

@purplefig yep I see a private physio, some of the best money I’ve ever spent. I thought my diastasis was going to be my biggest issue but it’s not- my pelvic floor is! Initially it was really over-engaged - who knew you can do too many PF exercises! It’s been fascinating understanding the post-partum body it really has. I could run/train now with my diastasis but it’s my PF holding me back!! Spent a few weeks trying to relax it and now we’re trying to get it healthy again!!
Yeah their teeth show under the gum but haven’t cut through yet, I’ve heard it can still be months! The drool is on another level though!
Hope you enjoyed your drinks!

@ELW85 I have been through the ringer with eczema with Ruairí he is absolutely pickled with it. Bin the Oilatum it’s good for nothing other than a slippery baby. The things that worked for us:
Give an emollient a chance but if it’s not worked in a week call the GP and try another (were on Epaderm at the mo and it’s the best one so far)
Changing detergent - we use Surcare now, and no fabric softener
Baths in water only - I only wash his hair once a week with childs farm
Teething drool wreaks absolute havoc with the skin on the neck and chest so get lots of dribble bibs!!
Just keep greasing them up - any nappy change/clothes change add some more on
We’ve still a way to go with Ruairí I’d say as we manage to control it but can’t get rid of it. It’s so common though, I forget the percentage but a LOT of babies get it, it tends to ease off before they turn two. Just something to keep in mind as it could be unrelated and just the poor thing being unlucky enough to have eczema too! Hope you managed to get some answers.

@Fivebyfive2 Joe just likes to get up and play doesn’t he?!

Morning all!

Finn had a cracking night; slept through from 7.25-3.05 then had a feed. Took about 30 mins to get back down though. This dummy and cuski settling methods don’t seem consistently effective. They are when he’s super tired but he’s so obsessed with his hands that he sabotages himself. The weird thing is that he sends himself back to sleep in the middle of the night sucking his fingers but just can’t seem to get there at the start of a nap or the night.
After that, he was down until after 6. I was gobsmacked; he’s been on 5am wake ups forever.
He then had a little cuddle with me until 7 am.
When he woke at 6 and 7 today there were no tears at all. I feel like he must had had a really decent sleep, so I’m pleased with that.
I really want to figure out a new way of settling him though as since we’ve stopped swaddling we can’t just pop a dummy in and watch him drift off (devastated!!)
I’ve tried a little bit of patting him and then in the crib but it’s hit and miss.
Sometimes he goes in, yawns and drifts off, other times he’ll scream the place down 😂

Well it’s valuation day ladies! Wish us luck and for a quick sale!

Also - I got in touch with my boss yesterday to say ‘look, I’m about to out the house up and make a bit of a jump so if things are going to go tits up at work you don’t have to tell me directly but give me some sort of hint’ and she said to go for it.
I was also being honest and said I was having a wobble about going back so early, didn’t want him at nursery in the winter etc (second wave) and she basically said ‘have him at home with you. It’s no different to what the others had to do during lockdown. Nobody is allowed back in the office for at least the end of the year, so I’m fine with it.’
So massive dilemma. I’ll make it clear I won’t be anywhere near as productive as I would be if he was at nursery, but they seem desperate to get me back. What do you think?

@MrsEG - thank you for the eczema tips! He’s got a massive red line under his neck that I’m presuming is the eczema but could also be dribble related.
He’s never had a reaction to the non bio stuff we use but since last Wednesday it’s appeared on his body in spite of no changes so might as well try something else.
The hydromol was ok for his face but like you say the oilatum isn’t really doing anything.

@Fivebyfive2 - Joe’s definitely having better stretches and it’s great that you‘the feeling good after being more productive. I feel the same!

@ELW85 Ruairí never had eczema until about 4 months, it’s why we were able to rule out an allergy with the GP fairly fast (as he had such bad flare ups that’s what they thought it was at first!) but given he’s been on the same milk since 3 weeks old and the dogs always lived here, it was ruled out! I wonder if this is an approx age they start with it? It’s tough though and I feel awful even saying it but it doesn’t half feel a chore stripping him off all the time to slime him up and then pull his clothes back on! I really do notice the difference though on the days I’m horrible and get lazy with it!
Finn sounds like he had a bloody fabulous night!! I hope you feel better for it too!
I’d say if your boss has said you can have him at home and that’s what you would prefer I’d just check how long your nursery will hold your place; but otherwise, go for it!

@MrsEG - thank you for the tip! I’ve ordered some stuff now.
Meant to say earlier, it’s awesome that the reflux is nailed now; it’s horrible isn’t it?
We’re definitely not there yet (bracing for the 4 month peak) but we’ll get there!

I hope I can make work..work but I’ve a feeling she’ll be ok with the impaired productivity for a week and will then kick off! I’m going to chat it through with her...

@ELW85 It’s such a relief! The GP suggested weaning off as apparently like 80% of babies recover with reflux at 6 months as their gut matures, but I was so scared to do it as he’d been so much better haha! We did it slowly but now he’s off colief and Gaviscon and he’s absolutely fine. I’ll hope and pray for the same for Finn! I’d had it pegged in my head we’d be doing this until 1 year!!
Yeah it’s one of those things that in her head I’m sure she thinks baby will play nicely in the background as mum cracks on with work... the reality would be so different! Yeah perhaps just manage her expectations on it!

Just popping on to see how everyone is doing! Time is flying by and Rory is already coming up to 11 weeks! How?! Does it all fly by?!

I've been working since I had her, am trying to cut back now to a couple of hours a day and working out what we might do when my partner's paternity leave is up (he took first 6 months). No idea if nursery's will be safe etc - is anyone else in london and setting up nursery placements?

I'm going to read through properly and see how you're all doing! Love seeing the pics of all the babies. This year is flying by!

@larrydavid, lovely to hear from you!

@MrsEG, that's great that Connor has been able to come of his reflux stuff. How've the boys been today?

@ELW85, how goes the house sorting?! Hope Finn had a good day?

@MrsR16, how's you and Ethan?

So, I'm knackered! Apparently the last few half decent nights that Joe has had mean he does not feel the need to nap 😂 If he's had 90 mins all day... He finally went down properly at 7.10, hopefully he will sleep well tonight 🤞 Weirdly he hasn't even been moody, just awake! He's been busy today throwing his blocks around, eating, rolling around and trying to crawl! Oh and he now babbles nana... To MY mum... Suck it MIL 😂 Oh god I'm terrible, sorry!

Hey ladies, sorry I've been missing! Thanks @Fivebyfive2 for thinking of us!

Ethan had a terrible night last night and I ended up coming downstairs to sleep on the sofa as I did not want to be falling asleep in my interview today! 😬 he did really well at MILs although refused to nap until completely overtired, so had 2 naps within a couple of hours haha! He has then been a shit to get to sleep tonight. DH and I were despairing! But eventually he got there 😊 we'll see how he does tonight!

@MrsR16, how do you feel the interview went?? I hope Ethan had a good night?

Not too bad here, Joe woke at 8 but dh re settled him and he slept until 1.30!! Had a feed, slept until 3.45 then did 4 till 5, then wide awake! He's asleep on me now so need to move him... In a minute 😂

Happy Friday ladies!! What's everyone's weekend plans?? Xx

Morning all!

Well. I am just in the worst of moods. I’m in Greater Manchester..... back to lockdown we go today. I’m so mad and sad. We start weaning the boys literally today. The idea of doing that with two of them and zero help at home is now making me feel sick. To add insult to injury DH has increased gym opening hours to make up for the time they were closed, on the idea that I’d have my parents for help. I honestly feel like I’ve been punched in the gut! I know it’s a pandemic and the world doesn’t revolve around me but I’ve had a small pity party this morning. So, weekend plans are weaning the boys!! And doing sod all else!!!!!

@Fivebyfive2 I felt it went ok! The interviewing panel seemed really lovely and they took me to the office where I'd be working, introducing me to the (very limited) team that was in, which has to be a good sign right?? Ethan did good once he'd got off to sleep! He was awake at 4:55 this morning. We dragged him into bed with us and he actually resettled by himself! He fell asleep about an hour later and woke up just before 7 😊 Joe did good, bless him!!

@MrsEG oh lovely, that's horrible! Just take it one step at a time. Hopefully they'll take to food really well and it'll be an easy journey. Am I right in thinking it's just inside that you can't have people or was the news report I read last night not right?

@Larrydavid good to hear from you! How is Rory 11 weeks old?? Bless her...

@ELW85 how did Finn do last night?

@MrsEG, oh no that's not good! Hopefully it lifts soon. I'm waiting for our area to be locked down to be honest as a few of the surrounding bits have been... Good luck weaning! I'm sure they'll take to it like little champs 😀

@MrsR16, definitely sounds positive! Bless Ethan. We try having Joe in with uus sometimes, but he just gets excited starts looking between one and the other of us trying to chat 😂🤦‍♀️

@Larrydavid Hello! 11 weeks already! How have you found the fourth trimester?? Am I right in remembering you’re self employed? Nurseries are a minefield up North too due to Covid - my only advice really would be to start looking as soon as you can!

@Fivebyfive2 I love that Joe is babbling to your mum and not the MIL! You can casually chuck that in her face the next time she’s offering ‘advice’! Oh god I hope it doesn’t happen to you too! We had the announcement around 9pm last night and for hours it was so so unclear as to what businesses could stay open. We finally got some clarity from our Mayor at around midnight. All very stressful! This sodding government!!!

@MrsR16 So were now back to no mixing with other households both indoors and in private gardens. You can meet in groups of 6 max in a park etc. We can still go to pubs and restaurants but only with those we live with - so, I could go to the pub with DH but no one else. My parents could be there sat on the next table, like... but yeah, that’s where we’re at. Government are putting all the blame on us saying we didn’t social distance inside homes with visitors. Taking on none of the blame themselves for waiting so long to make masks compulsory, opening up pubs so quickly (our major spike in new cases is amongst the 18-24 group), etc. No no, this is all because I sat too close to my Mum on the sofa 🙃
How are you feeling about your interview? So sorry to see Ethan had such a bad night the night before - typical isn’t it!!

@Fivebyfive2 weirdly enough, Ethan ended up on his front and that's where he fell asleep! The nights where he's slept through are when he's been sleeping on his tummy. It's very strange!

@MrsEG oh that's awful. I feel for you! I hope it gets eased soon. You will be fine with weaning though. It is great fun! It doesn't even matter if they don't eat much to start with!

Morning all

I’m having such a horrible morning and I feel totally stuck.
Finn has a good night last night (two really minor wake ups) but it took ages to get him down. I’ve noticed the last couple of days, the settling technique Is getting less and less effective.
This morning 44 minutes to get down and he was clearly overtired, rubbing his eyes.
I’m gutted. He’s done so well at sleeping in the crib but it’s all been lost since we stopped swaddling.
Now I have no settling techniques and no idea what to do.

@MrsR16 - I hope your interview went well; when do you hear?
@MrsEG - lockdown is awful but it’ll be all of us sooner rather than later I’d imagine.
@Fivebyfive2 - serves MiL right!
@Larrydavid - lovely to hear from you! Really hope you and Rory are well

@ELW85 It could all be completely just the 4-month regression and nothing your doing lovely. Ruairí hit it badly pretty much on his 4-month birthday! Getting them down was so hard I had to rock Conor down, and Ruairí I literally had to sit and let him hold my thumb until he went off. Conor would at least sleep once he was down but Ruairí would have a few wake ups as well. It’s all developmental it’s almost like they have to re-learn how to fall asleep! It’s hell! I think it’s why some sleep folk tell you not to bother sleep training pre-4 months too. Did the swaddle sleeping bag things work at all?
Yeah - I think this is the start of getting us all locked down again to be honest. They’re leaving all businesses open and encouraging us to go out and spend spend spend, but mixing and seeing friends and family is totally off the cards again. Why bother easing it at all, I wonder.

@MrsEG - to be fair I hadn’t thought of that as he was still sleeping well! But he’s on the verge of rolling so you’re totally right.
Thank you for making me feel less of a failure!
How’s DH doing from the business perspective? He’s just spent all that time sorting it!
I honestly feel for you. It’s such a shit scenario, but you’ve overcome much worse, Wonder Woman! You’ll nail it as always ❤️

@ELW85 Great news Finn had a good night. All is not lost, you just both need to learn some settling strategies now the swaddle has gone. How old is Finn now? We never swaddled but had this when I took away the dummy. The dummy was fabulous to get Daisy to sleep but hideous at keeping her asleep so we were both suddenly a bit baffled how settling down worked without our tried and tested strategy. I found that she hates cuddles (wahh 😩), gets over stimulated by rocking (just wants to rip my hair from my scalp 🤔) and fights any kind of holding. She now associates her dark room and white noise machine with sleep and starts to rub her eyes and snuggle in as soon as I put that on. She then does far better being left to it to settle herself and just a little shushing and patting if she's upset. But I had PLENTY of tears at about 4/5 months as I tried to rock her, hold her little flailing hands and try endless other ideas to get her to settle. It's a learning curve for you both and you get there and figure out what helps and what doesn't. As always, take the positives (brilliant night!) and be gentle with yourself about the things that are still a work in progress :)

@MrsEG Thats madness blaming it on family gatherings whilst people are pissed and stumbling around in pubs. Don't panic about weaning. You're BLW right? Get everything prepared and plated up in nap time. Make sure everything is cut into long, thin strips so not a choking hazard and give them just a little at a time. They will probably eat little or nothing to start with. Sit, watch and stay calm. Then wipe their hands and faces, pop them in a safe place and wipe down the worst of the mess and, if necessary, do a full clean up at the next nap time. She's only a singleton but Daisy has zero patience and screams blue murder before and after food if I don't get my arse in gear and sorted out within the length of her patience (about 23 seconds). I quickly learnt preparation is key when trying to manage on your own :)

@ELW85 oh lovely, you sound like you're having a right time of it! I agree with @MrsEG - it could well be the 4 month regression... at this point, I started doing whatever it took to get Ethan to sleep! It's all gone out the window again now, but he's so stubborn haha! You're doing an awesome job - don't you forget it!

I'm hoping to hear by no later than middle of next week. We'll see...

Thanks ladies you’ve made me feel better!
Went to my mates for coffee and her 1 year old was screaming the house down and Finn was overtired so couldn’t get to sleep for ages and then started screaming himself.
Argh!

@TrashKitten10 - yes it’s the flailing hands! How do you occupy them? I give him his blanket to hold on to in the hope he then associates that with sleep but I’m doubtful.inwishbi could make him understand it’s the flailing that’s keeping him awake!
How did you crack it in the end? Just left her to it? My mate suggested that today to be fair.
Finn loves a cuddle so I’m sure I could rock and dummy if it came to it. Although it really wasn’t working that well this morning.

@MrsR16 - thank you! I just feel rubbish. I’ve got everything crossed for you for your interview. I’m sure you’ll have smashed it 😀

Well our house is officially up for sale.
If anyone wants a look: www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-72209598.html

@ELW85 omg your house is gorgeous! I'd love mine to look like that 😂😂 I don't think the weather is helping the babies today... my house is super hot!! 🥵

Hi all!

@ELW85, I'd totally buy your house if I could!! I loooove your kitchen 😍 I'm actually browsing right now on rightmove... No idea why as there's no way we'll move for ages. If dh had his way we'd die here just to save him the hassle of packing ever again 😂 Try not to stress too much with Finn and his sleep. He is still really young so had loads of time! Joe is gradually getting better again, just in time for the 8 month regression looming in a few weeks. Ah well.

@MrsR16, I agree about the heat, it is awful! Also, why do I have to live between 2 houses that both constantly seem to be having work done?! Windows open, too loud... Windows closed, too hot 🤷‍♀️

Well at least Joe is napping today! We had a nice walk in the park this morning and then my friend from work visited, she's having a tough time and seeing Joe get banana ready brek everywhere seems to have cheered her up! Probably a good ob she missed him on the potty though 😂