August 2007 - milk, mash or puree - take your pick and take cover!

[shrinkingsagpuss]

James - sorry, couldn't wait any longer... hope my link works...

Has everyone been blown away today .

Hello. Quiet today. Ds slept much better last night and only woke once but then dd decided she'd wake up at 5am She wanted to go downstairs but I told her she'd have to get in bed with us as it wasn't morning yet. She kept kicking me and dh with her cold feet so neither of us got much quality sleep after that.

Glad you got a reply from netmums tasha.

My head is much better today thanks James. I have a headache every day and it's normally kept at bay with 6 paracetamol and 2 Anadin but sometimes that doesn't help and it gets quite bad. Sleep normally affects it so if the dcs have had me up a few times then that can make it worse. Also happens if I have too much sleep so a lay in can be both a blessing and a curse.

The tooth isn't through yet unfortunately. Ds keeps crying half way through some of his bottles. The only way to get him to drink the rest is to cover his gums in teething gel. He's quite happy after that. He is feeding more than he was though. He was only having 4-5oz for his last evening feed last weekend. He's been finishing 7oz bottles the last few nights so I've been making up 8oz which he downed this morning.

Lizziemun - My dd is a slow grower. She'll be 3 in March and she's still in 18-23 months clothes and probably will be for the rest of the year. Last summer she wore clothes that she wore the previous summer. I actually bought her a 3-6 months outfit last summer which fit her when she was 2.5! I'm not saying there's not a problem but some kids just grow really slowly. Maybe Lexie will prefer solids. My dd was only having 4-5oz at this age and still really isn't that bothered about food. Several nights a week she will fall asleep in the car on the way home and stay asleep all night without having any dinner. I'm sure I'm going to be really jealous of her when she's a skinny teenager!

hi all - jsut a quick post

DP couldn't make his meeting because of all the traffic choas so he's working at home today - argh that means i get nothing done.

dd2 has got more antibiotics - she's much happier but still not right so took her back to gp today and there's still some crackling in her wee chest hopefully this lot will sort it out!

gill - is your ds still on the inhaler?

we're going to put dd2 into her own room tonight and see if that helps her to sleep through - will have the monitor on so that i hear every noise though!!

lizziemum - is she in proportion? that's what my HV goes by as i was concerned that dd2 is so big!

james sorry to hear that your meet up was cancelled.

tasha - how's your ds3 today? is he any better?

have any of you got much snow? it keeps snowing and then melting here - once i've picked dd1 up at 4.30 it can snow as much as it wants since none of need to drive.

my spelling/typing/grammer is going to pot!

Hi. I decided to go to the group anyway as one girl said she was still going (same girl I met last week) so legged it down there and it was okay I spose- lots of toddlers but only three babies including James and my friends baby.

A woman came in with a toddler and a newborn, 6 days old. I went over after a while to see the baby and told her she was gorgeous, like you do, and the mum sat there with this nasty sullen expression on her face, then said "how old is your baby?" I told her and she was like "he's massive, you want to try putting him on the floor once in a while, let him move around a bit, he might even out"

He'd already BEEN on the floor with the other babies, but he'd started rubbing his eyes when she came in so I had him snuggled on me ready for his nap, presumptuous cow.

Then she started slagging off everyone in the group, gesturing to half the room and saying they were up themselves and never spoke to anyone, then the other half, saying they were cliquey and snobbish (!) and then gestured to herself and three cronies, saying "everyone else here is alright..."

I hate bitchy people like that who have nothing good to say about anyone. I'll be giving her a wide berth if I go again. I ended up chatting with a dad the whole time I was there, which is typical. Can't exactly invite him to come swimming with me/over for coffee! Well I could but dp might have something to say about it. lol

Went to a cafe afterwards for my lunch, and let James share it with me. I introduced a new food that James really hated! He shuddered and gagged, retched and grimaced... what was this strange and exotic new food you ask? plain, unsalted mashed potato! The sliced cucumber, tomato and pepper on my salad went down a treat, but a bit of mashed jacket spud blew his mind, apparently! Weird child.

My2weegirls

she is in 3-6mths/6-9mth clothes. My HV wasn't that bothered as Lexie rolled over and was lifting and holding her head up and talking(grin) away to everyone.

As for DD1 4yrs last sunday she is in 5-6 clothes and has legs upto her armpits (I am not jealous as i have a low slung bum).

that horrible, horrible woman. doesnt she understand that every baby grows different, pay no attention to her james is perfect and i bet he gives great cuddles like my tubby ds2 lol at james and his potatoe, must be too bland lol
gill - aww at your little miss
its snowwing on and off here too, dp brought me to toys r us to get a time out pad, cant wait to give it a go!

James,

You allways get someone who is not very nice.

DD1 never liked potatoes and still doesn't. Only eats smiley faces (i told her they were pasta) won't eat chips.

She has told me she will eat them when she is older. When she 7, apparantly that's old

lol tasha, I bet that timeout pad will get some use in your house over the next few years! Let us know if it works. How's lo today?

Yeah, that woman seemed a bit of a knob, no wonder no-one in the rest of the group was speaking to her!

I can't imagine why anyone wouldn't like potato, it's so inoffensive!, but kids can be so fussy! So far he just seems to dislike bland foods, not a bad thing.

Hello everyone.

tasha, sorry to hear about ds's infection. Is he showing any signs of improvement?

James, at that woman at the group. In a situation like that I can never think of a reply quick enough. It'll come to me 2 hours later or something. Stick to the fella I say.

My2weegirls, hope those ab's kick in for dd. Not fair she has to put up with bugs this age.

Liefmum, bad luck about not being able to sleep. I'm a bit of an insomniac myself. But I just stay up and go on mn. So not got much advice I'm afraid, but muchos sympathy.

loler, didn't hurt when it went in, it barely touched the sides as I was inhaling my ventalin at the time. Bloody hurt coming out though!

Lizziemun, don't let the hv worry you about dd's size. I haven't got ds3 weighed since he was a few weeks old for this very reason. They tried to tell me that ds1 was very underfed at this age and made me go every week. He was just small. He had a massive growth spurt at 2.5 and again at 5. He's now one of the tallest in his class, but you'd have never guessed that when he was a diddy baby. I think ds3 looks small, but he looks in proportion so am not worried. Re the weather, I got blown away, but loved it, as until this week I could not go out in the cold/wet/wind as it literally took my breath away. I'm loving being able to get out and about, even in this weather. That's funny, dd thinking 7 is old!

Gill, at headaches every day. I don't get them often at all, but when I do I'm a miserable old cow. How do you manage? My dh gets migraines sometimes, and like you if he sleeps too much that will trigger it. His doctor called it 'weekend migraine', apparently its not uncommon. You have my sympathy. Reading about your dd's clothes sizes you reminded me about the time last xmas when ds1&2 got a couple of gifts mixed up. Ds1 put on trousers meant for ds2. He was 7 and the trousers age 12-18mths fitted him beautifully as knee length shorts!

his mouth is looking a bit better, im getting sick of having to force feed him though hes sitting here now hungry but wont take anything, im so bloody tierd.

You poor thing, it must be very difficult.

I've no idea how you're feeding him, and I'm sure you've had lots of advice and instructions off the doctors, but I found an article which might be worth reading from widesmile.org on feeding babies after cleft lip surgery:

A common problem during after care is not only the restricted diet, but the means by which we must get that diet into the baby. Most parents are advised to use an oral syringe with a long rubber catheter-type tube. The soft tube is placed inside the baby's mouth against the cheek and nutrition is safely delivered in a way that will most likely not anger the baby too much.

However, most parents find two very frustrating problems associated with this method. First, an oral syringe is designed to dispense medicines and not meals. They do not hold a very large capacity and must therefore be filled over and over again before the baby is satisfied. Second, the oral syringe requires a two-handed delivery. At worst it is barely manageable. At best, the baby cannot be held while fed.

Try this as an alternative approach: Use a combination of the Mead-Johnson nurser and a Ross Nipple. The Mead-Johnson bottle is soft-sided and squeezable. The Ross Nipple is not nipple-shaped at all, but rather shaped like an inverted funnel, the end being exactly the same in shape and form as the soft plastic tubing used with the oral syringe. Using the Mead Johnson/Ross combination, a parent not only can fill the bottle a full six ounces at a time (more if you fill beyond the graduated marks), but you can deliver the meal with one hand, allowing you to use the other hand to hold your precious baby.

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I did read that feeding should be closely monitored for several days after surgery. If he's still having great difficulty feeding (I know it's probably because of the infection too) sometimes they feed them via a tube down the nose for a while. Did your doctor discuss that with you at all? Are they worried about him getting dehydrated? Hope things get easier for you soon. x

thanx james, i have been considering putting him onto the Mead-Johnson bottle for a while now, the only thing thats stopping me is the fact that the haberman bottles cost me 70pound for 3. I am feeding him by syringe but it hasnt got one of them tubes on it, ill ask about that tomorrow. i really dont want him to be tube fed because i still have nightmares about when he was tube fed for 5 weeks it was terrible. i know that im very licky to have 3 healthy boys and that cleft lip and palate is nothing compared to what some kids are born with, im just so tierd of hearing him cry, i know alot of you can understand this as any baby crying is exhausting.

not licky, lucky

Wishing for the twelvetyfourth time that I lived a bit closer and could find some way to help you out, tash.

Surely you shouldn't have to buy your own feeding bottles for him? why can't they provide such equipment? especially since you aren't working etc. I would definitely ask about the soft feeding tube attached to the squeezy bottle thing, it sounds like it could make things a little easier for you. Not that I have any experience with any of this, hope I'm not annoying you with stupid suggestions! x

Tasha - it sounds like you're doing an amazing job. yes we all know what it's like when your babe doesn't stop crying but i've know idea how you cope with a poorly one and two older chldren as well. you must be an amzing person and a fab mum. i hope you are getting enough support from hospital/doctors. sending positive vibes out to you and lo

course your not finally got him to sleep i know you would think they would but i just got a VAT exemption form which took like 2pound off it! no your right about the tube it does sound like it would make a difference. sometimes i think over the last week he has just been spoilt! lol starting to take it tol on me

leifmum sorry cross posts. i really dont feel like a good mum atm more like a struggling mum with no choice but to get on with it, but thanks i really dont feel like im getting aany support i phoned my health visitor who just said if i have any probs phone hosp i dont know whats normal and if the amount hes drinking is ok considering his recent drop, i have had bad axperiences with health profesionals and im starting to really dislike them.

going to calm down

Tasha if you ever need a chat you can ring me you know, I'll ring you back, we can have a natter! (I'm sure you'll be surprised to hear I'm quite chatty!)

Don't struggle if you can help it, though. We all think you're doing a fabulous job, as leifmum says. No idea how I would cope in your situation. I think it's more a case of getting through it as best you can, be kind to yourself and don't expect too much. You're doing the best you can and you have three lovely boys to show for it. In a few weeks this will all be a distant memory and you can get back to some kind of routine.

Tasha I read about a fingfeeder you can buy which can be modified for babies post cleftlip/palate surgery:

"MEDELA'S HAZELBAKER FINGERFEEDER®

With a slight alteration this feeding device is excellent to use after surgery. Just simply cut the tube so that it is about 1" long and just place the tube slighty into the child's mouth to feed(not with your finger as pictured). Use when syringe feeding is recommended. The advantages of this bottle is that it is super soft and very easily squeezed with very minimal pressure. The valve on the end expels the air as you squeeze and it is not drawn back up through the fluid. It is not necessary to try to totally collapse this bottle to expel all of the fluid. Barely squeeze to expel the fluid, then simple release and slightly squeeze again. Your hand will not cramp or tire.Fluid flow is very controlled"

I don't know if that would help at all, but thought I would mention it.

So tired this morning, James was up at 4am, no idea why. I got really disorientated because I was in the middle of a dream that the other bedrooms ceiling and wall were collapsing, and I actually grabbed James up and made to go downstairs to call my dad.

tasha - everyone feels like they're only just coping at some point. like you said you have no choice but to keep going but just keep thinking it won't be forever. I think your hv is being a bit rubbish. try ringing her again but make a list of questions you want definate answers for. If you don't get them from her go and see the GP.

My ds2 has a really stinking cold - he can't feed as he can't breath, his eyes are really red and watery and his nose is really sore. Feels hard with him just like this let alone with anything more serious!

My sister has just ordered a bugaboo for her baby due in june. has anyone got one? the seem really expensive to me and can't reaaly see what makes them so much.

Well I'm off to the wacky so don't strangle my delightful ds1........

My2weegirls - ds was on his inhaler for one week just until his chest cleared.

No snow here and I don't think we're expecting any. Just as well as it normally snows just before rush hour to cause maximum chaos. Then it takes 2-3 hours to get home.

My dd doesn't think much of potatoes. She's only just started eating them and prefers mash (which she used to refuse to eat).

kinki - it's hard but I just have to keep taking the drugs to take the edge off it. Most of the clothes dd gets for Christmas have to be put away until they fit her unless the person buying them has asked what size she's in. She got an outfit from dh's nan her first christmas when she was 9 months. She bought 12-18 months and it finally fit her last summer. It will probably still fit her this summer. I have actually put a box of last year's summer clothes to one side in case she can wear them this year.

Dh made me laugh this morning when he said he feels tired all the time even when he gets a good nights sleep. I felt like asking him where I can get one of those! Ds wakes me up several times a night and dh sleeps right through it. I suggested the other night that I might sleep downstairs but he wasn't too keen. I bet I would still be woken up by ds and find dh still snoring

Sounds awful tasha hope things get better soon. Has dp got any holiday he can use to stay home to help for a couple of days?

Loler - you probably already know this having 3 dcs but you can get drops to dry up babies' noses. Not the plain saline drops. I can't remember what's in it but it's worth phoning the pharmacy to see if you can get it over the counter.

hes feeding better today, he took a feed from the haberman bottle, i think thats why hes been so grumpy because he was getting sick of the syringe. he had a feed last night when i was talking to all you then slept right through till 7am! james that does look good but a bit expensive. i have just noticed that they didnt actually close his hard palate they just brought it in a bit at the sides so weaning is going to be loads of fun! has anybody got snow today?
loler- hope your ds2 gets better soon.
ive seen them buggies they look really good. wishing i could have a single, i forgot to say i got a new buggy dp surprised me with it when i was in hosp with lo, its a jane powertwin secon hand but its far better, havent been out yet though gonna wait till lo is 100%.
ok so is it bad that i havent got contraception yet, what is everyone else using?
gill glad your ds is better. dp ggot a warning from work for taking an extra day off when lo was in hosp, so dont think he would but today is better than yesterday and tomorrow will be better again.
i ate 3 packs of choc biscuits last night think i might be one of them yo yo dieters unaware ofcourse!

its getting quite quiet in here, hope you are all having a not too stresful day
james forgot to say ill def take you up on that chat
does anybody have any exciting plans for the weekend that i can be jealous of