Oct 07 - this little piggy stayed at home...

[Dalrymps]

Hey guys sorry for the sh*t title, if there's already been a new thread set up please direct me there???

evening everyone. HOpe you've all had good days. Inzi, how are you? You sound so worried and I'm sure I would be too. I second whoever it was who said get it checked - probably nothing but might be something. Madeleine has had a bad cold and looking back she was being really fussy eating just as she was coming down with it....

gemma - as hard as it is you do have to try and block the whole world out when they kick off, if for no other reason than they pick up on your stress etc So difficult though isn't it, esp when you get the crap comments I got a few times with DS about how the old gits did it in their day...

alice - thanks for the mobile tip and glad the tree is up!

stefka - at the husband's comments but agree with Alice's point. I think men do take a lot longer to come round to the concept of parenting and esp in the initial months as it is so mother led, and you're breastfeeding which makes it doubly so. We had 9 months of thinking about it and then getting these LO's into the world and I suppose it must be weird to be suddenly no. 2 in your partner's life and not as involved in this new bundle etc but even so, some of them really need to get a grip - and stop behaving like a 16 yr old! hope he sees sense soon - get on that pump

big hello to everyone else - we had a good night last night; M slept nearly 5 hours in one go. Fantastic and long overdue - but here is the catch. She is in bed with us (which I know is contentious but is the only way she'll sleep) and has started sleeping on her tummy with her head down. She won't sleep on her back and from the minute she was born has always preferred sleeping on her side which the midwives in hospital assured me was fine - but how worried do you think I should be about the tummy position??
Not sure whether I should just leave her or presist with pushing her onto her side/back. She also chooses to move over and sleep right under me which scares the hell out of me but she's perfectly happy....dS slept in bed with us and I wasn't ever this worried about it! I'd love to hear your thoughts though......

right - bathtime for DS; have good evening's everyone

EmMck, I think a daily glass of wine is a necessity - I'm b/f'ing and have one each night. Can't think there can be much harm done at all - and at this time of year, we need the festive tipple!

EmMcK, thanks for offering - I would be happy to buy it from you...

And I am sure a glass of wine is fine, by the way...! I am not having much myself but in Italy where I am from most people do have a bit of wine both when pregnant and breastfeeding. The important thing is that it's just one (small) glass and not several....

Speaking of frantic hand chewing - mine has just started doing that. I was assuming it was normal. Does it mean anything in particular??

Adam does the hand chewing too! No idea what it means but Sam did it too.

Nellie about the bed thing... Sam slept in with us for the first 6 weeks - after being absolutely adamant that he would be in his own room from day 1 we admitted defeat at 7am after no sleep for either myself or dh and brought him in with us. It was the best thing I did and I absolutely loved it - before he was born the thought of sleeping in the same bed as my baby was my idea of a nightmare! Adam does it from time to time too if he wakes early as its the best way to settle him if he's trying to wake and I'm not ready to get up!!! As far as the sleeping on your tummy goes I would say not to worry too much if it works for Madeleine. I probably would check with my health visitor (mine is actually very sensible and down to earth and doesn't just parrot the party line but takes other things into consideration). I remember when Sam started rolling she said if he rolled onto his tummy that was fine to leave him but he was 5 months by then. I do know other people who have done what you're doing though so it can't be that terrible!

Off to finish cooking my tea now - dh is out with the boys tonight so I'm having a chilled night in on my own with a glass of wine! Speak later or tomorrow....

Awwww Inzi - I'm sorry I don't know what to suggest, but I hope things are better tomorrow. I had a real off day with Ben yesterday, he was crying most of the day especially during and an hour after bottles, but he seems better today.

We've been up to Wigan today to visit my friend which was ace, really nice to see her and her lo who is now 8 mths old. Had a bit of a scare on the way up though. I was totally unprepared today which is unusual, I usually think of everything but today seeing as how busy the roads are, and we had to go on the M6 I did not cater for the fact that Ben would be due a feed and what would happen if there was a hold up... hence coming to a complete standstill an hour away from my friends, Ben stirring for a feed with no water and only powdered formula in my bag... plus it being time for Sams lunch and having no snacks for him, or toys or a drink for that matter I suddenly felt totally inadequate to be a mum and started to panic wondering how long we could possibly be stuck for. Thank God traffic started moving after 5 mins, and although slow at least we were moving. Got to my friends only 15 mins later than expected. I have certainly learned my lesson regarding car trips over this festive period. PACK EVERYTHING YOU CAN THINK OF

Also I have come down with a stinking cold during the day feel crap but hopefully I'll be over the worst by tuesday.

Hope you all have a fab Christmas and your lo's don't pose too many problems or heartache for you

Just to add, Ben has started chewing on his hands too, its probably just because they have 'found' them and ts something to do

MrsFish sorry you had a stressful day (although sounds like it was fine in the end!) and that you have a cold. Hopefully you'll be better soon! Ff does mean you have to have that much more with you doesn't it - I recently went to meet dh for lunch and took the water but no powder! Hence mad dash to Boots 10 mins away for a carton and then Adam didn't wake and need it anyway!!!! He would have if I didn't get it though and at least I didn't spend the whole of lunch panicking that he was about to wake! I now have emergency cartons in change bag and bottom of both prams in case!!!

Zach has been chewing his hands for the last 3 or 4 weeks. I was doing a bit of research online the other day and apparently this is just 1 sign that babies are ready to go onto solid food. Could also be teething pains have started and they have discovered chewing hands is calming to the pain. I know Zach has a tooth just about to poke through his gum....arghhhhhhhh toooo early i think lol.

Alicet, can I check something with you on the co-sleeping thing that I just haven't picked up in any of the books. How does it work with blankets/duvets? Does lo lie on top of the blankets, or cuddle in under with you? I would be quite keen except that we have the smallest bed in London! But dh is off to the US in january (nervous gulp about being alone with baby for a week) and I was thinking that while he is away I might take Joseph into bed sometimes instead of settling him back into the Amby after middle of the night feeds.
Joseph is gnawing on his hands too, it is exciting to think that they might be finding them and will start using them to explore soon.
Gemmamc, honestly I can just to send it to you - it was given to me by someone who found it useful, so I am happy to share the advice further and subject more people to Dr Harvy Karp.... Only in America could that be a real name.
Pleased we have support for the wine a day theory.

Hi all

Inzi, sorry to hear you're having a hard time! It does sound like Alice could be right and it could be reflux - it sounds eating-related, anyway - poor little Jane! I would see the GP and see if they can give you anything...
Funnily enough Rebecca has become a poo-mistress! She has pooed so many times today it's a bit worrying whether any milk stayed in...

Mrs F, sorry you had a crap day and hope the cold isn't too bad. I keep thinking I'm getting one - to my shame I suspect it's because I'm allergic to dust and am not keeping on top of the cleaning. Oops.

Alcohol: I'm having a little bit pretty often too... I feel like I need some way of relaxing...

How many of you have Amby Nests? do you recommend them? we are using a Moses basket at present but Rebecca is tall - I suspect she'll be out of it by three months - how long do Ambys last and are they sleep-conducive?

Rebecca actually followed our bath-feed-cradle to sleep routine yesterday! Hallelujah. However tonight she is still marauding, refusing to go to sleep despite being manifestly exhausted. Oh dear. We did the Xmas Tesco shop this morning and I bought far too much given we're going to be out a lot of the time. This afternoon we went to see friends. Tomorrow we're out for lunch at friends, too.

Happy Saturday evening!

hello - Joseph loves the Amby. Well, I am assuming that he does as he settles to sleep within about ten minutes of being put down with just a few jiggles from me to calm him. We have it right beside the bed and it means that in the night when he mewls I can just give it a rock and if he isn't seriously annoyed and wants feeding or a cuddle, then that is enough to calm him again. I bought ours from ebay for about £80 I think, and then bought a new mattress and it has been great. I think that once they start rolling over on their own and moving a bit more then it mightn't be so good, but for now it has been a life saver. Size wise, it is quite long so should be okay for a while, maybe up to a year. It holds them pretty snug which is why I think that it works well.
Tonight, for the first time, we have put Joseph down at seven with a big feed and then I rejoined the world. He hollered a couple of times, but went back to sleep after a cuddle. Until now we have been putting him to bed with a feed at about 9.00 and I have stayed and gone to sleep with him. It feels quite decadent to have had dinner without a baby on my lap or frantically bouncing the bouncer with one foot! Fingers crossed this doesn't mean he is now up all night.
Hope everyones lurgies disappear and that the christmas countdown is a nice one with all the los.

EmMck,

ds2 is 13 weeks now and has been in my bed most nights since i brought him home. Dp works nights so thats never a problem. At first i used to put him on a pillow on top of the duvet and cover him with his blankets, then when he was a few weeks old i put him in his carry cot on my bed but for the last 6 or 7 weeks he has been in my bed under the duvet cuddled up to me, even as i type this. And as for pillows, i have spoilt him as the little lord won't sleep without one now lol....luckily it is dps pillow now mine.
I have found on these cold nights he sleeps better in bed with me than in his cot and it is also very nice when i wake up in the night or in the morning to hear him gurgling away next to my ear.

I can't say this is 100% the right thing to do BUT it has worked for me. And i wouldn't have it any other way, HTH

Hi everyone,
Not been on for a while. I hope everyone is ok.

We have an Amby for Shula and she sleeps really well in it. She went down about 9.45 last night and will probably sleep until anytime between 5.15 and 7am.

She is starting to gurle now and it really sounds like she is trying to talk to us. Also when I change her nappy I let her have a wriggle on the change mat and she "talks" to the soft toy that I have on there to keep her occupied. She is also trying to rollover. She loves her bouncy chair and is now starting to look at and hit the toys on it.

I am not sure when I will get on again so I will wish everyone a merry christmas and a happy new year just now.

EmMcK - When Adam sleeps in with us I put a pillow next to me on top of the duvet and he sleeps on that with my arm round him and his head on my shoulder. He is in a grobag so I just lift him out of the moses basket in that. I think the official advise is not to have any duvets if you cosleep - can't remember where I read that - might be on the channel 4 website under the bringing up baby stuff? Mumpbump cosleeps too I think so she might know better than me...

Choc I bet Rebecca would like the amby as she seems to like motion! I would get one for Adam buthe doesn't seem bothered about that.

Off to get breakfast now then out for the morning - not sure yet but Sam will need entertaining! See you later...

Winnie just seen time of your last post!!!! Hope you're not awake while Shula sleeps! Happy Christmas!

Hi all,
I've done some research on cosleeping because I occasionally do it....I understand the baby should NOT be under the duvet...

Here are some useful websites. Some are aimed at bf mothers, but the advice on how to do it safely should be identical anyway.

www.bfmed.org/ace-files/protocol/cosleeping.pdf

www.askdrsears.com/html/10/t1 02200.asp

EmMcK - thanks so much for offering to send the DVD. I would really appreciate it...

If you write me an email at gemmamc1 (AT) mac.com I'll give you my postal address. Hope that's ok.

Does anybody know when babies start rolling over? Anya's quite happy being laid on her tummy now that she can lift her head/chest quite well, but this morning she kept rolling onto her back. I'm not sure that this is proper rolling or whether she's lifting her head so far that the weight of it makes her lose her balance and topple over onto her back! Anybody else's lo doing similar?

Choc - what's an amby nest?

Christmas Eve already tomorrow - can't believe it! Merry Christmas to everybody. May santa bring you and your lo's lots of nice pressies and may your lo's be good as gold over the festivities.

I HATE MEN THEY ARE ALL FCUKING ASSES. DP collected his 13 yr old this morning and we were to have him until tomorrow. BUT BECAUSE I ASKED FOR SOME HELP I HAVE ATTITUDE AND HE HAS NOW STORMED OUT TO TAKE HIM HOME. FFS why do i always get hassle when he comes here??????? All i wanna do now is cry.

Ugh sounds like a nightmare TheLadyEvenstar - sounds like he is using you as an excuse to take him back home.

How old is Anya? I keep trying to put Dareh on his tummy but he just lies there and doesn't seem to like it. Should be be lifting himself up? He's 9 weeks today.

Stefka i just phoned the boys mum and told her what has gone on and that i don't know whether he is bringing home or what as he stormed out in a huff. She said its ok i know what he is like, i then ended up apologising to be told you have nothing to apologise for.

Dp just told his son if not for baby he would not be here. i hate him and all men. am off to drink my 2 bottles of wine now and pass out....if only

www.amby.co.uk/this is an Amby nest.

I don't think it is fair for him to be saying things like that to his son - or at all for that matter. Like you need any extra stress with a new baby in the house. What is it with these men?!