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December 2007: It's all worth it for the smiles.

986 replies

claraquitetirednow · 08/02/2008 21:40

I've never started a new thread before - has this worked?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Bouncingturtle · 11/03/2008 20:43

Pecka - that is fantastic news You should be very proud!

Weaning - yes, I'm aiming for 6 months, and going to try Baby Led Weaning. Aitch's website looks really good!

I'm going to lots of baby groups, apart from the bfing fiasco, I've met some really lovely people. Actually going to a different group in the next town, much better!

Did I mention I'm going into work on Thursday, my lovely friend (whose baby is 26 weeks on Thursday!) has agreed to look after Daniel for a couple of hours while I attend a meeting.

skidaddle · 11/03/2008 20:52

hi all
another growth spurt here - ds has been feeding every hour and a half for three days - I am bl**dy knackered! Plus dh has man flu (went to the doc who literally told him he had man flu!) so am looking after dd and ds by myself but spending almost all my time feeding, aaagggh

ds does look quite big at least...

clairey - re dh's bday and 'delivering' - well I didn;t! - I wrote him an IOU though... when is your DH's bday? Hope you manage to do a bit better than me!

ambi - you poor thing, hope your boobs are feeling a bit better - it must be really sore going from exclusive BF to no feeding, ouch

clara - our dd sucks her thumb too and now you mention it I think it might be affecting her teeth as well. I don't think I have it in me to pull it out of her little mouth - she does it when she's tired, upset or feeling shy so how could I? Have you tried any kind of bribery persuasion?

hi Caz10 - glad to hear your dd is doing well and you have the go ahead to BF. I am also thinking of doing baby-led weaning - can't bear all that pureeing

amani - glad all is going well with you and you are feeling well. Things seem to get magically better around the 3 month mark don;t they?

wizz - I'm not a first timer but I go to lots of baby groups etc and sometimes I wonder why i do as conversations are often the same at each one and it can become a bit wearying. However, it is something to do everyday and gives the day some structure. For me my worst nightmare would be to stay at home all day (not that that's the only alternative to going to baby groups of course). I didn't really bother with them first time though and I think I go for my DD rather than baby DS

Right off to watch that programme about the woman who tries to stop people from driving everywhere.. has anyone seen it? She is in Durham this week (where I live) so will be interesting to see how she gets on..

Caz10 · 11/03/2008 21:21

oh pecka well done! spooky i just left you a msg on the bf forum to see how you were doing! great news

buzzybee · 11/03/2008 22:52

Hmmm I'm having a really hard time getting my head around childcare and going back to work. We've had this trainee nanny cum au pair living with us for 6 weeks now and she will be staying until the end of June so will provide care for the first 8 weeks I go back to work - but what to do after that?!!?

We have a confirmed place at a local childcare centre from July - but they only take babies fulltime and I will be working only 3 days per week. I could ask our trainee nanny to stay on but will have to start paying her full rate and also only need her 3 days per week so she might not be keen on that idea! Plus she is currently sleeping in Beatrix's "nursery" and I'd quite like to move Bea in there before toooo long.

Then on the other hand July is mid-winter here so hardly the best time to start a baby in childcare where she'll pick up every cold going....

My mum thinks I should wait until Bea is about 10 months old as apparently that's a more "optimal" age from a developmental point of view (based on research). It's all just too much for my poor head to cope with!!!

Wizzska · 12/03/2008 08:51

Morning all.

Well I did the GF routine thing to the letter yesterday. Gave DS formula for his 10.30 pm feed to hopefully see him through. The bed was soaking as I'd leaked milk all night. Can't express enough. DS woke up at 2.30, 3.30 then 5.00 and then was awake. I am exhausted. DH was a star and looked after him from 5.00, I don't know how he does it. I feel a little guilty letting him as he has to work and I don't. Am trying again to start the routine this morning. Pleeeease let it work.

Am a bit as the Gf thing seems to feed a lot less than he's used to. I think he likes to feed a lot because in his early weeks he was so small and I was trying to cram as much milk into him as I could to help him catch up.

Am dreading going back to work. I've been putting off looking for child care because I've been burying my head in the sand a bit. Can't bear leaving him and only seeing him after 6.30 pm when he's tired and grissly.

One good thing about being so tired, my brain is so addled that I placed 2 bets on the same horse yesterday and it won so I won twice as much .

Bouncingturtle · 12/03/2008 09:47

Woohoo Wizzka - you'll be turning into a gambling shark!
Well ds did 7.30 - 11.30(feed & nappy), then 12:00 - 2.00(feed), then 2.30-5.00(feed and nappy), then slept until nearly 8am... when he had an explosively pooey nappy - it was everywhere, I ended up binning his sleepsuit as it was just so badly covered. Luckily he has loads and it wasn't a particular favourite - I would have been most upset if it was his "I'm going to be a Rocker" sleep suit!
Am washing the sleeping bag, as that was stained on the inside, but luckily hasn't gone through to the outside. The nappy is now soaking - I'd stuck everything in the pail in the wash earlier and refilled the bucket so at least that nappy will have maximum soaking time, and the wrap is also being washed (after rinsing all the poo off it!). Started feeling little bit nostalgic about sposies
HV coming to see me, I think I'm feeling a lot better in myself, more confident and less anxious.

Wizzska · 12/03/2008 09:57

Bouncing - that sounds all too familiar. DH got the enormous morning poo this morning for a change. He usually does first nappy which is normally just wet then I get the second which is usually a corker. But DH may change the nappy but it is always me doing the laundry.

Am rebelling against GF now, and lettin DS catch up on his sleep. He's been down for an hour and a half with some moaning but have put him back down twice. Will have to wake him soon and get him back on track for the new routine.

PeckaRolloverAgain · 12/03/2008 11:52

Wizzska - what is the GF routine? I cant find my book! just out of interest.

becklespeckle · 12/03/2008 12:17

Thanks for your advice on the dummies! I think I will have to try and persist with it although I feel very mean as she quite obviously prefers her thumb (and looks soo cute sucking it). Not sure how much luck I'll have though as she hasn't had one since Saturday, keeps spitting it out. Thumb sucking definitely affects the teeth though, especially if you hook a finger over your nose too (both I and DD did/do). I would have needed braces even without the thumb sucking but that made it far worse. I was supposed to wear my headbrace at night Ambi but it was too painful so had to wear it at school , you can imagine the teasing.

Ambi, I'm not sure when I will wean DD. With the DSs it was obvious to me when they were ready, milk was not enough, they were more disturbed at night and also took a great interest in my food! I started DS1 at 13 weeks and DS2 at around 20 weeks (both on HV's advice too although guidelines have changed greatly). Although I have no allergies I am the only one in my family who doesn't so that was a concern for me but thankfully they both seem fine!

Buzzy, I have no advice about your childcare situation but I really feel for you and anyone else having to make these decisions. Thankfully DH will be looking after DD when I return to work as it is only 2 evenings a week.

Wizz, I don't go to groups every day and didn't when I had the DSs either. I go to one toddler group. I also meet up with friends for lunch on a Wednesday (met through our children's school). I enjoy being at home though and having a nice relaxed time with LO but my SIL is the opposite and goes to at least one group every day! We are all different and I think doing what makes us happy also helps our children be happy too. Well done on your double bet on the horse BTW!

Pecka, well done for relactating! Yay!

Bouncing, so pleased you are feeling better and less anxious!

Anyway, must go as off to school to top up DS1 with Calpol and then round to friends for girly chat and chocolate cake I baked last night...

claireybee · 12/03/2008 13:32

Weaning- I?ll be waiting til 6 months, mostly through laziness! Once you start giving solids it?s just another thing to think about .

Caz I ended up doing blw with dd because she refused to be spoonfed. I tried weaning her at 20 weeks on advice of hv (she was waking upwards of 6 times a night!)but she only ate a few spoonfuls of banana/baby rice before she got her spoon aversion. It was all a bit of a nightmare really cos she went on a complete hunger strike and refused all solids milk and water for nearly 2 weeks. I think maybe I may have tried to wean too early and her system wasn?t yet mature enough-the little she did eat came straight back out in a very explosive manner and maybe that scared her into not eating? Anyway I forgot about weaning for a few weeks then tried again but she still wouldn?t eat so I then went the blw route. She barely ate anything until 9 months and very little until 13 months but was fine developmental/weight wise and now usually eats fine. Will probably do blw with ds too, just cos it really is loads easier-no havng to think about meals in advance or spend time pureeing or mashing, just bung a bit of your dinner on their tray and leave them to it! Actually just before I had ds she wen t through a brief phase of wanting me to feed her and I found it really tedious after being used to her doing it herself!

Wizz with dd I only went to a couple of structured groups as I found the ones where the mums all sit round while the kids play a complete waste of time when you have a young baby (they are good once you have a toddler though and save my sanity most days!). The best one I went to was a singing group and I almost didn?t go cos it sounded so cringy! Basically it was an hour and a half of singing nursery rhyme type songs with actions and a little bit of baby signing. The babies all loved it and even the tiny ones started to recognise the songs etc-because they were lying in front of us there was loads of eye contact and it really helped dd feel safe when put down etc (she had been a bit of a velcro baby!). Poor ds just gets dragged to all dd?s groups. I do do the singing with him at home though(and hope the neighbours can?t hear me cos am tone deaf!). Lucky you having mums to go to the pub with, think most of the ones I know would be shocked at the prospect!

Oh no BT, I normally only get poo leaks in disposables not in cloth , sounds like a bad one!

Good night last night, ds went to bed at 8.30, woke at 2.20 for a feed and then straight back into bed. It took him a while to settle but he did it all by himself. He then woke at 6.30 and was awake for an hour before sleeping until 9! Dd also slept through until 6.20, she is doing it at least once a week now so hopefully not too long until she does it consistently.

Took ds to be weighed yesterday, he is 12lb 10 now weight gain has slowed since resolved oversupply issue. Hv (not my usual one) really pissed me off though cos she started lecturing me on eating proper meals and not starving myself to get back tp pre preg shape blah blah blah. I wouldn?t mind but she didnt even ask about my eating habits, just took one look at me and decided i must have weight issues. I eat 3 meals plus snack fgs, what else does she want me to do?!

My legs and hips are killing me tpday cos on the way back yesterday I was pushing the buggy into the wind-at one point as I was going over the bridge the wind caught me and I couldn?t move for a good few minutes-just stood there like i was on a treadmill-pushing the buggy but not actually going anywhere!

claireybee · 12/03/2008 13:34

 was meant to be ! don't know how that happened!

Wizzska · 12/03/2008 13:36

Pecka - loosely, its up at 7.00 am, feed both tits. Awake 2 hours. 9am sleep for 45 mins. Feed 11 am - 11.30am. Nap time 12.00 for 2 hours. Younger babies may need an afternoon kip for 45 mins too. Max daily sleep 3 hours. Bathtime 5.45 ish, big feed 6 ish. Bedtime 7.00pm. 10.30pm night feed and nappy change.

claraquitetirednow · 12/03/2008 13:36

Skid - that's exactly what our dd is like with her thumb, she uses it for comfort so I would feel a real meanie trying to make her stop using it, especially as we are about to move to a new country (almost certainly going to be in July now). I think we'll just have to leave it until she is a bit older, although all these tales of head braces is worrying me

Btw I did wonder whether you lived in Durham. That is where my parents met, at university, although I have only visited once when I was pregnant with dd1. It looks like a lovely town. I did not see the programme about the woman who stopped traffic although saw it advertised and thought it might be interesting - the other place she was trying to do it was Marlow, where a friend of mine used to live - every other car is a Chelsea tractor or a sportscar! Did she have any success in Durham?

OP posts:
claraquitetirednow · 12/03/2008 13:36

Skid - that's exactly what our dd is like with her thumb, she uses it for comfort so I would feel a real meanie trying to make her stop using it, especially as we are about to move to a new country (almost certainly going to be in July now). I think we'll just have to leave it until she is a bit older, although all these tales of head braces is worrying me

Btw I did wonder whether you lived in Durham. That is where my parents met, at university, although I have only visited once when I was pregnant with dd1. It looks like a lovely town. I did not see the programme about the woman who stopped traffic although saw it advertised and thought it might be interesting - the other place she was trying to do it was Marlow, where a friend of mine used to live - every other car is a Chelsea tractor or a sportscar! Did she have any success in Durham?

OP posts:
claireybee · 12/03/2008 13:40

Clara don't worry too much about the thumb-I sucked mine til I was about 18 and never needed a brace!

Amani · 12/03/2008 15:36

Hi everyone,
How are you all.

enjoying a quiet afternoon, as both DDs are asleep. Think I got this syncronised napping down to an art, so now I can enjoy a cuppa and Malteasters

Talking about weaning I'm going to wait until 6 mths as there is a strong history of allegies and asthma in my DH family. Booked an appointment for next week to see GP about DD2 ezcema - there appears to be lots of red dry patches on her body now . Also will be discussing my AD medication as I am having mroe good days than bad ones will see if I an reduce it.

Oh, my stupid washing machine has broken down and feel so disorganised and lost without it. Both DD generate so much dirty clothing, that I'm washing a load everyday. I have a huge pile in the laundry basket, but thank goodness an engineer is coming out tomorrow to check it out.

Going to check out what Mr Brown has proposed in his budget....

kelbel · 12/03/2008 16:47

amani - thats great about more good days. i had severe eczema until late teens, so i will also be trying to get to 6 months, just wish flynn would strt taking bottle again for some flexibility with ebm

where do you lo's nap during the day, flynn only really naps in my arms, if i put him down he's wake in 5 mins

Beanstermummy · 12/03/2008 19:46

Yeah - Freya has gained 9oz this week - after her losing 4oz over the last 3 weeks it seems she back on track now and my boobs have caught back up with her at last.

Major issues with HV today (long story but haven't the energy to go into it) - resulting in Freya NOT getting her 2nd set of jabs and me having to go to HV not her to me as she had said - but hey ho!. Also having issues with Crystal Ski about our holiday that we've booked for next March and the childcare options for DD1 - major arse up and their system is shit but fab girlie in Thomsons in town is trying to sort for us - they just don't seem to realise if you can't get the care you need you will cancel the entire thing!!

DD2 after long bath (with her big sis and Dad in too!) has gone down like a dream without needing a top up just now - hopefully she'll then have a good feed at 11pm and go for a long stretch in the night - she's been topping up at 7pm and then not lots at 11pm and so unsurprisingly not going much longer than 4am which is a bit of a bugger.

Anyway - off to watch Maggie and F Beast with DD1 and to decide what to have for tea???

Loucee and Caz10 - looking forward to coffee and cakes tomorrow

Beanstermummy · 12/03/2008 19:49

Kelbel - meant to add - with DD1 she was exactly like that - I would swear she had a tilt device which woke her up if she went even slightly horizontal from me! DD2 has been the complete opposite and crashes in her basket or swing seat mainly - I'm actually missing the velcro baby a bit! Have you tried a sling/wrap thingy which would at least mean you can mooch around when Flynn is asleep and also it'll maybe get him used to not being cradled in your arms exactly? For what it's worth though - DD1 grew out of it soon enough although she is still snuggly at times

buzzybee · 12/03/2008 21:35

Hi all. Someone on another thread got me confused with another MNer whose nickname is buzzzybee. So I just thought I'd say that if you see a "buzzybee" posting, I'm the "original" with 2 Zs only!!

becklespeckle · 12/03/2008 22:59

I have a feeling I may have no choice about the dummy. I was feeling all smug earlier as DD was sitting there sucking the dummy, I turned my back and when I looked back the dummy had been knocked out and replaced with a thumb... One finger hooked over the nose too - she looked ever so cute!

Clara, don't worry too much about your DD sucking her thumb, I loved sucking mine, it was a real comfort (and I still occasionally do it ). It is not unusual for people to suck their thumb with no effects as Clairey did, it depends on the individual. I was always going to need a brace, thumb sucker or not, as I have a small jaw and good sized teeth! Bless your DD going into 3-6 month clothes! Evie had to go into them at 3 weeks because she is so long (mind you she had a good head start)! The sleepsuits are getting a bit short in the leg for her already, thought I may have shrunk them but I tried a 6-9 month one on her tonight and the length was good. Mind you, you could fit another baby in there with her as she isn't fat enough for it!

Skid, speaking for myself there was nothing that would have persuaded me to give up my thumb as a child! Don't blame you for giving your DH an IOU! We have only tried DTD twice as it is still really sore, is frustrating as I quite fancy it! Not sure how long it will hurt for and if it is due to the episotal (sp?) tear I had this time but I was well and truly back in the saddle by this point with the boys!

I am very impressed with the routines you all have going! DD doesn't really have one, or if she does it is a very loose one! She is up around 6-6.30 for first feed, back down into cot (self-settles with her mobile to look at) to sleep until 8.30 when I pop her in the pram and take boys to school. Bath/wash and dress her to feed again 9.30-10ish depending on early feed time. All other feeds are then between 3 and 4.5 hours apart depending on when she feels hungry. Sometimes she will be awake for most of the time between feeds and other times she will sleep the whole time. She falls asleep around 11pm downstairs with me and then I give her a dream feed when I go to bed around 12.30. Not really ideal but her dream feeds are getting shorter so I guess she may drop that soon, the boys dropped a feed/went through 10-6 at just under 3 months.

claraquitetirednow · 13/03/2008 08:48

beckle - thanks for reassurance on the thumb - it's funny isn't it, although I worry about dd1 sucking her thumb I would love to turn around and see dd2 doing it, but she just loves her dummy - and you are the other way round!! Your routine sounds fine to me, although how do ytou manage to stay awake until 12.30am?? I am knackered by 10pm, although dd2 is still waking for a feed at 3am and fairly restless so my quality of sleep isn't great.

Although the 3-6 month clothes fit her well length wise, they are a bit tight around the bum . She has always been a little chunky!

Buzzybee - I had seen posts by another buzzybee and been slightly confused but realised it wasn't you from what the other buzzybee was saying (can't remember what but not the sort of thing you would be saying!).

OP posts:
buzzybee · 13/03/2008 08:58

Clara, she has 3 Zs in her nickname but still very confusing! She also uses text shorthand quite a lot so fairly easy to tell I hope!! I've been using this name for 6 years now so a bit loathe to change...

Our routine is to feed roughly every 3 hours from 8am onwards but the gap can be longer at the beginning of the day (as she tends to have her biggest feed at around 7.30/8am) and shorter at the end of the day when she's getting cranky. She's usually exhausted by about 7.30/8pm and goes down for the night, but sometimes drops off at about 6pm in her bouncer which tends to extend bedtime out by at least an hour.

Fingers crossed she's had no colds or any other bugs yet. I'm sure she will get one as the season changes to get colder. Another couple of weeks and we'll stop sterilising. She's now 100% formula fed, but I'm pleased we lasted to 10 weeks with some EBM.

claireybee · 13/03/2008 09:29

Buzzy I think you can ask mumsnet to get them to change their nickname if people are getting confused-it depends who had it first though!

Beckle it sounds as though you have more of a routine than we do! Although our nights do seem to go one of two ways at the moment-either ds goes through til 2.30ish and then til 6.30ish or he'll wake around 11pm and then at 2, 4, 5, 6 and 7 as he did last night. There doesn't seem to be anything I can pinpoint to say why he does one or the other though!

Yesterday we managed a whole day without any screaming fits for the first time. Obviously he cried at various times but didn't have a single turning purple completely inconsolable scream-hope that's the start of a happier baby for me!

DD has suddenly become very attached to one of her teddy bears, I feel quite guilty because I think it may be where she is feeling slightly neglected by me. May also be her age though (nearly 2). She is very cute with it-everytime I change DS' nappy she lies the teddy down next to him to change teddy, puts it on the playmat with DS and breastfeeds it!

claireybee · 13/03/2008 09:35

Also is anyone else still on very frequent feeds? DS occasionally goes 3 hours in the day but is more often 2 or even less-I don't really mind as they are only 5-10 minute feeds and I'd rather do short and frequent than have to sit feeding for 40 mins at a time (although we sometimes get one of those in the afternoon too!). I think he must tank up in the day because we do often get that 6-7 hour stretch at night