APRIL 2008- The One Where We Recite The Weaning Guidelines and Fight Through The Growth Spurts!

[VictorianSqualor]

07 March: Ashton, a fourth child for gemprincess, 5lb 13oz @ 34+6
09 March: Ted, a second DS for Daftmoo, 7lb 14oz @ 36+0
21 March: George William, a first baby for KnitterintheNW, 7lb 2.5oz @ 37+3
25 March: Olivia, a second baby for TheMaskedPoster, 7lb 2oz @ 38+4
28 March: Pablo, a third baby and first DS for vacaloca, 7lb 14oz @ 39+4
28 March: Matteo Alexander, a first baby for Gangle @ 38+0 (?)
30 March: A baby girl, a second child for PortAndLemon, 8lb 15oz @ 39+5
02 April: Jak, a baby boy for rainbowdays, 9lb @ 39+1
02 April: A baby boy, a second child for bunyanvillas, 6lb 14oz @ 37+5
02April: Struan, a baby boy for Donnabels, 6lbs 15oz
02 April: A baby boy for mummyofaprincess @39 weeks
03 April: A baby girl for PippiCalzelunghe @38+2weeks
03 April: Aeryn Daisy, a baby girl for Denny185, 9lb 8oz @ 39+3
03 April: Benjamin, a baby boy for Micegg, 8lb 3oz @ 39+4
03 April: Roelof Grové, a first DS for Sal22, 7lb 5oz @ 38+5
03 April: A baby boy for siikibam, 6lb 8.5oz @39+1wks
04 April: Matilda, a baby girl for AprilsFoolsBaby 7lb @
06 April: Henry Peter, a baby boy for Sheds, 7lb 130z @ 40+4
07 April: Sebastian George, a fourth DS for Peachy, 8lb 4oz @ 41+1
07 April: Jack, a first baby for ThePFJ, 7lb 5.5oz @ 41+1
07 April: Lexie Bea, a fourth baby for babywhiting, 8lb 1oz @ 39+4
08 April: Alasdair, a second DS for bunnyrabbit, 8lb 5.5oz @ 40+3
08 April: James Samuel, a third baby for honeybee10, 6lb 7oz @ 37+2
09 April: Zara Mia Martin, a first baby for V1KK1M, 7lb 10oz @ 41+0
09 April: Jasmine, a baby gilr for Niceychops
11 April: Kyran for rdk, 7lb 13oz @ 38+3weeks
11 April: Sebastian James, a second baby for Fleecy, 10lb 2oz @ 40+4
11 April: A baby girl, a first baby for CeylonSapphire, 7lb 12oz @ 41+1
11th April: Florence, a baby girl for LouMoose
12 April: Maya Alice, a first baby for egyptianprincess, 8lb 15.5oz @ 40+3
12 April: Sophia Viviana, a second DD for AussieDivaonaBreak, 6lb 12oz @ 39+3
15 April: Alexander Oliver, a third baby for VictorianSqualor, 10lb 3oz @ 41+0
16 April: Ailish, a first baby for Mollyfloss, 6lb 11oz @ 40+3
16 April: A baby girl, a second baby for elfsmummy, 7lb 13oz @ 41+1
16 April: Zoe, a baby girl, a first baby for ToastAddict, 6lb 10oz @ 39+3
16 April: Jasmin, a baby girl, a first baby for Eggandketchup, 9lb 3oz @ 41+4
17 April: A baby boy for paranoidmumy, 8lb 9oz @ 41+4
17 April: A baby boy, a second son for lorisparkle, 7lb 12.5oz @ 41+6
17 April: Benedict, first baby for LadyBee 9 lb 3oz @ 41 +2
18 April: Millie, a baby girl for scorpio1 8lb 9oz @ 41+?
18 April: Cameron, a second baby for munchkinmum @ 39+5
19 April: Oliver Michael, first baby for bashboid, 7 lb 4 oz at 41 +3
20 April: Samuel, a first baby for Velbels. 8lb15oz at 41+1weeks.
20 April: Angharad Mai, 8lb 4oz, 40+6, first for 7monthsplus
20 April: Emilia, 7lb15oz, a first baby for SuzeM, 40+6
21 April: Eve, a second baby for Scampmum, 8lb 4oz @ 39+3
22 April: Sam, a second son for Soph73 @ 40+0
22 April: Molly, a first baby for EllieG, 8lb 8oz? @ 40+5
22 April: Daisy, second baby for AttilaTheHan @ 40 +3
22 April: Zoe Olivia, second daughter for Piccallilli2 7lb 1oz @42+1
23 April: Jessica Elizabeth, first baby for BabyBratt @ 40+1 7lb 12oz.
24 April: A baby girl, a second daughter for christmaspixie, 9lb 2oz @ 40+6/41+5
24 April: Miya Jade, baby girl for ShelleySare at 39+4
25 April: Amelie, a first baby for Dondons, 9lb, 41+3 (i think!)
25 April: Aisha, a second baby for Jaq39 7lb 14oz @ 41+4
26 April: Hope Olivia, a second dd for northeastmummy, 7lb 11oz at 41 .
26 April: Gabriel, a third child for Bainmarie @ 41+5
26 April: Eli Michael, a baby boy for LittleMissTurquoise, 7lb 15.5oz @ 40+5
27 April: a baby girl for Ayomi, 6lb 1oz @ 41+0
28 April: Jacob Andrew, a 2nd DS for Kaybeeand2boys, 8lb 4oz @ 41+5
29 April: Thomas Henry, a 2nd DS for TLSM, 7lb 8oz 40+3
30 April: Harry Samuel, a fourth ds for Chipmonkey, 9lb 5oz @ 39+2
30 April: Ellie, a baby girl for Annamama
01 May: Sophie May, a baby grl for Annieroo, 6lb 5oz @ 41+4
01 May: Euan George, a baby boy for Jenniejennie, 8lb @ 40+4
02 May: Robyn Olivia, a baby girl for soph28, 8lb 1oz @ 42+1
05 May: Nora Martina, a first baby for Eva07, 7lb 8oz @ 41+2
05 May: A baby boy for Beeper, 8lb 10oz @ 41+0
05 May: Gabriella Summer, a first baby for Mum2babyroo, 8lb 4oz @ 40+6
06 May: Wilf, 8lb 60z for bigbadmom @ 41+6
07 May: James Andrew, a second ds for Moominsmummy, 8lb 13oz @ 41+5
08 May: Ellie Isabella, a first baby for Carey87, 7 lb 8oz @ 42+1
08 May: Robin David, a 2nd baby for Woollymummy, 8lb 11 oz @ 41+3
09 May: 4 kittens for scorpio's cat!
10 May: Astrid Mary, a second dd for sagitta, 8lb 8oz @ 42+0

Ok, sorry about this, I don't know why this is upsetting me so much lately. I'm ok really.
It helps to think that it might just be all the other things added on top that makes it "too much" for him now, because I just felt that I can't think of anything else to do to help. Off to bed now, and thanks.

Right. Firstly Good Morning

R does not just want sips from a bottle, he is a baby, he has no idea what he wants except his hunger/thirst to be satisfied.

Around this age babies get fussier, partly because of growth spurts and partly because, well, laying on your lap feeding is boring compared to rolling about chewing their hands and have a general good ole nose around!

(Copied from Kellymom)
"Babies normally fuss for many reasons: overtiredness, overstimulation, loneliness, discomfort, etc. Babies are often very fussy when they are going through growth spurts. Do know that it is normal for you to be "beside yourself" when your baby cries: you actually have a hormonal response that makes you feel uncomfortable when your baby cries"

It may help if you try feeding in a darkened room, and laying down. DS2 feeds really badly lately unless he is tired, so we put him in his door bouncer, let him tire himself out and just as he starts to get vocal and yawn I take him up to the bedroom and lie down quietly to feed, trying not to make eye contact or he just breaks off, smiles and starts chatting to me. Then when he realises he is hungry he thrashes about all over the place

This has absolutely nothing to do with bottles. The last time DS2 had a bottle was about 4 weeks ago (maybe more) and is exactly the same, as was DS1 (again no bottles).

He also likes to clamp down on my nipple and move his head around, Lovely! At which point I've started saying 'No' with a blank facial expression and putting him down and walking away. Even babies this young can learn not to do that.

Also read this
You putting R back onto breast will likely have initiated a kind of 'growth spurt' period itself as he will have realised your milk needs upping and react accordingly.
It's a clever thing this nature lark

good morning ladies
We put N down yesterday at 8pm, then fed at 9.15, 12, 2, 5, 7 and 8.15. after loads of crying she now finally sleeps in my arms and I'm afraid to put her down. I'm starting to hate growth spurts...

LOL Eva.
Just everyone remember what growth spurts are doing.
It is a temporary measure to increase your milk supply as babies are all doing so well they need more.
It will pass, quite quickly , and the babies will be more efficient at feeding and find it easier to get milk quickly and satisfy their hunger/thirst.
It Is A Good Thing.

very interesting, thanks, vs.
I guess this phase wouldn't bother me so much if yesterday hadn't broken our washing machine. Still have a partly flooded kitchen (leaky valve ore something) and next to no fresh clothes (neither for N nor for me). And I have to carry everything to the laundry with a crying baby in her pram. argh.

Morning!

Those links are really good VS, I was wondering about growth spurts myself - and that physical reaction to him crying, like a kick in the stomach sometimes. There's something a bit comforting to know that there's a physiological reason behind the emotional hit, I think. Not sure why though.

Sal, I've been finding Ben has been quite fussy too, and again nothing to do with bottles. He has had something like 6 bottles in his lifetime, so it's deffo not that. I've found that getting the timing right is key for me, so that I don't feed him at the first cue of his being hungry..but leave it just a tiny bit longer so that when he goes on he's definitely hungry/thirsty and gets stuck in rather than taking a few sips and then coming off and looking about the room and getting annoyed with me when I try to persuade him to continue.

Also, I find he picks up on my mood really easily, so I still make sure I have everything I need (phone, tv remotes, glass of water, laptop, snack) at arms reach so that I don't start getting antsy halfway through, and then sit for just a few moments before picking him up, just to let myself gather a bit before we start. And I also say to myself 'and breathe, shoulders down'. Don't know why but my shoulders have a way of creeping up to my ears at the start of every feed and I have to coax them down every singe time

I get cross with myself for getting cross too - which worries me because I think if I get cross now when he's not doing anything other than not go to sleep when I'd prefer him to, what am I going to be like when he's emptied my kitchen cupboards and tipped honey into the dvd? I'm trying to practice 'imagine there's a film crew in the room' thing, and also just trying to laugh and chill out about stuff, I talk back to him making up stupid stuff to try to stop it getting all 'I'm a terrible mother and you must hate me': 'what's that? you'd rather have a game of scrabble?', 'where's the gin? in the cupboard sweetie, and I'll have bramble while you're in there'
Don't know whether it helps him but it helps me keep the frustration and upset at bay for longer.

I know what growth spurts are doing, vs. the make me spend lots of money on babyclothes...

Now I have a question - yesterday morning I expressed a bottle of milk and didn't end up using it because I gave the dreamfeed a miss last night. It's been in the fridge for about 24 hours now. Is it ok to freeze or does it need to be tipped?

ladybee. I always sing when I'm starting to get cross. Silly stuff too.
I think u should use the milk only until 12 hours after expressing if stored in the fridge.

Ladybee, it can stay in the fridge for up to eight days if it hasn't been frozen previously, or you can freeze it but use within 24 hours of thawing it.

we are having a growth spurt here. I have had no rest frm feeding - fed non stop pretty much since 4am - unheard of for Millie. Just ploughing on through i guess.

Have to take dss to the doctors this morning - he has come here with another skin infection because his stupid mother never notices or acts on these things. Every time its head lice, skin things, ringworm...arrgghh. and breathe. Back to normal tomorrow.

Good morning.

Feeling slightly about my winge of last night, but on the one hand I'm glad I did, because I always wait until I'm ready to run away and end up feeling better after having "chatted" to you. Thanks. Ok, so this might be normal then. Chin up, shoulders back - if it might be nothing that I can "fix" at least it's not something I'm doing wrong, which is a relief.

Thanks again for the links, VS. I don't mind so much him being fussy now knowing it's just a stage.

Ladybee, you made me laugh.

Scorpio, she seems very inconsiderate, I admire your patience. Not sure if I would have been able to keep quiet.

Oh, and Eva, good luck with getting the washing machine fixed.

That's appalling scorpio, both the not noticing and not being bothered to do anything - poor dss

I think I won't freeze it but will keep in fridge (it's at the back) and will check it before possibly using tonight.

Although may just drop that dreamfeed - Ellie did you drop yours? After my success at getting sir to resettle at his first normal waking time, I decided to see what would happen if I didn't do a dreamfeed, so at 11 when he squawked, I went up, found that his eyes were still closed so just picked him up, rocked him and moved him to where he sleeps next me overnight. He stayed asleep and continued on until 4:30 this morning. So we had a 7:30-4:30 stretch - He was really, really awake at 4:30 and fed a lot, but went back down quite happily after an hour and slept til 8 this morning, so I feel amazed and a bit optimistic that he's capable of doing the long stretch.

VS, if you're around, what would you suggest right now. R crying but refusing my breast. I think he's hungry, but he won't drink from spoon either. is bottle ok because he's already so upset, or should i try and "stand it out"?

Well, if he is hungry, he probably won't take til he's settled so I'd rock/stroke/bounce/cuddle him, and possibly do that lying in bed, keeping him close to exposed nipple whilst doing it, leave your nipple near his mouth but not in it, express a drop or two onto your nipple so he can smell it and hopefully he'll look for it once he is calm enough.

thanks! ok, back in an hour or so! xxx

LadyBee / Ellie - A dropped her 10/11pm feed again last night - and I think I prefer that as she always wakes at 2am anyway, whether she had the previous feed or not. And she hardly ever drinks much at 10pm anyway, so I think I am going to stop that feed altogether now, and just go with the 2am and 5 am ones - and hopefully drop one of those soonish too.

VS - congrats on your NCT letter - its good to know you are here for all the BFing questions

TLSM - welcome back!!

Sagitta - thats what happened with Mimi - she started dropping feeds and then bang - no feeds.

Z needed cream - his mum hadnt bothered twat

ok this is now getting weird. DS has been asleep for an hour and half for his first nap. After all that sleep last night.
Maybe he's just catching up now that it's a bit cooler and more comfortable for him?
Thing is, I should have been getting something useful done and instead have been thinking, oh he'll wake up soon, so haven't.
Bet if I put the kettle on, he'll stir.

R drinking now. I had to trick him with the first sip from the special needs feeder because he was crying but refused to take my nipple to start off with, but at least he took the swop after and have been drinking with less fuss. Fingers crossed this will not last long.

just opened the post and I've got my first speeding ticket. It was the worst bloody journey I've ever had as well - roads closed, so it took for ever, both dcs screaming in the back and I got stung by a wasp while driving on an A-road.

Do you know if I will get points on my licence as well as a fine? (doing 61mph in a 50mph limit, on an A road).

yes, points too. 3 i think.

should be £60 fine?