June 2008 - The Olympics are here and Mums deserve gold medals

[ThePenguinProject]

Thought I'd start a new thread before we ran out of space! Couldn't remember the exact name suggestion so have paraphrased, the sentiment is still the same though...

sybil, big day for your little girl! I'm a primary school teacher and I would say don't worry about crying - loads of parents do it! Hope all goes well .

pp sorry to hear about your job..fingers crossed

amber - hats off to you for trying as long as that.. whenever I've tried crying down its lasted max about 10 minutes as edie becomes incosolable (and not sure where the idea of sending her temperature up and making her out of control is part of deal).

re zita west, I think the first consultation is about £150 or so (it depends if you go and see zita herself or one of her colleagues - all are very good)...they do questionnaire etc and thehn recommend follow up treatments (eg nutrionist)... I guess depends what they recommend but I think the nutrition bit and acupuncture are what helped me. Where is your sis based? if she is london based I can recommend a fantastic acupuncturist.

I read somewhere that certain neals yards are now offering zita west based consultations as part of their treatments so that may be a more practical/cost effective way

poppy definitely send me the acupuncurist's name and number -thanks for the advice - will pass it on.

Hmmm - since trying the GF crying down thing, Luke has woken up between 7pm and 11pm for the first time ever! I promise not to mention her again.

if only edie would go to sleep between 7 -10 amber so sympathies.

will send you the details...

PP - sorry to hear about your job

Sybil - I was also a Primary teacher and used to think that Mums that cried were just being a bit soft .... until I was a Mum and it was my son starting Reception with his uniform on and his book bag...I cried! I'm sure she'll have a great time.

Ernest - hope your ds's op goes well this week and at your dh

evening all

sorry, have been absent for a few days - been knitting a friend's son a jumper for his birthday and it's taking up all my spare time.

firstly, needahand yes, I got your number thank you and will call tomorrow or Wednesday - let me know a good time as don't want to muck up any routine you have! Am still pondering a venue. We could go to the Gloucester Road as there are lots of cafes up there and it's right by you. There's Broadmead too, but it's a bit grim... What would you prefer?

whinegums it was me with the tooth, but it never materialised. I think they can teeth in fits and starts so we'll see...

pp sorry to hear your job news. nightmare.

katyjo whatever is right for you and Mia re feeding is what is important. I nearly gave up BF a couple of weeks ago, but luckily things improved. if they hadn't i would have definitely packed it in.

ernest hope your DS gets the treatment he needs and it goes well.

Must confess, I haven't read past the first page, so I hope you're all hail and healthy.

Storm has been sleeping through for about 10 days now - generally from about 9pm til at least 4.30am, although am working on stretching it and she's managed til 5.30am the last couple of nights. It's definitely made my evenings more relaxed. Now I just need to get her to feed a bit better in the evening. Basically, I feed her off and on from 5.30pm to 8.30pm until she can't keep her eyes open any longer. It works at getting her to sleep through, but you can imagine my evenings before her bed time aren't exactly fun filled! Any suggestions?

amber my one attempt at crying down storm (admittedly when she was about six weeks - probably too soon) ended with her inconsolable. Despite all advice to the contrary I pretty much feed Storm to sleep for three out of her five feeds (middle of the night, first day feed, last feed), and she still manages to resettle herself in the night so I'm not convinced by the argument that 'wrong sleep associations' mean they can't resettle themselves. The key for me is that, unless she's crying a lot, or obviously very windy, I don't pick her up again once she's been put down in her cot. So she gets the comfort of being fed to sleep (before a bit of winding and holding upright to avoid vom incidents!), but knows she's on her own after that!

Ok, must go do more knitting, but will try to be more conscientious from now on!

Evening all! Hope you're all having good evenings.
Amber LOL at your new attitude to Gina! I had every intention of doing Gina but never really started. Iestyn cries more than is 'normal' for a contented little baby... and Sponge don't read it either; I don't really know you, but from what I've read here I don't think the Gina way would be for you! (Also, a private note for you Sponge: less of the faces over bfing. You're doing fine your way and Alex is healthy and happy! Sorry - don't like guilt or sadness! )
Penguin horrible news. I'm sure it will work out ok for you though; I was facing unemployment myself at the end of this month but I've got a different job now.

Damn, now I can't remember everything I wanted to reply to. This always happens!

Ok, other notes: good luck Ernest with your DS. I'm still trying to come to terms with the mini testicles I have here (IESTYN NOT ME!!!) and the thought of seeing something bigger horrifies me! BDQ Iestyn has never touched his and I hope he doesn't discover it until he's...twenty?!! On that subject, I've read that young babies can get erections. This also scares the crap out of me.

Penguin, Whinegums BDQ - what does this say about Iestyn? He wriggles down to the bottom of his basket so that his knees are on his chest...

Oh, I'm giving up now! Sorry to all the people I've ignored.

I've remembered something else - Sponge, the sting. Put vinegar on it. And it really does hurt like hell. The saying in our house is 'it's worse than a bee sting' for any major trauma eg childbirth. My dad's a beekeeper! (I, meanwhile, am deadly allergic to bee and wasp stings...)

Essie is it very inappropriate to LOL at your being deadly allergic to bee stings while your dad is a beekeeper? If so, sorry

morning all. lovely sunny morning here, going to be another scorcher. Must get arse in gear - loads to do.

Ds starts KG tomorrow!!!! Tears at school gates? Not from me. (heartless mum)

Dh still in Italy. Parent's evening tonight. Torn between going with 4 kids, or not going at all, but then will miss out again on meeting other mums. But then the shame of my 3 (Adele can be exempt from this stil) caryying on, and no one else will drag their kids along... Very torn. wwyd?

How are the breasts Katyjo?

Re quieting down screaming babies - one thing worth trying is nothing. Last night Adele was crying, put her down - she shut up. SOmetimes they just want peace & space.

Now she no longer lights lying down, esp on playgym, but likes to be upright and watching everybody.

GF re feeding pretty much constantly bwn 5.30 & 8.30 (did I unerstand that right?) not sure what to suggest. Why? Does she scream unless you're feeding her? Are you still bf? Do/would you use a dummy? Is there anyone else there to disctract her? You could try bath/putting her in sling while you get on with stuff/dummy/changing her position, ie if crying on playgym, try moving her to bouncy chair and putting her next to you in the kitchen. and repeat mantra "this will not last forever" "this too will pass" "it's only a phase" etc etc etc

Morning Ernest! and anyone else up

Fleur hates lying down now especially on her tummy she too wants to see everything! I got her a similar thing to the bumbo seat but slightly higher called a bebepo, waiting for it to arrive hoping she'll like it!

Re parents evening, dont the school offer some kind of childcare? ours does on parenteves a good idea i think, or if not couldnt you bribe them that if they are all super good and sit and wait youll take them out to tes somewhere ie Mcdonaldsetc.. Would it work?

TGF i let fleur have a doze before bed but downstairs and make it noisy so she doesnt crash out but if not im afraid i resort to tv if fleur wont really settle before 7.30pm bath/bed time, not ages just 20mins or so watching babytv or babyeinstein or just music and the screen savers on windows media player!!!!! (bad mummy icon)

Debs- im the same was always reassuring mums dont worry he/she will be fine and thinking god they are only going to nursery but now dreading the day fleur starts!!!

Have read other posts but no time to reply at mo off to hospital for Fleurs ear check up, just a routine thing here! Hope journey goes well first time on own in a sling on bus!!!

ooh, paro, I had to take Adele for new born hearing test (she was about 8 weeks old). What a joke. I was told she had to be asleep. No problem, thought I, as she sleeps the whole time. Turned up ( with all 4 kids) had to dump (wild) boys unattended in waiting roo (pity the other patients) She sticks probes in her ear. No joy. x 5. not surprisingly, Adele wakes up. Told can't do it if she's awake, can I come back when she's asleep?? I politely point out a. she had been asleep.
b. with 4 kids it's rather difficult, c. she'll only wake up again next time etc etc & after much ado & 4 different people trying, they finally got a reading in each ear.

Def no childcare provision at school. I asked teacher & she suggested I just collect info sheets when I go up for ds1s parent's evening in a couple od days, so she obv. doesn't want me to come, "but it's up to me".

Bribary doesn't work with my evil hooligans

I have a bumbo, but not sure she's ready. good luck with your bebepod

Thanks for all your words, breasts are still sore but I think they are slightly less full. I have been expressing a wee bit just to take the pressure off. Still feel very guilty, everytime she cries I think is she missing the contact, my milk etc But along with the fact we were both getting anxious over every feed, she wasn't feeding right, my nipples were still sore and she wasn't gaining weight well I think we made the right decision.

Essie My ds started getting mini erections really early on I know we were on holiday when he was 13 weeks and I had left him in the nude as it was so hot and he was sleeping (smiling) and his little willy was going up and down - very funny! He has quite alot know if I change him just after he has woken up but he's 2 now.

Greenfairy Hamish used to do this, my theory is they are gettin really tired and don't know what to do with themselves so they keep feeding. I messed around with his feeds and sleep during the day until it started working, for me that was working back the way so last feed was at 6.30 and I didn't feed him to sleep or in his bedroom, he used to go to sleep about 7/7.30 this was from about 12/13 weeks. I used to make sure I didn't feed him after 3.30 so he would take a full feed at 6.30 and I woke him at 11pm for a dreamfeed. He was a big baby too, just keep trying things it will fall in to place eventually.

Ernest Good luck with ds and KG. I always used to go with my folks to parents evening, there were 4 of us but lots of other kids used to go as well, they had an area for us to play. Take them I wouldn't worry I'm sure they'll be fine.

Luke gets baby stiffies all the time - awful!!! UI have to poke them down to get his nappy on

I have got a bumbo on its way as Luke hates lying down now too and I don't know what to do with him!

I aso plonk him in front of Babyfirst/Babychannel - he loves it. If he's moody I'm not going to stop him! (Bad mother but don't care!)

Luke gets baby stiffies all the time - awful!!! UI have to poke them down to get his nappy on

I have got a bumbo on its way as Luke hates lying down now too and I don't know what to do with him!

I aso plonk him in front of Babyfirst/Babychannel - he loves it. If he's moody I'm not going to stop him! (Bad mother but don't care!)

Ernest now have image of you as the one with all the kids on desperate housewives! Whatever you decide good luck - hope you get to hook up with some other mums soon. If you dont get the chance tonight hopefully you can get talking to some at the school gate.

Cant believe people talking about bumbo/bebepod's already - it only seems 5 minutes ago we were all pregnant! We got given a bebepod for S but he's still too young I think. What's this baby channel - is it on sky Amberc?

It's made me wonder what I'll do with S when I need to put him somewhere unsupervised when he's too big for moses basket/bouncy chair during the day?!?!

morning! we're off for our first jabs today, wish us luck!

PP sorry yot hear about your job, hope it works out OK

katyjo sorry to hear that the bf hasn't worked out, but mia is a lovely healthy baby so don't worry about it! I'm sure you've made the right decision for you.

ernest hope your wee man's op goes OK, is it a hydrocele that he's got?

needahand hope move is going well!

Charlotte slept from 945 til 720 last night! bliss! We still haven't found a way of cutting out the enormous morning vomit though, on the plus side this means our bed linen is changed about every two days and is nice and clean!

LOL at image of Ernest as Lynette from desperate housewives! I'd rather be her than Bree that's for sure!

BDQ no, it is quite funny (me and the bee stings...). I suppose nobody would laugh if I went into shock, though! The allergy has been caused by being stung more times than a normal person , but there's also a weakness there I suppose because my dad is stung all the time with no effect. (His record was over 30 stings between his shoulder and elbow!!)

Amber is Luke old enough for a Bumbo? I've no idea when they're suitable from. Do babies need to be able to hold their own head up? (Iestyn can, but forgets...)

Morning all. I read that boys can get stiffies in the womb, which totally freaked me out when I was pregnant! I am trying not to think about it....

Laura, good luck with jabs, and you jammy git, how are you getting C to sleep through??!! I am soooooo . B slept most of yesterday after his, although he did have a bit of screaming in pain for a while late afternoon. Not nice - his poor little leg was all hot and hard. We gave him one dose of Calpol and lots of cuddles, and he was fine.

Penguin, sorry to hear about your job, I haven't posted about it on here before, but I am going through redundancy consultation at work too. It doesn't look like the project I was working on will get funding after all, although it looked v positive before I went on leave. Anyway, I am trying not to worry, as I know there is another 'suitable' job for me in the organisation. Whether or not the powers that be agree, is another matter. Good luck with it all, it is the last thing you need right now.

Glad to hear some of the rest of you are also letting the LOs have telly time! I have resorted to sticking B in his bouncy chair in front of CBeebies when I really have to crack on with other things. I am sure he doesn't care what he's watching, but I refuse to let him watch Jeremy Kyle! Oh, and we let him watch University Challenge last night, but I don't think he got many answers right.

Hi all, back from our camping trip in Somerset. It was fantastic, the twins loved it and slept all night every night from 9.30-7ish (not bad to say it got light at 5.30am and we were in a tent.

They are now sleeping from 8.30pm - 7.30am (Theo) and 9pm - 8am (Esther). I do crying down (if that means leaving them to cry themselves to sleep ) but it doesn't work unless they are ready to go to sleep. ie I tried to put them to bed at 7pm last night but they just cried and cried and cried, then when I put them down at 8.30 and 9 as normal they only cried for a couple of minutes then fell asleep.

As for cluster feeding between 5.30 and 8.30, I think that is pretty normal, they need lots of food so they get through to the morning. Mine seem to want to feed about every hour or so after 6pm, maybe cos milk is low so when they do feed they don't get so much.

Mine are 17 weeks old now and so much fun, they laugh all the time when you hold them up to your face and chat to them.

When will they be too big for their bouncy chairs (I will be lost!)?

Welcome back Neenz. Can't believe your twins already 17 weeks. I think its a very good point re: crying down working when they are actually tired. DH and I been talking about S's new improved bath/bed routing (which we're starting next week, fingers crossed) and we've decided there is no point at the moment trying to do a bath/bottle/bed at 7 routine as he's simply not tired at that time of evening. We're planning to stick with the 6-6.30pm-ish feed then do his bath/storytime etc after 7.30 - 8pm which is when he's normally ready to have a sleep. Am still planning to wake him for a dream feed - scared if we drop it he'll wake in the night again!

Bouncy chairs I thought most were grown out of around 6 months but it depends on the weight limit. My parents have this at their house for S which does up to around 12-18 months though - I wonder if I can distract them and sneak it into our car when they are not looking?!?!?

whinegums S was very sleepy, kept waking up for cuddles and then going straight back to sleep. He did wake for a feed in the night which is unusual for him but he didn't take much of his feeds yesterday.

bumbos - they can use them when they have sufficient head control. mine has just arrived so will give it a go later and let you know!! bet he hates it but he hates everything at first - need to drip feed it. also got new super deluxe baby gym as i think e's bored of the first one - how much do we spend?!!!

babyfirst is 624 on sky and babychannel is 625 i think bf is better imho! is great after 7pm when it gets all cosmic (see previous posts wondering about 'herbal' cigarettes!)

Essie, lol at me not being the Gina Ford type - no, I think you know me quite well actually!!

And apologies for the at the bf it's just I do still struggle with guilt and sadness about how quickly it all fell apart for me and Alex, not helped by the feeling that some of my RL friends with babies are being Mother Superior about the all thing. I asked one the other day whether she'd managed to get her son to take a bottle yet so we could have a girls' night out, and she said yes but of course she wasn't given him formula, only EBM. She might has well have said "of course I'm not giving him rats' poison just my own vastly superior breast milk" . I was so upset - she knows I'm ff and she knows how traumatic it was for me so why make a point of saying that she wasn't giving him formula as if that makes her so much better than me.

Sorry, rant over, needed to get that off my chest .

Thanks for the tip on the sting too - my finger is still really sore and swollen. Little b*stard wasp - what is the POINT of wasps?!!

Amber, Alex has also had a couple of little erections - v weird. Although I was reading a thread yesterday on how toddlers try and hump everything, and it's not just the boys!! Have all that to look forward to!

Neenz, welcome back - camping in this weather?! Braver woman than me!

As for tv, Alex watches Deal or No Deal with me every evening!