Nov 2008 - sleepless nights and exploding poo, dear oh dear now what do we do??

[Dozymare]

Sorry that is soooo crap but we needed a new thread!!!!!

Just a quick one as DH's 30th birthdat and we are venturing to the city to shop - not sure whether a good idea.

Sorry to those with reflux issues. x

Hope this morning goes well Daisy.

Re resuming intimacy we did - twice
and it was quite nice if I am honest although need to think about contraception as paranoid Condoms will split

I need to change Rebecca's feeds as last 2 nights she feeds at around 7ish then sleeps through til 1 / 2 and then up again at 4 / 5. So I was thinking of waking her to feed at 9 / 10 and then I would only be up once in the night? Any advice appreciated. X

Sorry to anyone missed off to pack car for shopping!

Coolkat, enjoy shopping and happy birthday to your dh!

Barb How's things this morning? I hope that you have managed to massage/feed the lumps away.

MummyNic, sounds very scarey that the alarm has gone off 4 times. I think an alarm like that would make me more paranoid. In Z's case, as he's a wriggler, it would probably be because he wriggled off the mat. As for the gaviscon, Z is at least 12lb, hence the bigger dose. I am following the instructions on the back of the pack as the dr didn't give me much to work on . Like you, Z feeds more than 6 times a day, but the feeds that we miss with the gaviscon are the ones when he is up in the night.

Zack did pretty well last night. I decided that as he should be sleeping at an incline that I would have to try and make headway with getting him into his moses basket. I placed him in at 11pm last night, he slept until 3.30 and I actually put him back in and he stayed there until just after 6am, where I allowed him to come into the bed with me. He is still there now. Here's hoping Z has a more settled day

mummyNic, that all sounds very scary {{{{{hugs}}}}}. I think one of those monitors would make me paranoid as well, especially as babies often take a very shallow, slow breath or don't breathe in for ages. I did a baby first aid course a while ago and it was really useful (and showed me that the actions I took when DD was very poorly and needed an ambulance were the opposite of what I should have done). Your HV might be able to organise it for you and it might help put your mind at rest knowing that you'll know what to do in an emergency.

Yay for better nights. DS2 was OK last night, but I still didnt manage to get him back in his crib so I spent the night sitting up sleeping again....and have a mammoth crick in my neck as a result.

coolkat enjoy shopping and lol at packing to go shopping. Once we have the pram and changing bag in the boot of the car, there isn't any room for the actual shopping!

barbs, I hope things aree feeling a bit easier this morning and you have cleared the blocked duct.

We've had a few little smiles, but no big cheesy grin as yet, but he is much more alert and chatty and loves to look at faces.

Rutho, when F smiles for you and you alone, it'll still be a sepcial moment, even if you missed his "first" smile

All my babies are sleeping so I can either a) put laundry away or b) go to sleep myself. Tis a tricky decision

sorry to hear of mummynics breathing stopping.
And Barbs blocked duct.

All sounds rite orrible and scarey.

Just when I thought things couldn't get any worse... they did.
I had a very very bad hypo on monday. I was supposed to meet Autumnlady for lunch on tuesday. But I was in no fit state to go to kings. My hypo was very violent and I pushed dh down the stairs. I banged myself and am covered in bruises. I also hurt my shoulder and can barely lift Max up, or wind him, or move my arm at all. Not good.

His being awake at night has gone beyone a FUCKING Joke. I have had enough. Really I have.

Sorry for really depressing post. Lets have some christmas cheer and some jokes... please.

Oh Obs you poor thing. Sending big hugs your way.

Well the reduction in Gaviscon has sent us flying backwards - J is screaming when laid down, being sick and wanting to comfort feed - pretty much back to Sat / Sun

So I have rung the docs and have insisted they ring me ASAP - either the dose goes up (but don't want to risk his kidneys etc with too much Na) or we need something stronger - I read that someone needed Gaviscon and Ranitidine so will do some research now and be ready with suggestions.

It's making me cry, poor baby is in pain - HELP HIM!!!!

Oh obs sorry to hear that, you have been right through the mill lately

Oh Obs . Sending you lots of virtual hugs (and deep heat). You poor poor thing. Is the exhaustion from lack of sleep making your diabetes harder to control?

Is DH OK?

MummyNic, hugs to you too, it is really awful when you can't do anything about their pain

Gosh we all need a bit of a break don't we?

Morning - just checking in quickly.

Obs poor you things really are not good for you at the moment are they? I really wish I had some advice or could do something to help you get through it!

Nic/HM2J really hope the Gaviscon works for you and you can get the dosage right - poor babes!! I didn't realise that there was so much salt in Gaviscon - DS1 was prescribed it when he was a few weeks old and the doctor never mentioned about the salt content or making sure we didn't give him too much (as it turned out, he didn't have reflux so only had it a couple of times!)

Buzz - love your Christmas name!!

My mum is coming over for the day today - which will be nice (but hard work at the same time ).

Have a good day x

Oh Obs, I am so sorry to hear this news. Sending my love and hugs your way.

MummyNic I hope the gp sorts something out for you & J. I did some research last night and was reading about a different kind of thickener called carobel. It is completely natural so won't cause the same complications you can get with gaviscon, however, it appears to be a case of trial and error as to how much to use. The advantage is that it can be ordered/bought over the counter.

I have to agree with you about the syringe, tried that twice yesterday and it was slow and messy. This morning I pumped off about 30mls of breastmilk to mix it and placed it in a bottle (we have a haberman special needs feeder which is the closest replication of breastfeeding aparently). As he HATES a dummy, he was not impressed at first, byt with a little help and squeezing the teat, he sucked all 15ml down and didn't struggle on the boob as I had already activated the main letdown reflex. Fingers crossed I see more of a difference in him today. Either way, I was only given enough sachets to last for 15 feeds, so will have to go back to the gp.

On a lighter note, did I tell you that I now have BRIGHT PINK hair ?
It is true. I went to the hairdressers on fri. and agreed/requested - god knows why - to have something bright and spangely. so half my fringe and a big highlight, down the side of my bob, next to the fringe bit, is now bright pink.

photo please Obs

will do.
soon.
So can I join the pink brigade ?
There in pinkali, pinkyminky, and quite a few 'pinkies' aren't there ?

Hugs to you Obs so sorry you are still having crap nights. Looking forward to seeing the new hair on Friday (hope you can still make it?)

MummyNic that sounds very scary - I think the baby first aid course is a really good idea from Daisy. It might make you feel a bit more in control if it happens again?

I was gutted last night as I spent an hour expressing over the day so DH could do the last feed and I could get to bed early and then I knocked over almost the entire bottle's worth (and I have no reserves) so I couldn't go to bed as I needed to BF. It was all DH's fault as he'd left it on the counter without a lid on .

Sorry about all the reflux-y babies - it sounds horrid for them and the mums!

With regards to s-e-x we haven't yet as I am a bit scared (and tired and there is a little baby in our room ) but I am going to the GP tomorrow to ask for a prescription for the pill so DH can get some xmas lovin!

Well M has just gone down for his lunchtime nap and I hope he stays down so I can have some actual lunch today, as opposed to the grab a chocolate bar and packet of crisps lunch!

Hope everyone has good days. x

Ohhhh - M wouldn't go down for his nap so I just put him in the sling and rocked him to sleep for 10 mins and have just transferred him to his moses basket. Who reckons this will work or will my LO discover I've been a sneaky mummy???

Choc, I hope that M has stayed asleep for you.

I was actually wondering where you all put your babies for thier naps? I started letting Z sleep on me, then tried putting him in his rocker/seat but he would wake up pretty quickly. Today, he fell asleep in my arms after an pretty active morning for him (my older boys were only too happy to entertain him than practice their handwriting!) I have put him upstairs in his moses basket in the bedroom with the radio on so it isn't completely silent (like at night) and have the monitor on. He has been up there for nearly 30 minutes and to be honest, I have sooo much to do I feel overwhelmed and am not even sure what I should do first. I do have a load of washing on and have made myself some toast and a cuppa for my lunch.

Oh Obs , that sounds too awful. You poor poor thing.It is also a complete nightmare being in some way incapacitated (is that the right word??!Sleep dep has stolen my brain cells) and unable to take care of our babies...

i did my back in so severely a couple of weeks ago i couldn't lift ds2, never mind my much heavier nearly 3 year old ds1. It turns out i have psoriatic arthritis and am also being sent for a bone scan to check for osteoporosis . At 34 this feels far to young to be falling apart so badly.

Mummynic, i don't have one of those monitors but had a terrifying stopping breathing episode with my ds on saturday night. He was asleep on my chest (on his tummy) at the time. Have just found a local baby rescusitation class. Like your J, my J also has reflux. But how you describe your J reminds me so much of how my ds1 was as a baby with his reflux. Thankfully so far my J doesn't do that awful constant pained screaming (just small perfectly tolerable amounts!)but he does gag, cough and choke a huge amount when feeding and lying down (and even sometimes when upright and he has one of those constant snuffles that is so common in reflux babies. So you have my sympathies, i totally understand the hideousness of your situation Unfortunately gaviscon made my ds1 worse and ranitidine did nothing. The only thing that helped was time (quite a long time in our case but most get better quicker )

HM2J We also attacked bedtime with the moses basket for the first time last night having been scared witless by any more sleeping on me and much as i want to co-sleep our bed is just too flat for all the sicking up and choking that goes on here . Sounds like you had a lot more success than us [exhausted emoticon]. Any tips for getting them to settle on their backs in the moses basket greatly appreciated! I did briefly try a dummy last night but he hated it as much as i did!

Pinkyminkee My blanket arrived!!! It is absolutely fantastic, I love, love, love it, thank you so much!!! I shall have to remember you for when friends have babies

Barbareeba As another sufferer of frequent block ducts (especially during my long bf of ds1) you have my sympathies, it really is a hideous pain. As the others said, the best way to clear it is to keep feeding (and oh the relief when it does . I also find frequently applying heat really helpful (so flannels as hot as you can bare, preferably while in a hot bath but not essential). Keep repeating application of heat followed by a feed and it really does seem to help.

Zonedout Sorry to hear of all that is going on with you as well. Fingers crossed for the bone scan. As for your J (I have a J as well, lol!), sounds utterly terrifying. I wish I had some words of advice re the moses basket, but in our case we have been trying him every few nights for the last few weeks and he was sleeping for longer periods each time, but it has taken this long to get him to go down awake and go to sleep. He is actually still in his napping right now, which has totally shocked me, mind you, maybe the gaviscon is working and that is why he is napping well today?

Obs - you poor petal. I don't know how you cope with diabetes and your newborn party animal. You must keep telling yourself it WILL get better.
Can't wait to see your pink hair though! You still coming on Friday?

LOL at discussions re. nuptials. I've told DH he can have it at xmas. In the meantime I gave him a hand-shandy to stave him off. Sorry if TMI.

We had a bad night. Plumski (this name kindly donated by MerryMari who I've been in touch with via text - she is fine, just very tired and no doubt too busy to post ATM) slept from 12pm til 2am, then didn't go back to sleep til 6am - aghh. She was simply wide awake. And hungry. Constantly. I think this is the 3-week growth spurt.

Today we went for a walk to PO and normally she settles in pram, but not today. Screamed constantly for half an hour whilst DH queued inside PO. Couldn't settle her. I was crying myself it hurt me so much to hear her. Then she stopped, fell asleep and is still asleep now....phew. I think she was overtired.

Anyway - off to pump more milk now. Wedding anniversary coming up so want to be able to give her a bottle by then so we can go out to dinner with her.

Hello to everyone - sorry for rude posting not saying hello personally. xxx

ooh HM2J, fingers crossed the gaviscon will work for you. Just peeked at your profile, you have the most beautiful boys, completely gorgeous all 3 of them

So,back to the moses basket shenanigans do you put Z down awake or asleep? And do you have to do any shushing/patting/stroking? If he grizzles/cries do you pick him up straight away/after a bit/never ... Sorry for all of the questions but i have always co-slept pretty much (well until ds1 was happy enough to go to his cot without any tears etc.) so am at a bit of a loss. He sleeps onme/in a sling in the day.

Hello! Right, I had a hard time getting to talk to a doc but I can't bore you all with that. Spoke to duty doc and she said, 'what does he weigh? Yep, that's 1 dose' I said well Dr Millman said to halve it and she said 'no, 1 whole dose - that should do it'

Excellent!!!

So heartmum you should be fine on 2 doses and, if J is suffering in 1lb's time, I shall be increasing his dose to 2!!!

GF can resume AGAIN!!!

Awww, thanks for the compliment Zonedout! I keep forgetting to check out people's profiles. Your boys are gorgeous too and I LOVE your belly pic, another yummy mummy, lol!

As for Z, I usually put him down in the moses basket asleep if I can help it. If I do happen to rouse him/wake him by putting him down, it is 50/50 whether he will cry/scream or grunt himself to sleep. I think the key to getting them to settle themselves to sleep is to work at putting them down sleepy but not quite asleep. I see no harm to working up to this though, so start out with conked out and work up to it if need be. We did alot of pick up/put down a la baby whisperer. I don't leave Z to cry for too long as I find it irritates his reflux anyway (found out the hard way at the weekend), but sometimes it is worth not picking them up straight away as they are just having a grumble before drifting off. I find if I try and use patting, shushing or stroking he yells even louder because he remembers I am there and wants picking up straight away. I guess the thing is that each baby is different and finding what works for you. Perhaps try placing something in there that smells of you, but not strictly of milk, lol!

Margot sounds like you have had a bit of a stressful night/day. I hope plumski (love it!) settles herself back into a routine for you. Definately sounds like a growth spurt. Z is not far from his next one...oh joy!

Obs Poor you. Really hope things get better soon as you've had so much to cope with already. On a brighter note can't wait to see pics of your pink hair!
Mummynic and Heartmum Sorry to hear about your reflux-y babies. Hope you manage to find something that works to get it under control. Must be awful to see them screaming in pain and not being able to do anything
Zonedout Sorry you're having such a hard time as well.
Barbareeba Hope you managed to clear the blockage.
Choc Hope M stayed asleep. I haven't mastered that trick yet - E always wakes up within 5 minutes of me putting her down after taking her out of the sling. I swear she deliberately waits so that I think it's worked and start doing something (like having lunch!) before she starts screaming!
She did go to sleep in her hammock between feeds during the night though so that's progress
Zonedout Have you tried putting something with your smell on it in the moses basket? It's been working for me to a certain extent, although not every time, so might be worth a try.
MonkeyMargot Sounds like you're having a bad day too. Hope Plumski (love the name ) stayed asleep for you and that you have a better night tonight. Glad Merry is OK. I admire her - I'm struggling enough with one, never mind two!

Hello again all, I have been lurking but not posting as by time I am ready I have forgotten what to say or damn pooter loses my message grr!

So much to say but will keep it short for now.

Obs sorry to hear you having hard time, I am with you on the no sleeping front altho last night was much better as I decided to put DS2 in his cot in his room to sleep. Think he has outgrown moses basket or something...

Sorry to Zonedout and Barbs. ChocO I ALWAYS used to put DS1 to sleep once he was sleeping, I never read GF first time around! He slept thru night at 10 weeks as well. Not sure I'll be so lucky with this one tho.. will let you know!

MonkeyM I had exact same night with DS2 on Sun night! Must be a growth spurt.. only prob is DS2 has one every 2nd night!

Rutho my DH been grumpier than usual too even tho he is actually getting sleep and I reckon it is the lack of nookie too. Honestly as if I haven't got enough to do.. have 3 babies in this house I think.

Zonedout, sorry to hear about your health issues. sounds really nasty. Good Luck with the bone scan and I hope everything is fine there. I had one when I was first diagnosed with coeliac disease (it isn't painful or anything), but everything was OK thankfully.

CriCri....Bumba (and DD did the same) waits until I get my knee on the bed before waking up again....no matter how long I have stood beside the crib making sure he is asleep. The crib is touching the bed though so maybe it's the vibrations!

DH has informed me that he is resuming the marital bed tomorrow evening and expects attention

Well I survived my first day on my own and even achieved some housework.....although DD kept trying it on whenever I was feeding Bumba. But we had a lovely play together this afternoon while he was sleeping and had a really nice time.

Right, bedtime madness to sort out. Back soon

Just popping in, too much to catch up . I miss you lot!

Barbs, sorry about blocked duct. They are hideous. I became an expert with ds1 if you wanna text for advice. The first couple were bad and then I got used to spotting it early and dealing with it. The good news is you must have plenty of milk. Text me if you want any help!

Margot, glad I could be of assistance with a nickname .

Marital Bed, contains 2 babies! Until their sleeping is sorted, I am FREEEEEEE.

Babies weighed today. Doing well. They are classed as 4 weeks. Baby Awissa is 9lbs and Judo Wudo is 8lbs 8. Health visitor was very sweet, kept saying, "Well done, YOU!". Though she did also say, "You look tired".

ChocO, what is this rocking to sleep? GF would be up in arms!?