June 08: All we want for Christmas is a good night's sleep!

[bitofasnowqueen]

New thread!

Allnew - I haven't given S any FF in the middle of the night for months. He dropped his 10.30 pm feed around 5 months too so his last feed is around 6.30pm.

systemaddict I gave our main bathroom (which we rarely use) a really deep clean last week and was very satisfied. When I got pregnant it was one of the household chores that DH took over, and it was in real need of a woman's touch. I was very very pleased with it when done.

Sorry to all having sleepless nights - S has had terrible cold and a tooth coming through too systemaddict. Medised still not having the desired effect .

amber sorry to hear about Lukes seperation anxiety. I thought it came about 8/9 months too. I'll not look forward to that stage!

Just to let you know the sleep inducing part of MEDISED is antihystamine which can cause some children to go hyper - that is from a friend of mine who is a GP.

We had that - Luke went mental on Medised in the day but I'm sure it helped him sleep at night but that may have been because it helped him breathe.

Sponge - whoever holds him he just wants mummy - man, woman, animal, mineral or vegetable!

Oh bless him - hope it's only a phase. Did your internet research say anything about whether it gets better when you go back to work? Or is it about you being in the vicinity?

Anyway, hope he's feeling better from his Christmas illness. Alex was ill on Christmas Day too - no idea what the matter was but temp was up and he was inconsolable unless being held. Disappeared the next day .

Keep plugging away Amber - we found it helped to give DC's to anyone and everyone as it got them used to being with people.

Also like to say that for the first time in 2 weeks we have managed to get DD to go to sleep in her bed without having hysterics and throwing up and then crashing out on sofa, Dh still sleeping down in playroom as she woke up screaming the other night and I managed to get to her before she woke up B&B's. Small steps.

which also goes some way to explaining those really crappy posts Amber which I am sorry for.

Evening!
Funny you should mention the separation thing, Amber - we're not quite there yet, but the past few days Iestyn has been desperate on cuddles, but from me. (Tim claims it's him too - hate to tell him, but...) I just assumed it was because he's been around a lot of people and not spending so much time with me. But that has to change anyway!
He's been quite grim tonight. Couldn't settle him until 9.45. No idea - he wasn't distressed as such, but wanted to play, be held (Sponge and others - remember how he won't go to sleep in arms now, only in his cot/pram/lying down somewhere?) and have company. Sweet, but we have things to do! It's odd because he normally settles himself practically in the cot.

Systems I had adenoids out, and grommets three times. Not an expert, but I would think if they hadn't worked the first time, the other two times were pointless really. Don't let them mess around too much with his ears - I only have ribbons for one eardrum, partly due to repeated infections but partly due to having 3 grommets stitched onto it. If he has slight scarring, or is prone to repeat infections, try keeping his ears dry? I mean, totally - I don't go swimming because I have to put cotton wool plugs waterproofed with vaseline in my ears. (It's a faff, but brings back memories of serious teasing at school, as you can imagine!) I don't do it in the shower because I'm skilful now, but maybe consider it for him?

This summer, I went private and saw the ENT consultant (it's too dull to go into it here because I'm whittling on too much already!). Expensive but worth it. I got a load more information than I've ever had before.

Debs please arrange that snowy meet up! I couldn't ski last year for obvious reasons. When is Easter this year? Any free spaces?

Our temporary cleaner came today (last week we were supposed to have someone but she electrocuted herself on a vacuum and so we had to go without). Don't know if you watch Jack Dee in Lead Balloon - well, think Magda.
'Nice baby. Is boy or girl?' 'Boy.' 'He nice, but head is not good, what wrong?' Referring to Iestyn's stork's bite - oh, if I had a pound for every time I have to say it will fade... Why don't people know about storks' bites?? Does anyone else here have a baby with one (except Neenz's Theo, but his is lighter, or maybe Iestyn is fairer with his see through skin so it looks worse on Iestyn) or an older child who had one? When do they go?

Oh, my monster post crossed 5GoMad's. 5 (if I may call you that ) so so sorry to hear about the stresses with DD. Is this a new thing? I wonder what started it? No expert, but any potty training link? Or wasn't S ill, and maybe she was scared because you weren't around as much? It must be so awful seeing her get into such a state that she's sick, though.

I do feel for you - running a B&B is really high stress in many ways. Seriously, I'm not being silly here - standards have to be high, people moan about everything (including the weather and sheep making too much noise...) and with a newborn as well - you're a finer woman than me.

Thank you Essie - she was ill which kick started this all off which I think developed into a phobia, so to get her in her bed awake was a huge step. We had B&B's leave this morning a day early as something was starting his asthma off, we do have a dog but if he suffers that badly you would have tought he would have asked. Never mind, fully booked for tomorrow then nothing for weeks yet so will be able to enjoy S and as he starts nursery 2 mornings a wekk will actually get some stuff done.

No psychologist, 5GoMad, but I was wondering if it was some kind of phobia, hence asking about potty training. My brother had school phobia (long story) and he would get into a state and throw up. Hopefully a good night will reassure her and it will all be forgotten quite soon?

Potty training going really well, we still wear a nappy when going out but no accidents at home.

Well last night she woke up at 2 for an hour and S woke up at 5 for an hour so neither of us got a full nights sleep.

Just an idea about separation anxiety. If you give them to someone and then leave the room for say 5 minutes, then start extending this to going out for 30 mins etc that should help, needs to be done regularly though.

Firstly Five - all forgotten and sorry to hear about your traumas poor thing.

Essie - what is a grommet?

Mark woke Luke this morning and he was OK without me but I could hear a lot of whinging and of course the minute I got up the baby threw himself at me. It's funny though I'm getting used to it and it actually feels rather nice but practically a nightmare I know. Luke will only go to sleep on me now and not in his cot. I hope that doesn't last as my back is already falling apart. Might get a side carrier after all.

Morning all, just marking my place really. Sounds like everyone is having traumas and I hope all the babies are back on form soon. It's no better here yet either, was up with S from about 1 am till 430 am, and the little bugger has given me his cold. So am now knackered, ill, and need to get the bombsite that we call a home visitor ready for friends coming later. Just having some lemsip at catching up on here before I start.

Hope everyone has a good NYE and that the babies all have a good nights sleep!

Hi all

I thought I would post quickly on this to say hello and wish you all a happy new year since I came on MN to post on the sleep topic. It is the first time I have been on since I left!

All is well here. Going back to work was fine and my new job is intersting. The only problem we have is SJ is still not sleeping. In total he has slept through 6 nights since he was born (3 of them being last week and giving us false hopes!). I was wondering if any of you have tried any routines or have any good books to recommend.

Unfortunately I never have time to catch up anymore (don't know where the time goes) but this week I have read the last few posts as it is quiet at work.

Keep well all of you lovely ladies. I will try to lurk a bit more if I can

Debs did your documentary show on TV yet? Did I miss it?

Big hugs to you all and to the little ones

Oh, needahand, sorry to hear about the sleeping. Quite a lot of us are struggling with that one - here, we've had 2 sleepings through since birth (!!!), but others can beat that!

Amber grommit is Wallace's dog, obviously. No, they're little sort of tubes that are stitched onto an eardrum to drain the inner (or is it middle?) ear of fluid. Mainly in cases of glue ear. Could google that I suppose. I still have one of mine in a jar!

5GoMad at least the potty training is going well - that really is an achievement for you and Edie. So really you're on top of things even if it doesn't feel like it - I'm impressed.

Off to Debenhams now to see a personal shopper (it's addictive, but luckily free). And to look for some bibs with sleeves - any ideas, anyone?

Oh, meant to say earlier, thanks all for comments on medised. Thankfully he's not particular hyper on it, it just doesn't seem to have the side effect of helping him sleep unfortunately.

Hi all

sponge thanks, yes I was wondering about the making it up. I know you all had this discussion already, but I'm new to this ff lark and was wondering if people actually do make it up only when they need it. I'm not surprised you make it up in advance - surely it is impossible otherwise. By the time I waited for the water to cool A would be screaming the house down with hunger.

Anyway that is the least of my problems, as I still can't get A to take the formula when made up with powder, he will only take the carton stuff. I've been trying SMA gold, but I'll try Aptimel to see if that makes any difference (bit expensive having to buy huge powder tins to see if he'll like it!).

Also he's very fussy over his bottles. I'd bought some of those MAM ones and he won't have them, so we're still on his small Medela ones which I'd been using occasionally for EBM. Do I have a very fussy baby or is this choosiness typical of babies who have been bf?

needahand good to hear from you. Sorry about the sleeping troubles. We've never had a full nights sleep here - last night was the best for a week, as he only woke up every 2 hours

Help, I am drowning in a sea of plastic, since we returned from the west country yesterday. I am not going to be able to catch up on a week and a half's worth of posts so I am sorry.

Hope everyone had a lovely christmas. Isaac tired some trifle and everyone enjoyed that. Will try and put a photo up.

Have a nice evening tonight (DH working late )

See you next year

Allnew, not an expert cos Alex has had Aptamil powder from 2 weeks + but can you make up some powder and mix some of this with the carton, gradually reducing the contents of the carton?

Yes, re it being common for bf babies to be fussy about bottles. I know quite a few women who had problems with introducing a bottle. Can't remember what the solution is though .

Welcome back from the gurt West Country HH!

HAPPY NEW YEAR to all!!

Happy New Year Everyone!!

We spent the most of the last day of 2008 in hospital, Oli's peg has an infection great!! Oh well I suppose its better to end the year than start it this way!!!

Good Wishes to you all and lets hope 09 kicks the ass out of 08 xx

Happy new year everyone!
Second night of Iestyn refusing to settle. At the moment he's downstairs and we're mainly ignoring him. This is new. Let's hope it passes quickly.
Allnew I feel your pain. Iestyn won't take anything from any drinking vessel other than a boob now. We could open a beaker and bottle shop here. We have TT, Dr Browns, Avent, Medela, NUK, and 6 beakers. I was thinking it would be ok until I saw Paula's sister Sarah who told me about a girl in her daughter's class at school who is still bfed. The girl is 8. (It is more about the mother there though.)

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Happy New Year Everyone, what a year we've had eh? And this one promises so much to look forward to with our babies.

Had a good night, did anyone see the fireworks on the webcam, boys up until past midnight, they're still asleep but unfortunately Ethan was awake twice in the night and up to play from 7.30 - that combined to me drinking 2 glasses of wine last night (I am such a lightweight) means that I'm feeling a little rough.

Essie - we're booked out 4th-11th April, the following week's available. don't know much about stork bites - sorry.Ikea do bibs with sleeves

Needahand - tv doc should be on in feb

5gomad sorry to hear about dd's sleeping problems, hope last night she turned the corner - understand completely why it's so stressful with the business though.

HH - welcome back

josey - hope 2009 brings you less time in hospital! how's oli today?

Amber - being the person your baby wants above anyone makes you feel very special but it does get to be a pita, hope it's a phase that passes soon.

snowqueen - how was the dinner party

jingle - tristan was v fussy about bottles ad never took one, he eentually took a basic cup