Sept 08: We'll soon be weaning, and of a full nights sleep we're dreaming ......

[ILikeToMoveItMoveIt]

Hello ladies.

Pull up a chair, grab a biscuit and lets start talking about puree vs blw and sleep deprivation

I'm 33 and I would never go back!

imoscarsmum I'm almost 35, I was starting to think I was the oldest on here. I might need a few cocktails to get me through my birthday this year .

starlight & becaroo thank goodness you've reminded me about water. I hadn't been giving DD any yet . But she is having lots of veg and her poo's are fine so I don't think she's been de-hydrated. We'll start on water tomorrow. Out tap water is gross so I'll have to put up with faffing about with cooled boiled water.

Glad to hear that T is poo-ing again hopefully!

I treated myself today. I had an hour to myself so got a quick half leg wax and spent £25 on M&S ready meals and salads for the week. I haven't been looking after myself or eating properly so I decided a few days of M&S food will give me a boost, and mean I don't have to make the kitchen too messy. I want to make and freeze some food for the DC's this week so I'll have more time to do it now.

You're never 34 Meglet - you look about 25!

T conked out minutes after the explosion (very smelly and disgusting), seems very unconcerned that he had a small glycerin bullet stuffed up his bottom a couple of hours ago

happy birthday carrie!

Thanks for the positive words snowlight (btw think you should switch to sunlight now ) As it happens I have ended up feeding him several times today! He is so funny when he doesnt want a bottle, pushes it away with his hand, looks at me with his big blue eyes, then turns his head towards my boob and opens his mouth as wide as possible!! And then other times he pulls it towards himself and drains the bottle. he obviously knows whats best for him!

Got my kinderprint bracelet today with 2 charms on, one with a fingerprint of each of my boys. Its sooooo lovely! (although the one of my older boy is not so good, but as it was a friend of a friend dont know if i can bring myself to complain? Gonna live with it a bit and see)

anyone older than me?

i'm 34 next month, you should be saying 'anyone as experienced as me' though ninja!

Ha, T woke for a feed literally as I climbed into bed - slightly annoying, but better than waking 15 mins after I fall asleep! At least I have some chance of getting a decent couple of hours uninterrupted.

Happy Birthday carriebo

I am ill . First time that I've felt all achey and knackered since childbirth. So now A has a runny nose and a hoarse voice (when he cries). It's so sad to hear him cry. But the snot bubbles are funny.

So we've passed the magic 26 week mark. A is taking in tiny amounts with BLW, but still waking loads at night. The last 4 nights he's properly woken up and taken 1.5-2 hours to resettle. I do wonder at what point he'll start to sleep through. I also keep thinking I'd like to do some sleep training, but I think I'd be so inconsistent it wouldn't work. Perhaps when he's in his own room it might be easier to shut the door and let him cry a little bit longer. Or maybe I'll just end up getting up more to make sure he hasn't been sick/trapped his arm in the cot bars/done a huge poo.

A is getting really good at sitting unaided, he must have gone for 10 minutes today. And really good at scooting round in the walker. Still no rolling. Although he does love it when I roll him over on my bed...I'm raising a lazy roller.

well first downside of ff...stinky stinky poo poo!!! It all comes flodding back now about what ds1 nappies smelt like!

I am contemplating complaining about my night again, but have realised I have become a complete sleep bore. Suffice to say, it was worse than the night before.

DG sorry you're ill, hope you feel better soon.

It becomes an obsession doesn't it hopefully. Is your first reaction when T wakes to look at the clock and calculate the minutes since the last waking??

Tell us what you're doing today instead!

Sorry you're feeling rough dg

M is getting a cold which is bad timing as we're going skiing (wayhey) on Saturday. Maybe the fresh air will do her good.

God, yes! And then either feel pleased or stressed, depending on the amount of time he's slept for.

We're not doing much today, but think we'll go to the rhyme time at the library if when T wakes early from his lunchtime nap. Also need to make soup for dinner/freezer, and might do some comfort baking to make myself feel better.

One of my favourite things when I have a cold is to wrap up super warm and get lots of fresh air - always makes me feel loads better - maybe M will be the same ninja! What will you do with her while you are whizzing down mountainsides at high speed?

happy b-day carrie (belated, sorry). I'll be 31 tomorrow...

sorry to hear about illnesses and sleep problems. here we're having more "through" nights than broken ones. and been very busy in RL so she's been really good (off again in a minute)

dummies- DS loved his and wasn't sure I'd want to give it to DD. but she's a bit less attached to it than DS, dummy and rabbit are her cues to sleep.

water - HV said after 6 months no need to boil. DD is 6 months this week and she's already had un-boliled water for a couple of days (she's fine with all the bath water she's been drinking for the last 6 months , loves splashing you see)

oh, I agree about those biscuits, and same for juice

we've started a bit of mixed blw and baby porridge (which she adores). not keen on pureed fruit. loved potato and broccoli so far, but would not try avocado.

right, off for schol run

have started preparing for my first nct sale today- maternity stuff, 0-6 month stuff, its gonna take aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaages!!!! Just hope its worth it. Just after ds2 was born i put loads of maternity stuff on ebay and hardly any of it sold.

Am 37 this year.....am I the oldest??? Feel about bloody 90 this morning!!

Had meeting yesterday with Toms teacher. Went ok ish. Says they cant assess this young for dyslexia - which is not true as they have assessed one of his friends in another class - dont want to have to pay £500 to get it done privately but might have to. Showed him the toe by toe book and have told him I am starting it at home. Tom is on an IEP (individual education plan) and I didnt know til yesterday! Surely they should tell parents things like that?

Tried Toby with water yesterday but he wasnt too impressed - should he have a cup without a no spill valve on and why??

Toby woke up every hour last night. I have officially entered the hell that is teething.

becaroo hmmm...yes you should know about an IEP, although there are often 'set' times when these are shared to make it easier for everyone, eg parents evening, report time. How long has he had it? Is it school action or action plus? Have they given you a copy? (they should have)And are the targets what you would expect, and also are they specific (so something like 'Tom will be able to recognise 10 sounds by April' as opposed to 'Tom will learn his sounds')and achievable (much better to have lots of small steps than a great big far away one!) Interesting that they say they wont assess him, not sure if there is an 'optimum age' for that kind of test (but I can find out)It makes me think there isn't so much of a problem as it's in their interest to get any children they have concerns about assessed as soon as possible. What was their reaction to the toe by toe? Sorry so many questions but I am always intrigued by how other schools work!!

As for the non spill cup- have you ever tried to drink out of an any way up cup? Its almost impossible!!! Those tommee tippee ones tend not to spill too badly, but I have bought this one recently which has a softer spout (but not as soft as a teat)

becaroo I thought that all children were on IEPs?

Glad it went okay-ish but sorry you're not satisfied. If you want an assessment you need to push for them to do it.If you get it done privately it is rarely taken seriously by Local Authorities.

If I were you I'd write a letter/email detailing what you discussed and was agreed(for your record and so they know you are recording) and send it to them. Include at the end a request for a review meeting next term go over any successes and achievements.

You know: Dear T, thank you for meeting with us o discuss Tom's difficulties. It was interesting to learn about iep and that you are doing x and y to help. As agreed I will support this at home with z and will be in touch after Easter to meet to review the progress made.

Yours .....

hth

No spill valves are BAD.

no, not all children are on IEPs, Typically (depending on the size and type of school) maybe 3-8 children out of a class of 30?

The other option for you is to go through your GP, they can refer for some aspects, usually behaviour, and its normally faster to get an assessment this way. (not sure if they do for specific learning probs like dsylexia though...)

snowlight What's wrong with no-spill valves?
While I'm at it, what's wrong with an ordinary teaspoon for feeding your baby, and is it OK for people to lift your baby holding him by the upper arms?
(I figure he'd complain if it hurt, but I'm still worried after the HV and people on MN said I was going to pull my baby's legs off...)

becaroo has your ds's hearing been checked recently? Glue ear often kicks in about his age.

A went through a hellish couple weeks but now is only waking twice a night and back to settling fairly well after a ginormous burp. I think someone is sneaking him out for ten pints and a curry...

He's rolling over lots. He can't sit up at all though and he'll be 6 months next week - should I avoid giving him finger foods for a bit? He's not very interested in food but I'd love to be bfing less.

Becaroo glad the meeting went not-too-badly. I agree that writing everything discussed is good (it gives you and them a record if there are any issues later, and means you can refer back to see what you're working towards etc).

Snowlight why are no spill cups evil? I went into M'care yesterday to buy a cup, bowl and spoon for weaning, and got too scared by the choice and ran away!

BTW, not that I'm obsessed by sleep, but it has just occured to me that T is really cutting back on his daytime sleep now - the old 2 hours and asleep rule of thumb is so much less relevant now he's older isn't it! He usually goes about 2.5 hours before first nap, then 2.5-3 hours before lunchtime nap, then anything from 2-4 hours before his last short nap.
He is currently asleep, in the cot, which is very exciting after the past few days of rocking him in the pram constantly for all daytime naps! I did have to jiggle the cot to con him into sleep, but who cares, he's in the darn cot!

I gave water today after lunch- not that he drank much but the option was there.

I've got a tommee tippee first cup and one of these it has a thing inside the spout to stop the water pouring out but it isn't a valve.

He fed himself avocado on toast and I fed him some avocado mush. Seemed to go down well.

meglet I can't believe you're not in your 20s either.

Oh happy birthday birthday girls! I'm really looking forward to my 30th this year, lots of my friends have been having their 40ths for a couple of years now, so I always sort of forget I'm not in my 30s yet! I think my 30s will fit me.

snowlight, was lovely to meet you! I can't believe you would say I was glamorous though, I would mainly describe myself as scruffy!

Ah, might have to disturb this snoozy feed of DDs as I think something is leaking out of her nappy through her clothes...

becaroo and ninja - neither of you are the oldest... I turned 40 six days after DD was born.

snowlight could you send a link to what sort of cup we should be using? I have to admit the whole weaning thing / equipment etc has got me so confused.

I want a book that tells me exactly what to do with BF and food from the day DD turns 6 months (next Monday). But it has to be tailored to my precise circumstances, ie. reducing BF from 6 mo, introducing FF, starting food at the same time, I am nervous about choking and want to take it really slowly, have to be completely finished BF by 9 months (as per previous SPD-related reasons). And I already know how to cook thanks. Is there such a book out there?