April 2005 babies!!!

[Gem1355]

Hi

Howz everyone doing?

Darcie is doing well but losing abit of weight after she put it on after inital weight loss but okay other than that.

would post a picture but don't know how!

Aww thanks for that

It's good to hear from an experienced Mum that babies born into the same family (and therefore presumably being treated in exactly the same way) can vary so much. From all the sleep-related books (which I feel I should put in the BIN) you end up feeling it's something you're doing wrong. But the more I hear from others, the more I think it just depends on the baby maybe.

Oh - and as for some of them sleeping eleven hours or so... one woman made me laugh. She goes, "oh, DD sleeps through from 7pm until 7:30am"

How wonderful, thinks I, slighly enviously. Then she says, "of course I feed her a couple of times during the night but she goes right back to sleep".

If THAT is the definition of 'sleeping through the night' then DD has been doing it since about six weeks!!!

Hello everyone,

It's nice to hear I'm not the only one still up at all hours. My dd and ds were both sleeping through by 6 and 8 weeks - 8 til 7. Ravi still wakes up most nights, and often wakes Akshay with him. I've been weaning and thought I was gettign it cracked with a new routine, but last night he was up at 2.30 farting! Kept it up for ages then finally went back to sleep. agree too, that lack of sleep def doesn't help relationships. It does get better tho!

They are doing very well otherwise. both are rolling, and tryign to sit. Ravi took his first steps holding on to me yesterday - straight over to the coffee table for some destruction! They are both porkers too - weigh abt 22lbs each

I've also been working on their sleeping position as Ravi has developed quite a bad flat head, and Akshay is slightly flat. They loved being swaddled, but I had to stop it as they didn't move at all in bed, making it worse. I'm less worried now they are tendign to sleep on their side more.

I jsut can't believe how quick the time is going, they are growing up so quick. Part of me can't wait to see them runnign around, and not be so wingy and frustrated. But part of me is so scared at the thought of two wreckign havoc on my home!

Verso, Jack still doesnt sleep through. Thought we had cracked it a few weeks ago, but I was wrong. He wakes up normally once in the night, around 4am, and used to have a small bottle and quite happily go back to sleep within about 15 mins of us going in to him. Then about 2 weeks ago, decided that he didnt want to do that anymore and now wakes up earlier and takes upto 2hrs to get back down . Have tried putting in our bed if he starts faffing, but now that doesnt even work....

I spoke to my HV yesterday when i got him weighed (18lbs 3oz @ 19wks) and she suggested giving him all his bottles as SMA White - was doing 2 gold and 3 white - due to the higher calorie content. Also, now that he is being weaned, to give him 2 meals a day. She also said it could be separation anxiety. I dont think it could be, as he has been in his own room since he was 3 weeks old...

Followed her suggestions yesterday and he did sleep through until 6.30am. Not going to hold my breath that he will do it again tonight, because I dont want to jinx it

Dont know if any of this might help........

Maya's 4th day in nursery today. She is finally taking more milk now while she is there. today she took 7 oz of ebm and 5 oz of formula. I was so proud. She only took 2 oz in the first 5 hrs yesterday and later took 3 oz more of ebm, much to my distress. She seems less exhausted today when I picked her up so she is getting used to it. Poor angel. She has been feeding a lot in the evening and night to make up though!

I have also been able to express more than I could hope for 9 oz in one session today at lunchtime. Last night another 3oz in 20 mins. Slowly building a bit extra in the freezer and taking the ebm I pump at work to the nursery in the evening to be used the next day.

Hello

I took Darcie to the eye clinic today, as her eyes keep watering for no particular reason the consultant said she thinks her tear duct drain isn't wide enough yet and to keep and eye on it, if her eyes become red, or gungy then to take her straight back but other than that her vision is perfect!

Anyone tried pick up / put down yet? Akshay seems to be havign trouble settlign himself in the evenings. Pattign him to sleep does work, but takes ages and normally 2 or 3 attempts. I vaguely remembered readign about soemthing called pu/pd and tried that, and that worked last night, tok about three goes. Since we had a week in spain and every evening he was rocked to sleep in the buggy or in the car, he has been a pain to get to sleep in the evenings, even though he is fine during the day. It's been two weeks woth no improvement, so I need to do soemthing.

Kelly try this website. Its the babywhisperer from Discovery Health.

ooh tahnks for that. I'm not a great believer in set routines, but some of the tips are great.

I dont go by rountine - but do agree that some tips do work

Am also having sleep issues. We were all up at 5 this morning as dd is now waking up whenever ds cries (anytips from those with toddlers?). She used to sleep through the crying but seems to be using it as an excuse to come in our room to watch milkshake!

Verso - I've also had those lonnnnng chats with dh. His problem was that he felt like he I wouldn't let him see if he could do it on his own and always came to the rescue even if not needed. From what you said about taking over from him at 3am and that he only said he would 'try' because he disn't want to let you down maybe your dh is the same. I still find it really difficult to hear one of the kids crying and not go in and sort the problem out in half the time it takes dh, but have found that he can do it and will if I let him. Big test is coming at the end of the month when I'm going away with the girls for the weekend shopping and (don't laugh' clubbing!

Am most excited about next Sunday as going to see Balamory live - think I'm more excited than dd.

hi all - haven't posted for ages - lovely to hear how all the littles ones are doing. can't believe some of us are back to work already. how did that happen?

Esther is doing great,she is a joy to be around, laughing and chortling all the time. She doesn't sleep thro yet although now only wakes once about 2or 3 am for a feed (only since we put her in her own room a week or so ago) - we did have one night where we did dr. ferber on her (she had been feeding almost every hour at night and I was knackered) so between that and her own room she seems more settled now. We tried her on solids a week or two ago but it made her very unsettled at night so we stopped that for now. Will try again in a week or two.

I am back at work part time now and finding it VERY hard. I just want to be with Essie. Nanny started today (very nice, very capable) and I am working from home only p/t for now so it is a gentle intro but I still don't like it. Abslutely DREADING next month when my days go up and E has to go to nursery a couple of days a week too. Feel like crying just thinking of it. She won't take a bottle so not quite sure what we will do then.

Anyway. Love to you all and your gorgeous tots. If anyone can think of a way that I can avoid having to continue working please tell me!

Hello all

I went back to work today, it was the hardest thing i had to do this morning going back to work, but i did it and lasted the day.
It was okay i'm getting back into the swing of things now, so not long till i'm back to myself there!!

Got Darcie her highchair yesterday and she loves it!

MotherP, you could always win the lottery, I suppose. Not sure what else to suggest, apart from selling your soul or something... will have a think. How old is Esther btw? We were wondering about Ferber but I'm a bit chicken to be honest.

LeggyM I can see what you mean about my DH but I really don't think that's it, as I do leave him to his own devices if he is doing something. He's just not hugely reliable. He's getting better (I sometimes wonder whether he peeks on here to see what I've been saying about him !) so maybe I shouldn't complain. V jealous of you going clubbing btw, although I hung up my dancing shoes about ten years ago. Ooh, my mis-spent youth . Hope you have a good time.

Kelly, I tried PU/PD but all I succeeded in doing was annoying DD. She hated it! I think all babies are so different though, that you have to try all the different approaches to find out which one works for you. Not much help, I know, but that's my experience.

Darciesmum - glad work seems to have gone ok on the first day back. Keep us posted!

I'm currently trying to decide exactly when to go back to work. I'm now thinking the week after half term, so DH and I have some time to work on DD's sleep without it mattering workwise during the day. Had a bit of a rubbish day yesterday as DD got hugely overtired in the afternoon but refused to nap. Poor thing got herself into a total state and WOULD NOT be comforted .

I hope today is better!

Verso, have thought about the lottery - although unfortunately I don't play it, maybe I'll start. I have a deal with my friend in Ireland that if she wins she will pay for me to give up work so we can spend time with her and her kids. Must get that in writing

Esther was five months last week. We actually didn't find Ferber that bad, I was dreading it but there was only one night when she was upset and DH stayed with her all the time comforting her. From that night one she only wakes once a night (although she did wake twice last night but I didn't feed her the second time, DH shushed her and she went off to sleep fine). I know what you mean about thinking it is harsh, but it does seem to work. Of course i should now be continuing to use the technique to eradicate the one feed a night but i think I'll wait a while, that seems a bit drastic. Remind me, is your lo in the room with you?

any ideas you have on me getting out of teh rat race most welcome. Unfortunately we do have rather a large mortgage to pay, tho' I have made noises to DH about downsizing recently. Hard to do in London.

Hope you get things sorted out with your DH. I remember it being very very hard to get things balanced with DH first time around and it is so stressful.

Darciesmum, glad it all went well at work.

Alux, glad maya is settling well at nursery. You are a brave woman!

DarciesMum - Glad it wasn't too bad going back to work. I have been in two mornings, one last week and yesterday. My maternity cover went on her hols as i was asked if i fancied covering her!! Glad i did as it will make it easier when i go back in 3 weeks. What high chair did you get for Darcie? We got Jack a wooden one that turns into a table and chair as he gets older.

Alux - glad Maya is doing well at nursery. Jack has his taster days towards the end of Sept. We have 3 visits booked. One to meet the key worker and to explain how everything works. One where we need to leave him for an hour and the last one to leave him for 2 hrs and they will give him his lunch so he gets used to them doing it. Then the following day he starts properly.

MotherPerculiar - Cant think of anything at the mo to help with you being able to give up work.... But I agree with the lottery being an idea, although I must tell you all that I am due to win the next jackpot

I cant believe how quickly the last 4.5mths have flown by. Seems like Jack has been around for ever. Dont think it will be long before he is crawling. He is pulling himself along the floor pretty much everytime he rolls onto his front.

I know it is only September, but has anyone been thinking of what to get the little ones for xmas. I know that a box filled with paper is probably a good one. My family have asked what he would like, but not really sure what to ask for..... Thought about asking for money, as we have a savings account for him. We have quite a few bits and bobs, that we have been given or lent and thought that if we had money then we could get something later on when he really needs it... Any ideas??

Went into Boots yesterday and they were putting out their xmas cards and some of the gift packs!!

Maya seems to have decided this week to only take as much milk as necessary at nursery and wait for me! little mite only had 3.5 oz today but seems none the worse for wear. Feeding a lot at night tho! She has pretty bad eczema which we are controlling pretty well with slathering with olive oil. saw the gp today and he prescribed a cream for bad flare ups. I asked if he would prescribed a breast pump and said no one before had asked about one but nicely phoned the chemist who said the same. Chemist will find out tomorrow if I can get one on the NHS and will let me know. I think gp is working on the theory that bf is keeping eczema in check.

Hello

Yeah everything is going to plan at work, i can't bring myself to put Darcie in nursery so she is being looked after by my mum and ten my best mate.

Alux how do you feel about putting Maya into nursery?

MP not sure about the work thing but agree with everyone else bout the lottery thing, although i'm next after April Meadow

Verso how r u doing?

I'm new to Mumsnet and have just been directed to this post natl group as my dd was born 27 April - a week early. Is anyone else getting to the stage where you think you have only had your lo 5 minutes but then realise quite a bit of time has past?

Hi everyone, it's so good reading all the messages where everyone can't believe how quickly time has flown. DD is 19 weeks now and things are starting to seem 'normal'!! Lots of babies seem to be rolling over and shuffling or nearly crawling but Eleanor is nowhere near that yet (or doesn't appear to be)... anyone else like this? Does anyone else have a 'sicky baby' too? She constantly spits up a variety of forms from plain milk to cheesy milk to water... We were trying out high chairs last week and she sicked up all over the most expensive one there was in Mothercare which was interesting to say the least

Hi!
Just back from a lovely 2 weeks in Cornwall. As a result of being in his slightly less comfy travel cot A was waking several times in the night and taking ages to settle again - he seems to have settled a bit now he is back in his own cot so here's hoping he will revert back to his previous good sleeping habits.

As for rolling etc 'swampduck, he is still content to laze around not doing too much .... the most he does when on his playmat is swivel himself round so he is facing the other way. He is also fairly sicky although not as bad as dd was - constant regurgitation of varying consistencies until she was well over a year old I'm afraid!

Have arranged to go back to work on 19 December so am also praying for a big lottery or premium bond win!

Thanks Roobie - that's good to know. I'm due back to work mid November and have started playing Friday night's Euro millions now as well as the Lottery on Saturday - I'm keeping 'em crossed for everyone!

hello april babies. i have been avidly watching your progress but haven't managed to post anything yet - baby always manages to hijack me, i've abandoned several posts here. everybody seems to be doing so well, and its lovely to hear how you are all doing.

merlin has had colic, still not completely gone so we have no routine whatsoever. he is a tiny like locket's saskia and is rolling around everywhere. very lively baby, needs constant entertainment, so i'm exhausted most of the time.

unfortunately he's got an inguinal hernia - we're waiting for hospital apt to see what happens next - operation i gather, which is so awful that i have put it all from my mind until i have to deal with it. oh dear he is awake, well at least i got this far!