jan 09; dream feeds, sod mummy's needs, shes on her knees...the one where it all starts to get better (hopefully)!

[fourlittlefeet]

here we are; a bit early, but one more task done. tick

Wow. busy on here this evening.

It is funny to think how far we have all come from the times we were all talking about scans, then moaning about going into labour, and here we are moaning about other things! :-)

Tree i havent got one of those teddies with the heartbeat in it, but one of my NCT friends has got it, and swears by it! I think not only does it have a heartbeat on it, but also soothing music, and you can making a recording of your voice too. The one she has is movement activated too.

Is anyone else still swaddling? There seems to be conflicting info on when to stop swaddling? Esme loves her swaddle, and she didn't nap well without it the other day, which is worrying me shes not going to want to come out of it. the package of her "mircale" swaddle blanket said 0-14 weeks. Tonight she is asleep with one arm out, and is asleep fine, but she still seems to jerk and wake herself up whenever her arms are out. Is this the moro reflex still? bit concerned going to be swaddling her still at 1 at this rate!?! Any tips for easing her out of the swaddle blanket without disturbing her sleep routine?

Does everyone else still have LO in their rooms/beds? Esme is in a moses basket next to the bed, but she is long (mostly legs, lucky girl!!) so wont be comfy in the basket for much longer! Am thinking of putting her into her own room at 12 weeks (shes 10 now.) i know the recommendation is 6 months, but she'll be uncomfy in the basket before long. Also, our monitor has a breathing sensor, so thats reassuring.

Jokat - DD, 2lbs 15oz
Looweeza - DS 4th Dec, Kit, 7lbs 13oz
Chefswife - DD 9th Dec, Violet May, 6lbs 7oz
HeathersMummy - DS 17th Dec, Fraser, 7lbs 2oz
Qumps - DS 19th Dec, Stanley, 7lbs 12oz
Kittenpaws - DD 22nd Dec, Susanna, 7lbs
NatalieJane - DS 27th Dec, Mikey
Ginni - DD 26th Dec, No name yet, 6lbs 15oz
Scared - 29th Dec
Mel2005 - TWINS 29th December. Alice 6lb3oz, Oscar 5lb 5oz.
TallulahBelle - TWINS 31st Dec
mppaw - DS, 3rd Jan
spink - DD, 7th Jan 11:37am
lennied - DS 7th Jan, Dylan Jacob, 7lbs 14oz, DD Dec 2006, 2.3yo
newmomma - DS 7th Jan, Harry John
PattheHammer - DS 7th Jan, Zachary Peter, & lbs 10oz, DD June 2006, Evelyn, 2.10yrs
periwink - DD 10th Jan, Ariella, 6:49, 8lbs 10oz
buickmackane - DS 13th Jan, William Ben, 7lb 7oz
Nellybell - DD 13th Jan, Polly, 7lbs 3oz
witchandchips - DD 14th Jan baby girl, 8lb 6oz
moosemama - DD 15th Jan, Elizabeth Jane
MsSparkle - DS 15th Jan, Finley Stephen, 9lb 8oz
Shanster - DD 15th Jan, Mairi, 7lb 9oz
Largeginandtonic - DD 16th Jan, India Rose, 9lb 5oz
Blue Sapphire - DS 16th Jan, David Alexander
FourLittleFeet - DS 17th Jan, Hugo, 8lb 6oz
Stripeywoollenhat - DD 18th Jan, Catherine Eleanor, 7lb 13oz
Tink - dd1 29th of aug 2005 atlanta eden sky, 6lbs12.5ozs
DD2 19th Jan 2009, Bracken Hope Willow, 8lb 7oz
Ooggs - DS 20th Jan, Luke Daniel, 8lb 6oz
Hkz- DS 21st Jan, Jude Peter, 7lb 5oz
Treedelivery - DD 22nd Jan, Harriet 7lb 12oz. Jessie 03/10/2004 blb 4oz
MissHairspray - DS 22nd Jan, Oliver James 9lb 12oz
RRay - DD 23rd Jan, Esme Mae, 6lb 6oz
Booksgalore - DD 27th Jan
LooseyC - DS 27th Jan, Toby, 7lb 8oz
MissJackson - 29th Jan 8lb7
Eachpeachpearmum - 2nd Feb 8lb 10
elkiedee 3rd feb 10lb Conor
FYM - 4th feb 10lb 5oz James
Dog DD 10th Feb, Isla Rose 8lb 15oz DS (Arlo Louis) 2.4 (3rd december 06) DD (Bethany Ella) 14th Feb 05

Hi all, added myself to list. Will catch up later. Zach was an absolute angel at the easter fayre yesterday, did I expect anything else? Cold not bothering him either and starting to clear up a bit now. Off down to my mums at the seaside for a week now, hopefully there is access to MN!

Admiring lots of you for the washable nappies, would have love to have done it but no washing line/airing space and DH would go mad if washer on anymore than it is already.

Tree- got a heartbeat bear, not really helped with either of my two but tis a lovely soft teddy (bit expensive in hindsight for a teddy!)

Babygyms, I recommend not buying one new, we got one from NCT nearly new sale. I think lots of babies hate lying on their backs and they are not using them for long so there are lots of almost pristine ones out there.

Moose Zach also feeds regularly, but only for about 5-10mins a time and does a good stretch at night so not bothered

Ray Put Esme in when you feel comfortable, the monitor sounds reassuring. We are keeping Zach in with us in travel cot for now as he will be sharing with DD. Easier when they go into own room. We moved DD in at 12 weeks and slept in with her (on sofabed) for a week, gradually moved back to our room. She was such a LOUD sleeper though, had to do it for my own sanity.

Stripey Hope you had a better night

Big hello to everyone else, must go pack!
PTH x

.

Crap, should say '7lbs 10oz', must preview, must preview............

LOL at tree and Lenni's real nappy love-in! We use disposables when we are out and about, and tots bots at home - I have to confess my baby clad in nothing but a fluffy nappy is possibly one of the cutest sights known to mankind...

Thanks tree, will email you my address.

stripey A while back I had problems in the evening with my milk supply, but eventually I just let Nye spend as much time suckling as he wanted (before I had been trying to hold him off in an effort to let my boobs fill up) - in a couple of days it seemed like my boobs had responded and were making more. I was really confused about milk production and article on good old kellymom really helped me.

ray Nest is great idea, I am onto it.... Nye loves sitting up generally, so I think it will suit him. Also have a bumbo on order!

Lenni I am south wales - but English border really - Brecon Beacons, near Abergavenny. If anyone is ever up this way, give me a shout!

Jokat - DD, 2lbs 15oz
Looweeza - DS 4th Dec, Kit, 7lbs 13oz
Chefswife - DD 9th Dec, Violet May, 6lbs 7oz
HeathersMummy - DS 17th Dec, Fraser, 7lbs 2oz
Qumps - DS 19th Dec, Stanley, 7lbs 12oz
Kittenpaws - DD 22nd Dec, Susanna, 7lbs
NatalieJane - DS 27th Dec, Mikey
Ginni - DD 26th Dec, No name yet, 6lbs 15oz
Scared - 29th Dec
Mel2005 - TWINS 29th December. Alice 6lb3oz, Oscar 5lb 5oz.
TallulahBelle - TWINS 31st Dec
mppaw - DS, 3rd Jan
spink - DD, 7th Jan 11:37am
lennied - DS 7th Jan, Dylan Jacob, 7lbs 14oz, DD Dec 2006, 2.3yo
newmomma - DS 7th Jan, Harry John
periwink - DD 10th Jan, Ariella, 6:49, 8lbs 10oz
buickmackane - DS 13th Jan, William Ben, 7lb 7oz
Nellybell - DD 13th Jan, Polly, 7lbs 3oz
witchandchips - DD 14th Jan baby girl, 8lb 6oz
moosemama - DD 15th Jan, Elizabeth Jane
MsSparkle - DS 15th Jan, Finley Stephen, 9lb 8oz
Shanster - DD 15th Jan, Mairi, 7lb 9oz
Largeginandtonic - DD 16th Jan, India Rose, 9lb 5oz
Blue Sapphire - DS 16th Jan, David Alexander
FourLittleFeet - DS 17th Jan, Hugo, 8lb 6oz
Stripeywoollenhat - DD 18th Jan, Catherine Eleanor, 7lb 13oz
Tink - dd1 29th of aug 2005 atlanta eden sky, 6lbs12.5ozs
DD2 19th Jan 2009, Bracken Hope Willow, 8lb 7oz
Ooggs - DS 20th Jan, Luke Daniel, 8lb 6oz
Hkz- DS 21st Jan, Jude Peter, 7lb 5oz
Treedelivery - DD 22nd Jan, Harriet 7lb 12oz. Jessie 03/10/2004 blb 4oz
MissHairspray - DS 22nd Jan, Oliver James 9lb 12oz
RRay - DD 23rd Jan, Esme Mae, 6lb 6oz
Booksgalore - DD 27th Jan
LooseyC - DS 27th Jan, Toby, 7lb 8oz
MissJackson - 29th Jan, Aneurin (Nye) Paul William 8lb7oz
Eachpeachpearmum - 2nd Feb 8lb 10
elkiedee 3rd feb 10lb Conor
FYM - 4th feb 10lb 5oz James
Dog DD 10th Feb, Isla Rose 8lb 15oz DS (Arlo Louis) 2.4 (3rd december 06) DD (Bethany Ella) 14th Feb 05

Sorry, managed to miss page 33 and posted wrong list.

ray I am not going to stop swaddling Nye for another couple of months, heard somewhere that it's fine until 4-6 months, and every time I let him sleep without swaddle, he is awake within an hour!

Jokat - DD, 2lbs 15oz
Looweeza - DS 4th Dec, Kit, 7lbs 13oz
Chefswife - DD 9th Dec, Violet May, 6lbs 7oz
HeathersMummy - DS 17th Dec, Fraser, 7lbs 2oz
Qumps - DS 19th Dec, Stanley, 7lbs 12oz
Kittenpaws - DD 22nd Dec, Susanna, 7lbs
NatalieJane - DS 27th Dec, Mikey
Ginni - DD 26th Dec, No name yet, 6lbs 15oz
Scared - 29th Dec
Mel2005 - TWINS 29th December. Alice 6lb3oz, Oscar 5lb 5oz.
TallulahBelle - TWINS 31st Dec
mppaw - DS, 3rd Jan
spink - DD, 7th Jan 11:37am
lennied - DS 7th Jan, Dylan Jacob, 7lbs 14oz, DD Dec 2006, 2.3yo
newmomma - DS 7th Jan, Harry John
PattheHammer - DS 7th Jan, Zachary Peter, & lbs 10oz, DD June 2006, Evelyn, 2.10yrs
periwink - DD 10th Jan, Ariella, 6:49, 8lbs 10oz
buickmackane - DS 13th Jan, William Ben, 7lb 7oz
Nellybell - DD 13th Jan, Polly, 7lbs 3oz
witchandchips - DD 14th Jan baby girl, 8lb 6oz
moosemama - DD 15th Jan, Elizabeth Jane
MsSparkle - DS 15th Jan, Finley Stephen, 9lb 8oz
Shanster - DD 15th Jan, Mairi, 7lb 9oz
Largeginandtonic - DD 16th Jan, India Rose, 9lb 5oz
Blue Sapphire - DS 16th Jan, David Alexander
FourLittleFeet - DS 17th Jan, Hugo, 8lb 6oz
Stripeywoollenhat - DD 18th Jan, Catherine Eleanor, 7lb 13oz
Tink - dd1 29th of aug 2005 atlanta eden sky, 6lbs12.5ozs
DD2 19th Jan 2009, Bracken Hope Willow, 8lb 7oz
Ooggs - DS 20th Jan, Luke Daniel, 8lb 6oz
Hkz- DS 21st Jan, Jude Peter, 7lb 5oz
Treedelivery - DD 22nd Jan, Harriet 7lb 12oz. Jessie 03/10/2004 blb 4oz
MissHairspray - DS 22nd Jan, Oliver James 9lb 12oz
RRay - DD 23rd Jan, Esme Mae, 6lb 6oz
Booksgalore - DD 27th Jan
LooseyC - DS 27th Jan, Toby, 7lb 8oz
MissJackson - 29th Jan, Aneurin (Nye) Paul William 8lb 7oz
Eachpeachpearmum - 2nd Feb 8lb 10
elkiedee 3rd feb 10lb Conor
FYM - 4th feb 10lb 5oz James
Dog DD 10th Feb, Isla Rose 8lb 15oz DS (Arlo Louis) 2.4 (3rd december 06) DD (Bethany Ella) 14th Feb 05

morning

elkie and moose....

with my ds1 I started with very frequent feeding and switched to a routine. with 3-4 hour gap between feeding he put on more weight than feeding 1-2 hourly. HOWEVER you do have to 'make them wait' at first as they are so used to snacking - once he'd done it once he learned to take more each time but it was hard 'waiting' the first 4 hours!!! I took him out shopping which helped

thanks for the sympathy: i really thought the evening crying was starting to resolve itself, had it down to about forty five minutes... (forty five mins of howling at my breasts followed by sleeping on my lap for the evening. cots? psshaw... but i can handle being a mattress as i'm sure she'll grow out of it, it's the crying i can't stand. makes me feel like a shit mum)

missj - i thought just going with it would increase my supply but it hasn't, at least, not in the evenings when she wants it. i think that my let down is just very slow and this really frustrates her at night when she wants to tank up before bed. am going to try starting the feed with 50ml ebm this evening to see if that sorts it out.

on the upside, when she finally collapsed with exhaustion last night at about ten she then slept through till five thirty this morning! not that i did, kept waking up to check she was breathing...

also, four hourly feeds? every hour and a half if i'm lucky... poor old nipples...

stripey fennel tea may help let down... It tastes quite nice- aniseed/liquoricey

We had a lovely day- picnic at botanical gardens... ds slept for ages in open air, and dd ran around, and listened to the band, looked at the birdies etc.

stripey - she doesn't sound hungry if she's sleeping from 10 to 5:30 - are you sure it isn't wind???

botanical gardens sounds good

right which pram ladies :-

www.toysrus.co.uk/Toys-R-Us/Toys/Dolls/Baby-Dolls-and-Accessories/Silver-Cross-Ranger-Junior-Pram-Pi stachio(0031180)

or

www.elc.co.uk/toy/my-first-pram/

fym - she has never slept that long before... i think she just wants to feel full quickly before she goes to sleep, it's not that my supply is insufficient but by the time she feels full in the evenings she is way overtired. starting the process earlier doesn't seem to help though.

dog, thanks. c is eleven weeks now, so maybe there's only one more week to go...

eppm, i hate fennel tea, sadly. but will give it another go... (anybody else finding breast feeding harder than pregnancy in terms of diet?)

okay, i don't want to jinx it but after 45ml of ebm and a normal feed, c is fast asleep in her cot....

also, re reusables, i tried imse vimse (i think that's what they are called, anyway) and it was like not bothering to put a nappy on her... wee everywhere. i would like to try again though - i was thinking of buiyng one bumgenius all in one and giving it a try (just cos i like the look of them, not very scientific) - anybody used these?

Evening ladies.

Beautiful day here, too Esme for first swim, which well, i think she liked, she didn't cry and gave a few little smiles, like Dog said she was pretty chilled about the whole thing. Then we wandered around the outlet village next door and had lunch at pizza express- even sat outside! Loving the spring weather!!!

Good on all you using reusables. i feel a little bad not using "proper" nappies, but i don't think i could bear the washing, etc.

Stripey Fantastic news, fingers crossed for you she stays asleep.

MissJ Have 1/2 swaddled Esme tonight, with her arms out. Eeeek. We shall see how it goes. if she wakes before her 10.30pm feed (which she never does, infact its a job to wake her) then i'll fully swaddle her after that feed. Esme loves her nest, and her bumbo seat!

Dog haven't been to cornwall for YEARS! but have very fond memories of going as a child, and a Tshirt i LOVED from a surf shop called "Fat Willys Surf Shack" only NOW do i understand why my parents were a- hesitant to buy me the tshirt, b- didn't like me wearing it out. i must have been about 8! haha!

Swimming really tired little Esme out. She was dying for her lunch time nap, and alsmost fell asleep in the bath tonight! bless her.

Hope all had lovely weekend! My mother and sister are coming to stay tomorrow. as its easter holidays for them, My mother is a teacher and my sister is at uni.Hopefully it'll stay nice weather!!

C slept from about 10 pm to 6 am last night! He woke up desperately hungry but after a feed, a nappy change and another feed went back to sleep for another couple of hours. I also woke up feeling painfully full, but at least that meant I was very happy for him to feed for a while.

oh well, 45 minutes better than nowt. but the kid is absolutely psychic about dinner... peas everywhere...

dp currently at work with soother and hairdryer. fingers crossed...

elkie, fab re c - hope it's the start of a trend. ray, hope esme's half swaddle works.

HELP!! Afraid Esmes 1/2 swaddle hasn't worked! She hasnt woken up after going down at 7pm for weeks and weeks. Yes 1/2 swaddled she woke after 40 mins.

Tried the pick up put down method i'd read about before, picking her up, as soon as settled putting her straight back down, did that about 50 times and poor little mite was getting so worked up, then started rooting so fed her AGAIN, then went down for about 5 mins, and woke again. have given up and she is swaddled. just don't think she is ready to sleep without it.

Does anyone know anything concrete on the fact swaddling beyond a few weeks is frowned on? everything i can find online says that as long as they want to be swaddled up until about 1, thats fine?? Hmm??

Has anyone had this with any of their other children? How did you get them to go without their swaddle blanket?

starting to wonder if i never should have swaddled her?

Shes 10 weeks, and weighs 10 lb 9.
Poor little mite obviously likes the comfort. just worried as i'm sure someone said something about stunting their development. Think will get onto HV and ask the current "recommendations"

OH & had a bit of an argument about her this evening. He said that the pick up and put down method was pointless because everytime she cried we were picking her up, teaching her that if she cries we'll pick her up. Supose he is right, but i'm sure its a well known & used method. Right?

I know, Fat Willys Surf Shack! Parents must have been horrified when i wanted that t shirt. My sister and i had matching ones!

Better get off MN and slink into the other room and make up with OH.

Rrrayray - Only thing I was told when I asked HV about it was that they shouldn't be swaddled once they can roll over (DD rolled at about 16wks) as if they get onto their front they can't lift their heads very easily if their arms are swaddled at their sides. Do you have a baby sleeping bag? How about putting Esme in a sleeping bag and then lying her on top of a sheet and tucking the sheet around her arms and underneath her (so it doesn't cover her body but traps her arms next to her sides)? Then you could gently release her arms to have a little more movement gradually until she was eventually just in the sleeping bag?

DD gave up her swaddle blanket at about 5/6wks without bother as she was too big for it and DS hated it so never bothered.

Stripey - glad you sound brighter. One day at a time same as labour contractions(!), every week it will get a little bit easier and once you hit 6 months they change completely. I know it doesn't feel like it now but it really is such a short time that they are proper babies, you are halfway through the worst bit now. Once they are sitting and in a better sleep routine during the day with a big nap in the morning and another in the afternoon instead of little bits of sleep here and there they really do get so much easier and you get much more rest too.

Despite being run off my feet and finding DD a challenge with tantrums/constant battles over independence I'm finding no.2 a lot easier to deal with. I don't panic over things and am just enjoying him more.

Amazing sleep Elkie - you are doing so well with him. I hope you are giving yourself loads of credit for getting through all of that and managing to exclusively breastfeed, it is an incredible achievement.

Rrrayray - think it was me who said about development - that was the 'old' advice on swaddling I was given when DD was a baby. HV said it has been abandoned now - probably research been done or something.

thanks lenni - she is back in her cot asleep now thanks to dp's sterling efforts, i have had a tiny glass of wine and am relaxing on the sofa listening to the hairdryer through the baby monitor (we are going to have to record it, i imagine it's kind of expensive to run it for so long)