Nov 09 and we're feeling fine, feeding, burping, not enough sleeping - that's us!

[BeckyBendyLegs]

Just thought I'd better create a new thread.

Raggie how about a trip to Burford?

Hi guys, Toby goes to bed about 8.45pm and wakes up 7.15-45am. He does still wake in the night though - usually a squark or two at about 1am and quite a lot around 4am. He sometimes wakes again about 6am but DH gives him his dummy at that point as he gets up to go to work! He then has 3/4 naps a day - morning, lunch, afternoon and sometimes before his bath a quick catnap in the sling but he's growing out of that now (although if he doesn't have it he's very tired by bedtime).

Toby has eczema quite badly took him to the docs today who gave me some hydrocortizone / antibiotic cream for the sore bits. We think this might have been keeping him awake at night last week. His face is so flakey. DS1 had eczema until he was 5 years but not this bad this early on.

Anyway, hope you are all well I'm still struggling with sleep issues, last night had about 3 hours! But hope things are sorting themselves out with a mixture of hypnotherapy (for anxiety), homeotherapy (which promotes the body to heal itself) and the odd herbal tablet when desperate to sleep. Trying to avoid tablets though if I can. Not sure how I got myself in this insomnia pickle but determined to get better. Whether I have mild PND or not we don't really know.

Weston i remember when DD struggled to gain weight. I stressed a lot, and tried bottles all sorts to get her to put on more weight. HV made me feel really crap about my milk supply. I saw the GP who said there was nothing wrong, just a small baby, and that as long as she was happy and content, pooing and weeing and meeting all her milestones, then clearly she was getting all the nutrition she needed. I then saw a different HV who was a locum and she told me that birth weight is not always a clear indicator of future weight, as the baby grows to your womb size (potentially) rather than the size they are definitely going to be. This was proven in my eyes this year when a friend of mine who is diabetic gave birth to a baby on 50th centile, then plummeted straight down to bottom centile, they sent her to paediatrician who confirmed just because she was a bigger baby, not necessarily where she was meant to be, and that her diabetes played a part, they were not concerned. But i know how hard it is, had DD actually taken a bottle from us, i would probably have stopped bf'ing because of the fear it was my milk. But i am glad i did not, as she was weaned, her weight stayed in the same place despite all the food she ate (when she was 19months old she was 21lb). Also, do you have a breastfeeding weight chart? I was reminded this time (as well as being told last time by nice locum HV) that these charts are based on 1960's bottle fed babies, so your baby would be higher on the charts of a breastfeeding chart.

oh and 3oz means she is putting on weight, not losing it.

Thank you everyone for being nice and reassuring me - I really needed it today. And Pavlov, you made me laugh. Yes he is a tosser, and yes he is used to getting is own way. Hopefully he'll sort himself out so we can get back to being good.
Maman sorry to hear about your LO being poorly, it's not a nice time for mum or baby
Weston not every baby is the same, and the whole way 'average' works means there will be bigger and smaller babies. And like pavlov said, your LO is not losing weight.
Becky I hope Toby's eczema gets better. Could it be the cold weather and central heating making it worse at the moment? Sorry I don't know much about it.

Preggo, I think pavlov's idea of writing your thoughts and whishes down is great. This way, you have time to think about it, you can put it in the right order and you can stay calm. As you proposed doing mediation you seem to want him being part of his life. But if you think, he is only making you and your family feeling bad, it might be better to keep him out (who knows, he might even realise that he should change to get you back)

ursi I'd asked about liners. Currently washing first batch of dirty nappies so I'll see how well they clean before looking at other options. Current liners are flushable, they resemble toilet paper but are much thicker. No chance of containing my baby's poos.

Weston I second what pav & k8 have said. Someone has to make up the 1st and 99th percentile, maybe your daughter is just destined to be petite. Hope the gp is supportive.

BBL you've got a great routine going there, well done you! Did Toby find this himself or was he gently persuaded?

Pav and Ursi - I've been thinking about it and think I will write a letter. Good idea. I think sometimes he hears things distorted, or doesn't listen. At least with a letter he can read it again, and some of it might sink in as he won't just be waiting to say his next piece so will actually absorb what is being said.
Becky how did you get on with breastfeeding by the way? Last time I was on properly you were where I was up to just before I had to stop. Are you ok now? x

claire re. reusables - BF poo is so soluble that it doesn't matter if it gets all over the nappies. DD is masterful at missing most of the liner. They get more solid when on solids, and that's when you really want to flush them away!

preggo we had to tell MIL to back off with DD1 as she found an excuse to be round daily or issue us with dinner invites to the point that I never held my daughter except when she needed fed and I felt I didn't know her. She reacted much like a toddler with a tantrum and cold silences, but she came round in the end.

erika what a pickle. The draw of BF is so strong that to give it up against your will may rock you too much. To do it you need to be convinced it's the right thing for you and Bryn, which is perfectly possible. A happy mum is a valuable thing. I hope that you get some sound advice from HCPs.

weston try hard not to stress. DD1 was in the same boat, but as you said a contented baby speaks volumes. I wish my beefcake was contented!

She has had a bad day today again, only sleeping about 25 mins all day. However I've found she has a rash across her tummy so I think she's reacting to something I ate. I had crumbed ham without thinking yesterday (gluten) and I've had 'free from' cookies recently that had soy in them. Doh. She just won't stay asleep. I'm going to try putting her in her carrycot just now. Wish me luck.

Thanks hobnob. Also concerned about Ethan's nappy rash which isn't healing. It doesn't seem to bother him just won't go away! I've bought that chamomile cream today, can't remember the name but hopefully this will heal the rash. I've been advised not to use any creams with reusables as they coat the fibres making them less absorbent so if he has nappy rash should I use disposables so I can use creams? And also as disposables draw the wee away from the surface and I'm not sure reusables do?

Weston here is the link to the kellymom page which has growth charts for breastfed babies, just to check your HVs are using the right ones. Some good advice there re not simply using weight as a measure of whether she is thriving or not.

Claire, I use sudocrem with reusables with no probs. IME DD1 got more nappy rash with disposables than she did with reusables, especially in the summer. She once got some which wouldn't go away and HV got me a prescription for an antifungal cream which worked overnight.

Hi all

I don't do baths every night here either, for either DS. Ds1 gets more baths now though as he likes to get in with Ioan (we have a plastic seat) but before that it was probably about once or twice a week

claire disposables have gel granules in them that absorb the wee hence taking it away from baby's skin. Reusables don't but should be more breathable. Is he getting some nappy free time to let the air get to his skin? It's caused by the mix of poo and wee on the skin, so quick changes after a dirty nappy can also help.
I use sudocream here and it clears anything up in no time.

coming down with a cold here, lovely!

Loving the pics on the facebook page too, although I struggle to work out who has posted the pics!

scarlotti we change as soon as he does a poo but I think it's overnight that has done the damage. This is another factor in not wanting to bring his bedtime forward as he currently has a change around 11/12 then one feed and a change on his 2nd wakeup around 7/8. He's not getting anymore rash but what he has isn't shifting. We do have nappy free time but I could probably try more. Hopefully this new cream will help as well.

I knew about the gel in disps but not sure whether reusables draw the wee away or not.

There is a list in the discussions page with mn names matched to real names. It's good to be able to put faces to names.

Which reminds me, pav Reuben is sooo handsome, I love his blonde hair! He looks very like his daddy.

claire I don't think they do as they are effectively like a towel around their bottoms. Also one of the plus points of reusables is that babies tend to potty train earlier as they can tell when they're wet.

Yes, pav, gorgeous pics of your dc's.

Will try and upload some of mine later.

I need your help ladies ... I'm so tired. Ioan has started waking at 3:30 for his feed, feeding well (much longer than before) but then he wakes again at about 5. Managed to delay him this morning until nearer 6, but then he literally has 3 mouthfuls and then just stays unsettled until 6:30/7 when it's wake up time. I'm getting really tired now as am suddenly losing about 2 hours sleep I've been used to.
His nappy is now soaking in the morning despite a change at 11pm. Is the longer feed making him more wet I wonder and that's why he's waking at 5ish? He's obviously not really hungry, but will take some if offered but it's just a top up really.
He used to wake just once a night for a feed, until about a week or so ago when he spurted.
I appreciate many of you are up a lot during the night and I'm aware I probably get more sleep than most, but this is getting really hard as I have no way of napping in the day and rarely get to catch up at weekend either.

scarlotti good point about the toilet training. Had forgotten about that. I know the nappy rash is caused by wee & poo combined but am I right to feel that the wee is irritating it?

Re sleep, can't really help. Ethan slept for a 6 hour block last night for the first time in about a week so our sleeping is pretty hit and miss. However I went to bed at 9:30pm about a week ago and DP brought the baby in for his last feed about 12 and I felt fab the next day. It's true what they say about the hours before midnight being worth more than the hours after I think. I think we will try that once a week for now. Is this a possibility to help you catch up?

Morning ladies,

We do baths every other day at the moment, dunking both dcs at the same time .

I agree with the pics on facebook, we have some beautiful babies on this thread!

I probably said this before claired but bepanthum is really excellent for nappy rash.

preggo sorry you're having trouble with your dad. Its so frustrating when our own family's don't understand how hard it is being new parents without the added stress of them being awkward! I now don't speak to my mil if I can help it because she just winds me up every time .

weston Anya is putting weight on very slowly too. I think, as others have said, she just has a little tummy. She'll only have a max of 3oz at each feed and that's on formula so I don't think it's anything to do with you bf. As long as she is putting weight on, albeit a couple of oz, I'm happy.

bbl what a fantastic routine Toby has gotten into! Very

scarlotti I'm not sure what to advise with Ioan's waking. Could it be wind bothering him? When he is unsettled does he need lifted or does he just fuss in his basket? Could he maybe be at an age where is is more aware of you being so close to him and therefore wants to be held? Sorry, I have just answered your question with a load of other questions! Very helpful not .

claire yes, I'd say the wee is irritating it once it's there, especially if the skin is open or cracked at all.

tok he fusses in his hammock. He'll take his dummy and doze off but then wake again a short while later having lost the dummy.

I'm thinking it's the nappy as he did this when I tried not changing him at 10pm. I think maybe the two big feeds (10:30pm and 3am) are obviously all being wee'd into the same nappy then he's uncomfortable. I'll try a 3am change tonight and see if that helps. Hoorah, not!

claire funny you should suggest that, I did that the night before my interview and it did help. Woould have helped more if I hadn't lay with my mind racing after the 10pm bottle though. My own fault for discussing money issues with dh then though! Am own worst enemy sometimes

sorry v quick post typing one handed...er: nappy rash. i spoke to nurse friend re nappy rash and she said the wee alone does not generally cause nappy rash, it is when poo and wee mix together that it irritates, also for those breastfeeding, tomatoes are notoriousw for causing reactions in breastfed babies and babies when they are first weaning (i also second bepanthen cream)

scarlotti could he be uncomfy due to full nappy? might he need a bigger nappy at night? (or is he using re-useables). just a thought. will respond to others later, just needed to do these while i had some thought!

I've tried bepanthen cream for the last week or so. I initially used the tester pot of sudocrem which was ok, quickly needed something new so tried bepanthen but this hasn't healed it at all. Will stick with the kamilosan for a few days and lots of nappy free time. If it doesn't improve I'll speak to HV next week.

Hobnob could it possibly be a bit of a virus? Joe had a pimply rash on his chest when he was poorly with his cough and cold.
I hope my dad sorts himself out like your MIL did. Do you have a happy relationship now?

Scarlotti - get some Echinacea down you! I don?t know if it really does work or not, but I?ve been drinking raspberry and Echinacea tea as soon as I get snuffly. It?s really yum too and Twinings do it so you can get from supermarket. Also, if it?s not wind or hunger waking up Ioan, could he just be waking for a bit of a cry? Joe often half wakes up for a bit of a cry at about 4am, but he?s not fully awake and if it?s bad I just stroke his hand to comfort him, and then he?s fully asleep again until about half 7. Or if it is the nappy, maybe use something like a pampers baby dry nappy (just for night if you?re reusing). They work absolute wonders for us.

Tok sorry to hear about problems with your MIL. I suppose the upside of it only being my dad who is being a nob is that I don?t have to see him if I don?t want to, and it wont upset DF (is that the shortened term for dear fiance?). Suppose it?s harder with in laws?

I feel very blessed as Joe goes to bed between 8 and 11, and can get himself to sleep if needed, and stays asleep until between 6 and 8 and will generally smile at me when I pick him up (unless I took too long getting his bottle ready, lol). I realise how lucky I am!

Oh and claire i suppose it might be a case of trial and error until you find something that works for you best. I hope you get it sorted soon though!

k8 that tea sounds lovely. I've been drinking mainly water as I suspect even diluted juice makes Ethan pretty sick. I'm desperate for something tasty so I think I'll check out the shop for some nice teas today! And you are very blessed with Joe's sleeping!

Ladies our first postnatal thread is almost complete! Can anyone suggest a new thread title?

scarlotti, no solution for you but if it helps: Paula is waking up more often again or wakes up again 30min after a feed what she never did. The last two nights were rather terrible for me. Funnily enough she seems to get easier during the day when it comes to sleeping in the basket instead of on mummy. I am actually wondering if there is a daily limit where she can sleep alone and if she uses it during the day she needs to sleep with me at night
And we had definitely a nappy problem. We are using the Pampers Baby Dry Size 3 at night and we had two nights with wet pyjama so we change her now once (somewhere between 3 and 5). Usually it doesn't bother her much and she falls asleep again easily(otherwise I continue bf a little) and it is usually my husband doing it so no problem for me either.

Claire it is gorgeous tea. Asda also do some really nice own brand ones, and the Peach, tangerine and echinacea one is lovely, and they have just fruit tea like forest fruits, etc. All yum.

Can't really suggest anything for night time leaks as this is something else we've dodged so far.

I feel a bit sick as have to take Joe for his jab in about 20 mins. I'm dreading it as he howled last time and cried all day afterwards. I take him myself and it breaks my heart. I know it's for the best though.

How about a new thread called "November 09 babies are growing up quick, and mummy?s getting used to getting covered in sick!"

Preggo I gave up on the breast feeding - it was just making me miserable and Toby wasn't at all settled. I was soooo sore too with cracked and bleeding nipples. He was throwing up blood from me in his basket it was horrible. At the time I went through a tough time about it but have dealt with it and feel fine about it now. He's happy and that's the main thing.

Toby sort of settled himself into a routine however he has to live around three trips to school in the day so that has helped! DH and I started bathing him from about 3 weeks at 8pm-ish and I guess he gradually got the message 'this is bedtime'. We are lucky in that respect.

Had a bad night with him though as his eczema is bad and he is waking a lot in the night, poor dab.