New, bright and shiny MARCH 2005 thread

[ZoeC]

Thought this was about due, hope that's okay

Well, no solids here (forget who asked that, sorry) - except she licked my finger when I was pureeing some apple but I don't think that really counts ). I have icecubes of carrot, apple and pear ready in the freezer though but really she's fine on milk and I'm in no rush.

She's now all formula fed though - we did mix feed for a bit but she quickly forgot how to draw the hind milk so was getting less and less from me, plus we got thrush again so I really wasn't sorry to finish to be honest. I much prefer the routine we can have now and am just pleased she got 4 months of breast first. It really was as much as I could do and stay sane.

She is such a smiley baby it's untrue - you only have to glance her way and she beams, it's so nice to see. She naps better too - 2/3 hours in the afternoon plus a small nap in the morning - and that helps her be happier I'm sure. She was 15lb a couple of weeks ago by the way.

She's 4 months, 1 week and 3 days old today.

Cristina well done and good luck misdee with the driving.

I keep meaning to take rebecca swimming as I'm sure she'd love it but I haven't figured out how I'd manage two of them in the pool and changing room yet, maybe I'll talk dh into going with us at the weekend - that'd help. Dd1 is so lively and into everything I'd probably lose her while looking after dd2.

Jambot and Busywizzy, I am glad I am not the only one going through this. I would not mind so much if it only went on for a few days, he has been doing this for more than 3 weeks now.

He goes to bed now between 7.30 and 8, I find that I am nearly dying of exhaustion by this time. But hey what am I complaining about, I have a beautiful healthy baby who loves his Mummy more than anything in the whole world (or so I tell myself)

Oh, before I forget I must add that in addition to staying up most of the night he does not want to nap during the day. The only way I can get him to sleep is when I take him for a walk.

Now I walked about 15 miles yesterday and about ten today. In the end I got so tired I gave him lunch and some milk and put him down for a nap in his room. He cried for about half an hour then fell asleep, woke up half an hour later and started crying again. I gave him some more milk and a caddle and he has been sleeping now for an hour . At least he might not be too grumpy tonight at bed time. Going off to have a peek now.

Yeh, will log in now.

Jambot, if you have a look at the MN Homepage, there is a section called 'Find the Best' and this has backpacks as a category so you might get some good advice there.

Norash, so sorry Kieran's giving you a hard time with his sleeping/napping. I used to tell myself Harrison couldn't get through the night without saying hello to his mummy so know how you feel.

Leogalea, how is feeding going with Nicklas. You were saying a few weeks back he wasn't feeding well from you and how sad you were. Any improvement?

Sleep tight everyone and if you think that's not likely ..... have a big box of chocolates this evening. I've always found that makes me feel better about everything

Busywizzy - you are so right, Iris is a veritable monkey! I know she can sleep for extended periods, she did 8-10 hours for a whole week in Spain. I fear at some point we may have to leave her to cry to snap her out of her bad habits. But we'll get her on solids properly first and see if that does the trick. She once again wolfed her baby rice tonight.

Norash - sympathy on the daytime sleep front. Iris will go off (usually after some yelling) in her cot, but only ever does half an hour.

Are we sleep obsessed!!!

Pidge - Sleep and feeding obsessed I think!!!!!

Busywizzy - Niklas is picky, sometimes he refuses to feed from my breast which I find disappointing, but he is usually happy to take it last thing at night and first thing in the morning. This is really fine as I go back to work in 3 weeks ! I have noticed how much my milk has reduced (can almost get back into my pre-pregnancy bras ) and worry if he refuses once too often I won't be able to feed him anymore and I do want to continue. The last couple of days he has been refusing to take solids from me (but he did choke on lumps twice and really throw up when I was feeding him) happy to be fed by daddy though!

Pidge - I am with you on shopping, I HATE shopping for clothes for myself! I spent hours today looking for some decent clothes to go back to work in and came home with 3 pairs of socks for Niklas! Dh has just told me that we can claim work clothing back on tax over here so I'll go again and not panic so much when I see the price tags! I would love to buy more clothes for Niklas, but we have been given so many that I can't really justify it right now, no one has given us toys though, and unless I keep buying them Niklas will surely not have enough !

Norash - at least you are getting plenty of exercise with all that walking! Niklas has made big improvements on his sleeping, if I really know he is just tired then I let him cry himself to sleep, seems to have helped him. During the night if he wakes up I just ignore him unless he cries, he usually goes back to sleep.

Big sympathies for all of you that are sleep deprived. Its terrible.

Jambot - if you can't find a good swimming costume for Lauren you should be able to get the disposable ones. All the baby shops over here sell them, but you seem to have to ask, they have them hidden under the counter.

Welcome back Cristina !

Hope you all have long, restfull nights tonight.... sleep vibes going out to you all ........

Jambot - just to make that clear - the disposable swim nappies are usually stacked with the normal nappies. In the baby shops you have to ask for the proper fabric ones.
Thinking about it though you only need ot put one on if you go in a public pool, if you are going in your own pool I wouldn't bother, if she poos you can just scoop it out ! ... and i remember the sea in Cape Town was far too cold to take a baby in, on the cold side it was too cold to even put your feet in!!!!

Thanks all for the welcome back. Sylvia and Dominic are both in bed, so I thought I'd do a quick catch up on here then go and watch an episode of Callum with DH on DVD.

Today I started work again. I'm doing 10 hours a week, 5 from home and 5 in the office (although not going in the next 4 weeks as boss is away). I really need to get organised and motivated to be able to work from home efficiently. Sylvia's sleep patterns are still rather erratic, but she manages 3 hours or so before Dominic comes home from school, so I'll try and do the work then. If you see me on here before 3.20 pm, tell me off .

Jambot - so pleased you ordered an Ergo. I've seen a couple and read they're great once you get the hang of the straps. Which one did you go for? I saw the plain black and the cranberry with prints. When will you be using it, I mean around the house or on walks? I think I'll start using a back carry for Sylvia for going out (I have a Mei Tai and might treat myself to an Ergo - they are pricey, aren't they?) but I'll continue with the ring slings as long as possible.

Sylvia is sleeping well. She's still in our bed at night, waking up 2-3 times or so, feeding a bit with both of us lying down and on our sides. I sometimes wake up with a bad back, though, as I have to lie in an unusual position, with back extended. I tried putting her in her cot when we came back from holiday but it's almost as if she has a panic attack, she starts hyperventilating and seems in absolute terror. She has a mobile above her cot which she liked but I think she's forgotten it over the 3 weeks of holidays and now she seems really scared of it.

Peacful nights to all.

Thanks all for the welcome back. Sylvia and Dominic are both in bed, so I thought I'd do a quick catch up on here then go and watch an episode of Callum with DH on DVD.

Today I started work again. I'm doing 10 hours a week, 5 from home and 5 in the office (although not going in the next 4 weeks as boss is away). I really need to get organised and motivated to be able to work from home efficiently. Sylvia's sleep patterns are still rather erratic, but she manages 3 hours or so before Dominic comes home from school, so I'll try and do the work then. If you see me on here before 3.20 pm, tell me off .

Jambot - so pleased you ordered an Ergo. I've seen a couple and read they're great once you get the hang of the straps. Which one did you go for? I saw the plain black and the cranberry with prints. When will you be using it, I mean around the house or on walks? I think I'll start using a back carry for Sylvia for going out (I have a Mei Tai and might treat myself to an Ergo - they are pricey, aren't they?) but I'll continue with the ring slings as long as possible.

Sylvia is sleeping well. She's still in our bed at night, waking up 2-3 times or so, feeding a bit with both of us lying down and on our sides. I sometimes wake up with a bad back, though, as I have to lie in an unusual position, with back extended. I tried putting her in her cot when we came back from holiday but it's almost as if she has a panic attack, she starts hyperventilating and seems in absolute terror. She has a mobile above her cot which she liked but I think she's forgotten it over the 3 weeks of holidays and now she seems really scared of it.

Peacful nights to all.

Hi everyone - don't seem to have had a chance to post for a while although I do check in most days to catch up with everyone elses' news.
Yes - I think we are all sleep obsessed . We have just had 2 bad nights - Grace woke at 11pm last night and 10.30pm the night before, really crying inconsolably and not even wanting her dummy. Was only able to calm her by getting her out of bed and giving her a cuddle. This is very unlike her as usually she will only wake once between 4-5am for a feed and if she does wake before that, sticking the dummy back in will send her straight back to sleep again. Not sure if it is down to teething - hope it's not bad dreams (not reallly sure what bad dreams a baby could have ). Anyway, feeling pretty worn out so will go to bed in a moment and pray for a better night - not too hopeful though as she has already had 2 little crying spells since I put her down (although very very brief and she's stopped before I've even gone up to her). Dh is in Rome tonight on business so I will have to cope alone if she's restless tonight.

We went to our first baby signing class today which was really good. I have been doing the sign for milk for sometime now and she really seems to recognise it - even when she's really tired and grouchy, if I do the sign before I feed her she gives me a huge smile as if she knows what's coming.

She is sitting up quite well now and can sit on her own for quite a while as long as she doesn't try to move too much! She is also rolling loads and as soon as I put her down usually rolls straight on to her tummy, get her knees up under her and sticks her bum in the air . She gets very frustrated that she can't actually move forward yet but I'm sure it won't be long before she can crawl - will have to start baby proofing everywhere soon.

Pidge - I'm with you on the shopping thing. I've twice recently gone into town with the intention of buying myself clothes and both times only managed to get stuff for the girls!

Sending good sleep vibes to everyone tonight - let's hope we all wake up feeling refreshed in the morning!

tried first food -banana- 26weeks yesterday. really exciting and delicate feeling. a kind of separation. still feeding same as before with breast just a soupcon of banana. i'll try squash next i think.
interesting to see christina7 that you're feeding 2,3 times a night in the bed. that's the same as me, sometimes it can be more. baby's in the bed with us which is lovely and i'm in no hurry for him to move. we have a bedside cot so he knows that he can have his own space if he wants it.feels like a really special time. Cosmo crawling backwards and a little tooth is sprouting through. he laughs so much and its so contagious. what a joy!

please don't leave your babies to cry- you wouldn't leave a friend to cry and this is a tiny baby. they aren'y manipulative. and we can't know what they're thinking or feeling or dreaming. please

Pidge- Sleep obsessed? Me thinks not

Leogaela - Kieran too started like that with the breastfeeding and one day he just plain screemed when the boob came towards him . I knew then it was time to stop breastfeeding.

Sweeney - I don't think that any of us just let them cry, sometimes when you have tried everything and none of it is working then is it not better to walk away for a few minutes then see what happens?

For the last few weeks Kieran has only been going to sleep if you
a) Take a walk with him in his stroller.
b) Carry him aroung in his sling

Both these exercises can take anything from 10 minutes to an hour. He is now 10kg and not easy to carry in the sling wriggling and screaming for up to 2 hour every evening. We have been putting him in his cot lately using the pick up put down method (loosely).

Sorry for waffling all I meant to say was I don't think that any of us just let the babies cry without trying to find out what is wrong.

Leogaela - Will get some disposable swimmers, but still covetting the lovely girly cossies on the Blooming Marvellous website - very expensive for what they are though. Yes the Cape Town sea temp is never brilliant, but it's not normally too bad on the Indian Ocean coast in the height of summer. I'm thinking mainly of our holiday to Mauritius over Christmas where the water will be very warm.
Christina7- excited about my ergo carrier. Just hope it gets here. Ordered it from the US and always a bit nervous about that as the SA postal system is not what it once was and valuable parcels have a habit of going missing! Fingers crossed. I want to use it mainly for walking. Used to be a big hiker pre Lauren and would love to start getting out in the lovely countryside we have around us a bit more. My Dad is also very keen to use it as he is a big outdoors fan and can't wait to show her his favourite sites.
Started giving Lauren a drink (water) from an Avent Magic cup. She took to it like a pro. Only thing is that I find you have to tip it up quite severely before the no spill valve lets any liquid out. Well I found this when I tried to drink from it - it might be different for her.

Oh yes - ordered the plain Cranberry Ergo carrier

Last night Iris got disturbed at 10pm, whimpered to herself very quietly for 10 minutes (I don't think she properly woke up) and then went back to sleep till 2am, fed and then back to sleep till 7am. So she did brilliantly. And today it's noticeable how much happier she is after a good night's sleep.

Good morning all,

Pidge I am so glad that you had a better night.

We had a better night here as well Kieran went to bed at 8 was up for a small feed at 2 and went back to sleep. He woke up at 6.30 but entertained himself as usual for 2 hours.

Happy baby = Happy Mummy

Do any of your babies watch T.V?

norash i think that the'continuum concept' puts things better than i ever could. that or any of deborah jackson's books. it's just sometimes i log on and think that our babies aren't given enough respect. i have thought of not looking at this thre4ad and said a while ago that i felt i had less and less in common but i think that i was not taken very seriously. i think that the gina ford style method is great for the parfents but not for the child.

I have to keep Lauren away from the TV as she is totally fixated by the screen. She has a little video that I put on (special baby vid) which she likes but other than that I prefer she doesn't. Only other time is if my mum wants to cut Lauren's nails (this has become Granny's job for some reason), she puts on Bill and Ben which totally mesmerises her and she doesn't fidget!

Sweeney - what exactly is your approach to parenting? Is it very different from the rest of us? Would hate to think you would leave.

Morning (afternoon) everyone, here's my daily feeding and sleeping update (obsessed doesn't even come close Pidge ). We also had a good night, with Harrison sleeping from 7.00pm until 5.15am. I gave him a drink of water out of his sippy cup and a cuddle, put him back in his cot with his teddy and off he went back to sleep until 7.00am. He is such a good boy, doing well at night and napping well during the day and I'm absolutely in love with him

Today, he had broccoli (uugghh) with parsnip and as always, loved it and opened his mouth wide for every spoonful. I've yet to find something he doesn't like (although mango has to be mixed with pear or apple) so he's clearly going to have a nice healthy appetite like his daddy

Bonym, Harrison sometimes does a similar thing to Grace, waking up screaming a few hours after he's gone to sleep. He's done it about half a dozen times and I pick him up, give him a cuddle until he is calm and then put him back in his cot. I always stay with him until he goes back to sleep as I believe it is bad dreams Can't imagine what goes on in his little head to scare himself so much but DD used to do it sometimes as well.

Jambot, you've inspired me and DH and I are off this weekend to explore a backpack carrier. I like the look of the Macpac Vamoose but I want to see how easy it is to get on and off. As DH is also substantially larger than me we need to see if it is adjustable in it's fit.

Sweeney, I'm sorry you feel sad about this thread but I believe we all love our babies very much, even though we may have different ways of bringing them up. I have done things very differently than you with Harrison, bottle feeding, solids at 21 weeks, sleeping in his own cot but that doesn't mean I don't care for him or love him as much as possible. Sometimes I look at him and my heart aches with the amount of love I have for him. I could never leave him to cry as I agree it is his way of talking to me. However, sometimes he is not crying, he is just 'fussing' and then sometimes he has to wait whilst I see to DD or finish off one of the million other things that needs doing to keep our family going. I took the same approach with DD and she is a happy, confident and very loving little girl who I am extremely proud of

Sorry for the long post but I just wanted to say we all love our babies and are doing our best, even if we do sometimes make flippant comments

Have a good day everyone

Sorry, meant to add Pidge, excellent news on Iris sleeping so well last night. Hope mummy had a good night's sleep as well

still needing sleeping vibes over here.......
5 times last night

Oh popsycal, poor you and here we all are, patting ourselves on the back about how well it's all going

Do you know if it is hunger or something else. My friend (DS of 6.5 months and BF) was convinced he was waking out of habit and not hunger so tried settling him without a feed. He then was waking 5-6 times a night and this went on for 2/3 weeks. In the end, she gave up, started feeding him again whenever he woke and within 1 day !!! he was only waking once and then sleeping until morning.

How are you feeling and can anyone close help you during the day so you can have a break and maybe catch up on some sleep.

You can have all my as you need them more than anyone else at the moment I think.