FEB 2010 No longer newborns!!

[InmaculadaConcepcion]

Three months and counting, everyone! Our babies are gradually getting the hang of the world...and we are gradually getting the hang of them...

Hi everyone,

We've hit sleep regression here too, either that or it's a developmental spurt as DS is trying to roll over. He gets so frustrated he can't do the last little bit on his own and gets in quite a paddy. We also have teething, so all in all sleep is a rare thing.

His favourite toy is this mouse which we got for 50p at an NCT sale. www.amazon.co.uk/Rainbow-Primary-Mouse-GN02403-Designs/dp/B000I1J976

but a close second is these www.mothercare.com/Mothercare-Textured-linkies/dp/B002P8G72A/sr=1-27/qid=1277026404/ref=sr_1_27/275- 9734163-8428100?_encoding=UTF8&m=A2LBKNDJ2KZUGQ&n=42874041&mcb=core very handy for attaching other toys to things too.

Argh, gotta go DS crying.

Hugs all round xx

Happy birthday to my baby girl dd1 who is 3 today... Now, how did this happen?

We also have disrupted nights at the moment. dd2 spends some time awake each night but just plays with her cuddly bear and doesn't want me . She does seem to have some teething pain though so I usually offer her teething gel and a muslin cloth to chew on the corner.
watercress hope you feel better soon.

Happy Birthday to BG's DD1!

Sympathy to all mums with sleep issues... I'm not sure if DD's doing the regression thing or not... she still naps okay (most of the time) and some nights are okay-ish and some are hard going. Okay-ish is when she wakes up a lot, but goes back to sleep quickly after a feed (and does a longer stretch or two to begin with... by longer, I mean around 3-4 hours usually). The wonder week linked to the 4MSG is around week 19 (week 18-20) and DD is just about 17 weeks (corrected). I hope things don't get worse, I can cope with what she does now, but it wouldn't take much for me to start struggling because of lack of sleep.

Anyway, we went to the pediatrician today for a general check up, weigh-in etc. DD is 5.65 kg, which is bang on her curve, although she hasn't got much bigger, just fatter . The nurse suggested we start trying her with fruit purees, but DH just said "No thanks" - guess they haven't read the latest advice on leaving it 6 months before beginning any kind of weaning (rule of thumb - I know some of you are starting the weaning early for various reasons...). DD doesn't show the slightest interest in solid food yet and as she's growing fine EBF, then I'm not going to worry about starting weaning for a little while yet.
Other than that, the nurse was very impressed with how alert DD is, which is gratifying!

So, all good, really!

Hugs to watercress hope you're feeling better?

GF sorry to hear that your DS is still unwell.

SunnyMummy those linkies look just the thing! I wonder if DD is teething as she's dribbling constantly and shoving her fists in her mouth. Oh yes, and very grumpy . Such a bother that they closed the Mothercare in my town while I was pregnant .

Happy birthday to BG's DD1!

Glad to hear all our babies are growing well . DD is four months old tomorrow (I can't remember how many weeks any more ) and weighed in this morning at 15lb 13oz. Not my little girl any more!

IC all my relatives at the weekend (big family party) were asking me when I was going to start DD on solids, and seemed surprised when I said not until 6 months (and I probably wouldn't even then, if it weren't for going on our minimoon without her for two days; BF is just so easy!). One aunt started hers on solids at 12 weeks!!! That seems incredibly early to me.

Hope that all the DPs/DHs enjoyed Fathers Day! DP proudly wore his "best dad" badge all day .

Fathers day was a huge success here. Dp made a real effort for me on Mothers Day this year so I was determined to reciprocate. The only problem was that I was so focused on making dp's day lovely that I completely forgot about my own father .

IC when you say 'wonder week' in connection with the 4 month sleep regression do you mean this is when it peaks, or when it magically disappears?

watercress hope you are ok. I must admit that I was struggling a bit last week. I just hit a wall of tiredness and couldn't see how it was going to improve. Dd was really testing us too and seemed to be deliberately noisy round ds so he couldn't nap properly. Ds seems to nap better when we are out and about, so I plan lots of things and see lots of friends, which is lovely but completely exhausts me. It's a no-win situation really.

I bought those linkie things last week for ds and he is very pleased with them. I think his favourite thing though is his 'taggie' blanket. It's pink and flowery as it was dd's but he has kindly overlooked that and loves shoving the label things in his mouth. Or his hands/my hand/loose clothing/edge of blanket if that is not available. Oh to be so easily pleased!

Hello everyone. Had our first trip on an airplane this weekend... DD has her first two teeth cutting through.

I want my happy smiling baby back!

Must dash, just back, have to finish unpacking, cuddle the dog who has serious abandonment issues, and try and get to bed at a reasonable hour.

Oh help, just a quick one... just managed to get DD to sleep at 9, made dinner and was just about to tuck in when she woke up again... AAAGGGHHHH! Now finally sat down at 10pm to cold dinner and no break at all today. She is so full on and alert! She only sleeps in the car or in her pram... I am EXHAUSTED!

AND to make matters worse... both my dogs have had surgery since she was born in March, having never had anything their entire lives, they are both 7! Is this attention seeking? Now, I walk them with DD in the bjorn, one dog free and up to mischief and the other pulling on the lead with his leg in a bandage - What on earth do i look like???

Sorry, just needed a rant... I do follow all the threads just never have time to post! Wishing everyone a peaceful night.....

I'm now so far behind that I think you are going to have to excuse me for not commenting on everything I've missed or I'll never get back on again.

Both DSs have colds again which is a bind - I'm just waiting for the accompanying mucusy vomit to begin...

Last Thursday eve, I did bath and bed on my own while DH went to weekly footie. I had in mind Watercress' brilliant evening routine for 2DCs and tend to do something similar. Last week, however, it involved DS2 screaming the place down as he was overtired and missed the last nap and DS1 standing in front of the mirror and pooing in his pants for the first time ever! Eating spag bol one handed (whilst holding writhing DS2) failed miserably and DS1 sat there going, "Mummy, oh dear, you have made a mess!" I'll try harder this week!

Father's Day was great. We went for a day out with Thomas [the Tank] with the inlaws and had a fab time. Even managed to breast feed on a steam train (without DS2 puking all over the posh upholstery!)

So, where are the most unusual places that any of you have fed the babies? Think that has to count as one of mine!

Having read about some of you finding this period of time tricky, I do vividly remember last time round that 4 months was a tricky time and our DS2 also seems to have found the screeching mode now. He doesn't put himself to sleep so easily and wants to sit up all the time. I'm using an inflatable ring to support him - if you haven't seen one before and have a similar issue, might be worth a look online, though I'm sure that it's bad for their backs and my chiropractor will tell me off. As for toys, DS2 has a soft Miffy rattle (that DS1 insists on calling Minnie) and he quite likes sucking that! DS1 is convinced that the Thomas trains must be shown to DS2 at least once an hour (early indoctrination?) but DS2 isn't yet bothered, funnily enough...

IC the weaning after 6 months is old news. The "new" is weaning between 4 and 6 months with cooked fruits and veg except avocados and bananas which can be eaten raw and mashed, when (if) baby is ready. i.e. don't start at 4 months if the baby shows no interest. They recently found that delaying weaning after 6 months is actually causing some of the allergy and intolerance problems as well as starting too early. Start cereals, meats and dairy after 6 months. If your familly has history of allergy delay the food concerned till after 1 year. (ex:if your DH has an allergy to fish, you start fish after 1 year instead of after 6 months). There seems to be a window of opportunity to start the weaning and causing the less intolerance later. The premature baby site (BLISS ?) recommand for premies to start also between 4 and 6 months not corrected.

watercress you post made me cry. I am with you as my DD2 keep smilling to me (and everybody else!) all the time and that keep me sane for the moment. It also helps that DD1 is so cute and nice. [eyes waterring again emoticon] Hopes it all goes better soon.

DD2 is going to be 5 months on monday where have the time gone? It is going even quicker than with DD1, those of you who has only one yet, really enjoy your time now you won't really have a 2nd chance.

BG heavier periods here too but less painfull PMS. Happy BDay to your DD1.

GF hoping that your DS get better soon.

all Where you advised to get you BB to a check up every months till 6 months and then every 3months till 1? Or is it just my pead. trying to make money?
I am not sure I want to go for the 5 months check up as I know she will tell me that DD is too fat (she is NOT overeating and she is also tall as she is groing out of european 1 year clothes= H&M 9 months). And I will get upset and concern if she doesn't tell me anyting more constructive than give her less milk but don't let her cry . I just want her to tell me if there is something wrong with her metabolism or she is just to make me feel guilty in case I am overfeeding her.
DD2 really loves her food, she does those cute "humm" when eating. I haven't found something she didn't like yet. even celery roots and parsnip... I will have to watch out her diet later I think.

bethylou was the one with the cold? or is it BG too. sorry for the mix-up

dd2 was in bed by 6.45 last night, smiled at her cuddly bear and went straight to sleep, then slept without a sound until 7 this morning.[She's been telling me, in baby language, to get lost, when I offered her a sleepy feed at 10ish, so I have dropped it now). dd1 did her usual 'but the light is still on outside!' protest but was in bed at 8 and asleep by 9pm and slept until 8 this morning... You know, and the ironic thing is that dh and I slept incredibly badly!! Combination of too warm, too light, seagulls too noisy, and I kept checking on the children because they were just too quiet! Can't win...

Hope DrCC has arrived safely... Wonder how stoof is getting on...watercress are you okay?...

dd2 is making me laugh out loud a lot. She is the happiest smiliest (er, sp?) baby ever but can get herself into a real strop. Yesterday I offered her spinach and potato for lunch and the thought that was quite an insult . She was so cross with me that she refused to accept anything else including her milk. She also seems to think she's a toddler. I heard before that second children come on quicker because they copy their siblings but dd2 really takes the . She keeps wanting to stand (although she doesn't even roll yet), now sits (slighty wobbly) in a highchair at mealtimes, banging her hands on the table (TripTrap highchair), and wants to be part of everything. She's a real Aquarius (if one believes in starsign ).

mamaloco don't worry about chubby LO. My dd1 was seriously chubby but her weight always went along with her height chart and she has stretched right out now. She also loved (loves) her food and would eat absolutely everything put in front of her - much better than a fussy child!!

Oof, long post... Rare opportunity to type with both hands.

Hi Abs! Sorry to hear about your dogs. I sympathise re the cold dinners. DD must be able to detect somehow when I am dishing up, from her cot. She ALWAYS wakes up just at that moment and I have to eat with her 'standing' on my lap.

mamaloco that's very interesting about solids. DD hasn't shown any interest in food at all yet though, even though she participates in dinner times by making it hard for me to eat one-handed (bethylou I swear I am going to stop cooking spaghetti as it is so difficult to eat while holding a writhing baby!).

mama I don't have any more check-ups from the doctor that I can think of... There was her 8-week check by the DR and there will be a 5-month check by a HV and I think that's it until she's a year. Do you have to go? If your DD is happy and healthy why not give it a miss?

Strangest place I've BF - perhaps this weekend, walking to a country pub. My (extended) family were that I was feeding while walking.

Right I ought to go and wake up my sleepy head so that she goes to bed tonight.

Strangest place to have breastfed? hmm, possibly with ds2 in the sling while I went down the stairs on a moving Edinburgh bus whilst holding onto ds1 and loads of bags. DS2 didn't even fall off the boob.

Bedtimes are a bit random with us still. I have tried to put ds2 down in bed a couple of times, not expecting him to sleep on his own, and he has surprised me by managing over an hour. When he wakes, i just take him downstairs and cuddle him in with me til bedtime. I did the opposite with ds1. I was under the impression that you put babies to bed and they slept all night (LOLOLOLOLOLOL how deluded was I???) I would feed him and then the minute I tried to creep away, in fact the minute his body lost contact with mine, he would cry. It was frustrating and I kept spending hours at night trying to get him to sleep which was a waste of time because he is just a rubbish sleeper, so with ds2 I am taking the opposite approach of being pleasantly surprised when he does sleep on his own.

We have our 4 months check on thursday, so he will get weighed then. I am guessing around 14lbs, but I really don't know for sure. I have finally put away some of the newborn vests (he only seems to be wearing vests just now)and he is mostly in 0-3month stuff still. I tried him in a 3-6 month vest and it was really too big, but not so big that he couldn't wear it IYKWIM.

We took ds2 swimming for the first time at the weekend. I had no idea how long he would last, but he was in for a good 20 mins and was fine. I only took him out because we had to be home shortly after. I used a swim nappy with a reusuable wrap over the top just in case, but there were no incidents thankfully.

Is that so, mamaloco? Well, honestly, I wish they would make up their minds!!
Anyway, DD hasn't shown even the slightest interest in our food as yet. Perhaps I'll offer the odd taste of avocado when I have it or banana and see how she reacts. Wonder if it would help her sleep better being on solids? Isn't always the case, I believe, but a lot of babies do seem to have longer sleep stretches when they start solids...

Wonder Weeks... here's a link
Trouble with the 4MSR is that wonder week 19 does its thing then the babies start rehearsing for WW 26, so it can seem like a rather long unsettled period. But, like everything, it totally depends on the baby. Some will be unsettled for a day or two, some for a few weeks, some not at all...

Strangest place to BF? HQ of Lloyds Bank Espana, probably. At numerous bars and cafes and on various public transport systems.
Standing and bouncing on our bed - it's a good one for getting DD off the sleep!

mamaloco - do you have any links to the research?

mawbroon IC, the "Bliss" I read it somewhere on MN. www.bliss.org.uk/page.asp?section=584&sectionTitle=Weaning+your+p. actually they recommand between 5 and 7 months. For the rest my midwife told me so, she is trained in swizertland, and goes to many seminars to be as up to date as possible, i.e. I trust her. I can asked her for details. Also a lot of freinds around the world have been advised to do the same, they can't all be wrong. I have read something myslef but can't remember where. If it comes back I will link it to you. The WHO is still on 6 months but remember it is aimed at the whole world which for most part are underdevelopped and just trying to stop babies dying . For them BF as long as possible is probably the only way to keep a baby safe from diseases.
If your DD is not ready she is not, I think that if you listen to your child you can't go wrong. Some parents are so sure of their routine, guru, or guidances that they forget to look at their children to see what they need, it doesn't seem to be the case here. Not all methods work for all babies, but if you stick loosely to the general guidances and adapt them to your child you will be fine. You are the mum.
In RL most parents start weaning around 5 months given or take a weeks or so, unless advised differently.
For sleeping better at night, DD1 did. So far It hasn't done anything to DD2, so I guess it is completely independent and the better sleeping comes in time, not with weaning. Sometimes they do match.
Sorry it is so long DD1 is still at school and DD2 had her second massive nap of the day (hope she still sleep tonight!). I don't personally wake babies, if they are sleeping they need it.
Thanks fizzi, I might give it a miss.
BG thanks, DD1 was 91% for both height and weight. DD2 is 99.6% on height and above the chart for weight, so a bit "fatter". she went up from 75% at birth (not corrected) so she doesn't follow the "normal" growth curve, but is going in a straight line. Even corrected she is going off the 99.6% at birth and straight up.

for a review www.articledashboard.com/Article/How-to-avoid-allergies--asthma-and-eczema-by-weaning-your-baby-corr ectly/1607176
for something more scientific, where they found than both early and late weaning can cause allergy. it is a bit old but i have read more recent research too (just can't find it, baby brain )
journals.cambridge.org/action/displayFulltext?type=1&fid=2843404&jid=PNS&volumeId=58&issueId=01&aid= 2843392

to finish on weaning. solid food and lumps should be introduced between 6 and 9/10 months otherwise we are creating fussy eaters, and babies have to chew to learn to speack too.
sorry I just shared so much of my research, all that is fine if it is baby led but some babies need a push

mama in Guernsey we only see a pead if there is something wrong with the baby. Our checks were GP just before we were out of hospital (in my case it was the pead as DS went to ICU), then HV at 10 days, GP & HV for 6 weeks check, HV at 14 weeks and the next HV will be at 8 months. I can still attend the HV clinic when I want to to have him weigh and measure but it's up to me.

Need to go and prepare the bottles for tomorrow feeds at nursery.

Aplogies for not replying to everyone. Did just want to say to watercress that I know how you feel. Was going to post about the same time, but didn't want to as my only feeling of note was feeling sad, but not knowing why. Had been going a few days.

Well we have now been in sunny california for 4 days (we have oranges and bamboo in our back yard). The place is lovely, just a shame we'll have to find somewhere more affordable next month. After all my worries about the effect of the time difference on LO's sleep, turned out there was no problem whatsoever. Think we lucked out with time of the flight. However, though she has been sleeping at night, I think we might have hit a regression early. Last nite fed at 6 (sleep at 7), dream feed at 8, then waking at 12, 2, 4, 5, 8, with the 12 taking 1.5hrs to get back off. We have noticed a big
difference in her alert state (more aware, new handling skills etc) plus this morning she's been trying to roll R to L (vs L to R). In fact she hasn't rolled B to F for ages now as she figured out she hates being on the front. So most times she has tummy time she spends it rolling back to her back. Crafty little thing.

Did anyother BF mothers find the sleep regression assoicated with incresed fussiness at the breast? I find that really hard, luckily she fed like a dream on the journey (fact she hardly cried, just when it was normal crying to sleep stuff, landing and takeoff she just wasn't bothered). Though BF in those seats was horrible, the arms didn't lift up and we were next to a loo so lots of audience.

IC could you please repost your link to your blog. I just can't be bothered finding it, lazy I know.

Post baby periods seem heavier but are pain free atm. Anyone get a little scared by them. Think I spent so long when pregnant knowing blood=bad that I'm not yet over the association. I have a moment and then have to remind myself that its OK.

Off to work tomorrow to find out about a pediatrician and all that palaver.

Oh and happy belated Bday for BG's DD

Hey, good to hear from you DrCC!! Glad the move went well, sorry to hear about your sad time - hope you're okay now.
Here's the link bless you for asking! I haven't blogged in a while - I've been using DD's nap time to work on my novel (yes, really...!!) so the blog has been a bit neglected by me, although DH has been more conscientious.

mamaloco thanks for the info - I shall read it with interest.

watercress and DrCC I echo your sad feelings - and am at a loss as to why I feel this way. We went to Ireland for DD's christening this weekend and I really struggled the whole weekend. I pretty much cried the whole way back. It was my first time 'home' since last November and only my second time in 18 months. I got to spend hardly any time with my brothers who I am very close to as I was cooking/cleaning/washing up etc but deep down I know that I buried myself in these activities as I couldn't quite get in the spirit of things. Gah.

Am very confused about the whole weaning thing. I really want to try BLW but I am sure that the childminder will have me sectioned! I was thinking of leaving BLW until after a really busy work period I have coming up in August but then she will be nearly 7 months and I did suspect that there are reasons for getting going early, such as jaw movements, coordination etc. We are also having a bit of a language dilemma - whether to continue with the OPOL (one-parent one-language) route or to only speak English at home and let DD pick up French at the childminders and school.

So the two bottom teeth are cutting through and the childminder is convinced that the two top ones are cutting through too, but I can't feel anything - they may be a week or so behind. Poor DD is really struggling with the pain and cries so hard at times - which is really unlike her. GF I know you were asking about amber necklaces earlier - we have been given one, but I live in fear of it getting caught on something or DD hurting herself.

Post baby periods definitely heavier and definitely less painful here too. They last for a good 8/9 days too, but that was normal pre-pregnancy.

Re Dr's checks - mamaloco we have a monthly check-up here too. DD goes for her fifth month check in three weeks, having had a one month, two month, three month, four month check so far. I recently got told off by someone as I didn't get her weighed between leaving hospital and the one month check!

IC do tell about your novel - you are very articulate in all your posts and on your blog. I am thinking of writing a trashy romance novel in a bid to break free from my 'career' but I can't really string a sentence together and I haven't read anything other than MN and parenting guides in the last four months. Am currently reading the BLW book by Gill Rapley and Tracey Murkett (sp?) and Growing Up In Two Languages - both on the go at once!

Abs hope your doggies are ok, our little man has been put on 'obesity management' food as he has been comfort eating since DD was born. He was a trim little fellow beforehand. God that sounds ridiculous, I know. He's a great dog though, but again I am scared of how he will react when DD is able to reach out and pull his ears. He seems very fond of her right now, but has a fear/hatred of all other children.

Big wave to everyone else - I do read your posts and think of you all regularly.

FC we are also on one parent one language. DS gets French only with me and my mum is over. DH and nursery (and the rest of the islanders) speak to him in English. At least you DS speaks English

Re the amber necklace I don't put it on him at nursery and at night as I'm also a bit worried of him hurting himself.

I'm wondering what will tonight will bring us as DS slept from 9pm (last bottle) until 6.30am last night

mamaloco I am with you on the weaning advice and also read the same that the latest advice is between 4 and 6 months but can't remember where. Also agree on introducing soft lumps by 6 months - nothing worse than a baby spitting out anything with bits in later on. Even right now I have a bit of texture (no lumps, just not quite so runny) and dd2 loves 'chewing'. And I never fell for the 'kids' yoghurt'... Gave dd1 natural yoghurt, or yoghurt with bits/grains in from 6 months.
I'm somewhat confused by the business of age adjusting. Where would you start to do that? If a baby was born more than 4 weeks early? My dds were born at 37/38 and 38/39 weeks (actual dates/scan dates) but were both considered full term.