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...

abs that must have been horrible. Make sure you come and harass us if you get lonely, otherwise good luck. Was thinking of you the other day as iirc you were still with in Mar waiting for our LOs to arrive

GF there is absolutely no risk of chocking by putting baby rice (a few spoons) into a bottle (no lumps). The risks are, overfeeding, feeding too early a baby who is not ready for solid, and teeth decay (?). If your LO is skinny, is already weaned and not taking ages to feed on the bottle, then there is virtually no risk. (otherwise all my generation would be in a very bad shape, and without teeth) I do wonder where you found the teats though? the avent's ones don't let any rice powder go through.
I did put DD1 diner in a bottle. I started when she was a bit older though (having 3 proper meal a day, may 8/9 months?) she was too tired to eat with a spoon and too hungry to have milk. So I gave her soup/milk or baby rice/veg/milk. I cut the silicone teat though so it would go quickly (on the continent they actually sell teats for soup).
Saying that DD2 (25 weeks) has started waking up for an extra bottle of milk between 2 and 4 am . I am tempted to follow your lead GF but she is a fat little lump and I am already accused of overfeeding her

Agree with sunangel 26 weeks is exactely 6 months, I don't know where the 24 come from?
(and 40 weeks is exactely 9 months too )

Congratulations on the teeth!

DD2 is shaving the skin of her big toes by trying to crawl. She is going backwards, which highly frustrates her. But she is not far, she has the strengh but is lacking in coordination. She can turn in any direction and do some crab moves too. Hope she doesn't get it too quickly though

it is terribly hot here, so I'd better prepare the girls to go out before we bake.

Oh I was cut by a phone call, and I forget to add absB I hope your DD is better. I had some bloody poos with DD1 and it is a bit scary.

Hi Everyone

Get well soon, the bethylou crew!

Weaning is very stop-start here. DD has been constipated - no poos now for three days, which may be linked to the porridge she had been having, but the lack of poo only started after she stopped eating the porridge, so may not have anything to do with it. Possibly connected to teething, I suppose (she's got a bit of nappy rash again after not having it for months).

Sympathies on the sleep, everyone! The last few days I've been putting DD down much later to bed and after about three hours of awake time - consequently, fewer wake-ups in the night, interestingly. Only one last night between 21.30 and 06.00 - two 4-hour sleep stretches in a row, which was previously unheard of. Then she snoozed and suckled sleepily until 08.00 when I put her in bed beside me. I feel a tad revived!! This was also after some monster in-car naps - about four hours in total (one of 2.5 hours).

As for my own sleep, I'm going to see a hypnotherapist today in the hope it'll help with my recurrent insomnia/IBS problems... I'll let you know how it goes.

Way to go on the weight-gain, CC (DD''s, not yours!!) - the Californian lifestyle must be suiting her.

Sounds like some of you having been having hairy times with one thing and another. Hope all those babies are OK now?

DH and I got back from a wedding in Cornwall yesterday afternoon (just the four and a half hour journey each way). We went on Friday after the DDs had gone to bed, leaving them in the capable hands of my ILs at our house (with two pages of notes). Apparently they were angels, and DH and I had a lovely time (though I did cry on Saturday morning when I realised I had no mobile signal and couldn't find out how they were).

I think we are very lucky that this wedding coincided with DD2 sleeping through properly - she now goes down at around 7:15pm and wakes up at around 8am - so I wasn't to worried about my ILs being up at all hours. However I have got so used to the 6am bottle that I'm not sleeping now! Tonight I'm going to try lavender oil.

Sorry that so many of you are having sleep issues. I think they are all still very little and that in time it will get better. I'm very lucky with the night time sleep as both my girls go to bed awake and go to sleep with no fuss at all on their own. However, DD2 is hopeless at daytime sleeping (as was DD1) and only falls asleep in the car or pushchair, or if I lie down with her and pretend to be asleep. I have never cracked the whole "putting them down for a nap" thing.

Morning everyone!

Abs how scary for you, glad your DD is OK. Do you have friends who could come over for you to help out whle your DH is away? I am all at DP having to go away for three days for work. Re baths, I always try to take mine while DD is napping, her naps last 45 minutes so I just have time (erm as long as I'm not whiling away the time on MN as I am today ).

get well soon bethlou's brood.

DrCC you are doing amazingly well working FT, in California, in a new job, and still feeding your DD - I take my hat off to you .

I took a quick look at your sleep thread BC while it was still quite young and was at a few comments. I'm much more TTSP and getting on with it whereas my female relatives are haranging me to leave her to cry. As is DP. Anyway last night I settled her fairly swiftly by patting and shushing and felt rather pleased with myself and smug as I came back down to DP, who wanted to leaver her to cry for a bit .

sunangel I reckon I'll go for the 80% chance at 10 months. And will tell my DP in no uncertain terms that there's no point in trying to train her just yet. Men. It's just because he wants his dinner on time .

stoof how's the job hunt going?

Another lovely day here, but I have to a) get on with wedding planning on my laptop and b) take DD for her 4m jabs, so not particularly looking forward to today. Oh yes and then a driving lesson later on, even though I passed months ago, because I am rubbish .

Hi everyone, this week everyone seems to be asking if DS is sleeping through the night, and he's further from it than ever . Last night was LONG! I feed to sleep & use my collection of slings and though we don't cosleep he does come into bed if we've had a night like last night. No sleep training here either, though we are thinking of moving his cot to his own room as he wakes up in the morning and sings

Still no solids here for LO, and finally the baby weight is coming off me, must be cause he's feeding loads. I fit into pre pg jeans now (though they are indecently tight!).

Sorry my sleep deprived brain can't remember who said what, but great to catch up with you all. Now can we have summer back please!

Sx

One of those days where I missed the working life chance to call in sick/ take a day off... No such luck as a SAHM. dd2 has been quite a handful today but honestly I think she is remarkably patient with a streaming cold AND teething. I also feel somewhat embarrassed to be knackered when she still sleeps 7 to 7 and after lunch 12 to 2.30 like clockwork, despite being ill and teething. Reading all your posts I really should feel ashamed of myself to complain, but I was very glad to see dh this evening when he came home from work, and could pass dd2 to him (who promptly went to sleep in his arms). In my defence, I had surgery last week to remove a very large birthmark on my back, and should ideally not be lugging around a 17 plus lbs baby...
Anyway, rewarded myself with a nice glass of wine and just cooked two batches of baby food (being inventive as always: lentil stew, and corn chowder with some spinach thrown in for good measure). Gamely ignored the hand blender and just used a potato masher on it. She seems pretty good with lumps (eg rice cakes) and I guess her new tooth (just about showing in a little crater in her gums) needs something to chew on.
Hope you are all doing okay, getting better etc.

Up for a new day at work.

DS is fine and went to nursery yesterday without any problems.

I'm still blending his food as I don't dare giving him lumps yet. I may try a rice cake and see how he reacts. He was also happy to munch his way through a pear yesterday so I may give it a go.

No bottle at 2am during the night, but one at 11pm instead but he still woke up at 2.30am for a chat... I should be cross but when he looks up at me with a big smile, my heart melts everytimes.

I am not sure yet if the baby rice in his last bottle make a difference or not, but it's worth a try.

BG get well soon and hopefully today will be better.

Have a good day.

GF thanks. It's a bit silly for me to feel sorry for myself when a lot of you have your own problems with sleep issues, having to work etc etc.

Hi,

Not been on for ages, soo impressed by everyone's weaning efforts. I have to admit I have been a bit lazy and only just started trying some baby rice and banana, DS is 6 months now too and staring at us when we eat, so I reckon he's ready.

Both DD & DS had nasty D&V bugs, then I got it, quite horrendous. Bit scary when the babies get ill for the first time, not sure how he would cope and he had very high temperatures. When I thought he was better he seemed to get ill all over again for two more days and has taken a week to get back on track. Thoughts to those who have also had illness dramas, really not funny.

Otherwise doing ok, though trying to move house so all a bit hectic, couldn't just relax and enjoy my maternity leave!

BG you're more than allowed to feel sorry for yourself, but remember you're doing a great job with your DDs.

DS is having a nap at the moment after eating 100g of sweet potatoes-red lentils puree and a jar of apple and pear. His look when he sees the spoon is priceless, his arms and legs are going in all directions. At least he is strapped in the high chair so he can't move too much.

Doing a batch of parsnips, broccoli and quinoa puree at the moment which will go with all the other purees in the freezer.

My DD is better today although still having poos like pondweed!

I had a terrible day yesterday with a sharp pain in my left boob. I think it could be a blocked duct or mastitis. It is excruciatingly painful! Slightly better today as co-slept with DD on the painful boob and seems she has sucked some of it out...

Thanks for your support. DrCC which day in March was your DD born on? I do remember us feeling like they were never going to come out!

BG Lentil stew? yum!!!

Hey, AbsB, how's it going? Meant to add my sympathies in the last post, but haste and baby brain put paid to it.

First session of hypnotherapy was pleasant - not sure how far "under" I was, but it was pretty relaxing. Two more sessions to go, we'll see how it helps with the insomnia and IBS.

DD seems to be enjoying herself here in the UK and is being very cute and smiley, thus charming all her various relatives she's meeting or seeing again. Much better than our last visit when she was decidedly grizzly with pretty much everyone.

Teething is happening gradually - not enough to really bother her yet, but DD's definitely wanting to gum everything in sight, especially anything with a nice hard surface. She's also become very pinchy - my poor boobs get quite a going over during feeds - ouch!

Weaning is still a bit non-commital, with tastes of various fruits still being the main thing that's going on. DD's tongue reflex thingy seems to push most stuff out at the moment, but at least she's enjoying licking and gumming a few choice morsels here and there.

Major pooey nappies yesterday after a three-day drought - thankfully BEFORE she went down for the night. Nothing much today, I wonder if this is a new digestive pattern we've entered into....

Sleep is not great, but not terrible. Sympathies to everyone else struggling in that department, especially bearcrumble (I read your thread in Sleep...ugh...! THIS TOO SHALL PASS...)

Well, that answered my question pretty quickly - before I even asked it AbsB! X-posted...

Oh and meant to say... Fizi, I was having a bit of a rant to myself earlier as I do have family close by but they don't seem very good at volunteering their services. I haven't had any dog walking or food shopping offers since she was first born. They are constantly going off on holidays and trips to the theatre/out for dinner and don't seem to realise that I'm struggling. I know I should just ask for help and be mature about this but I'm so pissed off I might start a family feud!!!!

Oh hi IC... glad you're having a nice trip over here although your trip over here on the ferry made my stomach churn, I do feel for your DH, sea sickness is awful!

I have had hypnotherapy in the past for panic attacks and it really helped. I never went 'under' either but it taught me how to relax my way out of them and gave me control which was great. How long are you in the UK for?

oops! Repeated "trip over here"! baby brain!!!

Abs do just ask (your family). Most people are very self-centered, I don't mean that in a bad way, just that they are quite happy thinking of themselves and haven't stopped to think how you are getting on. But if they realised that you're struggling, chances are they'd be happy to help. Are they the kind of people who'd be happy to help if you asked? If so, do just ask!!

Freaky-where's everyone gone today?! Have you had a joint meet up and not told me the venue?!

DS2 now taking a bottle of formula at 2 feeds which has considerably eased our screaming feeds and transformed life, at least for now.

DS1 still pale as anything and still waiting for Saturday's wee sample to come back. Not helped today by crap doctor's receptionist telling me it had come back normal (which made me panic about what else was causing the problem). I asked for GP to ring me, which he did 6 hours later, and told me the sample wasn't back and that the receptionist had mistakenly looked at a result (stool sample, not even urine!) from December!!

Cried in Sainsbury's car park by 9:15 a.m. after toddler trials but considerably cheered up after that, despite the worry about what is making him appear so poorly. Really hoping it is just that the UTI has not responded to the original antibiotics.

Meanwhile, DS2's motion sensor has gone off in both of the last two nights - think he doesn't deal well with too much mucus from a cold. Have given up hope of any professional believeing me that there is a problem and plough on regardless.. DH went on the 'save a baby's life' course tonight so I'm pleased. I did it two years ago and he wouldn't. Given the current circumstances, I didn't ask him, I just booked him on it!!

Sorry to rant..

AbsB sorry to hear about your LO - sounds very scary. Glad to hear things re improving.

DS2 weighed 8.75 Kg today - no wonder I've got a right bicep to rival a weightlifter - I am one!! Hoping to get my sling back from a friend to help the situation. He can now sit unaided for about 10 seconds which is cool - I get 10 seconds to grab the baby's toy back from DS1!!

I'm here!!!!!!!!!!!

Wow Bethylou you poor thing! How awful for you! It's amazing how a small 'error' made by the receptionist can have such huge repercussions... what an IDIOT! You would think that they would double-check results before giving them out on the phone!
I think it's great that your hubby is on a First Aid course, it should give you both peace of mind...

Fizi I think you are right although I feel much better today and much more able to cope. I managed a big shop at Sainsbury's with DD in the bjorn, two long dog walks and a social... AND the most important thing I booked our family holiday in North Devon for September!!! but yes, you are right, I need to ask for help!

I'm here too.

bethylou poor you. I can't believe how unefficient some health professional (and staff) are. I could have killed my obstetrician secretary when pregnant. I do have UTI and you are right some times the antibiotics given do not cover the infection. If I were you, I'll go back to the GP even if they don't have the results. After nearly a week, it should have cleared.

We had a good night today, DS went to bed a 7.30pm, whinged at 10pm, which got sorted by the dummy then slept until 4am when I fed him and he is still sleep now. I'm finishing breakfast and will wake him up. I feel soo much rested. Amazing what sleep does to you!

Hello!

We're here until the second week of August, Abs! I'm pleased to hear the hypnotherapy helped you - I think it is already helping, but I'm going to have a couple more sessions. Sorry to hear you're struggling - I second fizi...people don't always realise you need help, sometimes you need to swallow your pride and ask... Glad you feel a bit better now, though.

Oh, bethylou, how worrying - I hope it gets sorted out soon.

Good news on the sleep, GF! DD's naps seem to be lengthening again and she's been a bit less unsettled the last few nights, so here's hoping we're through the 4moSR. Mind you, I can spy a tooth hovering below her gum, so that's the next fun thing that will no doubt give sleep a certain amount of interruption (expect the worst, hope for the best...)

We're off to WOMAD tomorrow - not camping, though. Can't wait!!

oh dear?. sounds like some are having a rough time at the mo! we're not doing so badly really , though i'm ashamed to say i shouted at DS tonight when he didn't settle after an hour of trying - he just couldn't seem to get comfy bless him (i'd had a shitty really busy day at work and non-stop from getting in, and just lost it ?) DD poked her head round the door to say night night, and told me off for shouting at him!

Stoof I have rechristened myself 'shoutymummy' at the mo (mainly in regard to my maddening toddler, but he's ill and I'm still not able to stop myself ), so I know what you mean. I just try to tell myself I am really doing my best!

IC I have had lots of hypnotherapy with mixed results - don't think I'm very susceptible to it but do think the hypnobirthing visualisation stuff helped turn DS2 when he was breach for a long time.

Well done AbsB - sounds like some better times - remember when times are tricky, that the mantra 'this too will pass/is a phase' is very helpful - and I'm not very good at asking for help either. Perhaps we do a good impression of someone who is coping?

Glad to hear some of you are getting more sleep at the mo - long may it last. We got 6 hours in one go last night - equalling our record. How was I this morning? More knackered than usual!!

DS1 has blood tests in the morning after a lot of phone calls and another visit to our doctor. Was told we'd have to wait two weeks for an appointment at the children's ward to have them done. Started crying (involuntarily) on the phone and was told they could do it in the morning after all Think of us..