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...

Bethylou good luck for Monday and fingers crossed, what a week for you, hope DH is taking on extra duties for you and Welcome Stangirl AC so glad you posted about your LO's off day. Exactly the same happened to us yesterday, so was a relief to know it shouldn't last long. She was bordering on technical fever, had to be woken for every feed. Poor little thing didn't have the energy to even suck her dummy or escape from her swaddle. She just laid there until she went to sleep. Gave her calpol early in the evening, as thought why the heck not and left her in just her nappy. 2 hours later and her temp had come down by nearly 2 degrees. Of course, she then wanted to make up for all her lost playtime, but who was I to say "it's bedtime now"

Off to the peaks again tomorrow, though really should do more prep for viva. Can't believe its on tuesday. Do you reckon new mum syndrome will be a sufficient excuse for an inability to answer questions?

BC arggghhhh, when DH see's me pacing the room he knows it time to take LO of her. Why oh why can't we just do that ourselves

bethylou awful experience, are you okay?

Much better day - thanks for the sympathy and empathy. I'm very reassured by the new monitor and hope it was a one off. Am using DS2's 'snot drops' (my technical name for saline drops!) with him in the night in case it was a collection of that which caused the problem. I actually had 4 hours sleep in one go last night for the first time this week and feel better for it. Have also done some gardening in the evening sun which was nice.

DH always does a lot of the chores, but has actually gone out for dinner tonight with friends. We were both supposed to go but I decided that I didn't want to leave DS2 at the moment (and thought it was a big responsibility for someone else, even if she is a mum of 3!) My time will come, particularly if we are about to stop breast feeding. DS2 actually took a whole bottle of exressed milk today so may be moving towards it after 2 weeks of trying!

CC good luck with the viva - I think you are amazing for even getting this far!

Sorry to hear about poorly babies and glad to hear that they seem to be making speedy recoveries.

BC Hope the MIL will leave without any disasters!

p.s. Anyone else felt a bit short of breast milk today in all this heat? Don't seem to refilling at normal speed, despite drinking loads of water. Maybe DS just drinking more?

p.p.s. DS1 said to DH today, "Mummy has better hair.." (as DH is somewhat follicly challenged), "..but you have better bristles!" How I laughed!!

Just back on here really to look for some advice on old threads as DS2 has had two more breathing (or lack of) incidents this a.m. Thought I'd keep you informed. Can't really see how I can take DCs out this week without a working respisense monitor as I can only use the mattress monitor under a mattress. Child mnder away so DS1 has a boring week ahead and I'm very stressed. It's called sleep apnoea from what I've read.

That's terrible, bethylou - I am so sorry. Are you going to take him back to the GPs tomorrow or go straight to hospital?

When can you get a new respisense? Couldn't you pay a seller to do same day courier? Or could you get a loan of an apnoea monitor from hospital?

I am so sorry you are having to deal with this. It must be terrifying.

hi bethylou without sounding alarmist have you been on an infant first aid course/know about infant CPR (you probably do). That way if LO doesn't breathe with nudging you'll know what you to do. Hopefully that knowledge will help to feel more in control. Could also put a mobile phone in the bedroom at night so it's close to hand as well. Tell me to butt out if its all old news. Good luck in your thread searching. At least you've got a hospital visit tomorrow. Sending hugs your way.

p.s. good news on the EBM front

Oh bethylou sorry you are having such a stressful time and hope you get reassurance at the hospital tomorrow. I have definitely noticed my boobs didn't feel as full today but ds seems to have fed ok. Dd was tiny during that really hot summer in 2006 and I remember that your milk changes in hot weather to become more thirst quenching. Clever stuff.

I am struggling to decide what ds should wear in bed tonight. He is currently in his vest asleep on my lap but I will probably put his grobag on soon. It's all very well drilling it into us not to overheat our babies, but I find then that I am really uneasy in warm weather and am scared of him being too hot. It is currently 25 degrees in our bedroom and the recommended maximum is 18.

Ds has been laughing out loud lots and it is the cutest thing. He started doing it every night when I stripped him naked for his shower. Slightly concerning that he enjoys being naked so much.... Now his big sister just has to say hello to him and he chuckles away. It makes him seem like a proper little person.

Hope everyone is enjoying the heatwave. We have spent a perfect family day in the garden with dd in her paddling pool and ds lolling around on blankets trying desperately to roll over. When motherhood is good, it's really good isn't it?

Welcome aboard stangirl! Don't worry about your baby yoga experience, that's fairly classic. Babies often feel they can be fussy with mum because it's a safe place for them (I like to look at it that way, anyway!) - plus they pick up on the mega-confident vibes that people who are used to handling babies give off...it doesn't make you an inadequate mum, honest!!

Oh, bethylou, what a nightmare you've been having. I'm glad the monitor has proved useful, but what a bummer it's stopped working. Does it need new batteries? Maybe you could contact the guy who makes them direct for advice or at least a super-fast replacement... Funnily enough, mine went off last night - but that was because it had got dislodged. I forgot to reposition it when I re-swaddled DD in the night, so just switched it off and left it there. Think I'll be a bit more careful about making sure it's on and firmly attached after your story.

mawbroon, lovely to hear from you - really pleased everything's going well.

ac glad your little one got over her day-long illness okay. I seem to remember reading in my baby book that those kind of short-lived fever things are relatively common in babies. Worrying, though. I've got a streaming cold and I'm hoping (possibly against hope) that DD won't catch it. Got the Calpol equivalent and the snotsucker ready if she does. Would still rather not have to deal with it, though.

Well, our flights to and from the UK with DD went amazingly well. Full details here, but basically by having her pre-napped to avoid ballistic over-tiredness and getting the feedings (just about) right on take-off and landing - plus a precautionary dose of paracetamol - AND the good old 5S technique, she got through it wonderfully, only a small amount of fussing which was fortunately dealt with fairly easily. I feel like we got away with it this time!! My own terror of flying was almost non-existent, so concerned about DD was I. Yes, big relief, it went fine.

Sleep-wise, DD's been pretty good, despite the disruption. Napping fairly regularly and her overnight wake-ups no more frequent than usual, so all okay, thankfully. Unfortunately she was a bit overwhelmed by all the unfamiliar people wanting to meet her at the wedding, so didn't really show her best side. Mind you, she spent a lot of it snoozing in a borrowed pram, which meant loads of admiration at how cute she was, all peaceful and snuggled up. Only when she was awake did she come over all fussy when all these well-meaning friends and relatives wanted to cuddle her.

Good luck with the viva, cc!

Very quick post to mark my place. bethylou how terrifying, how did the hospital appt go?

IC and GF glad you enjoyed your trips.

CC good luck with your viva, I think you are amazing to do it with a new baby. I still haven't regrown my brain yet. I just had to rush back out to the shop (luckily minutes before it closed) as I'd left the paper I'd just bought there on the counter. Doh.

Welcome Stangirl, do persevere with the baby yoga, it is the highlight of my week . Last week of the course this week though .

What wonderful weather eh? If only we could now have three months of this!

Bethylou how scary for you! How did your appointment go?

I haven't been on for a while as DD has been having weight gain and reflux issues which have been taking up all of my time. She put on 70g in two weeks despite lots of wet and dirty nappies. I went to a La Leche bfing support group and they were BRILLIANT!
They managed to work out that DD must have an absorption problem, lots of green poos with lots of white bits (TMI alert but like home made pesto!)... Anyway they suggested I cut out dairy which I did ten days ago and what a difference!!!!!!!!!!! She now does less poos, proper mustard colour.... less wind and I had her weighed this morning and she;s gained 450 grams....... yippee! I was so, so worried... giving up chocolate and cheese was completely worth it!

It's so hot I can't put her in her room, the monitor says it's 29 degrees up there ... all the windows are open and she's been feeding every two hours because of the heat!!!

Bethylou I hope your appointment went well today. Maybe it would be an idea for your LO to be admitted for proper observation to see what's happening with his sleep. It must be so scarey for you.

Oh my word. The heat has messed up DD's sleeping patterns, well either that or the short illness she had last week, or she's hit 4 month sleep regression. Take your pick really.

She woke up loads on Friday but I think she was cold, room thermometer said 24 degrees so I put her to bed half naked, poor thing. The same saturday night with less layers than usual on. So I have made up my mind that she enjoys being warmer and am constantly sneaking into her room to feel behind her neck to make sure she's not overheating. I think I prefer the cold, it's easier to look after them .

On the heat front, another question, will I look a complete loon if I use a parasol in the summer to keep the sun off DD and I while I'm wearing her?

I went for short sleeve vest and baby sleeping bag for the past few nights. Left the sleeping bag unzipped so she could (and did) stick her feet out... Then zipped it up when I went to bed at midnight. Seems ironic that I am so worried about dd2, a winter baby, overheating, when I was fine with dd1 (a summer baby). But then we had no summer in 2007!
Dd2 is due her 4mths injections tomorrow. I already feel her pain. I seem so much softer with dd2 than I was with dd1, pretty much standing ready with the calpol whereas with dd1 I let her tough it out most of the time. Going soft in my old age
Cutest thing today, I went shopping with dd2 in a baby carrier with her facing outward so she could see things. I bought new swim suites for all of us (optimistic, me!) and she grabbed hold of one of the hangers and held on to my new swimsuit on her own all the way to the cash till. They thought it as incredibly cute of course and she got lots of attention and smiles.
Flying Wednesday... just hoping the vulcano keeps quiet.

AngelaCarleen - you and I can look like loons together! I have a hood on my ergo to cover ds2's head in the sun, but when I used to have ds1 on my back, I took a big golf brolly to shade us both. Very helpful in the scottish weather because on many occasions, the sunshine would turn to rain and the brolly would also be useful for that!!

DS2 has been mega sleeping today. He has really only woken for feeds and then has gone straight back to sleep again. he conked out again at 6pm and is still sleeping 4hrs later! Ds1 never ever slept like this at that age, so I am really appreciating it!!

I put some of ds2s clothes into a charity bag today. The fact I am not putting them away in the loft for a third child made me sad. Never say never, but we don't have the space or the money for a third and dh isn't keen. I did keep one of his teeny vests from when he was under 6lbs and one of his size zero nappies. It all seems so long ago already!

More sensible weather here today which was much appreciated. 16 degrees all summer would suit me just fine.

Thanks all. Unfortunately the paediatrician was not very sympathetic - she basically said that shop-bought monitors are unreliable and that most babies restart breathing on their own so maybe we should turn it off as it is stressing us out . I don't think she can possibly have children herself!

Needless to say, we will not be turning it off but will try and remember that DS2 has restarted breathing on his own so far and that should give us some reassurance. Contemplating asking for a second opinion and will perhaps speak to my lovely GP again for his input. Any other thoughts? Feel like I've been dismissed as a neurotic mother, although DH felt that perhaps she was trying to sound reassuring!

IC Glad to hear that the weekend went well and that you forgot about the flights. Good luck to BG for yours!

AbsB I'm so pleased you've found a way forward - I know how time-consuming it is, even without the weight gain issue.

CC Good luck tomorrow. I've done baby first aid and have now persuaded DH to do it too. New respisense on way - very good customer care from them.

Bethylou if you ring 999 next time it happens, or take your LO to A&E they'll have to take you seriously. She probably was trying to reassure you that the home moitors aren't medical grade apnoea alarms (which are fixed to the baby's tummy so are a bit more reliable I suppose), but even so, if you're worried (and who wouldn't be) don't worry about looking neurotic.

I reckon if you rang NHS direct/24 whatever it is and told them they'd probably call an ambulance for you.

Sorry Bethylou just read that back and it sounds really panicky, not meant to, just if your not getting anywhere with GP/ paediatrician etc.

mawbroon don't give all the baby things away just yet - that;s a sure way of having a happy accident... ;-)
I'm in the same situation as you (no space, no money, dh not keen) but I am enjoying motherhood so much more second time round that I feel broody already...

Wonder how stoof is getting on...

bethylou, definitely speak to your GP again. Feel sorry your concern wasn't taken on board by the consultant. I would always listen to your gut instinct! Still think about what could have been with dd2... She went totally bonkers one night at about 35 weeks and no one took my concerns seriously. Luckily she was born at 39 weeks, I had a very experienced midwife, and I managed to push her out quickly. She had the cord around her neck twice!! If she'd been bigger than she was (6 lbs 6)or had gone overdue she possibly would not be in my arm right now...(a good friend of mine lost a baby in exactly the same circumstances)
ALWAYS go with your instincts

Thanks BG. I know of others who have had similar situations to you. Very scary! I actually watched him hold his breath last night but I know this can be normal. Will definitely speak to my GP. Angela I would definitely call them if he actually goes blue and I think I will just keep bothering the GP so that they have a record of what is going on etc.. in the meantime.

... with hindsight I should have bought the swimsuit with 'tummy control'........ . Serious case of jelly belly here (or chocolate biscuit belly) ...

bethylou with any luck your little one will grow out of these episodes soon . But in the nmeantime keep nagging!!

Ooh BG you gave me goose bumps with your DD2. I have heard of that happening, in fact a friend of a friend lost a term baby through having the cord round their neck . Thank goodness for you your DD is safe and sound.

bethylou what the others said, the consultant was probably trying to be reassuring rather than dismissive but if your GP is lovely then definitely go back to him/her, sure s/he will want to help you.

BG I went swimsuit shopping a few weeks ago, one of the most dispiriting shopping episodes of my life as my mental view of my body collided with the actual fact, and I couldn't pull the swimsuits I was picking up over my thighs. Ugh.

Hi Abs glad your DD is gaining weight. Good for you giving up chocolate though. What a horrible thought .

I'm up very early for me today . As DD slept until 6.45 I thought I'd stay up instead of going back to bed for a couple more hours as I usually do when she wakes at 5.30/6. I'm hoping the extra couple of hours might mean that I actually get something done today . Although - disaster - we don't have a washing machine at the moment! It gave up on Sunday mid-nappy wash, we have a man coming to see it today, I hope he can nurse it back to health. A wash at the launderette costs a fiver!!!! I'm sure it was less than half that last time I used a launderette.

fiziwizzle I kept the cord thing quiet on the antenatal thread because lots of you hadn't had your baby and I didn't want to scare anyone!!

Hi all,

bethylou Glad you are getting a new respisense but a bit annoyed on yout behalf at the consultant - I mean you saw him not breathing that firsttime and had to shake him, so it wasn't a malfunctioning monitor. Grr.

cc Good luck with the viva. What did you do your Phd in?

ac and Mawbroon I took a big umbrella to the park on Sunday to keep the sun off too.

FW Hope the machine gets fixed. Couldn't imagine life without a washing machine, the amount we have to do - and I don't even use cloth nappies. Meant to start but got confused by huge emails from the nappy lady about wraps and 'boosters' and liners and videos of how to fold them and God knows what and my brain just switched off.

I tried a variety of disposables and found huggies to be by far the best (pampers caused nappy rash almost the moment they were on - no idea why they sell so well).

BG How cute about her holding your swimsuit! I love that. I bought a nice spotty halterneck one that is quite forgiving from Toast.

Very scary about the cord thing. Just unbearable to think about.

As for sleepwear - last night it was 27 degrees in our room so he slept in the sidecar cot in a nappy with a muslin as a sheet. It got a bit cooler in the early hours so I did put him in a light sleepsuit (no vest).

AbsB Glad you have your feeding issues sorted out. My son has green-ish poo but I think that's from his iron medicine as he's only had it since we started on that. Madly - I had asparagus at the weekend (only about 4 spears) and his nappies smelled really strongly of asparagus the next day.

Well, DH and I spoke to his mum about the dodgy carrying and she didn't take it very well at the time. She said she held him away from her because he always tries to suckle, but he does that to everyone. A bit later in the park we asked her if she wanted to push the pram and she said "oh only if you think I can do it right" sarkily. BIG SIGH. I said well we are nervous new parents so just indulge us and she said "yes of course" so we shall see.

I think my mum is loving the fact that MIL is all clumsy a bit too much. She also kept making reference to the fact that she lives close by and sees him a couple of times a week and thay've only seen him three or four times.

Honestly.

A woman at my post natal group came along with her baby yesterday after spending Thursday morning at an under-5s thing where one of the kids has since developed chickenpox I'm being really stupid and worrying myself silly - especially after looking it up in the 'what to expect' book and it saying it can cause encephalitis in rare cases. I don't even know he's got it, ffs. Please tell me I am being a complete idiot.

It was my first night alone in the house with DS last night, DH is away doing a project with primary school kids - he's a writer and for this project they also have a scientist and a visual artist. They teach the children about a scientific concept (could be anything, think the did seed dispersal and light refraction in the past) and then make pictures and write poetry relating to it.

Am having lunch out with my nct group today.

AbsB Good to hear that you have resolved your feeding issues.

CC good luck with the viva. tupid question but is the viva, the presentation of your thesis?

bethy your story makes me check DS breathing at night. Hope it gets sorted soon with your GP's help.

DS at night wears a short sleeves vest, a light sleepsuit in a 0.5 tog sleepbag. He doesn't really like the heat so he's grumpy when hot.

Has anybody DC develop a heat rash? DS is covered chest, tommy, legs are covered by little red spots that I guess are linked to heat and sweat.

Thursday, we'll be having the 4 months jabs, 3 this time, it's going to hurt!

I've been packing DS 3 month clothes and now he's wearing the 6 month one, funny to see how big they are but I know that in a few months they'll be too small. My little baby is growing!!!