3am poop

[ClareB83]

My youngest twin often does a poo during and/or after his night feed. He takes ages about it, can stretch to well over an hour. It just makes it so hard to settle him after a feed as he is still awake pooping, you need to change him again etc.

He's on comfort milk now, kinda hoping that might make him quicker, but are there any other tricks to this as I'd really like to spend less time awake waiting for him to finish pooping!!?

DS was exactly like this until about 16 weeks. We'd be up for hours waiting for him to go! Comfort milk made zero difference for us.

He grew out of it, I think as their guts mature it becomes less of an issue. Becoming more active seemed to help too.

What does he do if you 'leave him to it' ?

Cries to be picked up and wakes his bro.

This too shall pass.

How old are they ? And I know it's a bit TMI, but is it a 'good' poo?

If he's a bit older, it may be worth sticking a toy in the cot to see if he can distract himself while he waits to go. Have you tried baby massage/warm bath/bouncing with him to see if it helps 'move things along'?

It does settle down, I promise. Not much helped with DS, but as he got older he got more of a schedule.

They're only 7 weeks and yes it's a normal
poo.

I know it'll probably sort itself out eventually but it feels a long time at 4:40am!! Thanks for the tips. We do bath and some massage already, but will deploy the others when appropriate.

It's worth a try I really do sympathise, it used to drive me mad. DS would drag it out for hours, then be impossible to settle because having a poo is THAT exciting. And it really doesn't help that you must be absolutely exhausted! The 4am wakings always feel like the worst. How long is he taking to settle back down?

Another thought, does he really seem to be struggling to go? You could ask your GP if you could try some lactolouse. It might help him go a bit quicker, and maybe 'reset' his schedule.

The lactulose certainly reset me after my section!!!

Clare!

If he's finding it hard to push, it may be worth a go. DS used to struggle with quite sticky poos sometimes.

And now it's the older twins turn!

I seriously think those two are conspiring against you!

At least one of them has been complaining about something for the last 14 hours. I am losing my mind.

Clare babies are such a pain in the arse sometimes. I'm sure everyone says this to you, but this really is the worst part. When they start smiling/laughing/rolling and are generally more entertaining you can forgive them a bit for their arseholeness!

Can anyone give you a break today/tomorrow? It's all so intense sometimes isn't it? You really sound like you could do with a bit of time away from them to regroup!

If not, any chance of sticking them in the pushchair and walking till they fall asleep? Then find somewhere that does coffee and cake. I used to have to do that with DS every day, just so I didn't lose my sanity.

And DS generally wakes up for a feed at 4am so I'm up the same time as you if you ever need to moan!

Thanks @TasteTheBloodyRainbow - I know it will get better, but then I feel bad for wishing these weeks away. They've already grown so much.

We don't have any local support and so far going out for a walk does nothing to soothe them. My husband is working late but he will be a help when he gets home. The trouble with two is I know it's a lot to leave them with any one person to let me have a break.

Don't feel guilty at all! I think most of us feel like this, I know I did.

DS pretty much howled until 12 weeks, then became an absolute delight. You're over halfway there, it seems so be the turning point with most babies. I used to walk with him screaming away in the prank until he would eventually sleep, I remember how horrible it is not being able to soothe them

I'm kind of in the same boat as you as well, we're hours away from people we know, and it can end up feeling really isolating, as well as not really getting a break! It's really intense being with them 24/7, isn't it? Are they making it possible to get out at all to any groups? Where abouts are you based, we might be able to suggest something/somewhere to go

If you're utterly desperate for a break, talk to your HV. I know here they have volunteers that will take babies out for walks and stuff to give mums a break. May be worth looking into.

I'm trying not to pin my hopes on 12 weeks as they were premature and so adjusted they are only 2-3 weeks old. No ones ever sure when premies will hit development milestones, sometimes it's from due date and sometimes it's a bit before that.

I've been to a couple of things with them but it's tricky as I can't do feeding times out and about on my own. I need a particular set up. Plus the little one has taken to screaming while eating sometimes which is just awful and I'd hate to have to deal with it out. I'm thinking it might be silent reflux, going to ask gp tomorrow.

I'm in Woolwich. I'm meant to be getting a HomeStart volunteer but no idea when. My mum is coming at the weekend which will be great, wish we lived nearer.

Hopefully the GP will give you some infant gaviscon to try it's certainly worth a go.

I know it's quite early, but is teething a possibility at all? DS started at 8 weeks and was screaming and pulling away when feeding.

Have a lovely weekend with your mum, and make sure you take full advantage and take some time to yourself.

Oh and if you don't know any mums locally, get yourself on the Peanut app. It's basically Tinder for finding mum friends! It's a good way of building a bit of a support network.

Fingers crossed for a poop free morning Clare

Yes I'm hoping they'll prescribe something as I'm more and more sure it's silent reflux - poor pickle.

There was no 3am poop but there was double 3am awake for no reason. My husband took the fussiest one though so I just put the dummy back in a few times and slept in between.

And I've downloaded the Peanut App to have a look.

I don't think it's teething as there's no red cheeks or masses of drool. Did cross my mind though.

What did the GP think Clare?

Hopefully the app will have some lovely mum's in your area for you to have a chat with I think it's really nice to know there's someone at the end of the phone. It's a lot easier than dragging babies to groups where you can't really talk to anyone because you end up so preoccupied trying to sort them out!

Had another thought earlier - as soon as you feel up to exercise have a look and see if there's a one fit mama class near you. The instructors are generally lovely, and happy to hold/feed babies during classes so you can have a bit of a work out and a bit of a break (even if it is a sweaty one!)

The GP prescribed gaviscon. Not sure if it's working or not. DH thinks it is but he's not here for the 9am feed which I think if anything has gotten worse.

I could definitely do with some exercise, I currently feel like a baby couch.