Babies Born August 1st ~ 15th 2009 #2

[tippytoes]

Hey guys have to be quick...
Willow -

But to be honest, he doesn't settle quickly and I get so tired I just cave and feed him again I don't have a problem feeding him once or twice overnight but I want to cut out any more feeds than that.

I totally get this! I agree 1-2 maybe even 3 feeds every now and then is cool with me. It was just that Eli was getting up SOOOO much. I was so tired so just feed him cause it was easier than re-settling him. I now try to re-settle him with rocking, I need to pick him up ATM or he will just cry and cry - which I don't like! So I pick him up and rock him and sing gently to him. I am also trying the 'heartbeat' setting on his mobile. It is very soothing. Hoping this will work...
Okay must get ready - first day of teaching tomorrow....and can you believe it is at my old Junior Primary School - I'm pretty sure it is the same classroom too ! Ahhh full circle!
Talk Soon Rach xx

[Saffi]

Willow/Rach - don't know if its a settling technique but its worksmost of the time. I hold M tightly against me and rock her ensuring her arms are held tightly to stop her hitting out. She will kick and scream but in a few minutes she calms down and will start to drift off.
Willow - I go back to work after Easter, so just over a month
Trish - WTG A on the crawling. I don't think M is far off either.

Yesterday was ok. She went down for a 2hour sleep in the morning (me too LOL) and then had a nap in the afternoon too. But... Bad night here. She was up and down all night. I brought her into bed with us, gave her nurofen and a bottle, took her into the loungeroom and rocked her and eventually just gave in brought her into bed and slept BF her. DS was also upset overnight.

Also M has a rash on her face, neck and down her back. Doesn't seem to be causing her any problems.????

[Willow]

Saffi - If she's been unwell it could just be a harmless viral rash. Very common in babies.

We had a bad night here last night too Not sure if its his teeth that are bothering him because the last two nights have been very average. It was very cool last night too for the first time in ages and he felt cold when I picked him up. I'm going to transition him from a wrap to a sleeping bag before it gets too cool. We have very cold nights here over winter. I ended up feeding him twice because I was just so tired but managed two resettles without feeding so I guess that's some progress.

Better go, off to see Hi-5 with my 2yo today, MIL is going to watch D for me for an hour or so.

[issy02]

Bad night for us too!

Lochie was up and down all night from about 12:30am onwards. He woke at 2am and threw up, projectile style, all over his bed, himself and me, so dh held him and changed his clothes while I changed his sheets. Then he was back to bed, and woke on and off for about an hour, then to sleep till 6:30am. Poor little thing was so pale, so I let him snuggle with us for a while until he dozed off again, then put him back to bed. A stupid door was banging last night due to the strong winds, so I had to get up and find which door was doing it and create a make shift wedge to stop it banging. I think that was what was keeping him from going back to sleep for an hour or so. He seems to be better today, im pretty sure it was his dinner that did it. We gave him some pasta and veggie mash last night...me thinks we have a gluten intolerant baby on our hands. I was the same as a baby....gluten and lactose intolerant! No more of that, thats for sure!

As for settling techniques - I dont rock lochie to sleep, he doesnt tolerate that very well...too squirmy! I just wrap him and put the dummy in, and lay him down. I stay with him for a minute or so, sometimes stroke his cheek or ear (he seems to love this) or place my hand over his chest until he seems settled. That usually does the trick. Lochie is a great self soother, I have never really had to rock him (except for when he is overtired and needs some help to settle) I have always just put him down and he puts his head to the side and stares till he falls asleep. I am still amazed at his ability to do this, as ds1 needed me to rock him, feed him to sleep or lay with him till he was about 2yrs old. I dont feed lochie to sleep during the day, he has a feed then i sit him up and make sure we have a cuddle, a kiss and say goodnight, then he goes down awake and falls asleep on his own. I have done this from day 1 so he is pretty used to it, and now doesnt fall asleep feeding, except for when he is REALLY tired or upset, and I wouldnt dare wake him! Every now and then, he has a little protest and whinges as I lay him down, but I just tell him its ok, do the settling techniques mentioned above and walk away. He usually settles within a few minutes. On the vary RARE occassion that he is continues to protest, I either go in, re-wrap him (even if he is still wrapped), put the dummy back in, say the same things again, and walk away OR if I can see that he is spitting the dummy and struggling to much (a good indication that he is NOT ready for sleep) I get him up, have a play and a cuddle, maybe a top up feed for half hour or so and then try again. But overnight, he never needs this, just goes straight back to sleep. Our problem is not settling but too many waking episodes throughout the night (in the last few weeks...maybe just teeth?). Still, he has more good nights than bad I suppose.

Saffi - I hope M's rash goes away soon. Its good its not bothering her, and as mentioned, its pretty common I think.

Willow - have fun at hi-5 and WTG on resettling twice without feeding...thats great progress...moving forward!!!!!

bbl, Issy

p.s. sorry for essay...im terrible for long explanations!

[nicjay]

Bad night here too obviously was the night for it! And we were not helped by DH having to get up at 4am for a work trip to Melbourne for the day. But actually, yesterday was not real good either, she decided that 20 mins was all she needed for her three naps yesterday and had her grumpy pants on in between.

Willow - I think we were the same here, E was just cold It wasn't too bad when I put her to bed, but it got really cool here early in the morning. She felt pretty cold when I picked up at one stage and was happy to snuggle under the sheet which she doesn't normally do. And nope you hadn't mentioned about a move up to here So what area are you looking at? Are you moving up here because of work, or do just want to move here? Sorry about all the nosy questions! I haven't had time lately to post in Parenting AML really do have to try and make an effort in the next couple of days. Have fun at Hi 5!

Saffi - E had a rash on her neck and back when she was sick too, its probably nothing to worry about. I believe they say that as long as you can press on it and it disappears then its nothing to worry about. poor little girl.

Rach - GL with teaching today! I've never had much luck with the rocking and settling with E, she just screams her head off and I give in and feed her LOL But that's greeat that its working for you and Eli

Issy - Hope things settle for you and Lochie soon Bummer about the food.

Trish - Wow Alana is doing well isn't she? You never know about the walking LOL

Hi everyone I've missed!

AFU, well the cool night has spurred a bout of shopping! E and I hit the shops to get clothes for both the girls this morning and we just got back - phew! She loves getting out and about but man, last night was a hard night I'm so glad we are back home. She spat out all her solids again yesterday, but in the evening she enjoyed sucking on a piece of pasta. So I'm thinking that a bit more BLS may be the way to go like you said Willow.

[Saffi]

Done a bit of net surfing and I think she has Roseola infantum, which is a very common mild rash mostly brought on by a high temperature. She had a high temp over the weekend so that fits.

It was cold here overnight too so that could have been part of the problem too. I really should go and get some cold weather clothes for her too, but I think we'll have a few months of higher temp so should hold off a bit longer. Also DS has a lot of cold weather pjs so might dig those out.

[tippytoes]

Got to be quick unsettled bub....

Saffi -

Done a bit of net surfing and I think she has Roseola infantum, which is a very common mild rash mostly brought on by a high temperature. She had a high temp over the weekend so that fits.

Exactly what Eli had last week, high temp then temp goes away and rash appears, viral and harmless..... Hope she has a better night hun. Also, LOVE YOUR AVVY!!!

Willow - same prob as you and Saffi with the cold here too last night - he felt cold when I picked him up...poor darling. Well, he does insist on crawling around his cot and taking the sheets off. I think we'll end up using a sleeping bag. Anyone used one and like them?? Well done with settling too!

Megsmum - Great idea with BLS, I want to try it but I must admit I am scared of chocking. Probably being silly, maybe cause I don't know enough about it but sounds great! Must get reading. I hope E is more settled tonight hun

issy - oh dear, hope my lil darling isn't gluten intolerant. Follow your gut, one thing I know for sure is that you have great instincts.

AFU - teaching was great (ended up being in my old classroom - so bizarre! Good to get out there and teach at last). Eli had a great day with his daddy and I missed him and was so excited to get home. Also, wanted to feed him - BADLY !

Sorry if I missed you..
rach xx

[Saffi]

Rach - I was meaning to ask you about Eli's rash as I thought it could have been the same thing. How bizarre teaching in your old classroom.

Love the avvy too. I loved how the dogs are on the couch - exactly as they are IRL. LOL

Well, M is spending her first night in her own room. Have moved the basinette in there. Hopefully in a few days or so we can move her into the cot.

[Willow]

Issy - D is exactly the same as Lochie in that he has self settled beautifully pretty much from birth. VERY different from my first son also. I am still amazed that I just put him down and walk away and within minutes he is alseep. No dummy, nothing. Night seems to be different for some reason. He has not worked out how to resettle himself when he wakes at night. Either that or he is genuinely hungry/cold/something is up. I think that's why I am just not sure what to do at night because I don't know how to settle him because I've never really had to - does that make sense? I don't know if rocking would work, or patting would be better etc etc. The other night I ended up just picking him up and giving him a cuddle then putting him back down. Also gave him a sip of water and some teething gel. After a little while this worked and he went off to sleep.

Last night was a MUCH better night with only two wake ups all night. I did a dream feed at 10pm and then fed him again at about 3am. But then was up with DD who is sick and not at school today - can't win!!

Sleeping bags - have used them with both of my older children once the weather cooled off and love them. I usually wait till the weather cools and then transition from wrap to sleeping bag. D is in the process now and is currently sleeping with one arm out, one in. Today I will try him with both arms out and when he is used to that will wrap just around his waist for a few days then get rid of it all together. Bit over wrapping him to be honest so looking forward to it going!

We were also going to head out today to get some warmer clothes for D and also some jumpers and pants for DD for school. But as I said she's not well and we have a Drs appt at 12pm so will see how she is feeling and may duck out after that. D has gone from sleeping in a nappy and singlet to long sleeved onesie within a few days! Nuts.

Megs - We just want to move The only reason we are waiting is DH has a really good job here in Sydney and they are opening up a new site up there. So we are just waiting on that and praying they will transfer him up there. We are looking at Lemon Tree Passage. Mako thinks we're nuts cause she doesn't like the area LOL, but we really like it and it's only about 20 mins from where DH would be working.

[issy02]

Willow - im not sure as to what you could do to settle bubs during the night. Perhaps just stick with what you are doing now, and as he gets older, he will probably sort himself out at night. I personally wouldnt start rocking now, just because you havent had to do it before and you probably dont want to have to do this every night, especially as he gets bigger, it can be very hard on your back. Perhaps patting might do the trick? Glad to hear last night was a better night for you. Ours was better too, just the one wake up for a feed at 2 and another one early morning (6am) just to re-wrap and dummy. He was asleep, just getting restelss and a calling out in his sleep. Here's hoping for another good night for both of us .
Also, im starting to transition lochie out of the wrap too, just the one arm at the moment, them the other as he gets used to falling asleep with is arms around his face. Then we will go onto the sleeping bag. I have a summer and winter one, so not sure which one to with first. Its still fairly warm in our house at the moment, so am thinking the winter one might be too warm.

Saffi - hope m went well in her own room last night. And good luck on the move to the cot. Lochie was much better at the transition than I expected. Although, since moving his sleeping during the night has not been near as consistent and good as it used to be. But im not sure this has anything to do with the cot because his day sleeps are still great.

tippytoes - thanks hun Ill be using a sleeping bag. I think they are a good idea. I think it would be good for our wee Eli too, since he loves to explore the parameters of his cot at night cuuuutttteeee!!!!

issy

[Saffi]

Sounds like everyone had a good night. We moved M into her own room so I was a bit nervous how she would go. DH dreamfed her before he went to bed and I got up to her at 4am for a quick feed, and we got up for the day at 7am. She slept in her basinette. Trying at the moment to put her in her cot but she wakes instantly and carries on. So might keep her in the basinette for a little longer.

[nicjay]

Just a quick one while E is asleep, I reckon I've got about another 10 mins before she wakes up LOL Not much happening here, still not sleeping much by day or night and DH is going away for work next week for 3 days the exact same day she is having her needles argh! Then he's away for a week and a half as of the 21st - so not looking forward to it

Willow - Glad yesterday was a better night, sounds like a plan with the patting. Its hard to know what will work sometimes isn't it? I haven't had a lot of luck with patting E, she just rolls over and looks at me and smiles Hmmm Lemon Tree Passage, I don't know that its all that bad up there, at least it is not too far away from Newcastle and not far away from Port Stephens either - but I'd be a little worried about noise from the RAAF though. I'm not saying I wouldn't ever live there though LOL although I know DH wouldn't - but that's only because it would take him ages to get to work from up there, he works out in the sticks near Kurri. Hope DD is feeling better today too

Saffi - GL with the cot and nice avvi!

Rach - I know how you feel about the choking, my DH is the same because when DD1 was 6 months old she almost choked on a piece of rockmelon. So I'm being extra careful with E. But she liked gumming a piece of bread yesterday. As for the sleeping bags I have a Grobag for E and think its pretty good. Although she is not a big fan LOL because it gets in the way of her rolling over But I used a sleeping bag for ages with DD1 and I do want to get E back into one especially when the weather gets colder.

Issy - Glad to hear your night was better too.

everyone else

[misty]

Just quick hello everyone.

All the kids a sick at the moment, which sucks as we were meant to be going away for the long weekend - hopefully they get better in thee neext 24hrs.

Plus I am all over the shop emotionally at the moment. so much has been happening. I helped out a girl who had been beaten by her boyfriend (or so she said, don't know what to think now) and she stole my brand new (one week old) mobile phone off me. So yesterday I had to fork out even more money (that we aren't supposed to be spending) to replace the phone, because I still have to pay for the contract.

Anyway just thought I would pop in and say 'hi'. Will post properly later when I have more time.

[Willow]

Misty - Wow, that's awful! I'm glad you got a new phone. Try not to think too much about hte money, there's not much you can do about it now. Hope the kids are better so you can go away.

Megs - What RAAF?? LOL Better mention that to DH but I'm sure he's aware of it even if I'm not! What area are you in? Lemon Tree seems to be much more affordable than a lot of the areas closer to Newcastle. We also want to be a bit 'out of town' and it's close to the water so that's why it appeals to us I guess.

DD has been sick too, she has a throat infection but has been well enough to go back to school the last two days.

We had the worst. night. ever last night! I got hardly any sleep between 3am and 6am. It was the pits. I don't know what was wrong, he is just about to cut his top two teeth so maybe that was it but whatever it was, I hope he's over it!

Feeling a bit disheartened about this sleep business. So frustrating and not sure how to move forward to try and get him to sleep through eventually. Meh.

[nicjay]

Willow - RAAF at Williamtown Not very far away at all, but probably best to talk to some of the locals and see just how bad the noise is, I could be talking out of my rear end LOL But you are right about the house prices around here, thay are getting to be just ridiculous. We live in the Wallsend area BTW and I grew up in Lake Macquarie, it is nice out there but we like being closer to town I guess which is why we ended up here. That and it is nice and bushy where we are which I love apart from the odd bushfire!! Oh no about your night though That is seriously bad wish I didn't know how you feel, but I was feeling the same about the sleep business yesterday too, although I'm a bit better today. I could not get her to sleep much in the morning and by the time she finally fell asleep in the afternoon it was 2.30 and almost time to go and get DD1 from school So she only slept for about 1 hour all up yesterday and by the end of the day was crying every time I put her down to do something I had been asked by a friend to go out for her birthday and was seriously close to calling it off, but in the end just decided to up and go and get out for just 1 hour. I'm so glad I did, I was just about ready to slit my wrists

Misty - Oh no that sucks about your phone and about the kids I hope they are all better so you can have your long weekend away.

Hi everyone else!

[Ellee05]

Misty : Sorry to hear you're all sick. All the bugs seem to be going around early this year. Hope you are feeling better and get to enjoy your weekend! So terrible to hear that this ungrateful woman stole your phone. Try not to dwell on it (easier said than done!).

Willow: Hope you get more sleep tonight. Try not to feel too disheartened as most of us are in the same boat. DD still won't sleep through the day and is awake at least 2 but 3-4 times a night then up for the day by 530 lately.

DD has got cranky... again BBL.

[Willow]

Thanks girls. I'm trying not to let it get to the point it did with DS1, I seriously became obsessed and miserble about his sleep (which in fairness was pretty bad compared to my other two) and I refuse to go back there. He sleeps well during the day most of the time and we have our good nights too so maybe that will just have to do for now.

[~Trish~]

Just popping in to give my friend Willow a hug . My eyes are hanging out of my head atm too. Two nights ago K came down with a cold and woke me constantly, add to that a bad night with Alana and I'm still paying for it today! She woke a couple of times last night too, it was a hot night and she needed an extra feed which is unusual for her. Luckily after her 5am feed she slept until 8am, but I'd prefer if she'd just sleep solidly, even if it meant she woke up at 7am!

Hi to everyone else, I'll BBL