Hello
I went and saw the nurse about routines and feeding last week and she told me that our bubs can now have their food before their milk. She also said that we should give bub their milk within 30minutes of eating solids, so that they can get to know when meal times are and learn to only eat with the family. Both of these things I wasn't doing, so I am trying them out and see how Tobi goes.
Here is the routine that they suggested for bubs from 7.5months.
7-7.30am Breakfast (weetbix/cereal and toast, followed by milk)
9-10am Sleep
12noon Lunch (main meal with vegetables, pudding and fruit pulp, followed by milk)
1-2pm Sleep
When they wake up offer water in a cup and afternoon tea (finger food)
5-5.30pm Dinner (light meal followed by milk)
6.30-7pm Bath and bed
She also said that it is quite normal for bubs of 7-8 months still to be waking up at night for a feed. Since I have been feeding Tobi solids before milk, he seems to be eating a little better. Although in the morning this isn't happening as I am always bursting at the seams with milk ready to feed him.
As far as sleep times they suggested 12 hours sleep at night and 2 day sleeps. Sleeps during the day to be 1-2 hours and 2-3hours awake between sleeps. My tip for helping our little ones sleep is static!!! When ever Tobi is over tired, having trouble putting himself to sleep or wakes up in the middle of the night, we put on radio static in his room and this helps him tune out and go to sleep. As long as he is feed and clean, it works every time without fail. The vacuum cleaner works really well too.
Clapping and waving!! What clever bubs you all have. I have now idea how to do patta-cake and don't know the words to have of the lullabies and nursery rhymes. I am hoping that Gymbaroo will teach me all of these kids games, either that or I will have to watch more play school. Tobi isn't clapping or waving yet, but he does move his fingers over his mouth so it makes a funny noise. Its his way of getting Daddy's attention. It sounds so cute when he does it.
Kirsten - We got these great gates second hand (I think you can get them from BabyCo) for stairs. They pull out like a roll of glad-wrap (couldn't think of another way of describing it) and hook in the other side and then suck back into its holder when you don't need them. They are perfect for stairs or areas that you use a lot, as you don't have a gate getting in the way. We have one on our stairs and entry into the kitchen.
Catherine - That's fantastic that Elouise sat up on her own. Its amazing how quickly they grow.
Michelle - How is Isabella after her fall? It is so scary isn't it when they hurt themselves. Tobi fell out of his car seat one day onto the floor in the car, flat on his face. It was the day we changed his car seat around to face the front and we just put him in for a practise to see if he liked it (hated it the other way around). Turned our back for two seconds and then screams. It didn't exactly give him a good start to facing the front!!! And we learnt very quickly to always strap him in (well obviously when you are driving).
Kel - How did you go with the cup at playgroup? Did anyone notice how clever Jemima is?
Anyway, I have to go and shower before munchkin wakes back up. Hope you all had a good weekend.
Tash
PS. I put some photos of Tobi in my photo gallery.