Babies Born January 16th ~ 31st 2009

Sonya - talk to your MHCN again, i talked to mine and she arranged for a baby sleep specialist to contact me and someone will come and observe how i am with Caleb to see if i need to tweak anything, she also said at the Royal Womans Hosp there is a day stay of some sort that helps mothers out, cant remember the details but i gather its so you the mother can get some rest.

Just reading your post and it seems to me that Nixon is overtired and thats why he is taking so long to settle, it should only take 20 mins in total to settle, anything longer and he is overtired, he should only be having a maximum of 30 mins playtime after a feed otherwise he will get overstimulated, if you look for his tired signs there will be a 10 minute window where you will be able to settle him down to sleep easily, if you miss it then he will be overtired and you will have problems... im learning so much these days its incredible, had the PERFECT day today. now that i can "read" Caleb i know when to feed him and put him to sleep. IF you have a consistant wake up time every day he will learn to wake up at that time and go from there. Caleb feeds every 3 hours (you do this till they are 4 months old for bottle feeding)starting at 8am, has a playtime with mummy or daddy for around 30 mins (maybe a little more or less depending on when his tired signs come) then 15 minute wind down time in his darkened bedroom where we just have cuddles in the quiet to settle him down and take away the stimulation of the rest of the house, then once he is drowsy i pop him into bed (with his eyes still open) say goodnight and he sleeps for 1.5 to 2 hours. this happened today every single time, it was wonderful. He is literally putting himself to sleep. Sonya if you are interested i can send you my routine if you want to try and follow it, after doing it for a week he should only wake up once in the night for a feed.

Wow that was a long post but honestly ladies, i cant believe the difference in my little man, now that he is sleeping properly and eating regularly he is so happy and smiley, he is so content that i am really able to enjoy every little bit of him, its so enjoyable to be his mummy when im having days like this. :)

jo-that would be great,i need help with the housework not nixon sleeping..hehe however if i can get him into the same routine u can and read the tired signs it be great,today n tonight success easy to put down,,,he wouldnt even self settle last night afte his 4 hour sleep and wake up for 2am feed,woke up bottle,bum change and awake,,i think today has worked much better as he been going down for 4 hour sleeps and awake 90mins to 2 hours,,i cant get up at 7 or 8am as im feeling toooo crook,the middle of the night feeds/wake up kill me,even if joe feeds him,he cries i wake up,im not having daytime naps as my metabolism is up the creek and im sped up.once i can get me right,might be able to get him right,im gonna try my darndest to get him doing well,last 2 nights he been sleeping by 730pm,please email me over your routine,i got a tizzie hall one but if you got a different one im keen.i think too also we been at fault as we been putting him in the car most days as i still am running my business and am driving over to my in-laws,he has a arvo sleep im car,,im really gonna start the 8am get up and start the day routine as of tomorrow,even though we have a long trip i can still implement the feed,play sleep,i cant read nixons tired signs,hunger i have a rough idea cos he grizzly ands mouths for food,tired i sorta can,eyes glazy,fidgety etc.,,
i feel to blame for this as i have just been out of the house and doing whatever willy nilly,i couldnt stay inside all the time to start the routine as i was going cuckoo being inside but now realise i have to do this and get him in a pattern or at 3 months onwards ill be paying for it..i feel like ive let him down,i just wish i wasnt so sick n fatigued so i could do what im supposed to.
they have a sleep school/mother baby unit that i can go to at my private hospital where i gave birth if i cant get my routine to work,i gotta iron me out 1st b4 ironing Nixon out,so far hes not too bad,we have had way more good nights that bad,about 5 bad nights in 4 and a half weeks so i shouldnt complain.
Sorry for the long rant,just need to get it off my chest and feel and hope im doing the right thing,
Jo- your so blessed with Caleb.

,Bon You may be able to get some Home Help for a short period of time through your local Carer Support Program. Basically, if you have some sort of illness or you've had an operation or something they can fund Home Help by saying that your DH is caring for you and it eases his stress as your carer by funding Home Help. I managed to get funding for 6 weeks of Home Help through that program, as DH has depression and because I had the Cesar, they classed me as his carer and it meant I was eligible for Home Help. My MCHN referred me to the program after speaking to the local council, so I would go back to your MCHN if you think you can wangle something.
BTW - thanks for the link to the thread about increasing your milk supply, I'll check it out.

Owen was very unsettled all day again yesterday, ended up going for a long walk in the pram which quietened him down for a while. The upside was that he slept fairly well overnight, waking at 2am for a feed and then going down again quickly. Gotta go , he's crying.

:dance: YAY!!!! :dance:

Ava has put on 120g in two days!!! My LC came over today to weigh her and if she hadn't put on weight we were going to have to put her on FF top up's which I was upset about but now we don't have to!! She's done so well the last 5 days! She's finally at her birth weight now, well just above it - now 3.68 kg!! I'm so proud.
Still expressing after feeds and topping up with expressed BM and my nipples are still very sore and tender but we are getting there day by day. So proud of us!!!
And she's a MUCH more settled baby too. We don't even think she has colic anymore she was just a hungry baby the first 2 weeks as she wasn't getting enough milk (which I feel soooo bad about).
Last night she fed and just fell back asleep each time so it was a great night.
Hopefully tonight is the same!!

Ava doesn't sleep much during the day either, I know a few of you have been saying that about your bubs too.... its frustrating esp as I am so tired during the day. But at the moment if she's sleeping well at night then I don't mind too much. ALthough I always did think a newborn would sleep, eat, sleep, eat but Ava doesn't!!! She is wide awake most of the day!!!!

Gypsy- that was Ava who hadnt poo'd in 2 days :( it was bad.....cos meant she wasnt getting enuf of my milk..... i was sooooo glad to see her poo!!!!!!! dirty nappies dont bother us. lol. had a whopper today!!!!

Gotta go express now.... takes up so much time but i have to. either feeding, expressing or settling LOL

Hope everyone is doing really well sounds like most of you are.....

Ren: I have also been having the tailbone pain when sitting and when getting up and it is driving me crazy! I googled childbirth+tailbone and the first website gave me some good info on what we are going through and then there is a report under the information from someone who has some answers -under erin. It sounds like it may have some thing to do with our pelvic floor which i suspected as if I try to move those muscles it changes the pain. I also have a contact for a physio who specialises in this area and I am hoping she can help me with some exercises and/or refer me to someone. Have a read but I think it might be a good idea to see a physio if does not get better. It has been three weeks for me and it is not making any improvement and sometimes feels worse.

I am going pretty well with Emily but getting sick of being covered in milk and smelling like milk. The nipple sheild makes it worse and milk pools in it and then either spills out when she comes off or she knocks it off and I get milk everywhere. It is very frustrating. Sleeping is ok nights are the best but she is daily having times where she won't sleep between feeds and just wants to cry. We are experimenting with different ways to settle her. She is crying right now.. and I am trying to let her settle. Also bought a dummy today. I am not that keen on the idea but thought it is worth having some in the house but just tried it and she spat it out..not at all interested.

Gotta go...finding it hard to hear her cry. Hope you are all doing well

Hi everyone - thanks for all of the updates of your bubs.

Sam is doing well. We have now put a radio in his room and it is going 24/7 - he just seems more settled if there is a constant noise and especially when it's music. Sam is so alert sometimes now so we've been reading lots of books and I bought a few hand puppets too. He's even given me a few little smiles over the last week, they don't last long but it is such a good feeling when it happens (and it's not because he's about to fill his pants because until now that's what the smiles had been all about).

DH is now back at work, I'm coping ok though because I spent a few weeks on my own when I first come home from hossie as DH's holidays were booked for when Sam was due. It's just hard now when I want to nip into the supermarket quickly, no such thing as a quick trip with a baby.

I've just about finished putting together my pregnancy scrap book, Sam's baby book and his photo album. I had fun putting them all together and found it quite emotional actually. Re-living it all really. I even wrote my birth story last night (anyone interested you'll find it in birth stories) and I got really emotional doing that.

I've spoken to the priest at our church and am currently making arrangements for Sam's christening. I just need to set a date. Waiting until we get a settlement date on the house now as we will have sooo much more room at the new house (not looking forward to the packing though but will just chip away at it bit by bit). Have chosen a gorgeous christening gown so now need to find someone to make it for us. Godparents are my sister and her husband and DH's sister and her husband. It is going to be a beautiful day, I am really enjoying planning this day for him.

I went out today and forgot to wear breast pads - oooh dear. Luckily I was wearing the baby-bjorn because I was standing at the counter in spotlight and felt a really strong letdown. Oh dear, valuable lesson learnt! Should put a few emergency ones in my handbag.

Ren - yay for you persevering with BF. I just joined the ABA actually because I'm hoping to BF until at least 12 months.

Jo - yay for you with the routine. Sounds like you and baby Caleb are doing really well.

Bon - hope you had a lovely day with your Mum today!!! I bet she looooved meeting Nixon.

gypsy - Sam is the same, he doesn't cry when we hold him. He loves cuddles. Sam also feeds every 2 hours still for about 4 feeds per day - usually in the evening but sometimes it extends to around 2am which is tiring.

runner - Sam gets hiccups all the time. He did when I was pregnant too. We too have raised the mattress in his bassinet. I lean back at the start when I feed him because I think I have a fast letdown too. Sometimes he gets into a frenzy when he feeds though and goes really hard and fast (slurp slurp) and there is not much I can do to avoid that. Then when he is finished he usually lets out a big sigh (as well as some big burps) and has milk all over his face.

Meaghan - welcome! Looking forward to getting to know you and your William (and Kate too!).

Everyone else - Hi and big hugs. Am sure we are all finding it as hard as each other to keep up in here.

hi guys
Had an awesome day today with my mum and some family meeting Nixon for the 1st time..my nieces couldnt leave him alone..i took some photos of my niece feeding him,oh it makes me teary just looking at it..
Well im happy cos now we have the little man in a good routine,thanks Jo for sending me the routine sheet,hes pretty close to what you sent me,today i recognised his tired signs like yawning etc and put him down and whaddya know,i mustve worked it out cos lights out,hes been real good the last 4 night,he doesnt have an exact hour to work to but we are pretty close,and hes learning to self settle,yay on that one,that was more a night time issue..
Jo-we will have to catch up when im free and do that thing together,be very interesting,you might have more willpower than me..or can tweak a few things,ill see how i go the next 2 weeks and if its not as good as it is now then ill ring you.
Well im sooo tired,couldnt sleep much last night,metabolism on overdrive,hot,sweaty n insomnia,the only good thing was got quality time with DH for a cuddle and some US time..Tonight i was wanting to go bed but some morons behind me are having a party,and they are big maori's or samoan so i dont think ill be breaking up there party anytime soon,however if it continues til 1am i will ring the police.
Well thats it for me.
chat soon
bon

JO- Can you resend me that routine sheet,i deleted it by accident,if not sms me your email address and ill email you my email so you can email it back to me so i can print it...do i make sense?hehe

AJC - :lol: I forgot to bring extra breast pads when on our first outing out on Weds (just me and Ava) and I was b/feeding in front of the LC at the pharmacy she was assisting me in a corner (private corner) and the breast pad tore as I took it out! so i then needed a new one but remembered i didnt have any!! So just went straight home after the appointment incase i leaked LOL luckily i didnt that time.....
Ava and I are doing so well with the BFing now and enjoying it much more now that Ava is getting more and feeding much better and putting on weight :dance:
Also my cracked damaged nipple is healing so well!!
Thats cute Sam is giving little smiles now!!! And more alert and playing etc.... and you are sooo lucky your DH has been home for weeks with you, I'm so jealous! My DH got no time!! It's been so hard.....

MeLisa - thanks for that info re:tailbone pain. Was Emily posterior too? Ava was! It huuuurrttt..... I will have to see my physio soon might talk to my GP at my 6wk checkup about it too. I have to sit down on a pillow as our dining room chairs are too hard. Even sitting on our soft leather couch it hurts!!!! I have been doing my pelvic floors more lately hoping that helps. And yes, i too get a bit tired of the milk dripping everywhere and all over our bed sheets!!!! I can't believe how much can drip out!

I just had the most beautiful moment with my daughter.... :D She was feeding and after a good long 40min feed came off and just let her head rest against my arm and I looked at her and all this milk just dribbled out of her mouth and down her chin.... it was so cute!!! :p (and it wasnt a vomit!) Made me feel good that that's my milk and I'm feeding her with it!! It was just special. After all the issues with BF the last 3weeks it was really great moment.

Anyway, DH and I got hardly any sleep last night. Poor Ava has a cold :( My niece came over Thurs with the sniffles and now she's given it to Ava. Something we didn't need..... so she is crying alot and not sleeping. She hasn't slept since 5am :o her nose is all blocked and stuffy.
DH and I feel like we've had a big night out drinking and hungover when thats not the case at all!!! Hopefully tonight is better.

Ren - Head to the pharmacy and get some Fess saline drops for Ava's nose. Just use them before a feed and it will help with all the sniffles and clear up things so she can feed properly. I still use them on Henry - he's still pretty snotty! Poor little mite.

Been AWOL for a few days....hard to catch up again!

Henry still a mega wriggler at night and not sleeping great. No set routine here but can't really expect him to get into one with the other 2 and being everywhere throughout the day.

BBQ at the SIL's tonight so better go and ger organised..........

grrrrrrrrr i have been doing everything right and unfortunately my kid hates working to a strict schedule,tried today and hell no,cos i tried to follow it to a tee he cracked it,would hardly sleep all day as he was woken to start it and have had problems getting him to sleep n settle all day,its 920pm and hes in bed,still being a bugger,we are taking it in turns to rock the cot,a car trip is imminent shortly as that knocks him off...
i think ill let him work his own daytime routine out but close to my guidelines cos doing it to the hour has proved a big no-no,hes never been this bad during the day..And the self settling driving me nuts but something i have to persist with,when he wont self settle it can go on for hours..i think its a case with him if it aint too broke dont try and fix it.anyway off i go to try get the squirrel back to sleep

Hello everyone....it has been a few days for me so will write personals for the last few posts (even though I have kept up-to-date with reading all the posts).

Soph: Your DS really suits his name - he really does look like a 'Henry'. Too cute!!

AJC: DS is having a naming day on 4th April....we are busy organising everything now. Invites go out tomorrow. It is exciting, isn't it!! We bought DS a light blue linen overall set to wear (he wore it home from hospi but was waaaay too big).

Jo: How's your routine going? Glad you found something that is working for you and Caleb.

Ren: Yeah on Ava gaining weight! My DD was slow to gain weight because she didn't drink much each feed (and she was bottle fed!). She has only now hit 10kg at 20 months and now eats like a horse.....think she is just a petite one (but very tall). Glad that Ava is getting a full belly of your milk now! You are doing a wonderful job!

Bon: You know what is best for your DS! You sound like me when I had DD - I thought that routine was the way it had to be but to be honest, it is not for every bub or parent. Just do what you think is right. If DS is happy at the end of the day (and therefore so are you), then that is all that matters. As for self-settling, it can take time (as you probably know). Both my bubs have self-settled from day dot but I am really lucky......I didn't 'teach' it, they just did it??? I have watched friends self-settling their bubs and it did take time - but well worth it in the end!! Hope DS settled for you and you didn't have to go for that drive (but it works hey!).


AFM DS still has really bad reflux...in fact it is worse. We are lucky though, it isn't interrupting his sleep thank goodness....he is a happy chucker!! But am tired of being spewed on and he has quite a few feeds during the day as he can't keep more than 90mL down at any one time. Poor love power chucks and it even comes out his nose. Off to the doctors tomorrow to get a perscription formula and drugs (probably losec).....we tried to defeat it but the time has come to surrender to medical intervention. Still can't believe how relaxed and calm he is even though this is going on. He is a really lazy, chilled dude!! I think his motto will be "in my own good time" or "what's the rush" he he. A nice change from my tornado DD!!

Anyway, am going to bed now. DS has started doing a 7-8 hour block at night yeeha!!
Linda

Well, Ava was awake yesterday from 5am until 10pm last night :o :o DH and I were pulling our hair out cos' she was so unsettled.... she slept on and off sometimes when on our chest or in our arms or in the sling but hardly at all!! DH and I were so tired.
Last night was a good sleep she slept pretty well however I kept waking to her noises. They are such loud little sleepers aren't they!? :rolleyes:

Do most of you girls find your bubs are extra clingy? And I thought newborns just sleep and eat??? Ava doesn't!!! lol Ava won't settle unless we hold her in the sling and even then she will fall asleep but if we put her down later on she'll wake soon after.... thankfully we don't have those problems at night and she seems to sleep well in her hammock at night time. She is only little and they must suffer a bit of "womb withdrawal" I guess!!

Lactation Consultant visited today and weighed Ava and she's now 3.79kg so YAY we are fully breastfeeding now and don't need top up's of EBM!!! :dance: so proud of Ava and I.
We have come along way through all the pain and problems of attachment etc.

Orange - thank you for saying we are doing well!! You are so lucky your two self settle from day dot!! yehhhaaa 8hr block for a 6wk old?? how good is that!!!!!! whats your tip?? lol
Soph - i'll get some of that stuff from the chemist this week, thank you! It would be hard for you to get routine for your 3rd, with two other littlies. You'll get there.... hope bbq was fun!
Sonya - we are doing self settling also but i've heard it can take weeks/months for some babies so we have to be patient. It is hard tho hey. Just when you leave the room and think they are falling asleep by themselves then 10 mins later.... whhhaaa!!! :lol:

Anyway, while Miss Ava is asleep in her sling I am going to finish my lunch while I can! I've given up on making cups of tea cos' i just never get to drink them cos' i can't drink it while holding her and by time i get to it, it's cold!!! :doh:
And with regards to a routine..... well we aren't even worrying about that just yet!!! Only routine we have is the bath routine at night :lol: I'm still just trying to get used to having a newborn and BF!

Ava is 3 weeks old!!!!! :cheer: where has it gone..... still got to type birth story!

Hi Ladies,

I'm still around, reading all the posts just not posting - seems as soon as i start typing something, Ella decides its time to start up!!

REN: - I hear you loud and clear on the not settling unless in the arms - Ella is opposite to Ava though where she sleeps well during the day, but come night time its hell! - im managing about 3-4hrs sleep a nite so im feeling like a walking zombie and as for routine, uh, yeah, my routine is what ever Ella wants :wall: - i just keep telling myself, she is only 4.5 weeks old and i need to be patient.....not a strong point of mine!!

I hope everyone is well and enjoying their babes (even with the sleep dep, crying etc!!)

Gill - :hug: yeah you sound like me hun!!! I keep telling myself "it will get better" as everyone reminds me.... and don't worry, I too, am living off about 3-4hrs a day too. It's amazing how I'm still standing!!!

Every time Ava cries, I think "omg are you hungry AGAIN?" and I feel like I need to offer the breast all the time!!! It's so difficult knowing what they want and learning her different cries etc.....

Yeah I'm not really worrying about a routine until from 8wks onwards. Just going with the flow, what she wants at this stage.....but definitely trying to get her to self settle gently.

Gill: Sounds like bub has day and night muddle up? Have tried some sleep cues that are only for night time sleep (like wrap tightly etc).

My guy sleeps in his cot during the day unwrapped and self-settles with his mobile and fish bowl within a couple of minutes. Once asleep his music goes on his CD and he sleeps for up to 3 hours. If I am going out and want to have a small sleep, I don't put the music on and he naps only. At night, he goes to sleep with his music on (no mobiles), wrapped (from under his arms) and well fed (he cluster feeds from 4pm-7pm). DD had the same 'routine' (I use the term routine loosely) and she knows that when the music comes on it is time for bed. She just says 'nigh, nigh, love you' and gets into bed now and goes to sleep.....hope DS does the same (eventually).

For those having trouble settling bubs, have you tried white noise? Put the radio on an off station....it drives you nuts but is supposed to produce a similar noise that bubs were used to in the womb. I used this earlier on with DD and it worked....drove me insane so I switched to music. She hates it when I change CD's...she has her favourite (that is slowly driving me insane but why change something that works right??). Anyway, just my two cents worth he he.

Ren: With Ava having trouble gaining weight, routine would be the last thing I'd be thinking of....think you are doing the right thing feeding her when she needs it....she has some catching up to do. You are right, maybe at 8 weeks she will be ready for a routine.

Took Dash to the doc today and is on Zantac. Little porker has gained 500g in 10 days!! total weight gain is 1.5kg in 6 weeks!! And that is with reflux....go figure! Will see how we travel with the Zantac. Hope that is all we need to settle the reflux.

Anyway, bye for now.

Linda

PS. Have any of you put together a photo book at Big W site before? They are under $10 at the moment. Give it a go...it is too easy!!

Oh girls, im hearing what you are all saying and ive heard it before and then seen the answer and a very happy mum and baby after they put the advice into practise... please please check out the baby whisperer website, im telling you, its been a godsend for me. We still have our routine going, Caleb feeds every three hours and sleeps for an hour and a half to two hours four times a day and sleeps almost through the night as well

Ren if your little one is crying out for food and its been less than an hour and a half since she ate then either you have a low milk supply or you arent reading her cries properly, she wont be hungry that soon but if you give her your breast she will take it and not learn to self settle and you wont learn how to differentiate between her cries. Just imagine you go into a restaurant and ask for the bathroom and get a plate of food shoved in your face or you ask for some food and get taken to the toilet, how frustrating. if she doesnt feel that shes being heard then all her cries will become the same and you wont know the difference at all.

I hope i dont sound like im "preaching" i just know how valuable all this information i have received has been and I want you all to benefit the same way i have, i have so much sleep and energy, im able to go out, i dont have to drive Caleb or rock him to put him to sleep he just falls asleep because ive learnt how to read him and know how to settle him down so he has now learnt (in just two or three days) how to put himself to sleep in his bed. Its not a strict routine, its just a guideline and you work out how your baby fits into it as every child is different.
BTW the baby whisperer does NOT condone crying it out at all.

Here is a rough guideline of what the cries mean:

From Secrets of the Baby Whisperer p.86-88

Tired or overtired
Listen
Starts as cranky irregular frequency fussing but if not stopped quickly escalates to an overtired cry: first 3 short wails followed by a hard cry, then 2 short breaths and a longer, even louder cry. Usually they cry and cry and if left alone will fall asleep.
Observe
Blinks, yawns. If not put to bed, physical signs can include back arching, legs kicking and arms flailing, may grab own ears or cheeks and scratch face (a reflex); if you are holding him, squirms and tries to turn into your body. If he continues to cry his face will become bright red.
Of all the cries the most often misinterpreted for hunger. Therefore pay close attention to when it occurs. It may come after playtime or after someone has been cooing at baby. Squirming is often mistaken for colic.

Overstimulated
Listen
Long hard cry. Similar to overtired.
Observe
Arms and legs flail; turns head away from light; will turn away from anyone trying to play with him.
Usually comes when baby has had enough playing an adult keeps trying to amuse him.

Needs a change of scene
Listen
Cranky fussing that starts with noises of annoyance rather than outright cries.
Observe
Turns away from object placed before her; plays with fingers
If it gets worse when you change position then she might be tired and needs a nap.

Pain/Wind
Listen
Unmistakable shrill high-pitched scream that comes without warning; may hold breaths between wails and start again.
Observe
Whole body tenses and become rigid, which perpetuates the cycle, because the air can?t pass; pulls knees upward to chest, face is scrunched in an expression of pain, tongue wiggles upward, like a little lizard.
All newborns swallow air, which can cause wind. Throughout the day you?ll hear a tiny, squeaky wincing sound in the back of the throat ? that?s air swallowing. Wind can also be caused by irregular feeding patterns.

Hunger
Listen
Slight cough like sound in the back of the throat; then out comes the first cry. It short to begin with then more steady: waa, waa, waa rhythm.
Observe
Baby starts to subtly lick her lips and then ?root? ? tongue starts coming out and turns head to side; pulls fist toward mouth.
The best way to discern hunger is look at when baby last ate. If she?s on EASY it removes some the guesswork.

Too cold
Listen
Full-out crying with bottom lip quivering.
Observe
Tiny goose bumps on skin; may shiver; cold extremities; skin can sometimes have a bluish tinge.
Can happen with a newborn after a bath or when you?re changing and dressing her.

Too hot
Listen
Fussy whine that sounds more like panting, low at first, about five minutes; if left alone will eventually launch into a cry.
Observe
Feels hot and sweaty; flushed; pants instead of breathing regularly; may see red blotchiness on baby?s face and upper torso.
Different from fever in that cry is similar to a pain cry; skin is dry, not clammy. (Take temperature to be sure)

Where?d you go? I need a cuddle
Listen
Cooing sounds suddenly turns into short waas that sound like a kitten; crying disappears the minute baby is picked up.
Observe
Looks around, trying to find you.
If you catch this straight away you may not need to pick baby up (pat on back, soft words of reassurance).

Overfeeding
Listen
Fussing, even crying after a meal.
Observe
Spits up frequently
This often occurs when sleepiness and overstimulation are mistaken for hunger.

Bowel movement
Listen
Grunts or cries when feeding
Observe
Squirms and bears down; stops nursing; has bowel movement.
May be mistaken for hunger. Mum often thinks she?s ?doing something wrong?

Ok so this is a really long post but i hope it helps somebody in this group....

Sonya, I will resend you my routine for Nixon, like i said just sing out if you want some help!

Jo: I'm hearing you....have a friend that followed the baby whisperer and it worked beautifully for her, and still does with her first. I guess everyone has to find that 'something' that is right. Didn't work for her second bub though (for many reasons) but they have found something else that does works (there is so much advice out there isn't there!?) Glad Caleb is settling nicely for you! Sounds like the two of you have 'worked it out'!! My DD started off her life with similar routine to you (and it worked) but she had to be demand fed in the end because she was labelled as 'failure to thrive' and didn't put on weight - she could only take small feeds regularly....but I still followed her 'cues' (like you described) to know what she was doing/needing, just not the set sleep times etc...so I guess a semi-routine that was baby led. She slept through the night from 7 weeks (10-11 hour block) and we haven't looked back (DS wont sleep through the night for a while because of his reflux but that is ok). Thanks for sharing the info....I'm sure it will help others because learing to read the different cries is very helpful.

ETA: BTW Jo, was thinking of you just today....have you started using your cloth nappies? If so, how are you liking it?? I am getting mine out on the weekend since DS is out of newborn nappies now. Can't wait! Love the smell of freshly washed nappies. Anyone else using clothies??



If anyone is at all interested in sleep routines (if not, don't read the next paragraph), there is a show on the ABC that started last week (I think Thursday night at 8.30pm) and it examines 3 or 4 different theories on settling babies (and Jo I think the baby whisperer is one - was sort of only half watching it and cleaning so can't be sure). They are going to follow several couples and bubs through to 12 weeks to see which theory works best at getting baby to sleep through the night....there were some great tips!! Was interesting so will sit down and watch it properly this week. I will find out the name of the show and get back to all if you are interested. Some of the techniques are quite harsh (well I think) like baby goes to bed at 7pm and stays in the room with the door shut until 7am the next morning....you do not go in the room during these times even if baby is crying....and yes with a newborn (can't remember which theory that was).


WOW - two long posts today!! I have blabbed enough today so will stop there (can you tell I've had no adult contact today he he). I don't usually give out advise (only when I am asked because I usually hate getting advice when it is not asked for - except from all of you of course) but felt like adding my bit today he he. Hope it has helped someone too. I really do have several conversations going on in my own post at one time don't I (all the brackets and ..... and - !!) lol!! It must make some of you giddy reading my posts.

Speaking of advice...any second time mums out there who have had experience with Zantac and reflux bub? Just want to know when the best time is to give it and if it worked.

Dash is 6 weeks now - only 2 weeks until imunisations!!

Linda

Jo, I meant to pop in and thank you for the info about the site. I needed something like that. I am very much into gentle parenting and basically have gotten rid of all my books like sleep right, sleep tight and save our sleep. I love the sound of the E.A.S.Y routine, I just need to get organised to implement it.

I was horrified watching Bringing Up Baby! I think Claire? is a nasty piece of work, in the thread on this forum about the show some girls have mentioned that Claire is not even qualified and even if she was, she isn't following the true method of parenting (Truby King? 50's style) that she preaches. The other 2 styles are Dr. Spocks 60's style and the Continuum Concept 70's style. I am a good balance of the later 2 styles. I will be watching the next 2 episodes but my TV might wind up with a cricket bat in it :lol:

I don't get online much anymore, not to post anyway, I do try to read up as much as possible though. I found that the internet was detracting too much from home life so I am limiting my usage to an hour a day and I use that hour on crafting sites for the most part :lol:

Xavier is growing so quickly, I don't know how much he weighs now but I would guess about 5kg as he is getting too big for the newborn nappies, or is it 6kgs the newborns go up to? Who knows, he is gaining, that is the important thing. I am dealing with a lot of unsettledness like a few others. I think it is the fact I am mis-reading X's cues and wind up overfeeding him. He likes the boob though and is always looking for it. Typical male I guess :doh: He has that hormonal rash that bubs get at 6 weeks, I hope it doesn't last long, he has a mega pizza face, gone is the clear skin :( I am giving him a little tummy time each day and his neck is getting stronger all the time, he can lift his head for about a second or 2 now. What else, they don't do much at this stage except eat, sleep, poo and cry. We are starting to get a 4 or 5 hour block between 2 of the night time feeds, he is 2 hourly otherwise. Well there he cries again, I better try and work out what this one means....

Sarah - im glad that website is helping you. i too do not believe in control crying, someone on the website said that one time their little one was crying and someone said to let them cry it out, well she caved and went in there and her little one was lying in vomit, if she had have not gone in all night and let him cry it out he wouldve fallen asleep in it and then vomited again (which he ended up doing) and possibly choked on it, plus he had diarrhea. imagine how traumatic that would be for a baby!

Also someone said to me, imagine if you came home after a horrible day and all you wanted was a cuddle and you came in crying and i just walked away and ignored you, how would you feel.... well thats what its like for them, sometimes they just need a cuddle, babies have bad days too.

ok ok enough from me, i didnt realise i felt so strongly about all this until i had a baby!! :)

Orange - yes i have started trialling my cloth nappies during the day and they are still a bit too bulky (they are one size fits all) he only goes about and hour and a half before he hates wearing them because he can actually feel the wetness and i have to change him so ive decided to do disposables at night so he can sleep peacefully through and cloth during the day... I have some motherease nip naps and they seem to be alright, some of the others ive bought arent that good (waste of money!) and some others are too big to even try yet. Caleb is still under 5 kgs so it might be another week or so before i can really get stuck into them.
Well i just gave Caleb a bath before sleep time and he was kicking off the bath and having a grand old time, he just loves it. He loves tummy time too, he holds his head up straight and high for about 5 minutes straight, its unbelievable, i just sit there taking photos of him while he is doing it and i get around 10 in before he starts to wobble!! hahahaha

My sister is now 5 days overdue for her little girl, she is getting the gel put in tonight and then again wednesday if nothing has happened by then, i sure hope she goes soon the poor thing.
Oh and Caidens mummy is having troubles with belly belly but said to say hi to everyone and she misses you all!

My goodness i can talk today! as you can see i have far too much time on my hands at hte moment hahaha, i even started back up on my scrapbooking again today for Calebs album.
Well i better go and spend some time with my husband, i bet you are all sick of me by now! :p

Orange - I've seen those Big W books, I'm going to organise one! They are so cute!! :D
And yes my friend told me about that ABC show! We are taping it each night! It sounds really good. my friend sms me when it was on but i'd gone to bed to get some precious sleep!

Jo - thanks for that website info. I don't have a low milk supply, in fact I have probably too much!!! :rofl: plenty of milk there....leaking left right and centre lol To be honest, with all the breastfeeding issues Ava and I have had to overcome the last 2 weeks, we haven't really been able to focus on anything else..... and Ava is only 3 weeks old so at this stage, we are just happy focusing on getting her feeding right with the help of this LC I've hired and she's been wonderful. So happy Ava is putting on weight. (not sure if you've been reading our updates!?)
As for different cries, we've watched that DVD "Baby Dunstan Language" its fantastic and demonstrates different cries and how to help settle etc and react to each cry. We are watching the DVD again this week. Everything takes time and I'm happy with the way things are going at the moment..... we are learning each other and that takes time ;)
And yep sometimes babies just need to have a good old cry!!! They can cry for no reason sometimes they just want cuddles.

Lately we've given Ava tummy time every day and she loves it. She lies there comfortably for a good 5mins before getting a bit upset. She can lift her head up so strongly and hold it for a good 2mins or more and has done so since day one!!! We are soooo proud of our little girl :D We also give her nappy-free time so she can kick her legs etc.....

Jo - Ava loves her bath time too! She is so relaxed.... I'm glad cos she is starting swimming lessons at 3mths which isnt far away!! hehe

hi
i nearly bought that book today secrets of a baby whisperer but bought another by mistake,i think ill go back and get it..nixon is a pretty good baby
nixon been pretty good the last few days apart from when we had him out n about here.there n everywhere but is doing good,ill be dashing to buy that book but we are pretty close today to what they suggest,except dh coulnt get him to settle whilst i was off shopping so i came home picked him up,cuddled n been asleep the last 2 and 3/4 hours except hes fallen asleep on me,not waking him im enjoying the cuddles...
jo-i think u have found ur forte as a sleep 4 baby advisor,u should look into it as a career..
speaking of which please checkout my facebook page as ive gone back into my kids photography,its in my albums called ignite kids,my friend n i are currently putting a plan together to do the shopping centre photography but with some finesse not flowerpots n bath-tubs..hes done my pix of nixon,great for me as i can sit at home and make money n market the business..for all you melb girls ill look after you
well tomorrow going to get nixon's feet hand n cast cant wait

Just thought I'd share.................

Had my first rum & coke tonight (after Ava's big feed) for the first time since May and it was soooooo yummy :dance: I figured after 9mths of not drinking and the last 3 weeks, I kinda deserved it ;) hehe only having the one. and it was half nip!

Forgotten what it tasted like.......

hahaha Im back!!! hehehe

Ren - i had a mouthful of bicardi breezer the other day and it went straight to my head! :ROFL: but then i went to a tupperware party on sunday and had some feta on crackers oh and it was devine to be able to eat that again!!!
Tell me more about swimming lessons, im wanting to do that with Caleb but have no real idea what happens there.
I also give Caleb nappy free time and he loves it, i get the biggest smiles from him when hes like that and im sure they get even bigger when he pees on mummy!!!!!

just went to make up a bottle for Caleb and put the bottle in a mug of boiling hot water only to knock it over and pour boiling hot water over my hand, its a little sore now but i ran it under cold water.

Have my mothers group this wednesday, a little nervous but excited at the same time!

Oh and Sonya, I would be keen in the future to get some professional photos done of Caleb so i will definately be in touch with you about that :)

right im going now, i promise! hehehe

Sonya: I've had some pro shots done by a friend who was practising...will have to post to see what you think. I love them but I am biased I guess he he!

Jo: My DD has been going to swimming since 4 months. The best thing you can do is get them used to the shower and water over their head. She has been to two different program but both involved counting before head under. You have to shop around for a program that suits you (some are song based, some are two or three in a group etc). They teach them safe entry, flotation and you simulate falls so they get used to the feeling and therefore don't panic if it happens. My only advice (here's that advice again) is that you go and watch the group you think you are going to attend because it does make a difference which instructor you get. Pick one that you think DS will get-along with as they will be handling him (eventually) to get him to 'swim' to you and run across the wobble mat etc. DD was doing the swim by 6 months (about 2 - 3 meters) but the underwater passing started first lesson. As soon as DD could walk they had her running across the wobble mat and jumping in the water!!

Good night everyone....DS is down now until 3am (hopefully) so am going to get a good sleep in as DD is up at 5am every morning!!

my little ****(hes not really i love him) still wont self settle tonight,grrrrrrrrrr!! did so durring the day but not with dh or tonight,hell im not going in the car tonight,we try wooshing his cot up n down,patting his tummy and everything the books tell u to do,,once hes asleep he not too bad...i put him straight down as soon as he yawned and he been up 90mins,yes Ren its gonna take a while but if we dont ger it right we will pay...during the day he good in car,he sleeps,sleeps in pram but not bassinette at bedtime
anyway its mummy off to help cos not working for daddy

Ren, congrats on the drink! I've been thinking about having some wine with dinner, but it gave me heartburn when I had a sip while preggo so I'm a bit scared to even try it. It used to make Ben really unsettled when I was breastfeeding him too, so that's another reason to hold off for me.

I took the boys to the community nurse and had them weighed and measured. Seems I've got a bit of an oompa lumpa on my hands! Jared is now 5.55kgs so he's put on just under 2kgs in his five weeks. He's also grown 4.5cms. I guess my milk really is doing the trick! He's been a lot more settled today and last night. I think he might have had his six week growth spurt a bit early. He's only been feeding every 3-4 hours today which is much better. Slept wonderfully last night too and Ben was only awake once for a bit of a drink which means I got some sleep - in short blocks, but still about seven hours.

Jared's having a play naked on the floor right now. He loves tummy time too, so different from Ben. His neck is unbelievably strong. Ben was the same and sitting up by himself at five months. I'm hoping Jared will be the same as he usually hates lying down at all and wants to be up and seeing what's going on. Doesn't even like his bouncer which is slightly elevated.

I braved the mall again today too. Jared slept peacefully in the Hug A Bub the entire time and Ben really behaved himself so it was pretty good. Still exhausting though, and then they didn't even have what I wanted. My best friend said I should have stood at the counter saying "Do you know what it takes for me to get out of the house with these two?" until they came up with the goods :lol:

YAY Nixon self settled today,,,fingers crossed,think im gonna start wrapping him under his arms as i think thats the problem,he wrapped now under his arms n went to sleep,put him in the bed last night not wrapped under arms n same thing..
Mr.Sleepy-head still dont do the 7am wake ups so we doing it at around 8am..
Well im working on my kids photography stuff and gonna hit the shopping centres as my friend went to highpoint n seen a company whos photos are ok but nuthin to rave home about and she says they were 20 deep with prams lined up...ching-ching time to cash in!!!!!!! i got Nixons hand n feet cast today,ohhhhhhhhhh i cant wait,they are so cute,am gonna do some photography for that lady too,so bye bye real estate photos,hello kids n babies.If anyone in Melbourne wants there kids hands n feet cast contact me and ill put you onto her as its so special and a memento to keep..

Photo books at big w-ggrouse,i ordered one,they do canvases also,harvey norman do fantastic photo books and canvases,i can get them cheaper so if u want canvases lemme know.
Since having my boy its sparked my photography interest especially with kids n babies,i think cos as a mother you know and feel the emotions that other mums do and you realise how special and precious they are,i photograph every child like they my own.

Swimming lessons-yep we taking Nixon asap as im not a strong swimmer n hubby cant swim,Nixon loves the water,his bath and goes in the shower with DH,great for a wash to hose off a dirty bum..hehe
Anyway best be off,his godmother to be is coming to visit
Love Bon

Morning everyone
Just up feeding & wanted to let you all know I got an sms from Renstar around midnight - she & Ava were admitted to hossie last night with suspected silent reflux. Little Ava only got 8hrs sleep yesterday & only then it was from exhaustion from crying. They are seeing a Paediatrician today & hope to get some help & answers.

Lets all send them a big hug & lots & lots of positive vibes girls.:grouphug:

Poor Ren and Ava,my friend Andrea had the same problem with her son but let it go on almost 5 weeks,he wouldnt feed or sleep proper,she ended up at the royal childrens and they now have her giving him medicine before and after she breastfeeds or expresses.

Well my friend came last night whos Nixons godmother and helped me out,she got nixon and fed him,put him on his tummy,got him to self settle and we gave him a bath and was lights out...she also raised his bassinette and he went down in it easy,and is in there now asleep,even though his feed is due im not waking him,hes been really good,last night he slept from 7-730pm woke at 10.30 for bath and bottle and then bed and slept til 8am.. apart from waking for his feedsThats our start to the day hour,we are trying a few different things and they seem to be working and hes more content and settled...Was really good that she was here and showed me some ways,she a mum of 3 and a grandma,yep she had her 1st at 16 years old.still married and her son she had at 16 has made her a nana...lol shes pretty damn hot and funky for a nana..

Am gonna try the same things tonight,i highly recommend the eco store baby sleepytime bath,smells devine and makes them relax n sleep

anyway its bottle time for the bird( earned the name by the long feet and toes that he could perch with and the little tuft of bird hair that sticks out at the back)

oohhhhhhh b4 i go,hes making noises and giggling full on,all morning we getting giggles and little shrieks,is this normal at nearly 6 weeks that they find their voices,it was the funniest thing and he smiling and cooing...awwwww im so in love with my little man

Oh i hope Ren and Ava are ok and getting some answers.

Wow Bon - you get to sleep all night????????? OMG i'm envious! Good luck with the photography stuff. Any chance of you doing some in Geelong?

Dis - OMG Jared is a boofa! Henry was only 5.3kg Monday - same age and he was 10pd 2 born!!!

Jo - I burnt myself with water badly once with Lucie. Hope you are ok.

All good here. Just back from storytime. Might have arvo at home before Kinder picnic tonight. Had my first night of just me and 3 kids last night as DH worked till late. We survived!

Oh poor Ren and Ava. I hope they find out what's causing her so much distress.

Son, Jared isn't giggling, but he's smiling real smiles now. DH is better at getting a smile out of him than I am, I guess he's bored of me after staring at me all day!

Soph, yep, Jared is a boofa alright. He's grown a lot in length too (nearly 5cms) and is breastfed so I'm not worried about him getting too fat. He's bigger now at just over a month than his big brother was at just over two months!

We're having better nights now. It took me longer to work out Jared's signs and sounds than it did with Ben, I guess I'm just more distracted now with Ben to look after as well. Also, Jared cries whereas Ben didn't :lol: We knew we got a happy baby for #1 but it wasn't until now that we realised just how happy he was, not that Jared's bad, just normal I think :) Anyway, Jared is consistantly going four or five hours sleep between feeds at night so I'm definitely feeling more human now :)

Hi lovlies

Had a fantastic night last night, Caleb slept from 7-7 with a feed at 3.30am and straight back down again. He did wake around 5.30ish cos he came out of his wrap and was freezing cold but once i reswaddled him he went straight back to sleep again! I have solved that problem however by buying the miracle blanket and it really truly is, he cant get out of it and as soon as i put him in it he just becomes calm and gives me the biggest smiles and coo's, its amazing, if you can buy one then i highly recommend them!

Well my sister is now 8 days overdue and not talking to anyone, shes highly peeved and isnt the best company so i guess i just keep waiting for the news, im not bothering her, i know how that feels i just cant wait for her to have her baby girl!

hope everyone else is doing good!

jo- u make me sick...(just kidding)my kid wont adhere to going to bed at 7pm,but he been sleeping at 6pm til 11pm,then a feed,wont settle for a while then sleeps all night apart from waking for 3 hour feed,then he goes back to sleep until around 8am,has long daytime sleeps when he does fall asleep,we put him down to fall asleep on own accoedany earlier and he cranky,having a few dramas today with catnapping...i think a lot is my fault as my business has consumed us and the poor bugger been in the car and shipped around a lot.lucky as of today the business has been merged so i can start staying home and doing my kids stuff and implementing some better set times but i cant complain too much hes pretty good,not as good as caleb,,i think i gotta work this self settling issue out,thats the issue,if he wont ill be ringing sleep school to work out the self settling,or something!!! hes a good sleeper generally and a content kid

Son - they recommend (who is "they" hahaha) you spend at least a week at home if you want to get your baby into a routine or are trying to sort out the self settling issue. If he is going down to sleep in the same place every time then he gets used to it being his "sleep place" and he knows he has to go to sleep, once he knows that and starts getting used to going to sleep at certain times of the day then you can take him out and he will sleep anywhere cos he knows its sleep time.
I took Caleb to Mothers group the other day and i thought it was going to be a disaster and throw our routine off but bang on 2.30 he started falling asleep (like he would at home) and so i just put him in his pram and he slept for two hours, everyone elses babies were screaming and it didnt even wake him up!

I just take each day as it comes, sometimes we have bad days (like the other morning i didnt give him his usual face and bum wash with a warm flannel, which he loves, and he didnt sleep from 6am - 10am! but he caught up later in the day) and we have good days, but i know that any day can be the day he decides to throw the routine out the window!

jo-he will sleep anywhere,he goes into the same room at night every night,its just as soon as you put him down hes kicking up a fuss..he sleeps anywhere in the house,in his bassinette or on his mat,hates going down in the bassinette,we elevated it,though hes starting to get used to it,unfortunately i havent had the luxury to stay home inside a full week and i think id go cuckoo...he sleeps in the car,the pram,the house,u name it,but its just the self settling...i can put him on his tummy on my lap and lights out then bassinette,little terd wants to be held,he stays awake 3 hours after he wakes b4 goign back to sleep even if we put him down,have given up on regimental routine as it doesnt work,have tried to adhere to strict times and nope, i will try the self settling for another week or two and if no luck ill be ringing you or someone..hehe

feel free to ring me hun, i would love to try and help. I think maybe you are right that I want to go into the profession. When i saw the mothers at my mothers group and someof them were really struggling and they spoke about the techniques they were using (some of th6em letting their little ones cry it out) I just wanted to cry and help them. Obviously i dont know it all and im no expert but all i can do is try and if it works then how awesome, if it doesnt then nothing gained, nothing lost!!

We had a good night again last night :) Jared really seems to have worked out night from day. During the night he is awake for the first half of his feed and then drifts off to sleep during the end of his sleep and I pop him back into bed. Much better! During the day he likes to have a bit of a play - don't you just love their smiles? Ben slept right through last night too and that's what makes all the difference in this house!

Is anybody watching Bringing Up Baby? I watched in horror last night. That 1950s woman is insane!!! I feel so bad for the babies following her method :( And the poor mother's especially the mum of the twins, she clearly doesn't want to follow it anymore - poor thing :( I just can't believe that she won't let them cuddle their babies!!!

We had a good night again last night :) Jared really seems to have worked out night from day. During the night he is awake for the first half of his feed and then drifts off to sleep during the end of his sleep and I pop him back into bed. Much better! During the day he likes to have a bit of a play - don't you just love their smiles? Ben slept right through last night too and that's what makes all the difference in this house!

Is anybody watching Bringing Up Baby? I watched in horror last night. That 1950s woman is insane!!! I feel so bad for the babies following her method :( And the poor mother's especially the mum of the twins, she clearly doesn't want to follow it anymore - poor thing :( I just can't believe that she won't let them cuddle their babies!!!

My son has made a liar out of me............

He self settled and went straight to sleep,i just took out his dummy,put him down,rocked his cot up n down on the carpet for 2 mins and lights out!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This also continued throughout his other wake up times,self settled and went straight back to sleep,only sooked once when he came out of his wrap,was re-wrapped and nini again...he woke up at 815am and is now back asleep in bed with his dad..hes slept a good 5 and a half hours last night between 10.30 and 330am b4 waking for a feed and a wet bum.Hes a good sleeper and if i can continue with getting him to settle this easy,we have a sort of routine working so im going to modify it,try n get him to sleep better and more frequent during the day instead of his long 4-5 hour sleeps where he near in a coma(lol)he wakes for 2-3 hours then has a long sleep,want him to sleep after an hourish then sleep for 2 hours ish like they say,once hes asleep hes a bugger to wake,hates being woken up,gets cranky,oh hes his fathers son thats for sure!

Dunno if i told you that i had Nixons feet hand and cast,oh i cant wait,ladies you have to go do it...Now the hard part is i have to choose a frame..please help me,my house is chocolatte and beige,so is my furniture,even though we will be moving and re-building i plan to keep a lot of those colors,i originally chose a chocolate frame with blue inside and blue matte and a black and white photo of him,with silver feet,hands and plaque,now im thinking maybe i shouldve gone all blue or chocolate and and black,the all blue looks good for a boy.a lot of nixons room is chocolate beige with blue and id like to continue this when he bigger,please help me lol indecisive mum!!!!!!!!! or do i leave what ive chosen already.it was a rush decision as DH was hurrying me up and didnt like what i liked and we could only agree on this.
Also my kids photography is up and going,we gonna do the shopping centre ones in the next month or so,some of them are fantastic,some of them are very flower pot,washing basket basic...i
Jo- yep i think you should look into doing baby whispering(lol well u know what i mean) as a career,and u love doing it,thats why im heading back into my kids photography,not just cos its money cos im passionate and since ive become a mum i know those warm feelings you get when you get beautiful photos,i cried with the ones my friend took.
Has anyone heard how REN is doing with little Ava? hope they are doing ok