Babies Born March 2008

[slimjadey]

Had another difficult night last night, a little over an hour sleep. This time DH had to go to work so i'm stuck home with the kids and feeling very grumpy.
I've just taken a Panadeine Forte that i had left over to help with my headache and to help relax me, not the best way to relax but it's only 1 and its pretty much my only option atm.
oh, about Easter.. heh i think i'm going to cancel it this year, if things keep going the way there are i don't think i'll be able to handle family over for too long and knowing my family they'll overstay their welcome.

[prama]

Another sucky day..
I dont know what to do.. some days seem a real struggle and then i feel so guilty.
Lakshman threw up all his milk...
Im so tired that i try to catch some sleep in between and then i feel guilty that i dont give him much play time.
How much play time do you girls do? I have him on my tummy, for some tummy time and some times on the play mat. The nurse at the settling class said you have to give them play time.. i dont have the energy, sometimes, i feel like a horrid mother.. im in tears now..

[Nicambhar]

Sorry to crash your thread girls.. Just a message for Prama - yr inbox is full.

Just wanted to send you a super huge cyber hug honey. xxoo

[teachmum]

Prama I remember feeling like this with my first. Everyone tells you what you should do but remember do what you have to do to get through the day. Your little man probably didn't throw all his milk up, sometimes it just looks that way.

Regarding play time and tummy time, you can give him tummy time just by putting him on your chest. He will try and lift his head up which is what you want him to practice. When he is awake every minute is playtime. It's all new to him and I'm sure he's having a ball! Patrick only goes on his playmate when he is awake and content to lay there and play. Some days this doesn't happen coz he wants to feed sleep and grow!

Remember a happy mummy is more important than a happy CHN.

[slimjadey]

how many hours a day should baby play when they're this young? i can't remember from my other two.
I want him to play obviously but i dont want him overtired either...

[teachmum]

I don't know. I just let Patrick play until he gets cranky.

[prama]

thanks teachmum, you made me feel better.
It's hard to know how much play time to give at this age. He's too young to grab stuff and listen the different noises. maybe it's too early for him to feel textures and stuff. I squeak the different toys and he seems to turn his head.

I guess apart from talking to him and cuddling him at this stage it's quite limited.

lisa - glad all is good with you!! you deserve it after all that you went thru.

[Sammiejane]

Re the play time, i read to Molly Jane after a feed in the morning and from what i can understand, when they are awake, it is time for interaction, that is cuddles, a bit on the bouncer and also loads of talking or any other form of play that you can think of or combine with what you are doing. I dont think that it necessarily has to be structured and shouldnt keep them awake if they are tired. If i am cooking, i bring the bouncer into the kitchen and tell Molly Jane what i am doing...
I read a pamplet when i was in hossy re settling and they were saying that it should be sleep, feed, play... that way bubs is not relying on the feed to get them to sleep all the time. I try and stick to that, but sometimes she just falls asLeep straight away and there is no waking her! (at night time it is feed, change, feed back to bed - or a quick cuddle first, no talking or playing)
I too have been lucky and Molly Jane is really settled and have not had a problem getting enough sleep.

Prama, i think that you are doing a brilliant job, you have had so many hurdles that you have had to get over, you are not a horrid mummy, you are a great one as you are continually thinking of what to do and making sure that your beautiful boy gets all that he needs

Mum and Dad have just left, Dad and i went and got some mulch and he did all the garden beds, mowed the lawns and walked the dog... Mum did hung out and then brought in all the washing, took me shopping, to the CMHN for our 2 week visit and helped me wash the dog. I am so lucky to have them. I have declared that Tuesday is now Grandparent day, and i will visit them or they can visit us each tuesday.
Dad now has a new name, he wanted to be called 'Pop' but was talking to Molly Jane and called himself 'Tic Tock Pop' as he has an artificial valve in his heart and when his heat beats it sounds funny and 'tick'... so dad is now Tic Tock!!!

Health Visit went well, Molly Jane has put on 125g (now a whopping 4.08kg - she will be out of all her clothes so quickly), she is also 2.5cm longer and her Head Circ is 1cm larger. All other health checks were great and the 'explosive poo' is her way of getting rid of excess BM so all is good

Easter we are braving it and going away, not sure if you remember (the girls from the old group) but we go away ever Easter and Cup weekend with several other families (my parents and sister go too) waterskiing,motorbike riding (the boys) and 4WDing etc... anyway, we have decided to go as we dont want DSS to miss out on his Easter holiday... its going to be a chanllange, but i have so much support (i think the thing that i am most worried about is having enough nappies - still on the cloths!)
I am looking forward to showing her off as the other families havent seen her as we will be going away so soon together...

Jade - dont worry about taking the P/Forte, it is only one, and you have to rest. Is there anyone that could come and help you a bit or is there a day that both the boys are in playgroup etc that you could get a bit of you time?

Sorry for the long novel - im very talkative today (must be all that adult interaction i had!

[Lisaqg]

I am sorry to hear that some of you are having such a hard time settling your little ones, Jake is such and angel - he rarely fusses and only if very hungry. I've been so blessed as he's sleeping well, the only problems we are having is BF but I am seeing the child health nurse tomorrow and we will see what she says about it all but the idea of expressing my milk is growing on me as it's very conveniant for anyone to be able to feed him for me.

My stitches are starting to come out now and the area seems to be healing well, I've booked a GP's appointment though to make sure all is well and to have Jake's first health check

(((((hugs))))) to everyone who's having so many dramas

[slimjadey]

Yay for the weather change coming through!!!

[marknjo]

Prama :hugs: As the others have said, you need to look after yourself and at this stage Lakshman would be getting all of the playtime he needs just while he is awakw and feeding. It is only in the last couple of days that Caitlin has started to interact with her playmat and that is purely looking at herself in the mirror and smiling. She prefers tummy time laying on my chest than to laying on the playmat and her neck development does not seem to be affected at all.

We had our "4 week" visit to the M&CHC today (kind of funny seeing as though she is 7 weeks old). We had a great fortnight, she put on 430g and is now 3180g (7lb), her head is 35cm and her length is 49cm. I knew she had gotten bigger as some of her clothes now don't fit her which is exciting! She is even wearing some 0000's now - although they are a little baggy but if she keeps packing on the weight like she has she will be caught up in no time. Based on her corrected age she is on the 25th percentile curve for her head, 50th percentile curve for her length and 25th percentile for her weight so she is still a little small but definitely better than she was.

[marknjo]

SJ - Your post popped up after I posted. Have a good weekend away - at least this time you will be able to ski - that is if your Ceaser wound will let you.