I spoke to my CH nurse at the clinic today and told her I was worried that Robert wasn't getting enough because he had only put on 10g last week. Well, we weighed him and this week he's put on 310g. She's thinking that something was wrong last week when the other nurse weighed him because it would be way more likely that he gained 170g each week. So he's now a healthy5.64kg (12lb, 7oz). I also asked her about feeding and sleeping. I told her about his pattern last night (same as your's Breesa) and she said she wouldn't expect anything more from him at his age. She doesn't think much of a lot of these "sleep programs". She said they are more for formula fed, not breastfed babies and it will only do my head in trying to get him to go along with it. You can follow them, but there's no need to be so rigid about it. She also suggested that the "we'll just try again tomorrow" philosphy always works too! Today I wasn't stressed at all about him getting proper sleep in his cot and he's had 2 really good sleeps in his pram and is napping again now. I think it's time to throw the books away and just go with my instincts. Yesterday I was so concerned about doing it the "right way" that I forgot to enjoy having a wonderful baby who just loves me unconditionally.
Good point Cass - just enjoying the whole process can make a huge difference!
Im all for throwing the books away, and just doing what works for you, your baby and your family - Instincts rule my world, especially when it comes to parenting
What a day! It started this morning when the microwave broke (which I use constantly for bottles etc.). Had school drop off, kinder drop off and feed at kinder using their microwave. Then off to the shops (which is a 45min drive) to buy a new one. The good news is Tobi slept in the car(I have been putting off long car trips due to the spew). Then kinder pick up and feed at Mum and Dad's and left the boys with them whilst I picked up DD from school. When I got back Tobi started screaming after a minute, I think because I left him with my Dad and I didn't pick him up straight away. I don't think he likes my Dad. Once he was in the car with DD & DS he was back to gooing and gaaing again. When I got home he was very unsettled, all whilst I am trying to feed the hungry hoards, install and work out new microwave and wash and sterlize the bottle. AAAHHH! To make matters worse DH has hardly been home this week and he worked late tonight too. I am throughly exhausted. Everyone is in bed now and I might go to bed too.
QB - What a day!!!! I hope you got to bed at a reasonable time and a decent sleep.
Cass and Bree - I am completely with you on following your instincts! I think that is what I learnt with my son (and why I love Pinky Mc Kay's literature as that is basically what she says to do). When you get too hung up on the "supposed tos" it gets stressful!!! I vowed to chill out with Soph and just enjoy a happy baby...so I do what she likes. I find the babybliss routines helpful as a guide and Pinky McKay has some useful strategies but otherwise I do what is working on the day. I said to my husband recently - best to have no expectations for a day..it makes it easier. If it is quiet or flowing I do something from my job list for the week - some days we do alot...others nothing. Bree, if it is quiet at 9am - I make dinner then.
Planning on a restful morning - toddler with MIL and he won't be going to kindy again 2morrow as still too sick - so this is my only break from him for three weeks now. I have done anything beauty routine wise with the kids being sick - so when this load of washing done - thought i would go get a dvd and do my nails etc. Hopefully Soph co-operates!
LJ, I like your idea of having a weekly job list - so much easier than planning on getting something done today. I think I'll do that too. With regards to cooking dinner at 9am, well last night I prepped my veges and meat for a casserole to put in the slow cooker this morning. I did this after bubs was fed and in bed, dinner was done and cleaned up and I'd had a shower. This morning all I had to do was pop it in the slow cooker and turn it on low. Tonight we will have a delicious beef & vege casserole with minimum fuss and I look like a domestic goddess!!
I am very much a go with your gut, trial and error Mum.
I think it is so important to be relaxed and trust to yourself as well. Miss P certainly is better off for it and while she doesnt have a routine we are kinda in a pattern.
She is still sleeping wonderfully overnight but that lead up to bedtime is basically constant feeding. From about 7pm till usually 8.30 - 9pm when she finally drops off but then she sleeps through till 5am. And man its cold at that time. Not nice having your boobs out when its bloody freezing!
I went to see a friend today who has a two week old and Peppar looked like a toddler compared to her. There is 8 weeks between them and man what a difference. Mind you in a few months I dont think the difference will be quite so noticable.
Yesterday the CHN also suggested maybe dropping the "dream feed" at 1030 to see what he would do. Well I did. I fed Robert at 630 last night and tucked him up into bed by 7. He didn't wake then until just after 130! He went a whole 7 hours. After I fed him he slept for another 3 & half hours. Mummy was impressed!!
LJ - what are the babybliss routines you mentioned?
Fejioa - indeed i saw a newbub recently and couldnt remember mine being that small - 7/8 wks does make a big difference!
Im glad to report Ciaran was back to his normal self last night with 4+hrs between night feeds - phew! He suddenly is a day sleeper (still prefers car and sling) and gets cranky when he hasnt had a nap. Amazing.
Today was an average day (took me till midday to shower and dress, then 1pm to eat something decent) as he seemed to be a big grumbly and tired today and feeding alot this morning. In hindsight should have just used the sling, but put it off as I was waiting for time to get myself in the shower. Ah well, at least most days are not like this.
This arvo (once we finally got out of the house and washing on the line) did a massive stock up shop at Aldi to try and save some $$ - im such a budget shopper all of a sudden now that our finances are much tighter than when i was at work.
Anyway, it was an effort getting it all into bags and the trolley, then into the car and upacked again at home with Ciaran in the sling pretty much the whole time. But i figure its character building stuff!
Anyway, he has nodded off in the sling now, so im going to have some dinner while i can
There is 8 weeks between them and man what a difference. Mind you in a few months I dont think the difference will be quite so noticable.
Bookmarks