Just a quick one....BS, sorry to hear about poor little Eva's rash It must be so painful for them. But funny you should say that, because Michael has a bit of nappy rash for the first time in his life...and he is definitely teething. Its a dark pinky colour at the mo, no bleeding yet, thank goodness. He even clamps his legs together when I am trying to clean him. Poor darling It started maybe 2 days ago, which would coincide with when I noticed those bumps in his gums. Maybe try and have a look in her mouth when you get the chance...a good way of looking at her bottom gum (where the first teeth normally appear) is to play with her bottom lip...like, pull it down but repeatedly and fast so she thinks you're playing with her. Thats how I got to see Michael's bottom ones (top ones are much harder!).
Beany and BS - Just a quick one to say that both my boys got nappy rash when teething. I stop using wipes and use water and a clean facecloth instead (gently dabbing), sudocrem (basically any good barrier cream will do) and powder (helps to stop all the cream from sticking to the nappy, curash powder's the best), and lots of nappy free time. Craig got it REALLY bad once and I had to buy a special antifungal nappy rash cream from the chemist to clear it up.
Hope it gets better and you both see new teeth soon!
I am really, really annoyed. I lost a huge post last night which I hadn't saved. Grrrr. I'd replied to everyone's lovely advice. I so appreciate the support girls because its been a pretty tough few weeks. So what I might do is just do one big selfish post and hopefully cover things in it.
We've had a pretty good naptime and bedtime ritual happening for awhile now and it certainly helps. By the time we get to the bedroom often her eyes are all glazed and she's doing that pre-sleep wimper. So our naptime ritual is fairly short and begins with a nappy change, story, lullaby, then off to the bedroom for a feed. When she's asleep I've been wrapping her and putting her in the cot with her comforter up against her face. She used to wake up a little when I wrapped her and put her in the cot but she'd just look around and go to sleep. Oh and all through the ritual I try and use lots of verbal cues like, "nearly bedtime", "night-night". The bedtime ritual is longer of course and starts with dinner at 5, nudey kick, bath at 6, play, story, DH usually arrives around this time and reads the last story, gro-bag, lullaby, feed, bed. I've started trying to feed her at 6:30 now though so she's just getting a top-up when she goes to bed. But she doesn't always cooperate. Again, until everything went to the dogs she was even self-settling occasionally in her cot after the last feed. No more....
Other angles I'm trying to tackle it from is increasing her solids gradually to fill her up. I couldn't believe how much she ate yesterday! I kept having to top up the bowl. And I also introduced chicken yesterday which the CHN suggested might help. I'm also trying to teach her to use a sippee cup because she won't use a bottle because I think she needs more fluids than she's getting. We had a little bit more success with this yesterday. I was also worried that maybe I was overheating the room and over dressing her so I toned this down (more on this below).
Oh, forgot to mention we shifted into the spare room a few nights ago but I ended back in bed with her for the first couple of nights. Soooo, last night I tried a few more things you all suggested. But here is a bit of a running commentary. She did the classic overtired baby thing and woke up upset about 4 times between 7.30 and 10:30. We just cuddled her back to sleep on a couple of times. Once I was able to just pat her and give her her comforter (yay) then I gave her a 10:30 feed when she woke around that time. Then I thought I'd try and only feed as a last resort like Lani and then pull her off before she was in a deep sleep. We also thought we'd leave it longer before we went in. I lose track a bit but I think she woke up at 1:30 (that was a good stretch), I heard her cry out and then go straight back to sleep between 2 and 3, she woke at 3:30 and took a couple of gos to get down (including one shot by DH). Had to resort to feeding both times but very short and pulled her off. Then she woke again at 6. The room felt icy so I fed her, put the heater on high and a blanket and we didn't wake up until 8:30. And I actually woke her checking on her because I'd wondered what had happened!!! I'm wondering if she's been cold, not hot. So last night was a bit better (yes, that was a good night LOL!).
So, I'm going to keep trying to reduce the feed to sleep need at night. Basically its my last gentle option I think before I resort to sleep training. I think I'm starting to feel that the benefits of sleep training will outweigh the costs if things don't improve drastically. I don't think its good for her to have such broken sleep. She looks so tired sometimes and she's starting to wake up upset during the night which she never used to and I think that's because she's tired and miserable.
Can you believe how full on it is having a baby??
Anyway, sorry this was such a me, me, me post but wanted to update you on how things went last night. Will try and re-type my persies a bit later. Love to all.
Tilda - bummer about the lost post! i wish I had some answers and advice for you, I really do. Your sleep routines sound really good. How long has she been having disturbed sleep like this for? And do you know what her room temperature is? What do you dress her in at night?
But I know....it is definitely full-on having a baby, sooooooooooooooooooooo much harder than anyone had told me. But then, I remember when people would say it's hard, it changes your life, get used to sleepless nights...blah blah blah - even then I thought "yeah, yeah, it can't be that hard...". But GEES. It is HARD!!! I honestly think it is sooo much easier working full time! When I finished work I honestly thought "....and now to take it easy...". Pfft! Of course, nothing compares to those heart-melting moments when they look you in the eye and smile, and watch you from across the room, and laugh at silly things you do - moments like those make it all worthwhile. Just wanted to let you know you're not on your own
Did it again, lost a post . Oh well, will try again. So I'm sorry my personals are going to be a bit more abbreviated than they were.
Beany - thanks for your support! It means a lot to me. Its weird how you "know" its going to be hard, but it is somehow different to what you expected. I think things are more chaotic than I expected. I think I thought you either got an "easy" baby or a "difficult" baby. But its not at all that consistent. And every baby has their own "easy" and "difficult" characteristics and it these change on a daily basis. But you're absolutely right. It's worth every minute and I wouldn't trade it for anything.
Suz - its very reassuring to hear you feel more confident the second time around. Maybe I will to They can definitely smell your fear! If I'm a mess, Matilda is a mess. They are little barometers. When you used to wake Ryan up to put him in his cot, would he struggle? Most of the time if I put M in the cot partially away she'll start waving her arms around and get upset (but see more below)
BS - poor little Eva's bum!! It sounds so raw! Have any teeth appeared? Have any new foods been introduced that could have done it? Thanks for all that info on SIDs awhile back. I was so sorry to hear about your brother. What an incredibly awful thing for your parents to got through. But I think you're right that we worry too much about it these days.
Alison - how are you going? Feels like awhile since we've seen you. I might have to FB stalk you to check whether you've come down with Millie's cold.
Hannah - if you're reading posts, I'm thinking of you and yours.
Rose - It's just great to hear about Liam's turn around.
AFM - well I just want to write a quick update because I can her Matilda starting to stir. Well the night before last was a lot better. She woke a couple of times before 10, at 1.30 and 3.30. But last night....she was a bit difficult to settle around 10 and DH ended up doing it. But then she didn't wake until 5 . I gave her a feed and she woke up when I put her back in the cot, but she wriggled around and grizzled for a minute or so and then went back to sleep herself until 7. I am just astounded! The cruel, cruel irony was that we didn't get to sleep ourselves until 2am because of an out of control party next door where we share a wall with. Very unimpressed Sp god knows what it is now since we've tried so many things! The extra blanket, introducing meat, getting DH to do more settling, trying to feed to sleep less often, moving into a different room and not using a monitor (since its right next door). And I think she might have just gone back to sleep now after whimpering and babbling for a minute. Hmm, maybe not, there she is again. Better go.
Hi Girls - I AM here, I haven't been getting notifications again grrr! I haven't read through all the posts I've missed so will go back and do that now. Things are going well here, Amelia is over her cold - she still has a bit of a yukky nose here and there but she's back to sleeping great at night again, she's hardly even fussing through the night at the moment so I'm lapping it up while it lasts.......I fear when the top teeth start moving I'll be going through it all again. Boy was that week hard! She has decided 1.5 hour day naps are for losers though and has been waking after 30-45 mins, I refuse to get her up though as I know she's still tired so I just go in, pat her bum for a bit, walk out and cross my fingers, she almost always goes back to sleep for another hour! I have to give her points for trying it on however!
Anyway, I've got shanks in the slow cooker today (the garlic and herbs are filling my house with aromas that are making me drool).....so best go check it and get some washing off the line before Millie Moo wakes up. Hope everyone is well. xx
Tilda - I hate losing posts! I try to copy them before I hit 'post' in case I lose them. Hmmm, no idea what did the trick for you the other night but I really hope she does it again and you and your DH get some sleep! With Ryan, I started putting him to bed when he was still awake but drowsy. Now I can put him down fully awake and calm and he justs goes to sleep on his own. Tonight, he fell asleep on the boob (he still does it when he's really tired) and I accidentally woke him up when I put him in bed and he started crying, but I was able to settle him in the cot without picking him up and he went to sleep.
Alison - We've had the reverse, with Ryan suddenly sleeping more again after only sleeping 30mins at a time before. I'm with you, enjoy the sleep while it lasts! Glad Millie's feeling better now. Lamb shanks, YUM!
Beany - Yes, Ryan has his bottom 2 teeth. They don't bother me when BF because the tongue covers them, but when he wants to bite, OUCH! Craig did this too at the same age, it was a phase and he stopped.
BS - I hope that nappy rash is getting better.
Lani, Hannah, Willow, Rose, Kawa, Carmey, Kanda -
I had a curry night with some girlfriends on Saturday night and the boys were good for DH. We started the bedtime routine early and I actually got Ryan to bed after his last BF at 6:30pm. DH had a bottle ready for him but didn't need it. Then last night poor Craig hit his head on the coffee table and he has a big gash and a bump! We've been watching him closely last night and today to make sure he's OK. Today I had my Mum visiting and boy, just having that extra set of hands to feed Ryan made such a difference! 5pm to bedtime at our place is total chaos now there's a solid feed involved. DH usually isn't home in time, so I have to find a way to make it easier. Am really tired and will run myself a bath tonight to relax before going to bed early.
Lani - OMG, you must be feeling so stressed with little Jett's paed app outcome. Did they say it's normal for the head growth thing? Poor little Jett. Let's hope it's all okay - sending you lots of positive vibes. xx
Rose - the hands and knees was how Jack started, I think it was three days after that he was off. So you better get baby-proofed asap! I wasn't and we've paid for it. Another thing that I never thought about was to keep the floors free of anything that they can put in their mouths. I have caught Jack picking up tiny bits of plastic and paper and promptly shoving it in his gob. Scary! Good luck!!
Alison - that's a good idea to lay-by toys now. Good thinkin'! I might go out and check out what they have.
Everyone else, hope you have a lovely day. We're off to have lunch with a girlfriend on mine in the city. I'm thinking yum cha. YUMMM.
Hi Lani - you poor thing that must be so worrying.....try not to worry too much though, my nephew had a very large head and they sent him for scans etc as well, he's now 20 and doing journalism at Uni, he's really smart! So, he just had a big head, hey, must be all those brains Jett has! xx Let us know how you go, will have everything crossed for you.
Good luck at the toy sales everyone, I can't get there till the arvo as I'm having my hair done this morning....there'll probably be nothing left by the time I get there. With the Toys R Us sale yesterday one of the girls from mums group got there before they opened to get one of the Little Tykes cars and she said within 30 mins they were sold out. Who can be bothered being that keen! For starters Amelia has a 9.00 am nap so I can't even get the shops unless I leave her home with someone. Oh well, I'll get whatever's left lol.
Hi Suz - I was at the farm on the weekend and haven't much time to get on since! I'm finding it harder and harder as Millie Moo gets more demanding lol. Hows your 12 week challenge going? Mine has been disappointing, we're in the last week and I've only lost half of the weight I wanted to lose in the 12 weeks. I've been so slack. I'm on a mission now, meal replacement shakes for lunch as it's better than picking at crap and doing a workout DVD every day if possible. I'm starting Zumba classes next Monday night too, can't wait, should be a laugh! Amelia is well although I think we're heading into another wonder week and more teething, just when you think you're safe! She's been fussing and occasionally waking at night again, she's happy though so I don't mind, I think she's going through some developmental changes so can't blame her. She's clapping constantly now - at the farm on the weekend she stays in our room in the portacot and at 6.30 am in the pitch black all we heard was the sound of her clapping her hands, was so funny. Just the three of us and the 2 doggies went down and I could've stayed for days, it was so lovely to have some "us" time without others. I love going down with family and friends but I have to admit I super enjoyed it being just us. We didn't have to worry about waking others up or vice versa, no people with "morningitis" to deal with etc lol. I think we must do that more often, go by ourselves. Amelia's also found her thumbs and is using them to push levers and things on her toys and she's pretty much sitting up on her own now - no rush there lol. I don't think she's anywhere near crawling but I'm not fussed, it saves me from having to chase her around the house!
How is everyone else? Everyone is obviously in the same boat and finding it harder to get on. I have to stop spending so much time on BB and FB, I have so many things around the house that need doing, putting away old clothes etc, clearing out the end room that has become a junk room full of baby's things that aren't used anymore. Not to mention I haven't done any of Amelia's baby scrapbooking album in weeks. I'm so far behind I haven't even printed out any pics from 3 months on so best get a move on or it will never happen!
Hope everyone and your bubs are well. Perth girls, we should catch up again soon. xx
It must be so painful for them. But funny you should say that, because Michael has a bit of nappy rash for the first time in his life...and he is definitely teething. Its a dark pinky colour at the mo, no bleeding yet, thank goodness. He even clamps his legs together when I am trying to clean him. Poor darling
i wish I had some answers and advice for you, I really do. 
Your sleep routines sound really good. How long has she been having disturbed sleep like this for? And do you know what her room temperature is? What do you dress her in at night? 
They can definitely smell your fear! If I'm a mess, Matilda is a mess. They are little barometers. When you used to wake Ryan up to put him in his cot, would he struggle? Most of the time if I put M in the cot partially away she'll start waving her arms around and get upset (but see more below)
. I gave her a feed and she woke up when I put her back in the cot, but she wriggled around and grizzled for a minute or so and then went back to sleep herself until 7. I am just astounded! The cruel, cruel irony was that we didn't get to sleep ourselves until 2am because of an out of control party next door where we share a wall with. Very unimpressed 
Sp god knows what it is now since we've tried so many things! The extra blanket, introducing meat, getting DH to do more settling, trying to feed to sleep less often, moving into a different room and not using a monitor (since its right next door). And I think she might have just gone back to sleep now after whimpering and babbling for a minute. Hmm, maybe not, there she is again. Better go.
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