Babies born~March 1st-15th 2010 #1

[thrilled82]

Hi All,

A very worn out Thrilled over here.

I've had it.
Seriously, I just can't stand one more day of a screaming baby.
Thankgod it's the weekend and DH is home.
Am just feeding her today and he takes her inbetween feeds. I am literally drained.
Willow has been what feels like non-stop unsettled since Thursday afternoon.
She is 5 weeks and 2 days - does anyone know if there is a growth spurt around this time, like the growth spurt at 3 weeks. The 3 week growth spurt lasted about 2 days, am really hoping this is the same.

She is feeding every 2.5 hours (bang on the knocker each time) during the day and if she does not have the boob in her mouth or her nappy off (discovered she LOVES nappy off time) she is screaming.
We are still getting blocks of sleep at night (5 hours and then usually another 4 hours after the middle of the night feed) which is a lifesaver.

I just don't know what to do anymore.
I've had a great week, and then on Thursday afternoon she decides to start these shenangians. I'm at my wits ends, doubting all my mothering skills again and thinking "I can't do this".

I just wish I knew what was unsettling her so much ... I'll do anything to make her comfortable and not scream. Oh how I wish she could talk and tell me what the problem is!!

[Breesa]

Hi All

I havent had any email notifications, so something went awry there...

Have been flat out this last week with family and other visits, so will find time soon to get up to date on you all and whats been happening.

DH is back at work on Monday - he isnt looking forward to it at all, but really I just hope I cope ok..

Hugs to all xx

[Cass72]

Thrilled, hang in there. Sounds like you have hit the 6 week growth spurt. I felt the same until I realised what was happening. Now I'm just going with it and feeding Robert every 2 hours regardless of whether or not he is awake during the day (he just latches on in his sleep) and hoping for the best at night. I found that if I went to bed "knowing" that he would be awake within 2 hours I could cope alot better rather than going to bed "hoping" that he would sleep for at least 3 hours.

[CinderToriella]

quick question Ladies - what do your little ones weight atm?

[Cass72]

4.85kg (10lb 10oz) last Wednesday

[CinderToriella]

Thanks Cass, i know all bubs are diff but just checking Hannah weighed just under 5kg with clothes and nappy on just got her weighed when we got first needles very upsetting for both mum and daughter

[Cass72]

Oh, so sad. Thankfully DH will be back when it's needle time for Robert.

[queen bee]

M2W- I thought about a sling but I have a bad back so I don't if it could cope carrying him around.

Thrilled - i am feeling for you, we had a day like and i was ready to send everyone to childcare, it is so hard but it will pass.

Shell- Tobi is 5.1kgs so he has put on 1kg since birth.

AFM- We are all sick here including bubs, it breaks my heart to hear him cough, he is just too young to be sick. I hope it will pass soon; of course i feel guilty again that he is on formula and not getting my immunity.

[Cass72]

AFM- We are all sick here including bubs, it breaks my heart to hear him cough, he is just too young to be sick. I hope it will pass soon; of course i feel guilty again that he is on formula and not getting my immunity.

Don't you dare feel guilty! Robert's not on formula and he still caught my cold. It is heartbreaking to see them unwell but just give your bubs lots of love and cuddles. The doc told me that we just had to ride it out and we did.

[CinderToriella]

Thrilled your doing a great job hun- Hannah went through a growth recently as well, and it was hell, screaming all night , un settled feeding all the time my nipples were red raw .

I was in tears and didnt know what to do, but they get over it and we manage and go on I know what you mean about wishing they could tell you whats wrong so you could help them, all we want to do is make all the pain for them go away but its so hard when we dont know what it is .
Its good to have the support of our partners( hang in there Cass
As when it gets to much we can get them to take bubs for a while..One great thing iv found is that when Hannah gets all stressy and unsettled and all she wants is the boob but she has fed and is now only wanting comfort sucking,no matter what i do i cant settle her coz all she wants is the boob and being in my arms she can smell the milk and it sets her off..so i pass her to Df ,as she wont settle with me coz of the milk anf she wants it lol..Just a thought.

Rest assured it will pass.. Also noticed your on Newcastle,im on the Central coast

[Cass72]

Shell you're right about not settling on you because they can smell the milk. When my parents were here, I'd give them Robert and he would almost instantly fall asleep, when he was in my arms he would try and go for the boob even though he had fed.

Oh and LOL, I just handed bubs to DS (who just got back from camp) and would you believe he fell asleep in his arms in an instant!! This was after fidgeting in my arms for ages.

Thrilled, Shell's right about saying it will pass.... it does (eventually)

[Mum2Willie]

Thrilled - I agree with the ladies - it seems you have hit the 6 week growth spurt and they say the 6 weeks blues for you too - some hormonal shift...We are in it at the minute too...last night was the first night I just lost it and broke into tears. I think it is also the build up of sleep deprivation, having bub on you all the time!!! It just gets too much...but keep feeding and you will get through it..I am telling myself that as I know i did with my son. It sounds like you have a fanastic partner who is very supportive..lucky you! You are doing a great job and in soon it will be easier. I agree, also , expect to feed every 2 hours and anything longer is a bonus!

Bree - Good luck for Monday and I know you will cope!

Cass - I totally agree with the advice you gave Thrilled!

Shell - Soph is 5kg (born 2.9kg so added 2.1kg) - She is a breastfeeding machine! Oh, and the needles get easier..i was totally freaked out when my son went for his first lot...but each time it wasn't as bad and you know you are doing to right thing!

Shell- I have trouble passing Sophie on - at the moment she is completely and untterly attached to me...great advice though as it worked a treat with my son - Soph on the other hand it another story.

QB - shame you can't use a sling...hope you all get well soon..and don't feel guilty re illness...Soph got really sick with the viral cough too and she breastfeeds like crazy...Dr also told us we just had to ride it out...took about ten days..hope you are getting some sleep.

Soph is driving me insane....she has decided she won't sleep unless on me!!! Anyone else finding this???? I have her sound asleep and within secs her eyes pop open! I just walked her in the sling for 30mins, put her in her rocker and wide awake! Last night, she kept doing the same thing and at tenpm I gave up and just put her in bed with me and she didn't wake until I got up at 4am to go to the toilet...so I got a great sleep...I fed her (gave her infants friend) and she didn't wake until I did at 8am...so she can go longer between feeds, but just wont sleep on her own! I fed her every two hours in the day and did 3 quick feeds between 6 and 8, so she was full! 8pm was her last feed - so that was 8hrs! The question is how to put her down or go away from me.

DH took her twice yesterday (so i could have shower and put toddler 2 bed) and she screamed the house down both times...she wasn't hungry as I had just fed her both times. My son didn't do this so badly. Here's hoping it's a quick phase. My mum is coming to stay for a few days this week...maybe her holding Soph will help...any thoughts????

[Cass72]

Well I made my sling and Robert fell asleep in it while I was making some Anzac biscuits .... so can I shower with it on too?? Maybe I could make a waterproof one... hmm, there's a thought!!

[thrilled82]

Yes, we tried the ring sling today and Willow settled.
First time I've had a settled baby in just over 48 hours.
Am convinced what we've just been through is a growth spurt, as today all she's done is slept and fed - but her feeds have been really stretched out ... 4 hours, 4.5 hours ... it's been great for my poor nipples.

I so don't get the advice to wake the baby for feeds ... I am doing this totally 'by demand', I really don't see the benefit in waking a sleeping baby.

[Cass72]

Thrilled, that happened to me too. Robert went through a totally awake phase for 3 days that was just constant feeding and yesterday and today he's done not much else except sleep and eat. Bliss!!!

[Jandals]

hey ladies,

The 6 week slump is hitting me a little early I think. Feeling totally exhausted today and hanging out for Toby to sleep for more than 2-3 hrs in a row at night. His poor wee tummy seems to wake him and he spends a lot of the night heaving and grunting and trying to poo. Not too much screaming, thank goodness, just no deep sleep for either of us

I'm also struggling a bit with trying to keep up with DD. She's a very active girl and I feel like I'm just not giving her enough attention/time at the moment. I'm seriously considering another day at kindy for her just so she's not bored out of her head at home with grumpy mummy.

Cass - what a legend you are baking and making your own sling. I'm doing well if I get dinner made!

thrilled - fingers crossed for you that Willow has a good day tomorrow. My DD was a screamer and I know how hard it is to deal with. Like someone else said just try and tell yourself that it will end even though it feels like this is your life forever at the moment.

shell - have you thought of trying a dummy when Hannah's just wanting to suck? I know they're not for every-one but sometimes it's just what Toby needs to help get him off to sleep as he's a very sucky baby.

M2W - wow, 8 hrs! Must have been such relief to get a few hours in a row after a crappy day. My close carrier arrived last week and I'm loving it. In fact Toby's sleeping in it as I type Toby's the same with not settling well for anyone else. DH tries but Toby will end up hysterical and settles as soon as I take him back. I guess they just want their Mummies when they're tired and uncomfortable.

QB - be kind to yourself I know many formula fed kids that have had much less illness than my DD who was breast-fed exclusively until 8 mths when I put her on formula which stopped all the screaming almost instantly. How are you feeling other than the guilt?

Breesa - all the best for tomorrow. Just take it easy and don't expect too much of yourself.

Better go - DH has just come home with a chest freezer so we can start using the slow-cooker and stocking up on frozen meals.

[CinderToriella]

I do not know what i would do without my sling/carrier..its a life saver

[Cass72]

Jandals, I'm totally jealous!! I want a chest freezer!