Babies Born~May 16th-31st 2009 #4

Hi Girls

BG- well that about sums Jemima up at the moment! I wasn't expecting it this soon tho cos she is 2 weeks behind you all..... still she was due the same time so i wonder if she is doing things earlier cos she kept developing in the womb iykwim? She is more clingy atm, feeding sorta stopped being so frequent recently and not for as long, and then switched suddenly to feeding all the time. She has started to do this cute little shy gesture with DH where she smiles at him then goes coy and looks to me... quite cute really:) She is so out of a rhythm with her sleep cycle that i don't know if im arthur or martha! I also think she isn't cooing quite as often, when she does she goes for ages. She has learnt one new adorable skill which is to blow rasberries on my shoulder! She sorta talks into my shoulder and then blows bubbles, very cute.... she has tried it with my boob in her mouth to! I swear i was roflmao! Ah the joys! good luck by the way with the job hunt for hubby! fingers crossed

Bella

Wow BG - I just read that list to DH and we have experienced pretty much all of those in the last month - thanks so much for posting that - massively helpful :)

isn't it funny how a book can explain all that we're seeing with our bubbas and kinda make you go "yay, it's normal to be like this!"

having an interesting day - took E to get weighed this morning and actually had a long drawn out convo with the MCHN. we got the explanation about the new evaluation every couple of months, E's eyes, her reflux etc. it was great having the proper MCHN back on board! we talked about the chucky factor, and that, in a formula fed baby, thickener is an option, but very difficult with breast fed babies. one option is rice cereal - i said no, we're planning on going to baby led solids when she is six months (or as close to that point at we can) - and she was super supportive! yay! she used BLS herself for her kids, and for her grandchildren (helping her kids) and said that she would support any parent in doing it. i love that she is supportive! she said she loved that people embraced "lazy parenting" - making sure bubbas become incorporated into your family asap. was a really good appointment after the last couple

so - E's stats
5.910kg
61.5cm long
41cm head circ (i think - her book still in the car)

Most of you have seen on FB but we had great news today - CJ's hip is so good now that only need to keep the brace on while she sleeps (day and night) basically as long as we get her in it for 14-15 hours per 24 hour period that is fine. I was a bit surprised as is ahead of where we thought she was, but am very happy and rushed out and got some leggings for her to celebrate (she couldn't really wear them in the brace). Her legs flop out like she has the brace on, and is quite weird holding her and changing her nappy without it (she had had it on for more of her life than she hadn't IYWIM). A big no no is to lift up holding feet together with one hand to slide nappy under her bum, but that is a natural thing to do with the brace on you couldn't so now just have to remember not to do that and also when in the UK make sure anyone there who changes her doesn't do it. Apparently the coverage is very good now so would take considerable force to dislocate the hips now, but the orthotist said really that move which people do instinctively is not good for any babies hips. Am looking forward to see her learn about her legs and feet and hopefully to roll too. They expect at our next appointment on 12th Nov the brace can go altogether - so by our meet up she will be totally free.

BG - Thanks for that list CJ is 17 weeks on Sunday but I don't think we have hit that wonder period yet (prob is all going to happen in the UK!!! - when I would like her to be at her most cruisy (I love that word, haven't heard it used before)). I might pick up a copy of the book while in the UK as I think books are cheaper and often easier to get hold of over there.

[COLOR="DarkOrchid)"]Kat[/COLOR] - I hope Ivy gets over it soon. She was so cute and lovely when we met the other week is hard for me to imagine her causing you any grief :D. Just think "This too shall pass"

Great news, Vic! I had no idea about that nappy change thing - will have to make sure I am more careful with Phoebe!
Agh, Natty has the spews this morning. I HATE it more than anything. Praying like mad that P and I don't catch it.

Morning all! (And it is a lovely morning - Natty hasn't spewed since early afternoon yesterday and so far my running about like a mad woman wielding disinfectant every moment I had free of my limpet child seems to have paid off and the rest of us are well.)
I have been thinking a lot about Krystie's thread and I hope you guys don't mind if I spill some thoughts. I didn't bother replying again to the thread cause it seems you are at peace with it all now, Krystie, and I applaud you for following your instincts. Thing that bugs me is when people quote the WHO as, like, the holy grail of child nutritional information. I do not see how one single body of professionals can possibly make the final decision on the health and safety of every single child on the planet. Children need to be assessed individually on the needs of themselves and of their families. The WHO guidelines should inform our decisions but I get sick of the way the recommendations are touted as the automatic 'fix-it' response to anyone who dares to question something different for their child. I'm all for following your instincts, whether they be in line with the WHO recommendations or otherwise. I wish I had've done more of that when Natty was very small.
I am generally pi$$ed off by people dismissing the issues of mums on the forum because they don't conform to the parenting philosophy of the majority. I like to think we have a range of options available to us as parents, and in a loving home we can feel free to explore the options until we find something that suits our family. And certainly we shouldn't feel trapped by that decision either.
Ok. I think I am done. :) Hope you are all having a good weekend.

morning ladies

Amy - so glad natty is a little better. having an unwell little grl just isn't fair! poor little munchkin!

i agree with treating every baby individually. i have myself touted the WHO recommendations - but i've done it to shut the "know it all's" in my life up. basically saying i trust the WHO more than someone that thought it appropriate to give their child rice cereal at six weeks! for now, we're not introducing solids - E shows interest, but is content with drinking milk. she is sleeping brilliantly at night etc, so i don't see it as a need yet. i think that's what you need to look at - whether your own child NEEDS it. i think so much of parenting needs to be based on your own instinct. i do agree with the WHO pushing the six month mark as much as possible - the baby food manufacturers label their food for 3 months, so lesser educated parents may look at it and think their child needs solids at that age. it's very clever marketing really! i think, in those circumstances, having it said to you that solids aren't necessary until six months in most cases is well worthwhile. i've had both my SIL and a friend tell me that i'm doing the wrong thing attempting to exclusively BF E until six months (or just over) - but the MCHN agrees with me that BLS is the best option, and their little tummy's aren't ready for real food at this age - it means you have to puree things, which i don't want E to be in the habit of eating kwim? i don't think i'll puree any food - mash it with a fork if it's needed, but not puree... lazy parenting all the way!

KL - having done my little waffle - i guess what i'm trying to say is to go with your instinct on when to introduce solids. if you think they're needed early, go with it. if you want to wait then wait. i think some kidlets need the extra, some don't. i've read of a lot of people in the BF general chatter thread that actually say the introduction of any new food can cause sleep regression, so it's a tough call if the main reason you're thinking of introducing food is to help with sleep. i think Naomi has been a great example of where food can help - but it doesn't always...

afu - well we're having a lazy sunday morning this morning. went to friends for Grand Final yesterday. DH had a great time (he's a Geelong boy all the way) - but i felt a bit under the weather before we went. we were told we'd be inside watching the game, so i didn't mind going. well, E and I were inside, everyone else went out to the shed and left me with one much much older lady (who is losing her mind) - actually i lie, DH was inside til quarter time, and a couple of others til just before half time. but yeah, i was essentially in the lounge by myself with E. she fed, she slept. i watched the game but had no one to talk to. just before the end of the game, 7 sixteen year olds came inside to watch the game, E was asleep, and they all made a heap of noise at one point that startled her and she woke up screaming, so back on the boob for her. it was just uninspiring. i could have stayed home and watched. i know DH and his bestie are Geelong fans, and i didn't mind going - but i didn't think i would be abandoned like that! at least DH came home with me just after the game - he wasn't drunk, but if he'd stayed there he would have been...

thought i'd just update E's stats seeing i messed up the other day
so - E's stats
5.910kg
61cm long
43.5cm head circ

so i have a petite little girl with a big boof head!

Amy - I think that your post is great! I also get a bit annoyed when people act like it's the end of the world if you don't follow the WHO guidelines to the letter. It's not like the the day a child hits 6 months that their system suddenly changes to being able to accept solids. Bailey is a great example of a baby that was definitely ready for solids earlier than 6 months. There's also a little girl in my mother's group that is a good example too. Her mum started her on solids at 4 months because she was showing all the signs of wanting to eat. At her next MCHN apt the nurse asked if she was able to eat a whole teaspoon and the mum laughed and said "do you mean tablespoons?". Her mum didn't realise that sometimes a baby will take ages to eat even just one teaspoon, because her daughter started eating 6-7 tablespoons right from the get-go! LOL!

Kyson is still waking 2-3 hourly at night for feeds. It's not fun for me, but at the same time I know it won't last forever. How many 10 year olds do you know that wake during the night for feeds? ;) I have that philosophy about a lot of things. Some people think that I'm crazy to rock (well bounce on the fitball) Kyson to sleep. But at the end of the day it's not going to be forever. How many 15 year olds need to be rocked to sleep? And right now I enjoy the sleepy cuddles and watching his little face go all serene as he nods off to sleep. Too special :)

I thought I would try a different technique last night though. I thought that perhaps he was getting lazy and not taking a full feed before bed. He tends to get lazy or frustrated once the flow of milk slows down. So I let him feed on the breast, and then tried to top him up with EBM in a bottle. I thought that the bottle might be easier to drink out of, and therefore he might fully fill himself up. Well, he totally refused the bottle! Just cried everytime I put it in his mouth. I even tried to trick him by putting in his dummy, and then swapping it for the bottle, but no luck. So then I thought maybe he really was all full up, but if I put him to the breast he would drink again. Cheeky little monkey. And after all that he was awake less than 3 hours later. And a waste of good ebm, lol. DH got him up this morning though so I got an extra hour of sleep :D

hmmmmmmmmmmm

i love E's giggle - but does she have to giggle while i sing to her? talk about a mummy-complex!

Lol, that's so cute BG!

she was very cute with it - ended up snuggling in and going to sleep for me - yay! didn't last long, but any day sleep is a good day sleep!

sorry to hear the change of routine didnt' work for you last night KL - you may find he wouldn't take the EBM cos it wasnt you and you were there kwim? i know E comfort suckles heaps at night til i move her to her own bed - i generally have to let her wake back up, and put her in her bed with her light show/music. i know you started out co-sleeping but am not sure where you're at now, but is this something you've tried. we just have a FP sound and light show and she loves it.

E woke this morning and didn't whinge - she just started playing in her bed! it was so cute to listen to. i'm not sure if she's past the wonder week thing early, but she has been a real pleasant little girl to be around the last couple of days. this is being said as she squawks like a banshee in daddy's arms - no idea what she wants, but she isn't crying, just being noisy while she talks!

HI girls. I'm not coping. Allira's going through a major sleep regression.. it's horrible. She's waking every 20-30 minutes all night and even wanted a feed last night which is pretty unheard of. We are barely getting any sleep, then I have to try and look after the 2 kids all day, clean the house, do dinner etc. It's starting to really wear me out. It's worse than with DS, because at least I ws used to waking every 1.5 hours for feeds every night. This time we've gone from 10-12 hours sleeps down to nothing. She's been really fussy on the breast aswell. I'm trying my hardest not to get too disheartened, but it's so hard with the 2 kids so close in age, living in complete and total isolatation, and just having noone to talk to everyday (apart from you girls online which I would go insane without).
Man, this phase had better pass soon. It's been going on for 2 weeks with the odd full night here and there.

I know I know. Poor me. LOL. It's hard going from such fantastic nights to nothing. So So much harder than with DS.
My head hurts, I'm so tired and worn out, I feel like ****. DH is in the shed working on a car with my dad, Mum has taken Lachie for a walk at least (thankgod she's here), and it's our first wedding anniversary. I've already done a bunch of crying, but I can feel a bit more coming on.

Boo hoo hey! LOL

Vent over.

Nicky: Oh, I'm so sorry :( There's nothing I can say, I know. Wish I could give you a hug. Cry all you want babe. Sometimes its the only way to get through. I am glad your parents are there to help you atm... hopefully you can have a bit of a break and then enjoy the rest of your anniversary. Big :hug: :hug: :hug: to you, mate.
BG: E sounds like such a little star. Giggles in our house are very hard to come by... I am sure she LOVES your singing so much that she can't keep her happiness in ;) Nothing to feel self-conscious about, LOL! (Though I'm sure when our kids are teenagers they'll have no problems making us feel like we're the epitome of uncool, LOL!)
Krystie: Bummer the ebm didn't work. Natty didn't take a bottle either. Haven't tried with Phoeb, but she's such a booby monster its hard to imagine her taking a bottle... Should give it a go one day I guess.
I am glad your DH helps you out - that makes the night waking bearable, I imagine. But you are right, not fun and at the same time, not forever. I feed Phoebe to sleep and I am certain that there are people I've told (family and the nurse) who think I'm making a mistake, but who cares. It feels right to me. And it's so much easier just doing what they want... One day when it stops working we'll do something else and they'll adapt - I think it is wonderful that you're enjoying those sleepy cuddles. That's what its all about.

We went to Lane Cove National Park for lunch and a walk today. But boy, it is so windy. Natty seems really well - she's on bland foods, but no more spew and no runny poos either... fingers crossed it was just a little bug that's completely gone :crossfingers:
I'm looking forward to a quiet night tonight. And a quiet week.

:hugs: to everyone thats having issues passing on sleep vibes from jamie sometimes i dread having another baby coz of how easy it is with him

hes so cute when he looks up at me from the couch like right now lol its his favourite place for day sleeps and hes getting really chatty but i could do without the squealing :)

Hi Guys,

Amy - re Krysties thread - I thought a few were quick to jump in a judge too - and I agree WHOLEHEARTEDLY with you about each kid being individual. It seems we are damned if we do and damned if we dont no matter what choices we make. I was originally planning on going with the WHO guidelines (a) cos Baileys my first and I dont really know any better and (b) feeding solids creates more work which frankly I could do without and (c) cos Bailey was almost a month early I felt he was less developed and therefore not likely to be ready until then. Obviously as you all know solids has made some significant positive changes for us and is 100% the right thing for my boy and I am very very happy that I followed my paed's advice. However, while I will happily tell another mother the success we are having, I wouldn't suggest it would be the right thing for their baby, but let them know all the options so they can decide for themselves. Yesterday we were at a friends GF day from 10am to 9pm so I gave Bailey numerous boob feeds/one bottle feed/sleeps/solids and I felt I was being judged all day - "Wow, he's on solids ALREADY?", and "Spot the new parents" (as I took our baby monitor as Bailey slept in one of the bedrooms), and "Oh you're not (breast) feeding" when I gave him a bottle (as wanted to watch the Grand Final with everyone and didn't feel comfortable getting my boobs out in front of some of the guys) and "Does he self settle" when I was cuddling him to sleep - I felt like I was justifying myself everytime I responded to a comment, sheesh, I went home with a bit of a complex but this morning was thinking about it and got a bit peeved - I really HATE how judgemental some mothers are of others (especially new) mothers. I always rock/cuddle Bailey to sleep and apparantly I am creating 'a rod for my own back' - Bring on the rod - I LOVE cuddling him to sleep, its a special time for snuggley kisses and cuddles every night, I LOVE it, Bailey LOVES it, and DH LOVES it (when I reluctantly let him do it hehehehe), and like Krystie made mention - I dont think Bailey will still let me do it when he's 15 :D. I'm glad you posted what you did so Krystie can make the right informed decision for Kyson. Anyway - re the judgemental mothers, I think thats one of the reasons I appreciate you guys so much, we all have our own ways, but one thing we are united in is support of each other which is a beautiful thing :)

BG - I am with you re the 'lazy parenting'. I am currently doing the puree thing as Bailey needs a bit more work with his motor skills before we can move onto BLS but so far its working well and he seems to love everything I give him - he scoffs it down.

Krystie - I wish I had a magical hint to give you re the sleeping, I know what its like feeding so frequently through the night - we really got lucky and stumbled into our solution and I hope it lasts :crossfingers: I think Bailey is like the little girl in your mothers group - he seems to have a big appetite, I have increased the quantity of food I am giving him and the little cutie sits in his high chair with his mouth wide open leaning towards the spoon and gets impatient if I dont have the next spoonful ready quick enough LOL I was worried about overfeeding him but I understand that once they are full they will just turn away (is that right LOL?)

Nicky - aaaaaaah!! I think its harder to go back to waking when you are used to sleeping through, when Bailey had a rough night last monday it hit me harder as I'd had almost a week of only one feed, whereas before I was just used to getting up - hope Allira settles for you soon. Happy Anniversary too mate - I remember last year when you were telling us you were about to get married :)

Bridg and Nicky - we have decided to head home late sunday now so I wont be able to catch up with either of you - DOH, but never mind, Nov 22 is getting closer and closer. We thought that seeing as we will probably be getting home well after midnight on sunday, we can have a lazy monday rather than getting home late monday night (as DH gets up at 530am for work currently)

J - there is no reason why your second baby wont be as easy as Jamie - People love you tell you that you wont be so lucky next time, but seriously they have no idea - LOL @ the squealing - I cant beleived how high pitched our babies can be with some of their sounds - ear piercing!!!!

Vic - awesome news re the brace, I didn't know that about holding them while changing either (whoops)

Bella - Love the BF pics on FB - very beautiful, I wish I had shots like that of Bailey and I, its pretty special isn't it

We went out today to visit the IL and then my Mum. Stupidly went out when Bailey was due for a nap and paid the price - why oh why must the grandmothers hover in the babies screaming face while you are trying to calm them (my mum was just as bad as the MIL today - DOH). After I finally settled Bailey the MIL asked for another cuddle. I said no, I know she was insulted but I just explained that its just not worth upsetting him again - if she cant understand that then too bad.

Well, I'm off to bed, I have a cold, runny nose, sore throat etc so going to relax. We are still having one feed per night (usually around 2ish) so will go and get a big block of sleep in now. Bailey has woken at 430ish the last two mornings and poo'ed, LOL so have had to get up, change nappy and put him back to sleep - he is such a loud, grunty poo-er - hilarious.

Naomi
x

Naomi: I am sorry your friends made those comments. That sucks. Sometimes I find friends can do more harm than good. I have a few friends who are new parents - I am trying so hard to put into practice what I learned I wanted when Natty was new: to just listen and understand, only advise when asked, LOL! BUT it is actually really hard. My BF is 17 weeks pregnant and I am torn between wanting to share every single intimate detail of my births and also wanting to respect her space, her privacy, the fact that her birthing philosophy might be different to mine...
When you're a first-time mum everyone knows everything about child-rearing... even if they haven't had kids, LOL. But, my sisters-in-law were awesome when Natty was born. DH's sister was just so understanding - I'd tell her how crap I was feeling about something and she'd say, "Oh yes! I remember feeling that way too" or something and I'd feel heaps better about it. My other SIL is a midwife and I used to email her constantly asking her questions, like "You know how Natty screams for hours on end in the afternoon... do you think she is hungry? Should I feed her more often?" and my wonderful SIL would reply, "Amy, do YOU think she is hungry? You can feed her more often if you like. Or you can just ride it out. She is your baby and you are the best person to make that decision" etc. When I reflect, I think I was just so very lucky to have the support I've had.
So sorry for all that waffle!
Hope your cold goes away very soon.

I think little miss Phoebe is finally asleep. She usually falls asleep on the boob, but some nights she's just hypo or something and she just stares at me instead of falling asleep. So beautiful! Then she gets really antsy, so I know she's dog-tired. So I put her in bed. Sometimes after a little while she starts to cry and with a little top-up feed she falls asleep. Other times (like tonight) I don't hear another peep from her. It is just so different to when Natalie was a baby. I needed to pat her bottom until she was well and truly asleep - every time.
Jacinta, there's every chance that your second may well be even easier than Jamie! ;)

BG - Hmmm, I wonder if you are right about Kyson not wanting the EBM from a bottle when the "real-deal" was right in front of him. Maybe next time I should get DH to try... Can't do it tonight though because DH is DJing tonight. I miss him because he gave up DJing on Fri and Sat nights after Kyson was born (just kept the Sun nights), but this week he did guest spots on both Fri and Sat night, so I've missed him all weekend. Gosh I soooo shouldn't complain with the way things are for you in regards to your DH being away though!
Kyson is still co-sleeping with us, but he's been in his own cot since he was about 2 months old. His cot is up against my side of the bed with the side off so that his matress is flush with mine. Makes feeding during the night eay because I can just sit up and pull him across. I often wonder if he wakes more because he's next to us, or because he's just gotten used to me tending to him so quickly, but I guess I'd prefer to have him wake more often in the night at this stage than move him to his own room. He would probably be ok, but I don't think I'm ready, lol. We're aiming to move him to his nursery at about 8 months. Hopefully by then his feeds will be less during the night because I don't like the idea of getting right out of bed during the night hehe.

Nicky - Oh gosh! 20-30 minutes?! And I was complaining about 2 hourly waking and feeding! It's hard enough staying bright and alert during the day looking after one baby after a rocky night, so I can't even imagine how you are feeling with the two :( Don't feel bad for having a cry, it's a wonderful outlet. Cry as much as you feel you need to. Even if you didn't get to celebrate your anniversary, I hope you enjoyed it in your heart. :hug:

Amy - DH is great in the mornings. Even during the week when he gets up for work he still generally gets Kyson up for his first nappy change and play. Kyson gets sleepy quickly in the morning, so comes back to bed with me for a feed and sleep in time for DH to get himself and the DSS's ready for the day. He loves the morning time with Kyson because Kyson is always such a happy, giggly boy in the morning. The rest of the day it's pretty much all me though most of the time. Kyson has become a rather velcro baby and won't go to anyone for most of the day (DH is just lucky in the morning, lol). By the time DH gets home from work Kyson will go to him for maybe 5-10 minutes. And the other day I realised DH has never managed to put Kyson to bed when he lay him down in the cot with his head at the wrong end, LOL! Then I do all the night feeds and settling so that DH can sleep. He's started a new job which is pretty intense (CIO of BOM) so I like to let him get as much rest as he can :)

Jacinta - Kyson has dicovered the squeal too. Very cute, but VERY loud, lol. He talked all through mother's group on Friday (except when he slept) and was so noisy, haha!
Finger's crossed number 2 is just as good a sleeper as Jamie. I don't think you are crazy at all with wanting another baby already. I was joking about the next baby the same day I had Kyson. I would be TTCing now if I could, but I have an appointment I have to go to in a months time before we can do anything. I saw someone in a parents room last week that had a preggie belly that looked like mine did, and I got jealous! ;)

Naomi - No matter what gets said anywhere on BB, NEVER EVER feel guilty for giving Bailey solids when you did! It sounds like you don't feel any regret which is fabulous, and I would hate for you to let what anyone else says (on here and IRL) make you second-guess yourself. Bailey is doing so well, and starting solids has been fantastic for him :) The same goes for everything else that you are doing with Bailey. If rocking is good for you all, then rock away my dear :D I bounce Kyson to sleep every time he sleeps (day and night) and we are quite happy with the arrangement (as are my new buns-of-steel ;) ).
I think you are right about them just turning away when they are full. Kyson even does that with the breast. Sometimes I'm not convinced he's finished his feed and will try to entice him to have more by rubbing the nipple over his mouth, but if he's done he just clamps those gorgeous little lips together!

Vic - Congratulations for little CJ!!! What wonderful news. She's ging to have the brace off in no time! I bet she'll even defy the odds and be one of the first of our babies to crawl ;)

well i discovered that im now in the TWW wow i didnt think i'd be saying that this month its so soon
and AMY lol how could any baby be easier than jamie lol i shouldn't say that i cursed myself hes had to have his first dose of panadol today i think he might be getting a tooth and he was tired at the same time poor poppet crying in pain and tired do not mix