Beach Bump Graduates!

[BlueViolet]

Simmy, she used to like pacifiers, but now she won't take them. She spits them out and acts like they're disgusting. Dubai sounds nice in the winter. A vacation isn't going to happen for us this year, so I've been pushing for day trips while the weather is nice.

Caz, glad you got some sleep even though it was choppy. Jill slep for about 20 min around 10 and then 11-2:30 and 3-6. I thought they were supposed to get better at sleeping at night. Jill seems to be getting worse at going to bed. I've tried so many things, except for crying it out.

 

[DragonMummy]

Good luck with the routine. I'm not bothering, she'll fall into one soon enough once harry starts school. As for introducing a bottle, its been an unparalleled disaster thus far so not sure I'm the one to ask. All I would say is don't give it yourself as she will know there's a much nicer way to obtain a milky snack. I get dh to do it and I leave the room. It's only so I can get back to choir practice once a week. Will be nice to go somewhere where I'm not someone's mummy for 2 hours a week. Plus I need a haircut as mine is falling out in fistfuls. Farewell lovely thick curly hair. Welcome back thin flat wavy frizzy hair....


I had a mad dream last night I was pregnant with triplets!

 

[Hann12]

BV - annabelle also hates the dummy - we have very similar choosy babies!!

 

[Hann12]

Thanks linds - yes been getting Greg to do it with me out of the room. She still hates it
Maybe she will take it one day - will perservere! I'm trailing the routine, it might not work but it's worth a go. However if she wants to feed i am not going to make her wait. I guess the routine is more for me to get structure around the sleeping and the play time.

 

[DragonMummy]

Yep same here. Takes about 2 hours to get one ounce into her!

 

[Hann12]

I know crazy isn't it - and they scream like they are being tortured yet it's still the same stuff they get from you!! As soon as I offer the breast she is over joyed and guzzles it down!

 

[BlueViolet]

Simmy, I noticed that the link I sent you had some suggestions. I don't know if you found them at

https://www.mayoclinic.com/health/colic/DS00058/DSECTION=lifestyle-and-home-remedies

I'm going to try a few that I didn't already. I'm curious if my diet has been having an effect. Perhaps it's trapped wind. I have an appointment with the pediatrician this morning, so we'll see what she says.

DM and Hann, it really stinks about the bottle. I'm so frustrated by it because it means my husband can't help out much. He just hands her over to me if he can't get her to take the bottle. Sometimes I feel like I need 20min or so to myself. I don't think it's asking much, but honestly, I don't usually get it and now it's made worse by the fact that 80% of the time she won't take the bottle. I wanted to start my tutoring job again next month or so, but I'm afraid to leave the house and have my husband struggle with a crying starving baby who won't take a bottle. Babysitting is also going to be out of the question if this persists. We've only taken advantage of it once so far, but it was lovely.

I feel like I've hit some pretty low moments lately. I keep telling myself it's the choppy sleep and hormones. I'm usually happy a majority of the time, but there are times when I feel so trapped. My husband is able to take time for himself after work, but that's not an option for me. I hate to admit it, but I'm fairly jealous of that. I'm sure I wouldn't like to deal with his work stress, but at least it's a change of routine. I try to leave the house once a day to break up the routine even if it's for a walk. I just need to figure out something before I completely burn out or have a melt down. I keep telling myself that I should be grateful for having a healthy beautiful baby and the ability to stay home to take care of her. I need to snap out of it.

Sorry for the venting. If anyone has any suggestions for how to avoid burn-out please let me know. I think I should be doing something about it now before it gets worse. I feel like everyone has their limits and I'm approaching mine.

 

[Jenni4]

About the pacifiers....i bought 4 of them in different shapes and sizes...he likes the mam 3-6 month size... I suggest get different styles and see which baby likes.

BV- I completely understand how you feel. I don't think it's wrong to want a little me time. We are all so grateful that are lo's are healthy but just because we became moms doesn't mean that we are not all still individuals with certain needs. I think this especially true for us older moms...not sure how old you are but I had my first at 32 and this one at 37...my adult life didn't form around my children like some younger moms might. I already had a full life that I brought children into. I think you just have to find a balance that works for you. With my first I would have my hubby watch her at night so I could go to the gym....this time around I am doing p90x at home while he holds him and feeds him....it makes me feel like a human again and gives me relief. Maybe if he could help you with just an hour a day that would be so beneficial for you. Don't feel guilty about needing free time....you are still you and need to take care of yourself.

 

[curlew]

Hi all

BV - totally know what you mean re feeling trapped. All I feel I do at the moment is feed, and change Logan and then do ironing, housework and cook. I too am grateful to be a SAHM as I love being here for Josh coming in from school but still feel a bit trapped. Have been in the house since Sunday and am now going a bit stir crazy so have arranged to go out for coffee and cake tomorrow with my mum. How about seeing if you could join some baby groups so that you get a chance to have some time outside with other adults.

Am also totally there with you on the whole fussing when taking a breastfeed as Logan is doing that too. He seems to want to feed but can't/won't seem to latch on. I have found that winding him seems to help even if he hasn't taken any feed.

Hann - sorry to hear Annabelle wont take the bottle. I have DH take Logan one morning at the weekend (whilst I stay in bed and catch up on sleep) and he gives him an expressed bottle. He is normally very hungry and as I am not there it is his only option to feed.

Simmy - so jealous of your Dubai trip. A fab thing to look forward to. With the wind I find that if I lay Logan on his side for about 30 mins whilst in my arms supported on a pillow then it seems to help him pass it.

DM - I had a leaky expressing puch too and reckon I lost a couple of ml before I realised.

Jenni - glad you decided to do formula to help with the feeding. It must be really tough when DH is out of town and you have both children 24 hours a day.

Caz - glad Ajay had a good night last night. Hope you and Neel are enjoying your holiday time.

AFM - well think I have said most of it in replies to others lol. Logan is having a bit of an odd time at the moment. Fussing when trying to feed, trapped wind and has been waking a bit more in the evenings for feeds. Hopefully just another phase and he will settle down soon.

 

[Blue_bear]

i find J likes the 6+ months TT latex dummies or the mam ones, trial and error as ever!

 

[Hann12]

I've tried 6 different types of dummies and apparently none are good enough for my little miss! I keep trying though.....

BV - you are bound to feel like that sometimes, especially if she isn't taking the bottle as it does mean that its all on you. I know the feeling. Its nice to have a break sometimes but when you BF there isn't much chance. Greg keeps saying he'll look after Annabelle but he can't as she is so food fussy! One day I'd like to go out just the two of us and have a drink but until she accepts the bottle thats not happening! We keep trying though.....

Curlew - glad Logan is good. Think I will try the side lying trick.

So far on my first day of following a schedule and its gone supremely well, can't quite believe it! She has literally followed the whole thing virtually to the minute! probably means it will all go horribly wrong later LOL!
I will try my best to keep it going though.
I'm off to sleep for an hour now - may as well seeing as she is due to be asleep until 3.45!

 

[caz_hills]

Hi all, will catch up properly later. Han - what routine are you doing? How do you get her into the routine?!
X

 

[Hann12]

Caz - I have a book called Baby Secrets by Jo Tantum. I read it yesterday and decided to just implement it today. So at 7am I woke her up and started it and its just fallen into place however the worse part of the day for Annabelle is still to come so it might all fall apart very soon! It says in the book that if you try and implement it after they are 4 weeks then it can take around 2 weeks for the baby to catch onto it, so I expect it will be tricky at first.

The routine is as follows:

7.00am - wake her up, change nappy and move to day room
7.15 - feed then playtime
8.30 - nap (not in bedroom)
9.45 - wake baby, top and tail and dress
10.00 - feed then playtime
11.00 - nap
12.45 - wake and change nappy
1.00 - feed and playtime
2.00 - nap
3.45 - wake and change nappy
4.00 - feed and playtime
5.00 - short nap
5.30 - wake and playtime
6.15 - nappy off time, bath, massage in babys room, dress in night clothes
7.00 - feed, low lights, after switch off all lights and say good night
11.00 - dream feed
then may wake at 3/4am then again at 7am

It looks complex but is really easy. I think I've been doing it all but making less definition between playtime, feed time and nap time. I normally let her fall asleep on me after a feed and I don't think I play with her enough so this has been really good for me!

 

[DragonMummy]

Sweet jesus, you must be knackered! I just play with Soph when she's awake. She's not really interested in toys yet so I sing and talk to her to make her laugh.

 

[Clareabell]

Niamh is not in any sort of routine but she does go through the night 98% of the time. I play with her lots when she is awake too! She loves being sung too and bounced! She is a right little character and babbles back to me and laughs now too!

 

[Jenni4]

Hann- that sounds pretty intense...when do you have time to grocery shop, cook or do laundry? Just make sure you make time for yourself. If that schedule works for you that's great, but don't get too stressed about....every baby is different and needs and wants different things. I know for us that would be impossible with work, picking up from school, and other daily activities.

 

[DragonMummy]

Same here, Jen. Soph pretty much has to fit round us. Obviously I know when she's going to need a feed so I won't wait if I have to take H somewhere or whatever. I tried following a routine with H and ended up bashing my head on a wall. Can't be arsed with all that, I think one person's way of raising a child is only right for their child IMHO. Soph sleeps through and is pretty happy. Works for me!

 

[DragonMummy]

And I keep the lights on low all night so I can check she's breathing easily. SUCH a neurotic! Plus it makes it easier for night feeds if I don't have to put the light on and off....

 

[caz_hills]

Thanks Han - routine sounds good, I'd like Ajay in a routine but it's just too early for us I think! I want to try and go for a walk every afternoon but that's about as far as we have got so far! Sometimes just getting up and dressed/showered by 9 or 10 am is a challenge!!!

Linds - wow about your dream! Triplets, that would be five children, what an amazing thought!!!!

BV - I feel the same sometimes too, so don't worry, you're not alone! Looking after our babies is really a full time job plus another full time job as we never get time off or down time to relax. I asked Neel today if 'he minded if I went upstairs to sort the washing' - as if I was in charge and did he mind if he helped with Ajay! Silly really but we are the primary carers I guess and so we always are 'on duty'! Big hugs to you. xxx

Curlew - hope Logan settles down soon.

Today Neel decided not to come to work but we had fun anyway. Lovely to see everyone but I felt like a visitor, it was strange. Then we had a lovely walk - trying to get exercise now - makes me feel good mentally, helps me try and tone up (the caramel bar didn't help though!) and also good for Ajay to get fresh air. I hope the weather stays good this week so we can do it tomorrow as well.

 

[caz_hills]

Ohhh Han, just seen you have put your picture as one of Annabelle, so cute! You might have done this ages ago, but only just noticed, I'm usually on the iphone! x