any april/may 05 moms want to chat?

[Jamom]

I was wondering about something jjstar mentioned (taking away of the 4th nap) -- now that I have moved to the 4-hour EASY it seems that Jake is so much more fussy in the evenings.  Crazy, I know, since he is actually getting daytime sleep by napping but boy oh boy, is he fussy at night and can barely make it past 6 pm or so without getting cranky. Anyone doing a longer 3rd nap instead of just a catnap to help make the transition??? 

Krice-- good luck with the feeding over the weekend!!! I hope your weekend goes better so that you can enjoy it and worry less (if that's possible).

[Katet]

Erin
When Aiden was doing a 4 Hour EASY I always tried to give 3 equal length naps (I didn't know BW then) until he got to about 6 months & started solids...  so if your lo doesn't seem to make it through I'd give a longer one, as an overtired baby at night time can cause (more) night wakings.
Hey I actually give Liam 3 short naps (45min-1hour) & one long nap (2.5- 3h) as it fits with the routine of activities with Aiden... remember BW is a guide not a set of rules & Tracy's key message is know your baby & work with him/her.

[jjstar]

katet...thanks for the reminder about it being a guide. I have to constantly remind myself of that and if he doesn't do it exactly like the book it is okay. Today he almost didn't make it to 8:30 he was so tired. I think we might stick with this routine for a few more days instead of moving another 15 minutes towards 4 HR. He sleep for 12 solid hours last night and was still tired this morning. He was only sleeping about 11.5 hours at night so I figured he would be able to last a bit longer this morning. Oh well as least I know what the cry is about and not going crazy with not knowing. That is the best part about BW!!

[cambeladamom]

thought i would say a quick hello. we are at my parents for a family reunion and cambel is down for a nap. the paci weaning is going good. it has really helped us at night. he'll give us 9 hours now, whereas before he was waking up 2-3 times a night sometimes.naps are still a struggle. the paci made extending them so much easier. but like my mom says, you can handle just about anything with a good night's sleep:) so i am willing to battle naps if it means a good night's sleep.
about a third nap--i often give ds a 3rd nap,depending on how his schedule has been during the day. i think the more relaxed he is at night, the better his sleep is.
krice-so sorry you are having so much trouble with feeding. we had a terrible time with ds when he was about 9 weeks old. he would just scream everytime i tried to feed him. it was so awful! i don't think it is the same problem as your lo has, b/c he seems to have outgrown it, but i know at least how frustrating it is. hang in there!
jjstar--i agree that it is good to remind yourself that bw is a guide. i often freak out b/c ds isn't doing it like the book:)
have a good weekend all!

[krice]

Hi everyone

Well we survived the weekend (just barely but we are still here).  Saturday was horrific :evil: normally we have 4 daytime feeds - on Sat. we had 8!  What once took approx 10-20 minutes per feed went up to 45 min to 1hr AND for less than half of his normal amount.  I must say that I broke down more than once  :cry:  the hardest part was not knowing if he wanted more food or more sleep.  I never realized how much EASY improved things for us (and now that we went off of it trying to get these feeding issues straightened out *wow* I've got a whole new appreciation for just how far we have come) . . . today was significantly better - we got him back to 4 feeds and he had great naps too.  His food intake is down significantly, but I try to keep him as calm and as relaxed as possible.  We actually did EASY in the proper order!  :lol:

We go to the doctor first thing tomorrow morning, so we will see what he has to say about things.  Boy I sure hope we can get this thing sorted out with DS as soon as possible.  I may go insane in the meantime  :shock:

I don't know who it was that originally asked about 3 naps, but we do 3 naps on a 4hr EASY.  I find if I total up DS's naps they are roughly between 5 to 5 3/4 hrs.  What that means for us is he usually has 2 GREAT naps and then one that isn't as long . . . sometimes it's his last nap, sometimes it's his first - but in the end it usually seems to work itself out.

So is anyone to the point where you can plop your LO in the crib and walk away???  We are not . . . tonight we snuck away while DS was cooing and doing the stare but had to go back in about 20 minutes later when he got upset (only for 3 minutes though).

Hope everyone had a good weekend and I look forward to hearing more about your LO's!

[marlowho]

Well, I'm interested to see why the 4 hr. is so popular.  Because we're more along the lines of a 2.5, 3, 4, 2.5 hr. Easy right now- (I think I got all of the feedings in that list?)-but  I've basically been following her cues- she's been teaching me what she wants and it's working out great.  I'm beginning to think Noel must be an Angel baby (have pretty much thought that all along- but she doesn't nod happily off like Tracy mentions in the book.)
Anyway... I'm really not sweating it with her.  We seem to have our little "routine" going and I just hope she doesn't throw me for a loop soon b/c I'm finally feeling like I can get out of the house without too much worry that she'll have a breakdown while we're out. Yippee! 
Glad to hear you worked through the weekend, Krice.  That had to be hard- but it sounds like you're keeping it together well.
Cambell's mom- still paci free?  (I'm not touching that for several months down the road- but it also hasn't become an addiction yet.)  Hope it's going well for you, though!
To everyone else who I haven't been able to go back through and read- I hope you're still enjoying motherhood- spit up stains and all! 
Is anyone else loving tummy time?  It's so fun to watch their minds work!

[Jamom]

Speaking of tummy time -- how long does everybody's lo stay on his/her tummy for tummy time?  My ds seems OK with it but it's like he gets tired after a few minutes.  I've been trying to put him on his tummy more and more so he can develop those muscles but it seems like he gets tired rather quickly.  Does this happen to anyone else's lo?  I have brought out the mirror, even got a floor mat/toy, and get down and talk to him, which have all helped him to enjoy it more but it's not very lengthy -- is that normal?

Kathy (krice)-- as far as laying him in the cot and walking away, we can do that about 75% of the time but I still have to do a good winddown with him -- no just walking in the room and plopping him down.   He seems to self-soothe much better in the morning since he isn't overtired.  As the day goes along, I have to intervene a little more.  At night, he's usually pretty good.  Many times he likes to protest (mantra cry) a little while before he'll start to babble himself to sleep.  Like everything else, some days are better than others.

Well, one more week until I am back at work.    Jake won't  be at daycare for another week and a half -- dh is going to take care of him for a few days.  I am sure daycare will present us with a whole additional set of issues.  Anyone elses lo's starting (or started) daycare?  I am most scared that he will not nap since the sleep area isn't totally dark, which it seems like he needs, and the other kids will be playing right there while he naps.  Let's hope he adjusts!!

[Katet]

OK I'll fess up... Yes I can put Liam down, wrapped after his wind down for his evening sleep, his night feed (after 8-10hours sleep) & his big day sleep around noon & walk out of the room & he goes off to sleep.
His 2 short cat naps in the morning (to fit around big brother's routine) & the afternoon one take some more effort, but they change from day to day, sometimes, in the car, other times the pram/ port-a-cot at friends etc... so he is unable to predict them. Our Easy is a sort of 3 -4 depending on the day & the activities we are doing... he goes longer in the middle of the day as that is when he has a 3 hour sleep most days.
Yes I have an angel baby with Liam... but I had a devil (Spirited Grumpy) in Aiden!! God bless him, he keeps me on my toes!
But things did go a bit upside down last night (2 wakeups between 7pm & 8am not 1) , but Liam has caught the cold Aiden & I have, so not quite himself.
Re Tummy time Liam will last about 5-10mins, happily, unless it causes him to bring up food, but then he basically will be happy all the time, not matter what, he definitely likes tummy time best, if he can watch Aiden play, or it is over my leg in the garden where I can even get 15mins out of him.
Liam is a big boy now... 8kg (17lb+) & 68cm (27inches) & is growing out length & width wise of his 3-6 month clothes...Aiden was like this & stablised so not too worried

[jjstar]

Wow did we have an awful night. It took me over an hour to get him to sleep last night (8:15 finally) and then he woke up at 5:15. I'm beginning to think that my touchy baby might actually have a bit of grumpy in him?! I also think I might end up in the funny farm before he is a year old. DH decided to read a section of the book and found that it says that only one person should do the patting per day. Well guess who that one is?! Since I'm breastfeeding I'm the lucky one. I know it will pass but oh how trying it can be. Sorry about that...I had to get it out of my system.

As for tummy time...since my LO is a stomach sleeper I have to watch to only do play tummy time shortly after feeds and not too close to bed. He thinks it is time to sleep if I put him on a activity mat when he isn't really ready to go to sleep. He loves to fight the sleep. If I time it right I can get at least 10 minutes out of him though. Now the jumpster he was in that for 35 minutes the other day. Loves it.

Well I'm heading out for a shopping day. I guess there is one advantage to an extra early wake-up. He gets a full 2 hour nap before we even have to leave?!

krice, good luck at the doctors today.

[Taylor's Mommy]

Hi Everyone,

Glad to hear that everyone is doing okay, even with the challenges.  It seems like we are all still keeping our sense of humor right now!  Things are going pretty well, but she is still very fussy at the breast, and it is happening at almost all feedings now.  She did it yesterday at the peds office and the dr. didn't have a clue as to why she was doing it!  Oh well. 

Katet-I can't believe how big Liam is!  He must be off the charts!
Krice-I hope things are going better with the feedings.  I feel for you.

Someone asked about tummy time.  My lo can do about 10 minutes on average and then she's had enough.  Someone also asked about them goign to sleep on their own, and luckily most of the time Taylor can go off to sleep on her own with little or no intervention on our part.  This has been happening for about a month now.  It has been a real blessing.

Please say a prayer for Taylor.  Tomorrow morning she goes in for a minor surgery to remove a anal polyp :cry:   She will have to be put out with gas and the surgery will last about 1/2 hour.  Thankfully she will get to come home that day though. 

Thanks! Andrea

[marlowho]

Will be praying- for you & Taylor!  I can't imagine- even though it's a "common" surgery, I'm sure- you still never want to see your little one go into surgery!  Hang in there!

[mommytsa]

Good thoughts to both Taylor and Andrea!!  I wish you the very best of luck and hope that everythings turns out wonderfully.

Well, I went on vacation for a week and that just screwed up almost all the progress we've made with Aaron.  It took another 3 days or so to finally get him back into a good EASY routine, even though we tried to follow it as closely as possible during vacation.  The first night we came home, he woke up 8 times in the night (I had no night wakings before vacation).  We thought it was the paci thing turning into an addiction, and tried to do the cold turkey weaning.  I read throgh Cambel's mom's posts on the subject (thanks for posting, it was very informative) and thought it would be a good time to do it since he was so messed up anyways.  Boy was I wrong.  After about 4 hours of straight screaming, DH and I decided that maybe we'll tackle this in a few months, since I started back to work yesterday and DH can't do it on his own.  That was Saturday, and today he's gone down for his naps flawlessly (we can almost just set him down and leave him...it takes about 2 minutes).  And last night he was only up once.  I figure that's pretty good for basically starting over.

Glad to hear that things are going well for so many of you.  Krice, I hope the Dr was able to give you some good ideas to help your LO with feedings.  I can't imagine how difficult that must be for you.

[krice]

OK I am sooooo jealous when you say you can lay your LO's down in the crib and they drift off.  Can you tell me what you are doing for a wind down routine?  I suspect mine may need some (*hah* a lot of) tweaking.  Seriously, I could use all the pointers you have . . . please share.

We do tummy time for about 5-10 minutes in each Activity Time.  I have to be careful though, DS will throw up routinely if he is on his tummy and exerting too much effort.  We spend a lot of our time 'sitting' and playing with a toy.

Andrea (Taylor's Mommy) - good luck with the surgery.  You two are in my thoughts.  Please let us know how she does.

JJstar - For my sanity, I make sure my DH is in there to spell me off.  I figure if your LO has worked with 2 people for so long why stop now.  DH also read that part, but I'm sure he wouldn't want to stay in there completely alone either.  It's nice to have each other in case we are ready to break.  And lately . . . boy we've needed it.  Sometimes the pass and switch is all that is needed - Matthew will calm right down and nod off.

I've had a stressful day.  We went to the doctor and he didn't have a whole lot to suggest.  He said DS could just be a fussy eater - I said I didn't agree . . . he has eaten like a pig for almost 3 whole months.  Why start now???  He says that since we are trying a number of things at once, we should step back and re-evaluate.  We have been thickening all of his feeds (for his reflux) - he suggested we stop (if he pukes it up, so what :roll: )  He doesn't seem to be too concerned because DS is still putting on weight.  He wants to watch him on his 'growth chart' - said we'd get concerned if he 'fell off'.  He wants to give the zantac more time.  We go back in 2 weeks.  I was sure to book my next appointment with a different doctor in the practice (one that has dealt with all of his issues from the start).  This is so frustrating.  I just want my happy textbook baby back . . .

So in the meantime, I've come home cut out the thickening and still have a hysterical child.  DS is so upset and crying I don't know what he wants and his naps have been the $h!t$.  I don't know if I can do this for another 2 weeks.  I pray that his night time sleep isn't effected - he is still able to go through.

Jamom - I'm not returning to work until sometime after December (I think) but I can sympathize . . . DH has been here with me for 2 months and will be returning back to work in September - I'm dreading how I will cope alone.

Anyway, I feel like I could ramble on and on.  I think I'm experiencing every emotion right now     :shock:  :roll:  :twisted: .  AND on top of things I've gotten my dreaded period back, CRAMPS and all  :x .  I think I'll be having a much needed glass of wine with dinner tonight.

[Livingmom]

Well, one more week until I am back at work.    Jake won't  be at daycare for another week and a half -- dh is going to take care of him for a few days.  I am sure daycare will present us with a whole additional set of issues.  Anyone elses lo's starting (or started) daycare?  I am most scared that he will not nap since the sleep area isn't totally dark, which it seems like he needs, and the other kids will be playing right there while he naps.  Let's hope he adjusts!!

Zoey started daycare on Monday this week. The hardest part for me was the dreading having to take her and drop her off, since I have been able to spend all summer with her. She is an angel baby, so she basically just goes with the flow of things--but she has been on EASY since birth.

So--my dh and I went together to drop Zoey off and everything went fine. My daycare provider called later that morning and said, "I don't want to alarm you, but. . ." I figure if you start a sentence like that, you are alarming me--but I braced myself. She told me that Zoey had an small accident and was now sporting a red bump on her head. Zoey is okay and just went with it--she is so good. It just wasn't the way I wanted to start out.

The thing that worries me the most about daycare is keeping Zoey's routine in tact.  It is only the second day--so I realize that it will take some time to get my provider used to how I want Zoey's day to look. She has done so good the past few weeks and I just don't want to spoil it.

[Katet]

Andrea, best of luck with the surgery, it is awful to have to endure, Aiden had to have a few chest Xrays as a lo & holding him still for that & the fear in his face made me cry...
Yes Liam is off the charts, but then he was when he was born... the Ped at the hospital told me he was the longest baby she had done a discharge for (born 57.5cm/23inch)
Also re fussing at the breast, Liam does that & Aiden did it too, has she just gone through a growth spurt... I know that it happens for me after a growth spurt or change in lenght between feed & my breasts are fuller & the let down changes. The other thing is your lo is getting older & more interested inthe world & less urgently hungry, so gets distracted. If you feed in a different place to normal, give her 5 mins to look around, before you feed, that helps too. I found with Aiden once he got to 6 months, it was all but impossible to feed him anywhere but home, so I had to express bottles for outside, but Liam doesn't like the bottle, so not sure what to do there!

Kathy, sorry to hear you are having a bad time, the Dr may be right though, too many changes all at once & the thickening the feed may cause tummy problems. I'm sure you are trying to be a calm as possible (hard when you anticipate a stressfult time) but your lo will be picing up on your anxiety at feed times (half my problem with Aiden was my anxiety) so before you do anything with him take a few deep breaths & TRY to relax yourself.

Re one person doing all the settling, yes & no, I defenitely found, that sometimes the other person needs to step in as the anxiety of the first not succeeding is actually counter-productive... like every thing the book is a guide (not rules) & you need to tweek everything to work around your lo & your family.

OK Girls question time here... I learnt last week in my workshop the most important thing for childrearing.

MUMMY Time!!! If mummy feels happy baby feels happy & we are people too not just mothers!!

* What have you done for yourselves today?
* How much time have you taken out ALONE in the last week
*How much couple time

Me... yesterday I had both boys napping & read a novel
On saturday I went shoe shopping (first 2 new pairs since Aiden was born)
DH & I cuddled in front of the TV for an hour last night... the next 2 weeks have our anniversary of first date & wedding & so we are planning "at home dates"... see post on lounge for that.

Anyway best get going & get Aiden ready for childcare... today is my Liam only day!

My advice I give friends (but of course don't often  follow myself) The first sleep of the day is mother time... not chore time, but the time you have to do a hobby, have a phone chat... BW or something for yourself, not your family!!!