Jan/Feb 05 chat - Thread #3

[branwen]

Hi Everyone!

Oh, I had so much to say but now I have forgotten it all!

Welcome Kate! My husband and I are moving back to Colorado in Dec!  We are originally from there and are so excited to go back home.  That being said my husband's family is also Dutch and we have also spent extended time in Holland as his entire family (minus his sister) is there.  What brought you to The Netherlands?  Where are you from in CO?

Joanne- I am so getting us a new doc.  I just can't handle mine anymore. :x   I too walk away feeling miserable and rushed...and only getting half of the answers to my questions.  I think it is the results of managed healthcare personally.  I want to try to find an osteopath that is a family practitioner.  The other thing that I am endlessly frustrated with is the separation between mommy's health and baby's health.  For example when I want to deal with ANY postpartum issues, nursing, mental, sleep, etc.  I am constantly told to make another apt for myself.  I know that osteopaths have a more holistic philosophy and HOPEFULLY will see that my health and well being is going to be tied directly to my childs. :roll: AHHHHH!!! :!:  :!:
 
Deborah- I just want to remind you to trust your mommy-intuition.  If you feel something is not right with Maya go with your gut.  Can you look into second opinions?  I am very worried about her with the food issue and the lack of weight gain, esp since you are breastfeeding.  I am not pro forumla when bf'ing but maybe you could gauge her intake better?  I have read a lot about "milk quality".  I personally have a low hind to fore milk ratio...and adjusting this in the early months (via pumping) got Eirwen gaining.  Could it be that she is just not ready for solids?  I was reading something from the UN about how spoon-feeding and introducing solids in Western culture is just that- cultural and that the introduction of solids in other cultures happens when the baby descides to just eat it...and this if naturally let go happens around 9 to 10 months or later...I guess it also corresponds to when babies can digest appropriately the solids.  I thought it was really interesting.  Maybe Maya's system is just more sensitive to solid foods.  Hey-you must also take care of yourself okay :wink:

US- I need reassurances about Eirwen.  She does not stand at all!  Am I the only one???    She does not try to pull up either.  I have a little ledge or use the couch and place toys up above her but she does not try to reach for them.  When I support her standing I am truly supporting ALL of her weight and when she barely pushes on her feet it is only with the right leg.  I don't know what to do to try to encourage her because it is killing my back to support her like this.  She is also not pushing up to all fours either and hates it when I try to get her to her knees.  That being said, she DOES roll all over the place now- can get across the room this way, sit for well over an hr and even go from sitting to tummy to back.

Moving- We are moving!  Our house has an accepted offer.  Closing Dec 9th.  I'll be going before that though!  YAY!!!  We have a townhome in Boulder.  I am SO EXCITED!!!

 :?: Could you guys please describe more specifically the tantrum behavior.  I'm trying to decide if that is what Eirwen is doing in her high chair?

[Leah's Mom]

Branwen- Leah does not pull up or crawl on all fours. When I hold her in a standing position she wobbles back and forth. If I have her hold onto something she will stand for a few seconds then topple sideways. BUT, Eirwen not putting any pressure on her left leg is a little weird. I would get it checked out. I know how you feel. Leah has a cousin who is a month younger than her. They were here the other day and he was walking along the couch to the wall etc. Leah just sat in the middle of the floor and looked at him, like she was saying: What the #%&? Why can't I do that!?!?!  :? They all develop differently, but I would get it checked out. I know this has been going on for awhile. I remember you saying she woulnd't put any pressure on the leg in her jumperoo either.

[dkjokisch]

Tooth count - two on top, two on bottom

Hazel - DOC stands for Dynamic Orthotic Cranioplasty.  It's the only treatment at this time for plagiocephaly (which basically means flat headedness).  It's a helmet of sorts that puts pressure on the part of her skull that are bulging out while allowing room for growth in the flat areas.  She will ultimately be wearing it 23 hours a day for 3-4mos.  However, we had just gotten through the break-in period, and she had been wearing it full-time for three days when I discovered a skin irritation on her scalp.  So we had to take it off until that heals.

Branwen - Maya stands, but she is very wobbly unless I stabilize her hips (we call them her Elvis hips).  She does not pull up, either to sitting or standing, and she does not crawl.  However, if you're concerned about Eirwen's development, why don't you ask your doc for a referral to a pediatric PT?  They can do a complete assessment.  Even if they think she is ok, they'll show you exercises you can do with her at home.

That's where we are.  I still think Maya is in the range or normal with regard to her lack of development, but I did notice she was getting less active in the last month or so (but with all her digestive and sleep probs, who could blame her).  Since we had already been referred to PT for the torticollis (and the neuro and orthotist wanted us to keep going anyway), I made another appt for this week.  The PT agreed that she seemed less mobile since the last time she saw her, so we are going to go once a week for awhile.  Of course, we are very fortunate that our insurance covers it 100%.

We have an appt with the ped on Thurs to discuss the gastro issues.  She ate solids really well in the past with no trouble digesting the purees.  I have made some changes in her diet this week which seem to be making an improvement, but we'll see.  I am supplementing with formula, but I am mixing the powder into her solids so I don't inadvertantly decrease my supply by offering bottle instead of breast.  I also started taking supplements to increase my supply.  All of this will hopefully help us to narrow the focus on what might be wrong.  Who would they refer us to next? a pediatric gastroenterologist? is there such a thing?

This got to be really long.  Sorry for rambling.  I hope everyone has a great weekend.  I have caught dh's cold, but he has promised to try and come home from work early today and take care of me over the weekend.  I am going to go look at yummy soup recipes and try and get motivated to go to the store when Maya gets up.

Debra - Let us know how dropping the df went.

[StrawberryAnnie2]

Hi Everyone,

I jumped on to the end of thread #2 right before I went away for two weeks. We're back now, and back into our routine.

Hannah is 10 mos old, (born Jan 3rd). I'm Joanne, (28) married to DH Benjamin for 4 years. We live in Charlotte, NC, but are trying to relocate to Washington state. Our house in on the market, but hasn't sold yet.

I have spent the past week reading the 22 pages of thread #3 and have some thoughts to share with you all, so here goes

Julieb - Back to the shoe thing......Both Burlington Coat Factory and Target have Robeez-like suede shoes for $12.99 (they are $9.99 at BCF). Different designs for boys and girls in a variety of sizes. They are in the aisle with the booties, socks, etc.  Also, Marshall's has Robeez for $12.99 too, limited sizes and colors though.

Kiwi - Crystal was born on Jan 2 - Hannah was born Jan 3rd. How cool!!

Leah's Mom - ...for the treasure box........a turkey baster, toothbrush, and an old phone or remote, these are all Hannah's favorites. 

branwen - I am doing the potty training with Hannah and it's going well BUT I have been doing the potty thing with her since she has been 2.5 mos. After I nurse her in the am and after a nap, I sit her on the pot, and she pees within about 2 min, often less. She almost always poops right after eating solids. As soon as I hear her toot pick her up and say " I think you need to go poo-poo, lets go sit on the toliet". Sometimes she wants a toy or book and other times she will just sit there and do her business   It's amazing that they can learn at an early age BUT when they are so little they pee almost every 15 min so you are constanty taking them pee. With the next baby I'll start at 9 mos, instead of so early. Anyway, JMTCW. Everyone has to do what works best for their family.

Us:

Naps are actually Ok right now. 1.5 hrs in the am and 1.5 in the pm. It's night time that is rough. Hannah has started waking up twice in the night now, random times. She has been doing it for awhile now, also while on our trip. I REALLY want to get her back to sleeping from 7-7, which she was doing from 3 mos. on! I have to admit that I have been nursing her when she wakes up in the night, which I'm sure is a BIG no-no. I suppose I'll have to stop that.......any thoughts on the night waking? I don't know that it's hunger since she eats 3  8oz meals a day plus BM, so I'm kind of stumped, maybe she just needs more?

Well I should go now and get things done while she naps. Hugs to all

Joanne

[HeatherC]

Branwen-if it's any reassurance, everything came together for Kelsey after she started the rolling thing.  It was a month after that that she would tolerate being on her knees, and at first it was only one knee with the other leg dragging behind.  I don't know if it made a difference, but I just kept pushing her knees under her, just to see if she'd get the hang of it, but she wouldn't stay that way for long.
Kelsey's tantrum in the highchair is throwing her head back, arching her back, kicking, turning her head from side to side, and whining/crying.  I've now stopped feeding if it last longer than a few minutes.  It's pretty much the same outside of the highchair, and very dangerous if she throws herself backwards.  Yet the new thing that proves to me it's a tantrum is burrowing her head on the ground or on the backrest pillow.

[Tammy: Ethan & Kaden's Mom]

Joanne - hi there and welcome! 

Branwen - so glad you guys have a contract on your house!  That's so great!  I know you are excited to move back to CO, and I'm excited for you!

Doctors - I always have a lot of questions at my dr. appts!  Especially at the 6 month one, since we were going to start solids then.  Am I the only one who asks their nurse a lot of questions too?  I almost trust her as much as the doc!

Tooth count - 2 bottom teeth.  That's it.  I have no idea if he's teething right now or not.

Yesterday was such a nightmare.  Regardless of how long Ethan was up between naps, he slept for 30 minutes each time.  So, that would be about 1 hour of nap time all day long!  He wouldn't take a catnap either.  And he seems more fussy than normal, and keeps sticking his fingers all the way into his mouth on the sides and chewing on them.  Maybe teething?  Who knows.  Then I had to go pick up dh from the airport - at least his flight was early.  So, Ethan got to bed late - about 8 pm.  Then he wakes up screaming at 1:45 am, and it takes me until 3 am to get him back to sleep.  Every time I would go to put him down, he would start screaming again.  I had to just keep at it.  Eventually, I got him to lay in the crib, and he would lay there, I would pat him on the back, then he would try to crawl over to the side, I would put him back, repeat, repeat, repeat.  He finally fell asleep, but then woke up at 6:30!  I was hoping that since he was up in the middle of the night, he might sleep longer.  Nope.  So, I got about 5 hours of sleep.  Joys of motherhood.  I was so frustrated yesterday and early this morning I can't even tell you. 

But - dh gave me my birthday present a few days early, and he gave me the Apple ipod nano that I wanted!  So, I downloaded some stuff on there this morning, and Ethan and I went for a walk around the neighborhood, while I listened to some nice calm music.  Made me feel better - it's funny how music and being outside can do that, huh?

Well, better run.  Ethan has decided to actually HAVE a morning nap today, thank goodness.  He's been sleeping for about 2 hours!  This kid - never anything in the middle, I swear!

[Leah's Mom]

Oh Tammy, I'm right there with you. Last night Leah was up every half an hour from 7:00 till 2 am when I brought her into bed with me. She has a slight fever, a cough, runny nose and is cutting her upper left tooth.  :evil: So I don't know if she is not feeling well, or it it's teeth. I'm very tired today and I did go to work. She is at the sitter's house. I was torn whether or not to take her, but my sitter said to bring her. She would give her lots of cuddles and the other few kids there are sick already anyway. I haven't called her yet. It's my lunch right now, so maybe I will. Not so sure I want to know.....

[klt]

Tammy - your day and night yesterday sounded uncannily like mine!  She is also chewing on her fingers a lot so maybe they are both due for their third/fourth teeth.....

Debra - good luck with no df - I feel that I could well be in the same situation with Ciara as it turned out to be a nightmare dropping the df when we did (at 7 mo) even though we were down to under a minute of bf at 8.30pm. 

Branwen - congrats on your move!  I also can't wait to get back there.  We are both English but we were living in Denver for 2 yrs before lo was born and we loved it.  It's really a long story  but we came here b/c of dh's work.  It's been pretty hard here though all in all and we've finally decided (hearts have overruled heads!) to move back across the pond (we'll be on visas again). We would love to live in Boulder, esp dh, (big cycling fan) but he works in DTC so it's a little far.  Would love to talk to you more about it all!  Keep us updated on the osteopath idea, I can really see where you're coming from on that. 
About the crawling, my niece is 13 mo and she has only ever done the commando crawl thing, dragging one leg also.  Now she is just about standing and trying to cruise but I think she is just more of a laidback baby when it comes to trying out the new skills. 

Joanne - interesting about the potty training.  I was thinking about it as I don't have my hands full with another lo and Ciara is pretty regular with her bms.  No pressure, just to give her a chance to get used to it.

Joanne (E&J) - I think Ciara and Jordan may be the same age - Feb 12th?  And happy birthday to your dd!   

It's so sweet to hear about Debra's two playing together.  I feel bad that Ciara doesn't see enough other los.  We went to an international playgroup this week but it was way too manic.  The other kids were older and crashing all around her, she got a ball bounced off her head!  But she enjoyed it - she is a spirited one!  My nerves were frazzled and then we waited 30 mins for the tram home so she got overtired.    
:?: How much do your 8/9 mos socialize with other los?

[Daniel's mummy]

Branwen - we are in the same boat here.  Daniel is not yet crawling or pulling up. He loves standing (us holding him) but NEVER takes a step.  Even when I put him in the door bouncer thing he just stands there looking at all the toys that are now out of his reach and gets annoyed :lol:  (And for what it's worth he does sometimes just tuck his right leg up under him and just let his left foot touch the floor!) The last couple of days I've started to 'make' :oops:  him kneel for short periods of time just to show him that it's allowed    But as soon as I put him forward onto his hands he just belly dives back down onto his tummy, rolls over onto his back and sighs a big sigh of relief that he can get back to his playing      I am going to keep on doing the knee thing though as I think it's good for his development.  Even after a few days he seems a little happier to kneel and play with something.  I know that I know that I know that we shouldn't hurry our los along but it is so difficult when you just want them to master something.  I just have to keep on reminding myself of all the things he recently learnt to do.  They learn new tricks so quickly that after a day or 2 you forget that actually they only just learned how to do that and it's still a big deal to them   Like rolling.  Daniel just loves rolling.  A month ago that was my big thing that I wanted him to learn how to roll backwardsand forwards. Now that he does it I'm onto the next thing... :?  And 'clap hands' is just soooo cute.  I said it to him first thing this morning.  A HUGE smile spread across his face and he plonked his chubby little hands together with the proudest hugest grin ever. 

dh and I are off to the cinema tonight as my parents are baby sitting.  All I can think about though is what food I CAN'T have when we're there now that I'm on this diet!  Chocolate, hotdogs, popcorn, nachos, ice cream :evil:  :evil:  :evil:  The film had better be good to take my mind off it.

Debra - hope the 'no dreamfeed' went well.

[Jaime]

branwen - luke does not roll, crawl, or pull up.  you are definitely not alone!    if i stand him up he is very happy, but he can't do much of anything with it yet!

[Deb_in_oz]

ok - no DF went OK - she slept through until 0545 and by 615 i knew she was not resettling and offered the bottle - she took 170ml (6 oz) in 1 go so that is big for us - usually around 7-7:30 she will take between 90-130 in her first attempt at the bottle.  still hard to get bkfst solids in - have to do all finger food now - she ate some cheerios and 2 bits of toast and some banana chunks.  tried putting her down at 0830 and she cried fo rmore food and took another 130ml = 10 1/2 oz in total  We really need to figure out how to get her to eat breakfast solids - any suggestions (have tried cereals, toast, various fruits, porridge/oatmeal, veggies)

anyway she took a longer morning nap (1hr 30 instead of 45) so we were right back on track for the day 

hoping that the extra morning food will add in for the day and that tonight she might go longer than 545!!! puhleeease    even ifit is only 6-6:15 i will trust that by monday we will heading for our old wake time of at least 640 - again puhleeease   :lol: 

Branwen - so happy for you about the move - i sent you a PM before i saw this post.  also, olivia has not even remotely tried to pull up.  she does like to stand though and will "walk" all over if we hold her hands, but no attempt to pull up or stand (except form sitting/crawling position which is too hard to do)

Kate - olivia interacts with alex mostly and occassionally sees other kids when we visit friends but apart from our playgroup on Fridays where she is currently the youngest child and only non-walker, se gets minimal interaction with "friends"  (with alex i had a mothers group so she was around them every week and at the playground lots, whereas with 2 we stick to home a lot and our backyard).  ~ so did you go back to givong Ciara a DF or are you still doing it at 830???

Hazel - how was your film,? what did you see - i am so jealous of all of you with family nearby who can actually have a life 

christine and Tammy - i hope Leah and Daniel are better and "back on track" soon

[Daniel's mummy]

We went to watch 'Wallace and Grommit in the curse of the were rabbit'.  Was fun though I nearly fell asleep a couple of times :oops:   No reflection on teh film, just that I'm tired.

When babies 'pull up' what position is that from.  I've been expecting Daniel to start doing that from a sitting position, but then something Debra said made me wonder if they do it from other positions.  Do they go onto knees first?  It's fun learning all this fo the first time.

baby interaction - we occasionally visit friends with babies.  We had started going to a baby and mums group but can't make it anymore due to dh needing car for work.  He LOVES being around other babies so I'm going to try to get to another group each week.  My neighbour has a 6month old dd but it's amazing how difficult it is to even see much of them when they live just next door.  She pops in and Dan's asleep.  I pop round and her dd is sleeping.  You know how tricky it can be to coincide wakes and sleeps!

[Leah's Mom]

Deb - I cannot get Leah to eat breakfast either. I have tried everything, she just does NOT want it. So I've settled for the fact that she will just eat a few cheerios! Not sure what else to do~

[HeatherC]

Deb-at least she's taking a good amount of formula as that is the most important right now.  She may just be like some adults (me included) who don't like breakfast-it makes me gag to eat early in the morning.  Have you tried a "snack" before 1st nap instead?
Hazel-before Kelsey crawled she would pull up from sitting if something (usually my leg) was right next to her.  Then when she could scoot to something and now crawl, it's actually kind of funny.  She never really gets close enough to what she wants to pull up onto, but she uses all her might to pull herself up with her arms because her legs aren't close enough to push up with.  If she gets close enough, she has her knees for support while pulling with her arms.  She hasn't mastered getting her feet flat while going up and alot of times is pushing up from the side of her foot.  She'll also get on her feet on the floor with her hands also on the floor and make like an arch, but of course she can't go anywhere with that, but I'm assuming that's how she'll stand to walk once she can.

[branwen]

Deb/Christine re: breakfast- I always feed Eirwen her breakfast right before her first nap...so it is a bit later and gives her enough to make it through the first am nap without waking from hunger.  It took me some playing around with it but it really works for us now.  Have either of you tried the yobaby yogurt yet?  Eirwen really loves this for breakfast- esp the blueberry and pear kind.  What also works for us is mixing fruit with the cereal and lots of bm- so you guys could try forumla?

Eirwen generally has a poor appetite in the am but I think that is because she wakes up and guzzles her bm.  When I was gone 3 weeks ago on a trip in IA and my dh took care of her full time!! I pumped over 8 oz out during what would have been the wake up feed. :shock:

Also- I'm not sure how much time you are taking or can take really, but Eirwen and I go sometimes 1/2 hr for the feeding part of the process. It is a long time but I have found that if I am paitent she will eat, especially if I play airplane or peek-a-boo with food...if that makes any sense???