March/April 05 Thread #2

[kate585]

(((HUGS))) to you Jo!  I understand the dh thing...whenever something's not working, it's always "We could just let him CIO."   :shock:   Where have these men been the last 7 months?  I just keep saying, "Remember when it was so easy to put him down?  It'll get back to that if we STAY CONSISTENT."  Then, I usually think in my head, "You big arse!"  I agree with Richelle, it seems like most of our lo's are having more trouble going down to sleep lately either form teeth, movement, being more aware of surroundings, or all of the above.  What an exciting time for the bubs, but a trying time for us!  Vent anytime you want, girl!
(((HUGS))) to you, too, Richelle.  What the deuce are you doing at work at 6 am on Sunday?   :x   I think you are in the hotel industry, right?  I guess you would have crazy hours, but yikes!  You have TOTALLY made the right decision to quit.  Don't let them talk you into staying.  Sounds like even if they offered you part time, they'd keep having some sort of need for you to come in more often.  Stay strong!!!
I am up  :evil:  since had to pump before exploding.  Ryan is at the il's house for a sleepover, so dh and I could go to a Halloween costume party.  Lucky for me that they get to deal with him on time change night.  We have been trying to prepare him for the time change for weeks, but with last week's cold and all the wacko sleep stuff mentioned above, I think it was a waste of time.  *sigh*  At least I got to "sleep in" until 6:30 (the time formerly known as 7:30)!  Hope it went well for the rest of you who are dealing with it!
Love, Kate

[Arwyn's mom]

Jo... {{{{HUGS}}}} We are going throught EXACTLY the same thing with Arwyn. I just posted about it on Friday. She has gone from an independent sleeper to a real poop about sleeping over the last 4 weeks or so. Crying, screaming, arching her back and pushing up, etc. I truly think it is developmental and teeth.

Hayley... {{{{HUGS}}}} to you too! Arwyn has also been getting up MANY times in the night and the only way to calm her has been to put her on my breast. Last night was down to 4 wakings. We started off on Thursday night with every hour or less so I am somewhat grateful for this reduction. Hang in there... your good sleeper will come back. Congrats on the bottle!!

Here is our funny story about the time change! Okay... so, Arwyn has been getting up so many times in the night so I decide that I can't make her sleep past 6:30 ish this morning. We get up, do our morning routine... BF, solids, play, (skipped the books) back to bed for a nap. I then went straight back to bed. When she woke 45 minutes later :roll: , I asked DH to get her. I continued sleeping. Sometime later, DH asked if Arwyn should go back to bed... I mumbled yes, thinking he was paying attention to the time.

So, when I woke at 9:30 (new time), I realized that Arwyn was asleep  :? I worked this out in my head and I only counted 4 hours, no matter which time I used . So... I go downstairs to tell DH that I made a mistake and we have just put Arwyn down too early. Well... he proceeds to tell me what they did. He did the morning routine AGAIN!!! So... minus the BF, Arwyn had more solids, some Baby Einstein time and then back to bed in only 1 hr 30 min! Obviously, she did not mind... she didn't cry for her nap and lately, she always cries for her nap! Both DH and I had a chuckle about that because now, she is on track as she went down for a nap at her regular time, accounting for the time change!!! :lol:

Thank goodness for this additional Y time because both DH and I are knackered. DH is on call for work and had to get up at 2 am and went to work... came back a while later and I have been up and down with Arwyn all night!

Happy belated Erin!

Karen... thinking about you here, going back to work. Hope you have a good first day!

Richelle... 6 am??? and you get up to get ready at 4 am? Hats off to you for doing this even while you have Sophie. How much longer until you go? I am assuming your resignation was successful, right?

Traci... I am thinking you made it to your party as I see no posts.   Did you have a good time?

Hopefully I will catch you guys at the chat tonight. Depends on the kinda night we are having.

[james030405]

HUGS Jo,  I had this trouble with James about a month ago and then it seemed to settle.  It will probably all change next month :lol:   I'm afraid I don't have too many suggestions.  I have found though with James of late he doesn't like a long windown.  When he starts to rub his face and get whingy (usually around 2.5hrs of A time) I take him into his room, stand in front of the cot and sing "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" (DH sings Billy Brag  ).  Then I place him in his cot and say "night-night" and walk out.  He has a little cry for about 3-5min and then he is asleep.  At night I do the same thing except I put him in the cot after singing with the night light on, say night-night and turn the night light off.  So he is in complete darkness.  I have found this to be very good.  Do you have a light on? 

My Dh is usually very good and helpful and will do things my way with James but the thing that gets me is (and I havetold him that) that they never say "How about I take James to the shopswith me and you can go and have a bath", orsomething like that.  I always have to ask him to take him.   :x  :x

Sorry, I cannot be of more help with sleeping issues, I do know it passes though.  Don't worry about resorting to Panadol, Jo, I too have done this as a last resort and it seems to work.  If it is teeth, could he be having ear aches as well?

Remember, Jo, I am only a phone call away.  Keep smiling everyone else. 

Take care,

Lisa, mum to James my textbook/spirited koala bear

[B&BMommy]

Trying to get caught up again, so where I left off I think was on nick names....well as mentioned before Brady gets Bugaboo, also, Bud, Little Toad, Monkey, Squirmy Worm and Wriggle Worm.

LOL, too many nic names I guess....depends on what mood were in,or what mood he's in. Some have stuck, others are going slowly.


bbl

Holly

[Colesmom]

Great Big Hugs to everyone!  It sounds like a rough weekend (or longer) for many.

Good luck at your first day back Karen.

I have been pretty lucky and hope that I don't have to go through what many of you are now.

Went for lunch/spa day yesterday and it was wonderful.  My massage was really good even though the therapist was a bit of a blabbermouth.  When I got out of the spa my phone said "missed one call" so I called home but it wasn't DH and MIL.  Everything was fine.  Cole didn't take the bottle at first so they made some milky cereal but he pitched a fit in the highchair.  DH fed the cereal with Cole on his lap and then he ended up taking the rest of the bottle while they gave him a few things to play with to distract him.  He had 2 45 min and a 30 min. nap yesterday as well  :shock: What can you do?  I didn't go to the party afterall.  Wasn't sure Cole would take the bottle and didn't want MIL dealing with a hysterical babe. I didn't do anything special for time change except put Cole down 45 min. later than normal.  This was the result of a late catnap, not really planned.  He woke at 11:15 and 4:00 to feed and then up for day at 6:15, therefore 5:15 by time change.  Not bad considering he's been getting up at 5:30 regular time.  MIL came down at 5:45 after I fed him and I got to sleep until 7:00.

Went to birthday party and my friend loved the frame, loved it.  YAY!  Cole had a 45 minute nap after being up 3 hours this morning so I thought he'd melt down.  I am really lucky girls, so very lucky.  He was up from 9-1:30 at the party.  He wore his costume the whole time and was as quiet as a mouse as all the kids ranging 4.5 months-6years screamed, ran and played around him.  When we got him to the car I was expecting a fit and he was sound asleep without a peep in 5 minutes.  Only a 35 minute nap, but he woke smiling at grandma.  Did I mention we took MIL to the party    Perfect as DH and I were free to hang out with our friends.  Haven't seen some of them in months because of DH studying.  Anyway, down just now for catnap.  Think I'll make sure he sleeps an hour until 5 otherwise I fear he'll have a bad night. 

I want to start eliminating the night feed but I just don't have the stamina.  I tried wake to sleep last night but it didn't work.  Went in at 3:30 since I woke up anyway, did the jiggle but he woke at 4 to feed.  rats!  He's been going right back to sleep so I shouldn't really complain.  It's the 5:30 wakings that are tough though.  Hope I can get that to at least 6 and I'll be happy. 

I hope things turn around soon for you Ankie, Richelle, Jo, Hayley.  Hayley, maybe try putting your Bear in the Box to sleep.  Might work a charm :wink:

[B&BMommy]

Hi Ladies, I'm sorry to hear some of you didn't have a good weekend, sleep wise. I can relate so very much.  Big hugs to you all.

I think I'm all caught up now....I hope

Hayley - (((Hugs))) I"m sure your good sleeper will appear again soon.......as for the sleeping bag issue, I've heard the gro bags are great. We have not tried them yet...right now we use the fleece all in one sleepers for Brady. Seems to work well for him.  He has a light blankie, that he sleeps with too, but nothing else.  But again, have heard good reviews from others using the gro bags.  HTH

Jo - {{{{HUGS}}}}  I hope things get better really soon. I know what you are going through.

Karen, have a good first day

Richelle - hats off to you for getting up etc that early.wow!

Traci - Yeah for Cole taking the bottle, (with some coaxing)...but Yea!
Glad your friend loved the gift, would love to see a pic of it, if you took one.
What is wake to sleep, did I miss it in the book yet, or coming up to it maybe...and what is the jiggle?

So here is our weekend - yesterday I can say with happiness, Brady had a 2.5 nap...first ever!!!!!
Bad night, sounds like the rest of you pretty much, we were up every hour on the hour. Teething for one thing...but good still with the nap, I'm so very happy for that.  Today got messed up though.  We had my Grandmothers 80th Birthday at the Mandarin Restaurant, near where we live, Great place, Lots of family there. All got to see Brady....but....he was in some mood!  He didn't nap so well today, lots of cat naps, and then we had to go out, I"m afraid we'll pay for it...but I guess what we've been going through It can't get much worse.  Still working on the book, and setting things up, thanks to all of you for sharing your routines with me, I appreciate it greatly. 

I'm hoping to get on the chat tonight too, I guess I'll see how our night goes though.  How do I get on?

Holly

[Colesmom]

Holly-here is the chat link.  It's posted in the lounge if you ever need it again.
http://www.thebabywhisperer.com/chat/phpMyChat.php3

just log in however you want-with your forum name or your real name. 

Wake to Sleep is a technique to break your lo of habitual waking.  you set your alarm for an hour before the time they wake up and go in a wake them (not fully). It's supposed to reset their clock so they sleep through that time.  So I go in and jiggle Cole until I see him stir/move a bit.  Maybe I'm not waking him fully enough.

okay, gotta go feed him.  The short naps and long party are showing their effects.

hope to see you girls on the chat.  I'm pretty pooped though so likely won't stay long.

OH-Hayley.  Cole is in a Grobag and he stands up in it!

[Richelle]

Traci - I had thought too that you had made it to the party but am glad you got to go for a spa day and catch up with friends with your DH.

Kate - thanks for the support and yes I am an area manager for 4 restaurants owned by a large jewerly company on island.  Beind food and baverage/hospitality there are crazy hours but not hours that are in my contract(been there & done my time).  Unfortunately i find I get most of my best work done and uninterupted before any of the restaurants open for the day (hence the 4AM wakeup and 6AM at work).  Also I am a bit of a control freak.... :shock:

Holly - Just my opinion, alot will probably disagree with me but I would work on night time sleep first.  It was the easiest for us and definately the most important sleep - again for us, just an opinion!  When we began it was tough to know where to start and night was easier b/c it was darker and I was too sleepy to be stressed about every noise ect..,and before long I was saying nap schmap, but this girl slepts 6 hours straight tonight!!  Please PM if you need anything.

Ankie - I don't remeber what I was going to say I guess just Hi.  I am tired...goodness

I hope to join the chat tonight.......

[FrasersMum]

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for the hugs and support.  I really need them.  DH really needs them too!  He is at home with Fraser today (yes to whoever asked, he looks after Fraser when I am at work) and he has just spent the last 1 and a half hours trying to get DS down for his nap.  Unsuccessfully.  Poor DH I feel so bad for him, I know how hard it is. 

So, seeing as we are all going through this rough patch, what is everyone doing to get their LO's off to sleep?  What accidental on purpose parenting are you doing?  How can we help them??  I know I can't just let him cry and cry...

Lisa, I've tried leaving him for a bit to see if he'll settle by himself (I don't know if I've been out of the room for as long as 5 minutes, I would guess probably DH has tried that) but he doesn't settle at all.  He just continues to work up and up.  Plus I get so hung up on the concept of "is this CIO" that I can't stand waiting around outside.

So, anyone, tips?  Ankie, is it just all about magic boob?  That seems to have stopped working at our place.  I will come to the chat room later and see if you have ideas...  (and also to chat  )

I have booked DS into the doctor at midday today (DH is taking him) to get all medical things checked out.  Is it wrong to be hoping that he has an ear infection or something else which could explain this horror  :oops:  :oops: ?  I am a terrible mum.  I feel like such a failure.   :cry:  I'm sorry to lump this on you - you are all so great. 

Chat later - is it in an hour or 2 hours or 3 hours??  I guess I'll just keep checking....

Bye!

[becca24]

HI Everyone,

I managed to read through the ten thousand pages I had to catch up on :lol:Loved hearing all the nicknames - how funny :lol: Some of ours for Halle are: Pumkin Breath, Smelly Pants, Chadrika :?  Little Lurchy(DH's nickname is Lurch)Halle-Long-Legs and Halle-Munster. Some family call her bubba or princess - only thing I hate when people call her Hal  :evil:

Sorry to hear some of you are having sleep problems. Hope all gets better soon. oh yeah and I agree with concentrating on the night sleep. I had no idea how much better and confident I'd feel once  my dd started sleeping all night. Her naps are still a nightmare, so now that we have night sleep, does anyone think it would be a good idea to work on the early afternoon nap because eventually that will be the only nap?

We had a great time on the camping trip. DD was such a good girl !! She had a couple of 45min naps (nothing unusual there :roll: )but managed to sleep through the night first night in the tent even though there was a whole footy team close by who were VERY loud :evil: That's ok we got them back at 5.30am after Halle woke by turning up our music  :lol: We also had a heap of possums just walk right into our camp looking for food - they were so cute!! One of them even had a baby on her back. We were more scared of them then they were of us (they bite HARD) :lol: I will post photos later when I recharge my camera if anyone is interested.

 :?: Can anyone tell me which of the 'day feeds' is dropped first? ( 7am, 11am or 3pm?

Have a good (sleep) night everyone

[kq]

Just caught up girls. HUGS to you all.
First day was fine. I cried all the way to work but then got a hold of myself and actually quite enjoyed the day! I am such a wimp!
DH dealt wonderfully with Sam and even rang me up to report how he did. All in all, not as bad as I thought.
I wish I had advice on sleep but I don't and it sounds developmental...I am really not looking forward to that stage of development!!!
Hope you had a good time chatting.
Better go and get some dinner.
Take care all,
Karen

ps: I think you drop the mid morning feed first (11 am) but the more experienced mums may be able to comment (Nicki, Naomi, Judy??)

[Colesmom]

Hey girls,

Chat was fun.  Here are some pics from the party, and one of Cole with his jack o lantern taken this morning.  The birthday girl is the pumpkin.

How did everyone fair this morning?  Cole was up at 4 to feed, took a bit to settle back down and then up for good at 5:30.  i had some questions for you girls and now i can't remember.  i'm sure they'll come to me after i post.

[Jayri]

traci i love the one of cole with the pumkin, especially with the sky in the background.
Thank you ladies for the wonderful turnout on the chat last night, maybe some of you lurkers maybe inclined to join us next week and we can meet some more people!!!!
Riley wasn't too bad today, after a feed I gave her 11, she woke up at 4 and 7:30. I was very surprised after she went down at 5, woke up for a half hour at 7 and then went back to bed.
Her solids are coming along leaps and bounds, this morning she got mad as I wasn't feeding her fast enough :shock:
So I need some ideas os what to get Riley for xmas, I know it maybe early to think about it, but i soo don't want to be stuck buing gifts towards the end of it all.
Jo- how is fraser doing with his ear infection.
Karen- Nice to hear your first day back went okay for you, and no you are not a wimp
Well must dash, nap time is about due

[Colesmom]

Naomi-i got the birthday girl this really cool Leapfrog phonics bus.  It's meant for 12 month and up but it was way cool.  you press the letters and it makes the sound of the letters and says a word.  There is also a magnatized version apparently that goes on the fridge. They put the letter in the right spot and it say C, C says Cat, or something like that.
maybe they'd be better for first birthdays.  Hmmm, let me think on some christmas ideas.

Can we talk BMs?  Cole has been eating all orange food (carrot and sweet potato) and as a result his poo is 100% orange.  is this normal or is the food just going straight through him?  hope this isn't a stupid question.  he seems fine with the carrots btw, don't think it was that making him spill.

Also, for those of you feeding a bottle, is everyone feeding EBM?  Or are some of you doing formula for those feeds?  expressing just takes too long (2oz each time) so i find that's why i'm not giving the bottle very often.  maybe if I wean one feed and give formula for that feed he might take it more readily?

okay, i think those were my Qs for now.  thanks girls.

[Erin M]

Hi girls -
Loved the chat last night, was sorry I couldn't stay longer. 

Traci - That picture of Cole and the pumpkin is beautiful.  I feed EBM for bottles - I pump between my first two morning feeds, and can get about 6-7 ounces, but I've always had an overabundant supply (I think I finally stopped leaking all the time about last week or so).  I have been thinking about weaning onto formula for one feed, but then again I was only breastfeeding for six months at the most, and here we are at nearly 8. 

Bec - I find the morning nap to be much easier than the afternoon one, but that just might be us.  I think what eventually happens (and those of you with older kids can correct me here) is that the morning nap just keeps getting later and later until there's no time for the afternoon nap.  Also I think the feed you drop is either the 11 AM or the 3 PM, depending on which one your LO is less interested in.

Jo - When Katie has trouble sleeping because of a cold or teeth or just having a wacky time, I generally resort to rocking her to sleep (or almost sleep).  I also don't worry about the long naps and let her catnap and will take her out in the car if she really needs another nap.  (She only sleeps in the car if she's tired, so it works out ok). 

Happy Halloween all!