March/April 05 Thread #2

[Richelle]

HI

Traci - Great pic's!!  Cole is such a cutie, literally a doll!!

Naomi - I was thinking about Chrisymas as well and sort of at a loss, it is going to be a very low key Christmas here, no family ect...so don't know first of all how big of a deal to make it for Sophie much less what to get her!!!

Traci - Sophie was weaned completed to formula 6 weeks ago (by her own doing)  The only advice I Have is, stay AWAY from ready made formula, go with the powder stuff you mix with water.  Sophie spent a nioght in the hospital dehydrated and puking at 2 1/2 months from the ready made stuff - it was too rich to digest ectect....Ped and all the hospital nurses recommended Nestle Good start.  HTH

I have attached a few pic's of Sophie 'dressed up',  the costume was ripped to pieces within minutes!!

[Judy]

Christmas - not sure what I'm getting Kaia and Hannah yet.. I had some ideas but I've forgotten them now.  Figures.  OH.  We have this awesome bike toy - the seat opens so they can walk with it, or it goes together so they can ride it.  I need another one and was going to that BUT they won't be ready for it yet and I know the older two will use it - which is fine but I don't like them assuming they can take over someone's gift... so that will just be something I buy whenever.

For Zoe's first Christmas we only bought her a stuffed animal and that was it.  She was only 7 months at the time.  We got Sarah a bit more even though she was only 3months but this was more for Zoe.  I didn't want her to see that she was the only one getting lots of stuff.  So this year we will definitely get Kaia and Hannah some stuff.  Even clothes -not that they care about it but it's presents for the other girls to see them get. 

We have that alphabet bus - it's cool.  My girlfriend has the fridge thing - it's cool too!!

[Arwyn's mom]

Jo... {{{{Hugs}}} to you and your DH... Let's see... accidental on purpose parenting skills... both DH and I have reverted back to holding her until she is very sleepy and in Stage 3 of sleep before putting her down. Otherwise, the screaming fits are just horrendous. Even so, sometimes she will start crying when we put her down but is calm enough to pat.

Yup, the magic boob is losing its magic over here too... It has to be at the right time to work and that is hit and miss nowadays. I think she is more able to fight sleep now.

We also went back to holding her, singing and rocking/swaying to calm her down. We did this before BW and it worked so... we tried it again (5 months later  :roll: ) and it still works. I think the singing bothers her though and I stop when her crying gets quieter.

I also sit in the rocking chair with her until she is calm. Even though she is twisting all around to look all over the place, I just hold her for about 5 minutes and then I put her in the crib. If she is not calm enough to pat, I pick her up again... sit in the rocker, etc.

We pretty much play it by ear. I usually give each "technique" a few chances before a switch to another one. The boob is the last resort... at that time, it usually works because she is so tired but I guess your DH's boob just won't work. :wink: 

Good luck Jo! I still think it is all developmental at this age and hope that it does pass. We are down to only 3 wakings last night and she let me sleep from 3 am to 7 am. Let me tell ya, I feel like a new woman!!

Karen... congrats on your first day! I understand that one is the hardest. I am glad Sam had a good day too!

Richelle... I understand about the productivity. I am usually the teacher that stays until 8 at night because I am the most productive when everybody else is gone and the place is quiet!

Traci... what a great picture with the Jack-o-Lantern! The sky in the background is a fantastic complement to your beautiful little boy on a dark October night!! WOW!

Erin... cute costume. She looks so sweet. Is that a flower atop her head?

Christmas.  :?:  :?: I don't know what to buy her. We buy stuff all the time but I guess necessities don't count    Ummm, I have no idea. All I have purchased so far are two Christmas dresses.

[B&BMommy]

Hi Girls, chat was fun last night. Really enjoyed it.  Should have been sleeping I guess though,when Brady was, as he was up at midnight, didn't have a great night, and a very cranky baby today.  He has only had a 40 minute nap today, having trouble settling him again.
 
Traci - love the pics, great lion costume, i looked at that same one in Children's place, we got Brady the giraffe instead.  What a beautiful baby boy you have there, Cole is such a sweetheart.
 BM's,Brady's was the same as what you are describing with the carrots, Traci. I think its just what the veggie does to them, cause now when he eats them it still happens, and goes away when he's not. Different fruits and veggies are going to be like that.
As for bottle feeds, I do both sometimes I give EBM, sometimes I mix half and half, and others just formula, on top of all that I bf too. Reason for this , is Brady didn't latch very well in the beginning. So I pumped continuously. Was worried of running out of milk, which didn't happen anyway, but was concerned so the Pediatrician told me to do the above. I still do now, and he now takes both bottle and breast perfectly.
What kind of pump are you using?

Naomi - I'll have to think about Christmas gifts for ya, I know what you mean about leaving it to the last minute, I need to get out to the malls soon, before it gets too busy and hectic to get my shopping done.

Richelle, are all the ready made formulas too thick did they say?  The powders you make yourself, to you make it exactly to the measurements on the can?  if so, doesn't it just make it as thick as the ready made ones.  The reason I ask, is Brady had reflux, and spits up all the time. But when he gets straight formula (the ready made stuff), he throws up badly. I thought he couldn't tolerate it, so that is when the Dr told me to mix half breastmilk, half formula together, but maybe it may work for us if we use straight formula if i mix it myself with water.  Just wondering.  Also, Sophie is so adorable, love the pics.

bbl
Holly

[Jayri]

no biggie over xmas ideas, it is just that jay is easy to buy for, he has his likes and dislikes by now, but with Riley she is too old for some toys I want to get her, and too young for her likes and dislikes yet.
Oh, booby Vs Formula, here we use me, and for the bottle we have a mix of my frozen ebm and formula. Richelle I agree with you on the brand, we use GOOD START 6 to 18mths OMEGA 3 with calcium formula the powdered kind.
We looked at the others and that kind seemed to have the most comprehensive range of nutrients.
I found that when Ri's teeth was about to break thro she didn't want me or the bottle, and just when I was getting weepy over giving up bf, she was back to her old feeds again.
Well, my kids need a cleaning, I put them in together, not too bad actually.
Take Care my dahlings, enjoy your day where ever you are.

[mickymuscles]

hi girls!
chat last night was fun we'll have to do it again!!

as for xmas presents- I don't think that dh and I will Jack much of anything because he is the first grandbaby on both sides sooo...I think he will get more than enough from everyone else.

when I first started feeding Jack formula we were also doing 1/2 EBM and 1/2 Formula....just to help him digestive system get used to it.  He is very prone to getting constipated.  Then finally switched over completely to formula after pumping for about a month...I'd had enough of that!!!  Especially because that was before Jack was on BW so I was either nursing, pumping or carrying him so needless to say I was a little knackered!!! :shock:   I was also told that the premixed stuff can be a little harder to digest for some babes.  We use similac advance with iron for 0-12mnths.  I would have started with Good Start had I known that they sell it at Costco.  Formula is expensive!!!!!!! :shock:   But since Jackson is prone to being bunged up-switching between formulas can also cause constipation.

[Colesmom]

okay, i've had time to go back and do some reading.

Karen-i can imagine i'll be a huge mess my first day back too.  Great that you ended up enjoying it.  And it's wonderful that DH can be home with Sam.

Happy Belated Erin...

Jo...any results back from the doc?  I wonder if maybe his reflux is worse for some reason :?:  :?

Bec-Hooray for a successful camping trip.  Sounds so wonderful and the pic looked really nice.  Post some pics of the trip too, looking forward to them.

Richelle-beautiful pics, but that costume sure doesn't look baby friendly LOL

Holly-I'm using Avent Manual pump.  I used to be able to get 4-6 ounces when I pumped back at 3 months or so.  maybe my supply decreased.  I'm not too worried about it.  Think I'll try the nestle starter stuff, I have a can here that someone gave me.

Micky-was it you who was wondering as well what to do about the trick or treaters while doing bedtime?  I'm disconnecting my doorbell.  At least I hoped it worked.  will test it when cole wakes up.  I took the cover off and unscrewed one of the screws and unhooked a wire.  I'll put a sign on saying to come back after X time for candy!  I'm hoping it works.

Thanks for the tips on bottlefeeding girls.  I have to admit I'll be quite relieved when he isn't so dependant on just me.  Of course I'm sure when the time comes all be all emotional and not want to give it up but I suppose it must happen sometime :cry:

okay, gotta go do my 27 fling boogie, put out my hotspots, tie my shoes, get rid of my paper clutter, spend 15 minutes in my zone, eat lunch, do some laundry...PHEW.  good thing I got all those reminders :wink:  :wink:  :wink:

[mickymuscles]

hi guys!
thanks for the suggestion about the sign traci!! we'll see how it goes!

do any of your lo's have sweaty hands and feet?  Jackson's are always sweaty!! :?  It's kinda gross! :shock:  :lol:

[james030405]

Hi Guys, 

Traci, love the photos of cole.  Very cute   In regards to formula, I bf James completely till about 4mths and then started to wean onto formula.  I started by bottle feeding the 6pm feed and then gradually over a periods of weeks introduced another feed (I think it was the 3pm).  It got to the stage I was feeding first and last feeds bfeeding and any in thenight.  After I stopped morning feeds I only fed in the night and then he stopped waking and that stopped bf altogether.  It was very sad to do and even now I get a little choked up when I see a breastfeeding mum.  I decided to change because I don't know whether it was due to lack of supply or slow letdown, but J would come off crying all the time.  Doctors etc said it wasn't reflux, and he would drink fine off a bottle.

I have a little funny story I just had to share with you all.  Poor James fell asleep in the shower on Sunday morning.        Something had woken him up very early on Sunday and he was crying which wasn't like him at all.  We gave him a bottle and breakfast and he was fine for a couple of hours. I then took him into the shower with me and was slowly rocking and with the water running down his back he fell asleep.  Poor little Mr Magooby   He woke up when I took him out and we put him back to sleep about 1/2hr later and he slept for 2.5hrs!! :?   The only thing is he now wakes early in the mornings (5am and gets up at 5:30am).  Do you think wake to sleep would fix this?  His normal wake time is around 6:30am.

Lovely photos of everyone by the way. 

Jo:  just wondering about Fraser.  Does he sleep on his tummy or back?  I was thinking that if it is on his back would he be more comfy on his tummy?  In a way I hope the dr's find something to give you some reassurance, but on the other hand, I hope Fraser isn't sick.  It would be awful if he is associating sleep/bed with pain.  I will try and ring you this week.  What days are you at home?

Take care everyone.

Lisa mum to James my textbook/spirited koala bear

[FrasersMum]

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for all the tips and support.

For those of you who weren't in the chat room yesterday, Fraser has an ear infection and is back on antibiotics.  I thought breastfeeding was supposed to help prevent infections  :roll: Is all that pumping in vain???

After 1 WHOLE HOUR of naps yesterday (yes, in total!) Fraser went to sleep at 7pm with no fussing (a reminder of the "good ole days"!  He then woke at 10.30 and we had a cuddle and a bit of "magic boob" and he went back to sleep.  He woke again at 2, I fed him, he couldn't resettle, I gave him Panadol and fed him some more, he still couldn't settle, he ended up crying for an hour and a half, not screaming but "poor me, I feel yucky and I don't understand" type of crying.  :cry:  He eventually fell asleep on DH's chest and we then put him back into his bed.  He woke at 6.00am.  Wish us luck for today...

He is not feeding well but hopefully the antiboitics will kick in today and help us all get some sleep and put us back in the right direction. 

He now has a nasty cough as well, he had a couple of coughing fits during the night and they wake him up as well.  I'm hoping that the antibiotics might help with that too.  The doctor said his chest is clear (well, yesterday it was!)

Anyway, that's the update. 

Lisa, my days are mixed up this week so I know I'll be home tomorrow but not sure other than that.  I'll be in and out on the weekend as well - if we haven't spoken I'll try you then.  Great story about James and the shower - what a beautiful memory.  Fraser had always slept on his back but since the rolling started he sleeps either on his front, back or side.  With the cold and the cough I've been putting him down on his side and letting him work himself out (which is what sometimes causes the problem as he flops about and trashes his body!!)  BTW, good work on the avatar  :wink:

Loved all the halloween piccies, what cuties!  We are some lucky mum's aren't we!!

(Sorry so long!) Take care all, will chat soon.

[james030405]

Jo,  sorry to hear Fraser is not well I have been lucky with James lately - no illnesses but I do know what it is like.  Do you have a vapouriser for Fraser's room?  I found this helped with James when he had a cold, it helped to keep the air moist and it helped with breathing.  I have one if you would like to borrow one.  I hope the antiobiotics kick in soon.  In the meantime, I would nurse fraser to sleep.  I did this with James when he was sick and he has now gone  back to settling himself.  I do feel for you and your Dh

Bye for now we are off to swimming.

Lisa mum to James my textbook/spirited koala bear

[Jayri]

well ladies, we have just gotten back from Jayson's first time trick or treating. He kicked butt, I mean the kid got 2 grocery bags full of chips and candy, and cuz he was dressed like a cow and was so young, I think they all gave him twice the normal amount. Riley put up with it for an hour, but I think she was bored.
Her routine is slowly getting back on track, we have the right order, now we just need to work on the times and have everything spaced apart.
How did everyone elses night go, I hope it went well.
take care everyone, I will "see" you all tomorrow.

[Colesmom]

well it's 8:15 and most of the trick or treaters are done.  the odd group here and there.  I managed to get Cole down by 5:50 due to no catnap.  I also took the wires off the doorbell and put up a sign to knock.  I ended up just sitting in my front hall with a magazine and beat most of the kidders to the knock anyway.  Must have had about 75 kids I'd guess, lost count eventually. I had the monitor with me and heard him go in and out of his sleep cycles, praying that kids wouldn't shout too loud as I opened the door. 

All in all a successful day.  Aside from the 5:30 wake up, nap one from 8:15-9:30 and nap two from 12:30-2:00.  I tried for a 30 min. nap at 4:30 and he actually fell asleep but woke up 5 minutes later crying very hard.  Figured there was no sense in putting him back down.  he was great through dinner, bath and BF.  Counting my lucky stars this continues.

Going to meet Holly tomorrow at a mom and baby centre for Gulp and Giggle tea time.  Should be fun.  Expecting rain here so hopefully there will be a good turn out.  I am hoping to hook up with some people for play dates/moms groups.

Jo-hope the antibiotics kick in soon. I must have left the chat before DH got home with the news.  Just do what you must to get through the next few days.  Boy, you guys have sure been through a lot :oops:

[Judy]

Ahhh - Halloween, thank goodness it's over for another year.  We go to a small town where our good friends' live and all go out together.  So after dinner as it's time to get costumes on K&H are upset because, well, not sure, let's just go with because they aren't at home - which is usually all the reason they need   Zoe's dressed in her cute cat outfit and Sarah is refusing to get dressed.  Being the still at times controlling parent that I am I tried to convince her in many ways to get dressed up.  Finally with her screaming and K&H both screaming I gave up.  Everyone esle went out and I fed the babes to calm them down.  Little Bear scored big time anyway dressed as the cranky toddler in the dirty shirt actually who was no longer cranky because mom gave up trying to make her wear a silly costume.  Heck the child rarely wants to wear clothes so how unrealistic of me to think she'd put on a full costume.  They were just running from house to house having a blast.  After nursing K&H I finally got them out and then proceeded to carry them while someone else pushed an empty double stroller

Teeth!!  OMG We have teeth.  Kaia has her two bottom ones and Hannah has one bottom one, working on the second.  AND Hannah has bitten me now a few times!! OUCH.  I shrieked the first two times which made her cry a bit and tonight I more calmly put my finger on her chin and said quietly "don't bite mommy".

I don't even want to talk sleep ladies!  Naps are still going fine.  Night sleep - it's worse than those first weeks.  It's insane and my goodness it needs to get better soon. My eyes are bloodshot all the time now - it's so pathetic.  I can't remember the last time I got more than 2.5hrs sleep at one time... usually I don't get more than 1.5hrs at a time.  Man and if all the girls are asleep now what kind of lunatic am I for being up and online?   Good point - I'm off to shower and go to bed.

[Erin M]

Judy, I know we say it all the time, but I REALLY don't know how you do it with your crew and those girls refusing to be cooperative and actually let you get some sleep for a change.  Katie's been a mess with teething this past week, can't imagine it with two.  I feel like I give her too much Tylenol and Motrin, but otherwise she just screams all the time, poor sweetie.

Jo, glad to hear you at least have a culprit.  Katie is on her second cold in the past three weeks and I had that "but I'm breastfeeding, why is she sick" reaction too.  I've heard the antibiotics kick in pretty quickly though - poor little guy has been through a whole lot.  Have you tried elevating one end of his crib too?  That has worked for us as well as the vaporizer. 

Dh took Katie trick-or-treating tonight as I was at work.  Will post some pics when I get them off the camera and sort through (he took 60!). 

Pleasant sleep to all!