Due December 2013

kandr10 · 08-04-2014 9:59am

That's adorable HL! It's so funny to watch how they comfort themselves.
In fairness you never get told in hospital that the bags are safer. The official line seems to be cellulars (though I guess they focus on the care of newborns in hospital). You can only do what works for you and your baby (ies) really can't you?
I'm finding solace in the fact that babies can go for the thumb even with a soother. I've relaxed a bit from obsessing about thumb sucking. I figure there's not a whole lot I can do to control the little hands til she's older and can understand what I say. Seems to be more into finger chewing at the minute anyway. HL, how do you recognise teething? I can't decide if it's teething or just putting things in her mouth cos she can.

Hello Lady! · 08-04-2014 12:39pm

kandr10 wrote: »

That's adorable HL! It's so funny to watch how they comfort themselves.
In fairness you never get told in hospital that the bags are safer. The official line seems to be cellulars (though I guess they focus on the care of newborns in hospital). You can only do what works for you and your baby (ies) really can't you?
I'm finding solace in the fact that babies can go for the thumb even with a soother. I've relaxed a bit from obsessing about thumb sucking. I figure there's not a whole lot I can do to control the little hands til she's older and can understand what I say. Seems to be more into finger chewing at the minute anyway. HL, how do you recognise teething? I can't decide if it's teething or just putting things in her mouth cos she can.

hands in mouth and a bit of dribbling and blowing bubbles is a developmental stage. But you will know when its teething as they start to gnaw on things, chew the doodie, mine kind of suck the doodie in and out and push it with their tongue as if they are trying to rub their itchy gums. Dribbling kicks into overdrive. The extra dribble is more acidic so might make their bum a bit red. Red cheeks, temp, grizzly etc are all signs of teeth. Chewing in the bottle rather than feeding properly.

I got gummee gloves for my two, one has the hang of it but would rather chew the hand wothout the glove :rolleyes: the other lady uses the glove but generally just wants cuddles and to sleep when teeth are irritating her.

Mine have had mild teething symptoms from 7 weeks and have been able to see white buds since then. But only in the last 4 weeks or so has it been painful for them at times. No sign of cutting yet though, just lots of itching gums and darts of pain. Thank god they're old enough now for paracetamol - the first week of real discomfort was tough as they were too young for anything.

kandr10 · 08-04-2014 5:39pm

Thanks for that! God love the poor things it's the worst kind of pain as well. Those gummee gloves sound interesting I must look out for them. I want to get one of the teethers you cool in the fridge too. A friend got us Lamaze finger puppets that have knotted strings all over to chew on. My lo finds them easy to hold and bring to her mouth. So far she seems to be exploring things by trying to put them in her mouth. Going to watch a bit more closely now to see if she's gnawing or rubbing at an itch.

Sweet_pea · 09-04-2014 1:01pm

My little monster has my heart broke trying to keep clothes on him overnight, I was using a winter grow bag, then switched to a summer one but he was waking up in the middle of the night kicking until I took it off him, same with blankets. He sleeps in a short sleeved vest with PJs on and most nights seems to kick off his socks but he seems happy out so I've given up trying to cover him. I know I run very hot so it looks like he's taking after me.

He can also get the doodie back in his mouth as long as it's fallen on his chest. I'm not worried about him taking up his thumb he'll find a way if he really wants to. I know when I was suppose to give up my doodies when I was four, I actually hid a number of them and my mother didn't realise till a few months later! And I just moved on to my thumb as soon as she took that stash away.

He seems to have started on the road to teething, he had been putting everything in his mouth but now seems to be gnawing with intent, have the teetha at the ready but doesn't seem to be causing any pain yet anyway. Like the idea of teethers in fridge though must have a look for them

Hello Lady! · 09-04-2014 3:06pm

One of my girls doesn't feel the cold at all and hates being too warm. When we're going out I have to put several thin layers and inevitably end up taking off a few! If you don't and she gets sweaty she screams blue murder!

kandr10 · 09-04-2014 7:13pm

Just out of interest how do you dress your babies for outdoors? I'm using a kind of jacket thing with a hood but I suspect it's too warm. Feels mental saying that when it's dull out but I still put her in it with a blanket and foot muff or just blanket of its in the car. Poor child is probably baked in all the layers :-(

Hello Lady! · 09-04-2014 7:49pm

kandr10 wrote: »

Just out of interest how do you dress your babies for outdoors? I'm using a kind of jacket thing with a hood but I suspect it's too warm. Feels mental saying that when it's dull out but I still put her in it with a blanket and foot muff or just blanket of its in the car. Poor child is probably baked in all the layers :-(

Up to mid Feb I was using pram suit and foot muff. Then just pram suit and loose blanket which E would be too warm in most times. Since March they have little coats but if they have that on its short sleeves or thin layer under. Usually lately I have a cardi on them. I don't use the foot muff unless daddy is bringing them for a walk late and its damp. Mostly, because E gets so warm I use blankets instead of foot muff. That way I can fold or unfold as needed if too cold/warm. With the foot muff its either on or off which isn't always a solution!

In the car I don't put jackets any more and often not even a cardi. I wrap the blankets right up to their neck getting them to the car and then off in the car. Its a bit awkward if we're driving somewhere and then going to be outdoors as I end up putting jackets on in the car for E. Thinking of investing in a couple of morrck blankets. They're quite expensive but given the way E is with heat I think it would be worth it - especially since both of them HATE putting their arms in sleeves for some reason!

kandr10 · 09-04-2014 8:10pm

Gosh to avoid the struggle of putting arms on I think I might start stripping the layers!

fima · 14-04-2014 3:28pm

Hey December Mamas, it's great to read about all your little ones and keep up to date with what's going on. Going to start weaning my boy this week, he's doing fine on the bottles but I just feel it's time, he's a thumper and loves his bottles so I'm really looking forward to seeing his reactions to the food. My PHN said to start him on baby rice however I'm not convinced, I might start him on sweet potato or butternut squash. I got the Annabel Karmel app to start off so will follow her recipes and make batches each week.

He's rolling over and dragging himself forward on his mat using his head as a weight he drops it then drags his body forward. It's hilarious to watch although he gets very frustrated after a few minutes then we have to pick him up and comfort him .... Don't want to be interfering I want h to figure things out for himself but when he gets upset I have to hug him!

Sleepwise he's still waking every four hours except for last night he went 6 hours so I'm (desperately) hoping this will happen tonight and in the future! The PHN said I was putting him to bed too early at 7 - 7.30, can I ask what time your little ones go down? I ignored it anyway .... Sometimes I think they're just looking for something to say. He's always wrecked by then anyway and he goes down brilliant, just bottle, hugs, wrapped in a big cellular blanket , turn off all lights and he goes off himself in minutes.

Hope all are well, our babies are getting big now I'd say, he was 8kgs at last check 2 weeks ago! Love my sling now for saving my back!

Hello Lady! · 14-04-2014 10:56pm

fima wrote: »

Hey December Mamas, it's great to read about all your little ones and keep up to date with what's going on. Going to start weaning my boy this week, he's doing fine on the bottles but I just feel it's time, he's a thumper and loves his bottles so I'm really looking forward to seeing his reactions to the food. My PHN said to start him on baby rice however I'm not convinced, I might start him on sweet potato or butternut squash. I got the Annabel Karmel app to start off so will follow her recipes and make batches each week.

He's rolling over and dragging himself forward on his mat using his head as a weight he drops it then drags his body forward. It's hilarious to watch although he gets very frustrated after a few minutes then we have to pick him up and comfort him .... Don't want to be interfering I want h to figure things out for himself but when he gets upset I have to hug him!

Sleepwise he's still waking every four hours except for last night he went 6 hours so I'm (desperately) hoping this will happen tonight and in the future! The PHN said I was putting him to bed too early at 7 - 7.30, can I ask what time your little ones go down? I ignored it anyway .... Sometimes I think they're just looking for something to say. He's always wrecked by then anyway and he goes down brilliant, just bottle, hugs, wrapped in a big cellular blanket , turn off all lights and he goes off himself in minutes.

Hope all are well, our babies are getting big now I'd say, he was 8kgs at last check 2 weeks ago! Love my sling now for saving my back!

my girls are on solids 5 days now and flying. I didn't give rice as a) a lot of babies don't like it as its tasteless and b) its only to introduce texture and has no nutritional value. Instead I am giving a spoon of porridge mixed with pureed fruit. First was pear and apple which I made myself and then today they had a pouch of Annabel Karmel ready made purée from lidl. I was advised to give both stuff I made myself and good quality ready made. That way in the event I can't cook/run out/ in a rush/ travelling etc they won't turn their nose up at the ready made stuff.

They get a few spoons at 7pm followed by some milk. They get a wash/bath and jammies and then settle to sleep usually by 8.30/9. I give a dream feed at around 11am and they usually sleep through til 6.30/7. They have been doing this since 10 weeks. I am hoping to phase out the dream feed in time as their solid feeds increase.

Possibly your lo is waking out of habit. A trick I have heard of which works for some is to gradually water down the night bottles and eventually he should give it up. Others sugfest hungry milk before bed to fill up for longer. The thing thst helped me was the soother. Over the space of a few nights when they stirred for a bottle I didn't pick them up but gave the soother. First it bought me 5 mins, then 10/20/30 etc. Finslly going from 4 hrs to 5 and now 9! I also increased the daytime feed volume at the same time. Or when he starts solids possibly he will last longer between feeds. My girls have gone from 6 bottles per 24 hrs to 5 and now 4. The volume they take in the morning and dreamfeed has increased but the daytime volume has gone back to 5oz or thereabouts due to solids.

The only time now that they wake around 4/5 is if their teeth are giving trouble. Even at that a soother, cuddle, calgel and sometimes paracetamol usually gets me another few hours.

fima · 16-04-2014 11:43am

Thanks Hello Lady, I think what I will try is maybe spoon feed in the evening at 7 followed by a bottle then dreamfeed at 11 if I can get to him on time. I wouldn't water down his bottle but I think I might start having cooled boiled water ready and try him with that when he wakes at 3am. I will also have his bottle ready to if he rejects it then he can still have his milk. He's already in hungry milk which I'm actually not convinced about, I changed him to that from comfort at 15 weeks to help delay weaning and has worked however he spews up a lot more with it but doesn't seem to bother him, just me who goes the washing and smells like sick all the time &#55357;&#56833;
Sounds like your girls are thriving, must have been hard with the reflux poor babas!
So his daddy put his high chair together yesterday and there's no flipping harness included. So ridiculous. Need to go get one at the weekend so my weaning plan is delayed a few days.

Hope all are well!

Soooky · 26-04-2014 10:01pm

Hi December mamas! Hope you and all your baba's are keeping well! Can't believe my little one is 4 and half months already!!! Where is the time going : (

Haven't started her on solids yet, trying to get her to 24 weeks before starting solids but we will see!! We had issues with silent reflux which thankfully is under control now so I'm a little wary of starting solids too soon in case it causes her reflux to flare up. Have Annabel Karmels cookbook and some yummy recipes in there : ) Started on the doidy cup today which was gas crack altogether, lots of coughing up and she was half drowned!!

Anyway, just want to say I hope this thread doesn't fade away as its great to hear how everyone is getting on with their little ones : )

Hello Lady! · 26-04-2014 10:10pm

Soooky wrote: »

Hi December mamas! Hope you and all your baba's are keeping well! Can't believe my little one is 4 and half months already!!! Where is the time going : (

Haven't started her on solids yet, trying to get her to 24 weeks before starting solids but we will see!! We had issues with silent reflux which thankfully is under control now so I'm a little wary of starting solids too soon in case it causes her reflux to flare up. Have Annabel Karmels cookbook and some yummy recipes in there : ) Started on the doidy cup today which was gas crack altogether, lots of coughing up and she was half drowned!!

Anyway, just want to say I hope this thread doesn't fade away as its great to hear how everyone is getting on with their little ones : )

my two are on solids since 16 weeks on doctors advice to try and improve the silent reflux and it definitely seems to have helped.

We use the Tommee tippee sippy cups - they are really good and do what they claim - absolutely no spills! there is a valve in it so the liquid doesn't comes out unless they suck. But just be careful with letting them drink from the cup - I had to put a stop to it with my pair as the guzzling milk was irritating their reflux and giving them hiccups. feeding quickly is not good for refluxers! the solids didn't make it worse at all but the drinking too quickly made them. both mega pukers!

Soooky · 27-04-2014 9:42pm

Hello Lady! wrote: »

my two are on solids since 16 weeks on doctors advice to try and improve the silent reflux and it definitely seems to have helped.

We use the Tommee tippee sippy cups - they are really good and do what they claim - absolutely no spills! there is a valve in it so the liquid doesn't comes out unless they suck. But just be careful with letting them drink from the cup - I had to put a stop to it with my pair as the guzzling milk was irritating their reflux and giving them hiccups. feeding quickly is not good for refluxers! the solids didn't make it worse at all but the drinking too quickly made them. both mega pukers!

Oh that's reassuring to know that the solids have improved your lo's reflux Hello Lady - well done you on dealing with 2 little refluxers!! Do you mean that you had to put a stop to them drinking from the Tommee Tippee cups? Is it because they have to suck to get the liquid out and can suck in air as well? I have the doidy cup which has no lid - I hold it for her to take a few sips of water but she loves to grab it and drowns herself : )))

Hello Lady! · 27-04-2014 9:49pm

Soooky wrote: »

Oh that's reassuring to know that the solids have improved your lo's reflux Hello Lady - well done you on dealing with 2 little refluxers!! Do you mean that you had to put a stop to them drinking from the Tommee Tippee cups? Is it because they have to suck to get the liquid out and can suck in air as well? I have the doidy cup which has no lid - I hold it for her to take a few sips of water but she loves to grab it and drowns herself : )))

its anti colic so no air really, had to stop them drinking from the cup (any sort) as they guzzle it too quickly, much quicker than the bottle, and it puts too much pressure on the gastric system and one if not both ends up puking some of it back up. Will stick to bottles only until the reflux is a bit better.

kidcummins · 02-05-2014 12:18am

Hi ladies, I hope ye are all well and babies are happy. We're heading off for the weekend to a hotel to bring baby swimming (I figured a hotel pool would be warmer and quieter for the first dip). Really excited and also nervous about bringing him, even though he loves his baths I don't want to frighten him, so I guess I'm just wondering about how any of ye got on and also any tips?

closifer · 02-05-2014 12:25am

kidcummins wrote: »

Hi ladies, I hope ye are all well and babies are happy. We're heading off for the weekend to a hotel to bring baby swimming (I figured a hotel pool would be warmer and quieter for the first dip). Really excited and also nervous about bringing him, even though he loves his baths I don't want to frighten him, so I guess I'm just wondering about how any of ye got on and also any tips?

Kidcummins we brought our little guy on a break to killarney over Easter and like you we were so excited about the pool. It went great! He loved it and didn't want to get out. He figured out splashing was fun after about 5 minutes and spent the whole time soaking himself and us! I think we went to the pool 4 times in out 2 night stay so it was a definite success!

We brought disposable swim nappies and also a happy nappy for over them and that worked out fi ne. The only you tough bit really was the Changing room as he really didn't want to be put down while I got dressed/undressed so that was a bit tricky but overall a great experience and definitely the best part of our break!

kidcummins · 02-05-2014 9:24am

Aww sounds fantastic closifier....better pack my goggles so!! Ya the changing thing is another issue, it's more work to bringing the carryseat I suppose. Now to the packing, I feel the need to bring all his clothes AND mine incase of accidents etc.....I know I'm just really over thinking it!!!

afternoon tea · 02-05-2014 7:17pm

kidcummins wrote: »

Aww sounds fantastic closifier....better pack my goggles so!! Ya the changing thing is another issue, it's more work to bringing the carryseat I suppose. Now to the packing, I feel the need to bring all his clothes AND mine incase of accidents etc.....I know I'm just really over thinking it!!!

Hi! Just an extra tip-take a towel for babba to the pool area so when you get out you can wrap them up straight away to keep them warm. I've been doing aqua babies and this alone had helped reduce the tears whilst changing them! Also if you take the pram or car seat in with an extra towel lined on the seat it helps if you need to put him down and he may be a bit wet. Hope that helps! So lovely having a swim with them-it's amazing watching their reaction to the water!!

afternoon tea · 02-05-2014 7:20pm

Soooky wrote: »

Hi December mamas! Hope you and all your baba's are keeping well! Can't believe my little one is 4 and half months already!!! Where is the time going : (

Haven't started her on solids yet, trying to get her to 24 weeks before starting solids but we will see!! We had issues with silent reflux which thankfully is under control now so I'm a little wary of starting solids too soon in case it causes her reflux to flare up. Have Annabel Karmels cookbook and some yummy recipes in there : ) Started on the doidy cup today which was gas crack altogether, lots of coughing up and she was half drowned!!

Anyway, just want to say I hope this thread doesn't fade away as its great to hear how everyone is getting on with their little ones : )

Hi! Yeah would be great to keep it going or even arrange a meet up baby group or something but I suppose we are all spread out over Ireland!

My little fella is 4 months now and quite a chunk. Planning on waiting till 6 months to start on solids although am guessing this may be hard as he's so interested in my food and drink already!! Tried the doidy cup too-was messy but fun!!

fima · 03-05-2014 10:58pm

Hey all, hope you and your little ones are doing great. Weaning has begun and has been a disaster so far ... like all my other good intentions, everything just went out the window, when I tried him on a tiny bit of sweet potato he lapped it up but then screamed the house down an hour later and at different times through that night. Went out and bought baby rice the next day. He had that for a week and tried sweet potato again, same story, more screaming

Portions are tiny so I really don't know what was causing it, was going to try again today but we are in my parents holiday place far from home and I just brought one frozen portion. Went to heat in microwave and blew the stupid thing up. Took that as a sign, move on to something else!

Great to hear about you babies going swimming, mad to bring the boy back again but am thinking will have to wait until we're home, can't imagine I would win mother of the year by taking him for a dip in the Atlantic in May!

I bought a little Tommee Tippee sippy cup the other day, don't know if its too early to try him with it? He tries to hold his own bottle but doesn't have the hand control yet, am thinking an oz of cooled boiled water in the cup might be nice for him to try, if anyone can advise? He's 21 weeks tomorrow, 5 months next week .... where the flip is the time going!? There's a December 2014 thread and I'm slightly jealous of them all starting out on their baby journeys, wonder would they swap?

kandr10 · 04-05-2014 1:08am

We were supposed to start weaning today but decided against it as it's madams baptism tomorrow and I was visualising a massive poo explosion in all her white gear! Though that could well happen anyway. I'm dying to get started.
I wonder what it was about sweet potato fima? Let us know how other foods go down!
I'm up now just finished threading ribbon through a bolero I knit for tomorrow. She chooses now to wake up and look for a feed. Little scallywag smiling up at me. We had such a good sleeper til about 4 nights ago so I'm thinking it's a sign she needs solids.
Have any of you started weaning yet? Any advice?

kidcummins · 04-05-2014 4:05am

Hey fima, we haven't started weaning but I've been doing a lot of reading and our phn gave a practical class at mother/ baby group lst week. All the information points to leaving weaning as close as possible to 26 weeks as their little systems just aren't ready to digest anything other than milk. By reading your post, it sounds like your little one is in pain maybe from her body trying to process the food. I'd say leave it a couple of weeks, a lot happens and changes with babies in a short space of time. There is also a growing spurt at the 19/20 (give or take a week) weeks which make you think they are hungry but it's just another development, usually learning to roll over and that can be thirsty work.

Sweet_pea · 04-05-2014 7:43am

I'm going down the baby led weaning route so with that I'll be holding off till the six month mark. Although, I wouldn't really take waking over night as a sign to start weaning, could be sleep regression or growing. I've started using the TT sippy cup for water, it's really just play at this point but want him to get use to it in case we have a hot summer

kandr10 · 04-05-2014 8:42am

I totally agree with you girls. Mad is a week off 6 months so gonna try her tomorrow. We'll see if it makes any odds to her sleep but could be just a growth spurt or anything causing it. You don't rally know til you have the benefit of hindsight really do you? Wonderful little creatures keep us guessing ;-)

Sweet_pea · 04-05-2014 9:10am

kandr10 wrote: »

Wonderful little creatures keep us guessing ;-)

Haha yeah we can make all the plans we want but it's them who decide anyway as soon as you think you know what the hell is going on they change the rules again! It's crazy we were in the same thread and so far apart, think you went early kandra and I went over. The boy is only just gone 16 weeks

Hello Lady! · 04-05-2014 2:53pm

started early weaning with my girls at 16 weeks on paediatrician's advice to see if it helped reflux. They're 19 weeks now and flying it and only negative is much smellier poos and they are a bit more windy as they get used to it! my biggest struggle is keeping them interested in milk though because now whenever they get hingry they expect to see spoons and bowls and not bottles! so they protest a bit until they have a few gulps of the bottle and then remember oh yeah this is quite nice too! also the teething (which started at 7 weeks!! :eek:) is in full swing now so before every bottle I have to give calgel or they just want to chew the bottle rather than drink it.

kandr10 · 04-05-2014 7:50pm

Sweet_pea wrote: »

Haha yeah we can make all the plans we want but it's them who decide anyway as soon as you think you know what the hell is going on they change the rules again! It's crazy we were in the same thread and so far apart, think you went early kandra and I went over. The boy is only just gone 16 weeks

Lol I know! Sure I was only scraping the dec thread anyway!! Went 3 weeks early so well into nov. I stopped counting in weeks but did a quick check there and she's 25.

Our little angel screamed all the way through her baptism today. She's usually so placid but not today! The other babies were quiet as mice :-) ended up sneaking into a corner of the church for a cheeky breastfeed afterwards. Times like that I wish she'd take a soother.

Great to hear the weanings going well hello lady. Any favourite foods yet? So excited to start :-)

Hello Lady! · 04-05-2014 8:51pm

Apple and pear purée a big hit in this house. also love sweet potato and apple. I also took inspiration from the ready made meals and copied some of them so we've tried raspberry spinach and yoghurt which they liked but their nappies were horrendous! poor mammy! blueberry and pear porridge is another favourite. mash potatoes and sweetcorn is also good. I also have a stash in the freezer of blueberry, carrot and parsnip; mango banana and pear; and avocado and mango. so far there has been nothing they didn't like. the only thing they aren't keen on is too much porridge in anything so its been mainly fruit and veg with a tiny bit of porridge to thicken it. never bothered with baby rice - its horrible! like wallpaper paste. I wouldn't expect them to eat anything I wouldn't eat.

I have tried them with one or two ready made pouches too as I think its good to encourage them to eat them in times of emergency or if you are travelling or stuck. They like the Annabel Karmel ones from lidl and the Plum organic ones. Didn't bother with the jars as I remember the smell from my own childhood - eh no thanks!

closifer · 06-05-2014 2:52pm

t

Hello Lady! wrote: »

Apple and pear purée a big hit in this house. also love sweet potato and apple. I also took inspiration from the ready made meals and copied some of them so we've tried raspberry spinach and yoghurt which they liked but their nappies were horrendous! poor mammy! blueberry and pear porridge is another favourite. mash potatoes and sweetcorn is also good. I also have a stash in the freezer of blueberry, carrot and parsnip; mango banana and pear; and avocado and mango. so far there has been nothing they didn't like. the only thing they aren't keen on is too much porridge in anything so its been mainly fruit and veg with a tiny bit of porridge to thicken it. never bothered with baby rice - its horrible! like wallpaper paste. I wouldn't expect them to eat anything I wouldn't eat.

I have tried them with one or two ready made pouches too as I think its good to encourage them to eat them in times of emergency or if you are travelling or stuck. They like the Annabel Karmel ones from lidl and the Plum organic ones. Didn't bother with the jars as I remember the smell from my own childhood - eh no thanks!

Hello Lady! Im the same - My LO likes everything! No fussiness at all so far! Sweet potato and apple is also a major hit in my house and it freezes really well so I can batch cook once a week and stock up. You mentioned freezing avocado? I didnt think this would work as i thought it would discolour so thats interesting. Do you find it okay?

I am trying to prepare as much as I can from fresh but like you - the odd ellas kitchen pouch has been used when we are out and about. They seem okay - there arent any preservatives and they actually taste like the fruit they are supposed to taste like!! Also with you on the baby rice - that would surely be enough to put a baby off solids. its so dull!

My baba has been on solids now for 4+ weeks and i know at some stage i will have to introduce texture and lumps and im really really scared about it - choking etc.

Also, at what point can you introduce a little cows milk in cereal? I am hoping to introduce ready brek in the next few weeks but dont fancy pumping especially for this each morning.

kandr10 · 06-05-2014 3:17pm

That's great that your little ones taking to the food closifer. It's hearing good experiences makes it less daunting. I've tried carrot and potato and she likes both. Have a bit of parsnip and sweet potato for the freezer. Hopefully it goes well. According to an anabel Karmel book that I'm reading very gradually, cows milk can be used for cooking from 6 months but you could also use cooled boiled water. I don't feel very strongly against the baby cereals if they're sugar free and mixed with a bit of purée. I find ready Brek and porridge generally as bland.
They're some interesting food combos hello lady. Thanks for that. Great idea to take inspiration from the jars :-)

Hello Lady! · 06-05-2014 9:59pm

closifer I make the avocado by blending it then mix with the mango. the acid in the mango stops it discolouring and I freeze it straight away.

yeah cows milk is ok to cook with and slowly introduce from 6 months. You could use formula or water.

kandr10 · 06-05-2014 10:35pm

Just thinking as well closifer, you could express a bit of milk and freeze in say half ounce pirtions to add to cereal if you don't want to use cows milk. Or formula as hello lady says!

Soooky · 15-05-2014 9:41pm

Some great recipe ideas there Hello Lady - I think I'm going to rob some of them

)
Decided to hold off on the solids with our LO until she is 24 weeks old (week after next) - feeling excited but nervous as well because of the silent reflux! Think we'll try either sweet potato or avocado first....

Spent the last hour packing away lots of LO's clothes that she has grown out of - nearly crying at the size of some of them and the memories they bring back! Where has the time gone to!!! Getting a babygro teddy made out of some of her babygro's - I saw a lady on facebook who makes them and they look super : )

Chattastrophe! · 15-05-2014 10:01pm

Hello Lady! wrote: »

Apple and pear purée a big hit in this house. also love sweet potato and apple. I also took inspiration from the ready made meals and copied some of them so we've tried raspberry spinach and yoghurt which they liked but their nappies were horrendous! poor mammy! blueberry and pear porridge is another favourite. mash potatoes and sweetcorn is also good. I also have a stash in the freezer of blueberry, carrot and parsnip; mango banana and pear; and avocado and mango. so far there has been nothing they didn't like. the only thing they aren't keen on is too much porridge in anything so its been mainly fruit and veg with a tiny bit of porridge to thicken it. never bothered with baby rice - its horrible! like wallpaper paste. I wouldn't expect them to eat anything I wouldn't eat.

I have tried them with one or two ready made pouches too as I think its good to encourage them to eat them in times of emergency or if you are travelling or stuck. They like the Annabel Karmel ones from lidl and the Plum organic ones. Didn't bother with the jars as I remember the smell from my own childhood - eh no thanks!

The bit in bold - that's my own philosophy! Anything I make for him, I'll be taste-testing first. If I prepare something that I can't stomach myself, not a chance will I feed it to him! As for baby rice, bland as f*ck with pretty much zero nutritional value ... no thanks!

I'll be staying well away from jars, but I've started stocking up on Ella's pouches, will be handy for when we're away from the house for a good bit. Again, though, will taste them myself first before giving them to him! They seem pretty wholesome and tasty though! Will be doing the vast majority of cooking myself, but it's good to have a back-up that he will (hopefully!) take in emergency situations!

kandr10 · 16-05-2014 12:06am

I totally agree with the sentiment but I'm just thinking of how my own mother never gave us porridge, custard, rice pudding or similar cos she didn't like them. I only recently overcame my irrational fear of porridge. Really hoping I don't inflict any weird food aversions in my kids lol :-)

Weaning is going well for us so far. She seems to like most if what we've given. Only thing is she got a bit of nappy rash when her dirty nappies became more frequent. It's tremendous fun that said. Love watching her face react to new tastes.

I hear you on the clothes front. It's crazy looking back and seeing how small things are now. I never heard of a babygro teddy. Sounds like a lovely idea if it's what I'm picturing.

kidcummins · 29-05-2014 8:07am

Hi ladies, hope all are well and happy? Could I ask yer daily routine please, back to work and crèche in a month so want to get something vaguely in place. At the moment we're nursing to sleep. Cheers

fima · 31-05-2014 9:45am

kidcummins wrote: »

Hi ladies, hope all are well and happy? Could I ask yer daily routine please, back to work and crèche in a month so want to get something vaguely in place. At the moment we're nursing to sleep. Cheers

Hey Kidcummins, I can't help as I have no real routine ....just that he gets fed at certain times and naps whenever he needs it, bed at 7.30 and normally up at 6am. Will be interested to see any other mammies routines and specifically how many naps and for how long the little ones are taking. I will be starting a part time job in July and (hopefully) college end of September so I really need to get something in place as well!

kidcummins · 31-05-2014 12:52pm

Hey, ya everyday is a little different with us that's why I was curious. He wakes 7-7.30 with a soiled nappy, we play in bed 4 an hour and go back to sleep for usually 40-60 mins. Then for the rest of the day he goes to sleep 2 hours after he last woke and sleeps for 40 mins usually. We're still breastfeeding, he has refused bottle since he's 13 weeks and now at 23 weeks is finally taking an ounce from sippy cup. I'm in a bit of a panic because he is settling into crèche in 2 weeks and not yet started solids but I think he is getting there now so next week fingers crossed.

Soooky · 31-05-2014 11:26pm

We have a fairly loose routine but it goes something like this.... usually bath at 8pm with feed after and into her cot then (sometimes she is asleep when going into her cot but if she's awake we put on her cot mobile and she goes off to sleep). She wakes for a feed at around 1.30am and then anywhere between 4am & 5am - she usually goes straight back to sleep after each feed. Another feed at 8.30am/9am - sometimes she wakes up then or sometimes goes back to sleep until 10am which is lovely! Sometimes another little feed at 11am and if we go out for a walk or drive she will sleep - she used to lie down for a nap in the morning in her cot but the last 2 weeks she hasn't (probably because we've been getting up late!). We started solids a few days ago so she has her little lunch and feed at 1.30pm. Afternoon nap can happen at any time so we work in her next feeds around that.

Started giving her the sippy cup a few weeks ago - she just played with it really but now grasps the handles and drinks although I have to watch that she doesn't take in too much air : )

Solids are causing major constipation at the moment - she hasn't had a poo in the 6 days since we started solids and I am starting to panic a bit! She does go a good few days between poops as she is bf but I thought once she started on solids she would go more often! She has had a fair amount of food gone in and none coming out!! She has had her water in her sippy cup and we have tried fruit purees and also prune juice today and no joy : ((((

afternoon tea · 01-06-2014 8:18pm

kidcummins wrote: »

Hi ladies, hope all are well and happy? Could I ask yer daily routine please, back to work and crèche in a month so want to get something vaguely in place. At the moment we're nursing to sleep. Cheers

Hi there! How old is your little one now? Mine is 23 weeks. We had our last breastfeed on Friday-it was a sad day! We were down to one feed a day so it was time to just out a stop to it, he loves his bottles now so it felt like the right time. We started purees then on Saturday-started with baby porridge and he loves it! Really looking forward

Kidcummins- our routine is something like this (am really not strict on times apart from bedtime!)
6am - he seems to wake around this time each morning, can sometimes get another hour or so if I bring him into bed with me for a feed!
Bottles at 6am, 10am,2pm and 6pm or every 3 hrs if he is particularly hungry. I'll be introducing purees at lunch then breakfast soon.
Bed at 6pm (he is wrecked by 5.30/6pm but I may start trying to keep him up gradually for bed at 7pm) he usually naps about 2-2.5hrs after waking and then again in the afternoon around 2pm ish. He naps in his seat in the morning or in he car if we are out and about. I try and get him into the cot if I can! I'm not strict at all with naps but it's working for us at the moment so am happy! Hope that helps

afternoon tea · 01-06-2014 8:19pm

Oops meant to say in really looking forward to the next stage of weaning and trying a few veg!

fima · 09-06-2014 1:08pm

Hey Ladies,
Am just wondering if any of you have any experience of allergies with your little one's? I am convinced my boy has an allergy possibly to something in his milk and will be at doctors tomorrow so want to say it to them. Just curious if anyone else has experienced this?
His chest sounds quite wheezy a lot of the time, he has a constantly stuffy nose but nothing there, he comes out in red patches on his head and just today he has come out in red patches on his face. Nothing is bothering him, hes a very happy baby but he does find it very hard to sleep due to the stuffy nose. I think this is possibly enlarged adenoids due to an allergy. He was 6 months yesterday so going for his vaccinations tomorrow , dreading it!

I had brought him to the doctor about 6 weeks ago due to his wheeziness and she said at the time that he might develop asthma but nothing could be done until he was 2 so no point worrying about it until then. I'm not happy about this so I am going to ask again tomorrow. Anyway, just wondering if anyone has encountered this and what was done to help baby?

Sweet_pea · 09-06-2014 7:24pm

Fima, my boy has a stuffy nose (mostly at night), I don't think he's chesty although my mother said he was the other day and he has on/off rash across his chest. Doesn't seem to bother him except for times during the night with the stuffy nose.

I was putting it all down to teething tbh. Be interesting to hear what your doc says though. I sometimes think I just blame everything on teething haha

fima · 10-06-2014 8:27am

My mother keeps telling me ' You put nothing down to teething! ' ok so, even when I know he's teething I can't blame it for anything ?! Granny's are mad.
Vaccinations today, so dreading it for him, he screamed like a banshee at his 2 & 4 month ones. Feel so guilty for arranging for him to get hurt

fima · 11-06-2014 12:14pm

Sweet_pea wrote: »

Fima, my boy has a stuffy nose (mostly at night), I don't think he's chesty although my mother said he was the other day and he has on/off rash across his chest. Doesn't seem to bother him except for times during the night with the stuffy nose.

I was putting it all down to teething tbh. Be interesting to hear what your doc says though. I sometimes think I just blame everything on teething haha

He was referred to paediatrics for allergy testing and a look at his tonsils & adenoids. There's a history of sleep apnea in the family also so they're going to look into that. Now I just have to wait for an appointment ... I bought the clevamama baby pillow this morning to see if slightly lifting his head will help him breathe easier , hopefully it does because he was very bad from 3am this morning until he got up at 6. Then slept in his buggy from 7-10 as he seems to be more comfortable in there. Wish I had a buggy to sleep in!

Sweet_pea · 12-06-2014 8:42am

Oh dear Fima, we'll hopefully you can get it sorted now, we've had no problems the last couple of nights so think I'm happy to put it down to teething.

kidcummins · 26-07-2014 12:59pm

Oh My F**kin God!!! I hate weaning onto food. He purses his lips and nothing gets by. Currently I'm 25 mins trying to get one icecube size of courgette ( his favourite according to childminders) into him. He's 7 months now so was thinking it's time to be mashing stuff but he won't even swallow the pureed food. I give him finger food to chew on and he's happy with that but if he gets a bit of it choking and spluttering until he spewing.
Ahhhh it's so frustrating and upsetting and my weekends are ruined hangin around home to spend an hour trying to get him to eat

kidcummins · 26-07-2014 1:00pm

Oh My F**kin God!!! I hate weaning onto food. He purses his lips and nothing gets by. Currently I'm 25 mins trying to get one icecube size of courgette ( his favourite according to childminders) into him. He's 7 months now so was thinking it's time to be mashing stuff but he won't even swallow the pureed food. I give him finger food to chew on and he's happy with that but if he gets a bit off it, he's choking and spluttering until he spewing.
Ahhhh it's so frustrating and upsetting and my weekends are ruined hangin around home to spend an hour trying to get him to eat

Idrive · 26-07-2014 8:43pm

kidcummins wrote: »

Oh My F**kin God!!! I hate weaning onto food. He purses his lips and nothing gets by. Currently I'm 25 mins trying to get one icecube size of courgette ( his favourite according to childminders) into him. He's 7 months now so was thinking it's time to be mashing stuff but he won't even swallow the pureed food. I give him finger food to chew on and he's happy with that but if he gets a bit off it, he's choking and spluttering until he spewing.
Ahhhh it's so frustrating and upsetting and my weekends are ruined hangin around home to spend an hour trying to get him to eat

There is a saying that food until one is just for fun. It's all about new tastes and trying a variety of food. It's not really about filling them up so to speak.
Have you looked at baby led weaning at all, might suit ye better..

Due December 2013

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