Due December 2013

Hello Lady!

6 weeks old tomorrow. We can actually get up to 5 hours during the day sometimes so I am hoping that in time this will carry to the night and they will stay awake more in the day. We always get longer sleeps if we cuddle them - that applies day or night. I was reluctant to do co-sleeping as I know a lot of people who had terrible trouble trying to get their kids into their own bed (one still has her lo in bed with her every night while dad sleeps in her bed and she's 6 :eek:) but once the adrenaline wore off and exhaustion took over I happily put them in the bed with us if it got us a few hours kip! (And I must admit, I do love the snuggles! )


My phn actually asked me what time of day I got most kicks and it was night, in particular the same time of night when they both usually wake up hyper! Apparently they stay on the same schedule for up to a few months.

fima

December Mamas, are ye out there? Chronic sleep deprivation kicking in, feel like I'm going crazy. Up since 4.30, just got my boy to nap in his pram now have to attack my house. Spilt coffee all over my cream rug in sitting room and my boy has puked all over couch, over each cushion, all over me and all over 2 of his playmats. My OH can't understand why I have 3 dressing gowns. This is why! This throwing up has just started in last few days, he's still on 7oz and doesn't seem to be unwell, no temp, in good form and sleeping as normal (not much)

How are you other mamas getting on?

therealgirl

Hi everyone, I've been meaning to get back on here & read up on how everyone is doing, but life is crazy with the newbie & a toddler here every day! I drop my eldest to school every morning & just wish I could go in with her for the day sometimes, hahaha!

The boy is 8 weeks old & weighing in @ 9lbs on the dot. He'll be out of newborn & into the 0-3 months soon I hope, as we have a tiny amount of newbie clothes & loads of 0-3 months & am tired of having to keep on top of the laundry
Feeding well now, after the past three weeks of horrible congestion and a cough that had us in the hospital, so all is well with that now!

He is breastfed, on demand I must say, as I don't think routines work much before 8-12 weeks anyway, & life is easier since I have embraced that fact!!
But the 6 weeks growth spurt, oh my god i thought I'd have to tape him onto the boobs just to be able to get off the couch for a minute!
Did anyone else go through this crazy 6 week spurt of feeding!!?

I must admit I struggled with my moods up to this point, whether it be hormones or just being under pressure due to breastfeeding & having a toddler here too I don't know, but sweet mother some days I just cried all day long!

But now I know I'm not going nuts It's all settling down now finally

We are co-sleeping, we tried the "side car" cot attatched to our bed, but he is having none of it since the beginning, I ended up taking him in bed for feeds every hour and around 3am then I was so wrecked we were falling asleep while feeding laying on my side...we weren't set up for safe co-sleeping so I thought it was dangerous ...
so I just embraced the co-sleeping & at the start of the night now we set ourselves up safely in the bed & the nights are so much better.
He has his own blanket & thankfully we have a king size bed so he has his own space away from our duvet/pillows & he is well happy with his little nose to my nose
I co-slept with my eldest for her first year & it was a brill experience, so I am looking forward to it again, we missed out doing it with our last baby as she struggled with apnea for a while, so she slept on a monitor, and she is now not a great sleeper, where our eldest has always been an amazing sleeper...I always wonder if it has anything to do with the breastfeeding & co-sleeping!

He is our third child with a tongue tie also, so anyone looking for any info on TT's or getting them released I am well educated at this point, lol!

Hope everyone is taking care of themselves & getting help if/where you need it!!?
I must go back and catch up on whats been happening with everyone now!

closifer

Definitely also went through that manic feeding at about 3 week's and about 6 week's - rough few days!!

The breastfeeding has definitely been a learning curve! B4 baby came, I couldn't get my head around the idea of breastfeeding support groups etc. I thought it was all a bit silly! Needless to say - I didn't realise how tough it was!! My boy is just 10 weeks and he weighs 15+lbs. I reckon he will only get another 2 week's out of his 3- 6 month clothes which means he will be wearing 6-9 months b4 he is even 3 months!!! His appetite is pretty large - he has a fee big feeds every day but he also feels the need to have mini feeds every hour during the day and he definitely needs boob to go to sleep - I know weaning will eventually be tough but it's not worth the battle to change things at the moment.

The doctor told me that come 14-16 weeks - I may need to include some formula as his appetite is so big but I'm hoping to make it to 18 weeks and then start to include some solids. Would rather not give any formula Tbh.

I am blessed with his sleeping though - he is also sleeping in the bed - we got him a Moses basket which is unused next to the bed! He goes down at about 11.30 with me and sleeps until about 8.30 am - usually he dreameats about twice in the night which really only requires me to be half awake and lastnight he actually slept through with no feed!!

In terms of me - it's tough to be sort of house bound!! I literally can't be away from him!! I am expressing milk and he takes it but it doesn't sooth him really. At least the weather is improving so we can start walking!! I need to lose the belly!! The first 2 stone fell off but the last one is going nowhere in a hurry!!

Sweet_pea

I'm pretty much in the same place as you guys even though the boy is only 5 weeks. Everything covered in puke, co sleeping, and really need to get out walking to shift the pounds.

Breastfeeding has been a bit of disaster, it looks like he might have a tongue tie and if so getting it cut on Thurs. At the moment he is on formula top up as he was very underweight but he's just gone through a growth spurt and finally looks like a little boy instead of the angry old man look. He was feeding every two hours which has taken it's toll on me as that includes breastfeeding, heating up a bottle, nappy change, cuddle to sleep,pump expressed milk. Keep being told to sleep when he sleeps but it's next to impossible really as I need to do even just the basic housework, eat, shower, etc. Don't think I have ever been as tired, can actually feel my muscles shaking from tiredness. I am trying today to stretch the time between the feeds an extra hour, working so far as he is asleep in the sling at the moment.

Therealgirl did you find breastfeeding easier after getting the tie cut?

Fima wre are the same with the puking since he's been on the formula top up, everything in my room now seems to be slightly damp, and I really miss having clean clothes on! At least with the spring just around the corner can start putting the washing outside.

Really think he is going to be great fun though as he is really starting to smile and get interested in whats going on and he makes me laugh so much by some of his expressions esp when a poo coming, poor child will have a complex!

therealgirl

@Closifier
still trying to read through the posts , sorry, just feeding my toddler here and wanted to say ...you have to have faith and confidence in your body that it will provide enough for your baby, no matter if your baby is classed as a 'hungry baby' by health professionals, formula is the answer for them for many questions...in saying that I know how tough it ìs when these spurts happen, but baby wants the breast all the time for a reason, he is putting in an order for you to make more milk, and trust your body that it will do just that!
I have to say there is an amazing Irish group on facebook called extended breastfeeding ireland, now you may not want to feed your baby until they are 2 years old!!! (W.H.O. reccomends!) but these women are such a wealth of knowledge if you need any advice

therealgirl

@sweetpea...in my first two babies I noticed a massive difference in their latch straight after TT release...this babe though it is an improvement but still have pain during a feed and a 'lipstick' shaped nipple when he unlatches, but I have chatted with a LLL consultant & he is just in the habit of a shallow latch, so hoping to work on that!
The laid back position and the rubgy hold are the best positions for us, I find we can work on a deeper latch that way

He also needs the boob to go asleep and is on every hour for a quick suckle in between feeds...I say 'suckle' cuz that's what he's doing apparently....building my supply by sending signals ...also the boob is great comfort for them...I breastfed through his vaccinations and heel prick & BCG & it was such a different experience than when I didn't do that with my other two! I will never be put off by a doc/nurse telling me no I can't feed through a vaccination or proceedure again!!

And I have to say the sling is a godsend! I don't think my boobs could have taken much more on the 3rd day of constantly being on the breast during his spurt, and putting him in the sling gave him the closeness he wanted while giving my boobs a break!!! We use the ring sling for easy in and out when shopping etc & a stretchy wrap for longer wearing, it's well snuggly

fima

Therealgirl - where did you get the ring sling? I have a Baba sling with clips, I find it really awkward to be honest so it doesn't get much use. I want to be able to tie himself up all tight as that's what he likes but trying to hoist him into the clip sling is a but of an ordeal for both of us! I think it will be good when he's older but for now he still likes to be cocooned even though he's a pure buster.

Really want to get him weighed as well, I'm sure he's over the 16lb now but my scales are not accurate enough and I don't like to weigh myself at the moment so that's a no go! He's 11 weeks today so does anyone know if he will have a developmental at 12 weeks and will he be weighed?

therealgirl

fima wrote: »

Therealgirl - where did you get the ring sling? I have a Baba sling with clips, I find it really awkward to be honest so it doesn't get much use. I want to be able to tie himself up all tight as that's what he likes but trying to hoist him into the clip sling is a but of an ordeal for both of us! I think it will be good when he's older but for now he still likes to be cocooned even though he's a pure buster.

Really want to get him weighed as well, I'm sure he's over the 16lb now but my scales are not accurate enough and I don't like to weigh myself at the moment so that's a no go! He's 11 weeks today so does anyone know if he will have a developmental at 12 weeks and will he be weighed?

Fima you'll see such a huge difference when you invest in a proper sling, I too started a few years ago with a baba sling, it nearly broke my back using it..check out www.babywearingireland.ie or their Facebook page is great as there are so many knowledgeable people on there who run nin profit baby sling meets all over the country, they have sling libraries where you can rent different types of slings for something like a fiver for two weeks & they show you the correct way to use them etc...
I bought my ring sling at www.koalacubs.ie ....it is a Storchenweige ringsling, very sturdy, I carried my last baby up until she was one in it, just out shopping etc before she started walking it was very handy & so much easier than holding her in my hip myself. ..but my little man is tiny here and he was carried in it from birth, so it is a good all rounder sling

The baba sling is not an easy position to carry babe in, all the slings you learn about from babywearing Ireland you will see how the baby is positioned in an anatomically correct position & good for the mama too...in the ring sling my man is upright on my chest, high enough for me tk kiss the top of his head & even though he is well old enough to be carried in it with his legs out, he still prefers his legs in as he too is a snuggle monster who just like to curl up on the boobs!

(That Facebook page also has loads of people selling their slings so you might be able to pick one up second hand for a few quid less than new too)

afternoon tea

Hi all Dec mammies!! I haven't been on here in so long, trying look back at all the posts, so much info and different experiences from everyone! I hope everyone is well and enjoying their little bundles!
My boy is 10wks tomorrow, I feel like he's a toddler already-he's 15b+ already so is quite a chunk (nearly outgrown 3-6 month clothes already!!) and it feels like he's been around for ages already its strange!
Am breastfeeding and have been lucky to not have any problems with feeding thankfully. He cluster fed like mad at wk 3 and 6 like every 45min I went running to breastfeeding group and the lactation specialist spotted he had a tongue tie. They didn't recommend to have it cut as he was putting on weight well and feeding wasn't painful. We still decided to get it cut in case it effects his speech in the future. It was over so quickly and ever since he's been using his tongue more and sticking it out !!
He feeds every two hours altho he goes longer when out and about during the day (once he's asleep in the carseat he can go for hours!!) and for the past two weeks he has started sleeping for a five hour stretch when we put him down at 10/11ish at night when we head up. That stretch is so lovely! Then he wakes every two hours after it, hoping thus stretch gradually gets a bit longer!!

I am feeling tied down with the b'feeding though, as lucky as I have been that he took to it so well I just feel house bound! We gave him occasional bottle of formula in the first couple of weeks which he took but then we lapsed and now I'm trying it again he's having none of it. I want to have a night out or even possibly head to a hotel with hubby for a night away from baby but he won't take bottle at all now and just gets hysterical even seeing the bottle!! I've read about different teats and bought a nuk bottle today (we have avent bottles) and he just isn't interested.

I'm wondering whether to invest in an expressing machine if this will help him take a bottle if it had my milk in it instead of formula? Although he was ok taking formula in first few weeks-I just don't understand it! I'm worrying already about going back to work if he refuses a bottle or is it just a case of if he's hungry enough he'll take it?? The thing is I don't know how much to persist with trying to give a bottle at this early stage? Its horrible seeing him fighting a bottle when I know how relaxed he is with the boob!

It's such a minefield I've actually regretted even starting breastfeeding as I feel it means another hurdle trying to introduce a bottle!! I just want the possibility of having a few hours off if he would take a bottle!

Does anyone have any tips? Also is it worth me investing in an expressing machine? Forgot to mention I got a loan of a mothercare machine which made my nipples bleed it hurt so much and that just put me off but I have heard the medela swing is meant to be great so I think I'd try that if I was buying one. I'm worried I'll buy it and he stil won't take a bottle so it will go to waste!

Sorry for rant!! Its funny you think you are starting to understand your little one and then they go and confuse you all over again!!!!!!

closifer

Afternoon tea - I feel your pain - we also have a big 11 week old who likes his grub!!

Have u tried a manual pump? Less of an investment - got my avent one for 17 on Amazon and got the hang if it pretty quickly. I am pumping 1-2 bottles every other day on average. It has meant we can take him off for a few hours on little trips and better yet - my parents can come mind him for 3 hours or so while we go for a meal!!

I'm still feeling pretty housebound because I am aware that thete is no substitute for boob so I won't leave for longer than 3 hours so basically bar one evening every other week I am at the baby's beck and call 24/7!!

kidcummins

Afternoon tea it's like you were posting my story... another bruiser here 10 weeks today was 1 stone 10 days ago so definitely up some more and also will be retiring his 3-6 month clothes very soon. Funny since I received a 0-3 bodysuit yesterday as a gift.
My fella wouldn't take bottle 1st time but I knew by daddy he was nervous and baby sensed that. So you need to be out of house, tell your bottle feeder to have bottle warmed for when baby starts to wake up and offer it when baby is little dosy because then they are not too hungry, if baby is hungry they more likely to get upset at been pawned off on bottle. Midwife at breastfeeding clinic told me that bottle really doesn't make a difference baby know plastic rather than your nipple but she recommended putting teat into boiling water to soften it .
I have the medela swing electric pump and love it, I've used nothing else so can't compare for you but it had come highly recommended to me. I can pump 3oz in 4 minutes, godsend during the night when you wanna get back into bed.
Felt like id won the lotto last nite when I got 4 hours of consecutive sleep, it was needed as the previous 4 nights baby was feeding nearly every hour. He has a stuffy nose so I suppose he wasn't getting a proper comfortable feed but bit if saline helped last two nights. So hoping I haven't jinxed myself by saying it but one long night stretch would just be heaven.
Also my little fella has his hands in his mouth the whole time last two days I've felt around and don't think there is any teeth coming or is it just he's looking for comfort-I never gave him a soother- should I???

afternoon tea

Thanks Closifer and kidcummins! It's a relief to read of similar experiences!!

I was also loaned a manual pump but that also hurt (mothercare again) which is strange as I don't find the breastfeeding painful so I put it down to the pumps not being great. Do you think baby is more likely to take bottle if its full of my milk rather than formula? Suppose its worth a try, have been reading about the mini medula electric pump which is half the price of the swing pump. Also seem second hand swing pumps which may try. Suppose if it gets him used to bottle then I can gradually replace it with formula over time. Are you ladies planning on expression when you go bak to work or formula? Interested to hear what others plan on doing. Annoys me why I'm even thinking of doing this to prepare to go bak to work when its ages away (sept/oct I hope!)

Kidcummins- mine has been dribbling like crazy and sucking his hands all the time (even when he's just been fed as I would have taken this as a signal he is hungry before!) and have wondered about the teething too-how do you know?? I think they can show signs months before teeth even start to grow so its a possibility! No harm trying a soother-mine will not take one, he gags and pushes it out with his tongue!! Altho there have been times if I sit next to him and hold it in his mouth long enough he gets the hang of it but I'm not going to so that in the middle of the night! Congrats on ur little one sleeping longer, its great isn't it! I know I was the same and too scared to jinx saying maybe this is start of new phase but touch wood he has done it bar one night for past two weeks! Hoping gradually he just goes for even longer then. Its funny though the first night he slept longer than two hours I woke with a fright thinking he wasn't breathing as I hadn't checked him in so long!! Almost wanted to wake him up ha!!
Thanks again for your replies, helps to think other mums are wanting time to themselves too!!!

afternoon tea

Ps kidcummins- I will def try those tips- am heading out for an hours massage today (so looking forward to it!!) so will leave daddy to tackle bottle and warm the teat etc....fingers crossed!!!

Hello Lady!

Afternoon tea, have you tried pumping with a smaller flange? The size given as standard is too large for many Irish women apparently and causes more of the boob to be drawn into the flange which can be very uncomfortable. You can get inserts to make the cup smaller. Also if you have not already attended one, maybe attend a breastfeeding group and bring your pump with you and check you are doing it right. Like breastfeeding its possible to get it wrong!

Re sucking on hands, it can be a sign of the gums preparing for teething and can be months before actual teething starts. However sucking hands is also a natural developmental stage, baby is just exploring its sense of taste and touch and coordination - in preparation for solids. Next step is other things into the mouth. So unless you notice any nappy rash or redness around the mouth from the dribbles, or red rosey cheeks then it's probably not teething just yet.

kandr10

Enjoy your massage :-)
Great to hear your babas are doing well. It's funny cos Maddie is a few weeks ahead (although weighing less than your guys) but her routine for 10 weeks was identical! She started going longer between feeds during the day - say 3 hours instead of two. Then she started going a longer stretch at night so the "nighttime feed" was at 5 or 6. Then we started to notice she was extra cranky at 9.30-10 at night where she previously went asleep at 11.30. It was funny the first night we realised we came up with a new routine. We said we'd play with her on the mat cos it makes her tired. Then we'd bath her to chill her out then feed and sleep. Next night of new routine she basically told us she was hungry, fed for longer than normal, conked out and slept the night from 9-7. No playmat and no bath! That's been her routine since. Finding it hard to get the time to bath her tbh! So what I learned is that we don't decide anything and we just need to follow her lead!! Hopefully the longer stretches happen for you ladies soon :-)

Oh just to note: she had been really difficult to settle at night for about a week to two weeks which was unusual for her. She was obv trying to tell us at that stage but it took us ages to cotton on! Could've saved ourselves a good few stressful evenings but sure we're only learning :-)

kandr10

Hello Lady! wrote: »

Afternoon tea, have you tried pumping with a smaller flange? The size given as standard is too large for many Irish women apparently and causes more of the boob to be drawn into the flange which can be very uncomfortable. You can get inserts to make the cup smaller. Also if you have not already attended one, maybe attend a breastfeeding group and bring your pump with you and check you are doing it right. Like breastfeeding its possible to get it wrong!

Re sucking on hands, it can be a sign of the gums preparing for teething and can be months before actual teething starts. However sucking hands is also a natural developmental stage, baby is just exploring its sense of taste and touch and coordination - in preparation for solids. Next step is other things into the mouth. So unless you notice any nappy rash or redness around the mouth from the dribbles, or red rosey cheeks then it's probably not teething just yet.

Totally agree about the sucking hands thing! It used to be a hunger sign for mad but now it's all the time. Families are always saying oh she's hungry again she needs a feed when I know she's not and could go a stretch. Or the other one is it's her teeth get her a teething ring. I feel she does it a lot just because she can, as you say as a developmental progression. I'll wait til she's showing more signs of discomfort before going down that route.
Btw, my sis got me a pack of ten dribblers from a brand called funky giraffe *correction* think she got them on amazon. They're those bandana style ones but they have like a fleecy lining on the back and two layers so that the dribble doesn't soak through and the fleece keeps their chest warm. Very handy I'd highly recommend. She still uses them for her lo as well.

Sorry for long posts, I can't seem to get cohesive thoughts out quickly anymore !

afternoon tea

Hello lady - thanks, will look into that although I think the problem is the machine didn't have instructions and not sure if the dial is broke-it just sucks my nipple down the shoot and bloody kills!!! Everyone I've spoken to says it shouldn't hurt etc so I think I just need a better machine if I do try expressing. I bought those little collection cups as when I feed I leak from the other boob so I thought perfect I'll collect that and can feed that to him but it literally was like a droplet collected!!
Can I ask why you ladies express? Is it quicker feeding baby expressed milk from a bottle than feeding at night? I hear so many ladies saying they express and I never really understood it! Do you spend a lot of time expressing in between feeds or how do you work it?
I think I'll see how hubbie gets on with bottle whilst I'm out today and then think about purchasing machine if unsuccessful again!

Kandr10- so funny about ur little one sleeping through like that, sounds amazing! You are right-they lead the way really!! We really take him up when we go to bed but have recently bought the angel care monitor so I may start taking him up after earlier feed and seeing how long he sleeps in cot for! I know, bathing him doesn't take long either but there have been nights it just doesn't happen!

kidcummins

I really began expressing the week before his christening as we were gonna be gone out for the day and I wasn't comfortable exposing myself and we weren't discreet enough when feeding then. Now I express 3oz a nite for the freezer stockpile incase ive to go anywhere or they head out to the in laws house visiting. I hope all goes well with the bottle it is a relief once you know they will take it. As you asked earlier I do hope to continue expressing when I head back to work, since breastfeeding worked out and I find I eat healthier knowing it's best for him so it's a win win... enjoy ur massage! !

Hello Lady!

afternoon tea wrote: »

Hello lady - thanks, will look into that although I think the problem is the machine didn't have instructions and not sure if the dial is broke-it just sucks my nipple down the shoot and bloody kills!!!!

That definitely sounds like it's too big then. It should only just take the areola into it. If more than that goes in then the flange is too big.

If you Google the make of pump you should be able to find a copy of the instructions online.

Also if your other boob is leaking then it would be worth using a double pump to save you having to do each side.

afternoon tea

Kidcummins- so will you have to increase the amount you express to be able to have enough for baby throughout the day when you're at work? Hope you don't mind all these questions, just trying to get head around what's involved in expressing!

We'll massage was heaven but got home to screaming baby, hubbie tried two different bottle types with no luck. I even tried feeding him and stuck the bottle in when he took a break and nope! It looks like he keeps liquid in his mouth and just spits it straight out. He's exhausted now the poor thing! I'm conscious of not wanting to stress him out so much that he just associates seeing a bottle with stress! Aware we have to persist at the same time agh! Think I may leave it 2mw then try expressed milk in a bottle the following day and see if that helps. Is there

Hello lady-great idea about double pump, didn't think of that!

Hello Lady!

I'm going to be selling mine, Amdala double pump, hardly used. PM me if you are interested. I only used it literally a handful of times because I had the hospital grade one hired and then knocked it on the head and week later so never really used my own one. Total waste of €160 in my case!

Also with pumping, maybe put the pump on one boob while baby feeds on the other one?

fima

hello lady that info about the pump sizes has me kicking myself, I really struggled with pumping, found it painful and actually distressing due to the pain and my own feelings of failure at breastfeeding. I can see now if the cup thingy had fit better it would have been so much easier!
Looking back I had plenty if milk but baby has a slight tongue tie and we found latching and staying latched so bloody hard, I wish I had the cop on to just go and get it snipped and also persevere with the pumping just to give myself a break. I hate and I really mean hate bottle feeding him now, I feel so bloody guilty!

Beginnings of teething here also, lots of hand chewing and dribbles in last two weeks, he lies in the cot chomping his hands sounding like he's eating a cement block he woke this morning with two big red jaws he was hilarious looking! No signs of it in his gums yet though that I can see. He's not overly fond of his soother, for anyone that has gotten this far without one I would say don't bother! Was out visiting today and a family member who just knows everything about everything decided they were going to settle him when he got a bit over tired. She was holding the dummy in his mouth and he was gagging and coughing. I was furious, grabbed it off her and asked her how she would like someone to forcibly hold something in her mouth. I understand holding it in if baby can't get a grip but if they're bloody gagging! Jesus I'm annoyed thinking about it!

Hope all are well anyway!

kandr10

@fima that's so annoying! I know people think they're doing good but I don't think they get how hard it is to see your baby so uncomfortable.

@afternoon tea I just pump cos it's handy to get a feed off every so often. Whether that's to go out, get to bed earlier or have a bath. It's easier I think to breastfeed at night cos you don't have to worry about sterilising etc.
I don't pump too often just a few times a week and I freeze the milk then til I need someone else to give a feed. If you do start again don't feel under pressure to do it all the time if it's less convenient. Hopefully the bottles will start working out for you soon so you could give expressed or formula. Some good advice on here from ladies who have been through the same. Best of luck with it :-)

kidcummins

Afternoon tea- I'm not sure really yet how it's gonna pan out.... with solids being introduced and if I feed him morning and evening I'm thinking two bottles during the day at crèche will do. But like someone said earlier, you just can't make plans because everything changes so quickly and anything I read tells me the body adjusts. So im guessing with my expressing at night and during the day at work that is 2 bottles for next day at crèche.

afternoon tea

Thanks ladies! I hand expressed a small amount in a bottle the following morning and tried that to see if it makes a difference what's In the bottle and no, he wouldn't take it! Decided to give it a few days break from trying then just persist with it for a whole day or wkd and not give him the boob, not looking forward to it!!!
Have any of you joined swim classes? Was looking at water babies/aqua babies wondered if any one had tried them with first babies? There are so many courses around (baby massage etc) but they all are pretty expensive!!

fima

Hey Afternoon Tea, I was just looking up water babies last night, they do seem expensive alright but if there was classes near me I think I would go for it, swimming is great for kids strength and confidence. I'm thinking now I will just bring him for a dip in our local pool, they have a nice warm baby pool and I will just bring him for a 5 minute dip to get him started when my boyfriend brings his older kids every weekend.

My boy has a rotten cold and he's miserable, had him at the doctor yesterday just to be on the safe side as I was worried the cough was in his chest. She says he's fine, just a cold and that'll be €50 please. Sooner this free GP care comes in the better - although my GP has a petition book at reception asking people to sign against it .... think I'll be switching GP's!

Do any mammies have any tips for relieving stuffed noses? He's finding it hard to sleep and waking up all blocked up. I'm using saline drops, olbas oil on a tissue near the cot, another oil in water under the bed, cot is elevated on one side and I'm putting snufflebabe on his chest at night and on soles of his feet under cotton socks. Is this the same as Vicks Babyrub does anyone know? Google tells me it's a different product but the chemist says it's the same under a different name. Nothing's working anyway, he's all stuffed up and can only get relief sleeping in his side but inevitably wakes up after an hour or so.

Chattastrophe!

afternoon tea wrote: »

Have any of you joined swim classes? Was looking at water babies/aqua babies wondered if any one had tried them with first babies? There are so many courses around (baby massage etc) but they all are pretty expensive!!

I'm doing baby massage, had the first class yesterday and it was really good, it's a very small group so it'll be good to get to know other mums and babies in the area ... it's €100 for five classes, BUT if you have health insurance it's almost certainly covered (no way would I be doing it otherwise!!)

afternoon tea

Hi Fima, oh poor little mite! Sounds like you're doing loads to relieve his cold, all I can think of is bringing him into the bathroom (in rocker?) with you when you shower and maybe the steam will help? Hope it clears soon. Mine had a little cold for only a few days and the saline drops helped.
Mad how expensive doctors visits will be, sure we'll be back and forth lots. Hope this free healthcare happens! Why would anyone sign against it?!!!

Yeah think I'm going to sign up, I was wondering whether to wait till he's older but I think I'll go now to get him used to the water. He seems to like his baths so hope that he'll like a big pool! Where abouts are you Fima? Cool your local pool has a warm baby pool!

closifer

fima wrote: »

Hey Afternoon Tea, I was just looking up water babies last night, they do seem expensive alright but if there was classes near me I think I would go for it, swimming is great for kids strength and confidence. I'm thinking now I will just bring him for a dip in our local pool, they have a nice warm baby pool and I will just bring him for a 5 minute dip to get him started when my boyfriend brings his older kids every weekend.

My boy has a rotten cold and he's miserable, had him at the doctor yesterday just to be on the safe side as I was worried the cough was in his chest. She says he's fine, just a cold and that'll be €50 please. Sooner this free GP care comes in the better - although my GP has a petition book at reception asking people to sign against it .... think I'll be switching GP's!

Do any mammies have any tips for relieving stuffed noses? He's finding it hard to sleep and waking up all blocked up. I'm using saline drops, olbas oil on a tissue near the cot, another oil in water under the bed, cot is elevated on one side and I'm putting snufflebabe on his chest at night and on soles of his feet under cotton socks. Is this the same as Vicks Babyrub does anyone know? Google tells me it's a different product but the chemist says it's the same under a different name. Nothing's working anyway, he's all stuffed up and can only get relief sleeping in his side but inevitably wakes up after an hour or so.

Fima (and anyone else in limerick)- In Limerick there are also special baby times in the hydrotherapy pool in st gabriels in dooradoyle. Havent gone yet but hoping to try it out soon....heard it was great!