The Newborn & Toddlers Off-Topic Chat Thread

moving_home

heldel00 wrote: »

My little man was sleeping through the night at 2 months but since 4months (he's now 6mo) he's been waking a few times a night.
I used to just give him a little drop of water but that would only keep him content for half hour or so. I'm back at work, constantly wrecked and gave in last week and gave him some formula.
Now the little divil is waking far more and the only thing that will settle him is getting his bottle.
In fairness he'll only take an ounce or two and falls back asleep for a while so it's not like I'm sitting up for ages with him but broken sleep is still a killer.
Any advice?
(Btw he goes down at half 8 and doesn't get out of cot until 6am)

4 month sleep regression I reckon. http://www.babysleepsite.com/sleep-training/4-month-sleep-regression-2/?utm_expid=8074202-21.FrQSJGACS8itZnbO63LBcA.1&utm_referrer=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.ie%2Fsearch%3Fsite%3D%26source%3Dhp%26ei%3D1eUIV5SoHsKRPZf4mtAG%26q%3D4%2Bmonth%2Bsleep%2Bregression.%2B%26oq%3D4%2Bmonth%2Bsleep%2Bregression.%2B%26gs_l%3Dmobile-gws-hp.3...1841.6142.0.6504.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0..0.0....0...1c.1.64.mobile-gws-hp..0.0.0.iyNAFP9M-SA

Things started to improve from around 6.5 months for us

Emmadilema123

Woodbrook80 wrote: »

Hi I'm new here I'm a first time mother so it's all new to me he was only born last week
He seems to be quiet unsettled ie takes a while to go off to sleep the best place he sleeps is in my bed/arms which I don't want him getting too used to and don't like leaving hom crying etc any tips would be great

Congratulations! I'm sitting her with my 3rd new born and can tell you that was pretty standard for all of mine! Kept all mine up in arms for most of the first few weeks! Have you got a bouncer or swing? I have a lovely bouncer from mamas and papas and it's great even for the smallies (my baby is currently only 4lbs 14oz)

You could also try baby wearing? Wallaboo do lovely slings!

Woodbrook80

I thought he would be too small for the bouncer yet

heldel00

Woodbrook80 wrote: »

I thought he would be too small for the bouncer yet

I'm guessing she means bouncer chair as opposed to a jumperoo or the likes

Emmadilema123

Woodbrook80 wrote: »

I thought he would be too small for the bouncer yet

I did too but this little one is very snug. My baby is tiny and it's fine for her! Do you have a bouncer? I can post a pic of it?

Emmadilema123

heldel00 wrote: »

I'm guessing she means bouncer chair as opposed to a jumperoo or the likes

Were miles off the jumperoo for little titch yet lol she will prob be starting school before she fits it!

tickingclock

There's too many for me to remember and I can't multi quote buy thanks for the suggestions!! Some aren't good for my waist line!! The banana bread us delicious!!! Love that there's only 50g of sugar. Just showed me how sweet raisins and bananas actually are. Everything is long eaten so next time I'll make double for the freezer!! Thanks to you all for replying

RentDayBlues

tickingclock wrote: »

There's too many for me to remember and I can't multi quote buy thanks for the suggestions!! Some aren't good for my waist line!! The banana bread us delicious!!! Love that there's only 50g of sugar. Just showed me how sweet raisins and bananas actually are. Everything is long eaten so next time I'll make double for the freezer!! Thanks to you all for replying

Glad it went down well, it never lasts here either!

Woodbrook80

Emmadilema123 wrote: »

I did too but this little one is very snug. My baby is tiny and it's fine for her! Do you have a bouncer? I can post a pic of it?

Yeah I do got it off someone thanks

Woodbrook80

Me again thinking of buying a baby carrier/sling any recommendations or ones to stay away from

dori_dormer

Woodbrook80 wrote: »

Me again thinking of buying a baby carrier/sling any recommendations or ones to stay away from

What age is baby? Do you have any medical issues such as bad back etc?
I have a Kari Me stretchy wrap for newborns, bit fiddly to get on initially but can be left on all day comfortably and pop baby in and out as needed.
I then got an ergo 360 soft structured carrier . Found it great and comfortable, but my son out grew it very fast as he was 14kg by 11 months.
I then got a lillebaby (or 2!) very comfortable with lumbar support. Does back carries and forward carries like the ergo. Except it is bigger so he still fits at over 2 yrs.

This summer im looking to invest in a ring sling for the new baby and a toddler carrier (probably another Lille) for the olde boy.

Stay away from baby bjorn etc most are very uncomfortable!

There are sling meets which are great for trying on loads of different types getting loans to try them out for 2 weeks and there are consultants who will help identify you and your babies needs.
Tony kealys stock some lillebabys.
Depending where you are there might be more shops you can try them all on. baba Me just over the border near newry have a large selection. There's snugglebugs in Naas too. Not sure on other parts of the country!

Woodbrook80

dori_dormer wrote: »

What age is baby? Do you have any medical issues such as bad back etc?
I have a Kari Me stretchy wrap for newborns, bit fiddly to get on initially but can be left on all day comfortably and pop baby in and out as needed.
I then got an ergo 360 soft structured carrier . Found it great and comfortable, but my son out grew it very fast as he was 14kg by 11 months.
I then got a lillebaby (or 2!) very comfortable with lumbar support. Does back carries and forward carries like the ergo. Except it is bigger so he still fits at over 2 yrs.

This summer im looking to invest in a ring sling for the new baby and a toddler carrier (probably another Lille) for the olde boy.

Stay away from baby bjorn etc most are very uncomfortable!

There are sling meets which are great for trying on loads of different types getting loans to try them out for 2 weeks and there are consultants who will help identify you and your babies needs.
Tony kealys stock some lillebabys.
Depending where you are there might be more shops you can try them all on. baba Me just over the border near newry have a large selection. There's snugglebugs in Naas too. Not sure on other parts of the country!

Thanks for that only a week old just after a section that's mainly

fro9etb8j5qsl2

There's a brilliant facebook page called Babywearing Ireland, loads of helpful advice there I second getting to a sling meet if you can, or if you can't then the sling library rents them out cheaply enough so that you can try them out before buying. Nothing worse than spending a fortune on a sling only to find that it doesn't suit you at all. I have the ergo and find it brilliant but have heard great things about the lillebaby too.

fro9etb8j5qsl2

Can anyone recommend a single buggy that works well with a buggy board? My toddler is great for walking and I'd much rather bring him on a buggy board rather than lug the double everywhere. Our single is a baby jogger city mini and the handle isn't adjustable so very awkward with the buggy board. I was thinking of selling it and picking up something that would work better with a buggy board but have no idea what to go for.

Sligo1

Rayan Low Lambskin wrote: »

Can anyone recommend a single buggy that works well with a buggy board? My toddler is great for walking and I'd much rather bring him on a buggy board rather than lug the double everywhere. Our single is a baby jogger city mini and the handle isn't adjustable so very awkward with the buggy board. I was thinking of selling it and picking up something that would work better with a buggy board but have no idea what to go for.

I feel your pain. Our city mini isn't nice with buggy board either. It's like you have to curve your back and stretch out to push it... Very uncomfortable. I barely use our board because of it...

Julo12

Rayan Low Lambskin wrote: »

Can anyone recommend a single buggy that works well with a buggy board? My toddler is great for walking and I'd much rather bring him on a buggy board rather than lug the double everywhere. Our single is a baby jogger city mini and the handle isn't adjustable so very awkward with the buggy board. I was thinking of selling it and picking up something that would work better with a buggy board but have no idea what to go for.

More of an anti recommendation! Our mcclaren is awful with buggy board, really hard to manouver- need a good 3 feet to do a turn! Our bugaboo cameleon has an adjustable handle and it's definitely easier to turn go backwards etc with the board on than the mcclaren but I still find I have to walk beside the board or otherwise I'm hunched over if that makes sense? Tbh I'm not sure any buggy could work really well with one?

fro9etb8j5qsl2

Yeah it's definitely the hunching over and having to walk beside the board that I'm trying to avoid. Have a dodgy back so don't need to make it worse than it already is!

Emmadilema123

Rayan Low Lambskin wrote: »

Can anyone recommend a single buggy that works well with a buggy board? My toddler is great for walking and I'd much rather bring him on a buggy board rather than lug the double everywhere. Our single is a baby jogger city mini and the handle isn't adjustable so very awkward with the buggy board. I was thinking of selling it and picking up something that would work better with a buggy board but have no idea what to go for.

I have my buggy board on icandy peach double and it fits well but massive expense if your not going to use the icandy as a double. It is a great single but I could only justify the cost because I used it as both single and double!

Roesy

Wondering is a buggy board compatible with a bugaboo donkey in double form? All going well we should have three under three in a few months and while the two year old is a good walker there are definitely times it would be handy for her. A friend mentioned she has a board she'll be getting rid of in the next couple of months and I was wondering would this be an option.

Emmadilema123

Roesy wrote: »

Wondering is a buggy board compatible with a bugaboo donkey in double form? All going well we should have three under three in a few months and while the two year old is a good walker there are definitely times it would be handy for her. A friend mentioned she has a board she'll be getting rid of in the next couple of months and I was wondering would this be an option.

I have no idea but huge congrats! 3 under 3!!!! Your a brave lady lol I just had my 3rd and it's safe to say I now live in a mad house lol

Balmed Out

I have a quinny but not sure of model and it works great with the buggy board. It folds into the basket when not in use and he stands on it but inside the buggies handles so hes less likely to fall off and doesn't get in the way of the handle.

cant26

I'm wondering if a buggy board will work with a bugaboo cameleon or Joolz day earth? Have a very tall almost three year old who hasn't sat in his buggy in nearly a year!!Due baby later in the summer and think a buggy board would be a great help for walking him home from Montessori and the likes..Anyone have any experience using a board on either of these buggys as they are top of my list.

fro9etb8j5qsl2

Ooh the icandy looks fab but so expensive and I couldn't really justify it given that I'll still be using my double buggy a fair bit The quinny with the buggy board looks promising, I must have a hunt on adverts and see if there are any going at a good price

Emmadilema123

Rayan Low Lambskin wrote: »

Ooh the icandy looks fab but so expensive and I couldn't really justify it given that I'll still be using my double buggy a fair bit The quinny with the buggy board looks promising, I must have a hunt on adverts and see if there are any going at a good price

I have the quinny and it would actually be similar to the Icandy at the back so it could work! I've never tried my buggy board on it!

heldel00

Can anyone recommend a trike for our little man? His granny wants to get one to keep in her house. He is only 6 months old but I know some of them can go from a young enough age and do up until they are a toddler.
She has a bad back so if it had the long handle attached for steering that would be brilliant.
(I know aldi have one coming in next week for their baby event but I don't think the handle on the back is for steering.)

Many thanks!

moving_home

heldel00 wrote: »

Can anyone recommend a trike for our little man? His granny wants to get one to keep in her house. He is only 6 months old but I know some of them can go from a young enough age and do up until they are a toddler.
She has a bad back so if it had the long handle attached for steering that would be brilliant.
(I know aldi have one coming in next week for their baby event but I don't think the handle on the back is for steering.)

Many thanks!

I hear smart trikes are the business but we don't have one. Try adverts.

Woodbrook80

I bottle feed my baby his 2 weeks at the moment
I've the prep machine which is great when I'm at home but what do ye do when out and about I know there is pre made cartons that could prove expensive could I do the water bit in the machine and add the formula when I'm out ?

angeldelight

You really need to be adding the formula to hot water - we just used pre made when out and about as saved any worry. They're about a euro per bottle so not too bad

fro9etb8j5qsl2

heldel00 wrote: »

Can anyone recommend a trike for our little man? His granny wants to get one to keep in her house. He is only 6 months old but I know some of them can go from a young enough age and do up until they are a toddler.
She has a bad back so if it had the long handle attached for steering that would be brilliant.
(I know aldi have one coming in next week for their baby event but I don't think the handle on the back is for steering.)

Many thanks!

We have the cheapest most basic smart trike model and it does the job fine. I think it cost around €30. I suppose it all depends on how much you will be using it. We don't use ours a whole lot so it doesn't matter that it's not the most comfortable model etc. My little girl loves it though and it has a handle and is easy to steer.

heldel00

Rayan Low Lambskin wrote: »

We have the cheapest most basic smart trike model and it does the job fine. I think it cost around €30. I suppose it all depends on how much you will be using it. We don't use ours a whole lot so it doesn't matter that it's not the most comfortable model etc. My little girl loves it though and it has a handle and is easy to steer.

Yeah I'm doing a little bit of reading up on the smart trikes and don't want to spend the big money that some of them are.
We bought a jumperoo, he hates it. We bought a bumbo, he hates it. So want to shop savvy from now on

fall

I bought my little tike that was worth €100 for. €15 on adverts. It's like new. I was afraid she wouldn't like it so didn't want to spend a fortune.

Millem

We got a trike from heatons. It was €30 in the sale. The brand is Feber. It has buttons on it that plays music. My guy loves the buttons. It is a "maya the bee" one. I didn't know that was a cartoon until recently!

Just make sure you get one with foot rests for your baby

Emmadilema123

Woodbrook80 wrote: »

I bottle feed my baby his 2 weeks at the moment
I've the prep machine which is great when I'm at home but what do ye do when out and about I know there is pre made cartons that could prove expensive could I do the water bit in the machine and add the formula when I'm out ?

The formula isn't sterile so it's not recommended that you add it to cooled water. When I had my other 2 it was ok to add formula to cooled boiled water but that's gone now and it's back to the old school hot water only (to be fair it never did them any harm but I suppose you can never be too careful) At the moment if you were to follow current guidelines the only option is the pre made stuff! I have the prep machine as well so have been using pre made formula when out. If your not for long periods maybe leave straight after feed and you might get away with only using 1 or 2 cartons

Sligo1

Woodbrook80 wrote: »

I bottle feed my baby his 2 weeks at the moment
I've the prep machine which is great when I'm at home but what do ye do when out and about I know there is pre made cartons that could prove expensive could I do the water bit in the machine and add the formula when I'm out ?

Bottles are ok for 2 hours after being made up so if you're only out for a short period you could bring one with you. Just make sure to keep to the 2 hour rule and don't use it after the 2 hours. Another thing I did a couple of times was get a cafe to fill my bottle with boiling water. Id then wait the 20-30min before adding the formula. Only problem with this method is it can take a while to cool the bottle then.... Unless you have some cold running water available. Otherwise we used the premade cartons if we were out for long periods and couldn't time a feed.

Woodbrook80

Thanks for the replies

Lady is a tramp

Woodbrook80 wrote: »

I bottle feed my baby his 2 weeks at the moment
I've the prep machine which is great when I'm at home but what do ye do when out and about I know there is pre made cartons that could prove expensive could I do the water bit in the machine and add the formula when I'm out ?

I used to use a chilled pouch ... so I'd make up the bottles with boiled water at home, cool quickly and put them into the fridge, then put them into the pouch when leaving the house. Only problem with this was that there wasn't always means available to heat them up wherever I was going, fortunately he was happy to take the occasional cold bottle if necessary! It's worth investing in one of the pouches though, I still use it for food etc now that he's a toddler.

Other than that, I used the pre-made cartons - they're great!

Woodbrook80

Any helpful advice on how to get him to sleep easier ie did swaddling work if so what swaddled worked or didn't I know there is gro bags think his too small yet
Also I know every body says to sleep on back think his.more comfortable on his stomach and side

angeldelight

I know the Gro company sleep bags are OK from 8lb. You should definitely only put him to sleep on his back, it's much much safer. When our daughter was tiny we got a Slumber Bear who plays white noise. The noise box comes out and can attach to the cot which we did for the first few months, seemed to help her.

fro9etb8j5qsl2

Mothercare do sleeping bags that can be used from 7lbs. Also, we found the clevamama sleep positioner good for our first baby. Second baby didn't care too much for it, she preferred swaddling. They're all so different! For both babies, I found a white noise app worked wonders. I would literally have it running all night on my tablet and it was great for settling them

Emmadilema123

Woodbrook80 wrote: »

Any helpful advice on how to get him to sleep easier ie did swaddling work if so what swaddled worked or didn't I know there is gro bags think his too small yet
Also I know every body says to sleep on back think his.more comfortable on his stomach and side

Best thing for all mine was bath before bed. I do swaddle as well as a hat. Mine all loved a cotton hat for sleep time! You can buy swaddle pods. I have one but I never use it tbh

Emmadilema123

angeldelight wrote: »

I know the Gro company sleep bags are OK from 8lb. You should definitely only put him to sleep on his back, it's much much safer. When our daughter was tiny we got a Slumber Bear who plays white noise. The noise box comes out and can attach to the cot which we did for the first few months, seemed to help her.

I had a slumber bear on my son and I threw it out lol the batteries were wasting and it sounded like someone choking. I got such a fright it was taken from the ℅ sleeper and never used again lol

madeinamerica

Just read this article about the guy who was shot recently, his poem to his mother at the end made me cry. Poor guy really felt the loss and the love of his mother.

http://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/martin-o-rourke-funeral-hears-of-man-trying-to-turn-life-around-1.2620637

Makapakka

Trying to change the soother to just sleep time and it's being going well but there are aye obviously where she will cry for it more because she's more tired, also is cutting out naps (didn't start the two together), do I just give in, or wait it out.. The crying is cutting me in two today because we're all exhausted, we both have already cried a lot today!

Emmadilema123

Makapakka wrote: »

Trying to change the soother to just sleep time and it's being going well but there are aye obviously where she will cry for it more because she's more tired, also is cutting out naps (didn't start the two together), do I just give in, or wait it out.. The crying is cutting me in two today because we're all exhausted, we both have already cried a lot today!

That sounds like a rough day :-( how old is she now maka?

heldel00

Makapakka wrote: »

Trying to change the soother to just sleep time and it's being going well but there are aye obviously where she will cry for it more because she's more tired, also is cutting out naps (didn't start the two together), do I just give in, or wait it out.. The crying is cutting me in two today because we're all exhausted, we both have already cried a lot today!

Why are you trying to change giving the soother? They are an absolute life saver in this house. He just loves his dummy. Taking it off him in a year or two will be a battle but we'll cross that bridge when we come to it.
Being a mammy is hard enough without making it harder for yourself. If baby gets comfort from soother then just give it.
My little man is really trying to put it into his own mouth and last week it was going up his nose, in his eye everywhere but his mouth (very cute actually!) but this week he has it nearly perfected.

Ah sorry maka I'm just realising that your little one is a lot older. I thought it was a young baby you were talking about. Can't really give any personal advice but I know my cousin has the same battle and her girl will be 4 in September! The compromise is that it sleeps "for the day" under her pillow and only comes out at nighttime. They are also posting it to Santy in a few weeks!

fro9etb8j5qsl2

We're cutting our exceptionally squealy little girls daytime dodie at the moment too makkapakka, it's tough She is 1 since February and I would have been happy letting her have it full time for a bit longer but our gp said that it was causing a rash on her face so we have started curtailing it.

We are using the same routine that worked for our little boy, when she wakes in the morning or from her nap, she gives the dodie to the teddy that she sleeps with. We make a big deal out of it, telling her that teddy was awake minding her while she was asleep so now teddy needs the dodie to go to sleep himself. So she gives her dodie to teddy and if she asks for it later we remind her that teddy has it and she'll get it at bedtime. She seems to understand it but it doesn't stop her getting cranky and screechy

iguana

Had the funniest conversation with S this morning.

S: Did you buy me in a shop?
Me: No, I grew you in my tummy?
S (disbelieving): What?
Me: I grew you in my tummy and when you were big enough I had to go to the hospital and the doctor opened my tummy and took you out. And that's how I got you.
S sat quietly thinking about it with a very unconvinced look on his face.
S: Can I see the video.
Me: Ah, no honey, I don't have any video of you being born.
S (with a 'you can't fool me' look on his face): You bought me in a shop.

Funny as it is though it actually feels like a massive milestone as up until this morning any suggestion that there was a time before him has been completely shut down with either anger or tears as it's been too impossible for him to imagine.

Emmadilema123

iguana wrote: »

Had the funniest conversation with S this morning.

S: Did you buy me in a shop?
Me: No, I grew you in my tummy?
S (disbelieving): What?
Me: I grew you in my tummy and when you were big enough I had to go to the hospital and the doctor opened my tummy and took you out. And that's how I got you.
S sat quietly thinking about it with a very unconvinced look on his face.
S: Can I see the video.
Me: Ah, no honey, I don't have any video of you being born.
S (with a 'you can't fool me' look on his face): You bought me in a shop.

Funny as it is though it actually feels like a massive milestone as up until this morning any suggestion that there was a time before him has been completely shut down with either anger or tears as it's been too impossible for him to imagine.

Lmao this reminds me of when my mam was pregnant on my younger brother. She said to my older brother, do you think the new baby is a boy or a girl and my brother said why don't you ask him. My mam said ask who? And my brother said I don't know, whoever your getting it off.

Neyite

Emmadilema123 wrote: »

Lmao this reminds me of when my mam was pregnant on my younger brother. She said to my older brother, do you think the new baby is a boy or a girl and my brother said why don't you ask him. My mam said ask who? And my brother said I don't know, whoever your getting it off.

Back when my mum was young and the community midwife would come to help birth her younger siblings they had a little doctor bag. Logically I thought, she came to the conclusion that they brought the baby in the little bag on the back carrier of their bike

Emmadilema123

Neyite wrote: »

Back when my mum was young and the community midwife would come to help birth her younger siblings they had a little doctor bag. Logically I thought, she came to the conclusion that they brought the baby in the little bag on the back carrier of their bike

Lol very logical I agree! I recently had number 3 and my son was very concerned about how much it was going to hurt me. I said they might take her out of my belly. He didn't like the idea of them cutting my belly so I said I can also push her out like a poo. Would you prefer that? That put his mind at ease and he was very happy my belly wasn't cut. God love them. It's very hard to get to grips with it all!