Weekly Everything (lol) 8.21--8.27

mrsrep123

Happy Total Solar Eclipse!

mrsrep123

We didn't get to enjoy it this year since my kiddos are both too young to follow instructions (i.e. keep the glasses on or don't stare at the sun). But, the next one is in 7 years, 2024! 

Jens_Hoes

I didn't really pay any attention to it. I was too busy watching west wing and being nap trapped. 

We did one arm out at bedtime all last week and today is day number 1 of both arms out. It took me three tries to get her down but she's finally sleeping. 

at what point do you feel like they are no longer bothered by the startle reflex, or when they stop flailing their arms?

mcvgal

I went to a solar eclipse celebration at DS1's school. I led  the students in a few zumba routines before we all went outside to look at it. I was so excited to spend the day with him. I heard several good things about him from various teachers, so I had a proud mom moment.

@Jens_Hoes I assume each child is different but DD took about a week to get stop flailing around when we started putting her to bed with arms out.

psherman42wwsa

For some unknown reason I have hives all over my body for the past 24 hours and I am itching so badly ! Right now I can't even stand it. I just took some claritin and I'm waiting for it to kick in. I hope this doesn't harm my breastfeeding but this is terrible. Every single inch of me itches so badly and I don't know why. This has never happened before and it's so strange.


I also didn't get to enjoy the eclipse, I didn't have any of those glasses. 

I've been using the Merlin suit and it seems to be helping ds sleep a little better, of course he's sleeping right now and I'm awake scratching my skin off! The past few nights he's been sleeping terribly and this one night he sleeps good I am awake 

redheeler

I didn't see the eclipse! Opposite side of the world and all. But I found these helpful tips, they are good for a giggle even if they're a little late lol



We put DS in the crib for the first time last night, next week (possibly sooner) we will start getting the arms out, if he throws himself hard enough he can almost roll back to front in the swaddle so I'm worried he will get all the way over in the MOTN, the kid is a rock normally, he won't try and roll either way on the floor during the day, won't wiggle around, but the moment you swaddle him he becomes a ninja and wiggles all over the place, he turned around completely twice last night 

mcvgal

@lrwardrop you can also try Aveeno oatmeal milk bath. It is my go to product for rashes/ hives.

@PartiallyDomesticated he may be wiggling all over the place trying to get out of the swaddle. Maybe once his arms are out he may become more of a restful ninja.

psherman42wwsa

@mcvgal thanks. I had some from when ds has an issue and I used it. The claritin really helped. 

lilylover27

I didn't see the eclipse because we were actually in the middle of our pediatrician wellness appointment! Oh well!
@Jens_Hoes I think it depends on the child. We notice that DS was fighting his swaddle more than it was comforting him so we started to leave one arm out, then two and then no swaddle. We started the process right before 3 months but I know some babies still have a strong reflex by that point as well. Now he sleeps in his sleep sack and mostly through the night! I am dreading sleep training soon!

march2008

Hi. Is it OK if I join back in this board? I tried to participate during pregnancy but life got a bit busy and I felt like I couldn't keep up with the posts! Would love to have a place to chat while I'm stuck with a napping baby in my arms a lot of the days now.....not really having great success with getting her to sleep in her crib, bassinet, or anywhere besides my arms. 

mrsrep123

@march2008 welcome back! There are really only a handful of us left... chat away! 

mrsrep123

@lrwardrop glad the claritin helped... that sounded awful 

Good luck everyone transitioning from swaddling and LO napping anywhere besides on you. 

I've officially extended my leave for the full 12 weeks of bonding time (which will give me a total of 18 weeks). It has fricken flew by. I, too, wish we could afford for me to be off for at least a year... But I provide our health benefits sooooooo back to work I go in 2 weeks and 6 days. Oh, and we are currently in contract negotiations so it'll be interesting to return in the midst of that.

OmegaRose3

@mrsrep123 I'm sorry about you having to go back to work, I would be a bit bummed to h a be to go back to that

MTB16

@mrsrep123 sorry you are headed back in the middle of negotiations, hopefully everything goes smoothly! 

I too too have a swaddle ninja, he manages to get himself out of the miracle blanket every night and last week turned a full 90 degrees while wiggling out of it. We are trying out the Merlin again, but it didn't go so well last night so I guess we will just keep at it! 

MTB16

Overnight sleep question - LO goes to bed around 8:30, with a dreamfeed around 10:45. He was sleeping soundly through until 6-6:30 for a week or so and now he is waking up at least 3 times overnight (almost always starting after 3:30) and settles easily with a pacifier. He isn't waking up crying, more like fussing or even talking to himself. 

Thoughts or or suggestions on how to break this overnight waking? Will he just grow out of it?

starphish18

@mcvgal Aw, that must be so nice to hear good things from your son's teachers!

@lrwardrop Yikes, sorry about the hives. That's no fun.

@march2008 Welcome back.

@MTB16 I think it's common for babies in the 3-4 month range to start waking more frequently for a while. But, I'm a FTM so don't quote me on that. It looks like you have a Merlin, so that might help if it's a matter of startling awake?

Speaking of waking up, my daughter has been waking up at her normal MOTN feed time, but she'll wiggle around and suck her hand for a long time before giving off the "wah wah" warning shots. I'm not sure why. I've been continuing to doze once she starts moving and waiting for the little cries, because I'm wondering if it means she'll start stretching out that interval to sleep through the night. No clue, but my boobs are never happy when I'm lying there in bed half-awake at feeding time.

We got a Fisher Price baby swing for free from our neighbor's friends yesterday. We've met them a couple times through our neighbors, but aren't close to them, so I was really shocked when they offered to give us the swing now that they don't need it anymore. I've only put Juniper in it a couple times so far, but she seems to love it! She'll just sit there calmly or look up at the rotating mobile. Now that we have it, I kind of wish we would have bought a swing from the start instead of the rock n play...it basically does the same thing plus way more. Live and learn, right? Next I'll be purchasing a jumperoo, which I'm really excited about! Juniper is almost 3 months, but she has really good neck control when she's upright, so I think I'll get it soon and give it a try with constant supervision. She's such a little kicker, I think she's going to love jumping. I can't believe how fast they grow!

psherman42wwsa

It's common for babies to sleep well one night and then not the next. They are still babies! It sounds like most of you have decent sleepers though. I'm 0 for 2. Neither of my kids are good sleepers. Ds2 was awake every hour last night and has only slept 4 hours in a row 2 times. I try everything and I don't think much helps at this age. In a month or two I'll start some gentle sleep training techniques.

mcvgal

@MTB16 DD has been STTN for almost 2 months now, but I noticed the last 2 weeks she has a bit of a wakeful period around 530am then really needs to eat around 6 or 615ish.  I think it may be a developmental thing because I noticed DD is wanted to touch her toes and move all over the crib during this time (in a playful manner).

@march2008 welcome back!

@mrsrep123 I hope your transition back to work and negotiations go well.

Has anyone started using/looking for a high chair yet? With my boys we used a booster/strap high chair seat that was placed on a regular dining room chair. Now the DD makes 5 I'd rather buy her a stand alone high chair instead of rush to buy a 6 piece dining set.

march2008

I envy those who can still swaddle! DD started rolling at 10 weeks and we at first thought it was a fluke, so we continued to swaddle for a bit. Then one night she broke partially free of the swaddle and flipped herself on her belly. Luckily I found her that way quickly because she sleeps beside me in a bassinet. She was never a stellar sleeper to begin with but we've had a rough week as we quit swaddling cold turkey.

psherman42wwsa

@mcvgal I have a boon flair high chair. My big 2year old still sits in it actually. I like that I can roll it across the kitchen and it's simple which makes it easy to clean.

redheeler

mcvgal said:

@lrwardrop you can also try Aveeno oatmeal milk bath. It is my go to product for rashes/ hives.

@PartiallyDomesticated he may be wiggling all over the place trying to get out of the swaddle. Maybe once his arms are out he may become more of a restful ninja.

You may be right, I had one arm out last night and he seemed to move less, the only problem I now have is that he keeps pulling his paci out and won't settle without it. He can and does suck on his hand/thumb but it doesn't settle him, so I have to hold his free hand down until he's completely asleep, but small battles.

redheeler

starphish18 said:

We got a Fisher Price baby swing for free from our neighbor's friends yesterday. We've met them a couple times through our neighbors, but aren't close to them, so I was really shocked when they offered to give us the swing now that they don't need it anymore. I've only put Juniper in it a couple times so far, but she seems to love it! She'll just sit there calmly or look up at the rotating mobile. Now that we have it, I kind of wish we would have bought a swing from the start instead of the rock n play...it basically does the same thing plus way more. Live and learn, right? Next I'll be purchasing a jumperoo, which I'm really excited about! Juniper is almost 3 months, but she has really good neck control when she's upright, so I think I'll get it soon and give it a try with constant supervision. She's such a little kicker, I think she's going to love jumping. I can't believe how fast they grow!

We have the jumperoo from DS1, we bought it for him at about 4-5 months and he was still a bit small and underdeveloped for it then, I haven't even put DS2 in it yet because he just isn't ready yet even with excellent head and neck control, it still needs to be better for the bouncing. I would say 5 months is the ideal time to start using it.

mrsrep123

@starphish18 DS1 loved his jumperoo. We had him in it right before he turned 4 months. It is exciting to see your kid doing more on their own and more than just eat/sleep/pee&poop lol! You totally scored on that free swing too! I seriously wish we held onto all of DS1 's gear because you just never know what your kid is going to like and for how long. So, if you have the space, save all of Juniper's gear if you're planning to have another!

mcvgal

My office is so sweet. On March 1st they approached me about throwing a baby shower for me and asked about April dates. However, I was admitted that day after work and DD was born 2 days later. Now, they are planning on throwing her a baby shower in September. I may try to coordinate bringing her into work for the shower.

MTB16

Thanks you guys are probably right, just a slight regression in his overnight sleep. We tried sticking with the Merlin and the last 2 nights have been great! DS woke up around 4am for a paci 2 nights ago and made it until 6 this morning before needing it and waking up at 7am to eat. Here's hoping his waking more frequently was just a temporary thing! 

mrsrep123

@MTB16 that's awesome! Hoping your LO continues to sleep well!

OmegaRose3

Feel like I haven't participated much this week. We found an apartment that seems perfect online and I'm so anxious about seeing it. It'd take away a lot of stress to know we have somewhere to live when the lease is up at the end of next month so cross your fingers for us!
On another note, it looks like DD is ready to potty train so I'll be taking on that adventure here soon. Hopefully I can juggle this with taking care of DS too who has been a bit fussy lately. I suspect teething...anyone else suspect early teething for their LO's? It's all a big weird for me considering that DD didn't get her first tooth until 11 months and hardly showed any difference in behavior.

mrsrep123

@omegarose3 hope the apartment checks all of your boxes. I have a feeling Rowan is starting to teethe. Lots of drool and I feel like when I clean his gums, I can feel a bump? Could just be me though, lol? Once we move, we will start potty training DS1, as well. 

redheeler

@OmegaRose3 DS was born with his two bottom teeth nearly through, they keep moving up and down, so we've spent his whole life teething. Don't think they will be much longer now, he's gotten much more fussy the last couple days so here's hoping it won't be much longer

psherman42wwsa

My LOs sleep is continually getting worse. This past week he has been awake almost all night every night. During the day he will sleep for 30 to 40 minutes at a time. I am so exhausted I don't understand how a baby can run with so little sleep. I haven't slept longer than 3 hours in a row in 14 weeks. Actually right now I would kill for 3 hours!

I know I need to get him to learn to fall asleep on his own and I've been trying without any luck . I don't think he's going to learn how without some crying and sleep training which I feel is too early to do.

He is bf on demand, usually every 1.5 hours during the day. I have a bed time routine with him and he will fall asleep at night easily after rocking for a few minutes. He will sleep 1 or 2hours and then he is just awake the rest of the night. 


I've tried swaddling.. No swaddle... Magic Merlin suit... Flat in crib... Rock and play... Swing...co sleeping... Breastfeeding.. Bottle feeding breast milk... Formula... And I've done each thing for several days at a time. Nothing seems to help...

Can you ladies think of anything I'm missing? 

mrsrep123

@lrwardrop I know you aren't looking for pity but I wanted to start by saying that I'm so sorry for your lack of sleep. It's definitely difficult the first few weeks but 14 WEEKS STRAIGHT!? You are a soldier!

Does he cluster feed at all? How often does he have bowel movements? Our gut health is central to overall health... we use a probiotic daily. Have you tried leaving the room?

Other things that come to mind: room temperature, white noise, dark room, pacifier, 

Are car rides still a crying-fest?

redheeler

@lrwardrop have you explored other causes? Silent reflux comes to mind, or maybe some kind of intolerance?

eta: the feeding every 1.5hrs makes me think reflux too, reflux babies often feed more because it stops their throat hurting 

psherman42wwsa

Thanks ladies. He does cluster feed in the evenings and I've actually been giving him probiotics for a month now. The car rides have been better but I haven't taken him anywhere that is longer than 10minutes away because I still have nightmares about our trip. Our bedroom seems cool, dark ,white noise and use pacifier.

My ds1 was pretty similar and didn't sleep until 6 months after sleep training. He had reflux. Ds2 doesn't show any signs of reflux that I am aware of. I spoke with the pediatrician the other day and she said he was perfectly healthy thankfully.

Kateriee

I feel really bad that I didn't know I was supposed to be cleaning my daughter's gums. Do you just rub gauze on them?

mcvgal

@Kateriee don't feel bad. This is my 3rd and I have never cleaned gums until they start solids, oops.

mrsrep123

Kateriee said:

I feel really bad that I didn't know I was supposed to be cleaning my daughter's gums. Do you just rub gauze on them?

Don't feel bad. I just wet a washcloth and clean his gums and tongue with it. I also use one of those finger-brush thingies for his tongue too. It's a good habit to start because then they will be accustomed to it once they're teeth come in and you start using a real toothbrush. 

mrsrep123

@lrwardrop I'm stumped. 

psherman42wwsa

I didnt know you were supposed to wash gums 

march2008

@lrwardrop, I'm so sorry. That sounds exhausting and frustrating! My baby is also a very difficult sleeper, but she'll at least sleep for a little longer stretch *if she's being held*. She was doing decent on her own while swaddled up until we had to stop at 12 weeks because she was consistently rolling all over the place. We since tried weaning from the swaddle with arms out and the magic Merlin suit (not magic, unfortunately).

For the past two weeks, I've just been holding her and cosleeping, which isn't what I want, but I need sleep somehow. I also hold her for all her naps right now because otherwise she'll only sleep for like 15-20 minutes if I see her down and then gets so overtired. I had been trying daily to get her to nap in the crib and just gave up a few days ago because it was so frustrating.

I had to sleep train my older one at some point (probably around 6 months?) but don't worry, there are alternatives to the CIO method. We used methods from the No Cry Sleep Solution book and the Sleep lady Shuffle because I was never comfortable with CIO. 

mcvgal

How is everyone doing? Are any of you all or your families affected by Harvey?

mrsrep123

@mcvgal we are not directly affected by Harvey, however, my heart goes out to any and all that are. I haven't watched TV in months now and so my news updates are from NPR while in the car or my newsfeed when both boys are sleeping so my exposure to this is pretty limited compared to pre-Rowan days. On NPR, I was listening to a family talk about how the bayou near their home unexpectedly flooded and the water started rushing into their home. They then saw their personal belongings floating around them. I stopped to really try to put myself in that mother's shoes...  It was also shocking to see the picture of the nursing home residents sitting waist deep in water waiting to be rescued. 

Situations like these remind me, even more so, to be thankful for all I have... and what I'm most thankful for are my family and health. 

Eta: when I reread this, it sounded a bit insensitive- not my intention at all.