May 2017 Moms
mcvgal
member
Anyone still here? 11/2
mcvgal
member
Just wondering how everything is going. Anything new?
11.2011 - DS1
02.2013 - loss at 6 wks
06.2014 - DS2
10.2015 - loss at 12 wks
03.2017 - DD
Re: Anyone still here? 11/2
For some reason I am excited to put up my christmas tree and decorations already, I will resist the temptation though until after thanksgiving. However I hate that they already play christmas music on the radio.
I've already started my Christmas shopping too, we have such a large family I get overwhelmed when I shop last minute like I usually do.
I am with you @lrwardrop on resisting the temptation. I am excited to get some new stockings. Now that DD can be added to the bunch, it means I can get new fun ones for all of us.
Do you know what type of sleep training method you want to use? I only trained DS1 and I used a mashup of information I read online. I never trained DS2 because he slept through the night early on, however I am really struggling with him now. The struggles with him make me want to do some sort of training with DD so that she doesn't fall into the same trap of not being able to put herself to sleep in the future.
11.2011 - DS1
02.2013 - loss at 6 wks
06.2014 - DS2
10.2015 - loss at 12 wks
03.2017 - DD
With ds1 I used the sleep sense program by Dana obelman. I had to pay almost 100$ for the material I think but it was well worth it because he was a terrible sleeper as well. By night 3 he was sleeping 12 hours. Since I knew what to expect I've tried to impliment some of the strategies early on to get him to self soothe but I haven't stuck with it. I think I have let him nurse to sleep too much, also he uses a pacifier.
The program basically tells you that you need to eliminate sleep props, have a consistent bedtime routine and put them to bed awake. Not too different from any other advice ive read.
Ds1 has been great sleeper ever since I did the sleep training. Naturally we have had some regressions but try to stick with the consistent bedtime routine although my husband falls for his stalling techniques. I think at some point most kids need some sort of sleep training.
Seems like sleep is our #1 issue for both boys. We never did sleep training for DS1 and yeah, totally regret that. Is training at 2 too late? Also, we've developed some pretty bad sleep habits with DS2 during this hellish 4-5 month period. All this change (move to new house, addition of caregiver=grandma, etc.) didn't help either. Now, I'm looking at a new shift so that I can be home for bedtime. I'm 99% sure the position is mine but just need to wait until it's posted. Maybe once I'm home for bedtime, i can start training? I feel like MH isn't too consistent with DS1's bedtime routine despite all the discussion around it. My mom is with DS2 3-4 nights a week until I get home from work and even though she tries to follow a routine, it's pretty hard for her if DS2 had a "rough-no-nap kind of day. So, to say the least, bedtime is pretty inconsistent.
DS1 7/24/15
DS2 5/7/17
@MollyandD for some reason I never really understood baby led weaning. Why not just give them baby food? Not trying to judge you but I actually am curious as to why.
DS2 will be 6 months old on the 7th and we will start solids (yes, we did end up waiting). But, I've gotten him used to sitting in his chair at the table in the meantime. Just like his big brother, we will start with pureed food. I guess we're lucky in that he's a good eater and often tries new food, usually asking for it himself.
DS1 7/24/15
DS2 5/7/17
@MollyandD did you do blw with another child or is this your first? I personally dont think baby food takes up much time and I usually feed baby while I eat my dinner as well. I did try blw a little with ds1 but I worried more about him choking, which he almost did when he bit a chunk of banana. After that I said ok baby food only. I do hear people rave about blw though.
DS1 7/24/15
DS2 5/7/17
@mrsrep123 we potty trained at 18 months, for about 2 weeks he was perfect, then regressed really badly. He had been showing lots of interest but we put him back in pull ups. Then a week before he turned 3 he just gave up the diapers and we haven’t looked back. In almost a year he has only had 2 accidents.
DS - January 2014
TTCAL | April 2016
CP | June 2016
CP | July 2016
Baby food doesn’t take up too much time, sure, but I like the idea of baby eating the same foods as everyone else for a few reasons. It’s less work, plus it’s motivation for my husband and me to eat healthier things. It’s messier, so clean up takes away from time saved compared to spoon feeding, but I’m ok with it.
DS2 has switched up his eating habits and is taking around three 4-oz bottles through the night. Before this 4-5 month period, no bottle at night. When I'm home/on my days off, i try to get him to eat more during the day... although as I'm writing this, i suspect my mom has him snacking throughout the day. Looks like we need to have another chat...
DS1 7/24/15
DS2 5/7/17
This weekend I did some sleep training with ds2 and its so hard. I took away his pacifier and he hasnt been very happy but he did sleep 10 hours in a row! He was waking up every 1.5 hours to eat and not going back to sleep. We have made such great progress but it is not easy.
@lrwardrop This board really is likely on it's final thread
Glad to hear your LO got in a 10 hour stretch. That's great news for both you and him.
The time change a few weeks ago messed with DD's sleep but I think she is finally starting to get back on track. I am hoping this Friday is her final PT appointment, but I am not holding my breath. I know I should be thankful that I have a healthy baby, but I feel like DD is having to "prove" herself so much more as a preemie than DS1 had to. I know each kid is different but she was born almost a full week later than he was and required less interventions in the NICU. Yet, she has so many more appointments and follow ups than he did. The frustrating part is at every appointment they tell me she'd doing great but then still want to follow up.
11.2011 - DS1
02.2013 - loss at 6 wks
06.2014 - DS2
10.2015 - loss at 12 wks
03.2017 - DD
That would be frustrating having to keep returning to the doctor. Thankfully she is healthy. My mom has been a nicu nurse for 25+ years. Since I grew up with a mom as a nurse we never went to the doctor unless we were very ill, I'm a little bit different as a mom but I would probably stop taking my kid to the doctor if they were perfectly fine. Its so much work planning appointments and finding a sitter for your other kids or taking them with you.
@lrwardrop we got home yesterday at 540 and it was so dark I wanted to get everyone's bedtime routine started.
I don't know if it's hospital policy or if things have just really changed since DS1 was born 6 years ago, but I had to sign a form stating that I was aware the not following through with the DD's appointments could lead them notifying Child Services. All they do is monitor her and make sure she is not falling behind in her development.
11.2011 - DS1
02.2013 - loss at 6 wks
06.2014 - DS2
10.2015 - loss at 12 wks
03.2017 - DD
@mcvgal That's great she's doing well but I can't believe they could call CPS on you?!
DS1 7/24/15
DS2 5/7/17
@mrsrep123 I had to get rid of my baby's pacifier. Cold turkey. We have been doing a bedtime routine for a few months now which also is part of the program. Its been 6 days now and today was probably our best day. He fell asleep on his own in his crib for all 4 naps and at bedtime, the longest he cried was about 4 minutes. I stopped breastfeeding him to sleep, I feed him when he wakes up from his naps instead. I used to feed him to make sure he was full right before he slept but I read not to just feed them when they are tired because they associate that feeding with falling asleep. I did the same program with ds1 and he adapted much faster with very little crying. Ds2 cried f0r 40 minutes twice even with me next to him patting him. The whole process was very stressful this time around and I almost gave up but in the end worth it. I think ds2 had a much harder time because he's exclusively breastfed and I'm at home with him. I did the sleep sense program by dana obelman if anyone is interested. You can get the full program on her website, I like the daily coaching videos. Or you can buy the ebook on Amazon I believe. It works but it may not be easy depending on your child.
DS1 7/24/15
DS2 5/7/17