Newborn and baby advice

Forum's so busy I can't keep up.

NickyMG, the Annabel Karmel book was recommended to me by my cousin. Apparently she's some sort of guru in the UK and all the mommies there use her. She has some really easy, yummy recipes, and the meal planner is quite simple and really helps to make life easier.

Desiree, I meant to ask if Connor liked the sweet potato with cinnamon.

Adri, Emily's doing ok with the eating. I'm still breastfeeding as often as I can but it's getting less and less. she's going for shorter periods now and I've started skipping feeds (like yesterday I had some vino with lunch with a friend so the whole afternoon was out) and I know it's only a matter of time before we stop it completely. I've also upped her formula intake to 150ml now and I think I'm getting ready emotionally and mentally to make the break. I think I'm clutching at straws though as I know that Emily's good to go. I know what you mean about thinking that you'll never breastfeed her again. And I know I'm going to be sad. On the other hand she's going to be getting teeth soon and I always swore that I wouldn't breastfeed with little gnashers ready to take off a nipple

Adri I have a sleep positioner. We never used it for Emily though. If you get the wedge you can put her on it if she has a blocked nose. I also used it during tummy time and I think it's what eventually boosted her to roll over.

Nicky I hear what you're saying about the traffic. When I do go into the office for a meeting it takes about 30 mins as it's at 1pm. But if I have to go in for a full day I'll also be spending two to three hours in the car. Not nice! At least if you teach you'll be working nicer, child-friendly hours - especially once Katie's in pre-school and big school. And also if you teach at a school you send her to you may qualify for a discount on school fees - bonus! How old are the kids you used to teach?

Bronz, I read that you can also practice the balancing for sitting by putting Graeme on your lap and then lifting one leg slightly. Going to start doing this with Emily - who doesn't do any more tummy time, by the way, because she rolls like a little gymnast and of course refuses to stay on the tummy.

Have only got Emily on millet cereal twice a day. It's going ok. No, I lie, it's going everywhere . But she's getting used to it. I'm making it less runny and it's easier for her to control now. Going to seriously start the veggies on Monday. Can't wait. It's going to be such fun!!

Claudia_B, I'm also going to let Emily go with whatever she grabs (unless it's sharp and pointy, of course). Thanks for answering my question about what it comes out the other end like... It's good to be prepared. Do I need to invest in a gas mask?

Mommies who're already on veggies and fruit, have any of you tried the little net feeder thing? It has a handle and a little net thing that you clip open and put fruit and veggies inside so the little one can "bite" chunks off but they won't choke on them. It's made by Tommy Tippee.

Claudia_B, I agree with Desiree about the sticking to your values (and the poking in the eye). You're in the position where you don't have to work extra hours if you don't want to so don't be pressured into doing anything you don't really want to. Do you work close to home? I'm about 30mins away from the office (when there's no traffic), so if they say I have to start going in every day I'm going to be sad! At least if you're close you can nip in and out whenever you have a break. Do you see patients at home?

Desiree, how's Connor today? I've implemented a strict schedule over the last few days and Emily seems to be doing ok on it. Basically all I'm doing is limiting her awake time and we're still doing the sleep training so we're basically feeding her then dumping her in the cot and hoping like hell that she goes to sleep. I'm sure that her body clock will set itself to this sleep cycle, ha ha. Seriously though, she did so well the last two days, so I'm hoping it will work.

We're off to Clarens for a weekend break. It's actually our 5th wedding anniversary, so it's going to be lekker. Happy about the short week, yeehah (I work on Saturdays so it's a three-day week for me).

Morning ladies

Also been really busy with work as my colleague had her baby 4 and a bit weeks early. So we had hardly any handover - EEECK!

I must say I am feeling worse and worse about leaving my baby. The Jozie traffic isn't helping! These days I'm in the car for nearly 3 hours!! Adri, I feel the same - thinking I might regret this working later on. I've decided to look for something closer to home or get back into teaching - hopefully at a school I'd like to send Katie to - that was I save on the transport too

I'd like to know more about this Annabel Karmel book - I've just been steaming veg and pureeing it and then freezing it in ice blocks. I make a 2 week supply on a Sunday. I've also been buying the purity fruit as I'm too scared to attempt making that myself. Feeling a little more brave these days, so I will be attempting to puree some bananas. When should we start with finger foods and teething biscuits? Katie will be 6 months old soon.

Adri, have you tried a sleep positioner? I've not used them, but I see them in the shops - they help keep baby on a side.

Claudia, you should stick to your guns and if you have to rock the boat (and you can afford to), then do so. If I could have the chance to be home and manage my work around my baby I would do so in a heartbeat. You'll never, ever get this time back.

Have a great day ladies!

Hi ladies

Hope you are all doing great!!

Kara is also sick...she's got a serious snotty nose. So it's been a hectic last couple of days. The other thing is that she's started rolling over from her back to her tummy, and does it constantly at night. Then once she's on her tummy she lifts her head and starts crying. This means I have to get up a few times a night to go and calm her/ roll her back on her back to sleep. Is this happening to anyone else?? I don't quite know what to do, I guess all I can do is to wait till it stops...but I'm exausted...On the positive side - Kara has laughed out loud for the first time yesterday, it was very cute!!

@Desiree - hope Connor feels better today and is 100% before you go away. Where are you going (you probably mentioned it but I missed it as I had quite a bit to catch up on) Are you still working (just noticed you can go and play with Connor now - wish I could go get Kara from nursery and play with her )?

@ScribblingAl - how's Emily getting on with eating? Was just reading what you said to Beansmom about having a love/hate relationship with breastfeeding and I can seriously relate! I have replaced some of Kara's feeds with formula now, and think it will take some pressure off me to just replace all her feeds, but I'm sad to think I'll never breastfeed her again ever!! So I'm also hoping that she weans herself off me that I don't have to make this choice.

@Pinky - did you manage to get the Annabel Carmel book from exclusive books in the end? I also want to get it but don't want to order it from Kalahari if it's going to take forever.

@Claudia-B - stand up for what you want, you only get one chance to be with your baby as much as possible. I am working full time and suspect I might regret it later on.

Hi girl! Just popping in for a quick update! I've been having a rough couple of days, Connor has been sick since Saturday evening, be has an upper respiratory infection - had a low grade fever for 2 nights, has been drinking ver little milk and has zero interest in food! Be has also been soooooooooo miserable, and waking every hour at night, it feels like the old days when he never slept, lol, and let me tell u I am defs not used to it! Poor little boy seems betterish this morning, he drank 140mls of milkies and is now sitting on the bed next to me and is playing with his toys! Really hoping for a better day for him today!

@Claudia - sorry u r having such a rough time with your friend, isn't it odd how sometimes the people closest to us are also the firtherest away? Stick to your values and let her stick to hers, just look at how well your James is doing! You could also poke a finger in her eye, he he, but that will only being temporary relief! Ha ha

@ScribblinGal - We r leaving for holiday on Sunday, I hope Connor is better by then! Has Emily done anymore rolling? Huge congrats to u guys, and happy days of leaving her on her mat are over, he he - she will be rolling all over the place!

@Bronz - woophooo' congrats on G's first roll - well done Mommy! I expext to see videos soon! I miss skype!

OK, I'm off to play with Connor - he's routine is out of the friggin window now, so I'm gently trying to coax him back into it!

@Beansmom - will check out your site ASAP!

Chat later ladies, I've missed u guys!

Hey, also been busy today. Having a few work issues, so feeling pretty upset about the whole thing (Basically the girl that I work in association with is also a friend, but shes a very hands off mom, breastfeeding is too much hard work, she needs her own life so kids go to a day mom etc, which is fine for her, but is very different from how I am. Anyway she is going in for her C Section next week so I'm taking over her patients and she doesnt understand why I cant see more patients in a day, why I need time off to feed James etc and its causing a bit of a rift between us:( - worse ecause shes a friend so I dont want to upset her by telling her that either she accepts how I schedule my day or she can find someone else to deal with her patient load:(

Bronz, G seems to be doing well, but you can practice sitting by putting him in a seated position and supporting at his hips, giving him time to practice balancing:) and no his legs should just be in front of him;)

James grabbed some banana from me this weekend so I decided to let him go with it. It came out the other end like mashed banana - not pretty:) I guess thats the benefit of purees. You dont "see" the undigested food:)