Feb-May 2011 Mommies

ooo going to do a quick post as little mister monster is singing.. which turns into moaning if I ignore him

Meags, good luck with the journey back.. I just dont know how you do it! I think getting a nanny in atleast one day a week is going to be great for you! The rice cereal you start with only a tiny spec on the first day. I recommend rather doing it early in the day.. like 10 or 11. If it upsets their tummies you dont want to be doing it late in the day. Once you are happy that he is ok with it you can do it pm. I speak of experience... starting them on solids does in no way make them sleep better!!!! It actually can do the opposite Like Missesmom said, to start before atleast 6 months is more to get them used to tastes and textures etc.

Schatsie, shooo thats hectic with your mom... she really didnt take well to it. Its always hard to know the line between giving advice and being pushy. I always just let my parents and inlaws give their opinions and then I take from that what I want and need to use. But she obviously didnt like being told off.. maybe she just needs a bit of time-out, and then maybe you can do something special with her just to make her feel that you dont shut her out? She will learn to understand that you guys make the decisions re your child.. if she wants to give you input she will have to do it in a much gentler fashion Re the feeds, I started him a week or so before 5months.. I wouldnt recommend doing it earlier.. they have a early reflex to push stuff out their mouths with the tongue, so if you start to early they will just push out the food anyway, plus on top of that thier systems are not mature enough to digest the solids. Keep him on his milkies for now

Missesmom, cant wait to see pics of the party You are so lucky for skipping that fussing/distracted phase.. its horrible!!!

Lucy, did you have fun at the top tots? What did they do??

Anje, having to stop or decrease breastfeeding will always be a sad and emotional experience for mommies! Especially if you are enjoying it and dont want to stop yet. I was very emotional and sad when Pieter refused to feed from me at 6 months. I felt very rejected. ENjoy the time with your friend today! xxx

Libra, glad you are enjoying your little baba.. she is a cutie for sure!!!!

Thank you girls, after a very emotional day yesterday and L crying the entire time, I phoned the pead and he suggested NAN HA and it helped a lot. L still woke up every two hours last night, but I gave her a feed and she went straight back to sleep instead of dummying me, which means I had a little sleep as well. I cannot believe I was so overemotional yesterday, felt a little like a failure, but I am fine today. Going home at 13h00 and looking forward to spend some time with a friend after work.

Lucy, thank you I think I will be doing the same.

Have a nice day ladies.

Missesmom, in the post I lost I told you that I found the shake. Thanks! After 2 days there is a significant improvement. Thanks again VERY much.

Anje I do the 11am and 2pm feeds as formula. The rest (5feeds) is breast. Did this so that I could go back to work.

Schatsie is your Mom perhaps not jealous of all the attention that A is getting. Perhaps that is what is making her act out. Good luck sorting it all out. Ay family ....

Anje I give top up feeds as I don't produce enough milk. She drinks Nan.....the problem now is she's more attached to the bottle than my boob, so she is drinking more formula as each day goes by...

Oh no, just lost my long post as well and don't have time to retype.

Quick question: Who are doing top up feeds with formula milk, how often and which brand. L is drinking a lot more, waking up every 2 hours at night and I just don't have enough milk to feed and express and it is too difficult to boob every two hours at work.

Tx

Meags wrote: ... shame his legs were too short to reach the ground!!!

Mmm, those short legs, LOL! Just joking!

Good luck with the flight back. Was nice seeing you guys!

Hi girls

We fly out tomorrow morning. Mixed feelings about it all. Want to go back to SA....didnt get to do everything there that I wanted to do!!!!

Matt and I are feeling better. He is 100% better now - I am still struggling with bad sinuses leading to post nasal drip etc. But its easing up.

Dreading flying back. We land at 11pm which is 5am SA time so Matt is going to think its time to wake up for the day meantime its time to sleep for the night....thinking of giving him Stopayne if I cant manage to keep him awake on the flight.

I am going to start him on rice cereal this weekend. Can anyone advise how much, how often and what times? I was thinking of starting it in the evenings before bedtime to see if he'll sleep better and I dont have to look for allergies since he gets it in his milk already for the reflux.
I am assuming he drinks his milk first then I try offer maybe 2 teaspoons of porridge since the milk is the most important still?

My mom has just loved having Matt here and I've been able to nap a bit in the mornings. Last night he slept terribly and his first nap today was very short.
I am sure the 2 bottom teeth are making their way through the gums. Just wish they'd appear already and get it over with.

We visited a friend the other day and I put Matt in their walking ring - shame his legs were too short to reach the ground!!! Will have to see if our one at home is shorter.

Schatsie Matt also just wants to stand all day. I tried getting him to hold onto the couch and stand alone but he wont stretch his arms out so for now we just have to sit there holding him...all...day....long...

He also sits alone for a bit but not classifying that as sitting yet as he doesnt sit with a straight back and has no balance. we'll get there. 4 months is still early to sit and I'm in no hurry. I'm petrified he'll walk early...I'm not ready to run after him anytime soon!!!!

I have decided to get a nanny when I get back. I'd like her to come once a week from 7am-midday. She can look after Matt for the first 2 hours or so (unless he's napping) and I will sleep. Then she can do the housework after that (just the major things like dusting, changing bed linen, bathrooms).

I am also considering letting the expat wives take him a few hours sometimes so I can rest. I'm exhausted after all this travelling! And would love a massage...

I have an intense craving for chocolate. I'm not sure if its because I'm with my mom and dont have the freedom to just go out and buy a whole lot and scoff my face and get the craving over with, or what...

My flight leaves Geneva at 10:30am tomorrow, then I fly to Paris. Then Paris to New York. (about 8 hours) then 3 hour wait in NY then fly to Miami (another 3 hours). it's going to be a long long journey but I'm glad its the last one for now!! Hasnt been easy flying alone with Matt, trying to get bags off the conveyor belt thing alone etc.

Will post some pics once I'm back there and settled. DH's friend is coming to stay with us in about 10 days. Thank God he's only there for 6 days but I'm dreading it. He drinks excessively, is loud and is a sex maniac....he better not destroy our house and make noise with Matt around. And he also better not try persuade me to let DH out with him. DH said we can all go out together and get a babysitter. So I asked who would look after Matt once we get home and the next day when we are hungover....they quickly put him into place!! I shouldnt always have to be the babysitter.

Ok girls hope everyone is well. I am going to meet that girl next week who I'm donating my EBM to. Have 20 litres to give her and got her some eglynol so she can try start expressing herself and not rely on donations. Hope she manages to come right with it.

Chat once I'm back and settled!!!