Ruth_Baldock

I agree with Michelle- sleep begets sleep. A good nap normally means better sleep for us here- does Mini Rah have a good nap routine? I'm not one for madly strict schdules at all, but at 7mo, Cheeky S wasn't napping at all, not one closed eye in the day, except for if we went out in the pram and then he was zonked out from pure exhaustion; and I was suprised he wasn't sleeping well at night. Ha! Oh, if only I knew. When he started going down for two decent naps in the day, he sleep improved VASTLY.

It doesn't upset me to have the benefits/opposite pointed out, I meant more I find it upsetting that the OP, as a desperate and tired Mum, has come to the forum for advice, but is getting judged! Come on now, seriously not what she needs, or asked for. I don't think anyone goes into parenthood thinking 'I know! I'll just use controlled crying!'. It's an act of total bewliderment and desperation, really. A last resort if you will, and I'm sure the OP feels cruddy enough as it is. I'm not saying whether I advocate sleep training or not, because that is beside the point here. " I'm not a fan of controlled crying or cry-it-out methods, but I do know that they work for some people. I think everyone would agree these methods are far from ideal. We'd all love our babes to fall peacefully asleep with a smile on their little faces after just one round of kiss and cuddle night-night, and to stay that way all night. That's simply not a reality for many babies and even older children too. Sometimes parents need to explore a lot of different sleep solutions, and for some people this will include cc styled solutions. " Really agfree with you here, Saffron. It's a very emotive subject, one close to my heart, we're currently going through absolute trauma with our 2 y/o in the early hours. HO HUM. Apologies for typos, NAK.

Orlando is fabulous. I know two people with baby boy's who have 'Rex' as a middle name, and I think it's just lovely.

I think you all sound great, I really love the toddler ranting in the background of the recordings :) Sadly, I don't think I'll be able to come along until my VERY cheeky toddler has been packed away to nursery- he's an absolute joy but incredibly hard work- and I have a lovely 4mo old too. HOWEVER, if you ever wanted to record in a studio setting, Mr B has offered up his free of charge :) Yes, really. Not in a dodgy 'I've got a studio in my garage' way, either, he has a post-production editing and recording suite in the west end. He's in 'the trade', so to speak. Keep up the good work, Mums.

Ah, for a child that sleeps/eats well. I have heard such mythical creatures exist...

Hi Kalamiphile; this is so, so common in cheeky toddlers. My son is the same. In fact, most of my friends' babies are the same. my 2 year old is just now, at 23m, coming to the end of his fussy patch and will now actually eat. It's a challenging phase, but it will pass, the important thing is to not get too stressed or make too much of a fuss; they can sense your fear, you know...

Hear, hear SB and Mrs F. Ladies; the OP came to the forum for advice, not judgment. Reading some of the judgmental things that were written here made ME upset, and it's not even my baby we're talking about, so imagine how rahrahrah feels!

Yeah, Gussy, come and have an ogle! He's got a 'glint'in his eye. Nice. He also commented to me that my, frankly, insane toddler had an excellent sense of rhythm. Swoooooon!

Re: the aftermath... I started a thread when I was still pregnant asking the same thing, believe it was called "second child ponderings". Really useful advice!

Oh phew, oimissus, glad it's not just me who fancies The Music Man...

Thirding all saints on a Wednesday; lovely church run group, everyone is v laid back and friendly. Also they do song time and the bloke who plays the guitar is easy on the eye (what?! Don't judge me!!!!!)

If you don't have any success finding the clips, you can have ours. Seb now hates his buggy board after beig obsessed with it on holidays. Bloody contrary toddlers!!!!

Congratulations Grotty, Mr Grotty, Toddler Grotty and Newborn Grotty :D

Seconding pickle. One of my (many) sisters did this and only slept for about 4.5 hours out of every 24. It was ear and teeth troubles but mum also got a referral to a sleep clinic to break my sister of all her sleep habits once the dental etc issues were sorted. Huge HUGE sympathies though- I can only begin to imagine how tired you are!

BA normally seat you at the front of the row of seats where he bassinets are- they will go through the roster before the flight to see who is travelling with infants under 2yrs. We flew long haul with ba with a 3mo and 22mo old, they told us this was their policy/procedure. Be prerpared to sit next to total strangers- I was sitting next to a bloke who knew me VERY well by the end of the fligh- I was feeding the baby for a good 4 out of those seven hours...

I had pretty awful D+V whilst in the early stages of labour and then all throughout my induction. FUN. Echoing everyone else; keep yourself hydrated!

NM: head lice is nothing to do with cleanliness, indeed lice prefer cleaner hair! Parents are often affected worse by bugs than the kids are due to passage. Basically th virus mutates so it's stronger. Someone else (Saffron?!) may be able to explain it in much better detail than I can.

Jenny, I think it depends on which MW you end up having overseeing you in the PN ward. I think the official line is they won't provide formula, bottles, teats or sterlising facilities but they obviously do. In saying that, KatsuQueen- have you looked on amazon under baby products or on kiddicare.com?

I have a friend who has been to my flat twice. Everytime she is here, my toddler gies feral and throws all his toys onto the floor and pulls off every single DVD we own onto the floor. She's a nany and has a sense of humour so I imagine it doesn't leave her horrified but I always think "why are my kids so insane?!" said insane child child is now sitting nicely in a chair with a slice of apple and beaker of water, watching Fantasia. Not a peep. Hmph.

With my first, I had a Cath Kidston rose print oil clth changing bag. Nice to look at but useless. Wth my second, I bought a grey eastpak bag and fling everything I need in that- Dad isn't afraid to use it and I can use it easily when wearing baby in the Ergo/beco etc. I have a portable changing mat that goes in it too.

Very normal. Seb did this. I was just consistent and calm in my approach (although frantic and stressed inwardly) and eventually he went back to eating normally. It still happens after he's ill. He's a fussy eater anyway but I've hard of even champion eaters doing this sort of thing. Remember it really doesn't make much difference what they eat now; under one food is "just for fun" and they still get the bulk of their nutrition from milk.

HS: I just snorted my coffee all over my iPhone Reading your response. When Seb was born, one of the production companies my husband worked with sent loads of nice baby stuff and choccies...and one of those BOXES of wine. You know, with the taps attached? Brilliant. It came in useful although my husband offering the MW a glass when she did her home visit didn't go down too well...

Jennyh, do I see a post re: baby sleeping habits coming along?

Fair does. Hangover + babies = actual hell.

Hi Jenny, I remember that thread well! I'll have a look. We are very consistent with naps etc and she knows her routine so well now that when I put her in her cot and turn the mobile on, she will turn her head to the side (where she has a jelycat rabbit which she likes to feel against her cheek) and she will drop off. However, this means she won't really sleep anywhere else. Oh well! What do you do if your girl wakes in the night now? If lex wakes and it's been 3-5hrs since her last feed, I'll feed her but if it's less...well without dummy and he swaddle, I'm at a slight loss!!!