oct/nov babies

Cla · Post by **Cla** » Tue May 22, 2007 2:13 pm

KristiA - not sure we call it the Ferber Method (or maybe we do and I don't know!!) - but it's like the controlled crying method. I can completely understand why you are doing this and you should pat yourself on the back for being so strong! It is very, very difficult. I know I gave in too quickly in the early days and probably picked Charlie up when there was no need. I am stronger now, and as I say unless I know it's probably the bottle he wants, I let him scream on and off until about 6ish. Its from then on I need to work at!!!
Many years ago my sister was having sleep issues with my nephew. he was 2 years old and still not sleeping well. She went to a sleep clinic and they identified that he had always fallen asleep in another room other than his bedroom (she was letting him go to sleep in the lounge and then carrying him through). This meant if he woke in the night he didn't know where he was. They told her to use the controlled crying method. she had an awful 5 days but stuck religioulsy to it and after 5 days it worked. So I know of at least one success story!

I haven't heard of half those finger foods! We tried Bickiepegs (do you have these?!) but again he just wouldn't put it in his mouth! Wouldn't mind but give him a dirty old watch or similar and it's straight in there!!! I won't push this side just yet - I think I'll leave it for a while! Just wanted to see what everyone else was doing!!!!

Best of luck all for a good nights sleep!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cla
xx

kristiA · Post by **kristiA** » Tue May 22, 2007 3:13 pm

Thanks, Cla. Yeah, it's controlled crying. I go talk to them, kiss them, rub them every 10-15 minutes...so that helps me as well as them. Last night they only woke up once (not 4-6 times) and the process lasted 40 minutes less than the night before. So I'd call that progress. I also did it for 2 naps yesterday and this mornings nap and they went to sleep after 10 minutes. I was doing what your sister was told by the sleep clinic...always letting them fall asleep on my lap for naps & night time. And when they cried I grabbed them immediately. And I always let them sleep in my arms instead of returning to the crib. So I think I'm undoing some bad habits that I helped to create,. I guess I missed the "manual" on how to do it right the first time. Maybe DH can come back to sleep with me after 2 months of sleeping apart!! That was another problem with having 2 babies sleep in my bed...no room for DH!

Tracii...yes, I love sleeping with the boys and holding them in my arms in the night. There's nothing like it and it feels so good. I definately missed it and felt alone the past two nights without them. But I know I need to break myself of that.

I haven't heard of some of the finger foods some of you mention either. Nope, Cla, haven't heard of bickiepegs either.

Tracii · Post by **Tracii** » Tue May 22, 2007 5:37 pm

omg what a loooooonnnnggg day..do any of you have these days were you are counting the minutes until bed time? she was whining the entire day today.....she wants so bad to get up and run and get so frustrated easily but it really takes a toll on me. the dogs haven't been any help either...one barfed this morning after eating a chicken bone found on our walk..last week the other had diarreaha (sp?) all over the living room - thank god he missed the white couches..but had to send the rugs out for cleaning...Isabella is also still spitting up alot..so on top of her crawling every where..she also spits up everywhere..and you know for some reason babyfood stains everything. I feel like that old commercial 'calgon take me away!'. Please Isabella sleep tonight without a fuss.

kristiA · Post by **kristiA** » Tue May 22, 2007 8:06 pm

Oh, Tracii, I know those days too!! Another Mother once told me "The good news is that there's only 24 hours in a day". Meaning each does does end! OH yeah....why does baby food stain everything????? I laughed when I read that because I'm constantly running around with stain remover in my hand.

sue e · Post by **sue e** » Wed May 23, 2007 9:07 pm

Hi,

just a very quick post re- finger foods. I have give jess a slice of cucumber, because it is round and not very long she cant put the whole thing in her mouth. When the middle went mushy she found it even easier to hold. Also with it having a skin, it kept its shape, so no big bits broke off. Dont know whether it was ok, but she enjoyed it.

Hope all get a good nights sleep soon

love

sue e xx

ps. last night jess done the whingeing thing and would only go asleep, when lying across my chest, first time she has done it. I know they get clingy about 8 months, so was wondering if that was it

kristiA · Post by **kristiA** » Thu May 24, 2007 12:35 pm

Update on my Ferber progress. It's been 4 days/nights and it worked! They only wake up once in the night and they just cry a little, but mostly just fuss for 1/2 hour and fall back to sleep. So they are getting a full nights sleep...10 hours. And I put them in their cribs for 2 scheduled naps each day and they lay awake for a few minutes and then go to sleep with little or no fussing.

I found that they are happier babies this week during the day....I think because they are getting good, quality sleep. And it actually wasn't a difficult process for me, or them, and that's even with two of them in the same room.

I am so relieved to have found a solution. Just this past wekeend I only had 3 hours of sleep one night (no kidding!) so this is a big accomplishment and a well needed change. Oh, and yes, DH and I got to sleep together the past few nights again too.

EYCI · Post by **EYCI** » Thu May 24, 2007 12:50 pm

KristiA- So glad that the boys (and you and DH) are back to getting a good night's rest! My sis-in-law used to let her little boy cry hysterically for hours once she put him to bed. And it was like that every night for months. I felt so bad for the little guy. Sounds like your approach with checking on them every few minutes and patting their tummies was the right way to go, and a great way to get them back to their routine.

That's funny that you mention the staining baby food. We had to put down a big blanket on the living room floor for that reason. We call it the puke zone. Since H doesn't crawl yet, he pretty much stays put on it. We just toss the blanket in the wash every few days. Thank goodness that we have leather furniture or that would be a complete wreck at this point.

We have found bathtime to be a new adventure. I get right in the tub with H and use my legs to help him sit without floating away. He has such a great time chasing his bath toys around. He still seems amazed that he can see a stream of water, but when he tries to grab it, it just slips through his fingers. It is funny to watch him try to figure that one out.

DeniseM · Post by **DeniseM** » Fri May 25, 2007 1:55 pm

Kristi, fabulous news about your sleep success. We're on a pretty good run too. Lily was sick 2 weeks ago, so we had a set back. But we're working towards all night again too.

You're going to love it when the boys start going. Alyssa is crawling and getting into things. She attempted the stairs yesterday, which I put a stop to, we're not ready for that yet! Lily is still content to sit and play with her toys, and demand for new ones to be brought to her, I think I'm going to have to start putting her toys further away if I want her to ever get going.

I think we all use our own method of the Ferber technique. I can tell by their cry if something is wrong, and I fix it. But we all know what the whiney cry is, and that one can definitely be ignored. Good luck, sounds like you're doing well.

kristiA · Post by **kristiA** » Tue May 29, 2007 12:04 pm

Denise, sounds like the girls are a lot of fun for you! I'm glad to hear they are doing so well. I can't imagine mine getting around. It doesn't sound like you are going crazy trying to keep up with them...yet.

We took our boys boating for the first time yesterday and they loved it. I also took them swimming. They are at such a fun age!

Julie, yes, bath time became a new adventure for us last week too! I put them in the big tub for the first time. Wish I could get in with them like you do, but don't dare with the two of them. I use their bumbo chairs (supervised of course) and they kind of float & bob around. They love it.

Sue, any more sleep trouble with Jess since the other night when she only wanted to sleep on your chest?

Tracii · Post by **Tracii** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 8:00 am

Hi everyone! Feels like ages since I have been online..and alot has happened...looks like Isabella has ringworm (I would imagine from the dogs)..she has a patch around her thigh. I started rubbing athletes foot cream and we have a doctors appointment to check it out. She has also started to pull up! She is bound and determined to start walking and I am seriously exhausted at the end of the day. She tries to pull or push herself up on anything..most things being not stable so I am constantly behind her. It is funny how things getting easier but more difficult in other areas. We are back to sleeping normally - bed at 7pm and up around 6:30ish. 2 naps per day - morning and late afternoon. She is a very happy girl but gets frustrated easily. Of course because she is always in action her weight is pretty normal - but did I mention she sweats! Alot! When I give her a bottle her whole back is sweat and now that it is getting hot she loves being in cool sun dresses. I hope all is well. Kristi - I love the photo of the boys on the swing!

Mel_P · Post by **Mel_P** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 10:30 am

Hi All
Just wanted to check in and say hi all. Its very comforting to know we all seem to be going through the same thing with sleeps and odd 24 hour grizzles. I have saved the thread and when I have more time, I will read about the feber / control method. I have been tending just to bring maia to bed (which I love ... but get little sleep) and really dont want to get into a habit we cant break. Now the problem is DH will go to get her out of her cot if shes upset rather than let her cry it out a little. Its some getting used to, after she slept through the nights so well!

Maia is otherwise still delightful, she's been crawling (or moving shall we say) for almost the last month. She makes it across the room and can even negoiate the step no problem! It actually gave her a lot of independence which she enjoys and it gives me a little break!

Sorry to hear that some of you haven't been too well. Hope you all get better. Coming into winter here, which has brought with it a little touch of the blues for me (just tired too I guess), but all a lot brighter now.

Take care all and post lots of pics of you and your babbas, always so nice to see how they are growing.

Mel

Cla · Post by **Cla** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 2:13 pm

Hi all!

i feel like I haven't posted in ages - but I know you'll forgive me and can appreciate the whole "just don't know where the days go!!"

Sounds like most of us are making progress on the sleeping issues. Charlie has been slightly better in the mornings although I'm not sure we've cracked it. This morning he moaned a little but did stay in bed till 7am and then woke up happy. i know that this is what he needs - the quality sleep that KristiA was talking about - but when he can't get back to sleep at 6am it's frustrating for us all! Will keep you posted.

Sue - will try the cucumber! He had a little bit of bread yesterday but spat most of it out! This morning he got hold of a dirty tissue and had no problem eating that! Little sausage!

am really enjoying this age (Charlie's not mine!). It's so much fun! He's desperate to walk - forever pulling himself up on whatever he can - def. has the strength - just not the balance! Although not sure I'm ready for a walking little boy (and def. the house isn't!) He is trying to crawl also - goes round in circles at the moment! but he def. prefers to be on his feet!

I haven't posted a piccie for a while so will try and download one soon.

Hope all is well!

Cla
xx

madiva · Post by **madiva** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 4:49 pm

Hello, Glad to hear that everyone is doing well. Colin is doing all kinds of things, it's non stop around here. Oh and the best, he is saying Mama (Don't think he knows what he is saying but I love it). I just can't get him to eat foods with chunks in it. He is eating 3's but not if it is chunky. Just have to keep trying. Well on our way to the doctors for a checkup.

Bye

Tracii · Post by **Tracii** » Fri Jun 08, 2007 8:10 am

For those of you with crawlers..do you feel like you are chasing them all day long and saying 'no'constantly?? I am definitely not complaining but was wondering how others are trying to keep the little ones out of trouble...there always seems to be a fine line between hurting themselves and learning.

kristiA · Post by **kristiA** » Fri Jun 08, 2007 12:40 pm

Wow....everyone's updates really amaze me. Stage 3 foods, pulling themselves up, crawling, wanting to walk...etc. Our little ones sure are growing!!

Nothing much new here. My boys aren't getting around yet, but it sounds like I'll have my hands full when they do....right Tracii?!!!

DH and I went on our 4 day vacation without the boys. It was really nice to have time to ourselves. We get so consumed with baby stuff that we don't do a lot for our marriage sometimes. So the vacation was well-needed.

I love all the pictures. Madiva, I love the B&W close up of Colin. Tracii, I love the pic of Isabella & DH...she has big blue eyes, right? Julie, I love the huge smile on Hendrick's face in that pic at Grandma's!

oct/nov babies

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