We are almost ready to start weaning. I say this though with some trepidation as I am being completely bamboozled by the absolutely conflicting advice on when N should start on solids.
The World Health Organisation has said that babies should be weaned no earlier than six months, but now the UK govt is advising that babies run the risk of developing vitamin deficiencies if they are not weaned before six months. As parents, how the hell are we supposed to know what is the right path to follow???
N is now five months old and is showing signs of being ready to eat - can hold his head unsupported, is watching us like a hawk when we eat or drink, seems a little less satisfied following a feed (but that could also be the fact that he is distracted very easily so feeds can be shorter) - so I know we are almost there.
The answer to this one I think will come down to that parental gut instinct. You know, the one that says you probably shouldn't dangle him out of a window by his ankle or that 35 minutes is too long to leave him to 'cry it out'. However, the voice inside me is saying "take it slow". The poor guy has been treated like a gastric band patient on only fluids for the last five months, we don't want to pop the band completely by stuffing him with too much baby porridge.
Either way, I'm pretty sure the both he, myself and the hubby will soon be covered in some kind of sweet potato concoction and be finding traces of broccoli stems stuffed into the high chair pretty soon. Hilarious stories to follow.
Sunday 28 February 2016
Thursday 25 February 2016
Baby work = dirty work
When I became a mum, I knew full well that it was not going to be roses and clean clothes. I was prepared or so I thought. Oh, how wrong I could be.
Here is a list of the top five places sick or poo have gotten in the last 21 weeks...
5) In my hair (sick): it really is part of the course when feeding and burping a baby. Gross none the less
4) On my fingers (poo): again, no surprises how it got there, but important to check before wiping yours or your baby'so head
3) Down my cleavage (sick): it just happens and then gathers like a warm milky pool in the bra. Delightful
2) Under my pinky nail (poo): vile, just vile and requires some additional cleaning
And number one of the current most awful places for poo and sick to be is (drumroll please.....)
1) In my crotch (sick): this follows on from cleavage sick, but definitely feels like you have just wet yourself. Just have to hope it doesn't happen in public and on light trousers
Here is a list of the top five places sick or poo have gotten in the last 21 weeks...
5) In my hair (sick): it really is part of the course when feeding and burping a baby. Gross none the less
4) On my fingers (poo): again, no surprises how it got there, but important to check before wiping yours or your baby'so head
3) Down my cleavage (sick): it just happens and then gathers like a warm milky pool in the bra. Delightful
2) Under my pinky nail (poo): vile, just vile and requires some additional cleaning
And number one of the current most awful places for poo and sick to be is (drumroll please.....)
1) In my crotch (sick): this follows on from cleavage sick, but definitely feels like you have just wet yourself. Just have to hope it doesn't happen in public and on light trousers
Tuesday 16 February 2016
Can I afford to work?
It has come to that point where I unfortunately need to start thinking about going to work. That's right - no more Baby Monkey, Rhyme Time or the occasional afternoon nap (like that was a regular thing).
Today, I treated hubby to a trip to visit a local nursery and it's got me feeling sad and stressed. Not only do I need to consider leaving my baby for several days (and long ones at that) each week, but I have to pay through the nose for it too!
Don't get me wrong, I always knew nursery would take up a huge chunk of my salary, but now that it is becoming a reality it begs the question - is it all really worth it? Should I be working just to pay for my child's daycare? And then if I do, and we do eventually get around to considering a second child (I said IF) how the hell can I afford it? Just the one nursery we visited this morning would cost almost £10,000 a year. Bear in mind that if I do go to part time, my salary is also cut by a significant percentage.
The whole thing is bamboozling. No wonder I can never get a seat in Starbucks during the day - the other mums are spending the child benefit on lattes and saving thousands by being at home for their kids.
After spending four years at Uni, I never thought I would be asking myself whether I can AFFORD to work. Not ever. Especially since both the hubby and I have reasonable salaries between us.
I don't have an answer to my dilemma yet, but. this will definitely be a topic I return to in the future. Would certainly welcome any thoughts you have on how you approached this issue and if you found a reasonable solution.
Today, I treated hubby to a trip to visit a local nursery and it's got me feeling sad and stressed. Not only do I need to consider leaving my baby for several days (and long ones at that) each week, but I have to pay through the nose for it too!
Don't get me wrong, I always knew nursery would take up a huge chunk of my salary, but now that it is becoming a reality it begs the question - is it all really worth it? Should I be working just to pay for my child's daycare? And then if I do, and we do eventually get around to considering a second child (I said IF) how the hell can I afford it? Just the one nursery we visited this morning would cost almost £10,000 a year. Bear in mind that if I do go to part time, my salary is also cut by a significant percentage.
The whole thing is bamboozling. No wonder I can never get a seat in Starbucks during the day - the other mums are spending the child benefit on lattes and saving thousands by being at home for their kids.
After spending four years at Uni, I never thought I would be asking myself whether I can AFFORD to work. Not ever. Especially since both the hubby and I have reasonable salaries between us.
I don't have an answer to my dilemma yet, but. this will definitely be a topic I return to in the future. Would certainly welcome any thoughts you have on how you approached this issue and if you found a reasonable solution.
Wednesday 10 February 2016
Tricks of the baby trade
Two of my gorgeous friends are currently pregnant and are due in April and May respectively. This is the first baby for both of them and they are as excited and nervous as I was.
Thinking about it, I wanted to share some pearls of bubba wisdom in preparation for the bundles of joy arriving and once they arrive.
1. Nap. You will never fully nap again. So take that two hour Tuesday afternoon nap once mat leave starts and do not feel bad about it. While you won't be storing up those zzz's to help you once the baby arrives, you will feel a lot more relaxed in the run up to the main event
2. Freeze. No, I don't mean for you to freeze, but freeze a hell of a meals and soups which you can just heat up in the weeks after baby arrives. Given the amount of cake and biscuits which will keep you going during the day, guaranteed you need something with a bit of goodness to keep you going through the night.
3. Marathon. A box set marathon, that is. Break out the DVD's or Netflix. Not only is it good for relaxation, but it will allow you to get caught up on all the tv before baby arrives and screams through every episode of Scandal. The only exception to this rule is when you are feeding during the night or the dreaded 4am wake up.
Once baby arrives, it is possible to function at almost full capacity despite the lack of sleep
4. Clean. Don't listen to all those people who say you will never shower or have breakfast again. It is possible. Sure, the baby comes first in terms of feeding, changing, feeding again and changing again. However, I have had a shower every single day since N arrived. I just take a bouncer chair and toy into the bathroom with me and voila - I am in the shower.
5. Bottles. Before baby arrived I read that babies should never have a bottle before 6 weeks. Really? Having asked our health visitor at my 10 day check during a time when I was struggling to breast feed (was very tiring and painful), she let me know that there was no problem to start bottle feeding immediately. We have never looked back. Not only does it allow hubby to feed N during the night, allow me to go out to places where it is difficult to find a space to get my boob out; but it also allowed me to have a night out or an extra glass of wine. Bliss.
Now all of this can be taken with as much salt as you want, but certainly these are things which have helped me maintain some sanity - as much as is possibly possible. X
Thinking about it, I wanted to share some pearls of bubba wisdom in preparation for the bundles of joy arriving and once they arrive.
1. Nap. You will never fully nap again. So take that two hour Tuesday afternoon nap once mat leave starts and do not feel bad about it. While you won't be storing up those zzz's to help you once the baby arrives, you will feel a lot more relaxed in the run up to the main event
2. Freeze. No, I don't mean for you to freeze, but freeze a hell of a meals and soups which you can just heat up in the weeks after baby arrives. Given the amount of cake and biscuits which will keep you going during the day, guaranteed you need something with a bit of goodness to keep you going through the night.
3. Marathon. A box set marathon, that is. Break out the DVD's or Netflix. Not only is it good for relaxation, but it will allow you to get caught up on all the tv before baby arrives and screams through every episode of Scandal. The only exception to this rule is when you are feeding during the night or the dreaded 4am wake up.
Once baby arrives, it is possible to function at almost full capacity despite the lack of sleep
4. Clean. Don't listen to all those people who say you will never shower or have breakfast again. It is possible. Sure, the baby comes first in terms of feeding, changing, feeding again and changing again. However, I have had a shower every single day since N arrived. I just take a bouncer chair and toy into the bathroom with me and voila - I am in the shower.
5. Bottles. Before baby arrived I read that babies should never have a bottle before 6 weeks. Really? Having asked our health visitor at my 10 day check during a time when I was struggling to breast feed (was very tiring and painful), she let me know that there was no problem to start bottle feeding immediately. We have never looked back. Not only does it allow hubby to feed N during the night, allow me to go out to places where it is difficult to find a space to get my boob out; but it also allowed me to have a night out or an extra glass of wine. Bliss.
Now all of this can be taken with as much salt as you want, but certainly these are things which have helped me maintain some sanity - as much as is possibly possible. X
Thursday 4 February 2016
Dear Baby, Please don't grow up too quickly
The last four months have seemed like the fastest but yet the longest of my life. It feels like N has been a part of the family forever and has made us complete. He has come on in so many ways - sitting up, starting to roll over, giving us a cheeky giggle - but I'm ready for him to stop now.
While I want N to grow up into a handsome, kind, generous boy, I think we can wait a little while longer for him to get to that point. I don't want to race through the milestones too quickly.
Having spoken to a mum of two earlier this week, she said that she couldn't wait for her first born to "do stuff" but she is begging her youngest to stop and take his time so she can really enjoy it.
Of course I want for N to be advanced and grow up, but if it can all be put on a slow speed or if we can just pause and get to enjoy his achievements one day at a time.
While I want N to grow up into a handsome, kind, generous boy, I think we can wait a little while longer for him to get to that point. I don't want to race through the milestones too quickly.
Having spoken to a mum of two earlier this week, she said that she couldn't wait for her first born to "do stuff" but she is begging her youngest to stop and take his time so she can really enjoy it.
Of course I want for N to be advanced and grow up, but if it can all be put on a slow speed or if we can just pause and get to enjoy his achievements one day at a time.
Tuesday 2 February 2016
Early to bed, early to rise
Sleep has become one of the most precious past-times of my life since N came about. If you are a regular reader, you will already know that sleeping through a night is not something which has come into our lives yet (still hopeful). As a result when I go to bed has become a bit child like.
N is in bed and asleep no later than 7.30pm. This is a blessing as he is incredibly good at going to sleep at night - better than settling for a nap during the day even. It's also nice to have a little time just me and the hubby - but it never lasts for long. Why? Because I am clock watching from 8pm to see when it is acceptable for me to go to bed in comparison to my four month old (bear in mind that I am a 30 year old woman).
Typically I am in bed by 8.30pm and I'm not ashamed to write it on this blog. Sleeping when the baby sleeps is rubbish and usually by the time I have realised I should sleep, the wee man is starting to stir. I also have a house to tidy and catch up TV to watch. And so, if I make it to 9pm on an evening before going to bed I count that as a win.
However, if I am in bed at 8.30pm, that is also pretty awesome.
On that note - night night.
N is in bed and asleep no later than 7.30pm. This is a blessing as he is incredibly good at going to sleep at night - better than settling for a nap during the day even. It's also nice to have a little time just me and the hubby - but it never lasts for long. Why? Because I am clock watching from 8pm to see when it is acceptable for me to go to bed in comparison to my four month old (bear in mind that I am a 30 year old woman).
Typically I am in bed by 8.30pm and I'm not ashamed to write it on this blog. Sleeping when the baby sleeps is rubbish and usually by the time I have realised I should sleep, the wee man is starting to stir. I also have a house to tidy and catch up TV to watch. And so, if I make it to 9pm on an evening before going to bed I count that as a win.
However, if I am in bed at 8.30pm, that is also pretty awesome.
On that note - night night.
Monday 1 February 2016
A change will do you good
It's come to that point in my mat leave where I have been sitting in the house for five whole months. I'm pretty much down with raising a kid - until the next challenge is thrown into my path and so am thinking of what to do in the meantime.
Decorate.
Yes, the same old walls are getting boring to stare at and I need a new perspective. This led us to Ikea. On a Sunday. With a baby in tow. Have you ever had to queue six buggy deep to get on the lift? No, it was a new experience for me too.
The only problem is that I am trying to decorate every room at once and only buy one or two items. While I desperately need to decorate the hall, it's the spare room I have selected as my first project of choice - after all, we are going to be visitor-tactic in the next few weeks so it's only natural that the family should have somewhere nice to stay.
Here's hoping I stay focused on this room and get the job done whilst trying not to cover N with paint splatters. If he does get splattered, at least he can't answer back or clipe me in to his Dad......
Decorate.
Yes, the same old walls are getting boring to stare at and I need a new perspective. This led us to Ikea. On a Sunday. With a baby in tow. Have you ever had to queue six buggy deep to get on the lift? No, it was a new experience for me too.
The only problem is that I am trying to decorate every room at once and only buy one or two items. While I desperately need to decorate the hall, it's the spare room I have selected as my first project of choice - after all, we are going to be visitor-tactic in the next few weeks so it's only natural that the family should have somewhere nice to stay.
Here's hoping I stay focused on this room and get the job done whilst trying not to cover N with paint splatters. If he does get splattered, at least he can't answer back or clipe me in to his Dad......
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