Coffee Catchup - North Shore 28th July

Hi Dorothy

Thanks for a great session yesterday!

I have a few questions for you for my 12 week old.

With the extra bf 15 minutes before nap, what happens if they are sleepy and fall asleep while feeding?

I also have a 2.5 year old and we go to playcentre two mornings a week. This can interfere with baby's sleeps and sometimes have lasting effects in the afternoons because she hasn't had a long solid sleep while there. Do you have any advice for dealing with napping on the run.

One last question! Quite often baby will wake at 6-6.30am and because it's still dark (I feed her lying down in bed), she will often fall back asleep for an hour or so which often means I get more sleep too. Is this a bad start to the day and should I get up and keep her up for 1.5 hours?

Thanks for all your tips and advice!

Kate :)

Hi Kate
I think its an awesome start to the day. However it is what you feel is right.   I would tend to probably just see if you can resettle in arms at that time of the morning without the feed, but it again does depend on what time the last feed was as well. I can't think of anything better than snuggling with a baby after that early morning feed.


With regard to the 15 minutes just start the feed slightly earlier - work with your baby. IF your baby falls asleep then just take her off swaddle and then into bed.   As we know there is for and against babies falling asleep on the breast and again an individual decision.    

It is hard with a toddler in tow but if you are teaching your baby to self settle and resettle then this makes doing a moving nap easier. Remember a baby can't self settle and resettle on their own until between 12 and 16 weeks so your little one may need some help here to do it.

Dorothy

Hi Ladies
Thank you for all your questions and hopefully the answers will help you. It was lovely to meet you all at the OHBaby Coffee Catchup.

Remember before you do anything STOP, THINK, and ACT – work out what you are doing, why you are doing, and what you are trying to accomplish and then act.

Remember YOU are the baby’s mum and so listen to your heart and instinct.   Yes, we all don’t do it by the book, or get it right the first time, but you need to make ‘mistakes’ to get it right for you.   It’s a time of learning a little person’s personality and figuring out what works for your home life.

If you have the time I would love to see you pop over to http://www.facebook.com/BabyWithin and 'like' it. You can then keep up with information that I post from time to time or hear from other mothers who write on the wall. Also there is now a “recommendations’ section and it would great to hear your comments.

Please remember as a parent or carer that you should understand and acknowledge that Dorothy is NOT a licensed medical doctor or other licensed medical provider and the information that I share with you has come from experience and working with numerous families and babies and toddlers