| Author |
 Topic Search  Topic Options
|
lizzle 
Senior Member
Joined: 01 January 1900
Location: New Zealand
Points: 8346
|
 Post Options
 Thanks(0)
 Quote  Reply
 Posted: 18 July 2006 at 6:50pm |
|
and poor jax! hope Erin's sleeping gets better andignore any "helpful" people who exclaim that their babies "slept through the night at birth". I hate those people...well, when I'm sleep deprived I do.
my other suggestion was, any scheme that you try, give it a few days to kick in before deciding it's not for you. And seriuosly, whatever works for you, do it!
|
 |
|
Sponsored Links
|
|
|
daikini
Senior Member
Joined: 01 January 1900
Location: Lower Hutt
Points: 4490
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 18 July 2006 at 8:11pm |
|
Janine and Liz have some really good advice there... the only thing I want to add is to say that I was told by a nurse who was a paediatric sleep specialist that it takes three days (or nights) to make a habit, good or bad.
|
|
Becca, mum of 2 girls & 3 boys
|
|
jax
Senior Member
Joined: 01 January 1900
Location: New Zealand
Points: 3193
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 19 July 2006 at 2:08pm |
Ok so last night was a fraction better, and I am working on ways to try and get myself to 'switch off' - Kaz already gave me a brilliant suggestion (lavender oil on pillowcase), and am open to any others - although I will just mention I don't have a tub (just a shower). Hot cuppas seem to do OK, had one last night that was brilliant & soothing after my lasagne didn't want to stay put 
|
Jacquie - Mama to Erin, 13.07.06 - Chief Cat Chaser & Marmite Sammie Eater
Love many, trust few, harm none. ~Anon~
|
|
nikkitheknitter
Senior Member
Joined: 01 January 1900
Location: Westie
Points: 7556
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 19 July 2006 at 4:12pm |
|
Chamomile tea? (or are you already doing the herbal thing?)
|
|
jax
Senior Member
Joined: 01 January 1900
Location: New Zealand
Points: 3193
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 19 July 2006 at 5:50pm |
|
Yup !
|
Jacquie - Mama to Erin, 13.07.06 - Chief Cat Chaser & Marmite Sammie Eater
Love many, trust few, harm none. ~Anon~
|
|
mum2paris
Senior Member
Joined: 01 January 1900
Location: Palmy
Points: 6611
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 19 July 2006 at 10:03pm |
|
I used to just have some warm milk with a little honey in it - apparently warm milk stimulates hormones that make you sleep.
|
Janine and her 2 cool chicks, Paris & Ayja
|
|
Rachael21
Senior Member
Joined: 01 January 1900
Location: New Zealand
Points: 4700
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 22 July 2006 at 12:06pm |
|
I was the same jax until i hit the point of being so tired i was asleep before my head even hit the pillow. What sucks is when you get so used to waking every 4 hours when they sleep longer you can't sleep cos u just lie there waiting for them to wake up.
I honestly can't remember much of the first 6 weeks except i was tired and had sore nips. Sounds like you are doing great though Jax one day you will wake up and realise you are on top of it all
|
|
mum2paris
Senior Member
Joined: 01 January 1900
Location: Palmy
Points: 6611
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 22 July 2006 at 7:15pm |
|
Yeah you do get to that point that after a while you learn to switch off as soon as head hits the pillow - your body gets used to making the most of the little time you have to take "power" naps. lol
|
Janine and her 2 cool chicks, Paris & Ayja
|
|
jax
Senior Member
Joined: 01 January 1900
Location: New Zealand
Points: 3193
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 22 July 2006 at 7:53pm |
I think I'm finally starting to get to that point ! But only just - Erin was a bit grizzly today and harder to settle, so I only got a mini-nap in this afternoon... but hey, SOME sleep is better than none right ? 
|
Jacquie - Mama to Erin, 13.07.06 - Chief Cat Chaser & Marmite Sammie Eater
Love many, trust few, harm none. ~Anon~
|
|
mum2paris
Senior Member
Joined: 01 January 1900
Location: Palmy
Points: 6611
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 23 July 2006 at 12:24am |
|
lol i find the prob with me now is that i just drop off - i put ayja on our bed the other afternoon (while paris was at daycare) for a nap cos she was having an upset/sick/teething moment, and i lay next to her and gave her a cuddle and made sure she didn't try and climb off in the meantime and i thought that once she went to sleep i'd get up and do what i had to do... lol, she went to sleep and i thought i better stay there a min in case my movement woke her - i woke an hour and a half later.
|
Janine and her 2 cool chicks, Paris & Ayja
|
|
nikkitheknitter
Senior Member
Joined: 01 January 1900
Location: Westie
Points: 7556
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 23 July 2006 at 11:48am |
I do the same Janine. hehehe 
|
|
BabyCam
Newbie
Joined: 01 January 1900
Points: 30
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 27 July 2006 at 8:51am |
|
Hi Everyone
For the first few weeks we woke Cameron every 3 hours but not at night. At first it worked, but then we found the routine not working, he would take a while to fall asleap and then finally be in a sound sleep and it would be time to wake him, and he wouldn't feed propertly so we would put him back down and not long later he would be awake and hungry, so now I am feeding on demand and its working well, the only exception is that I'll wake him around 9.30pm and feed him to encourage him to sleep longer at night, which I'm embarassed to say he has done well since he was born (he's a month old).
My husband took a week of work - he is self employeed also. He doesn't think about bills etc and I felt too guilty to tell him to get back to work. But I'm glad he did - I didn't need him to stay home with me, but it was helpful to discuss things with him and he really enjoyed his time with Cameron. I think we calmed each other down so neither of us got too stressed out.
|
|
Andie
Senior Member
Joined: 01 January 1900
Location: New Zealand
Points: 3614
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 27 July 2006 at 4:24pm |
Well, I'm re-thinking my idea of birthing baby at the hospital and coming straight home a.s.a.p afterwards... I'll decide at the time now. A hospital stay might be more restful. Having M.E. means I can't cope with lack of sleep or strenuous physical things well - they make me pretty blimmin sick - to the point that when it's really bad, reading and talking take too much effort and just can't be done! And what is LABOUR if not strenuous?!?!!! And how much sleep will I get afterwards??!!! Ah, I can only laugh at that thought! That's really why I'm so worried about how to cope with a newborn by myself. But there's been some awesome tips given here - thanks  . I've got me a bouncer, already made a sign for the door asking people to come back later (for sleep times), and will have to let the housework down for a while, eat more take-out, and warn my parents that visiting will mean HELPING while they're here and if they think that's rude they can go home. I think my in-laws would have the helping thing down already, and we have friends 2 doors down who'd be great too. Also, when we announce her arrival, we'll ask people to give us a week or so before visiting (family and good neighbour-friends can though).
I think it'll be interesting to see if my husband's very reasonable boss sends him home when he goes to work just after our baby's birth anyway (the boss is a family man)! He's a hard worker, my hubby, and he enjoys his work too (thank goodness!), but on top of that our finances don't allow him to ease up much at all  ... we'll just have to see how that first week or two goes when we get there. I've firmly rejected his idea of his teenaged sister staying here for the week to help out!! She's a sweetheart, but I just want my man, and really don't want to be hosting extras in our home when I'll probably be uber-emotional, bleeding away, have issues with boobs and need sleep whenever I can get it. I don't want to make it sound like hubby isn't helpful - this is the man who brings me a cup of tea in bed every morning and likes to cook us brekkie in the weekends and will rub my back anytime - he's a natural born helper, he's just over-extended right now, and I'm being a stress-monkey about having a newborn.
|
|
Andie
|
|
11111
Senior Member
Joined: 01 January 1900
Location: New Plymouth
Points: 2393
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 27 July 2006 at 5:21pm |
 Oh Andie you will be suprised how well your boby cope staying in hospital is not such a bad idea I hear that PSlmy is really good too. I totally agreee about hte Sisther that is not likely to be very helpful. Ieas thinking tho if you do stay in hospital tell hubby to go to work those few day's that way he can be off when you get home and really need him. I am one of those people who really needs my sleep, but it funny how your body just kinda take's over and does what it need's to. You have the right idea just go with the flow and let thing's happen.
Never be afraid to ask for help if you need it.
|
|
|
|
nikkitheknitter
Senior Member
Joined: 01 January 1900
Location: Westie
Points: 7556
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 27 July 2006 at 8:21pm |
You do sound like you have it under control Andie. While no one can anticipate exactly how exhausting having a newborn is, you are very well mentally prepared.
Think it is a great idea saying no to hubby about his sis. Maybe after a few months you may feel up to handling her and babe. Then you can really put her to work  Might be more fun for her in a few months anyway... babies are pretty boring for a while. (Altho suprisingly hypnotising.)
|
|
mum2paris
Senior Member
Joined: 01 January 1900
Location: Palmy
Points: 6611
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 27 July 2006 at 8:22pm |
|
I second everything Deb said. Mike went to work while i stayed in the hospital. Palmy is good, and make sure that even if you feel like utter crap, you leave your room (i didn't the 1st time, for 3 days, and that was silly!) i also found the breastfeeding talk that they have every day at 10am very helpful the second time around... even though i *THOUGHT* i knew it all, i got alot of helpful tips that came in handy when all else failed.
I am also someone who doesn't function well without sleep. I turn into a really quiet withdrawn emotional mess and then i just SNAP!! (SCARY STUFF!)
Little sis would not be helpful, even if she tried, because as i think i've said to you before, having people staying, even if they're fine about it you still feel rude when you go off to have a sleep while they are there.
See how you go, i think a few days in hospital gives you a little time out, enough time to get to know baby with just you and bubs, and help at your fingertips... and when you do go home - you appreciate your own bed soooo much, and you actually have had time to miss your hubby, lol... so you are kinda grateful, even if he's a dufuss and does everything wrong (which will happen at day 3 lol)
|
Janine and her 2 cool chicks, Paris & Ayja
|
|
daikini
Senior Member
Joined: 01 January 1900
Location: Lower Hutt
Points: 4490
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 27 July 2006 at 8:52pm |
LOL Janine! I so know what you mean about hubby doing everything wrong at day 3... which is also the day that it clicks for you that your newborn is not made of glass, and will not break if you move a little faster while sorting them out! 
|
|
Becca, mum of 2 girls & 3 boys
|
|
mum2paris
Senior Member
Joined: 01 January 1900
Location: Palmy
Points: 6611
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 28 July 2006 at 4:42pm |
|
I learnt the second time round that it was way quickest to just get on and dress them after bath and when needing to change clothes etc,instead of stopping and conforting them constantly - and ending up with a very cold, half dressed exhausted baby who was ready for bed by the time i had consoled them 5 times.. lol.
|
Janine and her 2 cool chicks, Paris & Ayja
|
|
how much help with a newborn?
