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Hello.Again.Kitty

Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 24 May 2011 - 08:54
yup, there's no reason whatsoever why anyone should put up with that. Saying something out of order and then going "oh, sorry, I didn't really mean it" (with or without a slightly guilty look) is a load of tosh. Everyone always means what they say when they say it, even if it's impulsive and they regret it 0.5 seconds after it's come out of their mouth. There's no excuse, unless they have a medical condition (Tourette's) or are actually admitting that they cannot control themselves. I haven't been in such a relationship, but I have a couple of good friends who were and they suffered for it. Thankfully they weren't married, so could get out, but after years of emotional abuse that dented their confidence (or even destroyed it), it took a lot of guts and determination.
Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 24 May 2011 - 08:41
I just pretend jetlag doesn't exist and stick to their routine in terms of meal-times. I've always been easy as to when they nap during the day and how long for, but mealtimes and bedtime are fixed in stone! They seem to take anything from a couple of days to 10 days to really settle back in and "normalise", but predictable routine seems to be the key. I just know that both of them are going to be up at 5h when we're back in the UK (because it's light) and then oh the saga getting them to bed when it's still light! lol!
Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 24 May 2011 - 08:30
Oh :-( Looks like Mum has some sort of Munchausen Syndrome - if that makes sense? I'm afraid to say I think Mum lied to the papers and got daughter to go along with it. Speechless. There's still something deeply wrong with this whole story and/or the mum if she decided to tag along with this abhorrent tale just for fun (and money)... I mean, did she not even imagine where this would lead her family? It's hardly harmless.
Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 23 May 2011 - 23:28
none, I'm afraid near the Marina. Geant at Ibn Batutta have a small selection of canvasses and a random small selection of crafts. Daiso is your next best bet in the Oasis Centre and Lulu's department store (on the 2nd floor) has a surprising selection... but it ain't Hobbycraft! :(
Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 23 May 2011 - 23:21
It's all over the place! In fact, I noticed that C4 (MotE) have reduced the price of the Sis icing sugar (which is the best around, imo, short of the extortionate Silverspoon stuff) to 4.95!
Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 23 May 2011 - 19:00
If you child is deciding when she is going to try on the clothes, she may be manipulating you. Who is boss ? I think a lot depends on if it's actually a true fear or if it's a statement of independence... and it's impossible for us to be able to tell if it's one or the other - only the OP or a specialist will know for sure. A tantrum is basically the frustration of a message that's not getting across - we can't tell what that message might be. Another thing I will say though - and I'm sorry if I sound harsh - but I suspect that a lot of this is down to some parenting choices. If the child has a genuine fear of shops and new things, then avoiding them completely isn't addressing the issue. Yes, public tantrums are embarrassing, but they need to be dealt with head-on, as do her fears or indeed the boundaries that as a family, you are setting. You can't wrap her in cotton wool in fear of her fears, because you are only making them worse (hence why I said a lot is down to how you react to them). Take the time to address them gently - it took 4 months of constant "work" to get DD over hers - and then once you know that she can cope and that she's over it, if she tries a re-run take a harder stance on them.
Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 23 May 2011 - 18:14
Children's fears are very real for them because their imaginations are so vivid, so try not to gloss over them or put her down (for example by telling her she's being silly/ stupid). Try to understand what it is that she's afraid of too and work from there to build up her confidence. DD had a phase where she "saw" dinosaurs everywhere and would wake up at night, refuse to go into rooms on her own and all that. It turned out she'd seen parts of a film that weren't appropriate for her, so we taught her some coping methods (the dinosaurs were very obedient and would go away when she told them to) and she got over it. This was when she was just over 2. I'd say 2 things though. Firstly, I don't think it's quite normal for your daughter to be quite so scared of so many things and so would advise you take her to see a specialist about it. Secondly, it may not just be her problem - it may be that how you react to her fears are compounding them. The medicine is a case in point. Even as an adult, I'd be really, really scared if 3 people were forcing me to do something I didn't really want to, nor understand the importance of. The experience would also traumatise me and fill me with dread at the prospect of a repeat. Bear that in mind when you deal with this.
Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 23 May 2011 - 15:36
in short... yes, probably. Painful things, teeth and every child seems to deal with them in a slightly different way.
Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 23 May 2011 - 15:27
awww, bless yer! You make baby number 2 in exactly the same way as number 1, but it'll happen in its own time. Most Drs will only consider you to have problems once you've been actively trying for 2 years.
Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 23 May 2011 - 13:10
guns cause more trauma to the ear because they basically force a blunt stud through the earlobe Not necessarily true - I got mine done with a gun and they used pointed studs, which then obviously get left in the ear. I think the sterilisation argument is borderline academic, because with a gun, only the stud enters the ear and isn't then used on someone else (doesn't mean to say that the stud shouldn't be sterile and the gun kept clean), whereas a needle is able to be sterilised, but is used time and time again, so definitely needs to be!
Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 22 May 2011 - 22:57
when I was about 12 weeks pg with my eldest, I burst into tears in the middle of the street when a fire engine on call went past. The firemen looked so serious at the prospect of whatever heroic duty they were about to perform that I was overwhelmed! I've always had a vivid imagination and run through emergency escape scenarios quite regularly - what I'd take, what's important, how I'd do it, transport, etc. When I was a teen, we lived relatively close to a nuclear power plant, so that was a regular one. Now I get a lot of fire drill scenarios (living in a high-rise)... I find the plane one really hard though, because I used to travel with both on my own and kind of knew that I only have 2 arms, so imagined how I'd wrap one around me securely so that I could still save the other. Horrid. That wasn't going to work. --- DC - if you've already had a form of depression, there is a likelihood that you'll get it again, but as others have said, it's recognising the triggers and getting your support network to really pull in and help you so that you don't feel that you're heading down the same path again. If you want to chat about it, give me a buzz - I'm always around!
Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 22 May 2011 - 22:35
Firstly - look at everything he's having over the course of a day. Make a note and look back on times, patterns , quantities and substance. You may find it reassuring (as in he's actually eating quite a bit, but in snack form) and then you can make adjustments. Eating in front of the telly is, imo, a huge no-no - even for adults. We get distracted by the images, don't chew or savour our food properly, eat too quickly, digest badly (due to bad posture) and get none of the social interaction mealtimes should be about. If this is something you're not happy about, change it. Try not to let your stress overflow (hence making notes for reassurance first) because teh children do pick up on that. Make it relaxed, eat with your son as much/ often as you can and if he chucks something on the ground, pick it up and put it back on his plate - once. Second time it goes on the floor, put it back on his place and move the plate away. He can then have the pleasure of watching you eat the rest of your food and may even decide that eating's much more fun! Try not to make a fuss if they don't like something and don't force them to eat it. When DD decides she doesn't like something on her plate she'll say "mummy, I don't want peas" and I reply "that's ok, don't eat them then. Just keep them on your plate and eat your rice". Choose their meals wisely to combine stuff you know they'll like with the occasional challenge or new thing - they may surprise themselves... and us! Good luck. Don't stress. He won't waste away!
Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 22 May 2011 - 22:10
imo - GIMMICK. Children aren't Pavlov's Dog. Potty training's all about them learning about their own body's cues and knowing how and where to act on it.
Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 22 May 2011 - 19:58
Good for stopping the telly - there's apparently nothing wrong with it as such, but it's not good in large amounts because it doesn't offer any interaction, and becomes just like babble in teh background - you know, like when we have the radio on in the background and whatever they're actually talking about just washes over us because we're focussed on doing something else? Anyhow, every child is different. DD at 23 months was talking in sentences, and DS at the same age says about 3 recognisable words and several others in his own way. I always repeat what I think they're trying to say, so for example, if my son says "ooo! Kaah!", I say "Oh yes, there is a car there! A blue car!". I also talk to them about what I'm doing - a running commentary, so to speak. You feel a bit daft to start off with, but you get used to it... so talk to him when you're going round the shops, tell him what you're up to in the kitchen or around the house and get him to help out. You don't need lots of "enrichment" activities or playgroups, just normal life!
Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 22 May 2011 - 19:49
I occasionally brought my two into bed to feed, but would then get up and put them back in their cot (in our room, if not right next to my side of the bed. I too couldn't sleep soundly whilst co-sleeping and would wake up as still as a board. As others have said, sleeping with bubs in between you and DH isn't very safe - I used to evict DH if kiddo was poorly and we were in it for the night, or just feed cuddling on the edge, knowing that they'd be back in their cot for sleeping. Habits? Yes, you are probably forming one, but some people enjoy co-sleeping. If you don't, then don't do it. Simple as that. Ironically, your co-sleeping could be making you feel more tired than if you "just" got up in zombie mode. DS was one to feed every 2h past midnight and I'd literally hear him, lurch out of bed, pick him up, feed him sitting, pop him back, lurch back into bed... on automatic. Some nights I couldn't even remember feeding him or putting him back, but I did!
Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 20 May 2011 - 22:48
I m not in shock :-) hehe - crazy lady! ;) As you know, I was pregnant with DS when DD was 1 (well, 12.5 months), but she'd already weaned herself... Anyhow, if having 2 under 2 doesn't fill you with dread, then you can tackle anything that life throws at you! Don't worry about the what ifs - there's so much you just can't plan (especially with 2!) that you've just got to ride the wave and deal with anything as it happens. Same goes for when one's had a nappy explosion and the other's puking up - prioritise and deal with it. In the grand scheme of things it doesn't matter how, where or when. <em>edited by Hello.Again.Kitty on 20/05/2011</em>
Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 20 May 2011 - 22:16
wow - congrats! A shock, I'm sure, and it may take some getting used to, but congrats nonetheless! I have a friend who bf until she was 3 or 4 months pg and her then 13 month old self-weaned... or did he? Ach, can't remember. BUT it's apparently completely possible to bf 2 children of different ages. BFC will be able to shed more light on the matter, but it might be worth looking up "tandem feeding".
Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 20 May 2011 - 22:12
Wow that was quick!! lol - just coincidence!
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Latest post on 20 May 2011 - 22:06
HAK, whats the name of the nursery? Sounds good!! ooo... I hope I'm not putting a foot wrong here... it's the Raffles Marina nursery (they've currently got the banner ad going for it and the other Raffles nurseries and schools). Contact the Vice Principal directly if you're interested and she'll probably tell you to pop by!
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Latest post on 20 May 2011 - 19:22
H.A.K, do they do part-time hours? nope - it's 8h-14h, 5 days a week, so no, not flexible! Drop-off's any time between 8h-8h30 (preferably), activities start at 9h through til lunch at 12h and then pick-up is any time between 12h-14h.
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Latest post on 20 May 2011 - 18:31
I know they cant and they should not play with only one child but we send kids there to learn manners and learn to talk and think. They're not there to teach our children manners or how to behave in public. That's our responsibility. They are, however, there to reinforce it, but we need to have set up the groundwork, so to speak. We can't expect them to transform an unruly child into an angel if we can't even do it ourselves... and especially not to the detriment of the rest of the class. You need to find a nursery that aligns with your own parenting style too. I do Time Out with DD at home, so don't have a problem with them following it through at nursery (in fact I'm glad they do). As it is, DD is so well stimulated and cared for there that she's rarely had reason to. I really can't fault them at any level. They tick all the right boxes for me in terms of educational philosophy, openness, great communication (I get a run-down of the day from the teacher and can pop in to speak to the Principal whenever), great and varied activities and above all, DD is happy - loves her teacher (who is fab), her classmates and has come on in leaps and bounds, both socially and academically (although I wasn't really looking for an academic side!).
Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 20 May 2011 - 17:35
I shouldn't have opened this thread. Now I want a cake so badly. There's no birthday or anniversary. I just want a big round scrumptious chocolate cake in general. lol! ach, you don't need an excuse for cake! ;)
Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 20 May 2011 - 17:05
i do indeed think it depends on every child but I know mine needs loads of attention else he will be chaotic and I have a friend who also has a ''Naughty'' son just like mine and she often has to pick him up more than an hour before time since they cant handle him. plus when I went to visit them I saw a girl crying in a corner so I just waited for 2 min to see if anyone will go and comfort her yet no one even noticed the poor little girl. my son will turn 2 next month and we think its about time but he has never been without me for even more than 15 min so we know he wont be easy at all and they told us also that if they cant handle him they will be sending him home and well for the price they r asking I dont want him to be there for just n hour or maybe even less Our sons are the same age then! Disruptive children are difficult, but to be honest, it's not fair on the other children in the class if one or more of the adults has to dedicate all their time and attention to one individual for the entire duration. Class sizes there are quite small (15-16 kids) and they have 2 or 3 staff for each class (about as good as it gets in this city!), so if one kid is being disruptive, then all the rest lose out. It's also more of a pre-school setting there, although they follow the UK Early Years curriculum, so lots of learning by play, so staff are meant to be teaching and facilitating, rather than controlling chaos (although they often do, and do so very well imo). Pick-up is flexible and any time from 12h onwards anyway. I'm glad they send truly disruptive children home. If they're not ready or able to interact socially in an appropriate way, it's not for teachers or schools to tell them how to - it's up to us parents. Aside from that, I hoped you pointed out the crying girl to the teacher or assistant and the vice - she would be quite concerned to hear of such a thing.
Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 20 May 2011 - 16:48
Or this: http://cakewrecks.blogspot.com/ I love CakeWrecks!
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Latest post on 20 May 2011 - 15:04
Oh, I'd be interested in hearing the "sad stories" - my daughter goes there and it's everything I could ever hope for - it's small, but they've got great staff, great vice-principal who's very on the ball and my daughter absolutely loves it. My son will be starting in September. BUT different people have different expectations and needs. There's one (Jebel Ali/ Marina Village?!) in Bahar (JBR), but I wouldn't put my children in there (based on my experience nearly 2 years ago now, so things could have changed)... and then there's Fun& Play, which is more of a creche, but again, a few basic (imo) things were lacking. Kidville is... expensive. <em>edited by Hello.Again.Kitty on 20/05/2011</em>
Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 19 May 2011 - 11:23
I don't really know what to say... honestly, as a parent, does no-one actually understand what they're giving their children? Do they not tell the Dr what they have already given the sick child when they're in the consultation and how the child responded to it?! Do they not question the Dr on dosage, side-effects and, if a whole load of medication is being prescribed, what interactions could follow? These are just basics, imo. [rolls eyes'>
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Latest post on 19 May 2011 - 11:14
I know that my mother's justification for having mine done was that I would have them done eventually anyway, so it was better to do it while I was too young to remember the pain. I don't remember the pain either and I had them done when I was 12. It's actually a fact that we can't remember pain, at whatever stage in life. We can sometimes remember having been in pain (as in "well, ofc it must have hurt"), but not the actual pain itself... and thank goodness, otherwise we'd do far, far less than we do and live in fear of what might happen! There was a school of thought that babies couldn't feel [i'>any[/i'> pain, but that's quite obviously been debunked (duh!).
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Latest post on 18 May 2011 - 22:09
sweep or vacuum first, then put exactly the right amount of cleaning liquid in a bucket of water (not too much or your floor will stay sticky), dip in mop, wring out and then introduce the business-end to your floor, wave it around a bit and leave to dry. It isn't rocket science. LOL, I know.... I should have just told her to learn the hard way, but hey, I'm feeling nice.
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Latest post on 18 May 2011 - 21:59
sweep or vacuum first, then put exactly the right amount of cleaning liquid in a bucket of water (not too much or your floor will stay sticky), dip in mop, wring out and then introduce the business-end to your floor, wave it around a bit and leave to dry. It isn't rocket science.
Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 18 May 2011 - 20:57
just to be a bit Devil's Advocate, if I saw a really upset baby, I would probably also say" aww, poor thing" - but that wouldn't be "oh poor thing to have a mum that doesn't know how to settle her", it'd be "poor thing, something's obviously bothering her so much that not even lovely mummy cuddles can help" The number of times I've had people lean over the buggy when either of my two were crying their eyes out (as babies) and start cooing, clicking their fingers or pinching their cheeks, and then they look at me to kind of ask why I'm ignoring the crying - so they got greeted by a raised eyebrow/ blank look and "s/he's tired. S/he wants you to leave him/her alone"! What I really, really don't like though is certain people's comments that a crying baby/ child is a naughty/ bad child. It's complete rubbish, shows them to be completely ignorant and is deeply unhealthy on a psychological issue because it's essentially telling a child that they cannot use an otherwise important means of communication for fear of being branded "naughty" or "bad". Branding children gets my goat.
Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 17 May 2011 - 17:03
hmm, local companies, I'm not sure, but you can complain to the Ministry of Labour online once your salary's 14 days overdue. They take it quite seriously though and will descend on the company, so it is often worth telling the company that you are considering making a formal complaint to the Ministry. If the company is found to be really taking the mickey, the Ministry can freeze its accounts and worst case scenario revoke its trade license... so not a route to go down until all other methods have been used!
Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 17 May 2011 - 16:49
on the one hand, can you actually say you have all the building blocks to survive if you know that you have completely opposing views on something so major as getting married and having kids? It's something that you will either accept (and hopefully be at peace with) or that will gnaw away at you in years to come. On the other hand, of course, you could just be dealing with someone who isn't ready to make that commitment quite yet. Marriage is one thing, kids are another. It's also a completely different thing to say you want kids "at some point but not yet" (that was me a few months before conceiving!) and then being confronted with a positive test and later a lovely baby that you become so in love with you couldn't ever imagine not wanting children.
Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 17 May 2011 - 15:41
Frustrating and annoying! Can I just ask, is micronor available here if I was to change to that? Otherwise not really sure what to do!!! I don't know because I got it from the UK, but if you're really stuck and want something to tide you over until you can find something else, then you're welcome to it. Cerazette's actually one of the newer progesterone-only pills, but is by no means the only one. It's apparently quite well-known for causing low moods/ aggravating depression - or so my GP told me - so it wouldn't surprise me if they were discontinuing it on that basis. Micronor's one of the older ones. Your GP should have a big book listing all available medicines and should be able to prescribe you an alternative.
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Latest post on 17 May 2011 - 15:34
to be honest, I would leave it. Their weight fluctuates, just as ours does. Weigh him again in a week and see where the average line takes him. As you said, he's feeding well and if he isn't interested in any more milk, then he's having enough. Are you eating enough as well though? You should be aiming for about 500 calories more than your usual diet every day and under no circumstances less than 1800 calories/day (I was eating anything between 2300-2500/day when mine were exclusively breastfed) ... and, you never know what's around the corner in terms of growth spurt!
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Latest post on 17 May 2011 - 15:26
grrrrrrr this makes me so angry, same story here, I always stop, but my hearts in my mouth wondering whether or not the car next to me will stop also. I actually won't cross the road now until it's completely clear, and if a car stops for me, I will smile and wave them on - it gets really infuriating because quite often they are quite insistent, but too many times I notice a car overtaking them and they haven't. Unfortunately the highways engineers here don't seen to take pedestrians into account in any way. The RTA have just changed the phasing on some traffic lights near me that leaves you waiting on a central island for over 5 minutes (no shade, of course) before the green man comes on and lets you finish the crossing safely.
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Latest post on 14 May 2011 - 21:02
Depends on how much you need to ship! It's also all relative. We drive our car down to the middle of France on about a tank of petrol - so £60 - and probably pay about £30 in motorway tolls. Your van, again depending on size, would hire at about £60/day. "Normal" tiles, wallpaper and paints are about half the price in the UK compared to France, but your premium stuff, like Farrow & Ball is about the same. Also be aware that many solvent-based paints here in the UAE have been banned in Europe.
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Latest post on 13 May 2011 - 21:12
ooo, this is a bit embarrassing - I've just checked and I don't have any Cerazette (oops), but I do have 3 months worth of Micronor, which I was prescribed as an alternative to Cerazette - exactly the same principle - 28day, progesterone-only pill. I would check with your Dr to see if it's a suitable [temporary'> alternative for you, but if you're really stuck and want it, then it's free to a good home. I have no need for it and better used than binned! Drop me a line on hello.kittydxb aT gmail dot com if you'd like it.
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Latest post on 13 May 2011 - 20:53
if you mix normal flour, coarse salt and vinegar into a paste, then smear it on the copper, just rubbing lightly, by the time you've done the item and rinsed it off they'll be sparkling again. I know this doesn't actually answer your original question, but it works wonders - I learnt it way back when I was general dogsbody in a restaurant with A LOT of copper pans! <em>edited by Hello.Again.Kitty on 13/05/2011</em>
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Latest post on 13 May 2011 - 17:23
(4|\| j00Z $P34|&lt; 1|\| L337? lolz - I was going to say something similar! Ceiling cat is watching u! kkthnksbaibai
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Latest post on 12 May 2011 - 20:56
I think it's pretty clear that if you're giving her a majority breastfeed and she's putting on weight like a trooper, then you have no worries about your supply. Carry on breastfeeding (even without supplementing with formula) if you want to - or carry on with the formula but stop expressing... it's about finding what works for you. Colic seems to be banded around as a catch-all for an unsettled baby. Crying isn't colic - screaming incessantly as if in severe pain *may* be. We thought DS had colic. He would start screaming inconsolably at about 19h30 every night and I'd feed him and he'd cry more, so I'd cuddle him and he'd scream, so I'd shove some Infacol down him to no avail, then try burping him, which would make it worse... then I'd give him another cuddle, then lay him down to sleep, which he wouldn't - he'd just scream more, so I'd try feeding him again, which made him worse. Classic signs of "colic" but it wasn't... he was overtired. After 6 weeks of him screaming every day from 19h30 until 1h or 3h in the morning (I'd somehow fall asleep, exhausted with him screaming in my ear), I happened to put him down at 19h in his cot and let the room go dark... he fell asleep, only woke at 23h for a normal feed and then slept again until his next nightly feed. Sometimes you just can't see the wood for the trees.
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Latest post on 12 May 2011 - 19:39
I got a great one at Mothercare when I was pregnant with my dd, it was very generous around the tummy so lasted me until the end! edited by alimart on 12/05/2011 Same here. I think I wore a normal one until about 4 or 5 months, but I didn't want to ruin it, and the mothercare ones are a bit more tailored to not expose any more midriff than you would do normally (mine also gave extra bust support, which was nice)
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Latest post on 10 May 2011 - 23:37
Indeed - you cannot claim unless you are permanently and ordinarily resident in the UK. If you are, then you are allowed to claim CB for a period of up to 8 weeks after you leave the UK without having to re-apply.
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Latest post on 10 May 2011 - 22:21
If she's in the midst of it, then you're too late to distract - you have to kind fo head it off right at the start - preferably at the first signs. It's easier said than done, of course, and as they grow - at least if your DD is anything like mine - it gets more difficult because their needs/wants become more complex. Even with a strong-willed child, you have to teach them to be able to control their emotions and channel them in productive ways. There are no signs - anything can set her off, even when you think things are going really well. There is absolutely no warning and what pleases her today may well not do for her the next. I don't expect me 2yr old to control her emotions, she's only 2 after all. Anyway, the more I think about it the less worried I am. It does get frustrating at times but so do many other things in the motherhood journey :) hehe - no, I don't think any sane person could expect a toddler to control their emotions - adults have enough trouble, sometimes - but it's a learning process. DD's tantrums were the stuff of legend, often with very little logic, but it's often details we find insignificant that matter a great deal to them (like where they put their toy before leaving home or which t-shirt they wanted to wear)... it gets easier when you can actually communicate with them more. If your daughter's already quite articulate, try doing this now - I wish I had... it would have saved me a year of frustration!
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Latest post on 10 May 2011 - 22:21
the 'y' is 'you' - ie time for yourself as the mother :) haha - no wonder I forget that one! lol
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Latest post on 10 May 2011 - 22:08
waking her up every 4 hours?! I know different things work for different people, but imo, a baby will wake for a feed when it's hungry and you gain very little by waking them (you'd never know if you'd been blessed with a baby that wanted to properly sleep through the night otherwise!) The Easy method worked well for us - in fact, it's not so much a method as pure logic and a mirror to how even us adults operate - sequences of sleeping, waking, eating, activity and yodelling? Can't remember what the "Y" is! Take it back to basics and learn your baby's sleep cues. If she's only sleeping for 5 minutes and is then overtired, then it's that she's going down for a nap too late - try moving it forward by 30 minutes until you work out the cues - these may be blinking, yawning, rubbing eyes, pulling ears or looking a bit vacant. Use the books as a guideline (unless it's Gina Ford, in which case give it to another unsuspecting mum-to-be!), but use your baby as the rule. Also get a predictable bedtime routine - wind-down (bath, book, cuddles), milk and into bed whilst still awake (in theory - in practice you may need to hang around a bit). At night, feed on demand, especially if you're breast-feeding and keep the room dark, your voice low and the whole experience to the point - no games, little interaction. As for sleeping on your shoulder or co-sleeping... a word to the wise... [i'>there's nothing wrong with it[/i'> (as long as you're not under the influence). You will find in many situations you do what you have to do - maybe not ideal, but necessary at the time.
Hello.Again.Kitty
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 10 May 2011 - 18:07
Thanks for all the replies and to plumie for bumping :) W.r.t. how I listen and try to deal with it - tried it all. When she is in the midst of her tantrum, she doesn't hear or see me, regardless of what I am trying to say or how I am saying it - hence me saying she cannot be distracted. Aryanwynn - what you said has me intrigued and yes, I do feel blessed and often want to record her antics and facial expressions (but that wouldn't help the discipline, now would it? :D ) I will try and get the book since I am now back in SA permanently. Perhaps it's just a matter of trying to understand her personality and temperament and then riding out this phase. If she's in the midst of it, then you're too late to distract - you have to kind fo head it off right at the start - preferably at the first signs. It's easier said than done, of course, and as they grow - at least if your DD is anything like mine - it gets more difficult because their needs/wants become more complex. Even with a strong-willed child, you have to teach them to be able to control their emotions and channel them in productive ways.
Hello.Again.Kitty
1861
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 10 May 2011 - 17:33
Or is that just in the case of replacing milk feeds with cows milk? yes, that's the issue!
Hello.Again.Kitty
1861
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 10 May 2011 - 16:38
pump'n'dump... just a little to relieve the pressure. You obviously had a decent supply, so that will take time to drop - you may have to simulate a longer withdrawal period and not go cold turkey. Or it's not too late to start up again! [bright spark'> I certainly found that for about 2 weeks after stopping with DS, I found myself regularly wondering if I could just pop him back on and pretend it'd never happened.
Hello.Again.Kitty
1861
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 10 May 2011 - 16:36
Summertime - if he's showing an interest in the food that you're eating, give him some... it's as simple as that (as long as it's not really salty or full of sugar!). Follow his interest and his cues... in fact, that's pretty much the basics for all early years education! You know, I really do think we beat ourselves up about this too much. You're an attentive mum, so as long as you supervise his eating and steer clear of things that could give an adult a nasty bout of food poisoning (partially cooked eggs and such), then there is actually very little that can go wrong. Let him play with it too, if that's what he wants to do - he may need to explore his food before putting it in his mouth (would any of us really be happy eating something we're just given, without even seeing it?!). Mealtime frustrations are often our frustrations, not the baby's, but our fussiness about "eating properly", "not being messy" or "eat it all up!" can rub off on the kids and they will antagonise it or take it on board and become fussy too. Relax, launch in and enjoy the process and let your baby lead. The books may be good for recipes, but that's about it - they weren't written with your son in mind!
Hello.Again.Kitty
1861
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 10 May 2011 - 15:33
Thanks HAK, as I'm not a big yoghurt eater myself, does the plain yoghurt have less additives and sugar as the other yoghurt you mentioned? I have no problem mixing it with fruits. But if I give DD plain 'adult' yoghurt, is that not too harsh on her tummy? *daft question, but this weaning business is, embarrassingly, a real challenge for me* yes, it'll be fine. If you want, choose a Western brand (Onken or Rachel's/ Yeo Valley) big pot of plain yoghurt, but yes, it's fine. You'll see a lot of the yoghurts branded as "children's" or "kids" are absolutely rammed with added sugar and artificial flavourings and colourings - they're all deemed safe to eat, of course, but, well, I wouldn't eat them, so I won't give them to my children! There are no daft questions when it comes to weaning - just keep it simple - give them what you'd eat, well-balanced, least-processed possible.
 
 
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