Any other expectant Dads?
Discussion
Blown2CV said:
feeding is such a contentious issue where every f
ker judges every other fker. It's really hard for women. No one should be telling anyone else what to do, or what they should believe is best. There are arguments for an against each option. People should do what they think is best.
Quite. Technically (health outcomes) "breast is best" IF you can get it to work. It doesn't work for everyone and there should be no shaming (health visitors can be terrible for this). Breast, formula, mixture, whatever works for you.ker judges every other fker. It's really hard for women. No one should be telling anyone else what to do, or what they should believe is best. There are arguments for an against each option. People should do what they think is best. Just not what happens in parts of Bradford where the baby was put down with a bottle of cocacola each night.
Vaud said:
Blown2CV said:
feeding is such a contentious issue where every fker judges every other fker. It's really hard for women. No one should be telling anyone else what to do, or what they should believe is best. There are arguments for an against each option. People should do what they think is best.
Quite. Technically (health outcomes) "breast is best" IF you can get it to work. It doesn't work for everyone and there should be no shaming (health visitors can be terrible for this). Breast, formula, mixture, whatever works for you.ker judges every other fker. It's really hard for women. No one should be telling anyone else what to do, or what they should believe is best. There are arguments for an against each option. People should do what they think is best. Just not what happens in parts of Bradford where the baby was put down with a bottle of cocacola each night.
I don't think there is much in the way of concrete evidence stating that one choice is either good or bad, but there do appear to be differences between babies I have seen bottle fed and those which were breastfed, but it's impossible to know how much that was an influencing factor.
Our little man is coming upto 5 months..
On the whole been amazing though the lack of sleep is really getting to my wife now..
Hes been exclusvely breastfed since birth ( wifes choice even though we are all happy to try formula as well) but doesnt sleep well through the night- gettting up 2 or 3 times to be fed...
We were contemplating sleep training and the cry it out method to see if we can get a more rigid routine however wife has vetoed it for the time bing.
He seems a healthy old boy ( 74 percentile on the weight charts) and tonight we will be giving him his first solids - baby rice with milk
One thing for sure is dont take too much credence on books and 'professional' websites. For every peice of 'rules' or advice you will always find another 'expert' with a contradticting view. Have especially found this when trying to figure out a suitable solution to get the baby to sleep through the night.....
On the whole been amazing though the lack of sleep is really getting to my wife now..
Hes been exclusvely breastfed since birth ( wifes choice even though we are all happy to try formula as well) but doesnt sleep well through the night- gettting up 2 or 3 times to be fed...
We were contemplating sleep training and the cry it out method to see if we can get a more rigid routine however wife has vetoed it for the time bing.
He seems a healthy old boy ( 74 percentile on the weight charts) and tonight we will be giving him his first solids - baby rice with milk
One thing for sure is dont take too much credence on books and 'professional' websites. For every peice of 'rules' or advice you will always find another 'expert' with a contradticting view. Have especially found this when trying to figure out a suitable solution to get the baby to sleep through the night.....
fizz47 said:
He seems a healthy old boy ( 74 percentile on the weight charts) and tonight we will be giving him his first solids - baby rice with milk
Baby rice is foul (taste it). Get him on baby porridge quickly. 
Also, maybe do it as a breakfast meal? As they adapt to new foods, it may be easier on his system to not be going to sleep shortly afterwards. We always gave new things at breakfast in case of indigestion, vomit, etc.
fizz47 said:
Have especially found this when trying to figure out a suitable solution to get the baby to sleep through the night.....
There isn't necessarily a solution. Neither of ours did/have/are. Our eldest took until 3 to sleep through the night.Some do, some don't. At least at 5 I can take her climbing, swimming and to the park to thoroughly wear her out at the weekend...
Vaud said:
Baby rice is foul (taste it). Get him on baby porridge quickly.
Also, maybe do it as a breakfast meal? As they adapt to new foods, it may be easier on his system to not be going to sleep shortly afterwards. We always gave new things at breakfast in case of indigestion, vomit, etc.
we actually had decided to try porridge instead of baby rice howver the ones in the shop we went too, all said mix water with the porridge whereas the baby rice states to mix ti with milk hence wife preferrred that option.Also, maybe do it as a breakfast meal? As they adapt to new foods, it may be easier on his system to not be going to sleep shortly afterwards. We always gave new things at breakfast in case of indigestion, vomit, etc.
we didn't do any of that baby food stuff. The way we figured it was that if it's something an adult would find disgusting then why would a baby want to eat it. I think a lot of people also get into this idea that everything has to be pureed and mashed... often maybe just one vegetable, nothing added to it. I wouldn't want to eat that, and as much about learning tastes and textures, trying things out etc. Have a look into baby-led weaning because it's been great for us. Forcing weird bland things in undesirable forms is a good way of creating food hang-ups and even phobias I think. Our daughter always lets us know when she really likes something, mainly because she does these involuntary (and often quite loud) "NOM NOM NOM" noises when she does! She seems to really respond to flavour. She rarely eats much that the grandparents feed her because they go down the bland, one or two ingredient route.
Blown2CV said:
we didn't do any of that baby food stuff. The way we figured it was that if it's something an adult would find disgusting then why would a baby want to eat it. I think a lot of people also get into this idea that everything has to be pureed and mashed... often maybe just one vegetable, nothing added to it. I wouldn't want to eat that, and as much about learning tastes and textures, trying things out etc. Have a look into baby-led weaning because it's been great for us. Forcing weird bland things in undesirable forms is a good way of creating food hang-ups and even phobias I think. Our daughter always lets us know when she really likes something, mainly because she does these involuntary (and often quite loud) "NOM NOM NOM" noises when she does! She seems to really respond to flavour. She rarely eats much that the grandparents feed her because they go down the bland, one or two ingredient route.
Agree completely. We used baby porridge and then some fine adult porridge for a few weeks but since then it has been whatever we are eating, either pureed or as-is... and 100% agree with flavours. Vegetable curry, bolognese, home made pizza, spicy chicken from the BBQ... all vanish. As long as you can control the salt levels there are no reasons not to.Tonight's 10 month old dinner was mashed Greek spicy chickpeas, grilled chicken sausage, cucumber and yoghurt.
They learn to feed themselves quickly as well which means you can eat your own meal as well. Messy but they quickly learn after a few months of mashing it into their hair, carpet, etc. We found putting a picnic rug down under the high chair helps
Vaud said:
Blown2CV said:
we didn't do any of that baby food stuff. The way we figured it was that if it's something an adult would find disgusting then why would a baby want to eat it. I think a lot of people also get into this idea that everything has to be pureed and mashed... often maybe just one vegetable, nothing added to it. I wouldn't want to eat that, and as much about learning tastes and textures, trying things out etc. Have a look into baby-led weaning because it's been great for us. Forcing weird bland things in undesirable forms is a good way of creating food hang-ups and even phobias I think. Our daughter always lets us know when she really likes something, mainly because she does these involuntary (and often quite loud) "NOM NOM NOM" noises when she does! She seems to really respond to flavour. She rarely eats much that the grandparents feed her because they go down the bland, one or two ingredient route.
Agree completely. We used baby porridge and then some fine adult porridge for a few weeks but since then it has been whatever we are eating, either pureed or as-is... and 100% agree with flavours. Vegetable curry, bolognese, home made pizza, spicy chicken from the BBQ... all vanish. As long as you can control the salt levels there are no reasons not to.Tonight's 10 month old dinner was mashed Greek spicy chickpeas, grilled chicken sausage, cucumber and yoghurt.
They learn to feed themselves quickly as well which means you can eat your own meal as well. Messy but they quickly learn after a few months of mashing it into their hair, carpet, etc. We found putting a picnic rug down under the high chair helps
We had a single embryo transfer nearly 2 months ago, and had our (7 weeks) early scan today. First visual confirmation of the foetus + sac! Ths Consultant happily congratulated us, and informed everything looked good e.g. foetus size, heartbeat, no bleed etc..
During our IVF programme, we took a couple of hard knocks along the way (2 failures, and success on the 3rd attempt) so we kept our expectations low for our 4th attempt. Naturally, we are chuffed to bits, but also understand this is just the beginning of a very long race. Fingers and toes crossed, I am hoping we get to the end of this race.
During our IVF programme, we took a couple of hard knocks along the way (2 failures, and success on the 3rd attempt) so we kept our expectations low for our 4th attempt. Naturally, we are chuffed to bits, but also understand this is just the beginning of a very long race. Fingers and toes crossed, I am hoping we get to the end of this race.
Congratulations Chip!
Ten weeks to go for us. Sarah originally planned to work right up until the last minute. With the hot weather and what seems like an incredible growth spurt, that idea is rapidly going out the window. He is also VERY active now, you can see limbs prodding out almost constantly!
Ante-natal classes start this week too, where I am reliably told we will learn nothing that's not obvious but we will get to meet a bunch of other people who are also nervously winging it and hoping for the best, without really having a clue what they are doing!
Ten weeks to go for us. Sarah originally planned to work right up until the last minute. With the hot weather and what seems like an incredible growth spurt, that idea is rapidly going out the window. He is also VERY active now, you can see limbs prodding out almost constantly!
Ante-natal classes start this week too, where I am reliably told we will learn nothing that's not obvious but we will get to meet a bunch of other people who are also nervously winging it and hoping for the best, without really having a clue what they are doing!
and now feels more real than eversnotrag said:
Ante-natal classes start this week too, where I am reliably told we will learn nothing that's not obvious but we will get to meet a bunch of other people who are also nervously winging it and hoping for the best, without really having a clue what they are doing!
To be honest I cannot remember a single thing from the ante-natal class and at nearly 4 months in have survived using instinct, learning what all the different noises mean, etc.From a Dad point of view they are almost useless as its all about the birthing process, what the poo will be like for the first few days, etc. so if you get the option to do a one day one rather than spread over several weeks then take it just to get it out the way.
KTF said:
snotrag said:
Ante-natal classes start this week too, where I am reliably told we will learn nothing that's not obvious but we will get to meet a bunch of other people who are also nervously winging it and hoping for the best, without really having a clue what they are doing!
To be honest I cannot remember a single thing from the ante-natal class and at nearly 4 months in have survived using instinct, learning what all the different noises mean, etc.From a Dad point of view they are almost useless as its all about the birthing process, what the poo will be like for the first few days, etc. so if you get the option to do a one day one rather than spread over several weeks then take it just to get it out the way.
We had our first long drive and trip away over the weekend - Driving down to Devon (from Sussex) to attend a wedding, involving a 2 night stay away.
Lots of apprehension about how our 4.5 month old daughter would cope with the journey, especially considering it was the start of a BH weekend and half term all rolled into one.
But, she did so well! Apart from waking up just as I hit the tail end of the traffic at Amesbury having 2 seconds earlier decided against going into the services for a rest stop, but even then, all went well. We had loads of stuff of course, a wedding necessitating smart outfits and so forth, and the pressure of a timetable to avoid ruining someone else's big day, and all the worry that she'd scream the place down in the church during the important bits etc, but we were very fortunate.
Best advice then - don't pass up the opportunity to stop at the services, which I won't do when I do the same route again in a few weeks for another event.
Lots of apprehension about how our 4.5 month old daughter would cope with the journey, especially considering it was the start of a BH weekend and half term all rolled into one.
But, she did so well! Apart from waking up just as I hit the tail end of the traffic at Amesbury having 2 seconds earlier decided against going into the services for a rest stop, but even then, all went well. We had loads of stuff of course, a wedding necessitating smart outfits and so forth, and the pressure of a timetable to avoid ruining someone else's big day, and all the worry that she'd scream the place down in the church during the important bits etc, but we were very fortunate.
Best advice then - don't pass up the opportunity to stop at the services, which I won't do when I do the same route again in a few weeks for another event.
Drove Aberdeen to Manchester pretty much non stop, leaving very early, no issues as she normally sleeps in anyway.
Drove Manchester to Aberdeen on the return trip, but this time in the evening when she is normally awake. Lots of stops, lots of tears, now about 2 months later still does not like the car seat.
TL;DR, if possible drive when they are normally asleep!
Drove Manchester to Aberdeen on the return trip, but this time in the evening when she is normally awake. Lots of stops, lots of tears, now about 2 months later still does not like the car seat.
TL;DR, if possible drive when they are normally asleep!
Vaud said:
Blown2CV said:
we didn't do any of that baby food stuff. The way we figured it was that if it's something an adult would find disgusting then why would a baby want to eat it. I think a lot of people also get into this idea that everything has to be pureed and mashed... often maybe just one vegetable, nothing added to it. I wouldn't want to eat that, and as much about learning tastes and textures, trying things out etc. Have a look into baby-led weaning because it's been great for us. Forcing weird bland things in undesirable forms is a good way of creating food hang-ups and even phobias I think. Our daughter always lets us know when she really likes something, mainly because she does these involuntary (and often quite loud) "NOM NOM NOM" noises when she does! She seems to really respond to flavour. She rarely eats much that the grandparents feed her because they go down the bland, one or two ingredient route.
Agree completely. We used baby porridge and then some fine adult porridge for a few weeks but since then it has been whatever we are eating, either pureed or as-is... and 100% agree with flavours. Vegetable curry, bolognese, home made pizza, spicy chicken from the BBQ... all vanish. As long as you can control the salt levels there are no reasons not to.Tonight's 10 month old dinner was mashed Greek spicy chickpeas, grilled chicken sausage, cucumber and yoghurt.
They learn to feed themselves quickly as well which means you can eat your own meal as well. Messy but they quickly learn after a few months of mashing it into their hair, carpet, etc. We found putting a picnic rug down under the high chair helps
So much easier not having to cook multiple meals so you can all sit down together and get on with it rather than having one of you mess about trying to get a spoon in the right hole.
I think it makes a big difference when babies/toddlers see that what's on their plate is the same as on yours with how much they want to eat it. Then you don't get the issues in the future moving them to adult food and strong flavours. I think the only thing ours wouldn't eat was pre-prepared baby food. Too bland and homogenous
lufbramatt said:
Agree 100%
So much easier not having to cook multiple meals so you can all sit down together and get on with it rather than having one of you mess about trying to get a spoon in the right hole.
I think it makes a big difference when babies/toddlers see that what's on their plate is the same as on yours with how much they want to eat it. Then you don't get the issues in the future moving them to adult food and strong flavours. I think the only thing ours wouldn't eat was pre-prepared baby food. Too bland and homogenous
The challenge is that they can develop food issues layer on anyway... our five year old reversed from liking curry, etc to having about 6 meals that she will eat.So much easier not having to cook multiple meals so you can all sit down together and get on with it rather than having one of you mess about trying to get a spoon in the right hole.
I think it makes a big difference when babies/toddlers see that what's on their plate is the same as on yours with how much they want to eat it. Then you don't get the issues in the future moving them to adult food and strong flavours. I think the only thing ours wouldn't eat was pre-prepared baby food. Too bland and homogenous
Shakermaker said:
Lots of apprehension about how our 4.5 month old daughter would cope with the journey, especially considering it was the start of a BH weekend and half term all rolled into one.
But, she did so well! Apart from waking up just as I hit the tail end of the traffic at Amesbury having 2 seconds earlier decided against going into the services for a rest stop, but even then, all went well.
Likewise, we were pretty worried taking our girl on long trips, then we had a family matter to attend which required a 12 hours flight to Hong Kong!!!! Our girl was only 4.5 months old then. Luckily, she slept almost all the way, and she wasn't affected by the cabin pressure. Speaking with other parents, it's easy to travel long distance while they are this young. Problems come when they are older/walking as they are awake more and need entertainment (as we are now noticing on car journey)But, she did so well! Apart from waking up just as I hit the tail end of the traffic at Amesbury having 2 seconds earlier decided against going into the services for a rest stop, but even then, all went well.
Gassing Station | The Lounge | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff