Hello mommies!
I have some questions for you if you’d be nice and take a minute to answer
First, I really don’t like my stroller and I’m thinking of buying a new one.
My main criteria are:
- Stroller must be light and compact
- Affordable
- Easy to fold
- Must be easier to drive in the snow
- Baby comfort / must recline so baby can sleep
- Safe
I have my eyes on a Baby Jogger brand stroller, and a friend of mine said she loves her City Select and while I love that you can add a second seat for a second child, I think it’s really heavy (nearly 35pounds) and expensive (600$ for the stroller, 200$ for the extra seat and 100$ for a bassinet because newborn can’t use the regular seats).
I’m actually debating between a City Mini or a City Mini GT. I would buy the single now, and than purchase a double for when I have a second kid. It would be about the same prize as the City Select + accessories.
(Source)
I would like to know, does any of you own one of those strollers? What are your thoughts? How easy is it to “drive” in the snow? Is a three wheels stroller easy to navigate?
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Now my second point of interest… My daughter is breastfed and she is now 4 and a half months old. She still feeds an average of 10 times a day, which is a lot, and still wakes up every 3-4 hours at night to nurse. By this point, I am honestly beyond exhausted and zombie aren’t only in books now, they are in the mirror as well –.- I feel like my milk isn’t enough for my daughter anymore, and I’ll talk about it to my physician tomorrow. I’ve tried to give her formula, and while she used to drink from the bottle just fine, she’s categorically refuses it now. I’ve tried multiple times over the course of the last week but she cries and screams and pushes the bottle away, even though she’s hungry. I’ve had my husband and mom give her the bottle, hoping it would be easier, but it’s not.
Do you have any tips to introduce formula to a breastfed baby? I want to keep breastfeeding her, especially at night ‘cause it’s faster, but I think I need to complement with formula.
I am starting to suffer from vertigo, palpitations and bruise very easily, on top of being extremely tired, I don’t think I can exclusively breastfed her for much longer if she doesn’t start to sleep longer at night.
Which leads me to… My daughter refuses to sleep during the day. She’s too curious and refuse to nap. The moment I put her in a sleeping position she starts crying. The only moments she sleeps (and for short periods of time) are in the stroller and she wakes up as soon as it stops moving, or in my arms and she wakes up as soon as I put her down. She will become exhausted, moody and red-eyed and still don’t want to sleep. I find this energy-draining and I’d like to know, any tips on helping a baby nap? I feel like I’ve tried everything.
Thankfully, she’s not too hard to put in bed at night, I just wish it were as easy for naps!
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And last, Nestle Canada and offering starter kits for expecting moms of a value of up to 110 $ and all you have to do is sign-up. I got my pack and it’s awesome! I love the diaper bag they sent me! Feel free to enter if you are awaiting a little one of your own, or even if you have a young baby at home (my daughter was already born when I claimed mine).
![tynsig_thumb[1]_thumb](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSKqTvAsybEutvb8C1507i8sHF_h_D9tzycQko3TH4GxXg4XBE18vsYfQAQAtQRK-S4CkBYEzO2uI7v6SehdQDLE9U0WLC_PC8nsz0YOIEOfstl3n4jxcbXZz1EWxfCgiKxwMjQ65mSlc/?imgmax=800 "tynsig_thumb[1]_thumb"){kind=small}
My kids are way too old to give you advice on the stroller but I can give you hints with the other questions.
ReplyDeleteMy boys were nursed and when I had to go back to work the bottle became a must. Start by offering her breast milk in a bottle. Use a mini nipple (like a mini mam). They're softer and more and more like you. Warm the milk slightly.
You need iron big time! Eat lots of dark leafy greens or if you can stomach it, liver.
My eldest never napped EVER. He's 24 and I have still never seen him sleep during the day. I just learned to let him be - that was his way.
Good luck :).
Do you have an example online of this mini nipple you talk about? I use the slowest flow right now, but it seems still too fast for my daughter. I do pump my milk, but I;m not having much more success unfortunately :(
DeleteI can't help much with the stroller either, but with the other questions (I have a 5, 3 and 1 year old)... Definitely try having someone else give breast milk in a bottle with you out of the room. Also, it seems like it will be time to start with rice cereal or pureed foods very soon- this will likely help with fewer breast feedings. Mixing the formula with the rice cereal may also help with the taste aspect when your daughter goes to drink the bottle. For daytime sleeping you could try having her take naps for the short-term in either a swing or an infant papazan. My first loved the papazan that vibrated- the movement soothed her (she was kind of a tough baby and seemed to have some issues with gas). My second loved the swing and the forwards and backwards movement. Both have seatbelts, so hopefully you'd feel comfortable letting her nap there. On a side note- definitely a fan of infant massage. Don't know if this helps with the sleep, but it helped a lot with the gas. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI do have a swing, she sleeps in it from time to time. Thank god! I had another model originally that she was scared of and now I have a fisherprice one that she likes :) Thank you!
DeleteAll good questions and nothing I can help with; my daughter wasn't breastfed, she refused right from the start, my son was and I introduced formula and he took to that too but he was hungry so I started on baby food then as in cereals only, much better after that; sleeping/ my son who is now 30 still naps and my daughter still never does...
ReplyDeleteI wish you good luck!
THanks Diane :)
DeleteI don't have any kids yet (currently pregnant), but I've had several friends recommend reading Baby Wise: Giving your infant the gift of nighttime sleep by Gary Ezzo and Robert Bucknam. I haven't read it yet; I'm currently waiting to get it, but I've had friends tell me it's a lifesaver. Good Luck!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the suggestions! I checked the reviews but I don't think this book would fit with my type of parenting. I'm very cuddly and in sync with my daughter's needs. My mom says she's spoiled, I say that she's loved :)
DeleteI've had all your problems (not the stroller one) Have you tried feeding her breast milk in a bottle? If you can get her to take that, then you start mixing in a little formula over a period of time till it is all formula. That is what the doctor told me to do and it worked. My first child would only nap for about 45 minutes during the day. I tell people she came out with her eyes wide open and they never shut! She is 16 now and sleeps just fine
ReplyDeleteFeeding 10 times a day seems a bit much at her age. You can start giving cereal (mixed with breast milk and then formula) at 4 mo. but check with your doctor and make sure.
sounds like she doesn't know how to put herself to sleep yet unless she is exhausted...you are probably going to have to let her cry herself to sleep. It seems heartless, but it's not. I learned it takes about 3 days to change a habit with babies. You don't leave her to cry for hours on end. You go to her every 5 or 10 minutes and comfort with words (don't pick her up!) until she falls asleep.
Do you use a pacifier? That could help with the need for sucking she might be addicted too and why she wants to nurse so often...
My mom told me you do whatever works no matter what everyone else does .
Good luck, but it looks like you are going to have to toughen up a little and let her do some crying. Babies can't be spoiled this early but they can become dependent on rituals to help them cope. Use this to your advantage at nap times. I know this might be a silly question, but are you reading her a book before sleep time? that would help set a routine. I was leaving board books in my kids cribs by 4 months. It was so cool the day I heard her wake up and start jabbering quietly. When I went in her room she was lying on her back talking to the book! okay, I'll stop now
Hi Sharon! I totally agree with your mom! Everyone has their own opinion on what you should do with your baby and you have to do what works for you. Knowing what other peopel did can give me new ideas to try though :)
DeleteI did try to give her breastmilk in a bottle with no sucess :( Im seeing the doctor today, for the first time (damn not enough doctors!), and I'll ask him advises. I also think it would be time to start cereals. I just FEEL it, you know?
The thing with my daughter is that she goes to bed at night just fine. At 7 I give her a bath, then it's lotion/massage time, clean diaper, feeding, rocking + lullaby and then I put her in bed and stay by her side and give her her pacifier (she always drops it) until she falls asleep.
As you can see, I do use a pacifier and it saved my nipples! At first she wouldnt take one and I ended up with bleeding nipples :( Now it's all healed and fine though!
Thanks for your help!
lying down with her till she falls asleep might be part of the problem. She needs you there to sleep. maybe ween her from that. Good luck with the doctor! fingers crossed you get some helpful advice that works :)
DeleteI dont actually lie down with her. She's in her crib and I sit on the floor next to it
DeleteI'm not a mother, so I can't give you much advice on that front, but your symptoms are screaming iron-deficiency to the point of anemia. You need to either start taking iron supplements or at least get your CBC (blood count) levels checked by the doctor.
ReplyDeleteAnemia can cause overwhelming exhaustion on its own combined with a new baby I can't imagine how tired you must be. *hugs* Hope you can get some good sleep soon!
Thanks Rie :) Asking for blood test was on my list of "things to ask the doctor"
DeleteHave you read the 90min baby sleep program? I have a 3mo old (exclusively breastfed) and she wasn't napping either. she was tired and crabby ALL THE TIME, and woke up every 2 at night as well. Basically the 90min sleep thing is, baby's sleep pattern is on 90 min. when your baby wakes up, start the timer, also, watch for sleepy signs( rubbing eyes, glassy eyes, yawning etc)...at80 min, start a shortened bed time routine to wind her down. (ex. change diaper, pull shades, turn off light, cuddle for a bit) then put baby down. at first she might not sleep very long because i have a feeling that your baby is over tired, like mine was. I held my baby during those first few days of naps to get her caught up on sleep. IT WORKS. the past week she has woken up less and less at night. In fact, last night she ate last at 7, went to bed at 8 and woke up at 1. WOO!
ReplyDeleteI find its helpful to write down times and sleepy signs, and when she eats. Babies should wake up to eat, not eat to feed so when she wakes up from her naps make sure that you are feeding her afterwards. I'm bad at explaining things. If you have questions let me know. I have a similar parenting style to you I think. I'm very cuddly lol
**babies should wake up to eat not eat to sleep**
DeleteI'll make sure to take a look at that program online. Thank you
DeleteTynga I can't help with the stroller issue since I knew I was only having one and never used it in the winter time.
ReplyDeleteThe non napping was like Michael but I found that if I put him in his swing that would work and then we got something like this
http://www.toysrus.ca/product/index.jsp?productId=3006726
and it worked perfect. I could get Michael down for naps and he would sleep once he was nice and snuggled in.
Michael was always bottle fed and we were recommned Advent bottles and they were a fantastic for us.
Its not easy but you are on the right path hun, asking for help moms will always be there to offer so advise for you. Just ask us :)
I have one of those but the vibration is broken.
DeleteI also bought an agent bottle, it's the third brand I try but not much success
My oldest had issues sleeping. I couldn't get him to sleep unless I rocked him for an hour and while that was a great reading time, it was exhausting. I started reading Elizabeth Pantley's NO CRY SLEEP SOLUTION (http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53611.The_No_Cry_Sleep_Solution) and it seemed to help. I only got about 5 or so chapters in, but it gave me enough of a basis to start my own routine.
ReplyDeleteROUTINES are essential. If you have a bedtime routine, try doing that at naptime as well. Minus the bath if you include that. That helped him so much. We did everything the same way every night and it got to a point where he didn't fight it anymore.
As for getting up every 3-4 hours...yeah, no sympathy here. *grin* Ian was getting up every 1.5-2 hours to nurse and that was still getting a bottle of formula right before bed. Thankfully, once he started on cereal, he started sleeping longer. If you haven't, try adding a little cereal to either the formula or breastmilk when you feed him.
Something else that may help. When your hubby or mother gives him a bottle, give them the current shirt you're wearing and have them put it between them and your daughter. You can also use it as a blanket at night. Your shirt will carry your smell, so while you may not be there, she'll still feel like you're nearby because she'll be able to scent you on the shirt. Now that I think about it, every night I put my son to bed, I would immediately take my shirt off and use that as a blanket and he slept.
All great advice Jackie thank you!
DeleteAs for the stroller. Only spend money on one if you really feel the need to. I bought a $60 one from Toys R Us and love it. It's light, it's tall enough for me and it does everything I need it to. Especially if you're thinking of buying a double later on. Whether you think you will be or not, the stroller will get worn just by constant use.
ReplyDeleteIf you get a stroller with 3 wheels, make sure that front wheel swivels otherwise it will be any better than one with four wheels.
Sorry I didn't read through all the responses to see if this has been asked yet, but have you tried mixing formula and breast milk? It's how I weaned my oldest, the only one I breastfed. I only fed her for three months before I had to go back to work. Pumping was a nightmare at my job so I slowly introduced the formula by mixing it with her breast milk a little at a time. I think I also started her on the bottle with breast milk so she would take it. Plus there are so many different types of bottles and nipples, maybe you should switch the type you're using.
ReplyDeleteSorry you're so exhausted but I remember those days. Good luck!
I've actually tried that without much success and I'm on my third brand of bottles now. Thank you
DeleteI was the same way, I don't feel that a baby can be spoiled by knowing that you are there for them. I did the same with both my kids and they are just fine. My daughter had a hard time with naps too, reflux was the issue. White noise where they sleep is a big help. The feeding issue, I hope will be resolved with rice cereal. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteThank you Lesleen!
DeleteHere's an update for the curious ones! I haven't chosen which stroller I'll buy yet but I saw a man at the mall yesterday and he had the regular City Mini and loved it, I might just buy that one because its 130$ less than the GT.
ReplyDeleteBaby wise: We saw the physician wednesday and Lily-Ann is healthy. I didn't really get answers to my questions because he was in a rush... but he said not the worry about her feeding frequently and that she was gaining weight steadily. I decided to start a little rice cereral at dinner time (about half a tea spoon) and since I started my daughter sleep 6-7 hours before the first feeding *cheers* My mom succesfully gave her the bottle on thursday because I was away for 4-5 hours but she had to face 45 min of tears and screams *sad face*. I;ll be away today to go to the smart chicks kick it tour, I hope it will be easier to feed her.
Moomy wise: I ran blood test yesterday and I am far from being anemic (144 hb which is as high as a healthy man!), and my iron stock are good. I guess it's really just the sleepless nights taking their toll on my body.
Thanks for your help!
Hi, Tynga. My advice would be to listen to your daughter. If she doesn't want the bottle, then stick with what you've been doing (breastfeeding). Please don't feel that your milk isn't enough; that's a myth. Breastmilk is designed for babies, and they can live off of breastmilk alone for the entire first year of their lives! I nursed on demand until both my girls self-weaned.
ReplyDeleteMy girls were big-time night nursers as well. You are right, it takes a toll on the body. For me, the best thing I ever did was co-sleep. Having baby near you lets you nurse her before she fully wakes up which allows her to settle back down much more quickly, and also for you! If I had to get up and down 20 times a night to nurse, I'd be a zombie. However, my elder daughter nursed about every 20 minutes from midnight to 4am every night, and then went down for 2 hrs from 4-6 am. It wasn't ideal, but it was what her body was telling her to do.
I'm glad that you've ruled out anemia. I, myself, am anemic and my level is way low at just 16.
Hang in there! Your body will adjust to sleeping less. My kids didn't nap either, unless I was wearing them in my sling (Maya Wrap). If you don't already have one, I highly recommend!
I do have a maya wrap but it seems to hurt my daughter when put her in it. I followed the video instructions though =/
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