u/ameliasasa

I planted this rose bush last year in the summer after my darling son died.

I've never been very successful in gardening but I'm learning this summer with the "help" of my newborn daughter - and for that - I just wanted to show off my glorious display this year! Very chuffed!

Morning, firstly sorry for the long post, I think I need a bit of a rant, but I’m also genuinely at a loss! Little one is 14 weeks.

We appear to be in the midst of the dreaded breastfeeding crisis. My little girl is suddenly so aware of the world that she’s basically micro-snacking during the day, which has downgraded my night sleep to a strict two-hour cycle. Prior to about two weeks ago, she was giving me a glorious 7 to 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep, so I have been truly humbled.

She’ll often pop off the boob, sit smiling at me for ages, and then start chewing on her absolute favorite things in the world: her hands. Very cute, but it makes continuing the feed impossible, so I just end up putting the boob away so it doesn't turn into a wrestling match.

So far, I’ve tried feeding in a completely dark room and even draped a muslin over us all to no avail, I give her a muslin to hold when feeding to distract her hands and I find swaddling very effective, but not practice when we're out. When she wakes at night for a feed, she has no issue falling back asleep or staying asleep when I transfer her.

On top of all this, she’s babbling more than ever, trying to roll, and won't nap for longer than 30 minutes at a time (which I know is normal). I’m not sure if this is a crossover of acquiring new skills, the 4-month regression, or reverse cycling or if literally everything is hitting her all at once.

**My question (if you’ve made it this far):**

Everything I’ve read in previous posts says reverse cycling can’t be outgrown and requires fixing by delaying feeds when she wakes at night (note, I am not doing this). I’ve convinced myself that’s what this is, and now I'm stressing that I need to put a load of effort into "fixing" it when it might not even be that.

Has anyone experienced something similar where it wasn't as bad as you feared, and turned out to be just a phase they naturally grew out of? Should I just weather this storm or actively try and fix this nighttime cycle before it becomes months long and habitual?

Many thanks from a very sleepy mum!

(Attached pic of last night's cycle which has roughly been the same for the last 2 weeks).

I will preface this with a 'trigger warning' as I'll be sharing *good* sleep!

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My baby last night hit 9hrs 54 worth of solid sleep (she stirred at 4am but managed to self soothe back off - and again at around 6am). For the last week she's been doing 6-7 hours and then last night her biggest stretch. Typically she wakes up at around 4am for a feed - and then back to sleep for 2 or so hours.

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My question - looking on Huckleberry (I don't go off of their sweet spot advice - I look at my babies cues) - would you folks say she's ready for an earlier bedtime? She had some false starts during the week where she started her sleep cycle earlier and then I woke her up, and extended bedtime to 9:30pm. However - looking at the data it looks as if she could be ready for an earlier sleep.

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What do folks think? I'm not looking for any sleep training and her days will remain completely "with the flow" but I think she could be ready to head to bed before 9:30 and I get some evening time back? I guess I'm asking because folks usually wait until 3 months?

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Thanks!

Yesterday we made the exceptionally difficult decision to let my gorgeous Madge finally rest after an amazing 20+ year life.

I got Madge when I was a little girl and I was in primary school (UK) - needless to say, I am now a fully grown woman so Madge has been with me for the majority of my life and has naturally been by my side through major life events.

She was with me when I first moved out. When my parents divorced, my first big break up, when I met my new life partner, my first house purchase, sadly when my first baby passed away last year, my grandma passing and most recently - when my daughter was born. (Amongst other fun things that life throws our way).

She had the most fabulous life, loved the sunshine and was so kind and loving. Sadly in the last 2-3 years she developed feline dementia and spent the majority of her days yowling into the darkness which progressively got worse to the point where she would wander around the house aimlessly constantly looking for food therefore we felt that the kindest thing to do - would be to let her rest.

She lived long enough to see me transition to a mum, and for that I am very grateful and find some form of comfort that Grandma Madge helped me with my adjustment as she has always been my constant. I'm so very happy that she also got to meet my daughter 🩷

I am truly heartbroken and I am saddened by the deathly silence in my house after years of yowling and meowing - but the fond memories live on.

Goodnight baby Madge, I cannot wait to see you again and thank you for always being there, you are so very loved.

Rest well my girl 🖤

Morning parents - I am assuming this is baby acne (4 weeks old tomorrow), I'm a FTM, not a clue 😅

Would colostrum help clear this up or is breastmilk preferred? I have quite a store from pre baby arrival!

Thank you x

Edit: Have contacted the GP this morning to be checked 🙏🏼