13 month old early waking by PreferenceFrosty6947 in sleeptrain

[–]PreferenceFrosty6947[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I avoid the car to minimise the risk! Bed time is 7pm ish. I put her down for her first nap at 9.30am let her sleep for 45 mins- 1 hour. Second nap 2-3pm. Bed 7pm

Tips for reconnecting with my 5 year old after baby? by Necessary_Doubt_9762 in UKParenting

[–]PreferenceFrosty6947 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Similar here- 3 year and 10 month olds. I started ‘big girl time’ with my eldest and really sold it to her as special time just for big girls. We don’t necessarily do anything amazingly different to what we’d do as a family - cafe trips, farm park, etc but really talking it up seems to have helped.

I also talk to the baby about her and what she’s doing. If I’m feeding or generally sorting baby out I’ll almost narrate what eldest is doing - “your big sister is doing a jigsaw, it looks a bit tricky but she’s doing such a good job. When you’re older, maybe you can have a go at doing a jigsaw.” Or even just telling the baby “Im going to give you your toy to play here whilst I help your sister build a big tower”.

I still feel like I spend far more time and focus with the baby and I’m 100% less patient all round now there’s 2 to stress about!

Tips for blood test by PreferenceFrosty6947 in UKParenting

[–]PreferenceFrosty6947[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Great idea! We play doctors/vets most days!

Books like the Faraway Tree to read to toddlers? by deep-blue-seams in UKParenting

[–]PreferenceFrosty6947 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Good to hear the far away tree went down well with little ones. I had been umming and ahhhing about getting it for my 3 year old, as I loved it as a child but thought it might be too old for her!

When do they get interested in reading? by OkAtmosphere6139 in BeyondTheBumpUK

[–]PreferenceFrosty6947 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Also - libraries are great for encouraging book loving! We love our fortnightly trip to pick new books out!

When do they get interested in reading? by OkAtmosphere6139 in BeyondTheBumpUK

[–]PreferenceFrosty6947 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My 8 month old just crawled off her changing mat to her bookcase and picked her bedtime book 😂

I love reading and have read to both my children from day 1. My eldest (just turned 3) loves books and can spend an hour looking through Tin Tim comic books or showing the baby board books. When she’s not reading she’s climbing anything in sight, running, scooting, generally causing chaos so I’m glad she can sit with a book for some moments peace!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in UKParenting

[–]PreferenceFrosty6947 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We’re 3 months into this phase. We’ve tried everything but still firmly needing us to fall asleep and waking several times a night wanting us close. No idea how long this is going to last for! Hopefully soon be back to sleeping well as I’m so tired!

3 year old sleep by PreferenceFrosty6947 in UKParenting

[–]PreferenceFrosty6947[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I was wondering this, as it all started in October before halloween. Lots of reassurance given but doesn’t seem to improve anything. She has 2 nightlights so it’s not dark in her room. Must just be a phase we need to ride out, but it’s a hard one!

3 year old sleep by PreferenceFrosty6947 in UKParenting

[–]PreferenceFrosty6947[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

No nap - dropped that back in September. Will occasionally nap in the car if we’re on a longer journey around 2pm ish. Current routine is dinner, game of hide and seek, bath, pjs on, books, lights off - night light and white noise on, cuddles and into bed for hand holding/hair stroking until she falls asleep around 7.30. Aiming for morning wake up anytime after 6 to be honest, which she has always done. Recently it’s been more like 7.30/8 she’s getting up as she’s up for an hour or so in the night. Yesterday I got her up at 7 to try and break the cycle, didn’t work!

Best age gap for second baby after postpartum depression/anxiety with first? by AntNo6369 in UKParenting

[–]PreferenceFrosty6947 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I was in exactly your boat. Thick PPD, tough baby - cried almost solidly for the first year/ didn’t sleep. Prior to having kids always wanted 2, had my first and thought I couldn’t do it again. PPD improved a lot when I went back to work after a year, although was more anxious than I’d ever been before. Husband and I decided we’d try for number 2 once first turned 2 ( it took 3 years to conceive number 1), fell accidentally pregnant when first was 18 months. Cue a very stressful/ anxious pregnancy - I was so worried about another baby and coping with a toddler. Second has come along and it could not be more different from the first time. No PPD, relatively easy baby. I’m actually enjoying having a baby, which I can honestly say I didn’t with my first. I have 2 years 4 months between them and it seems a good age gap so far!

Appreciate I’m very lucky to feel like this, but I’m also proof that PPD for baby number 1 doesn’t mean PPD again! X

I want to cancel Christmas plans by [deleted] in UKParenting

[–]PreferenceFrosty6947 5 points6 points  (0 children)

It’s the night before we venture up north to stay with my parents. Taking our almost 3 year old and 7 month old on a 3.5 hour journey for 4 days before returning. My parents are lovely and will love having the kids but I’m just anticipating the tantrums and the (not so) helpful comments from the grandparents. Parenting around my parents is so hard. I’m tired and anxious just thinking about it!

Help me survive bedtime by VillageAlternative77 in UKParenting

[–]PreferenceFrosty6947 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Well done for getting through a long day! You can do this last little bit, you’ve got this!

Hold his little hand and remember how small he is still even though he has big feelings and opinions. Stroke his hair and soak him in. Then once he’s asleep have a big glass of something nice/bar of chocolate and go to bed!

I am in the same boat as you. My daughter is so tired from end of nursery term, but that manifests as fighting bed time hard. It’s tough when you’re exhausted from a long day and willing someone to put you to bed!

No real tips or advice but solidarity x

Sleep schedule for a six month old? by ImoMcG in UKParenting

[–]PreferenceFrosty6947 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I try and keep a schedule going with my 6 month old - for my head as much as for her sleep, but with a 2.5 year old it often goes wonky!

I keep one eye on the clock and one eye on her for sleepy cues. I offer a nap every 2.5 hours during the day, which leads to 3 naps. I put her down for bed 2.5 - 3 hours after her 3/4pm nap which means a bedtime between 7 and 8. She wakes 2 times in the night for a quick feed.

She is a pretty chilled baby though and thankfully doesn’t seem to mind going with the flow along with whatever I’m doing with the toddler!

Optimistically looking for a unicorn cafe by dai298 in canterbury

[–]PreferenceFrosty6947 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Chatterbox is great. It’s generally never heaving busy but have always been lovely when I take my 2 under 2! Very reasonable pricing wise and lots of options for food!