Poorly Baby and Mothers Instinct

Being a mummy is the most wonderful thing in the world! Every minute spent with your little one is precious and every smile and giggle heartwarming. There are so many pleasurable experiences of being a parent which makes it even harder when things aren't quite so rosy.

For the past couple of weeks Xander has been under the weather. Initially I thought it may have been just a cold ( and even blogged about it) we visited the doctors a couple of times and they just said the same. However he got progressively worse. When we woke up on Wednesday to discover him wheezing and seeing his little chest struggle to take breath we took him to the doctors. We was told that his cold had progressed into a chest infection and given some antibiotics.

For almost 24 hours we wrestled the medication into a wriggly baby not convinced that they were actually benefitting him in anyway. The next day I made another appointment to see the doctor as in my eyes he had not improved, if anything he'd worsened.

We saw a different doctor who subsequently dismissed that he has a chest infection. He said that before we could diagnose Xanders illness we needed to try and clear his stuffy nose. He sent us away with a prescription for saline solution and a review appointment booked in the the next day.

That takes us to yesterday. We visited the doctor who thoroughly examined Xander and confirmed his suspicions that Xander has bronchalitis. He referred him to the hospital calling ahead to the Childrens Ward to inform them of our arrival.

Hospital. That shocked me. Hospital is where you go if you're really sick. I don't want our baby to be really sick. I frantically called hubby who was at work and told him. He calmed me down and said It'll be fine. He asked me if I wanted him to come home from work (he's just started a new job) so I told him I'd on initially ask my sister to come with us but keep him updated. If needs be he can join us at the hospital.

Before setting off I rushed home. What if he has to stay in? What of we are there a long time? You would think from my packing that we only lived a 10 minute drive from the hospital and that we could go home at anytime to pick anything up! Three bags later (his nappy bag, one with spare bottles and milk, one with toys and clothes) we set off.

We parked up and went straight up to the children's ward. We was seen straight away and taken to a ward.
A doctor promptly saw Xander took his temperature, checked his oxygen levels, checked his throat, examined his chest and listened to him cough. She quickly diagnosed that he had bronchalitis.

The doctor informed me that bronchalitis is quite common especially in babies under six months old. 2/3rds of the beds in the children's ward are currently full with bronchalitis cases. In fact the baby in the cubicle just next to us had a baby with an identical cough and complaint to Xander's.

Fortunately he was well enough to come home with us, unfortunately there's no medication we can give him we just have to see it through. We've been given open access to the children's ward this weekend. If he gets any worse or we're concerned in any way we can go straight back there. So a quiet weekend and lots of mummy and baby snuggles for us. Hoping that he improves soon.

A word of advice for parents. You know your own children. You be the judge. Don't be fobbed off by a doctor if you're not convinced with what they say get a second or third opinion. I never really understood the term mothers instinct until this week, but it definitely does exist. Mum really does know best.

Xander's First Night In His Cot: Update

So last night Xander slept in his cot in his room for the first time:
Here's how our night went:
7pm: got Xander changed into his pj's, fed him, popped on his sleeping bag, carried him up to his room (awake but drowsy) and sat by his cot until he fell asleep which took all of two minutes! By this time it was approx 7.45pm
12am: Xander woke up crying. He was coughing a little (he's had a cold and can't quite shift the cough) I popped some vapour rub onto a muslin and tied it to his cot and also fed him 3oz of a bottle and he fell back asleep. All in all this took approx 5-10 mins.
2.45am: His coughing woke him up. I listened to him on the monitor for a little while. But he started getting ratty and so I went in. Discovered that he'd pooped. Changed his nappy, then gave him a feed and popped him back in his cot awake. He soothed himself back to sleep.
7.10am: He wakes up. First night done! Look at my cheeky boy so happy sleeping in his own bed:

It wasn't the perfect night, but on a positive note it wasn't any worse than it has been in previous evenings recently.

What helped?
• I was given some advice from my friend Steph (who is a 2nd time mummy who has a little boy just one week younger than Xander) regarding the routine. She suggested change for pjs, feed, then put on sleeping bag and then take to bed, read story/sing lullaby, then let baby fall asleep. It was a really manageable nighttime routine and hopefully he'll begin recognising the queues for bed within the next week.
• I realised he hasn't spent to much time in his room so yesterday afternoon we spent time up there. I showed him around and even laid him in his cot for a while.
• I got organised before I took him up . Prepared a changing station with nappies, wipes and fragrance bags. I also prepared a bottle of boiling water and some measured out formula milk to use as backup to breastfeeding milk.
I set up two plug in night-lights. One near his cot and one near the changing station. They're not very bright but I can at least see a little with them. This meant I didn't have to put in the main light and made a cosy atmosphere for Xander.
• I also checked and double checked the monitor in the afternoon. So I was reassured I'd be able to hear him ok in the night.

What hindered?
• I didn't consider that people may choose to have their fireworks night last night. Several houses nearby did and I think this may have resulted in Xander not having a deep sleep initially.
• Additional to the noise of the fireworks our neighbours also decided to be extremely noisy last night. I think they had a little gathering that went on until approx 2am. If the noise persists tonight I will have to go around and politely ask them to be quiet.
• Xander still has a cold/cough and this seems to get worse at night. I ended up rubbing vapour rub onto two muslins and weaving through the bars of his cot. This seemed to clear his airways a bit.
• Additional to the cough/ cold he's also showing early signs of teething.
• Me! I probably was a little impatient at times and over cautious. If I'd left him at 12am he probably would have drifted back to sleep himself. I need to trust the monitor and only intervene when he's distressed. (Thats if I want a full night through again!)



So we will try again tonight. All in all it wasn't a bad night. I actually feel like I got more sleep last night than any other recent night (which is something I desperately needed!) and hopefully Xander will begin to get use to his new environment very soon!! I will keep you posted on our progress!

Xander's First Night In His Cot (In His Nursery)

We had to do it, he was simply getting too big in his Moses basket. Throughout the night he was thrashing about and waking himself up. On top of that he was snoring loudly which was waking both myself and hubby up and us coming up to bed at different times meant we was unintentionally waking him.

In an ideal world i'd prefer to keep him in with us until he was six months but his cotbed is far too big for our room.

So tonight I started a new bedtime routine. 7pm changed into pj's, feed, put on his sleep bag, carried him upstairs, put him in his cot awake (but drowsy) and within two minutes he was sparko! Will report in the morning how his first night went! I have a feeling he'll have more sleep than me (I'm currently sleeping in the spare room on the same floor as his bedroom with the monitor switched on the loudest mode!) Sweet Dreams all!

REVIEW: First Christmas Tree Decoration from The Little Pennant Company

I'm so excited about Xander's first Christmas fast approaching! I'm keen to make sure it is completely perfect and that this special day is well documented! He has his personalised Christmas stocking from Personalised Baby (click here to see review) and he now has a personalised handmade Christmas decoration courtesy of The Little Pennant Company:

As you're all probably aware I'm a complete lover of all items handmade and this tree decoration is no exception!! Isn't it beautiful?!

Elizabeths 1st Christmas tree decorations are available as either hearts or stars. They are made of linen and the wording is done in freehand machine embroidery and the edges are finished by hand in a blanket stitch. You can clearly see each stitch has been done with care and attention!

Most of what Elizabeth makes is to order. She provides a completely personal service for bespoke commissions allowing each customer to be involved in the design process. As a customer you will receive at least one progress photo. This means you'll know what you're getting and have a chance to make suggestions. This also reassures Elizabeth that she is creating exactly what the customer wants!

They are £12 each and £2 p&p. (1st class recorded delivery) The last date for ordering personalised Christmas gifts is the 25th November. You can view lots of examples of these decorations on The Little Pennants Company Facebook page.

The Little Pennant Company makes a whole range of other beautiful handmade items so check out the Facebook page to view the whole range! Elizabeth is always open to ideas so if you have a particular product in mind get in touch with her. To order send Elizabeth a message via her facebook page or email her: thelittlepennantcompany@gmail.com

I absolutely LOVE Xander's star and can't wait to hang it on the Christmas tree!!

We received this item free of charge for the purpose of the review. All opinions are my own.

Countdown to the Baby Show!!

I'm so excited!! The Baby Show  is coming to Earls Court THIS coming weekend (26th - 28th October)

So this Friday me and Xander are going to pack up our gear and go on an adventure to London! This will be the first Baby Show event that i have attended as i had tickets ready for the last one (whilst i was pregnant) but sadly ended up in hospital that weekend and was unable to go.

The Baby Show is the UK's biggest and best pregnancy and parenting event with over 300 brands (including Britax, Fisher Price, Mamas & Papas, Mothercare, M&S, Stokke, Superdrug, The Gro Company & Trunki) attending and showing off all their products! There will literally be 1000's of products that you can touch, feel and test drive before you buy. Many of the shows exhibitors have brilliant offers and freebies lined up so i'm hoping to pick up some Christmas gifts for Xander at bargain prices!

Additional to all the shopping opportunities there will also be a number of parenting experts on hand presenting including: Professor Robert Winston (from Child Of Our Time), Annabel Karmel MBE (The Baby and Toddler Mealplanner), Claire Byan-Cook (Celebrity Breastfeeding Expert) and Dr Julie Coultas (Baby Development Expert)

The show is well equiped to bring along your baby/ babies with free changing facilties (courtesy of Nappies2Go) aswell as a free creche (you must book this in advance) There will also a Vtech Smart Play Zone and a Face Of The Baby Show competition which i hope to enter Xander into!

With the opportunity to buy lots and lots you'll be pleased to hear that The Baby Show has thought of everything to take to stress out of shopping by providing a drop off and collect by car service so you don't have to lug your huge haul around and if you're after a completely stress free experience you can book a personal shopping experience with Baby Concierge!!

So have i done enough to persuade you to come along and join me at the The Baby Show? I hope so! If you haven't got your tickets yet advance tickets are still available. They cost £13.50 each (Friday) and £14.50 each (Saturday and Sunday) or £20 on the door. You can buy your tickets on The Baby Show website: http://www.thebabyshow.co.uk/earlscourt

REVIEW: Baby Treasures Memento Fabric Book

When Mitali from Baby Treasures approached me about reviewing one of her Memento fabric books for Xander I instantly loved the idea!

On the Baby Treasures website you can make a 8 page fabric memory book for your baby personalising each page with a photograph and text (in a choice of colours) The book is then beautifully sewn together adorning a ribbon tag to allow it to be tied to a baby's pushchair for safe keeping. The book is washable by hand meaning that you don't have to be wary of allowing baby to hold it with grubby hands which I think is brilliant!

To create the book you use a simple online form on the website, uploading your photos of choice and your text. The instructions are very clearly presented on the site. You then sit back and wait for your book to arrive in the post!!

We opted to have a family book made for Xander. Each page having a different member of Xander's family and some text to explain who it is.

The Memento Book arrived stylishly presented in a black box:

And we were delighted by the finished result:

 

Here's an example of one of the pages in the book:

So much so we are planning on taking more photographs of Xander with other family members, especially his great-grandparents and creating a Volume 2 for him as a Christmas gift!

We try to ensure Xander sees his grandparents at least once a week but this photo book will be the perfect way for him learn and remember who everyone is. This is especially important as his paternal nana sadly passed away before he was born and we're keen for him to love and remember her just as much as his other grandparents.

I wholeheartedly recommend BabyTreasures. Mitali offers a wonderful service and the end products are of superb quality. A memento book would be the perfect christening, birthday or Christmas gift for a little one. You can also purchase vouchers which I think would make a wonderful baby shower or new baby gift.

I received this item free if charge for the purpose of this review. All views expressed are my own.

REVIEW: Fairies Workshop Baby Plaque

I love handcrafted items and regularly trawl twitter looking for quirky and imaginative handmade items. As soon as I came across The Fairies Workshop on twitter I knew I had connected with someone who felt the same.

The Fairies Workshop is a fairly new family run craft business who handcraft beautiful items. In particular they specialise in personalising unique items from baby name plaques to wedding countdowns they have it covered!

When the lovely folk at The Fairies Workshop offered to send me a handcrafted plaque for Xander's nursery to review I was delighted as finding anything in the shops with his name on is near on impossible (unless I settle for Alexander)

I provided them with details of Xander's birth (name, date of birth, time of birth, weight) Suffering from baby brain I gave some of the details wrong, fortunately The Fairies Workshop picked up on this and rectified my mistake! What amazing customer service!!

This is what they sent:

And here it is in Xanders nursery!

I love the bright colours on the plaque and all the personalised details! Handmade may not be for everyone, I know some people love everything to be uniform and regimented. But in my opinion you can't go wrong with something handmade and crafty!! This item is one of a kind and even when Xander's nursery morphs into a big boys bedroom I will keep it forever in Xander's keepsake box.

Have you just had a baby or know someone who has? Why not contact The Fairies Workshop today to discuss creating your own personalised plaque or item for the nursery? And whilst you're there if you are preparing for Christmas checkout their Christmas countdown plaques!! Go visit their facebook page today!!!