?'s sturring in my brain

I have a few questions regarding my girls...

First, did anyone use "adjusted age" with their babies when they were born at 36wks? Mine were born 36w5d. I just wonder if I should put their adjusted age into some factors with them.

The girls seem to go to bed later and later everyday. I know they are only 8wks old, but midnight seems to be a bit much. However, Claire has colic and it kicks in around 7 or 8 at night and last til at least 10pm. The only thing that soothes her is a carride. We bought the Snugglider swing, but they both hated it so we took back. We are just getting frustrated b/c we barely get dinner in, Emily is getting set aside which upsets me ALOT, and DH and I aren't getting anytime for each other. We are strong believers in that we need our time...even if it is an hour or so watching TV on the couch. Just the two of us with no babies crying or in our arms. I mean we get NONE now. The girls are going to bed so late and we are just exhausted and crash. Is there anything we can do to get them to go down earlier???

I am also going to start putting rice in their bottles tonight. Claire is on Prevacid and Carlie Axid. I am hoping it will help with some of the fussiness...I have consulted in our Ped for this. My only thing is, is they told us to put 1tbsp in a 4oz bottle. The girls are creeping up to 5-6ozs...so how much rice should I put in 6oz bottles?

I know there is more, but my brain is fried. If I remember them, I will post them.

TIA

April

 

First, did anyone use "adjusted age" with their babies when they were born at 36wks? Mine were born 36w5d. I just wonder if I should put their adjusted age into some factors with them.

My girls were born at 35 weeks and we rarely use adjusted age at all anymore... they are well ahead and I am happy for that. As the colic and reflux are concerned we did take it into consideration because colic lasts for about 12 wks AFTER your DUE DATE not birth.

The girls seem to go to bed later and later everyday. I know they are only 8wks old, but midnight seems to be a bit much. However, Claire has colic and it kicks in around 7 or 8 at night and last til at least 10pm. The only thing that soothes her is a carride. We bought the Snugglider swing, but they both hated it so we took back. We are just getting frustrated b/c we barely get dinner in, Emily is getting set aside which upsets me ALOT, and DH and I aren't getting anytime for each other. We are strong believers in that we need our time...even if it is an hour or so watching TV on the couch. Just the two of us with no babies crying or in our arms. I mean we get NONE now. The girls are going to bed so late and we are just exhausted and crash. Is there anything we can do to get them to go down earlier???

You are is survival mode right now. We relied completely on swings at this stage. Your alone time will come back sooner than later though. DH and I now stay up until midnight just to see eachother. We had plain jane graco swings (used) and they were really our life line.

I am also going to start putting rice in their bottles tonight. Claire is on Prevacid and Carlie Axid. I am hoping it will help with some of the fussiness...I have consulted in our Ped for this. My only thing is, is they told us to put 1tbsp in a 4oz bottle. The girls are creeping up to 5-6ozs...so how much rice should I put in 6oz bottles?

I have no advice for this. Mine are Breastfed (man how I wish they would take a bottle) but the cereal should help we started ours off of a spoon at 3 1/2 months just to get some rest!!

I know there is more, but my brain is fried. If I remember them, I will post them.

I am sorry ... hang in there it only gets easier IMO.... you are doing a great job mommy!!

Hope this helped a little!! Hang in there!!

 

My twins were born at 33 weeks. I have never adjusted their age to anything I do with them, although I do keep it in mind.
Both my ds & dd had reflux & were fussy all the time those first weeks after coming home. They were put on Enfamil Enfacare in the hospital, but we decided to change it to a lactose free formula. Once we did they were 100% different babies! Also we had them in their bouncies, that seemed to soothe their reflux. Remember your babies can feel your frustration & somehow they will get fussy as a result. I had to learn to accept my role as mother (so to speak) when I told myself that I'll do anything for these cute little babies that I would sacrifice whatever it took, they stopped their fussiness. I think they could somehow feel I was in control & at peace.

I also thought dh & I would have time alone but it's been 4 mths now & still we have not had time 'alone'. Its one of the small sacrifices you have to make. But believe me it gets better every month & you will learn to cope.
Your babies are still so small & they just need their mom...enjoy them as much as you can!

By the way, getting some time alone will also help you gain better perspective...

HTH

 

Definitely use adjusted age. 36w5d is still over 3w early. For fetuses/babies, that is a LONG time. So count everything from your due date.

Just wanted to say that I'm sorry you're having such a hard time. Pp is right - you are in survival mode right now. You'll get your life back, you'll get time with DH back. It will get better. Do you know anyone who could watch the babies even for an hour so you and your man could just hang out together?

Big big hugs coming your way. :hug99:

 

You are in the roughest period right now, I think anyway. It started to get better around 3 months for us. We used 2 tsp of cereal per oz of formula. :hug99:

 

From what I've heard 36 weeks is considered full term for a twin birth, so I don't hear of many people adjusting for age after that. I think those few weeks can make a bigger difference in the early weeks, and not so much later on in the 1st year.

Thankfully my two weren't colicky, but we definetly had "the witching hour" thing happening. Around 8 weeks we instituted a new early bedtime policy, and started a bedtime routine around their early evening bottle (6pm or so). They were bathed, swaddled in miracle blankets, fed and then put to bed. They would go down for at least 3-4 hours giving the rest of the family some much needed "off" time. It honestly made it so much easier to get up the next 2-3 times just having had that time to recharge! Also during the fussy times, I used white noise a lot and LOUD!! We'd turn on the vacuum, the faucet, the hood vent or whatever, and it always seemed to capture their attention and quiet them down. Give it a try. The louder the better. As a bonus, even if they don't quiet down - you can't hear them!!

Swings did nothing for my babies until well past 8 weeks. They just hated them. We ended up with swinging screaming babies. Sometimes I would put them in there and turn on the vacuum right next to them, and then they'd quiet down. But as soon as I turned off the vacuum, the screaming swingfest began again. Now, they love the swings, so you may find later you'll want to go back and get at least one. They are great for "winding them down" or when I need to bath or do something where they need separate attention. Come to think of it, sometimes they'd keep on screaming, but at least we couldn't hear them for a few breif moments, and we'd enjoy a meal or whatever, and then head back into battle.

Honestly, you'll be amazed in a few months how much better things will be. You'll be the one resopnding to posts to new Moms with tips and tricks that worked for you! Good Luck and Hugs - you are getting through what will likely be the most challenging thing you ever encounter! Suzi

 

I think that the idea of adjusted age is different for each person (professional) that you speak to about it.

My boys were born at 36 weeks 0 days and all of the Early Intervention workers (therapists) do factor in adjusted age.....the pediatrician however does not?!?!?!