Toddler advice thread #4

[al255]

Does anyone have any nice half term plans

we went to a birthday party yesterday and might be going to a play group this morning. It starts at 930 and we are still in our pjs

I was trying not to spend any money this week and just enjoy the outdoors

nope! I’m off Wednesday and Thursdays anyway but Wednesday just go outside in the garden and then afternoon she’s got her horse riding lesson, Thursday pre school jabs first thing so will play it by ear. If she feels ok will get to a park!

I’m like you - I don’t wanna spend money on stuff when it’s nice outside. I have booked Gullivers world for next week, (£9.50 for me with my NHS discount and she’s free under 90cm…. My friend went and they don’t measure so a cheap day out lol)

 

[Jellybean093]

I honestly just worry that they think I don’t feed him at home, I know he’s not the only one but I still don’t want them thinking that I’m glad to hear your little one is asking for tea now, hoping to god mine is the same soon! I’m going to try limiting snacks and see if that helps any. The sooner this phase ends the better

No, they’ll definitely know it’s not just yours! We went through it for about 3 months. We don’t really like taking him out to eat anymore because we may as well through money down the drain 🫠

 

[al255]

I don't know why people think that being in a relationship or having a baby before 40 is an accomplishment. All of us could easily be in one by the end of the day.

Being in a committed relationship with someone who respects you, values you and respects you is different. We all know married couples who can't stand each other and where the woman is not even getting the bare minimum.

Self-respect comes with a price and if that price is being single, I'll happily take it.

So Mini A has properly met my bf for the first
Time tonight, she’s seen him for 2 mins before when he came to pick me up but she’s 3 and doesn’t really know who any of my friends are anyway if they came to the door.. compared to my ex who was here all the time around her, he never made any attempt to play with her or interact with her, he’s been here since 5:30pm and he’s been building towers with her and asking her about her new book, and told me don’t bother tidying up he will do it whilst I put her to bed. That’s more than her Dad ever did let alone anyone who’s not her dad

He’s only ever known a “step dad” so I think it matters to him that if he comes into her life as a permanent figure whilst she’s growing up he wants to stay, I obviously want that for her too as I have an amazing step mum too!

I was really worried about introducing her to another man but she was a “baby” when I was with my ex and she wouldn’t remember it anyway, but I know it can be damaging regardless (so I’m told). It makes it easier if she’s comfortable around him so I can see him a little bit more! He usually comes once she’s in bed but that can get to 8pm ..I think summer will be better and he can come on more days out with us

 

[strawberrysunshine_x]

I know that feeling, my daughter has been the same since her brother arrived. We’ve been at home the best part of three weeks due to illness too and it’s so difficult. I think being three is a really hard age anyway without the extra challenge you have.
Could you reenact it with toys? Play hospitals and bandage their arms up, while doing it talk to them about how this happened to him and how brave he was and empathise how hard it must be with his cast. He might just need some understanding and where he’s waking up in the night it could be playing on his mind.

Yeah it could be. He has found it traumatic but he’s done so well considering he doesn’t like adults and with all the doctors and nurses touching him and taking his blood pressure etc he has done so well. I expected him to be a lot worse. Because I’ve been off with no pay my other half has been working 7 days a week so it’s been hard on my own . But I’m hoping things will pick up. I will try re-enacting it that’s a good idea and I think he would like it too

 

[WhatABore]

Started potty training this morning. Not going well at all. Happy to sit on the potty/toilet but won't do anything on it. Comes off and straight away goes and wees herself or pees on the floor in the playroom.

A bit of distraction can work well, grab a book and read/distract whilst they sit on the potty

 

[Definitelyme]

It's EVERY night though and is becoming extremely tiring I've never expected him to sleep through the night, especially not every night but he doesn't sleep through at all.

None of mine would have been sleeping through at 3, well my eldest started at 3.5, but the others over 4.
Here, dad sleeps in with the toddler and I sleep in with the new baby. And we keep dad in with them until they are ready to sleep all night alone.
What happens when he wakes? Is he up for long or a quick resettle?

 

[strawberrysunshine_x]

Thank you, I’m aware of that. I struggle to get out the house some days if I don’t have a plan or if the weather isn’t great. She’s growing out of he playgroups I take her to so just planning ahead. The school readiness groups are just pe activities or stories and crafts with a focus on phonics, maths etc so quite similar to what they do at preschool. I just want to keep her stimulated and having fun. We start school so early in the UK, even preschool they’re expected so much of!

The library is always good if you have one. They often have little classes on like rhyme time or something and she might meet another child there

your last sentence is soooo true!! Honestly I have been stressing so much about mine starting school cos there are ones his age in pre school who can add up a little bit and write numbers and mine just isn’t there. But he’s only 4!! Why is there so much pressure on them it’s not fair I don’t think.

 

[Hairraiser]

Hello! Not posted in here before, but I have a 2 year old, 3 very very soon! Not toilet trained just yet, we tried this week, but definitely not ready so we will try again in a few weeks.

But any advice on to how to start it? I feel like it didn't work this time as I probably gave out vibes of not knowing what I'm doing! I think I've overloaded myself on different ways to do it and muddled it!

What's been the way that works for you guys???

does your child have a favourite teddy? Or figure they like?
We put my sons favourite teddy on the potty & said ‘oh, peppa’s doing a wee wee’ it works well if you have a glass of orange squash nearby to pour in to make it look convincing
I also bought potty training books to read, just to get him interested in it, there’s some good ones on Amazon.
I bought a cheap potty training sticker chart with his favourite character on to gauge interest.
I think the main thing is to gauge interest in it, lots of praise even if they just sit on it but don’t do anything.
This may sound like a cliche but consistency is key, keep talking about the potty & have the potty out all the time.
It took my son around 3 weeks to do it.

 

[al255]

Hats off to those who aren’t “one and done” going through pregnancy and labour once is enough for me! Let alone the sleepless nights. I remember feeling like a zombie for a good year

 

[strawberrysunshine_x]

I think all kids have a burst of energy before bed. My mum calls it the mad half hour. When my niece and nephew used to stay over at hers after she’d bath then they’d run round naked chasing
Mine usually does it when his dad is here. They usually have a play after bath time . I’m a bit more reserved but he still likes to mess around usually tries bouncing on the bed doesn’t let me get him in his pjs and likes to do round and round the garden or this little piggy

 

[smellsofbiscuits]

@strawberrysunshine_x Sorry I didn't see your reply until I saw @al255 's reply if that makes sense.

Fridays are the only days he gets a proper nap in his cot and sometimes he plays catch up for the days he doesn't nap or just has a 20 minute snooze in the car. He's also frequently awake at 5.30-6am and usually very keen to go for a nap at 10.30am on Fridays. But perhaps today I mis-read the signals today and will try taking him for a later nap next week.

A nap ending at 2pm would be a bit dicey as I've got the school run at 2.30-3.30. Doing that with a grumpy toddler is definitely not fun!

 

[LilyRose1234]

My just graduated boddler (almost 2.5 yo) will no longer nap anywhere except my car. Spent almost 45 minutes driving around trying to get him to go to sleep

And on that note, seeking advice regarding sleeping. The little darling is now able to open his sleeping bags and has buggered the zip on two of them. Does anyone use a duvet with a 2.5yo?

My eldest didn't graduate to a bed until he was about 3.5 and was fine with his sleeping bags. I'm a worrier and not happy about Small Biscuit messing around with his sleeping bag. But then he is a wriggly sleeper and is all over the place in his cot so I'm concerned that a duvet isn't much better. Most of the advice I've Googled is about them not sleeping at all which isn't really what I'm looking for. Help!

My boddler is 21 months and she’s had a duvet since about 15/16 months as she hated a sleeping bag. She tends to kick the duvet off completely tbh but if she’s cold she will sometimes keep it on. She’s also a wriggly sleeper! The best thing I’ve found is fleecy pjs so I don’t have to worry About her being cold when she inevitably kicks the duvet off

 

[al255]

View attachment 2192757Just seen this on fb

She is me through and through! She scowls the same as me too

 

[underwhelmed1985]

Yeah I do but he was out this afternoon. No worries, I needed a vent I thought this would be the best place to do it, I thought wrong.

Ive poured myself a G&T and I’ll be grabbing an early night. Tomorrow is a new day

 

[al255]

Does anyone have any advice for helping my toddler with conjunctivitis? He’s just in pain bless him and he absolutely hates me wiping the gunk from his eyes. We went the gp this morning and they prescribed him chloramphenicol ointment. He was ok just full of gunk but still happy and playing but since i put the ointment in he’s been quiet and crying.

Also how do you deal with asking your work for time off when your child is sick I don’t have many help for childcare and he’s in no fit state for nursery… I’ve only been working for 4 months since I became a Mum as i had 3 years nearly as a sahm, managed to get today off but worrying cos I might need more and don’t know how to approach the situation

Mini A has conjunctivitis probably 4 times a year. It’s worse in winter especially at nursery and cough, colds etc.. I usually know when she’s getting it with the buildup of sleep she gets and as soon as I see it I go and buy the cream. You can buy it from boots now and I always have some in the cupboard for the next round of it. I also find the cream easier than drops as I just smear it over her eye when she’s watching iPad or not realising I’m doing it. She understands “sticky eyes” now and realises it’ll help them get better.

I don’t use wipes or tissue as a GP told me it can make it worse with the fibres of the wipes/tissue and to use a cloth like a sponge as there’s none of that residue after it if that makes sense.

Nursery policy where she goes is they can go as long as they’ve got cream or drops so I’ve never needed time off for it but if I did, I’d just say she’s got conjunctivitis along with upset tummy so can’t go into nursery. Work can’t sack you for childcare issues anyway even if it went that far with attendance. Kids get sick it’s part and parcel of life!! X

 

[strawberrysunshine_x]

I would've gone for the opposite and gone for the one you need to complain about more

Yeah me too! I was gonna say before choose the one you would come on here about

 

[Jellybean093]

What age do you start putting toddlers in pull-ups, is it mainly when they start potty training? For some reason my 20 month old's nappies have started to leak at the side at night- I've tried switching brands and sizes but the same thing happens. Wondering whether to try pull ups even though we probably won't potty train until she's turned 2 at least.

I have always found pull-ups to not be the best at night time. I have also never used pull-ups as a potty training thing, only on my wriggly babies when they’re being arseholes and trying to escape the nappy.
Pull-ups to toilet train is too confusing. I’d rather stick underwear on them and deal with washing

 

[al255]

Ah God it sucks doesn't it. We had three lots of penicillin in 3 months and I dreaded it every time. I don't know what to suggest as for us, we got away with hiding it in her morning bottle of milk or melting ice cream and mixing it with that. We tried the pinning her down thing and it was just horrible.
Oddly, when she had the purple penicillin (flucloxacillin or something) she loved it, and used to take it voluntarily and even lived the syringe clean after. Weirdo.
No real help, sorry, just solidarity. Do your best but remember, she will get better without antibiotics and if she doesn't get it all in, you've tried your best. When miniP had an ear infection I remember just giving up after a couple of days of torturing her to take it.


In other news, my daughter woke up at 6am this morning (compared to her usual 7-8am) and I am fucking DEAD.

after we came back from the walk in the woods, she wanted milk and I thought right I’ll hide it in that but obviously she took one sip, spat it out and said medicine she isn’t stupid! I’m just gunna try get as much into her as she can. Also - the doctor said possible tonsillitis but she was unwell more last week and a lot better this week she just gave it her as a “maybe” cos we go away on the 8th May so didn’t want to risk anything abroad as her tonsils are abit swollen.

There’s nothing worse than being woken up early when you’re used to a “lie in” mini A was up at 6:35am today which isn’t too bad, yesterday morning she was up at 7:20am so swings and roundabouts

 

[Borntorun]

desperate to know which you voted for now and who is the fave today

I don’t count 4Me as a toddler anymore though, I would say a preschooler?
I have just sneaked TMe in the 1 category, even though he is two next month

Hmm. Well I’ve put the eldest today as she’s been acting as my translator this evening which I always find very cute and especially helpful. She also sleeps better than the younger one. But ask me tomorrow and I’ll probably be changing

 

[pinksunsetx91]

My 4yo is a grazer, she eats a little bit, goes off for a while, comes back and eats a bit more and repeat until she’s satisfied. I just let her do it, I don’t want to create a problem when really it isn’t. Ideally I’d love for her to sit and the table and eat a full meal in one sitting, but for now I’m happy that she even just grazes long enough to actually eat the majority of what she’s been offered

My 3 year old is also a grazer, eats little and often and if I put too much on his plate he just refuses to eat. Dinner time can be difficult some days anyway and he’s really fussy and tends to only eat the same rotation of foods
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Hello. I have a friend who got a little girl who was a prem and is comng up to 3 years old. Her daughter weights 2 stone 4 lbs as of yesterday (she weight her every Saturday) friend is freaking out as thinking daughter is overweight everyone saying g oh she a heavy one isn't she. I bet your over feeding her (she isn't trust me the kid eats all fruit veg as good size meals as junk food on weekends) if people don't stop it's going to set her bulimia off. Her daughter is a solid child. As being from when started soilds. Plus the kid is strong she pulled her mum over who is strong herself and was a solid baby herself. I told her the kid is fine. Don't worry she a.toddler all under 4 year olds have extra weight on them but it drops when schools start. So can someone on here tell me she is panicking over nothing.

My daughter was born premature and according to the chart she’s underweight going by her weight (she’s nearly 1 now). When you look at her she doesn’t look underweight she just has a small frame and a small appetite always has even with her milk could only manage 4oz bottles at a time even now she’s only on 5oz. On the other hand my toddler was always classed as on the 98th and overweight (he wasn’t he was a long baby and liked his milk). He’s now 3 and tall and skinny. I would tell your friend not to worry about the charts/centiles as they aren’t accurate on how a baby looks and I’m sure her wee one looks absolutely fine.