Toddler advice thread #5

[gossipgal21]

The was I work is to always offer something he likes, and then you can offer new or non-preferred foods alongside it.
So if he likes porridge, serve him porridge with fruit. If he likes crisps, serve a small portion of crisps with yoghurt and some grapes for example.
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Also porridge is a fab thing to eat! I add a generous amount of this in to ours for an added kick of nutrients, and some of mine like it with peanut butter. I also add this in to our pancake mix as well.

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So sorry I somehow missed the notification that you’d replied - thanks very much for this!! Great ideas especially about even just mixing things up with his porridge. Will just keep plodding on and keep trying stuff!

 

[Jellybean093]

Present wise we did with our second for our eldest, but tbh she wasn’t really fussed at all. So we never did it again with the others. People always bring them bits and bobs when they visit so they end up with loads anyway.

I tend to agree. I did buy ‘big brother/sister’ cards, but never wrote in them. Poor neglected children

 

[disillusionedbythegram]

We had a very similar age gap, she'd just turned 3. We got a buggy board for the pushchair instead. Would that be a better option than spending out on a double?
Although she only used it a couple of times really, walked the rest

I’d second the idea of a buggy board, we’ve used ours every day since baby 2 was born!

 

[Jellycat369]

We had a very similar age gap, she'd just turned 3. We got a buggy board for the pushchair instead. Would that be a better option than spending out on a double?
Although she only used it a couple of times really, walked the rest

We did think about a board, just not sure if wee man would want to be able to have a sit down He likes to have a walk and wander but he can also be a lazy s*d and wants to be pushed about Difficult to know what he's going to need but thinking a buggy board would be a cheaper option instead of a double buggy

 

[WhatABore]

We did think about a board, just not sure if wee man would want to be able to have a sit down He likes to have a walk and wander but he can also be a lazy s*d and wants to be pushed about Difficult to know what he's going to need but thinking a buggy board would be a cheaper option instead of a double buggy

You can get ones with a seat too. Maybe be a better option if he likes to sit down

 

[Fruitgums]

You can get ones with a seat too. Maybe be a better option if he likes to sit down

Oh we have this one! Got it off market place for half the price and its pretty decent. Toddlers 2 so he quite enjoys his new special seat and hops on and off. It does make pushing the pram a bit awkward in the sense that it adds to the length of the pram so arms out stretched completely but when he jumps off I just pop the seat bit off and put the tray up. He sits facing the baby which isn't recommended but then uses the bassinet cover bit as a wee snack tray

 

[Definitelyme]

We did think about a board, just not sure if wee man would want to be able to have a sit down He likes to have a walk and wander but he can also be a lazy s*d and wants to be pushed about Difficult to know what he's going to need but thinking a buggy board would be a cheaper option instead of a double buggy

Maybe not for you, but I always have baby in a sling. I’ve always found it the easiest way to have both hands free to help a toddler. Also if they are getting a bit bigger, getting them on a scooter or balance bike can be a great way to have them moving alongside you (incidentally that one gift for my eldest from the next baby was a scooter, which is now 8yrs old and still in use by the wee ones )

 

[Justanothermum83]

Hope we’re all well? Just after some advice - had our HV appt earlier and she’s referred my 2 year old for a speech assessment. Mentioned it to nursery and they agreed they felt she was a little behind but not concerningly so and were going to discuss at parents morning in a couple of weeks. They both said nothing to be concerned about etc, and I’m no expert but she doesn’t seem behind her little friends the same age, but the fact they’ve made the referral suggests it could be a problem. She seems ok to me - has quite an extensive vocabulary but just struggles to use the words in context sometimes and say longer sentences…but she’s 2? I dunno but now I am worried so any experiences/advice would be helpful!

Please try not to worry I was referred with my son who is now 7 he started talking better at age 3 and we went to every class offered and I went but it seemed we were getting no where. Out of the blue he just started talking and never stopped

 

[jackieweaver’sauthority]

What does everyone do to build connection? Doing the school run three days a week atm and find with all the rushing and getting ready I end up being no fun and stressy. Looking for ideas for little morning rituals to bring in connection and laughs.

 

[Definitelyme]

What does everyone do to build connection? Doing the school run three days a week atm and find with all the rushing and getting ready I end up being no fun and stressy. Looking for ideas for little morning rituals to bring in connection and laughs.

Not in the mornings as realistically we just don’t have time, but my favourite way to catch a few moments together is to read a book. Sometimes if we haven’t had much of a chance to do so I read over snack or lunch time while they eat, maybe that’s something you could do over breakfast?
tbh I don’t think mornings before school NEED to be fun. They are a means to an end. We get up, everyone is dressed, has breakfast, we do teeth and hair and then we are out the door. while they eat breakfast I’m putting lunch boxes in bags, making sure everyone has what they need for that day etc. But I think you’ll find as you get more in to the routine that the stress levels fall. Being organised the night before and having a really solid school morning routine helps with that.

 

[MrsLucas]

I need some help please because my god my 17 month old just won’t eat hardly any food at all and it’s driving me mad. She’s never been great by any means but it seems to have got worse. She had a really bad case of norovirus in September literally lasted 10 days ended up in hospital. So yeah since then things have gone from bad to worse. Before that she used to love pinwheels and all the nice healthy fillings, hummus and pitta, pasta, jacket potatoes and a few other things but now all she will have is chips, corn on cob, broccoli, the odd bit of toast, cheese and the occasional fruit pouch . She absolutely loves her milk she’s on full large cows milk. I just give it her when she asks for it because majority of the time she just refuses food. She will of course always have a sweet treat if her sisters are having chocolate she will scream the house down for some 🫣. Idk what I’ve created here no it’s not funny but my god i need to laugh or I’d bloody cry

 

[jackieweaver’sauthority]

Not in the mornings as realistically we just don’t have time, but my favourite way to catch a few moments together is to read a book. Sometimes if we haven’t had much of a chance to do so I read over snack or lunch time while they eat, maybe that’s something you could do over breakfast?
tbh I don’t think mornings before school NEED to be fun. They are a means to an end. We get up, everyone is dressed, has breakfast, we do teeth and hair and then we are out the door. while they eat breakfast I’m putting lunch boxes in bags, making sure everyone has what they need for that day etc. But I think you’ll find as you get more in to the routine that the stress levels fall. Being organised the night before and having a really solid school morning routine helps with that.

We’re usually up from 6 so we do read before breakfast. I just find myself in such a rush and constantly hurrying her along and get stressed and snappy. Even thought we’re up early we are somehow always nearly late! I do all bags and clothes the night before and work to times but there’s always something. I guess that’s just life with young children. She’s only just turned 4 so I do everything with her to get her ready in the morning and it’s a really slow process some days. I find it so stressful when she walks so slowly in front of me or stops in the doorways or the in front of the car door I’m trying to open 🫠

 

[calmyourritas]

I need some help please because my god my 17 month old just won’t eat hardly any food at all and it’s driving me mad. She’s never been great by any means but it seems to have got worse. She had a really bad case of norovirus in September literally lasted 10 days ended up in hospital. So yeah since then things have gone from bad to worse. Before that she used to love pinwheels and all the nice healthy fillings, hummus and pitta, pasta, jacket potatoes and a few other things but now all she will have is chips, corn on cob, broccoli, the odd bit of toast, cheese and the occasional fruit pouch . She absolutely loves her milk she’s on full large cows milk. I just give it her when she asks for it because majority of the time she just refuses food. She will of course always have a sweet treat if her sisters are having chocolate she will scream the house down for some 🫣. Idk what I’ve created here no it’s not funny but my god i need to laugh or I’d bloody cry

No advice but solidarity! I just think if she is hungry she will eat, keep trying her with different things and offering safe foods so I know she’s had something. I keep thinking she isn’t going to be 40 years old and only eating crumpets, toast and strawberries so don’t stress

 

[MrsLucas]

No advice but solidarity! I just think if she is hungry she will eat, keep trying her with different things and offering safe foods so I know she’s had something. I keep thinking she isn’t going to be 40 years old and only eating crumpets, toast and strawberries so don’t stress

I don’t remember my other two being quite so bad with food . She’s got all of us wrapped round her little finger too. I’ve had to change my hiding spot for treats because my 7 yo kept giving her ‘choc choc’

 

[Definitelyme]

We’re usually up from 6 so we do read before breakfast. I just find myself in such a rush and constantly hurrying her along and get stressed and snappy. Even thought we’re up early we are somehow always nearly late! I do all bags and clothes the night before and work to times but there’s always something. I guess that’s just life with young children. She’s only just turned 4 so I do everything with her to get her ready in the morning and it’s a really slow process some days. I find it so stressful when she walks so slowly in front of me or stops in the doorways or the in front of the car door I’m trying to open 🫠

I think working towards some independence from her would help as well, so you don’t have to do everything with her would be a big help. So she could get herself dressed while you’re getting dressed, get her own shoes etc on.
Yes when they move slowly it’s annoying as hell my lot sometimes go and stand beside the car and it’s like “JUST GET IN THE THING!”
Maybe adjusting your timings as well might help? If you’re up early just giving longer for everything to happen. We always get dressed before going downstairs before school and if my 5yo isn’t ready by the time I’m going down, I just leave her up there to finish off which she hates so speeds through it!

 

[jackieweaver’sauthority]

I think working towards some independence from her would help as well, so you don’t have to do everything with her would be a big help. So she could get herself dressed while you’re getting dressed, get her own shoes etc on.
Yes when they move slowly it’s annoying as hell my lot sometimes go and stand beside the car and it’s like “JUST GET IN THE THING!”
Maybe adjusting your timings as well might help? If you’re up early just giving longer for everything to happen. We always get dressed before going downstairs before school and if my 5yo isn’t ready by the time I’m going down, I just leave her up there to finish off which she hates so speeds through it!

Yes you’re right. She’s going to school next year so it’s something I need to do anyway. I’ve been hesitant to start as she’s been in a phase of wanting to be babied since her brother came but that has lessened. Definitely think moving to getting ready first then having breakfast and relax time is a good idea.

 

[cupcake_face]

Does anyone have any experience with febrile convulsions? Mini Cupcake had one earlier in the week which resulted in an overnight stay in hospital as it lasted more than 10 minutes and he needed medication to bring him round.
It’s really knocked me and I’m petrified that it’s going to happen again overnight and I won’t hear and something terrible will happen does anyone have any advice? Has anyone used one of the Owlet monitors or anything similar after an experience like this? X

 

[Definitelyme]

Does anyone have any experience with febrile convulsions? Mini Cupcake had one earlier in the week which resulted in an overnight stay in hospital as it lasted more than 10 minutes and he needed medication to bring him round.
It’s really knocked me and I’m petrified that it’s going to happen again overnight and I won’t hear and something terrible will happen does anyone have any advice? Has anyone used one of the Owlet monitors or anything similar after an experience like this? X

That is very scary for all of you. I have no personal experience, but a friend of mine used one for her child for medical reasons, and found it hugely reassuring.

 

[waffleberry]

I find it so stressful when she walks so slowly in front of me or stops in the doorways or the in front of the car door I’m trying to open 🫠

Omg this. Mine likes to dawdle in front of the shopping trolley. Drives me mad

 

[jackieweaver’sauthority]

Omg this. Mine likes to dawdle in front of the shopping trolley. Drives me mad

So painful isn’t it. We went through a phase where she’d just stand in front of the pram