Should I take my toddler to a cranial osteopath?

This is something I've been toying with for a long while. My cynical more-scientific side says that my bubbas' horrific sleep issues, and reflux, and inability to lie down without screaming the house down were simply the harsh reality of a newborn. Doctors offered medicine for reflux, health visitors advised just keep trying to put bubba down. Over and over again. Until he stopped complaining about it.

The painful times of the newborn *almost* long forgotten now

We declined both, feeling ridiculous that we were turning down offers of some form (if a little clinical) of help. And somehow by declining medical help, we'd made our own bed, and now had to lie in it, even if bubba wouldn't. I wish a kindly Auntie (or anyone for that matter) could've advised that there are gentler methods that might be able to help a little. Or shown me how to use a sling earlier than our discovery of the much-heralded Ergo when bubba hit 5 months of age. My tears of hunger and frustration of not being able to butter a slice of bread one-handed could've been completely avoided.

A more independent little chap now...

Anyhow I digress. I thought that I'd missed the boat on this one, in a similar vein to early babywearing. However when I met a local cranial osteopath she advised that it's never too late to be able to make changes, and that her work with adults also produced results.

The ONLY time bubba napped in his bed. For ten minutes.

Whilst bubba happily explored the raa's in the toybox in the clinic, the osteopath asked me all about the birth, and early days of bubbas life. Turns out a speedy birth (yes I know I should be thankful!), can create tension in the fluid that's essential to help the cranium, spine and related systems be able to move and flex as is their want.

Whilst the science was explained to me I was a little distracted by bubba dribbling water into the floor and requesting a towel thereafter! But it seemed to be logical and anatomically correct from my limited understanding of the human body.

Luckily bubba didn't mind the osteopath applying a little pressure to his tummy, head and back though he was less keen on his forehead being touched. This was clearly a sore point for bubba, and the osteopath advised that this was a source of tension. Given bubbas fondness of pressing his head into mine during our night time non-sleeping moments, and his headbutting in the early hours, this seemed to make sense.

Happy Dada Playtime - Post-Pushchair Nap

A couple of light massage tips to smooth out any raised area by stroking his hair were advised, along with a shoulder massage. Apparently the speed by which he was born exerted significant pressure and this had pushed everything forward. His headbutting/pressure application were explained as his attempts to self correct this situation. The thinking is that this related also to his diaphragm when younger - a potential cause of his reflux and colic. 

So we'll try out our massages this week, and bubba has a further session of massage / pressure application with the osteopath next week. If this helps bubba feel more comfortable, or resettle easier at night, or if perhaps in my wildest dreams, nap lying down in his bed in the day rather than endlessly pounding the streets, I'll kick myself for not going sooner...

So watch this space and we'll post our results (if we get any) as and when we notice any changes ...

Teething and the Snoodie

So. This week we've mostly been enjoying teething. OK - yes you're right, the opposite is true. Its been pretty horrendous to tell you the truth and we've gone through industrial quantities of nurofen and calpol despite my unfounded hatred of both. Turns out these molars are pesky blighters. Putting it mildly. Now we're watching our (OK, my) language round toddler - not wanting the oh-so-cute words of mummy, daddy, up, and eye corrupted completely by foul-mouthed-mummy. (Am sure it will happen. There's been at least two b-words today and almost an f- ! And it was only over hummous).



The results of the latest round of teething...

And we're dribbling again. Thought we'd left that delightful period long behind. But it turns out: no, its back. With avengence. This time cute Velcro dribble bibs won't cut it. And won't fit. Most dribble bibs being aimed at small babies as we've discovered. But any Velcro ones, well, they're off in a flash.

We were lucky enough to try out the lovely Snoodie, which has two popper settings to fit your little one. Anyone with an inquisitive (OK, willful)  toddler will know the impossibility of ensuring any garment not tied, buttoned or poppered on,  remains about their person. So the Snoodie's poppers are most welcome. In any event toddler seemed keen on his new neckerchief so no battle of wills, or poppers, ensued.

Our Snoodie was a funky green, good for us as we love bright colours, and adds a somewhat stylish accessory to one's overall outfit. Slightly French if you will. (Yes. I'm aware that is highly stereotypical. But hey.) Its all washable and soft smooth cotton as you'd expect, and caught all that dribble without soaking through.

So, in the fug of sleep deprivation and mayhem of the molar-cutting experience, I would recommend this stylish but practical accessory to make your little one feel a bit brighter...

We were sent a Snoodie for the purposes of this review. All views and opinions are my own and I was not paid for this post.

Nursing : a year and beyond

A friend asked today if I was still feeding my toddler. I happily explained that I still am, and hoped that we could continue until bubba decides to stop. As she is also breastfeeding her baby I didn't think twice about the honest answer.

This made me think about what I now take for granted each day and what I treasure about nursing beyond a year...

1. Baby's always right. 

(Well except when we're talking about trying to eat cat food. Or shut our fingers in the door for the thousandth time that day.) So yes, heavily caveatted, baby's instincts are great. We've been led by our little one on all aspects of food and weaning and have had a great time first experimenting, then eating, a variety of meals. Although especially anything with noodles. And I mean anything. Blueberries and spaghetti are a current favourite. Once we'd been on 3 meals plus snacks a day bubba chose to drop his main day feeds, leaving us with first- and last-thing milk time.

Baby led weaning and the Yoghurt Beard look

I was a little sad about this. I should say something emotional but mostly I missed having a sit down and a chance to peruse Facebook for the latest non baby-related gossip. But I was very glad that my days of expressing in the freezing first aid room at work had come to an end!

2. Cuddles a-plenty.

Now I am the proud owner (don't know who I'm trying to kid here? Myself?) of a crazed toddler I value our sleepy milk cuddles more than anything. Once we'd adjusted to cutting teeth that is. The latch is different now but not painful, although it took us both a while to re-learn to feed. When not multi-tasking by doing the weekly shop online I love nothing better and simpler than stroking bubba's hair as he falls asleep feeding.

If I'm cute I don't have to nap, right?

Having the non-napping, non-sleeping variety of baby I value this precious calm time for us to be together. And mostly because I love a good sit down. Actually, scrub the emotional stuff. I'm just glad to sit down and know that there's no more games of chase or pat mummy on the head with brush/wooden spoon/book today...

Which leads me onto...

3. Hiding.

This is almost my favourite part. It relates to both sitting down and cuddles. Mostly because I will continue to feel smug about this until and if hubby ever reads my blog (unlikely. He's only just worked out what wifi is for his new smartphone).

Post-milk snooze

Whilst I sit in the warm cosy bedroom snuggling with bubba I can hear banging and crashing downstairs. This means one of two things. Either dinner is being prepared, or if we've had tea with bubba, dishes are being washed. The longer I can hide out upstairs, the less jobs there'll be for me when I finally descend back to the real world.

Who wouldn't want to stay cosy and snug with an almost-asleep baby in their arms? As beautiful as this may be, its the time I use to blog. I have therefore diminished the magical beauty of this moment in one foul swoop.

4. Health. 

Well really this should come top but it's a bit of a given. I'm no scientist, despite my parents best intentions (and no, science week at the local university did little to change my mind as a sullen teenager, in case any of you were considering this approach for your unsuspecting teens). So I am cheekily going to link to unicef and WHO, who (yes I am aware how that sounds. And yes I know, its very childish to find it amusing) recommend that in the developed world mums feed their babies until 2 years, due to the plethora of benefits for both mum and baby.

But hey, that's our journey so far. I've now proudly stolen (borrowed?) the best response to when I am FINALLY going to stop feeding my child - politely suggest that perhaps when they go to college. This is a sure-fire way to ensure that they will be too scared to ever ask you again! (Possibly as they think you're Serious. In which case you may not hear from said Enquirer in a while*)

*ever. You've scared them for life now. It's OK though. Wine will see you through. But only a glass mind you, - you're still feeding that baby. #downsidetoextendedfeedingfinallyrevealed

does this count as one drink? no?!

How've you found your journey of feeding your child/toddler? Did you get questions about what you are doing and why? I'd love to know how things went for you...