Baby | Six Month Update

So I can't quite believe that my little boy has passed the six month mark - nine days ago, to be exact. The time has really flown in, & it feels like just yesterday I held him in my arms after a 72-hour labour. He's turning from a beautiful itsy bitsy baby (well, if you can call 8lbs 3oz 'itsy bitsy'...) into a gorgeous little boy. We hit the jackpot with our perfect little Leighton.

feeding

Leighton is currently being weaned - of course he's having his normal formula, but he's having both purees & solids too. I'm kind of trying baby led weaning (BLW), but at the same time I'm absolutely terrified he'll choke on something. I'm still researching foods to give him (as well as telling myself it'll be fine!), but so far, he likes parsnip sticks, toast & cucumber. He hates raw carrots & scrambled eggs, although I will try both again. He didn't like banana too much either. He loves yogurt and his Heinz Mum's Own jars of food (can't blame him, I love them too!) I make him my own purees too - he loves parsnip puree, apple puree, carrot & parsnip. He LOVED the chicken & potato puree I made the other day. I think the apple was his favourite. In a day, he'll have anywhere between 28oz-34oz of milk, as well as some purees & snacks. It totally depends on the day & how he's feeling, but if he's hungry, I'll feed him. The formula he's on is SMA Follow-On Milk. 

sleeping

We're lucky that Leighton just loves sleeping! As far as naps go, he has 3-4 a day, again depending on how he's feeling. They're pretty predictable, being at around 10am, 1pm, 4pm & 6.30pm. The naps can last anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour. Though my god, I do miss the 2 hour naps he had as a newborn! If he misses a nap, he gets cranky AF & sometimes, if you look close enough, you can see him turn into a little demon ;) For night-time sleeping, he started in his own room at 4 months old & we haven't looked back. The first night he was in his own room, he slept for ten hours. TEN. HOURS. I felt like a new woman the next day! I'm glad we didn't have to do the cry-it-out method or anything; I hate seeing him cry. I get that it works for some people, but personally I'm glad it didn't get to that stage for us. Leighton doesn't wake for feeds, but will stir when he drops his dummy. God knows what we'll do when it's time to wean him off that - it's a total lifesaver. He sleeps on his back in his Grobag. He sleeps on a wedge pillow, which stops him from getting all stuffed up (this was a major problem when he was a newborn). He goes down to bed anywhere between 7.30pm & 8.30pm. He will sleep until around 7am. We didn't do any sleep training or anything, we're just lucky it worked out as it did. We've been blessed!

clothing

For the most part, Leighton's in 6-9 months, although a few of his 3-6 month clothes still fit... which is a bit of a relief really, he has so many clothes that have only been worn once or twice. I want him to get some wear out of everything. He has five short-sleeved short-leg rompers in NEWBORN, which still fit him. Probably for another few weeks too. He's growing super fast, so I think he'll be in 9-12 months before long. Where's our little baby gone? 

movement

Leighton can roll from front to back. He hasn't mastered rolling from his back on to his front yet, but he tries his hardest. He'll get there soon! He's not crawling yet, but he's absolutely crazy for moving. He wiggles around in your arms trying to get on the move. For tummy time, he shuffles around a good bit too. I think he'll be into everything once he's able to crawl, never mind walk!

teething

Our little dude has been teething for a few months now, but there's no sign of anything popping up just yet. Only the drooling and those red cheeks... poor little sausage. He tries to put everything into his mouth. He handles it extremely well though (Sophie the Giraffe is amazing!).

favourite toys

Leighton loves his Baby Einstein Neighbourhood Friends activity jumper! Sophie is a firm favourite with him too. His play gym is hit & miss, depending on his mood. He has a little material book I bought from Wish/Mama with foil inside it & he loves the sound of it.

* * *

I think that's everything for Leighton's six month update. Overall, he's a dream baby and we couldn't be without him. It's been a crazy, life-changing but absolutely amazing six months. I wouldn't change any of it! Our little boy amazes us every day with his little personality shining through. Bring on the next six months and we'll be celebrating his first birthday! Time needs to slow down...

The Mummy Tag

1. Are you a Stay at Home Mum, or a Working Mum?

I'm a stay-at-home mum, but I miss working. I love being with my little boy every day though.

2. Would you have it any other way?

Not at the moment, as hes only 3 and a half months old!

3. Do you co-sleep?

No. Leighton sleeps in his crib by my side of the bed,

4. What is your one must-have item for your baby?

Either his bouncer or our Tommee Tippee Electric Steam Steriliser. Some women don't bother with sterilising bottles... but I guess I'm one of 'those' mums, haha.

5. How many kids do you plan on having?

I would love at least another one sometime in the future, but who knows? Only time will tell.

6. Date night? How many nights per month?

What's that?! Haha. We try to go for dinner at least once a month.

7. Your child's favourite show?

He loves The Lion Guard, though he obviously doesn't watch too much tv.

8. Name one thing you bought before you had your baby and never ended up using?

The only thing we haven't 'used' is the top part of the changing table. I store everything on the changing table because it has all the handy compartments, but I just don't use the changing part. I tend to change him anywhere but on that!

9. Your child’s favourite food?

He's 3 and a half months, so hmm, milk!

10. How many cars does your family have?

One. It's very economical too!

11. Weight gain before pregnancy, during and after and now?

I'm not sure how much I gained during pregnancy as we don't own a scales. When Leighton was five weeks old, I got myself weighed and I was 5lbs over my pre-pregnancy weight. I'm not sure what I am now, but I'd rather not know - I love food too much. Bad food.

12. Dream holiday with your kids?

I would love for us to take Leighton to Disneyland one day. I think that's most parents' dream holiday with their children!

13. Dream holiday without your kids?

Australia maybe, though I would hate for him to miss that!

14. How has your life changed since your baby has been born?

Massively. Nobody can prepare you for it. Less time to yourself is a huuuuge thing.

15. Finish the sentence: 'It makes my heart melt to see … '

Leighton smile and turn his head away like he's shy.

16. Where do you shop for your kids?

I haven't bought any clothes for Leighton since I was pregnant, but I shopped for him on Littlewoods. We've been lucky enough to get so many clothes that we haven't needed to buy him more, and probably won't need to for a few months.

17. Favourite makeup and skincare products?

My new Sleek Box Of Tricks Ultimate Haul kit is my go-to makeup now! Once my foundation is done, I can do everything else with the Sleek box. For removing makeup, I use my Garnier Micellar water (oil infused) and moisturise with a Simple moisturiser.

18. Huggies or Pampers?

I use Lidl nappies. They're the best I've tried so far. Pampers leaked like crazy, more than once so I stay away from them. I haven't tried Huggies.

19. Have you always wanted kids?

Yes!

20. Best part about being a mum?

Everything - even his extremely fussy days (for the past three days or so, I haven't had a minute to myself). Seeing his smile, his progress and his little personality... and the heart-melting moment when he knows who I am when I come into a room!

I tag all you mummies!