Mumsnet Talk

Ok so there's only 2 of us so far but felt duty bound as the first July delivery to start the thread off!

'Pop' in when you're ready!!

Just popping this on my watch list. Hoping to join you soon

Sending lots of positive labour vibes Queenfee feeling a bit lonely out in PN land

hopefully joining you very soon

Great LGOR get swivelling on that birthing ball - come on girls get those babies out! Need some moral support for those post natal pelvic floor exercises!

You are allowed back on Ante-natal you know quilted

hello guys! I'm here! I had Summer Jennifer on 23/06/09 at 12.58pm by cesarean section!

I came home yesterday!

Feeling rteally good, the birth story is on the ante - natal thread if your interested on page 10.

hope you two are okay and your little ones are behaving!

hello guys! I'm here! I had Summer Jennifer on 23/06/09 at 12.58pm by cesarean section!

I came home yesterday!

Feeling rteally good, the birth story is on the ante - natal thread if your interested on page 10.

hope you two are okay and your little ones are behaving!

I dropped out of the July thread quite early as the pregnancy went a bit tits up - I filled up with gallons of fluid and developed pre-eclampsia which meant the boys (twins Magnus and Alasdair) were born 8 weeks early and will be 8 weeks next Wednesday! They were in SCBU for 4 weeks, but didn't need much help, just enough time to get strong enough to regulate their own temp and develop a sucking reflex. It did aid my recovery having to leave them in professional hands overnight while I went home to have a good sleep, but I will be a bit jealous of all the birth stories where you get to cuddle up to your new babies immediately. So I really should be hanging out in the born in May thread - but having followed the July thread for 7 months, you're stuck with us.

rattling really good to hear from you and congratultions!! Fab names, glad all's going well now.

Rattling - Congratulations on the birth of your boys

congratulations rattling Just think you got to cuddle your babies 2 months before we did ! Would love to see some pics of them.

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Hi, sorry I know I shouldn't be here yet, 2 weeks to go for me. Christina I know an Alyssa, she is 6 and a friend of my dd. Very very sweet little girl.

I will go back to where I belong now!!

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Can I join you on the teary day christiana? Day 3 and I am weepy - I have incredible guilt feelings for DS1 who has been my baby for 9 years. He has been fab, loves the babies and wants to help and cuddle them. He has a busy social, school and sports life that we have made sure hasn't been affected but I still feel awful everytime I have to say 'hang on a second'

The boys on the other hand barely cry at all which is great! Theo is slightly jaundice and we have to wake him to feed every 4 hours otherwise he would go 6 hours each time. Lewis on the other hand is feeding every 2 hours and is not impressed at being put down. We seem to be muddling through though!

Hi all, now how you feel london feel the same for my other 3. Ds1 has been looking after me today and making me toast.
Dp's mum driving me mad. On day one said ' god look at the size of your belly you look like you have another in there!
Also really negative towards breast feeding keeps having little comments and offering to buy some bottles so dp can have a go .
The boys are gorgeous though just want to sit and stare at them.

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Hello all, congratulations - thought I'd just pop in from antenatal to see how things are going

Christiana we were going with Alysia for quite a while, but have swapped now to Jessica, have you have a good nose around the baby name threads? You may find some inspiration there.

LGOR at your MIL - I know she's just trying to help but why can they not just support rather than suggest unhelpful alternatives???

Glad to hear you're all getting on well! Big hugs for the wobbly ones <<<hugs>>> I always have a wobble on day 3 and always forget about it until it's happening at which point I have a conversation with my mum who points out it's day 3 blues - this time I'm hoping to be a bit more prepared for it - may try to plan for the other 3 to be taken out and arm myself with chocolate, wine and tissues and just wallow

Have still got 3 and a half weeks til I'm due so will be a while til I'm on here officially. Will keep checking up on you all to see how things are going

I feel fantastic today, water infection is gone and yes I got cranverry juice - I am a veteran of UTI's!

Got Summers birth registered this morning!

I am thrilled to bits cos I I started BF again last night and LO hasn't had a bottle all day! MW said no problme to have had abreak for a few dyas then started up, my nipple scabs had come off and my breasts had gone down a tad from the rock hard melons they were. I'm so pleased! I saw ther milk pouring out yesterdya and couldn't bare to waste it so I expressed some to see if there was much there and I got 2 ounces which the MW said was really good for the first time and that my 2 days of BF from birth had had an effect.

babe has put a few ounces back on and had her heal prick test done today - I have to say I seem to be blessed with a chilled out little dude of a baby! I heard someone saying in the park yesterday that they were driving around a 3 am with their baby trying to get it to sleep!!! I am very lucky!

Recovery from section - I am so much better again today, managed to walk round Sainsburys yesterday and go to the park for 2 hrs. I can now get up from lying down onmy own and I can put my own knickers on too! Woo! It's only day 6 and I thought I would be feeling much worse.

Hope you are all okay and not suffering in this heat too much

Hello - I've graduated!

Just popping in to say I put birth announcement on ante-natal thread and will be back again soon

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Poor, poor Woollyjo. Sitting here with tears streaming down my face with my shiny new baby girl feeling desperately guilty but incredibly blessed.

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I echo you cristiana I feel very lucky to have both my LO's

I think it's normal human behaviour to hear news like Woolyjo's and then look at your own and think how lucky you are to have been spared having to go through that, and that is not in a nasty way it's just how you think when you hear such tragic news. For all of your children not just the babies. And I do think 'there but for the grace of God' and I am not religious. What is there to decide it was her baby and not mine? And I think that is why even if you can't begin to know what it would be like to go through it you feel from the bottom of your heart.

On a lighter note pleased to see so many new arrivals well done July ladies

Gillyan <boak> at nipple scabs but have the same problem myself - been resisting the urge to pick them off <double boak>

Like Christiana bf getting easier - still sore 2 weeks on but a little better every day. Have been swapping positions every feed to try and even out the friction a bit - switching between lying down, holding across my body and rugby ball hold. She insists on doing both sides each feed so it's not even like one melon gets a rest! Bea has put on almost 1lb since we left hospital so I am confident she's getting enough.

Health visitors does anyone rate theirs? Or are they all an utter waste of space like mine (and same with DD1?)

Heatwave how are you keeping your newborns cool in this heat, really worried by how hot Bea feels all the time and she has just had a nappy on all day and even now, just a nappy and a single sheet over her in the moses basket - did a cool bath this evening with her but it's HORRID bf'ing in this weather, you're all sweaty, they're all sweaty....sleeping downstairs tonight as I think it'll be cooler.

Hi quilted

ooh my nips are still sore, I am perservering though, the switching positions sounds like a good idea, I was doing the rugby ball hold in hospital, hadn't thought to do it. I lay down on my side for the firts time last night so might try the lying down thing.

Heatwave, LO has had only a vest on and we're just staying in doors mostly with a fan on it the front room. We took her outside in the garden yesterday and just put jer in the shade in her moses basket but there was a good breeze. I went shopping too and I got her out of the car seat/travel system for a few mins to keep her back cool.

I had a post natal appoint yesterday and the MW said although BF babies don't ususally need a water top up that in this heat and if they will take them, to offer a bottle of water - she said she will be coming at me constantly in theheat for her drinks rather than food, and that if I am happy she has fed for ages then try to give the water to give my nips a break.

Got my health visitor coming tues but from what I rememebr she's a bit of a drip.

Morning everyone, hope all is well. Not feeling too bad today this heat has not helped to recover. Scar seems to be healing nicely although still on co codamol.Little Masie seems to sleep all day & keep us awake all night!! hope ya all doing good x x

hello all
i've graduated!
birth story on antenatal thread.
Alfie is a guzzler and has taken to breastfeeding like a duck to water
back soon to catch up

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Hi guys, just read your story and posted on the other thread queenfee

Is anyone else suffering with cracked nipples? I have one on each side just at the top of my nip, baby is latching on properly so don't know why, it kills when she gets on but doesn't hurt throughout the feed. I have been using Lansinoh cream like it's going out of fashion. also my boobs are juat really achy and I keep getting a pain in my right nipple and then it leaks a load of milk?

i didn't manage to BF DD1 so it's all new to me. It's going quite well though apart from the sore nips. She's sleeping for 3 hrs after feeds somethimes and sometimes I have to feed her every half hr- hr for about 4 hrs to get her to do that. Not too bad though and I'm getting naps through the day so feeling pretty great.

C/section wound ishealing nicely and I am so much more mobile.

Sorry I can't help on the nipple front Gillyan as we are not breastfeeding.

Christiana I know how you feel with the aching back. My hurts at the top from feeding and carrying and at the bottom from the spinal.

We have had a snacking day today also, both boys seem to want to feed every hour or so but only take a small amount. L has been particularly unsettled, I have just managed to get him to go down to sleep but don't know how long it will last.

T has got green gunky eyes - the midwife has been and swabbed them to check for infection but we dont get the results for a few days. I feel so sorry for him, his eyes are crusted shut when he wakes up and look so sore from being cleaned all the time

I am starting to relly feel the effects of the broken nights. I think I could sleep standing up and don't seem to be able to think straight, most of the time I am not certain what day it is! I am trying to nap in the day but I always wake up feeling so awful and it takes an hour or so to get rid of the headache I wake up with.

Hope everyone else is having a good day and babies are well.

Ahh just wrote a long replyand the computer crashed
so just quickly sore nips try putting breastmilk on and leaving open to air and diff position to give them a break for a bit.
Mine are tender as DS2 has strong suck and he is permenantly attched at night won't let me put him down - help!

backs I think everything is still soft from pregnancy because mine was really hurting at base of spine yesterday.

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Hello everyone and Congratulations on all the arrivals so far

I orginally joined the antenatel thread but didn't post regularly , so hope to be more consistent on this thread

Abigail arrived on 1st July after being in hospital for 6 days with an unstable lie luckily they induced me while she had her head down and after six hours of labour she entered our world

BF is going well except at night she seems to want to constantly feed between midnight and four in the morning so finding that tough , also I am very sore still . Also paranoid she will develop jaudice as all my others did so have her in the daylight hoping that will help .

Have found wooleyjo news so shocking and she is never far from my thoughts

Hi everyone
I can now officially post in the post natal thread. I gave birth to a beautiful baby boy on Sat 4th July. It wasn't as quick as my 2nd birth and felt like ages but was in fact less than 7 hours from when my waters started trickling at home to the actual birth.

My waters went around 2pm on Sat and we had a bit of a mad panic getting the kids off to a friends as my in laws were a 2 hour drive away (they actually live 5min drive away but as luck would have it, had gone out).

Once I got the kids to a friends we made our way to hospital where the contractions were coming in slowly. I would have preferred to stay at home but the MW wanted to check me over to confirm if it was indeed my waters.

We got to hospital and things started progressing (more frequent contractions and had a show) and the monitoring had confirmed my waters had gone (by this point it was really come down - sorry if TMI). I was only 2-3cm dilated but as my last birth was so quick they wanted to keep me in. Thankfully they were really busy so allowed us to go for food and a walk. We were planning to walk to the Heath after a quick pizza and suddenly things got a bit tougher. A dash to M&S and we back in the ward. No labour rooms available so I was put in the post natal ward which when you are contracting every 1-2 min with just a tens machine and no privacy it was not ideal. DH was great at keeping me calm as I was ready to cry!

I finally got a room in the birth centre and the MW's were brilliant. They coached me through the contractions making my body work for me. They didn't even examine me (just checked baby's HR) and let me dictate what I wanted to do. I had just over 20min of pushing and Tristan Benjamin was born. Of course by this point I was lugging in the gas and air and had ripped the tens machine off.

I did tear a bit and I am not sure what was more painful, pushing or being 'tidied' up after.

And there you have it. We had instant skin to skin and he has bf (though our latch is still a bit iffy, having someone come over today to hopefully get it right) and we are home.

I do think it is going to be tough dealing with bf and having 2 needy DC's and just adjusting in general. Last night was hard and I have already had a cry. I guess to be expected.

Hope everyone is happy and adjusting well to their new arrivals. We really are blessed.

Well done misspaella Don't worry about the BF it is hard - I've just given up and am sad.

christiana I have given up BF

She was just feeding ALL the time and my nips were so sore, I spoke to MW and ahe said she was latching on properly, and I know I was doing it right, I think it's just that I have big nipples and the tops were just being caught. I gave up late yesterday and i cried and then I have cried my eyes out this morning, I so wanted to do it this time. When I gave up with DD1 I didn't know what I was doing and it took 9 days for milk to come in anyway - but this time I know what I'm doing and I was really comfortable doing. Just couldn't take the pain anymore. Also I've got sharp stabbing pains like behind my nipple, like inside my breasts. It really hurts, got a docs appointment tomorrow as think there may be something wrong. It happens when not BF too.

I'm just gutted about it and can't beleieve how upset it's making me.

On a bighter note baby seems much more settled on the bottles. Got the HV coming tomorrow so I'm keen to see what she weighs and I can tell she's fattened up in the past few days - small consolation for me that at least I BF her for 2 wks and she's gained on it.

I've got a tiny bit, about 1cm, of my section wond thats not healing, it's right at the edge and it's bleeding - going to see what doc says about that too tomorrow.

Everything else is great, baby is just easy as was last one, I'm feeling okay from op and every day it's easier to move. Sleeping on my side again and outting clothes in the washer etc.
I can cuddle DD1 properly too which is lovely.

Weight - I've lost 1 stone 10lbs so far and I'm not dieting yet. Think I'll leave it to the 6 wk mark before trying to get rid of the rest.

Hope you're all okay today

ooh i've not weighed myself yet must do for amusement considering I put on 4 stone in pregnancy.
Alfie is still feeding all night although at least last night he did let me put him in his cot 3 times for a mere hour. However my milk has now come in big time so I am hoping he will be getting more of a belly full
I feel like dolly parton and my bras don't even go near covering my boobs!
gillyan hope everything is ok with the dr visit. Keep an eye on your boobs as it is common to get mastitus when you first give up so keep checking them for hot lumps x Well done for the amount you have given her through the pain.

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Thanks girls Yes I have a pump and expressed some so try and give nips a break, I got some advice of tiktok too. I am sat here now waiting for my bath to run and they are leaking evrywhere. I am tempted to espress some so she can have it in a bottle but if I express I'll make more won't I??

I am tempted to put her back on and it's horrid seeing all this milk leeking everywhere when she could be having it but i don't want to keep messing her around and confusing her.

I think my weight will stick now till I can exercise so not weighing myself for a few weeks now.

I've come back on for a whinge. It's really not working my mum and DH being here. AHH! they both like things done their way and keep moaning at me about the other IYSWIM. I am beginning to think sod the resting etc go back to normal and give me some peace
I think I may ask my mum to go home but then it's going to get all political - sigh!

Hi everyone
Gillyan hope you are feeling better. I am distressed with sore nipples too. I have just paid for a lactation consultant to come round and check my latch (which hospital MW and visiting MW today said was fine) and she said the same thing. She checked DS's tongue and low and behold he has tongue tie (DD had it too!) It is causing a slight nipple pinch even with a good latch. I invested in these things called Silverettes which have stopped any serious nipple cracks/bleeding but I am still in agony.

I have been referred to hospital to get it sorted but it is a 3 week waiting list. The lactation consultant has given me a contact number for someone who will remove the tongue tie privately and we may just do that as 3 weeks in BF time with sore nipples is a lifetime.

Have you had tongue tie checked for your LO?

2 weeks is a great start anyway Gillyan - I am trying to get to day 3 and it is a uphill battle yet again for me.

And I am feeling so hormonal. MIL kept asking me yesterday how I was going to cope with 3 DC's. I felt like saying 'well with your help I could cope loads'!! I can see I will have to ask her for help as opposed her just bloody offering.

Hope everyone is doing better.

queenfee hope you're okay - nows the time to use your 'just had a baby card' throw an emotional hissy fit and tell your mum to go home

misspaella keep with it, you sound like you're getting lots of help

I had a good noght last nigt LO very settled with bottles, my boobs are still very sore - we'll see what doc says later

Been to the docs and a suture was sticking out of the side of my wound, they had to pull it up, which killed and trim it so it popped back down, hopefully now the skin will grow over it, there is a hole there! It's been dressed in an idoene dressing which should kill and germs and then dry it out. Got to go back on Friday. Bit annoyed that the midwives haven't seen it all the times I've asked them to check. Its been open for 2 wks now and I could of got an infection!

Health Vistor been - baby is fine weighs 7lbs 11 oz now so not quite back up to her birth weight of 8lbs but thats ok.

Think baby blues may of hit. Didn't have them with DD1 but cried since sun night. I think I was morte upset about the BF than anything. Not cried today thankfully.

Doc said I have thrush in my boob which is why I had so much pain behind my nipple too.

Anyway sorry for the moan hope you are all having a good day! xx

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have sent my mum home - Dcs have settled better without grandma around and I feel I have my normal life back - phew!
Will have to see how I cope on thurs though when DH goes back to work and it's just me and 3!!!
gillyan how frustrating that MW never picked up your probs with scar. Thrush is really painfull too I had it when I was feeding DS1. Make sure they treat the baby too as you will have probably given it to each other.

christian re - blues I just couldn't stop crying but I do thik it was more to do with giving up BF - the health visitor said today you almost mourn it. I do feel better today. I felt really tired when Ihad cried and a bit like a kid in that sense, like i'd had a real paddy!

They aren't treating the trush as my nipple looks fine????? Doc also said I had a touch of mastitis as I keep shivering but she's not given me anything for either, just said to go back if either worsens or I get red patches on my boob from mastitis.

queen glad you sent your mum home, hopefully you can chill now.

DP goes back to work a week today - not looking forward to it. It's been so nice having him home.

Off for a shower - DD1 just in bed and DP feeding DD2 - bliss!

Hia all Maisie was weighed again today by midwife as she was concerned she had lost to much weight on Sunday, but has gone from 8lb3 to 7lb10 but today 7lb12 so hopefully gaining.
tongue**tie Maisie also has, midwife said would check out for me whats best, very confused about whole thing & worried its hurting her. Hope all is well x x x

Hi everyone
Gillyan hope you are feeling better. I totally understand your distress over BF. I have been there before, twice. I had thrush with DS and it was awful. I only managed 4 1/2 months of bf with him (and it was not even exclusive). DD had tongue tie which practically shredded my nipples and I got mastitis a couple of times. I finally stopped at 3 1/2 months with her. This time round LO has tongue tie too and my nipples are in agony and I am taking it one day at a time. I think I may pay for it to be sorted privately as I am not sure how much longer I can take BF being more painful than birth. Listen whatever we do, we are good mothers, and I hope you understand that.

DH going back to work next week - Since he was made redundant he has been freelancing and has work for the next month so he had to say yes. He has done 2 days already this week too. I am so scared to be on my own after this weekend after barely a week. I am hoping my baby blues kick in before then as I feel next week will be one large task. Is anyone else scared about coping on their own. I hope I don't take it out on DS or DD. My patience was so thin with them during pg let alone now.

Anyone have any good tips? Or do we just cry these situations out?

Hia my Dp went back to work today, 1 week after my c section, on my own with Ds 2 and Maisie Ds1 at senior school. I must say its not been too bad Dp has promised if i find it too much he will pop home and mil offered to take Ds2 today but i want to get myself into a routine with them now iyswim. I was very nervous of being on my own but so far today have coped, but it could be a different story tommorow......
Baby blues have not hit me yet, I'm dreading it tbh. Maisie seems to feed every 4hrs & has feed at ten but then only wakes up at 3ish for next then about half 7/8 so not feeling too tiered yet!(I'm sure this will change). Hope you are all feeling ok and adjusting. Having Maisie registered tommo apt was really quick, with Ds2 we had to wait about 4 weeks this one 3 days from phoning them up??? x x

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christiana I used to love Dire Straits, how funny1

miss don't panic about your DP going back to work, why don't you let you MIL take older one for a dya or so, till u get used to it. I wouldn't try to rush yourself into a routine.

I've had a good day today, still worried my wound isn't healing, the dressing just fell off in the bath. Going to MW tomorrow for post natal check and I'll see what they say.

Anyone elses baby REALLy snuffly?

DS isn't snuffly but sneezes a lot - very strange!
growth spurts 3 weeks is the average time for the 1st one
babyblues I haven't had them yet but remember them with my 1st 2 so just waiting for it to kick in
My DH goes back to work tomorrow so on my own here. Have to say I have enjoyed our family time today especially now mums gone home. Tomorrow will be the real test and I have 2 appointments for DD and DS1 don't people understand IVE JUST HAD A BABY!!! No apparently I am still supposed to go to speech therapy and school appointments!

gillyan don't beat yourself up about the BF thing - we all do what is best for our babies and that means happy mummies x [smmile]

Does anyone know how long dissolvable stiches take to go? mine are really hurting I think it's because they are pulling now. Can I speed the process up with lots of baths?

I am cr**ing myself about DP going back to work next week. Today I had a couple of hours on my own and had to do a feed - it was really difficult to feed them both at the same time but I did manage it in the end.

My c-section scar is infected and I have cellulitis in my abdomen So anti biotics from the GP.

I met my HV today. She was a bit wishy washy with her advice but both boys passed their hearing tests which is good.

Anyone who had an elective section what do they do at the pre-op? I've got mine tomorrow and not sure wether to take ds with us to let him see the hospital etc. or leave him with my mum. He's staying overnight at my mums anyway but i'm thinking it might be nicer to keep him with us a bit longer rather than taking him to my mums at dinnertime tomorrow and not seeing him again until sometime Friday once the baby's here. I know i'm rambling

Hi again, i just noticed this thread about tongue tie in a newborn and thought it might help.

I won't come back here now til after Friday when i'm officially allowed

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Phoenix good luck tomorrow and hope it goes as well as all the other CS on this thread. Thanks for the tongue tie thread too. We are getting it done for DS privately tomorrow. We really don't have the money (coming out of savings! gulp) but I am just barely hanging in there with the bf and have started 1 bottle a day (now that milk is coming in mainly EBM) to give me a break and lots of painkillers. I just hate feeling the dread of a feed being due as I know I am due for pain pain pain.

The only thing saving me from totally giving up is these cups called Silverettes which I bought 'just in case'. They really heal cracked nipples.

Christiana you are right about maybe having a good cry. I think today is going to be that day as already started. I feel agitated and sad and which I could be alone with new DS. My parents are taking my other 2 DC's in 2 weeks time for 5 days and I can't wait. And of course it makes me feel like shit that I feel like this.

Swings and roundabouts, eh.

Hello Ladies I have finally made it over here!

Isaac Charles was born on 3/7/09 (last Friday) at 7.50pm weighing 7lb5oz.

As you know I was booked for induction and so at 8am on Friday we set off for Barnstaple to arrive for 9am.

I was taken straight to labour ward which was lovely as I then had my own room and bathroom and could settle down without needing to be moved once I was in labour.

The (very funny) mw put me on CFM for 20 mins and told me that they would give me 3 doses of gel over 24 hours but that if it didn't work I would have to go home the next day and they would try again mid-week - not what I wanted to hear!!!

She did my Bishops Score and I only got a 2 which is essentially 'well done you're pregnant'! My cervix was soft but high and closed. Dose one of prostin was given and I had CFM for another hour to make sure baby didn't get distressed by it.

After 20 mins I was getting a few tightenings but they were only weak and irregular. At 11.30 they let us go for a walk and to get some food. We walked around the hospital quite a bit with the pains getting a little stronger, then went up and down the stairs 3 times (3 flights).

By about 2pm I was getting pretty uncomfortable and was doing a lot of hip circling and yoga breathing. I remember thinking that I was really fed up with stupid prostin pains! I had to go on and off the CFM to check baby but was allowed to stand up with it.

At 4pm my next prostin dose was due so I had the CFM and was contracting regularly which meant I wasn't allowed the dose as it would over stimulate the cervix. On examination I was 3cm contracting - I nearly kissed the mw when she said I didn't have to go home!

I was pretty shocked by how fast I had gone in to labour as with DD it took 3 days of induction at full term!

By 4.30pm the pains were very intense so I started on gas and air and spent about 15 minutes loving the high and laughing a lot! I never got around to putting my tens on as I didn't think I was in labour and by then it was too late!

At 5pm the consultant agreed to break my waters as I was still only 3cm (but 4 on contraction). The pains hotted up straight away and I ended up sitting on the bed with the base removed in a kind of supported squat.

At about 7pm I was making quite a bit of noise and really starting to think I couldn't cope with the pain and that I was really crap as I could only be 4-5 cm by that point.

At 7.30pm I started mooing loudly and appologising between contractions. The mw asked if I wanted to push and told me to let my body do what it wanted. I started pushing straight away and 20 minutes later Isacc's head was born in one push followed by his body on the next push.

The mw told me to reach down and pull him up and he was delivered (with a good catch by the mw!) and put straight on to my chest for skin-to-skin. Within 5 minutes I had delivered the placenta so my total labour is recorded as :

1st stage - 2 hours
2nd stage - 20 minutes
3rd stage - 5 minutes

It was a total shock to have him there so suddenly!

DH had skin-to-skin whilst I was stitched (ouch ouch ouch!) and then we had our 1st breastfeed.

I stayed the night on post-natal and Isaac was so good, he had to have his blood sugars monitored but all were in normal range and we were discharged Saturday lunchtime.

We have has a good time since coming home. DD has been a little jealous at times but is really adjusting well. No potty problems and she is sleeping at night still!

Isaac is a milk monster and feeds every 2-3 hours. My milk has come in and I am very engorged but managing. He is slightly jaundiced but as he is feeding, weeing and pooing the mw is happy to leave him as he is.

He was weighed yesterday and is his birthweight plus half an ounce so the mw is really happy with the breastfeeding.

I am ok, a bit hormonal over the last two days but coping much better than I thought I would be. My stitches are total agony but healing well, the mw said I am pretty well beaten down there and there is an awful lot of bruising to go down. I am taking arnica and calendula, as well as using the arnica cream to help things. Also a nice tea tree oil bath helps!

Looking forward to getting to spend time here chatting but he is stirring now so I should go get my boobs ot once more!

xxx

becca lovely birth story feels very similar to mine. Congratulations. Alfie is also a little bit jaundiced but don't worry about it as it can take up to 2 weeks to clear for breastfed babies. Alfies is improving fast since my milk came in. You will soon be feeding and mumsnetting....

My stiches are now really painfull every time I go from sitting to standing or vice versa so have called the midwife to come out and check them (will feel a bit strange as I am friends with most of MWs here due to the work I do for them ) Am a bit worried. I don't remember this the previous times. I have had a look but have no idea if it's right or not!

becca well done, brill birth story and really fast for an induction!

I was discharged today, MW took a swab of my wound. Summer is not quite back to her birth weight yet but they discharged me anyway as only a few ounces off.

I'm going to the docs to see the nurse tomorrow about the wound so hoping she can sort it, it's getting sore again.

Still having fun, no more tears for the last 2 days although just balled my eyes out to the gorgeous pic of wollyjos little girl. I just don't know how she must coping.

baby is still being good as gold, i think she may be a bit constipated today though.

Hope you're all ok xx

I thought I best hop over to the post natal thread now.

becca what a great birth story and so quick! My 3rd stage was nearly as long as your 1st lol. It took 1 hour 15 mins and there was talk of me having to go to theatre if it took much longer lol.

tears I keep filling up just by thinking about how amazing the birth was or when me n Joseph gaze in to each others eyes and I think about how lucky I am to have him, or when I think about how ace my family and friends are. I don't think I've ever cried tears of joy before having Joseph but now it's all the time.

Well I feel fab today! I got about 8 hours sleep last night!! .
Night times had been pretty hard until last night, I've been totally fine in the day but come the night time and I'd felt like I didn't really know what I was doing and Joseph would wimper every time I put him in his moses basket so I'd end up just letting him sleep on my chest (yes I know I shouldn't). But last night he was an absolute dream and today I feel on top of the world .

Joseph got weighed yesterday and he's put on 1.5 ounces and his cord came away this morning, is this quite early? (day 6?)

hunny 8 hrs sleep!!!!!!! very jealous!

Cord takes about a week don't worry.

I cried tears of joy too, it's lovely isn't it!

Off to see the nurse soon, see what she says about my gammy wound and I've also got a big blood clot on my tum, well inside somewhere, it's so pianful and not going away and it's not the fluid they kept telling me it was!!

Message withdrawn

christina HEAR HEAR!!

thought i would hot foot it over here, and do my best to post a bit more. my pregnancy was horrendous, one problem after another and i was just to tired to keep up with it all.

strange thing is, even with painful stitches, engorged boobs and no sleep i feel wonderful

we decided call him charlie btw

how is everyone else doing?

Morning everyone
Glad to hear that everyone is in good spirits despite lack of zzzz's....

Gillyan how awful re your clot. Feeling tired and hormonal AND having to deal with pain must just be awful. Hope you are on the mend.

BF is going so so for me. DS had his tongue tie snipped on Fri night but my nipples are still not coming out right. BF can be really painful. I have had the latch checked by 2 different private lactation consultants and they have deemed it a good one. That is how they managed to figure out it was the tongue tie causing the pinching. BUT it is still not 100% improved. BF has always been an uphill struggle for me and I am trying my best to keep at it.

Natty congrats on baby Charlie.

Hunny 8 hours straight?!?! I am so envious.

Postnatal weight Does anyone feel lardy just sitting about feeding and snacking on naughty things? I know I do. I am usual so active I am finding it hard being this inactive. I actually did spin classes up to 38 weeks and walked DD most days for an hour in the buggy up until birth. Now I have managed 1 30min walk this past week. The change in weather hasn't helped.

WHERE IS THE SUN?

Have a great day ladies.

hi, have finally got round to my first posting on here! Bill was born last monday 7lb 11oz. was very hard at first as he has a slight tongue tie too! luckily i had a breast feeding manual thing they gave me and it showed how to attatch a baby with tongue tie or if you have sore nipples to prevent them getting worse and it allseems to be going much better!
gillyan how's your clot healing??
hunny 8 hours!!! i thought i was lucky Bill sleeping 3 hours between each feed!
congratsnatty on baby charlie!
posynatalweight i can get in my pre-pregnancy jeans but my tummy is still a bit tender but then again it ahs only been a week! i am finding i have the most unbelieveable hunger which i never had when pregnant, im putting it down to breast feeding trying to counter act it by eating bowls of bran flakes or something not quite so naughty but have started raiding the biscuit tin!

TMI ALERT

Ok so I am 8 days post-birth now and I am still really bruised and battered 'down there'. It also still really stings when I pee as the stitches are so close.

I am taking arnica and also using arnica cream where I can. I am having tea tree oil baths to help the stitches heal. I am also taking ibuprofen to try and get the swelling and bruising down. I have tried pouring water over the area when I go to the loo but that seems to make it worse

What else can I do????

It is really holding me back from getting 'back to normal' and from spending time with DD as I spend most of my time limping from place to place like John Wayne and can't really have her sitting on me yet! It hurts to sit and it hurts to stand!

I had stitches with DD but from an episiostomy (sp?) and I don't remember it hurting as much as this tear and graze!!!

Help!!

xxx

becca warm baths? Not sure, I used arnica with the last one and lots of painkillers, hope you get better soon.

lydia clot hurts - I've written a message to you on ante natal thread.

It's not to bothersome as long as I have stretchy pants on and big knickers, I'm walking fine but not quite properly, I don't want to stomp around as it will make my tum shake and that hurts the clot.

Bloody wound is still not healing, saw the nurse on Friday and the bit where the sutures were hanging out ios healing but half othe wound itself is very red and raised and gunky!

Hope you are all okay, off for a soak in the bath to try and help wound.

DD1 has just been picked up by my friend who is atking her to the Trafford Centre for her little girls birthday party - I expect her to be gone for hrs!!!!!!! Wooooo ( I do love her )

Onre last thing, I keep trying to put photo's on here and can't do it, might try saving the photos to myhard drive first.

Lydia could you do us a favour and walk me through how you attach your LO when you have a moment (whenever that is of course)

I have been doing 'tongue exercises' with DS to assist him in sticking his tongue out further. I would like to get through a feed that wasn't teeth gritting 75% of the time. The odd feed is 'ok' but sore nipples (and ladies bits!) is getting me down.

Sorry I haven't got any advice re stiches. Mine were really sore last week but tea tree oil baths and ibruprofen has worked for me. becca have you had them checked as you may have an infection that needs anti-biotics?

Those of you persevering with BF - hang in there it can take a few weeks. I have been lucky Alfie is a good feeder but I remember well the struggle I had with DS1.

I have a very busy week ahead of me as DD is 5 this week and I am having a party for her at home on saturday!

Very jealous of those of you who can get in pre pregnancy jeans, Mine would fit on the waist as my tummy has gone but boy my thighs are massive and there is no way my jeans are going past them so may be in maternity clothes for a while. I tried on a skirt I bought just after I had DD to see me through and it didn't fit I did put on 4 stone this time though so I suppose it's going to take time. (still 2 stone to go)
lydia I am always more hungry when I am BF than when pregnant.

hi misspaella well what i do is hold him rugby ball style as its easier for me as have massive boobies , but hold the best style for you. if feeding from right boob hold it in your right hand by putting 2 fingers under aereola(sp!) thumb on top of aereola tilting your nipple up, more so than you usually do. bring baby to you and put as much boob in his mouth with the nipple staying as close to roof of mouth as possible. i think it works by getting them to put more in so staying away from sensitive area?! i dont know but ti works for us! my left nipple is stil a little sore so i alternate the holds so he's never in same position for each feed! its called exagerated attatchment in the leaflet i was given, you may be able to find more piccies if you search it on the net?? hope this helps you like it helped me or i would def have given up the boob!

Thanks for the advice Lydia...I think I am going to vary feeding positions so as least it is not the same part of the nipple being damage.

Eating more now than when pregnant
ME TOO!! Think it is a case of no more morning sickness (which lingered nearly til birth), no more heartburn/reflux and sitting around at home all day .

I haven't attempted to step on the scales yet but I did not gain much this last pg so I am hoping I can fit into my old clothes sooner rather than later and no need to buy 'in between clothes'. I am being sooo optimistic.

Right better feed.

Hope last night was not too hard for you all.

Hi there!

Saw my mw today and she has taken my troublesome stitches out!!! It's still pretty swollen and stinging down there but at least I'm not being aggravated by two huge knots anymore! She agreed that it was causing more problems than good.

She has also discharged us into the care of the HV now Isaac is doing great, bf on demand and going over night with feeds at about 11pm, 2.30am and 5/6am!! So different to DD who fed every 40 minutes at night! He is such a laid back baby which is making a huge difference to how I feel this time.

Baby blues kicked in a few days ago and have been on and off but I just have a good cry and hubby brings me tea and chocolate! Have had a few anxious moments but am getting there. HV will do my PND assessment on Weds so will see how I score and go from there. having suffered badly before I am making sure I keep talking with DH and also the MW/HV's.

Eating more I really have no appetite at the moment. I remember being the same with DD for about 2 weeks after the birth, I just don't want to eat but I drink loads and loads. Then the hunger kicks in! I think that's what helped me lose weight last time so I'm hoping it will work again!!

xxx

Hi everyone Abigail is 12 days old can't quite believe she has been here nearly two weeks already , BF is going well she is over her birthweight already but is still slightly jaudiced so has to be checked again in one week time , she also has to have a hip scan due to being breech for so long

becca Having a salt bath is really healing for your wound after i had my appendix op they recommened it to help heal the wound It sounds like it would sting but doesn't and it does help with healing

I am also starving all the time eating much more than when pregnant and drinking loads too have a permnant thirst !
My DH is back to work next week and I am dreading it , its just juggling everything as well as BF and he goes back the day they break up from school

Hello everyone, sorry haven't caught up but somehow been insanely busy, can't believe DD2 is 2 weeks today (well, in an hour she will be).

At work this afternoon, LO asleep, equipped with sling, nursing cushion and hope to get a couple of hours stuff done so don't have to squeeze stuff in at home. And yes, I know it's bonkers but still think it's easier than teaching someone else to do this one bit of my job - DP is covering the rest.

Will be back to scan all the messages I've missed, particularly in case there are any BF or sling questions outstanding (although I know there is plenty of other help out there )

x

Hello

I'm here officially now, Noah Rhys born on Friday 10th July at 9.50am, 8lb 10oz.

I've rambled on about his birth on the antenatal thread

Hi everyone

DP back a t work today....!!! I actually feel full of beans, I think I'll get more things done now he's not here cos it's been like a bit of a holiday having him home.

Arh he's just been to say bye and cried! He is such an emotional bloke!

DD1 is at nursery but only 3 days a week till the end of the month then she's home full time apart from pre-school hrs! Eeek, god knows how I'll cope, hopefully it will all be a breeze

Gillyan your DP sounds lovely - very sweet for him to be missing his family. Glad you're feeling with energy too.

Phoenix Congrats!!

BF - Lydia thanks for the rugby hold tip re tongue tie. It seems to work a lot better when feeding on my right side. I just can't come to grips w/it for my left so sticking to cross cradle there.

I wonder though, when does bf get easier?!!? I have the added issue of the the tongue (although tie snipped on Fri) still not extending as it should but still...I still having to deal with sore breasts and nipples. I am also not very confident in getting a good latch unless on the sofa (with the help of pillows at times) which means I am housebound. My poor other DC's are getting restless.

Speaking of which...

Other DC's how are you coping ?*
*Queenfee Mum2b3g and anyone else with 2 other DC's or more
How are you finding it? Are they getting restless? Do you find CBeebies is on most of the day (or is that just me) . My 2 are doing relatively well with DS2 and me but but are getting BORED and when they are bored they get tantrumous, start to fight and just become a general pain!

Oh the joy of these early days.

hi everyone...well after feeling smug about bill sleeping for 3 hour periods he was feeding last night from 2til 5!! i eventually tried to feed him lying down as was so tired nodded off, he unlatched himself and back on to the top of my aereola and i now have what looks like a mahooosive love bite on my nipple!!
misspaella i am the same can feed fine from my left boob but my right is still sore especially now it has a love bite on it!! it does feel like tis getting a bit better but i too feel housebound as i need pillows for rugby hold!!
me and dp are so tired from last night we've let dd watch dvds and cbeebies all day!
have a bit of embarassing thing to ask but my lady bits feel fine as had no stitches but when i go for a pooh it feels like im poohing glass!! argh its awful any advice?? is this normal?? ive started up on lactulose to try and soften it a bit but its a killer!! hope everyone is good x

Hi guys, been to the docs and I've got an infection in my section wound, a skin infection around it tioo and they've not sticthed it right on one side and thats why it's not healing. Got steroids and anti biotics and a cream for it, so hoping this works.

lydia pooing glass!?? My god, sorry no advice other than gets to the docs or ask MW's if you are still under them, hope you're ok xx

misspaela I've got DD1 home for thenext 2 days for the first time onmy own so I'll ave to see how often cebeebies is on! I'm going to my friends ( who is my hairdresser ) tomorrow for the day, I am havomg all my black colour stripped out and I'm going bright red! yey, I love changing myhair! She has a baby almost 4 wks older than Summer and also a 3 yr old so we shoudl have a fun day and DD1 should be quite occupied, don't know what I'll do Thursday yet.

Off for my firts bath of the day ( doc says I need 3! ) can't just go and have bath with a baby to look after and jobs to be done!

gillyan oh no! hope they sort things out for you. They said 2 baths a day to me which is laughable I have just about managed 1. Incidentally my stiches are now disolving which is a relief as they were pulling.
missp My darling DCs only just survived the weekend as they were playing up so much. We so need to get back to normal routine and do things - they have been better since back at school but they break up on thursday - help! I usually find that most people have solved all their BF issues by 6-8 weeks hope that it's sooner for you.
mij any tips re breastfeeding in a ring sling - the sling is proving invaluable as it leaves my habds free but if I could feed in it it would help so much. missp if you haven't got 1 I think it may help the whole sibling problem

Hi guys

lydia could you have piles?? I know they hurt like hell when trying to go! Also, lots and lots of water to keep it soft, fresh fruit and veg etc

gillyan ouch! you poor think I hope you feel better with it soon! And there's me complaining about my stitches!

misspaella how's it going with the bf now? once your nipples start healing and you lose the pain from that it should be so much easier for you

phoenix congratulations! What a gorgeous name!

Had my first HV visit today - thankfully it is with DD's HV anyway so I know her really well and it was her that got me sorted when we moved down here with the PND and everything.
Isaac is doing really well and the little milk monster has put on 14oz in just under a fortnight! Yay gold-top booby milk!! He's gone from 7lb5oz at birth to 8lb3oz today!
HV is really pleased with progress but is coming back next week anyway to do my PND questionnaire and to weigh him again.

Does anyone have any recommendations on breastfeeding tops? I am looking on e-bay and asking around at the moment as I don't have any at all. I want one with either the full length under material or one with the flap of material that comes to just under the boobs. I need something nice and discreet but cool in this weather! I will be out and about loads with the various activities we do with DD and also BF support group and I want to be comfortable and not faffing with the 3 layers of clothing I'm having to wear at the moment to hid my tummy/keep my boobs in!

Love to all xxx

H&M have a lovely range of BF tops. I've not used them personally but know loads of people who do. Apparently it can be a bit hit and miss wheather they have them in though so prob best to call 1st.

Alfie was re weighed yesterday and has gone from 8lb 9 at birth to 9lb 7!! Another gold topper here He's such a guzzler it's not really a suprise though. He has started being a bit sicky too so hoping it's not the start of reflux and that it's just the wee monster being a bit greedy!

Bought some inbetween jeans yesterday and feel so much thinner and normal today because of them. Just need to get me some lovely tops now.

Well done Alfie!!

Is there room for a little one over here?
Hetty has just had some boob and a tiny formula top-up (Mummy's milkman is yet to arrive). Daddy now spoiling supervising his daughter - Mummy going to have a bit of a kip so I'm not stopping, but I just wanted to pop in and say Hi All .

Hi JetLi

Love Hetty's name! So cute - my youngest cousin is a Hetty!

Hey everyone and congrats to all the new arrivals!

Beccabump BF going ok. Still clipping my nipples but I am persevering with tongue extension exercises and different feeding positions. Some feeds are great and some are teeth gritting. I hear it can take up to a month to really notice a difference from having tongue tie snipped. I also take painkillers as and when needed to get through the day. It really is feed, feed, feed!

Baby weight LO was just weighed for the 1st time yesterday (day 10) and he has put his birth weight back on. MW explained that they no longer weigh until day 10 as it can undermine BF and they really do not recommend lots of weigh ins. She said to me as long as he is weeing, pooing, and seems happy then I am doing a good job feeding. I really wish they were like that when I had DS1. I ended up 'topping up' with him after he dropped too much weight from birth and they were on at me about his weight (which led to mix feeding which led to bf finishing at 4 1/2 months - )

Anyway
DD is with her grandparents today until tomorrow and just have my 2 DS's with me as DH in Holland for work. I plan on snuggling with my 2 boys w/a takeaway pizza and DVD's.

I have a horrible cold so this is perfect.

Bums mine is still sore when doing a no 2. I feel like I am giving birth again. ARGH

Hope everyone is going ok.

misspaella well done on persevering with the bf! hope you enjoy the pizza with your boys

bums just realised why I am so sore still - I totally forgot about the rather large 'hole' they fixed at the back wall of my bits! I have been so sore with the ahem labial grazes (more like huge rips!) that I had forgotten all about that bit and it must be the bruising and healing that is killing me right now! It was pretty deep and the mw demonstrated by showing me how much of her fingertip fitted in there - oh the joys of post-birth flashbacks!!

weight gain our mw's here are now being pretty good about the weight gain/breastfeeding thing. Ours still like to do regular weigh ins but are much less fussed about the bf babies gaining weight quickly. They are also using the new charts in the red books designed to plot bf weight gain.

pnd been feeling really off today - thought a summer baby would help but it's like the blooming swamp of despair here we've had so much rain! DD is going bonkers from having to stay in - I'd usually let her out in wellies and raincoat but it's too bad even for that! It's cloudy and miserable and my dreams of sitting in the garden in the sun having a nice time bf'ing have gone out the window for now.

We were sent back up to the hospital with Noah yesterday as he had lost more than 10% of his birth weight when mw weighed him. She worked it out to a 16% loss, he was 8lb 10oz at birth and 7lb 5oz yesterday . She sat with me while i fed him and then weighed him again and it had gone up so we know he is putting it on. Hospital just checked him over and asked lots of questions and were satisfied that now my milk had come in we should be ok. He is feeding slightly better now. I expressed 3oz yesterday which he polished off at 3am this morning, he then slept til 6.30

becca hope your blues lift and the wetaher gets better soon for you

phoenix Hope you are ok and Noah is doing well.

All fine here, I think the bathing, drying with a hair drier and applying the magic cream is working as my wound seems to be not as bad!

Had all my hair died totally red and I love it! I love not having to work ( where my red hair would astound the snotty lovely bakners )

Babe is doing well, had a really good night last night - bottle at 10.30pm (me asleep for 11.10 ) bottle at 2.10 am ( back to sleep for 2.40 am ) and then woke at 6.10 (DP fed me strauight back to sleep ) Me - woke up at 9am!!! To find a brew next to my bed and DP had got DD1 up and dressed andhe had only woken at 8.30!! ( he doesn't strat work till 9.30 so he just had time ) Hope tonight goes the same.

Had nad rain here too this afternoon

Congrats to new arrivals

queenfee I haven't fed in a ring sling often, but I find it's important to make sure the material isn't too bunched, so you can release the inside rail a little without the whole thing going too baggy and too low. When I feed in a pouch, I put the babe the other way around (so in a RS, head away from the ring) and stick her feet out of the pouch so she isn't sloping head down, and then just pull down the inside bit of material to latch on. It will probably take a bit of trial and error, and will also depend on nork size/angle of dangle! It will probably require at least one hand to support babe's head to start with - the only time I've managed to BF completely hands free on the move was in a woven wrap as it's so supportive. HTHs

DD1 having a major wobble this week - very insecure and needing lots of mummy time, and rejecting DP, which is making him sad. Also had about 4 lots of wet pants/trousers today. Trying very, very hard to stay calm about it!

Hello everyone, I've made it to the other side.. Sidney was born on Monday, birth story on the other thread.

He's lost a bit too much weight - 6lb 13oz to 6lb 1oz already so am a bit about my bf-ing tactics, milk only came in today though so things should perk up. Not sure what MW thought she was achieving by weighing so soon

He also won't sleep in his moses basket at night AT ALL and I'm too much of a worrywart to co-sleep or even let myself nap if he's fallen asleep on me so I'm zombified. We'll work it out somehow! Oh gawd... [gobsmacked first-timer emoticon]

Lovely to see you lot in here, I'll have a proper catch-up of the thread now

Activity I'm a big fan of co-sleeping (cos I'm a big fan of doing whatever gets everyone the most sleep ) but if you're not up for it, have you tried any of these things:

- warming moses basket before transferring babe
- putting something in it that smells of you, like a nicely ripe pyjama top for example, on top of the sheet
- dotting used breast pads around the basket (didn't work for us but works for some)
- wedging something like a rolled up towel behind babe so he is a bit on his side

Just a few thoughts .

PS MWs don't do any weighing before 10 days here, for exactly that reason - it can seriously undermine confidence in, and therefore success of, BFing. DD2 wasn't weighed til 12 days and apart from being discharged, and assuming there are no other health issues ahead of us, I won't get her weighed again. Frequent weigh-ins can catch underlying health problems and may even save lives, but how many Mums really need their baby to be weighed before they know its not thriving? It's hard not to worry though, isn't it. and let's face it, if Sidney has been having just colostrum until now he's not going to be piling on the pounds just yet, is he!

Sending warm milky vibes!

Midwife just been and Noah's gone from 7lb 5oz (3315kg) on Wednesday to 7lb 9.5oz (3480kg) today

His birth weight was 8lb 10oz so a bit to go but getting there

well done noah and phoenix*!

*activity

charlie is happy enough in his basket, IF he is swaddled.
this one is the best one, there is another more common technique which you fold down a corner and fold from there, but i find this method is better, tighter and easier to remember.

honestly, it makes all the differance makes them feel like they are being held.
HTH

Yay for noah

Becca I’m feeling the same about the weather, not managed one lovely day in the garden yet

Dp went back to work yesterday so last two days have been harder. I did manage to get to the hospital on my own for her hearing test though so feeling pretty pleased. Mind you she didn’t wake up the whole time, not in the car or in the test!

Activity the mw here wait until 10 days to weigh too so try not to worry about weight loss yet. Milk coming in should make a big impact.

I had a good night last night only woke for feeding at 1, 4 and 8am. Having trouble getting her to sleep long enough (not on me) to have a shower today though.

wind does anyone have any burping tricks they can share? I think my milk letdown is too fast and causes loads of uncomfortable wind

soozze I have the same problem with wind...(DS's not mine!)...I have a lot of milk and a fast let down - poor mite often gets sprayed in the eyes and ears if he pulls off! I found expressing a little before feeds helped a bit when it happened with DD, that and breaking frequently to burp - just remember to break the suction with your little finger first or you'll have v sore nips!

Well done on the hospital trip. Our mw's do the hearing test at home down here so it's not so stressful! Have you tried swaddling her for when you want a shower? Well done on the night feeding too

That's great advice Mij thank you very much - happy to report that Sid is happily asleep in his basket accompanied by a muslin that I'd been keeping in my nightie. I hadn't twigged that he'd be comforted by having a bit of me there - works a treat! He's also been weighed again and the MW was astonished at how much weight he'd put on in the 24 hrs since my milk had come in.. (and blimey has it come in.. the 'watermelon' in the thread title is very apt! - both Sid and DP are transfixed )

TheNatty I'm going to give that swaddle a try too, thanks for the link

Hi everyone. Joining you on our post natal thread. Can't believe how much better BF going this time. That said there was a heatwave when DD 1 was born so was prob dehydrated to death! Prob not make it on here much but will be nice to check in on peeps. Not really much chance to noodle on the computer with 2 on the go. Hope everyone's ok. Will nosey in occasionally. Sorry if spelling bad, doing this minus glasses!

soozzee: Re wind: I'm afraid my trick is DH as has bigger hands and just seems to be able to hold DD in a better position for it to work! DD1 was a nightmare to wind. Had shares in infacol tho that stuff is great and can help with the winding process if they are stubborn tho some people find it makes them sick up more but we didn't.

soozze I find the best way to get wind up is to sit them up and swivel them in a circular motion.

Joseph got weighed on Thursday and he's put on a whole pound in a week! He didn't lose any of his birth weight either so on day 12 he was 1lb 1.5oz heavier than at birth! He eats loads but I'm starting to wonder whether some of the time when he asks for a bottle whether he just wants something to suck. I'm now toying with the idea of trying him on a dummy but I hate the things! Has anybody given in and given their LO one yet?

soozze aaargh! after posting we had the worst night with DS and wind! I'm off to buy the infacol now!!!

xxhunyxx we are using one, usually just to pacify him until i can finish whatever im doing with the other two

alibobble thats my trick too, DH

hi, have managed to grab five minutes so thought id hop on see how everyones doing!
wind with dd we were told to rock baby forwards and backwards rather than pat, did the job for her and now for bill!
sleeping we had a really bad few days where he wouldnt go down in moses bed, on advise from my dad we put a fan in our room (bizaar i know!) but for some reason since we've been using it he's been going down like a dream! not sure if its the cool air or the white noise!
bf even though my milk has been in for a while my boobs dont seem to have calmed down size wise like they did with dd, im gonna give it another week then if still as mahoosive i need to get more nursing my bras because they're too small im bursting out all over the place!
beccabump i have a fast let down and keep squirting all over the place its a bit embarrassing!

Never run upstairs at high speed with an episiotomy . Hetty had some big blob of yellow mucus hanging out of her fanjo mid-bum-change with Daddy - DP shouted - I panicked and took the stairs two at a time. Bloody hell!!!
Anyway we saved it for the midwife who was thrilled and said it was entirely normal. Meanwhile my ass is on fire still.
Engorgement is preventing latch so I've kindly been lent a heavy duty Meleda milking machine and Hetty is on the EBM via bottle at the mo. The crying fairy paid a visit yesterday and I could not stop, but feeling much brighter today.
Had a BF supporter around Tuesday and went to BF drop-in Thursday - such wonderful help honestly. We'll get there I think. Finding it really hard to get the hang of...
Anyway today's minor achievement has been we all got breakfasted before lunchtime.

lol jetli its the same in this house with breakfast. i think the first week none of us had any and just had lunch at 11am!



we were kept up all night too, charlie fed constantly and cried when he wasnt feeding. im knackered!

hello

wind I sit her up and rock gently back and forth rubbing her back and I put her over my shoulder and do the same. I used infacol with DD! but haven't needed it this time. I used to fine if they are not getting wind up then lying them flat on their backs for a minute and then gently sitting them up again helps get it up, works every time for me.

sleeping I am lucky that baby has slept fine in her moses basket from the off, we've got a wooden swinging crib, like a mine cot in our room and she's now in that at night which tooka bit of getting used to as the mattres is harder and it has bars so not a snug. One night she kept crying when I put hewr in even though she was falling asleep on me, after a few times I put ehr in and just kept my hand onher tummy and rocked her a bit, she wasso tired it worked and she fell off to sleep.

My health visitor never turned up this wk so no idea of what baby weighs but I', not too fussed as she feels heavier.

Cleaned the entire house today with DP. My very good friend had DD1 for 6 hrs! I feel better now every where is tidy and we've sorted DD1s toys out.

I have to say it's all going really well, we're getting up twice in the night to feed but she is fed and back to sleep within 30mins, I seem to have another chilled out little baby.

jetli hope you're not too sore! Ouch! Summer has blobby discharge stuff come ut of her fanjo too, its normal. She lost a bit of blood too when she was born which was caused by hormones.

Chippy for tea! Yey!

xxhunnyxx: Yes, gave dd one this morning briefly as was crying just for something to suck. Was not hungry. Used to try and keep feeding dd1 when this happened. Not a fan of them either but occasionally useful. Suspect dd2 will turn out to be a hardened thumb sucker like myself and DD1 as have found her with it in on day3!

Btw is it TMI to ask if anyone else is suffering worse with their bottom (ie piles) than stitches? Mine is awful!

chippy tea for us too tonight!

Gillyan and alibobble mmmmm you've made me want chippy too now.
Joseph was sucking his fingers within mins of bein born, when we were havin skin to skin and tryin to get him on my boob he was more interested in his fingers but he seems to be doin it less now n i can't just put his fingers in his mouth when he's crying lol. I very nearly got in the car to go and get us one earlier but then we ended up havin a 3 hour nap on the sofa so I feel better now. Think I'll see how things go tonight n maybe take a trip to Boots tomos.

I was all prepared with dummies but Noah isn't really interested in one yet. I'll keep trying though . Ds1 is 3 and still has 2 dummies for bed but never has one through the day anymore.

Summer isn't interested in a dummy either. I gave DD1 one at 3 months and it took till she was 2 n half to get it off her and then the thumb went in!!! I sucked my thumb till I was 21!

I had chips and BBQ ribs...yummy!

we had chicken pies, potatoes and veg. am TRYING to watch my waist line, but ive had a mars bar this evening lol!

charlie is in bed started a loose routine with him today, just feeding and changing and naps at roughly regular intevals. as a result he went to bed at 6.30, is still sleeping and i will wake him for a feed at 9.
worked with my other two, had them sleeping thru by 6 weeks

I just had an indian, chicken korma, chips and a garlic naan, mmmmm

Wow Natty a routine already. I don't know what i'm doing with myself yet never mind with Noah .

We put him in his moses basket or rocker chair once ds1 is in bed and he sleeps for a good few hours on an evening then he feeds on and off til around 1am when he eventually goes down til around 3-4am then he has a bottle of EBM and sleeps til 6-7am so not too bad.

I'm jealous of all your lovely teas! I'm off my food and having to really make myself eat, think it's just the slight sock of having a newborn and general lack of organisation. DP is making me power-smoothies so I get all my vits though, he's being such a star. Not that I'm fading away - at the meds counter in Boots I was refused painkillers yesterday as she couldn't serve a woman "in my condition". Baby bump still clearly in evidence then... It would have been funny if not for the crying fairy (I like your name for it, JetLi)

TheNatty - sleeping through by 6 weeks; that's the holy grail! what a wonderful thing that would be. Sid isn't toooo bad, we've had stretches of 3-4 hours overnight at best but he's so fretful between 10pm-2am before he'll drop off. Early days though I guess

BF-ing is getting tough - I'm gritting my teeth through feeds with cracked / bleeding nips, I'm determined to work on my latch so things improve, but it's tough with the major engorgement going on. Am trying to express first but the latch is a bit like watching a puppy trying to get to grips with a beachball, they're so round. I really need to find some local support - a drop-in centre or group or something. [determined face]

dummies - anyone know if they're OK to use while bf-ing at this early stage? Sid is such a sucky, fretful little chap I wondered if it might help, but not if it's to the detriment of his sucking technique..

Breastfeeding - Am i weird to say that i'm really not enjoying it? I haven't got any pain or cracked/sore nipples or anything but i just don't really like doing it. And the thought of doing it when out and about or at someone else's house, i just can't . All the way through my pg i said i had no intention of bf for very long so i know before much longer i will change to ff. But in a weird way something keeps stopping me from giving him a ff

phoenix thats some peoples feelings where BF is concerned i do not think you are weird
i felt this way with my daughter and gave up at 6 weeks, bitterly regretted it tho. may be what added to my PND, so before you make any desicions think about it alot first.

i can cough without yelping today

charlie slept 6.30-9.15 and had a feed (as per routine) then slept till 1am, had a feed, then slept till 3.30, had a feed, then slept till 6 had a feed, and slept till 7, had a feed

i think he MAY have been hungry lmao
more feeds before bed i think, currently doing 3, 5 and 6.

Natty let me know how the routine goes...I am all about organisation. I have 2 other DC's and trying to satisfy everyone's needs.

Phoenix I am so envious that you are not having bf issues. My nips are still so so so sore! If it weren't for my Silverettes I reckon I would have been mixed feeding by now. I know I have a good latch, it is this bloody tongue tie thing. I really thought after it was snipped it would be plain sailing within days but it takes time to get the tongue to extend itself. It really gets me down at times. But I just have to keep at it. I got a bout of PND caused by BF issues w/ DD (who also had tongue tie) and spent my first few months of her life sobbing and hiding. Determined not to go down that route.

Feeding I have been waking DS every 2 1/2 hours to bf and we cluster from 8-11 followed by DH giving a bottle of EBM around midnight. So far this only gives me 1 feed at scary o'clock (anytime between 3 and 4).

We went for our first long walk yesterday and it was lovely. I had to whizz home though as I need to practically strip off and cup my boobs to feed as painlessly as possible. Not very discreet to do at a cafe or park yet.

Dummies this is my first DC who won't take a dummy. Makes for some interesting putting to bed time! Any ideas for soothing would be great.

Misspaella routine went totally to pot today he slept when he was supposed to be awake and was awake during 'nap time'

tips for soothing would be swaddle swaddle swaddle!!
type baby whisperer into youtube for a giggle as well, my DH does it really well

hard day here, exploding boobs and sore stitches.
does anyone know how long its supposed to take for them to stop hurting? been nearly 2 weeks and i still cant walk very far with them

Natty its been 2 and a half weeks for me and I can no longer feel my stiches - have you had them checked. (mine did start hurting more when the stiches started pulling but went when they dissolved)

Alfie is having a growth spurt I think as I have been pinned to the sofa yesterday and today feeding feeding feeding. Very tiresome.

It was dds 5th birthday party at home yesterday and I woke up with a dreadfull migrane - just what you need when you have a housefull of kids comeing. All went off smoothly thankfully.

Alfie wakes about 3 times a night and has started being really windy. I have found infacol really helps. DS had colic till he was 15 months so I am an expert in methods of bringing it up. I find keep changing position helps - often it comes up when you pass them to DH! Sitting with their back to you and hands on their tummy rocking works well as does sitting them upright on your knee and holding their chin so their back is really straight.
Anyone else finding it difficult to get on here or is it just me? (time wise rather than IT problems )

queenfee, some of them have dissolved, i still have a few there, mostly the ones on the inside ifuswim?
not had them checked recently, but im gonna give it till next weekend then get DH to remove them (well cut them and let them work their own way out)

charlie has slept and fed all evening, i reckon he is growing too

Hi everyone

natty what exactley do you do re your routine?

Summer was fed 8.30 am (full) 10.30am (20z) - 12.30pm (full) 3.45pm (2oz) - 7pm - (full) 9.15pm (full) 12.40am (full) 4am (3oz) 7.30am (2oz)

This in 9 feeds over 24 hrs! I thought it was supposed to be 6 bottles a day? Not all were full bottles - Full = 4oz. This is my econd baby and I know that there isn't anything else she wants other than feeding. Ihave tried spacing them out a bit but there is NOTHING other than milk she wants. She only cries when she is hungry, she stays awake for longish periods through the day too and is quite happy and content.

She is only sleeping for about 2 hrs between the longer spaced ut feeds and sometimes not at all when she has one feed and then another quickly after.

If i rememeber right DD! used to go 4 hrs from start of one feed till start of another.

I'm not too bothered as it's early days - Summer is 4 wks old on Tues - and I know she is clearly wanting feeding.

Any ideas?

my routine is loosely based around the GF routine, but ive adapted it to fit in an extra feed as i have a hungry baby, and a shorter morning nap as he prefers a long afternoon one.
i find having 3 feeds in quick succession in the evening means he sleeps well at night, waking for maybe 2 feeds at most between 10 and 7. (obv if he woke for more i would feed him)

i do:

7am: full feed (both breasts)
8.30: swaddle and put down for a nap
9.30: wake, wash and dress
10: half feed (breast last used)
11: half feed (other breast)
11.15-2: swaddle and put down for a nap
2: full feed (both breasts)
5: half feed (breast last used)
6: half feed (other breast)
6.15: bath and massage
6.30: dress and swaddle
7pm: full feed (both breasts)
10: DH's feed (either expressed or formula)
10-7: demand fed (co-sleeping)

we are not strict tho, like yesterday he fell out of routine because he was really tired in the morning after a bad night of hourly feeds. to be honest the naps wont be enforced for a few months as he is too little. but structuring the feeds helps alot cos then i know he is feeding often enough. (he was going 4-5 hours and only have 4 feeds a day and midwife told me to wake him more often for feeds)

he has put so much weight on this week cant wait to have him weighed hes got chunky legs now

I am just feeding Summer when she wants and tonight have just tried to not feed her for half an hr when she wanted it as i thought I could guess when she'd next feed - about midnight if I'm lucky - I don't try to get her to sleep either I just fee dher and then cuddle her for abit and fit in her baths etc. In the day I put her in her bouncer after a feed if she is awake and on her playmat and then sometimes let her sleep a bit in/on them. In the evening I put her to sleep in her moses basket downstairs or her crib if I;m upstairs. She doesn't stay awake very long really. The only ohter thing I do is wake her if she has gone almost 4 hrs in the day without a feed.

Hope I'm doing the right thing, just going with the flow really.

I'm getting her weighed tomorrow. HV was supposed to come one day last day wk but no-one did so I have had to chase them up and they can't send anyone out but I can go to a clinic tomorrow. Worringly they said it will be the last clininc as all the HV and associated staff are being relocated to deal with swine flu????!!!!!

Anyone else concerned about swine flu??

I was ill over the weekend no idea if it was swine flu or not as I didn't have time to find out Felt absolutely ** though.

I am demand feeding Alfie but he has helfully settled into a 3 hourly routine day and night (except for his extra feeding all day yesterday but as he is nealry 3 weeks that is normal in BF babies to increase milk supply) He is usually awake on and off for 2 hours in am /pm and basically sleeps the rest of the time. He has started being really sick now though. Due a weigh in tomorrow so will talk to HV as wondering if he has reflux. He was that sick down me tonight I had to strip and bath us both this evening (and as DD and DS1 were awake them too!!!)

I'm another one going with the flow, although we have tried to put in a bit of routine in the evening (feed at 7.30pm, feed at 10pm then a 10 min top-up sleepy feed which I try and do lying down at around midnight) after which he usually settles until his 3am feed. It's gone to pot as many times as it's worked though

I think I'm going to contact someone to get my latch corrected though. He's great to start with - big mouthful of areola and good 'sucky face' but after about 10 mins he gets distracted and lets go until he's only got my nipple in his mouth, and then he clamps on tight and keeps sucking which REALLY hurts and I can't de-latch him so my nips now have blood blisters on them I might ask on the b/fing thread on here..

Phoenix I can totally understand why you feel the way you do, it's not weird at all. You know that your little fella will thrive either way so you just need to make the transition whenever you're ready.

Gillyan I do worry a little bit about swine flu; my sister is a paramedic and has been in contact with suspected cases, but I can't ban her from seeing her treasured week-old nephew, and I don't want to.. I think all we can do is be clued-up about what we need to do if we or our babies show symptoms and just deal with it if it happens.

stitches after 8 days mine still smart a bit, MW checked them yesterday and said that one was gaping slightly, but gave me the brilliant advice to keep a bottle of witch hazel in the fridge and sprinkle some on my pads each time I change them. Bliss, I tell ya!

Just wish the post-natal constipation would shift (literally) it's the worst.. I'm off to swig more lactulose...

Have a good day, ladies

hi everyone, im also another one going with the flow. he seems to have stopped the 3 hour gaps and gone back down to 2 hours! i cluster feed at night before bed but unfortunately it doesnt make him sleep longer!
feeding wise its got a lot better my nipples are nearly healed hurrah! he's also put on 1lb 3oz in 9 days which the hv thiks is good considering we've had some problems with feeding!
have done a couple of trips out with baby and dd. really wishing we'd got a double buggy now as i had no idea how hard it is to looka fter a pram and a demanding 2 year old when out! anyone recommend one?? although dp will be so cross if i decide to get one!
on a rubbish note though, my cervix problem i had at beginning of pregnancy(prolapsed cervix) seems to be back im so uncomfortable and feel like i my have a water infection too! off to doctors on thursday, im fed up of dropping my knickers!
still havent breast fed when out n about yet, i nip out after ive fed him and dont stay out for more than 2 hours! my friend was in our cafe nero the toher day and a woman was asked to leave as she was breast feeding, my friend was gobsmacked and its made me even more nervous!

Lydia I am furious that a woman was asked to leave a cafe because she was bf-ing - what happened to the Single Equality Bill? Maybe it hasn't become law yet, although I think it has already in Scotland (or something similar). I'd have kicked RIGHT off if that were me. Or in my current hormonal state I might have just cried and run away... how completely shit

Does anyone have any good responses to the boob-fascists who ask women to stop feeding in public? I fully intend to get my norks out (as discreetly as possible) in various public places in the near future, and I need to add to my repertoire of barbed and witty comebacks in case I get any grief!

Lydia!
i would just refuse to move. i ask them if they would kick out a mother with a bottle. when they say no i just say well these are my bottles..
i have breast fed in KFC, mothercare, Mcdonalds, and on the bus so far.. this little man is feeding when he likes, all routine out the window atm im going to try again in a few weeks.
all babies are differant eh? my daughter went into a routine easily from birth, yet my first son took 8 weeks to settle into one.

nipples nearly healed, still dry tho

So shocked at that story lydia - that's terrible.
No such problems here as Hetty refuses the breast now so I'm frantically pumping (one electric and one manual) and she's getting EBM in a bottle. Emotionally I'm in bits about the whole thing and just keep falling apart into floods of tears. And I'm dreading DP going back to work on Monday.
BF counsellor coming tomorrow and we'll go back to the drop-in on Thursday and see what we can do (if anything) to resolve the problem. I opened a thread in feeding and getting some good advice there too. The pumping makes me really sleepy so I feel like I'm either on the pump or on the settee asleep.
I guess on the plus side, it does mean there is some semblance of routine in this house as I'm trying to pump every 3 hours and we're not letting DD go more than 4 without a bottle. I managed to get ahead of her today too so I have a feed in reserve now. I saw the herbalist this afternoon and she said to carry on and finish the raspberry leaf as that aids lactation and helps produce good rich milk - which is a bonus as I wondered what to do with the rest of the bottle of tablets I had

Just a reminder to anyone who needs it (I almost forgot) - if you rented a TENS machine then it'll need to go back

jetli where abouts are u babe? if ur near me maybe we could meet up, been following your thread in breastfeeding. bless you, you are having an awful time wish i could help more xx

activity put your little finger in the corner of his mouth to break the suction. take him off as often as his latch is poor and he will soon get the message. get in contact with your local breastfeeding gruops too they are full of usefull info - and mums who have been through it too! good luck

lydia i cant manage without my double. i have had a few diff ones over the years and have to say the powertwin i have now is amazing to push in comparison you should be able to pick up a second hand one for £50-80 on ebay dont pay more than £230 new even though the rrp is more than £500!

feeding in public. as long as you are discreet i would be suprised if you are challenged. in nearly 3 years of bf i have never been and have fed in all sorts of places! look out for your local bf friendly premises scheme most councils run where they have a sign to say they support bf. google it as its different in diff areas. in wales it is a pink and white heart and if you are cjallenged when feeding on their premises the staff are trained to back you up x

JetLi so sorry to hear you've hit a problem. I think we're both in the People's Republic... you know where I mean (being mysterious again) and I'm a peer supporter, so once you've seen the BFing councillor (btw, do you know who it is? I've got lots of local contacts should you need additional help) if you'd like a sympathetic ear I'd be more than happy to meet up. If you want to PM me with your email or other contact details, don't hestitate .

Joseph is in a bit of a routine now, he's havin 4oz approx every 3 hours and I just let him sleep when he is tired but tends to be awake most of the morning and sleeps quite a bit in the afternoon.

I'm tryin to get him in a proper bedtime routine now but I'm havin a nightmare getting him to sleep. He will usually sleep through the day without any probs but it's like he is fighting going to sleep at nights, I can see him drifting off to sleep and then he peaks to check that I'm still there. My friend said to just put him down and leave him but I can't stand listening to him cry, it just seems cruel to me. I've given him a dummy which he loves but then he cries when he loses it. He's totally fine during the night, just feeds and goes back to sleep it's just the initial getting him to sleep that's the prob. Any suggestions?

tongue tie I can't remember who said their LO had this? The HV spotted that he has it the other day which explains why he wouldn't latch on to my boob and also why he is such a messy eater. I'm a bit annoyed that they didn't notice it at the hospital tho, several MW's even noticed that he wasn't opening his mouth wide enough but didn't think to check for tongue tie! My sister had it and she later had probs with her speach and they thought it might be connected so not sure whether to get it snipped.

*feeding in public - they were discussing this on GMTV last week, maybe tell the person that you'll stop feeding your baby and let them listen to your baby crying. If they suggest that u feed ur baby in the toilets then ask if they would like to eat their lunch in the toilet!
I'll admit that it makes me uncomfortable when women sit with their boobs out feeding but a majority of women are so discreet about it that often u can hardly even tell they are feeding.

hunny have u tried bath and massage b4 bed? are u swaddling him?

Hi

jetli sorry you're so upset.

lydia I'm shocked too at your friend being told to leave a cafe! WTF! If I were still breast feedig and someone told me to leave I would seriuosly consider squirting my ample boob at them! On a serious note, are u still feeding rugby ball style and is that why u worry about feeding in public?

Saw the HV yesterday and Summer is now 9lb 30z she was 4 wks yesterday and was 8lb at birth so she's bang on.

When I got to the medical centre ( all the surgeries in Macclesfield have been combined in a massive building ) There were signs stopping you from using one entrance unless you were a flu patient the reason being infection control! Scary. I know quite a few people now round here who have it. I'm not fussed if I get it I;m just terrifed for the kids with them being so young!

Had a good night last night, Summer was fed at 9.15 and slept till 2am - she had a meesly 2oz and was back to sleep for 2.20am ( I am taking this as a good sign that she doesn't seem to need that much milk over night ) then she woke again at 5.10 and then 8.30 - she's just gone to sleep!

I've just thought this morning that I hadn't taken any pics of her for over a week so I put her on a lovely blanket on my bed and have got some gorgeous shots of her. She only 4 weeks but over the last few days she has started to smile at me and Simon.

Hope you are all doing okay and enjoying the new babies

Hi everyone
Jetli How are you doing? I had the same bf prob w/DS1 and paid for a lactation consultant to come over my home to get him on the breast. It worked having the one on one. There is a website called express yourself mums that has a list of lact cons around the country. TBH I only ended up bf him for 4 1/2 month (and it was mixed in the end) but it was something.

BF for me still utter agony so not having the greatest time. I went to an NCT run bf group today. They checked my latch and nothing to work on there. DS still isn't using his tongue well and she reckons as his mouth gets better and his tongue is exercised more it will improve. Until then it is PAINFUL! On the plus side, he is satisfied and doing lots of heavy wet nappies and poo's. Thank goodness...Just crap that I am doing the 'right thing' and I am still having pain.

Natty my ladies bits after stitches seem fine already. I reckon the throbbing pain stopped after a week and I am hardly even bleeding. I do occasionally get a twinge down there but other than that I am fine. I may even start exercising again - when I find a mo' of course.

Hunny all my DC's have had tongue tie. DS1 did not have it removed as we only just know now (he's 4 next week). He speech was delayed and sounded quite gibberishy to start with so I would look into getting it sorted.

Need to wake DS now for a feed - I am full of dread..............

Evening all - thanks for all the messages of support and offers of help. mij the lady who came out to me today is called Sue Slowey (I think that's how it is spelt), and yes I'm in the People's Republic . I'll PM you once I work out how - those local contacts would be great. Thanks missp and thenatty as well.
With Sue's help, we managed to get Hetty latched in a biological nurturing position this lunchtime, and also she's been on and off the breast all evening (after a bit of EBM via bottle) so I'm chuffed to bits here (if a wee bit sore ). DP and me have had a good cuddle and a snog just now and I'm feeling altogether more positive and human tonight. DD is sound asleep so I'm cautiously optimistic about a nightime snuggle and feed in bed, which would be heavenly, but if not, the EBM is ready to go. I have 40 squillion pillows at the ready to get propped up on.

I got an infection in my c section wound and have ab's.

Noah still isn't back to his birth weight yet at 13 days old. He has put on though so it's not like he's losing weight. He's now 8lb 2.5oz (birth weight 8lb 10oz). Mw said she'll leave it while Monday to get up to his birth weight and if he doesn't reach it she'll have to re admit him to hospital. She was reluctant to send him up there today because some babies just put weight on in their own time and he is otherwise well ie. good colour, active baby, weeing and pooing lots. We've decided to start giving him a bottle of formula on an evening to help get his weight up.

Hope everyone's doing ok

JetLi very big at getting latched - yes the biological nurturing thing can often be the only thing that works, shame not more people know about it! If you want to PM, I think you have to use the C-A-M system but never done it myself. If you change your settings to accept messages from other people, I can try to mail you if that's easier.

maternity towels wanted to pass on a good midwife tip - don't use Always sanitary towels once you get sick of maternity pads (and you will) cos the gauzey covering can snag on stiches, grazes etc etc.

DD1 is being a bit less vile to DP, but still definitely insecure (and she's generally very confident so it's been a bit of a shock) and wanting me to do lots of stuff for her, making sure she's on my lap a lot of time DD2 is (which is mostly doable) etc. Her sleep is still shite, but we're muddling through.

wind anyone tried the yoga/massage way of bringing on a prize-winning fart? Apparently there's an adult yoga move that makes almost everyone trump and it works sometimes for both DDs - lying on your back and bringing knees in towards chest and doing a little rock forwards and backwards. quite easy to do on a newborn. Alternatively, lying them across your knees so there's gentle pressure on the stomach, or using the 'colic hold', have a look here for someone else's pic of how it's done. DD1 would only calm down if she was held that way for months, and DD2 likes it if she has, ahem, digestive issues. It's also quite easy on the back - can safely make a cuppa like that!

Pheonix - sounds like your mw is being very sensible. Just feed feed feed and he will prob be fine - his weight has been consistantly increasing after all. One of my mums at the group i run has been re admitted for this and that is all they are doing with her at the mo x good luck - go on Noah

Alfie was 10lb 5 on tue so has now climbed up to the 91st centile (from the 50th) my dd did this also. On the downside he seems to be suffering from colic and is very sick (possibly too greedy??? )

Been out to Llandudno beach today with DH and the kids had a lovely time enjoying being out as a family. Weather held out too so great result!

jetli glad you are getting good help x

Phoenix ouch re your infection! Not great so I hope u get through it ok. How is your DS doing? I bet he goes through a spurt soon and packs on the weight. Don't worry too much as at least he has put some weight on.

Jetli HOORAY! It really does help to have someone physically come out and help you. So glad you got the support.

Queenfee you are so lucky to be having family days out. My DH has had to take on every bit of freelance work that is thrown his way and we haven't had more than 2 days with him so far (bar the weekends but he has been helping cooking/cleaning then for me or else we would be starving in a filthy flat). I am starting to feel a bit irritated by it but with the recession and him not have a perm job I have to remind myself that at least he has some work and is earning. Just such crap timing!

BF I can't wait for it to get better. I am going back to the bf group next Wed to see if they can improve the latch yet again. DS's bloody tongue just keeps nicking my nipples. So annoying as everything we are doing is right. It is just an anatomy issue (small mouth and tongue still needs to learn to extend itself). It's so frustrating!!!

Weight I am very surprised - I am eating more than ever (mainly chocs and biscuits) and I have had a result. I can fit into pair of my s12 pre pregnancy jeans. They are bootleg and stretchy and my jelly pokes over but still...

Mij oops, I bought Always thin pads. I think I am fine downstairs but best to get another brand when I run out.

Hope it doesn't shower all bloody day again - I am desperate to get out.

Morning all

phoenix hope the infection clears up, mine is looking good now after all the treatment. Try not to worry about Noahs weight, Summer wasn't back to her birth weight at 16 days and the MWs still discharded me, 2 days later she was still 3oz short of birth weight. 2 weeks later was when I next had her weighed and she was 1lb 3oz over her birth weight.

I'm off to buy some clothes that fit today, I'll have to give up on trying to get in trousers that fit. I have the blood clot still on my tum so it is still swollen and with all the baby belly anyway and not being able to exercise yet....size 18 trousers here I come.

Going to purchase a waterproof jacket too as you can't hold a brolly and push a pram and keep an I on a 3.6 yr old! I want one that folds up into a bag and with a hood or something. I'm feeling very organised today, going to go and get my photos done for my provisional license and I AM going to learn to drive! DPs car sits at home all day as he walks to walk and with 2 kids now I just won't begetting anywhere fast without driving.

Summer is being good as gold.

great idea about hte rain coat. I think I shall follow suit. Sorry to hear about various people suffering with infections and BF troubles. I can sympathise. DD1 was a NIGHTMARE! DD2 seems to have got the hang straight away but it really does seem to be luck of the draw. I know I was getting DD1 latched on ok etc as had every midwife/help come to see me and still couldn't manage. Gave up after 10 weeks of hell but dd2, I can honestly say I'm enjoying it. Maybe because I have to ignore her most of the day and play with DD1 so nice to have cuddles when we feed.

My DD1's sleep also totally out of whack. She's so tired all the time and very clingy. Never mind. Trying to teach DH that saying things like "you really like your sister don't you?" is not helpful cos she can hardly say no! At 3 she's really noticed the change to her routine but I guess it was always to be expected.

hiya folks, great to be able to finally post here! my beautiful son zach arrived on tuesday morning, 530am ish right onto my sil's bathroom floor! he is 6lb 4 oz and just so fab. we were only in hospital for one night and he has settled well at home. ds1 seems to be ok too, he likes to stroke zach and give him toys awwwwwwww.

i'll post properly later but just wanted to say hi! congrats to everyone too xxx

Hi everyone!
Sorry I've been so slow to get here, but life's just been a bit hectic.
DS1 has just finished primary school ,
DS2 had a birthday ,
DS3 just had end of term madness
Oh yes and DS4 has taken up rather a lot of time too
Life has been one long round of sports days, breastfeeding, children's parties, breastfeeding, BBQs, breastfeeding, assemblies, breastfeeding......you get the picture!

Congrats ilikeyoursleeves I read your birth story on the other thread. Wow!

Alfie has been screaming all day. very unlike him Took him to drs in the end (always a last resort in htis house as they usually make me feel like a c* parent) and he agreed something wasn't right thinks hemay have an ear infection but can't check properly as his ears are so little. He has given him calpol and aniti-biotics and if he continues this eve to take him straight to hosp.
Thanksfully he has finally gone to sleep....
Welcome to the new mums to join us
jlo2 your days sound like mine...
missp DH never uses all his holiday as is a bit of a workaholic so it's nice to see him for a change (although admittedly sometimes I think it would just be easier if he was out the house - another person = more work)

hello - ytping with one had

dd1 has not been well last 2 days and i ended up ring the flu pandemic line tonight! She has been authorised the anti - virals - tamiflu. it could just be a bad cold in my opinion but what would u have done
?

hot to touch/red in face
diarreha (sp?)
cough
sore throat (croaky voice )
very snotty nose
being quiter than is usual - mum knows when ill kind of thing

she is only 3.6

anyway got the tablets from a local place and she's started them. they said even if not full blown flu then she won't be harmed by tablets and it is very inlikey she would get swine flu if this isn't it already as she would build up resistance.

spoke to primary care about LO n they said she could have the anti virals too but i didn't want her to have them uneccessarily and dr agreed as only 4wks old, got to keep close eye as she stared coughin 2 days ago and is a bit warm but is eating fine etc not crying.

phew, i'm not too worried tho n hopefully its just a cold for both of them.

hi, sorry to hear your dc's are poorly gillyan and queenfee, i hope they get better soon! welcome to new mums also!
been having a bit of a nightmare time with bill. in the evenings when feeding he's getting reall angry and restless when feeding from me. last night was so bad he was awakw constant feeding but squirming and crying as though he was cross from 12 til 4! i thought maybe colic but he's not crying in between feeds...any ideas? my nipples are so sore from teh squirming i had to give him 2 oz in a bottle earlier which made me sad

That sounds nightmarish lydia is he trying to poo or have trapped wind maybe? Maybe he doesn't really want feeding and doesn't kow what to do with himself, maybe he's tired? Summer has been behaving a bit like that with her bottle from 6pm - midnight evry night. She feeds fine in the day, has a whole bottle at regular intervals and then the 6 ish bottle - she only takes an oz then falls asleep, put her down, wakes up screaming. Give the bottle again and she's squirming and spluttering, feeds every 2 hrs only taking 1 or 2oz, she faffs until about 11/12 then goes down for a few hrs. I thought maybe she is just tired as tends to sleep all mornings and early fternoon then stay awakes from about 3/4 - 11/12 with only little tiny 'noddings off' in between.

???

Alfie is better now - yay!

Sorry gillyan sounds like a nightmare.

lydia Alfie gets like that when he has wind he wants a feed but keeps fussing and squirming till he brings it up. I am doping him up on infacol and gripe water. Once he does get the full feed he settles so is happy in between IYSWIM hope it gets better for you soon x They also act like this a lot when they have a cold?

Hello everyone...its taken me ages to find the time to post. Baby Max is doing well and he is just soooo cute. He is feeding constantly and not sleeping much at night but I suppose thats to be expected. In fact he has kicked off again now so I think thats me and I will try to post a bit more tomorrow.

Gillyan, I hope all is ok with you and yours and Queenfee, I am gals Alfie is better. Sorry everyone, havent had a chance to read the other posts but will try again tomorrow xxxx

mispella thanks for advise on tongue tie, after talkin to my mum about it she thinks I maybe I had it altho it was never noticed. I had probs with my speech n I feel it affected my confidence so don't want him to have probs too, kids can be so cruel!

Gillyan hope DD1 is better soon. Joseph's Dad has got swine flu and his symptoms are the same as you've described but yes it is very similar to regular flu but with sickness and diarrhea(?)

lydia is Bill pooing ok? Joseph often does his poos when he is feeding and he also squirms and gets mad whilst he's doin it, it's worse when he's constipated tho.

sleeves huge congrats! I can't wait to read your birth story, I'm intrigued to hear about your SIL's bathroom floor?!?!

I think I may be starting with post natal depression . Part of me is still really happy n I really do love Joseph to bits, I wouldn't change him for the world but over the past couple of days I just keep crying all the time. I also feel like I'm getting really paranoid. Last night I put Joseph in the car at 1.30am and drove 20 miles to my ex's house cos I was convinced that he was
there with another girl! I have absolutely no reason to think that what so ever but cos he'd not replied to a text my mind got carried away with itself. Just typing this I know that I sound like a weirdo n I don't like it .
I've asked his Dad for some more support so his answer was for Joseph to go and stay with him for a few days! I've told him there is no way I could let him stay over night yet, he's only seen him 3 times so Joseph doesn't know him well enough n when he wakes in the night he wont know where he is and he's gonna want his Mum. We've come to a compromise that we'll both stay at his one night but I'm gonna go out with my friend so he has some time alone with him n hopefully a night out will do me some good.

hunny ((hugs)) PND is horrible. Talk to your HV. Mine (for once!) was really supportive when I went through a difficult patch with DS1. They may be able to point you in the direction of some support too. Have you been in contact with the likes of Gingerbread (single parents) and Parentline?
I always think it helps to have contact with other people when you feel like this. A friend of mine had PND which was only diagnosed when she 'saw' her DP have a car crash in front of her when in fact he was fine. It does tend to come out in strange ways.
patchy don't worry this thread is definately slower than the antenatal thread!

Hi everyone, finally found some time to post Connor was 2wks yesterday and he has fitted into the family so well, the dd's love him to death So far is pretty relaxed and not at all fazed by the noise and general chaos that comes with being dc3 He was jaundice until day 5 so not feeding well at all and when he did feed, destroyed my nipples by being too sleepy to do it properly. So I have been expressing with a Medela electric pump I've hired. Made life so much easier, as dh and dd1 help out with feeds and my nips have had time to heal. I don't know if these are sold in the UK but I've found Rite Aid Hydrogel Breast Discs wonderful for my sore nips. They are gel pads that sit closest to your breast, and you can wear them with a normal breast pad as well. Definitely really helped with the cracking and engorgement. I'm going to try bf again this week I think, engorgement has calmed down now and I'm expressing close to 100ml each side so usually have around 2-3 feeds extra in the fridge, so hopefully my milk has kept up with what ds needs.
dh has had the last 2wks off and goes back to work on Wed. Has been lovely having him home, I haven't actually bathed ds yet, dh does it twice each day Freezer is full of meals he has cooked, haven't done any school or nursery runs or gymnastics for dd1 or grocery shopping. There is still the extra mess that another adult creates and we've spent more money than we would normally but it's been a really nice bonding time for all of us, so I've relaxed on the other things as I'll be stressed out on my own before I know it

morning, had a slightly better night last night. basically put bill on the breast and when he really started to fuss gave him some formula which he took, but i hated giving. have had to express this morning as my boobs were so full and engorged!
gillyan i think you're right in not wanting feeding but not sure what they want because when he really started fussing again i gave up lay down n bed ith hima nd just cuddled and he went straight to sleep at about 2. woke up at half 4 had 5/10 min on the boob when he started fussing took him off and gave him a cuddle and he went to sleep again. the only problem with this is that my partner is afraid of co-sleeping in case he rolls on him!
queenfee we're using infacol too, although the reason i dont think its trapped wind is that he is consyantly farting with or without the infacol, even more so when he feeds its constant farting!
hunney his poohing is fine, we've yet to have a nappy that hasnt got some poo in it!
im sorry you're feeling poo about your ex, talk to your health visitor or someone you can trust x x

hunny make sure u speak to a HV or go and see the doc straight away if u are feeling like this. Be reasurred it won't last forever if it's the baby blues but if it's more seroius u just need to talk to the docs etc. Hope you're ok - I know I say this all the time and it doesn't matter what anyone tells u but f@*k your ex!

lydia glad he's calming down for you, I would be scared of co sleeping too...It takes me ages to wake up when Summer is crying in the night, Simon gets there first most of the time and then he ends up doing the middle of the night feed cos I just don't stir quick enough. I'd probably roll on her and never hear a thing!!

Had to take Summer to Primary Care this morning, she has got swine flu/bad cold ( whatever ) she is SO snotty, I mean she honestly could hardly breathe last night and she hasn't been feeding at all well, only having an oz at a time etc. Doc checked her over and her chest is clear and no high temp so not too worried, he said she sounds so rattly becuase her nose is so gungy - got saline drops to help and I am literally pulling stuff out with my nails, her eyes are all watery and she's sleeping a lot more than usual -poor mite can't even ave calpol yet. Grace still under the wetaher and me too, throat still very sore and cough is getting worse. Simon is fine tho luckily.

Hope everyone else is ok.

hunny def speak to your HV. felt awful after birth of DD1 but never really acknowledged it for ages. Hard times. Get as much support as you can, it makes all the difference.

Gillyan have you tried using one of those crazy "snot suckers"? Had one for DD1 (can go through the steriliser) it's a poky bit that goes in their nose and a tube with non return valve and you literally suck the snot out of their nose but cos of the valve you don't end up with it anywhere you don't want! Was really helpful for DD1 as she started teething really early (4 weeks!) and was mentally snotty every time.

Am using a mac and the smilies don't seem to work for me. Will try and put a link in to boots website for it.

www.boots.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?categoryParentId=3908&storeId=10052&productId =118420&callingViewName=&categoryId=3909&langId=-1&catalogId=11051

otherwise just cut and paste the web address into your browser.

Hurray it worked!

Hi Ladies - v quick post as the little man has just decided to wake for his dinner!

All good here, v tired and may have had s-flu...only mild round here but lots of cases so no idea if it was or not (had all the symptoms listed except the upset tummy). DD been off colour all week, hubby poorly but DS fine except for a bit of snot!

DS is now a whopping 9lb at 3 weeks! Not bad seeing as he was only 7lb5oz when born He feeds like a pro and is sleeping really well (touch wood!!!) been ok'd for going to baby clinic now instead of home visits from HV. Aced my PND questionnaire but have to see them straight away if I start to feel wobbly

My 1st day alone with the 2 of them tomorrow and feeling really shaky about it! At least we can to go to bf support in the morning and DD can have a play there Tuesday is nursery morning, Weds is my ladies lunch day (3 mums, 3 two year olds, and 2 babies!) Thursday is baby clinic and play dates, Friday is play at the children's centre - not sure where I fit the housework and shopping in though!!

Hope all are well and that babies are behaving themselves!

xxx

Hello folks

hunny I'm so sorry that you're feeling the way you do - you've done a positive and brave thing by acknowledging it and I echo everyone else's advice to speak to your HV and trusted friends and family.

gillyan hope your lot are on the mend, it must be hard to see them being poorly. On the snot issue, my step-sister sucks it out of her year-old DD's nose with her mouth - I was but apparently it works a treat..

I empathise with all those with the fractious DC's - Sid screams inconsolably from 4pm-8pm every day now (currently in the other room with DP while I take a much-needed breather, felt I was going a bit crackers earlier) I hate that I can't sooth him.. I'm winding constantly and ruling out everything else.. he's not got a temp or anything so I think he's just a squawky wee fella and in the early evenings. He's not tooooo bad at night so I can't really grumble. But I will anyway....

on the upside he's back up past his birth-weight - the MW signed him off on Fri all that needs sorting now are my episiotomy stitches which are (gulp) "gaping". My mum bought me a rubber ring to sit on while they mend. Best Present Ever.

alibobble yes I've seen them and my SIl had one, think I'll have to order one! Thanks for the reminder.

activity sucks it out with her mouth!!!!! OMG, thats gross but made me laugh! Sorry Sid is crying a lot, has he got colic then? I heard boys are worse than girls for it, my friends little boy had it in the evenings but he stopped now at 8 wks. Hope it passes for u!

Summer has drunk a good amount 3 times i a row now so not too worried about her. I'm keeping Grace off nursery till Wed and just letting her chill.

becca Swine flu - very mild round here I think to, I just feel like I've got a cold, I've had -

Sore throat/croaky voive
Sudden cough
Upset tum
slight temp a few days ago

I actually feel worse today but it's still not knocking off my feet, I've had a proper dose of flu a few yrs ago and that was bad, I was in bed for 10 days until I managed to get a taxi to the docs ( 5mins away) to deal with the throat infection that went with it, truely horrid - NHS Direct lady that I spoke with on Fri night said it's no where near as bad as the proper flu and very mild in most cases.

Hope u all feel better soon

Thanks everyone for your support, the good news is I feel a lot better today, so maybe it was just a little wobble I had. I think I just need to keep an eye on it cos I've suffered with depression in the past which I suppose is a good thing cos it means at least I can recognise the symptoms.

health visitors - how often am I supposed to see one? One came over a week ago but because I am 'outside her area' because I am registered at a GP near my old address (about 3 miles away) so I am just over the boundaries of her area by about a mile so she is transferring me to a HV from my area. But honestly you would think by the way she was going on about it that she'd had to come 30 miles to see me, she just went on and on about how she doesn't usually cover this area, I felt like saying 'oh for f* sake it's only down the frigging road!'. Anyway since that visit I've not heard anything from anybody so not sure what is going on, think I may have slipped through the net.

snot Joseph has been really snotty and snuffly since he was a few days old, I've tried picking his bogies out with my nails or cotton wool bud but doesnt work so think I might have to got one of those snot sucker things too. Will it also suck out a nice crusty bogie? lol

Congrats to the new mummies - lovely to see more and more arrivals.

lydia glad to hear things getting better - with DD1 she used to do the on-off-screaming thing with feeding, until I realised that sometimes she was just tired and too young to know that boob isn't always the answer to everything! I used to find giving her to DP helped - she'd yell for 5 mins and then, away from the tempting smell of me and milk, would conk out for hours.

co-sleeping if anyone wants to do it but their DP is worried about rolling on them, you can always put the baby on the other side of you (so you're the physical barrier) or a very firm pillow if you need to swap sides if feeding lying down. Oh, and make sure they haven't smoked/drunk any alcohol/taken any drugs, prescription or otherwise! My DP was paranoid about that for ages - he'd sleep on the sofa if he'd even had one glass of wine. At least we have a spare bed now.

Going for a bra-fitting tomorrow - desperate to replace my original ones from 3 years ago cos they're completely knackered from over-use and lazy laundry practises and I just feel the need for something, well, less grey...

Found it!!! I am here and loving it but really really sore.

Samuel Peter Leopold was born 24th july at 2:14am and he weighed 8lb 7oz, posted birth story on other thread. Will catch up when i can going for a bath with stitches so wish me luck xx

Hoorah, I am hands free! Max is asleep and at last I get a chance to post again!!! We had an awful day yesterday, he just wouldn't settle and by the evening I was so exhuasted. We were supposed to go to friends for a bbq but I just couldn't face it. Anyway, decided to try the dummy again and it worked..he loved it! The other 2 dc never had them and sucked their fingers instead but I suppose different kids.

He is such a milk monster that I think that 1/2 the time he is sucking on an empty boob? I don't quite know what to do about it. We have started him on a 10pm bottle of formula just to give me a break as otherwise 1 feed finishes and another begins. The bottle fills him up and he sleeps for 4 hours which means I get some sleep at least as the rest of the night is so unsettled.

Anyway, I hope you are all ok. Had a look at the list and there aren't many more to come are there....lots more boys than girls!

xx

Hi everyone

I am glad to hear (well not glad but you all KWIM?) that some of your LO's get fractious late afternoon/early evening. We are having the same thing here. DS doesn't really take a dummy so has been using me as one. Day before yesterday I had to give him some EBM earlier than usual as nipples too sore to deal with constant feeding. That settled him thankfully for a bit. I felt a bit crap about it as I am only wanting to give him one bottle of EBM a day until we hit the 6/8 week milestone (IF we make it that is....) which DH currently gives around 11:30/midnight so I can get 4 hours sleep in. Nevermind I guess.

Cosleeping too scared to do myself. DS currently is in a moses basket right next to me (hits side of my bed) so I figure that is close enough. I find I always tend to wake about 5min before he starts to stir himself. Very strange as the time changes every night but I always manage to wake just before he does.

Hunny good thing you are keeping an eye on PND. I had a dose of it when DD was born and spent the first 4 months of her life just crying and not socialising. I found coping hard and had bizarre thoughts. I do think it was caused by bf being a struggle and adjusting from 1 to 2 DC's. I hope you don't get it but if you do get help early.

Adjusting from 2 to 3 how are you ladies finding it? I am going ok so far and feel way more relaxed than when adjusting from 1 to 2 DC's. I guess I just accepted early on it would be hard and have set myself no goals this time to be supermom.

Well I am off to yet another bf group to see if they can help more with these pinched nipples. Thank goodness I bought these Silverettes. I can't praise them enough.

patchybob DD2 grizzles from 4-8/10pm every day too so makes evening quite hard work. DD also sucking on empty boobs but at least it makes more for the next day. DD1 used to give up and consequently milk supply was rubbish! Am aiming to introduce a 10pm bottle of formula eventually and keep feeding rest of the time as eventually I might even want to be able to go out in an evening and esier to leave a bottle for babysitter eg my mum than leave at 7pm having put dd1 to bed and be back by 10pm to feed dd2! not much of an evening out!

*co-sleeping and rooming in* am currently sleeping in dd2's room rather than having her in our room so am in the spare bed so only me to squash her as DH so far has never woken to sound of either DD1 or DD2 calling out! (I on the other hand wake a few mins before DD2 wants feeding (maybe huge boobs are like an alarm clock?!) and wake the second dd1 makes a meep from her room. So annoying. I'm like a radar! DD2 was really hard to settle last night despite feeding well in the night. Very windy I think but hey.

Anyone else find that DH/DP well meaning but a bit hopeless in some respects? Yesterday and this morning needed a nap so DH was looking after DD1 but a few mins after I got into bed I was joined by DD1 saying "can I snuggle with you mummy?" WHERE DOES HE THINK SHE IS IF HE'S NOT LOOKING AFTER HER?Bugging me, that's where!

Sorry, feeling a bit wobbly about dh going back to work on Wed. He might be a bit daft but at least he's been there and made breakfast etc. How am I simultaneously going to feed DD1 breakfast, feed me and feed DD2 all at the same time? (on a few hours sleep?!)

xxhunnyxx Not sure how you would contact your local health visitor. Did other woman leave any contact numbers? Did you get a midwife out of hours/help line number on the front of your post natal notes? Our local midwives are apparently very helpful if you ring up and maybe they can point you in the right direction? Or perhaps a call to the surgery that the HV is based at? Sounds like you might have had a lucky escape that other woman NOT being your HV. Dreadful. Hope you find out soon. Being out of area seems to fox the NHS no end. Happened when I was discharged from hospital as was out of area there and they were funny about it all and wouldn't give me a red book etc. Had to wait for community midwife to give it.

Sorry for monster post. Won't have as much time to post in a few days.

btw the real reason I was posting before getting sidetracked witha load of waffle: non-gauzy sanitary towels: Someone mentioned not using always gauzy type towels post maternity towels as they catch stitches. Have been trying tesco own brand "silk" ones which are still cheaper than maternity pads but not gauzy. More comfortable by far tho not sure how absorbent for heavy flow. Always do some too but are more expensive.

not sure if this will work!

or www.amazon.co.uk/Always-Silk-Sanitary-Towels-Normal/dp/B001DX8CB2

Hello,

I am so glad I can now post on this thread- I had my little girl 8 days over due on tuesday. We were in labour 6 hours and she weighs 8lb 4oz- we are calling her Islay. She is our first and i just can't believe I'm a mum!!! She's brlliant and I'm managing to get ave 4-6 hours sleep per night so I feel really good.

Hello all very quick post as lil man is waking up, i am slowly adjusting to a willy he has only peed on me once so far

Nipples are really sore hoping it will get better soon, stitches are ok but body is refusing to have a BO (sorry TMI).

Hope i will be able to catch up on posts soon xx

krumbockmummy I'm with you on the whole willy thing! Although it's a lot easier than having to avoid the holes with a girl!

So far Isaac has wee'd all over our wall, door, floor, over me, his dad and himself! He's pooed on the floor, town library floor (oops!), his daddy and all down my leg!

DD having a huge strop in bed as I type this. She's been playing up recently with going to bed and tonight I have called her bluff and she's not best pleased about it!

PND anyone who is suffering or feeling low - see your mw/doctor/hv! I ignored mine for 11 months when DD was born and I was still in counselling for it when I fell pg with DS. The sooner you can say 'help' the better - and people do not judge you for it!

Will try and catch up more soon

Krumbock - Alfie saves the peeing thing for daddy perhaps he knows I am well experienced at changing little boys nappies and saves it for the unsuspecting. He also did a huge poo on the mat when he was being weighed!

cosleeping what about usingone of those little beds that you put in the bed I forget what they are called <off to find link...>

snugglenest
I haven't used one as find that when BF you tend to create a safe cocoon for your baby with your arms and legs anyway. Laleche (well I think it was la leche) do a good book about co sleeping if you want more info called 3 in a bed.

Noah's wee'd on me twice today and pooed on his changing mat.

Had my best/worst baby brain moment yesterday. Was at a 2yr olds birthday party, and had last consciously noticed DP holding DD2. DD1 was playing at my feet and DPs arms were empty, so asked DP 'who's got the baby?' expecting her to have been passed on to someone who wanted a cuddle. He stared at me open mouthed for a couple of seconds, before I realised why - I was breastfeeding her. Like looking for your sunglasses when they're on your head, only a million times worse .

alibobble I find breakfast the most trying time at the moment, whether DP is there or not just cos that's when DD2 is most disgruntled about being put down, and DD1 has her most exacting requests - that spoon with the pattern all the way down the handle, not that one with an almost identical pattern, my big girl bowl not my previous favourite big girl bowl etc etc, you get the picture. Luckily, as she's 3, I can mostly say, well off you go and find it then honey [gritted teeth emoticon].

empty boobs Breasts will never be completely empty, although they can certainly feel it, cos they're making milk all the time, and the emptier the breast, the faster more milk is made (a bit like a toilet cistern, iyswim). Having said that I remember very well that need to have a break, either by handing the baby over to someone else for a bit or giving a bottle of whatever milk you're using, particularly if you're a bit sore. With the evening feeding/unsettled thing, cluster feeding is very common, and very trying (DD1 used to do it, sometimes starting as early as 3 in the afternoon and carrying on way past 9pm) and does settle down eventually, but it's also worth considering if anything is changing your latch, e.g. you're feeding in a different chair, without as many cushions, something else, cos sometimes that can affect the volume a babe is getting at a feed, and therefore make them want to feed for longer and more frequently. But I do stress the sometimes bit of it - it probably is just about being a newborn and getting settled into the world.

hi all, that's zach nearly a week old and he is doing so well. he is such a sweetie pie and seems very content so far, touch wood. sleeps well during day and also pretty good at night, he was only up once last night and that was me waking him cos my boobs were bursting!

we had a visitor free weekend which was lovely, we wanted to settle in as a family of 4 andi think it helped ds1 adjust too. he has taken to zach really well and loves to stroke him and help with nappy changes.

hope everyone else is doing ok. can i ask, how often are you giving lo's a bath? zach's only had one so far at home...

Hi ladies

I've now graduated to this lovely postnatal club thread yippee !

Do feel a bit sorry for the gals still waiting to drop on the old antenatal thread, especially those who are overdue.

Charlie doing great, continuing with his horizontally relaxed approach to life.

I have decided to give up on the expressing, life too short and all that, hours spent already pumping to very little avail.
I conclude that I am just one of those women who doesn't produce much milk, added to that my son is pretty reluctant to bf and my daughter needs more attention than I have been giving her so far. He has taken to the bottle like a duck to water so am not going to do the guilt thing this time round.

ilys poor alfie gets bathed when he projectile vomits and enforces it which at the mo is about every 3 days He gets bathed whenever the other 2 are in too (if I can be bothered ) so at least twice a week.

mij I have howled laughing at that. Brilliant - just the sort of thing going on here at the mo

Hi all. Good post-pregnancy-spongey-brain moment there Mij
Well after cracking the breastfeeding it looks like I may have some retained placenta so starting antibiotics tonight and awaiting an appointment for an ultrasound scan at the hospital. Have passed some chunks of membrane-y things over the last couple of days and the lochia increased
Anyway the drugs are deemed safe for breastfeeding (checked with GP, Pharmacist and BFN) but may give Hetty and me the squirts. Booze is also banned for the duration...
Really hoping the scan is clear as I don't fancy going back into hospital for a scrape.
co-sleeping - we do it a wee bit. I saw the snugglenest in TK Maxx recently - wished I'd bought one now as it would be lovely to be snuggled up so close to her without having a nagging squishing worry in the back of my mind. They had them in pink and blue and since we didn't know what flavour baby we were having, I didn't buy one. They were a very good price too.
PND - felt really quite low the last couple of days and unexpectedly had the first HV visit today, coinciding with DP's first day back at work, which could've have turned into a major crying-fest but thankfully it didn't. Both the HV and midwife have patted me on the back about our determination to BF so actually that made me feel much better. Then the GP was ace this afternoon too about my loss and the scan and stuff so despite the problems I feel a bit stronger and brighter now. Don't be hard on yourself xxhunnyxx - you're doing an amazing job and you're by yourself which doubles the strain.

mumofshorty I know what u mean about expressing being time consuming, Joseph wouldn't latch on my boob cos he's got tongue tie and I've got flat nipples so not a good combination. I tried expressing for a few days but it was taking me half an hour to get 1oz off, I just did it by hand cos seemed to get more off that way than with a pump. But yes it seems to be a lot of time required for very little result and it's hardly as though us Mums don't have enough to do with our time is it?!

co-sleeping One benefit of being a single mum is I've got a big double bed to myself so not so much worry about squishing him, in fact I don't worry about it at all. I've always been a very still sleeper anyway so I dont roll over or anythin. I get Joseph in bed with me every morning and we have a couple of hours snoozing together so usually dont get up till about 9.30 . Even if he's not tired he'll always fall asleep if I put him in bed with me, it's great when I really need to sleep .

Thanks jetli I think I'm ok now, think I maybe just had a bit of a wobble, think I'll be ok if I just try and avoid any extra stress. Hope u are ok too x

Found out where the baby clinic is so gonna take him there tomos to get weighed. I remember now that the HV did tell me where they are but I obviously just had baby brain at the time lol.

mij thats so funnt about u forgetting where the baby was! Really made me smile!

cosleeping I just can't do it - haven't even tried, I would be so scared, haven't even falle asleep on the sofa with baby! She goes down really easily in her moses basket anyway.

baths I bath Summer every other day at the moment or sometimes every day is shes has sicked up a lot as it gets down her neck. I put her in with DD2 in big bath and use one of those bath supports. I've got a changing station toowith a bath underneath the mat and thats handy for dunking her in. I didn't use to bath DD1 as often, i thin I am bathing this one more cos I have to bath older one every day.

tips anyone formula feeding? I have devised the best way ( IMO ) for making up bottles. I got some of those bottle seperators. I can make up 6 bottles and just fill with cooled boiled water. Keeping the measured amount of formula in the sterilised pots means I can make a fresh feed when I need it. I aslo have never heated a bottle for her so she takes it at room temp. No n
eed to refridgerate the bottles of water. So at night it's dead easy, no going downstairs and warming a refridgerated bottle and it's also even easier to be out and about. I made the mistake of warming DD1s bottles and she would only take milk warmed for the first yr of her life and if the bottle started to go too cool she would refuse it and I'd have to use another bottle!

Mij that is the best laugh I have had all day.
Co sleeping. I can't get Max to settle in the moses basket so have him with me all night. I am terrified of squashing him. I have fallen asleep feeding him a few times and wake up with a fright 1/2 expecting him to have fallen down and not to be able to breathe. I had forgotten about all the worries with a newborn. My other 2 were great at going down in the moses basket but he goes down asleep and within 5 minutes is wide awake and screaming....like he is doing at the moment as I had the cheek to put him in his cot! So I have better go for now!! xxx

Mij I had a similar moment today, I walked into the kitchen and totally jumped when I heard Zach make a noise as I forgot he was in there! Ooops.

I ventured out with the double buggy today to get DS1 from nursery. The P&T is great but OMG it's such an effort to get it up and down stairs! And we have 7 steps at the front of our house and so does the nursery, d'oh! GP visited me today and amongst the postnatal questions asked me if I was worried about swine flu! Can't say I am but then I started to get worried cos he was talking about it. He said to avoid crowds but given DS is in nursery 2 mornings a week I can't really do that. Anyone else worried about it or is it all just gone OTT?

Hello everyone I've moved over here - can't catch up with all the posts so starting from here. I've posted some pics of baby gregory on my profile. Gave him his first bath today and he loved it.

So lots of questions to ask you all
Like:
when does the bleeding stop?
When does the baby latching on stop hurting?

... but now baby is awake ...

bleeding - after ds1 (emcs) i was bleeding for around 6wks. This time (elcs) i'm still bleeding after 2.5 wks but it isn't very much now so i'm hoping it will stop soon.

I personally haven't had any pain at all with bf so i can't answer that one.

Noah's feeding has really changed over the last few days. He was only feeding for about 5-10mins at a time then falling asleep and nothing we did would wake him up, probably why he lost so much weight and still isn't back to his birth weight. But he's feeding for much longer and going around 3hrs in between feeds now. He is only 4oz away from his birth weight now and mw said yesterday it's possible his birth weight was wrong but i'm not so sure with how he was feeding.

bathing - We are so bad at bathing Noah He is going to have his 4th bath at 2.5wk old in a few minutes

Now i've got a nice clean, fluffy haired baby

Hello all - it's getting busy in here now!

baths we're bathing Sid about every 3 days. I was just thinking what a clean little thing he was when changing him yesterday until he lifted up his arm (usually clamped to his side) to reveal some very old sick in his armpit that had turned to cheese [boak] I was horrified! oh the smell....

nipple pain has got lots better - after around a week of blood blisters and toe-curling at every latch-on, the half-gallon of Lansinoh has done the trick and I'm rosy-nipped and pain free again. Bit worried about my supply, but probably just paranoid; HV visited today and he's still putting on weight, just a bit slowly.

JetLi - so chuffed for you that you've cracked the BF'ing, btw

Bad news of the week is that my episiotomy stitched have not only burst but have got infected - yikes. GP has put me on anti-biotics and I'm doing the salt bath and fanjo-hairdryer routine 2/3 times a day. It REALLY hurts. I'm a bit because I know it'll take an age to heal and I just want to be jumping around again (and the resuming of 'marital relations' now seems even further away than it did before) HV left me a leaftlet on contraception today - I had to laugh (through the pain!)

Ouch!!!!! Activityapple that sounds so sore. i am sure you are popping those pain killers like there's no tomorrow. As for contraception, ha ha, think we will remain celibate til the kids have left home.

Bonzodoodah- love your photos of Gregory (smashing name too !) Charlie is enjoying the bath so far, maybe won't be so keen once I've lost my grip on him, I forgot they are slippery little eels once wet & soaped up ! My DH makes a much better job of it, men have much bigger forearms and hands.

hunny many thanks for your solidarity re the frustration that expressing milk can be, hope your lil Joseph is feeding well now.

Krumbock Bran Flakes every day plus dried apricots, bananas & gallons of water seem to work for me good luck !

bonzo those pics are lovely and I love the name too My bleeding has just about stopped now just a trickle and Alfie is 3 and a half weeks still has occassional bursts though but not bad.
Breastfeeding Again no pain now and the let down pain I had initially has just about gone too.
activity ouch hope they heal soon for you. I laughed at the contraception thing too but strangely find myself now considering it a possibility... must admit I am very nervous this time for some reason it never bothered me with the other 2 and I had worse tears very strange!

Can't remember who is using real nappies but if anyone wants any bargain ones Flamesparrow is closing her business down and selling stock off. Thread here

baths DD2 getting loads more than DD1 ever did cos big sis wants her little sis in with her, whenever she's awake at the right time.

activity had a similar experience with DD1 - thought she had eczema behind her ears, but realised it was dried on dribbles of milk, lord knows how long they'd been there when we discovered them .

bleeding much longer this time, and almost stopped but then restarted. MW said it could be a period cos DD2 doesn't feed much overnight. If it is I will be extremely pissed off - had over a year's break from the sodding things last time, was looking forward to getting the same (I, and therefore my family, suffer quite badly from PMS...)

let-down pains - really, really strong this time. Used to feel let-down on and off through my previous 3 years of BFing but not like this - it's like someone's just grabbed my norks and given them a twist. Ouch.

latching pains depends what it is that's hurting. Can hurt more if you're really full, and for some people it can be uncomfortable for the first 15 seconds or so of each feed for the first few weeks of BFing. But if there's the possibility of a latch issue, it will only really stop when that is resolved. Have you got any support available, someone who could watch a feed/latch on and see if they can see an obvious issue bonzo?

bonzo gorgeous pics - I still can't uplaod any of mine on here!

bleeding I bled for 3 weeks after c/s

Morning all! Up, bathed and dressed in this house by 8:30am - a bloody miracle.
Still popping the antibiotics and probiotics but the bleeding seems to have eased off a bit and I've passed no more lumps and chunks of stuff - sorry TMI at this time in a morning. No appointment for the scan as yet, but the midwife is popping back today to check us out. I have the phone strapped to me as they keep stressing to ring 999 immediately if I get a "gush".
Sorry to hear about your stitches Activity - sounds bloody awful. I've been adding a capful of savlon to every one of my baths - that may help? It doesn't sting or anything. I think everything is OK with my stitches - no pain or anything, and I've gingerly had a poke around and they all seem to have dissolved.
Hetty has done 2 double-boob midnight feeds and then gone through until 5/6 am the last 2 nights - I'm sure it won't last and I do wake up with a massive surge of panic when I realise how late it is (yesterday morning I kicked the moses basket in an effort to launch myself upright in bed - now that woke her up!!). I am using a Respisense breathing monitor/tummy tickler so that gives me some peace of mind that I'd know if she stopped breathing. It has only gone off in error once because it slipped off her nappy.
bathnight - we're aiming for every other night in this house - she seems to like it and because the changing table/bath thingy is next to the mirror, she gets to watch another baby getting bathed at the same time which seems to amuse her.
nipple pain - that has all gone away thank goodness. Had a tear on the right hand side as I didn't get her latched on right a couple of evenings ago, so had to take a few deep breaths yesterday before offering the injured breast, but it was fine in the end. It's healing well now on a combo of Lansinoh, breastmilk and Hetty-goober. BTW Lansinoh is on offer in our local Morrisons at £6.66 instead of a tenner if anyone needs any. The let down is really unpleasant though - the left side is a shooting pain in my armpit and on the right it hurts in my back. Thankfully both only last a few seconds, but it doesn't half make me wince. Hopefully that will go away in time. I'm getting tingly boobs when she needs a feed now as well, so all the reflexes appear to be there despite our somewhat rocky start. And I'm back in my jeans already!! So breastfeeding is just sucking the baby fat right out of me - sadly my tum is not exactly taut and trim but it would probably help if I could find time to do my post-natal exercises. Is anyone else doing them?
Thanks for the info about flamesparrow Phoenix - what a shame she's packing up... Will have a look and a wee spend today I think. We haven't migrated from the disposables just yet - the squirts from the antibiotics aren't helping on that score, but hoping to have a go with our real nappies soon.
Anyway better go and have some breakfast.

Managed to post a couple of pics this morning and make my profile public - or at least I think I did!!

Hi everyone

BF
Well today I have been to my 3rd bf group within a week and I am getting sooo frustrated. My latch is fine. It has been checked for the upteenth time and there is no latching issues but nipples still coming out pinched and it hurts me. Had someone check the tt situation today too (sometimes they need to be snipped twice) and she reckons it is fine. I may just double check at another bf group tomorrow if I can get there re the tongue but I don't know what else to do. Trying different positions only moves the pinching and I am getting better at the cross cradle anyhow. Supposedly I have been told as DS's mouth gets bigger the pinching will cease (and with him using his tongue more efficiently). Until then it is painkillers and grin and bear it. Doesn't help with the cluster feeding at the witching hour making things even more sore...........very envious of you who have no pains bf!

Stitches
I think mine are ok. I did do a spin class last Sat (mad I know) and all seemed fine bar me bouncing on the saddle a little too vigorously. Downstairs was a wee painful for the rest of the day. So

Bleeding
Mine tends to stop and start. Until then it is towels for 'just in case moments'.

Tummy
Still saggy even though I only have half a stone to lose. Anyone know of any good post natal yoga dvd's (or just normal yoga?) Or should I stop having my glass of wine in the evening and chocolate at 3am!?!

Baths
Poor DS only had his first one over the weekend. We have been topping and tailing instead.

Well my parents are bringing back my 2 DC's today after having them for a week. I am scared of having to deal with all 3 again but miss them so much now too. Wish me luck.

Gaaaah!

That was me at 9pm last night

DD has decided that going to bed is simply not fun unless she is doing her shouting/singing/animal impressions. I put her to bed at 7pm and she settled at 9.30pm!!! I think it is a bit of regression in reaction to DS as nothing else has changed in her routine, no new foods etc.

DS also had me crying last night as he was suffering really badly with colic for the 1st time and it really took me back to the awful 6 weeks we had with DD. Luckily once he calmed down and went to sleep at 10.30pm he then slept till 4.20am! It really didn't help last night that that I was feeling really ill and was exhausted too.

bathing DS has only had one bath so far (he's nearly 4 weeks now) as his skin was quite dry where he was a bit early. He gets topped and tailed twice a day and his hair rinsed every few days so he really isn't stinky!!

bleeding I had about the same amount this time as with DD, on to pantyliners now as there is very little there and they are way more comfy for me than the always

tummy mine is ridiculously saggy and I have stretchmarks from my waist to my knees - ah well, the price we pay for our LO's!

stitches mine got so much better at the 3 week mark and I feel much better now, although a little sore if I over do it or sit down too hard!

postnataldvds Davina McCalls is supposed to be tood, I'm going to order it, I'm 5 wkg post section so might start it next wk if I can.

Having a restful break while baby G sleeps. (He let me have a 5 hour break last night 2-7am - Bliss!) And letting my boobs have a rest …. I have another question:
You all keep mentioning cluster feeding …? I’ve not heard of this before … what is it apart from feeding a lot?

Mij so it really IS let-down pain and not just someone biting my nipples really hard? Good grief it is toe curling and I’m hoping it stops soon.
I may ask the midwife to come and watch me BF as I don’t know if he’s taking enough nipple into his mouth but have no idea how to make him change his technique. Mad really as I BF my DD (2 next week) until 17months so I thought I knew how to do this …

mumofshortie have you tried using one of these in the bath? They cushion the baby so you don’t have to hold them - they lie on it - then you can use two hands to wash and stabilise them. I think it’s great.

Activity ouch and flipping heck about the stitches - poor you!!!

Good grief JetLi hope you are healed soon. (and lovely pics - gosh so much hair!)

bonzo I have just researched cluster feeding on the net, I am FF but my baby definately fussy feeds from about 6 -10 / 5/11 in the evenings, she takes smaller amounts and then sleeps for a few hrs.

In BF babies is is supposed to increase your supply as your baby needs more.

Ultrasound scan 9:45am today - midwife came yesterday and played merry hell that I didn't have an appointment yet to get checked out so she kicked some hospital ass and we're off there this morning. Hopefully they'll give me the all-clear - I'm getting so as I daren't leave the house in case of "The Gush"!!
We certainly had cluster feeding last night in this house - from 6:30 until midnight. I swaddled her for the last feed because she was getting cross and pretending to be a windmill. That seemed to calm her down and she went from midnight-ish until 5:30am so I can't really complain.
Wish me luck at the hosp.

Good luck JetLi, hope all is ok

Thanks v much for your link of the foam bath support Bonzo I had seen them in Mothercare, making mental note to self to buy, and you have just jogged my memory !!

DD had Major meltdown yesterday on our way to the regisrars to get Charlie boy official- was demanding to be put back sitting on the pram as DH had done earlier, even when given the choice between going on Daddy's shoulders OR walking !! Bloody hell, these toddlers are hard work, even when we are trying extra hard to give her heaps of attention, special one-to-one time with both Mummy and then with Daddy, ignoring lots of things we'd normally challenge her on ... does anyone else with two or more DC ever think they are trying too hard ?!!!!!

Think I will post this and then come back later as I have lost so many posts just from going back to check other people's posts before posting ..... if you catch my drift !?!

morning, just trying to catch up on everyones posts, good luck jetli for today!
ouch activity that sounds very painful.
tummy although im back in to pre-pregnancy jeans my tummy is so wobbly its like a kangaroo pouch!
bathing bill is getting done almost twice a day as he's being so sick!
am waiting for hv to ring us because of bills vomitting. think he may have refulx he's sick after every feed, although the vomitting is worse at night. he also will only settle upright which can be apain so cant put him in pram or moses basket because as soon as he's down he's sick. HAVE RESORTED TO TRYING TO GET HIM TO TAKE A DUMMY BECAUSE WHEN HE'S SICK HE IMMEDIATELY WANTS TO FEED BUT IF I DO FEED HIM HE GETS MORE (oops caps! one hand typing!) distressed and is sick more so have to let him chomp on a dummy, something he is not happy about, until he calms down! hope everyone else is ok!
DP GOES BACK TO WORK ON SAT AFTER BEING OFF SINCE THE 6TH, I CANT WAIT HE'S DOING MY HEAD IN! (shit did it agasin!)

Gillyan - I meant to say yesterday about your bottle feeding tips and have just noticed you were on a bottle feeding thread that i have been on. I'm giving Noah a FF on an evening and was really confused by the new guidelines and from reading that thread this is how i've been doing it.

Sterilise a bottle and put half the amount of boiling water you will need into it (eg. if you will be making a 4oz feed put 2oz in) quickly cool it under the tap and put it in the fridge. Apparantly its ok in the fridge for 24hrs.

Just before she is ready for a feed boil the kettle (don't let the water cool for more than half an hour as it needs to be over 70degrees to kill the bacteria in the powder) and again put half the amount of water into a fresh bottle and add the correct amount of scoops for the full feed (eg 4oz feed, 4 scoops) shake it to mix then add the cooled water from the fridge and shake again.

This way you will have added the powder to boiling water so as to kill the bacteria and by adding the cold water it will have cooled the milk down enough to probably feed straight away so no heating or cooling needed.

Hope that makes sense

Oh and the little separator pots you have, pre measure your scoops out into them and leave them on the side for when you need them just to save a few more mins. And you don't need to sterilise them because the powder isn't sterile anyway.

A little TMI but i've read that bf poo doesn't really smell that bad but ds' really smells. Is it normal? He has a 2oz bottle of formula on an evening but bf the rest of the time. His poo is watery and yellow like it's meant to be but it just stinks

Great FF tips Phoenix- ta ! Medical advice seems to have changed in the last 3 and a half years, what you say does make sense, just have to make sure you have enough clean sterilised bottles on the go.

Never quite got my head round how formula powder isn't sterile.

Up til now, we have been cleaning & sterilising bottles, boiling the kettle, immediately putting in the required amount and leaving on the kitchen counter til it's needed. When a feed is needed, have been adding the correct scoops of formula to bottle, mainly cooled by then.Popping the made up bottle in a jug of boiling water for a min just to slightly warm. Obviously, this'll mean any nasties will not be killed as the water is pretty much cooled by the time we've been adding it. OOPS ! Charlie hasn't seemed to be under the weather but I hate the idea of him becoming poorly because we've not prepared his feeds properly or safely. A few questions for the h/v this afternoon, I think.

70 degrees it is then !

mumofshortie YES YES YES! DD causing me endless headaches and heartache! Esp as dd2 keeps wanting to snack all morning and all evening and she looks on enviously as i "cuddle" dd2 to feed her. This mornign by 11am we had played games, read stories and baked cakes together but you would think we'd never spent any time together when she gets wingey.

Feel like bad mum as get really annoyed with her Shouted at her just before lunch. DD2 was feeding AGAIN and refusing to settle (she's starting to try and use me like a dummy... need to nip that in the bud.. along with everything else!) and she KEP asking me to dress and undress her dollies. Got so annoyed as had only one free hand and blood sugar down round my knees as we had still not had lunch due to endlessly feeding baby.

Just snuck away on the premise of looking at the weather on line which she loves. Can't believe it's only 1pm and DH not home till 6 at the earliest... the days are SOOO long again. Off to do some brief food shopping to kill some time

Btw dd2 is a huge munch. Was 2 weeks yesterday and had gone from 9lb to 9lb 10oz just breastfed! Amazing! She doesn't really look big but I think she's longer than dd1. My dad was 6'2" so maybe she'll be a long leggedy beasty!

tummy mine back down to some sort of norla size but wobbly as anything. Most distressing!

postnatal hair loss Anyone else's started yet? Mine only started after i gave up BF last time but seems to be starting already. Remember it was a shock to find the "mouse" in the plug hole each time I washed my hair last time.

Yes 70 apparantley. Ds1 is 3.5 too and we used to make his feeds up and store them in the fridge but these new guidelines say that if you do it that way the bacteria can multiply

phoenix yeah I get it now, just didn't realise. I went downstairs at 1 am this morning and made frsh bottles and cooled them and out them in the fridge Just haven't got the time to be making them up at each feed.

Went to a kids party today and asked 5 different mums as saw them all shaking formula feeds together and they ALL were doing what I was and have had no probs, still I think I will just make in advance.

phoenix meant to say, thanks for the advice though

No problem Gillyan. I'm probably finding that way easy now because Noah is only having 1 ff a day.

I've moved Noah out of his moses basket and into the travel cot in our room. He wasn't sleeping particularly well in the moses basket and seeing as i bought a proper mattress for the travel cot i thought i may as well put him in it. Much better . I put the moses basket on freecycle last night and someone has just collected it and they took the baby bath too cos i am going to go get one of those bath support sponges and put him in the big bath. As we stop using baby equipment/clothes its all going as we've decided that Noah is our last baby. We might get our spare room back once all the baby stuff is out of it

My parents have taken both boys for the afternoon so i'm going to get myself off mumsnet and get a bit of sleep

Hi all - scan went OK - no "products" were found and the radiologist said to see my GP again in a week if my loss is still heavy. They will re-scan if necessary. We couldn't get out of the hospital fast enough Miraculously somehow, the lochia has cleared up to almost nothing seemingly overnight! Maybe it's the antobiotics I'm still padded up just in case, but feeling much more relieved and less anxious now. Am taking Floradix to try and build myself up a bit now.
Thank goodness it's the weekend and there's an extra pair of hands around now. Mum dropped off two lasagnas and a chilli so no cooking for a couple of nights either - just a shame the weather is going to be so shite up north. If I get my way, we're off to bed after tea to snuggle up under the duvet and be a family for a few hours before sleep
Hope everyone is OK out there!

Took Alfie to the osteopath today to have him checked over (After the trauma we had with Fin I wanted to make sure) and she said he was perfect. I can tell you I breathed a sigh of relief.
Hes still piling on hte weight and was 11lb5 on wed!
Had a busy week but not as stressfull now all the hangers on (family in other words) have gone
DD and DS1 off to MIL sunday hopefully for a week so just us and Alfie yay!

Morning
Jetli so glad to hear that the scan went well and there are not "bits" left in you. I thought the afterbirth was supposed to be checked after we delivered though? I guess nothing is 100%...

Gillyan how are the driving lessons? Do you know I only passed my test 2 yrs ago when I was 38weeks pg with DD. Being able to drive when you have multiple DC's really is a lifesaver. Hope you are doing well with it.

Phoenix and Gillyan when I switched from bf to ff with my last 2 DC's we sterilised bottles, added cooled freshly boiled water, stored them on kitchen table and made up feeds as we needed them. Oops I guess. TBH if and when I switch to ff DS2 I will probably do the same as can't imagine having the time to make each feed as needed. Thankfully it is not something I need to think about as currently bf and giving one bottle of EBM at night - Not that bf is established yet. Looks like DS2 needs to have his tt cut again!!! Very common but am a bit upset about the whole thing. At least it explains why he is still pinching my nipples. Now I just need to hold out until it is done again. Fingers crossed it will be done next Th (NHS this time! phew, don't really have the money to go private again) IF the ENT person is in that is. If not I have to wait for the 13th and that just seems forever away in bf time.

On the positive side I did get to enjoy an outing with all 3 DC's on my own yesterday which was lovely. And the sun was out.

Oh forgot to say don't forget you can get Lansinoh on prescription.

hello all, hope all is well, just a quickie to say I have started a thread in the big/slim section ( I don't know how to do links ) called 'I'm 6 wks post-natal...'

Anyone interested in joining me and trying to lose some weight. Anyone planning to start any dieting exercising in the future, come join me too.

Hi everyone. Have just spent the last 5 hours trying to get Max to sleep. I think the problem is that he is so hungry and I just can't keep up with him. I am producing lots of milk. I manage to express about 4 oz at a time, so when he has had a bottle at night I express so have some in the fridge. This afternoon I gave him a full boob feed, which I presume is about 3 or 4 oz and then he still wouldn't settle. I then gave him 3 oz of expressed milk from last night and he fell asleep.

He is still feeding every 1 1/2 hours, but goes 3 or 4 hours at 10pm after his bottle of formula.

Any ideas? Anyone! I am really finding it hard and DH is being less than helpful. His only suggestion is to stop breastfeeding and give him bottles, which may be the answer, but am reluctant to do it so early. I successfully bf ds1 for 6 months and dd for 8 months so know I can do it, Max is just so much hungrier than they were. help!

patchybob sorry to hear DP is so "helpful". It's really hard when they are on you all the time. DD2 is a hungry munch but going 3-3 1/2 hrs (except today when she fed all afternoon... oh yes and will all evening! .It's hard when they won't settle. Don't know what to suggest as was hopeless with dd1 and only managing this time cos it's going so well. Plus you've done it all before so know about not switching sides too early etc. Maybe someone else will have a better idea. Hope you can get it sorted.

mums of more than 1 Anyone finding juggling 2+ children a crazy prospect? DD2 was awake and screaming all afternoon after being repeatedly woken by DD1's attempts to "help" ie coming to me and saying "dd2 was sick so i've cleaned her" (dd1 is 3) and find dd2 unswaddled and bawling. Or find dd1 "singing" nursery rhymes to her while she's settling to sleep in a pitch, tone and volume that only a 3 yr old can manage! ARG!

Sorry patchybob - sounds hard. Hetty rarely feeds for less than 35/40 minutes and that's just one boob, so double for two. Then she goes down OK for 3 or 4 hours usually, but that's timing from the start of the feed rather than the end. Usually she falls asleep on the boob and I just slip out of her mouth. But it's easier on me/us as I only have the 1 to take care of. We often don't leave the bed until lunchtime .

MissP I was going to suggest you both got checked out again cos a pinched nip is the sign of an odd (if not 'wrong') latch, so glad you know what's going on now!

2DCs I'm finding that I'm the problem, even when DD1 is having an OK day. We can have lovely days together, but we have definite flash points - lack of co-operation when we're trying to get out of the house, and mealtimes being the main ones - that turn me into a tight-lipped stomping mean mummy with zero tolerance of anything, particularly threenager behaviour. My DD 'helps' too alibobble, usually by 'checking' to see if DD2 is awake, and in the process waking her up. She also wants to give her lots of cuddles, which should be lovely, but again not great when she's finally gone to sleep .

Patchy has Max always fed like this (I know it's not long, but still)? Cos it could be a wee growth spurt. It is really tough, particularly when loved ones aren't backing you up, but as I'm sure you know (and please don't think I'm being all BF preachy) the text book answer is to feed feed feed to make sure your supply is up to demand. If you're expressing 4oz per pumping session, chances are your DS is getting more cos a baby is way more efficient than a pump at extracting milk. One possible short-term thing you could do is try to fit another pumping session in somewhere (and with two other DCs to deal with that may not be possible) just to help with a supply boost if you think it definitely is hunger keeping him up, but also to give you another couple of ozs in hand should you need it. Would it be possible to drop the EBM feed for a couple of nights and feed him direct? Only asking cos night feeds are particularly important in getting Bfing established, and I vaguely remember reading somewhere that milk may be richer at night [looks to QueenFee to check] but I'm not confident about that - will scurry off to check peer support notes!

slings how's everyone getting on with theirs? Feeling like a right pro cos got DD2 on my back a couple of times last week - didn't do back carries til 7 months with DD1 [sling spod emoticon]

miss I haven't started driving lessons yet. I sent my old paper app off last wk to be changed for a new photo one and change my address details, so waiting for that back, I'm 6 wks post natal on tues so guess I can begin then! probably have to wait for my provisional first. Very excited, just hope I can do it.

ff I'm not worried, I am making them up and storing in the fridge for now and just stand them in boiling water for a min to take the chill off. If I were going out I would still do it how I have been as it's not often

well dp set off at 5 for his first shift back at work, dd is in bed (tho not asleep!) bill is asleep wahoo!
slings mij im loving mine, have got the moby one. as bill is now bigger im finding th hug hold with his feet dangling out and his head supported in one side of the shoulder fabric to be his favourite position, im going to try and feed in it tomorrow as it looks like dd is going to be back in the pushchair and he'll becarried in the sling!
gillyan im joining you on the weight loss thread would like to get down to 9 1/2 stone!
2dcs am finding dd's behaviour quite trying at the moment! she will just sit and scream if she doesnt get her own way. feel like all i do is shout at the minute, with lack of sleep comes lack of patience! any advice on how to control this beahviour very welcome!
patchybob dp has suggested this to me, he seems to think bottle feeding will stop him feeding so often so will slepp longer. my sister looked after dc's round here last night so we could go to cinema, had to leave a bottle which he took although fussed over...and guess what he didnt sleep any longer and still woke for his usual feeds through the night!
havd got the hv coming on monday to see us reguarding bill feeding. i think i may have sussed what the problem is, i think i have a fast let down. my milk spurts out everywhere when he's unsettled and doing his crying at the boob thing. when he starts crying and fussing i take him off milk goes everywhere and i mean everywhere! i put him over shoulder whilst trying to stem the flow and he will burp and quite happily go back on for a bit. he also only feed for about 15 minutes, nothing i do including changing his nappy wakes him to try snd get him to take more. however it does seem to be his 2 am feed where he is at his most fussy and sicky i have no idea why, was up from 2-4 this morning! i also seem to have one very leaky boob is this normal? i have to change it after every feed/other feed as its completely sodden!

ooh i meant that i have to change my breast pad every feed/other feed not my boob...now that would be a party trick!

typing 1 handed so excuse...
patchy i was also going to suggest it sounds like a growth spurt. you hormones for milk production are higher at night so this is the best time to do lots of feeds. also make sure you always offer both breasts and let him come off on his own even if he looks asleep as even the slow sucking stimulates it and will increase supply quicker. Alfie feeds for about an hour then settles for about 2 normally but when he had a growth spurt he was literall on an off all day. hope he settles fr you soon
multiples i have decided that babywearing is the way forward! I am using my sling so much i am about to buy another it reduces the 'help mummy' moments by other dc's somewhat its so frustrating when they are lying happlily and ds or dd wakes him with over enthusiastic pats rocks singing etc they mean well but....
mij on thatsubject i made a ring sling myself which is great but want to buy another - mine is a simple basic sling is it better with the padding or is it a con do you know?
i need to start exppressing milk ready for the 2 nights out i have planned hoping he doesnt refuse the bottle hes only had 1 so far...

Mij I went to 4 bf groups in the past week to check the latch (again and again). So I am so glad at least we have gotten to the bottom of the problem. Even when I attempt to feed in different positions the tongue nips a different part of the nipple IYKWIM so definitely a tt issue.

Cluster Feeding DS has been feeding from about 2:45pm today and we have just finished. He is now finally passed out. He was fine in the am and fed every 3 hours so I am hoping it is just him getting more milk for tomorrow. I get DH to give DS a bottle of EBM for his 11pmish feed. Is that bad? I'm sorry but I just need my sleep. DS1 and DD would see me go into meltdown mode if I didn't get a few hours in.

Weightloss
Gillyan I am definitely up for joining you.

Slings as my boobs are sore I have just gone back to using my Baby Bjorn and doing ok. Shame it is not more of a hammock sling but does the job.

lydia my dcs all had their fussing between 9pm and 2 ... must be the witching hours! i also have a fast let down and find that i have to burp alfie after the first fews sucks as he sort of splutters and gulps on it.

Oh yes
My DH too gets a bit irritated when DS cluster feeds...mainly as my role is to feed whilst he takes care of everything else for the household and our 2 DC's (dinner, baths, bedtime, food shopping, laundry etc) and he thinks I am setting DS2 for 'bad habits' e.g. snacking on me.

mispella I'm thinking of getting Joseph's tongue tie snipped but I don't know if I can handle seeing/hearing them do it, how bad is it? I think it would probably upset me more than Joseph, he's just so tiny
He's being bottle fed as he just couldn't latch on to boobs at all but I'm worried that it'll affect his speech along the line and figure if we were gonna do summat about it better sooner rather than later.

Hi everyone, thanks for the advice and support, I knew there would be the voices of reason out there! Everything you all say makes sense. I didn't know (even after 2 other children!!) that milk is richer at night. Well thats good as I fed him from 1.55am to 4.30am today!! Full of rich milk!! I just couldn't get him to sleep and he was wide awake.

He has always fed like this so I am not sure it is a growth spurt, but I know they have one at 3 weeks and he is 3 weeks tomorrow. I keep trying to tell dh that its such early days and the other 2 weren't brilliant either early on, but he just seems to have forgotten! Anyway he goes back to work tomorrow so I can try to sort it all out for myself!

Anyway, going to make the most of the weather today and get out and about, am sure that that will lift everyones spirits.

Thanks again for the help everyone, will keep you posted xxx

Regarding the night feeding and prolactin release and the whole night milk being richer, can anyone explain a bit? Hetty doesn't always wake for a night feed which is why I ask - by which I mean that she can sometimes launch herself into a both boob feed at midnight and then go through until 5am before waking again - now I wouldn't necessarily class midnight or 5am as a nighttime feed but is that just me being thick? I remember the importance of nighttime feeding for prolactin production from the antenatal classes, but exactly what is classed as nighttime in this respect? My concern is that Hetty very, very rarely wakes at what I would class as a mega-unsociable hour for a feed (infrequent night waking is also apparently a risk for SIDS so I'm double-bothered by this).

Oh just re read my post and I really want to reiterate that my DH is very PRO BF he just isn't pro me getting in a state...DS has been very grizzly today and just on and off the boob since 6:30am! I keep trying to remind myself that this is normal.

Hunny 2 of my DC's have had the tt snip (DD when she was 8 weeks and as you know DS2 at 6 days and he will have again this week at 4weeks +). The LO's really are fine. More traumatic for us mommies. [smile[ The mouth heals very fast apparently due to moist healing (?). Anyhow, that is what the NCT BF counsellor told me. Having noticed that DS1 (just turned 4) has a tt I wish I had known this when he was a baby. Not only did he not latch to feed when born (and I had to get someone privately to come to my home to sort this out),his speech was very delayed. He has since seen a speech therapist and has improved loads BUT it may have saved us a lot of concern and terrible tantrums from him due to frustration of not being able to communicate with us. Something to think about...

Jetli great question. My DS wakes anytime from 2:30am to 5am (most nights around the 4am mark) Does that count as 'night feeding'? Hope we get an answer....(Mij? QF?)

Gillyan great idea for the weigh loss thread, I'm deffo up for it, although I can't exercise until my stitches get sorted out, I'll join in for now for the moral support to cut down on my aunt's gooseberry crumble (she delivers them at the rate of three per week, I need the willpower to say noooooo...)

GP appointment tomorrow morning for the verdict on my open stitches. I was brave stupid enough to get a mirror out and have a look down there the other day... BAD idea. Really bad.

Patchybob my DP is the same - totally pro-BF but he had real trouble watching me struggle with the latch / supply and suggested bottles because it would take the immediate problem away. Male logic at work! He's now been primed that a bit of a struggle on my part is actually for the best if it means I persevere with the boob and get a result, which seems to be happening

Sid only stays on one boob for 15 mins or so at a time and rarely takes a second boob in one session so he's not a hungry little fella and I just can't convince him to take any more. I'll take him for a weigh-in tomorrow to see if he's having a real weight gain problem. People keep commenting on how 'small' he is although he went from 6lb 1oz to 7lb 3oz in 10 days; confusing, hey?

PS - Lydia I have one boob that's waaay more leaky than the other - I've only got to hear him cry for half a minute while I'm setting up for the feed before the pad is sodden through to the bra The other is much better behaved even though when I expressed they seemed to produce the same volume at the same speed. Bizarro.

nightfeeds I count anything after about 9pm as a night feed! Did more strict routine with dd1 as was ff from quite early. I would def count 12am and 4am and 5am as night feeds. I count anything before 7am as still night time and treat it as a night feed to try and encourage dd2 that 5am is not the time to start the day! that said I am no expert. Perhaps it's because I actually need about 9hours sleep to function so bound to think anything past 10pm (my usual bed time) is the night!

slings glad I'm not alone in wondering whether to crack mine out. DD1 always wanted to be held and reaslise that's not an option with a 3 year old in tow. Have a tomy something or other (v like baby bjorn one) which is a faff to get them in but great when all set up. You're supposed to be able to feed with them in it but never worked out how with DD1. Anyone got a clue?

tried to find a link to show it but the Tomy Freestyle carrier that's out now looks different to the one I have. (prob less of a faff getting LO in it now!)

Hi all, well he is asleep so I thought I would make the most of it and come on here!!

Jetli I was wondering that about night feeds too. To me anything before 7am is night as I view it as uncivilised!! Ha Ha, how things have changed in the last 3 weeks!! DD is having huge lies in now that it is the holidays and I am up before her for once!!

Having Max weighed on tuesday. Looked at photos of when he was born and he has already changed so much and is a lot bigger, so I must be doing something right!!

Lydia and Activity weird about the leaky boob! My problem is that mine are always tingling, I keep saying it to the big dc and their response is "oh no, mummy's going to blow"

Anyway, hope to be able to come on here over the next few days, feel I have made up for lost time over the last couple of days....things must be improving! xx

btw ant one else's LO suffered from thrush? Just starting to get over it plus boobs feeling better after applying the nystatin to nips! (doc wouldn't give me anything so friend suggested it and it worked!)

Hi Ali - TheNatty is suffering from thrush - she has started a thread in breastfeeding. Did you get the Nystatin over the counter or on prescription?

Hello all...the dreaded diet/exercise starts tomorrow. Got my 6/8 wk check for Summer and my post natal check with doc in the morning...9am! What kind of tit sendsan appointment booked at that time of the morning to a woman for her 6 wk check! Got to get me, Summer and Grace out the door for about 8.30!!!!!

Grace is staying off nursery now and doesn't go back till she starts her pre-schools there in Sept! I'm finding it a dtruggle with 2 of them and Grace is used to being in nursery 3 dyas a week, wish the wetaher were better.

nightfeeds Me too, I class anything before 7am as nightime. Summer is so different from Grace, she's FF and has about 8 bottles a day about 5 full 40z ones and then she faffs and has about 2oz from the others. Grace was really easy and had a feed every 4 hrs but not Summer.

Still doing the bedtime routine which just consist's of a bath,bottle,cuddle and going to bed in her cot in her own room with low lights. Any feeds after that are done in her room in the low light and we speak in hushed voices to her and try not to change her unless she's dirty. Seems to be working as in she is staying awake longer in the day and ususally goes straight back to sleep at night ( apart from last night where she woke a 3am and was still awake at 4am )

She had a feed at 8pm tonight so think I might wake her up at 11/12 ish and 'dream feed' Anyone heard of dream feeding? I've never done it before, I usually let her wake up when she's ready but it will better if she takes the bottle at that time than waking at 1am etc.

Hi all, things are fab here, Zach is a little dream baby and seems to sleep for at least 20 hours a day! He is only up once a night for a feed which I was a bit worried about but the midwife said that's fine and he's put on a lb since birth so he must be feeding ok.

2dc's we went out into town for the first time today with both ds's, it went ok although we didn't have a clue how to unlock the pram so had to drive to the nearest pram shop to ask, d'oh! ds1 had a few meltdowns and refused lunch but then fell asleep so we managed a nice cuppa at least!

*babys name* we haven't registered zach yet, still have a week to do it but i keep having niggles about his name cos we've had a few looks. i don't feel used to his name yet, are you all used to your babies name or is it taking a while to flow easily? or is it just me?!

Evening ladies

Not too bad here, still feeling a bit poorly, got a lousy throat and a tickly cough that isn't helping.

Isaac is being a darling again, I cut out onions, garlic and lemonade from my diet and is colic is so much better at the moment. He is feeding loads at the moment, guessing a growth spurt but is still going well at night feeding at about 10.30pm, 2.30am and 5.30am. He is self-settling in his moses basket next to our bed after his feeds which is heaven after DD refusing to sleep unless she had a boob next to her cheek!

DD is coping well with being a big sister although she did try to feed him a banana the other day (you see why I never leave them in the same room together!!)

2 DC's I may be crazy but I took DD and DS to Morrisons on my own when DS was 11 days old I just felt I needed to get it out of the way. Now they both come with me to the shop no problem, I also walk into town with them. DD rides in her buggy and Isaac goes in his sling. If it's not too far, DD walks and Isaac goes in the pram.

BF out and about how is everyone getting on? i have no shame and bf DS whenever he needs, luckily we have a lot of bf friendly places down here so I have lots of places to go to. So far, the pub, cafe and library!

leaky boobs and fast let-down I have a ridiculously fast let down and Isaac is smart enough to pull off when it gets too much! I usually have one rag under his head and over my bra and one to catch the spray that hits him in the head! The minute I hear him (or another baby!) cry my boobs let-down and I also get a painful let down too - it is blooming annoying when trying to drive!!! Mind you it's great if you want to do a Dolly Parton impression!

cluster feeding Isaac seems to have his in the morning! I usually have to feed him on and off until about 10.30am from 6/7am.

ilikeyoursleeves We have had Isaac in mind for DS since I was about 4 months pg and it still sounds a bit weird at times

Right, it's about that time for more Mummy Milk so goodnight all, sweet dreams (if you get to that stage of sleep!!)

xxx

Sorry, not a proper response and haven't read all the posts, but in answer to a couple of skimmed questions:

nightfeeding my understanding is that the key period is between midnight and 6am. So it sounds like you're in the zone JetLi .

QueenFee do you mean padding on the rails or padding across the whole thing? I have a Hotsling pouch with a padded rail, and I like it for when you're using it for a hip-carry with a sitting-up baby as it stops the edge digging into their legs. I used it a few times in the cradle carry for DD2, but my boobs are bigger this time and can't really get her in comfortably without hurting one of us! But the padded bit does keep the outer edge away from the babe's face a bit when they're in the cradle position. But really I'm a wrap girl so I've been using the Kari-me and Didymos for even round-the-house carries.

Will try to come back soon to catch up on other posts!

Hello all hope everyone and babies are well. Samuel is now back to and past his birth weight by half an oz, he is 8lb 7.5 oz. Had my first day on my own with 2 kiddies, was little scary but got through it ok. house is a mess but did manage to clean the kitchen but some how they are both still wide awake

Still bf and doing ok but i am bottle as well, well sounds like its time for a feed again and hopefully DD will also be going to bed soon xx

Morning all
Sorry I don't get round to posting more often, but life is a bit busy here with 4DS's and school holidays.
Jack is now 6 weeks old and we are finally beginning to establish some kind of routine particularly with feeding. He's not particularly happy when he's made to wait for a feed, but it means I'm not glued to the sofa all day and we can get out and about a bit more. We're now feeding about 4 hourly in the daytime and he is feeding really well and much more settled in between.

beccabump I'm definitely into feeding anywhere and everywhere and would get quite hormonal if anyone challenged me on it. I am quite discreet, although Jack makes it fairly obvious by slurping and burping very loudly DS1 is very embarrassed by the whole BF process (he's 11) and was a liitle taken aback when I said I was going to feed him in MacDonalds the other day. ("Mum you are SO embarrassing" to which my standard reply is "Thank you" )

Have now got used to Jack's name, although it took a while. I was calling him by DS3's name for about 4 weeks. It still feels a bit weird as Jack sounds like a boy/man's name rather than a baby's name to me.

Must go and check on the DS's as it's all gone very quiet, NEVER a good sign ....

baby names I called dd2 the wrong name repeatedly for nearly 2 weeks! I called her either dd1's name or a Hannah which is a good friend's baby's name! Clearly Hannah must have been on the list subconsciously! Got used to the name now (even though I picked it!) and call her the right name. Registered dd2 within days (thanks to DH) so no chance to change!

dream feeding Did this with dd1 as was FF. Worked a treat with her cos she would have last feed of the day about 6/7 so would feed her even though she was barely awake at 10/11pm and then only have 1 night feed instead of 2. Can do with BF babies but a suspect you'd be advised to start it after BF well established. (see comments on importance of night feeds)

bf in public DH is v proud of me for BF dd2 in several locations in IKEa the other day. Did get some funny looks in the children's section as I perched on the top of a wooden slide to do it as the only chairs around were micro poangs! Feel v liberated after dd1 being so difficult to feed that I can do it in public. Plus I've just bought new spangly feeding bras so need to flash them in public

Thanks for the info mij - that's reassuring to know.
HV came - Hetty 8lb 14oz so averaging 1oz a day weight gain in the last week - we're really chuffed in this house
HV can also write up prescriptions for thrush medication if necessary so that's also a relief - the antibiotics finish today and I'm glad to see the bloody back of them. DD on the back garden in her pram having a post-lunch snooze. I need to tackle the thank you cards - people have been so kind with their presents and the washing line is full of new clothes. This weeks goal is to get the child out of babygro's and into a frock or two otherwise she'll have grown out of all these lovely outfits before she gets chance to wear them!
Going on holiday next week, up to Scarborough so looking forward to some proper fish and chips and a dirty great knickerbocker glory in the Harbour Bar - I am delaying joining the weight loss thread until after the trip ladies
HV also told me that if I get any hassle for breastfeeding in public anywhere locally, then I've to report it to her as they have an education program for local businesses. Apparently the wine bar nearby was recently reported for turfing out a group of BF-ing Mums - I was so shocked that I think I could become a breastfeeding vigilante - anyhow they've been re-educated now and so I shouldn't have any problems going there and getting my norks out!

hi all, had health visitor round today to check if bill was ok regaurding his vomitting. turns out he doesnt have refulx or any other problem apart from binge feeding! he's now a whopping 10lb 80z which is a weight gain of 3lb in 4 weeks! she was watching him feed and said it was comfort feeding, that he was nursing when he wasnt hungry, so too full a belly was making him sick! he's jumped from the niddle line to just below the top line on the chart which apparently is averaged for bottle fed babies not breast! her advise was to get him on a dummy so he can distinguish between feeding and comfort, something she said she is against but given that he was sick and clearly distressed by it in fromt of her she thought it best! she also told me to put breast milk on his eyes which have been sticky since birth, apparently the antibodies should clear it up. if id have known that i wouldnt have been so hasty to wipe them after he gets sprayed by my booby milk when he unlatches!
bf i got my boobies out twice today once in the park, when the grass was being moan and once in the local family pub for lunch with my old dear! very proud of myself!!

Hey all. I went out to a garden centre yesterday and BF on the bench in the play area while DD played. I don't think anyone even noticed I was BF. Hurrah!

While I was there there was an odd thing I noticed (when I nipped to the loo to dry off my milk-sodden Tshirt - gah) - was that after 2 days of no bleeding I suddenly had masses and masses. (sorry if TMI) anyone else had this? Was a bit scary - as reading someone on here being worried about "a gush" I kept thinking "is this one?". It has slowed down quite a bit now - but thank goodness I stll kept a decent sized towel on and not the mini one I was going to risk. Would have been mortifying .

mij can I have some sling advice? I bought a second hand sling - think it's what you call a ring sling - like a pleated bit the baby rides in and the shoulder bit is secured on shoulder by going through a metal ring. I can't seem to get baby in a comfortable position in it. Always seems crumpled up or hanging out or suffocating. Any ideas?
Also - I really fancied a kari-me but it looks like it really is just a length of stretchy material. Could I just make one with stretchy T-shirt material and find a website that says how to tie it? And if so ... how long a piece do I need?
(I also have a Mothercare baby bjorn type sling but that seems to harsh a carry thing for such a young baby - I used it extensively for DD but when she was older.) Any help gratefully received!

Brilliant to hear stories of BF-ing all over the place, can I ask those already doing it - what's your method for doing it discretely? Do you do some tactical muslin-draping or can you get your DC into a position where everything is covered automatically?

Bonzo my bleeding comes and goes a bit too, I've still got the big old maternity pads on standby. My MW said that as the womb contracts a bit it can 'release' a bit more, IYKWIM. Apparently as long as there are no clots it's not a problem.

On the subject of 'downstairs' I saw the GP who said that I'm healing up really well, but she was surprised that the hospital hadn't made it clear what a major epistiotomy I'd actually had (I was a bit out of it while it was being done, but apparently it's a whopper) and that I should have been told to rest up a lot more than I had. Anyway what's done is done and it's knitting back together nicely and the infection has gone

JLo2 that's a great response to your DS1, I'll have to remember that for when Sid's saying exactly that to me.. I'm looking forward to being an embarrassing mum!

babynames he's definitely a Sid to me, but I've got this weird thing where I keep calling him "her" or "she" it's so odd. We never though he was a girl when I was pg so it's my sleep deprived mind playing tricks.

JetLi good for you for getting the little outfits on, I haven't attempted to get mine in his proper trousers yet, sleepsuits are just too easy (I'd wear one myself if it were socially acceptable..). We've got the in-laws staying soon, so I might have to break out the little sailor suit that they sent him. The poor little chap, it's really quite hideous.

bonzo i found you tube great for vids showing how to carry in the sling will upload a pic of alfie in his on here too
bf i bf in church 2nd row from front yesterday very proud of us!
dreamfeeds my sister did this with her 3 (bf) babies and swear by it. never worked for mine they would just refuse to feed and just cry till they went back to sleep
jetli make sure you do get treated otherwise you will just keep re infecting each other there is a page on one of the wesites that you can print out to take to drs if you need it - i think it was on the abm website - i will look for it if you need it?
lydia well done I am getting alfie weighed tomorrow but he had gone from the 50th to the 98th too! He is also really sick after a feed as he is a greedy milk monster but doesnt seem bothered by it (i am! -Washing washing washing!) My dd did the same though and it just settled by itself. She did have a dummy. Alfie refuses one point blank though which in one way i am glad about as i am currently trying to wean ds off his addiction to his but at the same time it would be usefull!
names I am gettign used to Alfies but poor wee mite does get ds's name all the time too!

Hi all,

Baby name - Noah was Noah nearly all through my pg so we haven't had a problem with his name apart from calling him Lewis (ds1's name)

Finally after 3wks Noah has reached and passed his birth weight. He was 9lb 1oz today and his birth weight was 8lb 10oz. I'm planning on gradually cutting down breastfeeding now and eventually changing to formula in a few weeks.

I'm even more confused by making formula bottles up now because mw today said to add the powder to aired water when ds is ready for his feed . Is that how you are doing it Gillyan?

owwwwww!! after a day of trying not to over feed bill my boobs are rock hard! he's gone nearly 3 hours between feeds since i got the dummy this morning!queenfee the only dummy bill will take is a cherry shaped one.
i keep calling bill, bob!

ooh meant to add, bill is still in babygros he looks so cute in them withhis fat little cheeks now. although will need to start putting him in all the outfits we were brought as they wont fit for much longer if i keep putting it off!
activity i feed him with his blanket over him so covering most of me too, then have a muslin over the shoulder of the boob im feeding from to wind him and cover my boob should he come off!(and to catch the spray!)

Well dome all you breast feeding stars! I BF Summer when I was getting her registered, actually in the offioe, the woman was lovely and even got me a fan as it was so ho that day!

names I have been continually referring to Summer as 'the baby' or 'baby', seemed really tricky to get to grips with calling her by her name. I also call her babs, bobs and wooey???? Getting better at using he rname though now.

dreamfeeding woke her last night at 11 and she took bottle fine, then woke at 3.30 for 'night feed' and then woke at 6.50 thisd orning so alomst there!

Had my post natal chk today and all is well with me and baby, she's 10lbs 10x now and 6 wks old tomorrow!

First day of diet has gone well, not cheated and feeling full. I put Summer in her carrier and stomped into town and back and got a stitch! Made the affort to go to the part as well this avo ad stomped round there for an hr pushing th buggy, result - totally fudged!

lydia well done BF success, glad you found out whats wrong with Bill, I am trying to get Summer to take a dummy to settle her as she try to feed a lot, she either refuses it point blank or it only stays in a few mins.

mispella yeah defo concerned about his speech development, I needed speech therapy when I was young and also my sister did n I think my speech probs really affected my confidence and ability to make friends. I've also noticed that his top lip seems to have the same problem but as I'm not that familiar with babies lips and mouths I'm not sure. HV comes on Wednesday so I'll ask her to check.

dreamfeeds last night Joseph had his bed time bottle at 7pm and then didn't wake for his next feed till 2am so that's 7 hours so I'm gonna see if he keeps doin this I might start waking him at about 11pm and then hopefully he might sleep through till 6am. But I'm sure it wont be that simple, never is lol.

PND been feelin really crap the last few days, didn't eat anything for days n hardly sleeping but then decided today to get a grip and pull myself together cos not fair on Joseph. I've started eating again but still not much appetite. Again think I need to speak to HV on Wednesday.

hunny hope you are ok. Hope you can talk to the health visotor about it. Keep your chin up.

Congratulations to all of those with those lovely chubby babies who are putting on such a great amount of weight. Brilliant news.

Re breastfreeding....I am happy to do to anytime, any place!! I cover up with a muslin or a scalf and no one has ever said anything to me (if they do I would tell them where to go!!) Although a friends 8 year old said to me today that I still had a big tummy when I was feeding! Little monkey!

Coped fine today without dh, just a bit of a juggling act in the evening when there were things to do. Anyway, hopefully things will get easier.

Those of you who had c sections, I wonder if you have any ideas about stitches. I have a bit in the middle of scar which is a bit weepy and I noticed that you can see part of the stitches. Its not hot or sore at all but looks horrible. Any advice? Should I ask the health visitor when I see her tomorrow? Would she know about c section scars or is she just there for the baby?

Started driving again today. Dr said to wait till 4 weeks but I pursuaded her that I needed to drive today (3 weeks). It was great, felt like real life again!

What is dream feeding btw?

Sleep well everyone xx

patchy go to your doc. Same thing happned with mine at the edge and the middle. The doc sent me staright to the nurse ( maybe you should book nurse appoint?) as they deal with section wounds in the aftermath, she got some tweezers and pulled the stitches high up andsnipped then ( internal stitches I presume u are talking about ) and then they popped back down inside, she cleaned it and put an iodine dressing on to help the skin heal over properly.

I then got infection/redness and thrush and I had a cream callen Trimovate which is an anti septic/ anti biotic/ anti fungal / and staroid all in one, to promote healing.

dreamfeeding I only heard about the other a day, it's where u wake your baby at a time that suits u better like just before u want to go to bed and feed them. Apparently they will suck instinctively and it's supposed to help you only have one night feed.

The other night baby had fed at 7 pm and was in bed for 7.30 - instead of letting her wake when she wanted, sometimes like 1am I woke her and fed her at 11pm and then she woke up at 3.30 and then 6.50 so almost one night feed, I still class 6.50 as earlt tho!

Didn't work last night though, she fed at 7, was in bed for 8, woke her at 11.15, she only took an oz and went back to sleep then woke up at 2.30had full bottle and then woke again 4.30 had a full botlle and then woke at 8 this morning!

Thanks Gillyan will book an appointment. The edges look lovely and tidy, its just the bit in the middle thats a bit rough looking!

I never knew that was called dream feeding! Funny how you do things but don't know the name!

My mum was supposed to be coming to help me with the kids today but called this am to say she isn't well. Feel so gutted, which is slefish of me I know but was looking forward to someone else holding the baby for a few hours!!! Anyway dh back tomorrow for 2 weeks, hoorah!

Hello all

having a horrid wk DD is ill, got sent home from nursery wont keep anything down not even water and temp went up to 39.8c. Went to doc today and she has a tummy bug with UTI.

And now i have infection in breast (cant spell it) so BF is really painful and fells like someone is sitting on my chest every time. so only managing 2 feeds a day but he is doing well with bottle and BF. he is going every 4 hours and 2 nights in a row he went from midnight to 6am

Having a boy is so different to DD, he always wonts to be cuddled and is always pulling his blanket over his head so going to get him a sleeping bag so he cant do it and he is a pain to bring his wind up.

House work??? anyone managing it? still have dh home till friday but i think he makes more mess then the kids!

sounds like its calpol time for DD, and baby has hiccups

Take care to all xx

I have decided TODAY that I am going camping over bank hol. 2 nights 3 days. 4hr car journey.

Got all the gear and have been with my older daughter when she was 2.6, she's now 3.6.

My new baby will be 9 wks by them.

We are having elec hook up for the tent so I can take the steriliser for the bottles (I'm FF) and I am going to take those ready made cartons of formula aswell. I'm taking the moses basket for her to sleep in, will have my baby bjorn carrier thing, the buggy/pram and obvisouly the car seat, thinking of taking the bouncer.

I can't afford to go and buy anything else like cold water sterilisers etc as not much oey spare before we go.

Going to take an elec fan just in case we have a freak heat wave . She's got a growbag to sleep in too.

Anyone have any advice or helpful hints for managing with a baby camping I would be very gratefulto hear.

I'm not fussed about going but DP is a bit more worried and thinks it will be too much with a youngun.

Patchy and Gillyan - My c section wound is still a bit manky too. I had 10 days of antibiotics but it doesn't look any better to me so i'm gonna have to go back to the doctors. Gillyan if you had thrush in yours did it itch? Mine is and it's driving me insane. 1 midwife said she thought it was thrush, doctor and my usual midwife just said infection

Patchy - I started driving on Saturday (3wk and 1 day after section) I was going insane been stuck in the house.

We've been out to Meadowhall most of today so Noah has had bottles and now my boobs feel so full and sore, ouch. Will be expressing some for dh to feed him later as soon as he decides i can put him down without screaming.

lydie I love you! you mentioned cherry shaped dummies and i got some today. Hoorah Max can keep them in!!! Lying in my arms, sucking away happily!

He was weighed today, he has gone from 8lb12oz last monday to 9lb14 oz today! Not surprised as he has fed constantly! Makes me feel like i amdoing something right!

Phoenix its great to be driving isn't it. a real sense of freedom. Still haven't got round to ,king rhat dr appointment re scar, i need to make one for Max too as he has a weird lump in his groin rhat the hv discovered today.

Must go as 1 handed typing takes too long! xx

Oooh i might have to try some cherry dummies too. Noah loves his dummies but he just can't keep them in, maybe they'll stay in better for him too

Hi it has taken me a while to get around to posting here. dd is two weeks now dp goes back to work tomorrow . HV thinks I may have a touch of depression but I am hoping it will clear up once I get some peace and quiet from visitors.

Breastfeeding going well I have thrush in both boobs but we have caught it early and are now treating it but still feeding and it is not yet causing a problem sorry if tmi.

I hope all is well with everyone else. I havent had chance to read everyone posts and dd is waking for feed so will catch up later.

phoenix didn't itch it was just red and slippy! Yuk!

cherrydummies is that literally a round drop shape then?

had Alfie weighed again today and the little milk monster is now 12lb 8 no wonder I am constantly hungry!
camping we are also thinking about going in the next couple of weeks I just don't know if I can be bothered - its not the baby that bothers me he's perfectly portable
DS is 3 on sunday and I have no idea what to get him for a present -any good suggestions anyone?
We are taking him to see Thomas the tank at LLangollen on sat so that should be fun for him but he needs a present to open!

Gillyan yes mine is slippy too. It does occasionally bleed a little and that can't be good. I need to get my arse into gear and get back to the docs.

Queenfee We got ds1 a balance bike for his 3rd birthday. for your little milk monster.

Off to get my Ben and Jerrys ice cream while Noah is asleep on dh . We need to start thinking about a bedtime routine

Morning
Finally sun!!! YAH!

Queenfee we got DS1 when he turned 3 last yr a Microscooter and it is a godsend. He scoots to the park and school etc and it is light enough for me to carry back home if I have to with a buggy. I hope you enjoy his bday this weekend.

Scars Stitches Double ouch to all of you getting over your CS /episo/tear stitches. Hope you all get better and over the worst of it.

Hunny hope you are feeling less blue. It is totally ok to feel down and a bit lost. It's a huge lifestyle and hormonal adjustment right now.

Gillyan I have NO advice about camping with a newborn and tod but enjoy! I'm hedging my bets that the weather will be good by then (but don't quote me).

Cherry Dummies where can I get one?? I am at my wits end as DS2 won't take the one we have and he can be really really hard to settle...My other 2 DC's loved their dummy and fell to sleep very easily.

BF well tomorrow is the 2nd tt cut. Feel scared. What if after all this bf still doesn't click? I seemed to have stumped all bf counselors/lc as I am doing everything well latch wise (having tweaked it with their help). Fingers x'd. Natty so glad you got the meds! Let me know how you are getting on.

Hi slushy - hope you're doing OK today with DP back at work. My first day after DP went back was also dreaded but didn't turn out so bad and in the end the time honestly flew by. Thinking of you x

morning! its horrid weather here was supposed to be going to bbq tonight looks like that'll be cancelled!
cherrydummies i searched high and low and could only get them from superdrug, boots all had orthodontic ones! it sounds silly but you they tend to be the cheapo dummies, think our local wilkos sells 3 for £1! bill is so funny with his dummy, he looks so bloody cross when he's chomping on it as if to say 'wheres my boob gone!'. have been giving it to him after his feeds to try and stop him being sick! gillyan yeah thats how they're shaped, they look so big but bill is happy with it. camping sounds great havent done it since i went to a leeds fest! we were on about going to glasto next year with the kiddies...think its more of a pipeline dream!
manualexpressing can someone tell me how they catch theres when expressing? my hand one broke and dont seem to have the nack of catching it. it was funny the other night watching dp trying to fix it, he kept putting it on himself to suss out the suction bless! wish id got a snap shot!

Yes Yes, go and get the cherry dummies. Lydia, Max looks cross too, like he can't believe that I have been so mean! He keeps them in for quite a while where the other ones slip out really quickly. I got them in a local pharmacy. I had to get pink ones as I was desperate and thats all they had, but as dd says Max can't see his mouth and won't mind!!

Slushy hope you have a good day, hom,e alone...I found it quite reassuring as I managed to cope and was proud of myself. DH home now and in bed sleeping so will take the dc out in search of school shoes...oh dear sounds like a recipe for disaster!

I have to say things have settled down lovely with dp back at work I am quite surprised it is alot more peaceful and I seem to be able to get alot more done.

Thanks to Patchy and jetli you were right I was as usual worrying over nothing. dd has been weighed she has gained 8 lbs since born so I must be feeding right.

My ds seems to be happier now that things are back to normal as well.

Havn't gone public yet though I am waiting for boobs to settle down. I found it hard the first time with ds but now I don't really care where I get them out.

Can anyone remember how long leaky stage lasts it seems like I am wishing too much to stay dry for 5 mins.

Glad to hear all the other baby's are thriving.

slushy glad you have had an ok day. I agree that you do manage to get more done and it is such a huge sense of achievement isn't it!

Took Max to the Dr today, they are great and gave him an appointment today as he is so little. The dr said the lmp is nothing to worry about and may be a small cyst.

He also looked at my scar and decided to take the stitches out. he said they take 50-60 days to dissolve and you only need them in for 7. He said that as they were showing it could allow an inftection to travel along the stitch and they were best removed. He put a huge dressing on them and said I can't take it off for 2 days, but already i am fed up with it!!

Just to let you know that all tommee tippee bottles, breast pads etc are 1/2 price in tescos. I got some bottles today so was well chuffed that they were 5.49 for 3 and not 10.99. Also they had the cherry dummies if anyone is looking for them.

Does anyone know what to do with bottles etc once they are sterilised. Things comeout of my steriliser very wet, how do I dry them without them no longer being sterile? Don't want to leave them in there and sterilise them all the time really. Same for my breast pump?

I got some cherry dummies from Superdrug today. He's got one in now but it still seems to pop out of his mouth when he sucks on it.

I've got to take ds1 for his 3 and a half year assessment tomorrow afternoon and Monday he's got an injection booster. I made the mistake of telling him about the injection the other day and he was crying histerically saying 'no mummy, i don't want a needle' ooops

cherry dummies! i got a pack of 3 from Mothercare today, tommi tippee ones £3.75

lydia I have always thought they looked like cheaper ones and wouldn't be as good but low and behold she had hers in for the last hr and hasn't fussed and no 2 hr between feeds starting at 6pm! fantastico!

DD1 had her pre-school immunisation today! OH how she cried, it was awful! phoenix good luck!

Dummies Am contemplating dummy for dd2. Dd1 wouldn't take one and ended up a thumb sucker (like me) but dd2 seems to be using me as a dummy. Keep hearing how you shouldn't give a dummy if you are BF as different sucking but dd feeds so quickly I'm sure she still wants to keep sucking. She sucks on boobs till let down reflex then stops. V annoying. Wouldn't settle at all last night. Was awake from 8-11pm screaming the house down for the whole 3 hours. Not much fun. She only slept when she was led next to me but must have worn herself out cos slept from 11-5

present for 3year old I'm afraid dd1 got a buggy and dolly in prep for the arrival of the baby (her birthday was 4 weeks before due date) but I'm not sure that boys would be as pleased as she was! Friend bought her DS a bike as he's so adept at that sort of thing he can ride one with stabilizers. I was amazed. He has a little scooter (one foot on and push along type) that he adores too. I tell you what are really good orchard toys games. We have several that are excellent. dotty dinosaurs or doodle bugs are great but there are loads. You can get them in John Lewis, Toys are us and the ELC section of debenhams.

try this link or orchard toys home site

Hi everyone,

I can't comment on the dummies, not tried one with Zach but DS1 hated them so much I gave up after a few attempts. Talking of sucking though, I fed Zach lying down in bed yesterday and he obviously didn't latch on properly cos I now have a cracked nipple ARGH OUCH! So I'm trying to be ultra careful about how he is latching on now.

I went into town with Zach today on my own, DS1 was at aunties for the day. Oh it was fab! So peaceful! He slept most of the day and I had so many old biddies oooooing and ahhhhhing over him, I love this newborn stage. I fed him in M&S baby changing which was fine, then in the car before we went home. I fed him in the park the other day in front of a group of kids, they didn't bat an eyelid

Oh and I got my moby wrap today! Decided to get a decent sling as I used babybjorn last time which seemed too stiff. I tried the moby tonight and it's fab! Not been out for a walk in it yet but walked round the house with Zach in it and it felt so comfy.

Going to register Zach's birth tomorrow, I'm still not used to his name but then again I think it took a while for DS1's to sink in so here's hoping I'll get used to it!

Hi ladies, not had a chance to catch up as have a poorly DD - she's had vomiting, fever and cough so is being treated with Tamiflu as it may well be swine flu

DS is lovely and seems to be healthy atm - bf'ing so at least he'll be getting some of my anti-bodies.

Got my mum here again this week thankfully so she's been helping me juggle a demand fed baby and a v clingy DD

xxx

Hi Everyone,

I've finally made it onto here...only three weeks after Sam was born! Haven't quite managed to catch up on all the posts yet though - it's getting very busy on here now most of us have had our babies.

He's still an ounce off his birthweight but midwife has discharged us as she's happy he's putting the weight back on (he lost 1lb 3oz in the first few days). Having trouble with the poos though - he goes 5 or 6 days without having one and then has a massive one that goes everywhere. DH is really enjoying cleaning those up

I've managed to breastfeed three times while out and about but still not very confident. I struggle to get him latched without flashing everyone and then have trouble putting my boob away discretely when he's finished. While he's actually feeding i just put a muslin or sheet over the two of us so people can't see much (particularly my wobbly tummy - my stretchmarks are enough to put anyone off their food )

I fed him in Pizza Express on Tuesday and when the waiter brought my pizza and saw i was feeding he asked if i'd like the pizza slicing to make it easier to eat It made me realise that most people probably won't care about me breastfeeding in public so i'm going to keep pushing myself to keep doing it until i do feel confident.

Anyway, better go now as he's starting to wake up and chew his hand...a subtle hint that he wants milk i think. Hopefully it won't be another three weeks before i get back on here.

becca I hope your dd gets better soon kids can be so demanding when ill glad your mum is coming to help though.

Hi all!
Was somewhat forced by screaming Hetty to breastfeed on a bench at the local country park on Wednesday. Wasn't too bad with a muslin draped artfully over my shoulder, to shield us from the dog walkers. Need something heavier though as I was nervous about it blowing away and exposing us both! Went to BF drop-in yesterday and they were fab as always. Friends have mentioned they used to nip back to the car to breastfeed when out and about, if they were uncomfortable - oddly this never occurred to me to do at all, but seems like a very good idea. I get the feeling as well that Hetty is going to get to be easily distracted when feeding so having somewhere quiet to go may well be key.

Hi everyone,

I can't believe DT's are 6 weeks already, time is flying in a blur of feeding and not much sleep! How are all the other twin mummies finding it?

becca I hope your DD is feeling better. DS1 was poorly last week with all the symptoms of swine flu. We had the tamiflu but found it actually made him vomit more so we stopped it and he was much better 24 hours later.

ilikeyoursleeves I love my moby wrap sling. I can carry both DT's in it although I do get some funny looks!

Hi all - I wrote a massive long post in reply to people the other night - one handed while BF - and then the internet lost it - v frustrating.
I had said hunny - not surprised you're feeling low - it's a massive change and you've not got the support you were hoping for. Speak to your midwife and or doctor and get all the help you can ((hug))

Patchy I'd speak to the Doc if your scar is weepy - need to catch things early before they get infected and you get run down.

QueenFee lovely pic of the sling. mine is a non-stretchy version of that. I have tried a position like that now but he winged a bit - willtry again.

mij I really asnted a kari-me sling but it looks like just a length of stretchy cloth. Is that right? Can I just buy some T-shirt material and use that? If so how long a piece would I need? I found the sling meet website but have just missed the local one (manchester) for this month. Shame.

My DD was 2 yesterday - wow - time has flown. we had a party for 12 little ones in the garden but the weather was super so it was a great day. Thank goodness!

Hi everyone

I'm off out tonight for my night with the girles, can't wait, leaving poor DP with both kids!

Hope you enjoyed your night out last night Gillyan - good idea!

alibobble we've given DS a dummy even thought he's breast fed - I really didn't want to but the practitioner we're seeing for his cranial osteopathy said that the sucking action would further help his distress when colicky (it does) and that as long as we were sparing with using them, it shouldn't confuse the sucking for BF (it hasn't) so we're happy using them now.

Sid has shot up another lb in a week to 8lb 5oz. Good lad! I was concerned that he's still only on the 25th centile, but I hadn't realised that the charts in the red book refer to bottle-fed babies, which is a bit odd if they're so mad keen on pushing bf-ing.

I'm gingerly trying out my sling round the house - it's a Napsack, which I think is a sort of Mei Tai - it feels lovely and secure, but DS still feels a bit small in it. There's a slightly terrifying warning in the instruction book that if he can't keep his head up it means that he might not be able breathe and could be fatal (!) surely I don't have to wait until he has neck control until I can put him in a fabric sling facing me? I'm confused... (and I'm an easily-startled first-timer, can you tell? )

ages since i've been on here!

moody very impressed with your waiter it wouldn't occur to most partners to do that without being asked let alone a stranger - wow!
activity my dd and ds both had dummies from about 1 week without any trouble - I know they don't recommend it but if feeding is going well I don't think it's a problem. As for the charts they have just bought out new ones based on BF babies. However we are the last lot of the old ones as it takes a while for them to filter through. I did have some a few years ago on trial and I have to say they arn't hugely different. BF babies tend to climb up slightly sharper and level off at about 3/4 months so don't panic if Sid does!

been to see Thomas and it was great (although did fall out with DH - he thinks wandering off with alfie in the pram is helpfull he doesnt seem to realise everything I need is in the bags under the buggy and isn't it supposed to be a family day out i.e together?) but the kids loved it! highly recommend it for anyone with preschoolers (although DD enjoyed it too)

Went to a wedding do last night which was lovely. Alfie came with me in his sling and he was cooed at left right and centre. I should now get commision for all the slings people are going to go out and buy

hi all, im very jealous of those who've had nights out im gagging for one!
have had an emotional day with dd, have had to have our dog rehomed. she was getting jealous before bill was born but she snarled and nipped dd the other day so she's gone to my sisters work colleague who was desperate for a dog. older lady, no kids so think she'll be happy there!
activity bill has a dummy too, hasnt caused him any problems with feeding as he's getting a right porker! must admit i was a bit when hv said chart was based on ff babies! he's getting weighed again tomorrow. i have noticed he's not feeding so much with a dummy as my boobs felt like they were going to explode the other day!

Gillyan hope you had a great night out.

BF is driving me bananas. I am not sure how much longer I can grin and bear it. Totally fu&ed off with it.

On the plus side DS2 has really put on weight. At 4 1/2 weeks he was a couple oz over 11 lbs! Means from day 10 when he just regained his birth weight he has put on nearly a pound a week! He weighs more than DS1 did at the same time who was topped up with formula. Funny that...

Anyway off to google info on mastitis (it has reared it's ugly head!)

Well it wasn't swine flu! It was a horrid horrid d&v bug which me, my mum and DH all caught 48 hours after DD was ill

Have felt rough since Friday but slowly recovering...was getting a bit worried at one point as I was so dehydrated I felt the life draining out of me when feeding DS but have made it through the other side and he's no ill-effects

If that's how my DD felt I'm not surprised she was so miserable!

london11 we also stopped the Tamiflu with DD as it made her so much worse!

Hi everyone, it seems very quiet on here, are we all just so busy with the babies!?

QueenFee glad Thomas was fun. It takes me back as we always used to go to LLangollen with ds when he went through his thomas phase! Inlaws live near by so we go there quite a lot. It is great isn't it.

Lydia hope you ok now, it is so sad for you but it must have been a worry not knowing if the dog would bite or not.

Misspaella hope the mastitis clear up for you, no wonder you are fed up.

I am catching 5 mins of peace. DH has taken the 2 big kids out with some friends and Max is asleep (in his car seat as I know the minute I lift him out and put him in his cot he would wake up!!) He is still very hard to settle, has not yet learnt the art of settling himself to sleep. DH is running short of patience and is blaming it on the breastfeeding, saying i clearly don't have enough to settle him, which I disagree with. I have to say is negative attitude is wearing me down now. He seems to think that Max should be going for longer between feeds and be more settled by now. Aargh! What to do!

Apart from that all is well. I am going to get him weighed today if he wakes in time to prove a point to DH that he is putting on loads of weight and he wouldn't be doing that if I didn't have enough milk!

hi everyone. v fed up at mo. DD BF feeding CONSTANTLY! Don't seem to get much let up. I know she's had/having a growth spurt but it seems endless (over a week) and can't seem to catch her up

DH very down and things not great with DD1 (love whoever called it a threenager!) Feel like a bad mummy all the time. Boohiss!

We all seem to be having a bad time of it at the mo. My DH keeps whinging that everytime he sees me Alfie seems to be attached to the boob. I feel like I am pinned to the sofa I think it's a growth spurt as he wasn't this bad last week but typical for itto hit when DH is off. I am a bit worried that Alfie is putting on too much weight, he does seem to be a bit of as porker. Can BF babies be overweight do you think? I have always been told not, and I have to admit if he doesn't want the boob then you can make him suck for anything but having climbed centiles I do wonder. DD did the same and was a big baby but now at 5 she is perfectly proportioned so maybe its just the way my babies grow.
I need to give Alfie a few bottles over the next few weeks as 1. I want DH to stop panicing every time I so much as nip to the shop for milk without taking Alfie with me and 2. in readiness for the hen night I am going on at the end of the month. I don't know wheather to express milk or just give him formula which would be easier for the odd time he needs a bottle oh decisions decisions...
DH back to work tomorrow so back to our normal routine. Phew. I love him being off but sometimes it is just easier without!
Yesterday was DSs birthday but just turned out to be a disaster as we were all so tired

also want to introduce a bottle to save rejection later. DD is 3 weeks now. Was going to do it last week but decided to give BF another week to get established but starting to worry that if she doesn't have one soon she won't take one at all. We shall see. Hope everyone feels better soon.

btw dummies turned out to be a non issue as dd2 is like dd1 and hates the things! Will only suck one if she's hungry otherwise spits them out. Bit of a pain as she's so wingey and clingy and cries ALOT at the moment but hey ho! Off to look up these sling-amybobs!

bad time here too! dd still isnt sleeping through and had her pestering me at 4 this morning for 1. a drink 2. the light on 3. cbeebies 4. to go downstairs 5. a cuddle with bill and on and on. dp just lay there whilst iwas dealing with her and trying to feed bill who at that point had been awake for 2 and half hours!! i snapped at her bvery badly, which i feel awful about, dp finally got up shouted at me for being horrid and slept in her room with her. i feel awful but i wish he'd help more. even on his day off he sleeps in whilst i do the running around! i only get about 4/5 hours sleep a night so im knackered.
thankfully though after seeing hv today i mentioned dd not sleeping and she's referring us to her colleague who helps parents with non sleeping children!
queenfee bill is now at 11lb 6 1/2oz so nearly another lb on this week. i was worried too about his weight gain especially as dd was so slow to put on weight, but the hv assured me it was fine, and better to be a chunk on boob milk than formula!

Sorry to hear that there are so many BF-ing issues for us. I'm only a beginner so have no advice of my own but the LLL and Kellymom websites have been a brilliant source of advice (and comfort) to me. DS is a proper little vomit-machine but thanks to these sites I'm pretty sure now that it's due to my fast let-down. I'm going to a BF support group on Thurs to get it checked out properly.

Patchy it's funny how men seem to think they know best about BF-ing isn't it..? When my DP makes helpful daft comments, I challenge him to do some research to back it up. He loves a 'project' so gets stuck into the books and the net and usually concludes that he might have been a bit hasty to start suggesting formula / nipple shields / routines etc.

QueenFee I know what you mean about it actually being a bit easier with the men in our lives back at work

I saw the GP this morning and the damage from the burst epi stitches is now healing so I'm looking forward to getting out and about on my own soon. I've been getting a bit of cabin fever and hated being reliant on others to get me out of the house. I'm going to perfect my sling technique and take a walk to the library tomorrow. Not that I'm getting much of a chance to read books as any activity that involves more than one hand is pretty much out. Hence why I'm so glad that I recorded two series of The Wire on the digibox earlier this year, it's making my confinement to the sofa sooo much better!

bf issues - Everyone has my sympathies... We have fussing at the breast in this house - little bugger is swinging off my nipple at times - its bloody agony. Tried swaddling (makes her honestly insane with rage), switching sides, switching positions, walking away, burping, holding her very firmly and close - all sorts. Nothing works to be honest, except occasionally the swaddling makes her so cross, that she's really grateful when she is de-swaddled and then she behaves herself for a little while. But that makes me feel like a shit to be honest! I totally lost it and had to abandon ship on Saturday night so DP got lumbered. I had a bath and got into bed at 11pm and never heard another thing - he paced with her until 1am and she sucked so hard on his chest that he's got a little, proper love bite on his collar bone from her - and then the little bugger fell fast asleep just as he was chucking together an emergency bottle of formula. She slept for 6 hours straight so all the stropping must have worn her out. I felt like the worlds worst mother the next morning
Started bleeding again today so off to try and get a GP appointment in the morning - should be going on holiday Wednesday but not sure what will happen now - don't want any more antibiotics but I'm not sure what else they can do other than a D&C - I'm bloody fed up with it all. I just want to be on the mend and feeling well.
Weigh day tomorrow - hoping for a good gain by way of encouragement.

Hello. I am with the ones who are struggling with a 3yr old! lydia your description of cebeebies, light on etc is so funny and I've got exactly the same thing going on here. Poor DD1 is used to being in nursery 3 days a week and she hasn't been now since Aug and is only going back for pre-school hrs in Sept, so she's cleary bored! I even made flapjack yesterday with her but she seems to need about 10 intereseting activities to do per day and it's just not possible! The constant question asking mixed in with 'I don't want to' 'it's not fair' 'I'm not your friend ever again' is getting rather wearing by about 6pm, just as DP walks in and I'm ready to walk off! I had to just let her have her gloopy glue, glitter and scissors (kids ones) and an egg box and pieces of card yesterday..she had started getting it all out of her craft box and I just didn't have the energy to say no....my dining room table looks like Mr maker threw up on it! Arhhhhh...

Anyhow..baby is not too bad, yesterday she went for 4 hrs without feeds in the day which she has never done and the day before I upped her bottled rom 4oz to 5oz as she suddenly startwed draing the smaller ones. Think sje's having a growth spurt. Last night she had a feed at 12.10 - 12.50 then 4.50 - 5.20 then 8am not too bad.

She;s got her first immunisation next week...DD2 had her pre-schooler one last wk, it was awful

I'm getting excited for camping, still thinking I must be a mental to contemplate it, we're going for 5 days now!

hi everyone. jetli you have my sympathies with the losing the plot. I walked into the spare room (where dH is sleeping at present) after 1 1/2hrs of feeding and handed over screaming child to save me shaking her or some other horrid thing as I knew I was at breaking point. She stayed awake another hour after that but we all lived to tell the tale.

gillyan the tv's been on ALOT in our house recently! DD1 was only allowed an hour a day up till now but was so knackered after last night I even managed a kip on the settee through charlie and lola! Unfortunately as result of last night's stupidness dd2 has slept most of the day. have tried alsorts to wake her but only managed 3 feeds so far so I'll pay for that later.

thrush It's back! ARG! This explains why milk supply currently rubbish and also dd fussiness and explosive poos Ah well at least dd got time to do sticking and making and the park today.

Anyone else find LO sleeps more in the day if it's hot?

Message withdrawn

christiana God you poor woman! What a total nightmare for you. Hope tour DD1 gets better soon. Hope you get some rest, it can't go on forever keep rememebring that xx

Oh christiana so sorry to hear that ur having such a hard time! Sounds like something out of a stupid comedy, not making light of ur situation though.

Sophia went through 3 days of not sleeping last week and I was going ballistic. Eventually "threw" her at DP and went to sleep in spare room. So everyone being kept out of sleep you have my sympathies!

Totally resenting DP at the moment. He works nights so I'm with bub by myself all nite, then in the morning he just comes home and sleeps. Doesn't even offer me a cup of tea or anything! He sleeps till nearly time to get ready for work, so basically I'm with her 24/7! Arghhh just need to vent! Yesterday I was in my pjs till 4pm.

Oh the joys...

Message withdrawn

Feel sad for all you ladies who partners aren't being very supportive. I am very lucky that Simon does the late night feed and changes pooey nappies etc and he helps out and does a few jobs when he gets in...I am not meaning to brag. Can u talk to your partners and try and get some more help/understanding off them? Bloody men sometimes, they have a right cheek! You could mention about some girl on mumsnet who makes u sick cos her Dp does this and that....

Cheekycel - You have my sympathies with dp working nights. Dh works shifts which include nights and he's the same. Comes home kicks me and both ds' out of bed (ds1 is normally in our bed by the time he comes home) and sleeps til well into the afternoon (he does 12hr nights, 7pm-7am). I still haven't worked out how to have a bath/shower when i'm on my own with the kids.

christiana, sounds like you've had a nightmare few weeks. Hope everyone is better/getting better.

After all the talk of tongue tie on this thread it turns out ds1 has it and i never even knew. I remember when he was born his hv querying it but then she decided he didn't have it. He had delayed speech and now can't pronounce alot of words properly but i didn't know that could be tongue tie til it was mentioned on here. Then when the mw was here weighing Noah last week she was talking to him and she said 'is it tongue tie or can he just not talk properly yet' so that got me thinking and i mentioned it to his hv a few days later at his 3.5yr assessment and she tried to look but ds1 can't/won't lift his tongue to see. So i took him to the gp yesterday and she lifted his tongue and he is tongue tied so hv has referred him for speech therapy and gp referred him to ENT at hospital

Noah is on formula through the day now and i'm breastfeeding at night. He went from 9lb 1oz to 9lb 9.5oz in a week . I think he may have colic now as he screams alot on an evening then we calm him and he falls asleep then wakes up screaming pulling his legs up then he calms, sleeps, screams etc. for a few hours.

I'm on another course of antibiotics for my wound infection and have to go to the nurse every few days to get it dressed. It looks really nasty but it doesn't really hurt that much.

Sorry for the long boring post.

Hope all the mummies and babies are doing ok

Christiana what a nightmare, it sounds like youhave been through hell. Hopefully things are looking up for you now. Have you tried calamine cream, far better than the lotion as it actually sooths the spots rather than drys them out.

Cheekycel shift work is hard, my dh works away so can be away for days on end. When he gets back he is normally exhausted and fit for nothing for a few days! (and really gets on my nerves, everything he does, he does with a face like a slapped arse ) I am lucky though as he also does a late night feed. He feeds Max at 10.30 (or later if he is fast asleep) and brings him up to me. Last night he bought him up at 1am and before I knew it Max had slept till 6.10am! Hoorah, first time ever....he is normally the 1 1/2 hour baby! Feel human toay! My boobs are suffering though, so full I think I might explode. In fact I am off to express now as I can't think about anything else!!!

Hope

oops, see what I mean! What I was going to say is hope it gets better for all of you soon! xxx

sleep deprived ladies you have my sympathies. ((hugs all round)) I hope you all cope somehow.

christina Patchybob's right the calamine cream is way better than the lotion. Chicken pox is horrid. I know it's awful now but better to get it out the way when they are little... not that it makes you feel better at the time. I remember dd1 getting it. It was awful.

useless DP's* Sorry to hear that alot of you are feeling unsupported at the moment. DH is quite good about stuff and very helpful practically. Unfortunately he's recovering from depression and not very emotionally supportive but I'm used to that now. Last night wasn't so bad. Think growth spurt is easing off after a week. Boobs were so full this morning I expressed 2 oz and it barely made a dent... which is pretty full for someone who had 34c boobs before this bf lark!

Hi all!

Just to say that I have finally made it to the post-natal thread - yippee!!

James George was born 5/8 7lb 7oz after a fairly quick labour once it got properly established.

Will post more when I have time!

congratulations Andie01

Who has stolen my adorable 2 yr old and replaced her with a monster??

ok, now I really want to cry - just popped to the bathroom and it appears that, despite exclusive bf'ing, AF has returned at 6 weeks post birth

With DD it took 13 months

Cograts Andie well done

becca I'm wondering where mine is! I only BF for 2 wks but the doc said I should have had it by between 4 - 6 wks and I'm 7 wks post natal now! We have had sex quite a lot actually but been very careful! God can u imagine getting pregnant so soon!!!

Gillyan Blooming heck! I wish I was up for nookie already - poor DP is a little frustrated now but I am just way too uncomfortable still. Plus with the BF every time I get brushed against I explode and it's not sexy!!

On an AF update - I have no idea what is going on as it's all stopped again now even though I have AF type pains. Good job I'm seeing my doc tomorrow for my 6 week check I guess!

Hia all hope all is well, sorry for not posting for so long. But have been trying to adjust to 3 Dc's my 2 yr old has really been testing me to a point i really thought i couldent cope (not a nice feeling). Thankfully im adjusting and have some sort of routine going. Maisie is doing well though 6wks and weighs 10lb12 now (my partners birth weight owch). She feeds every 4hrs & has last feed at 10pm then always wakes at 3ish then 7, so cant complain about sleep but do sympathise with those not getting much Ds2 was a nightmare. Im also amazed how much washing we generate in this house its constant. I have just put Ds'2 into nursery 2 sessions a week which gives me a little break & prepares him when i go back to work, i had no idea how expensive it was gonna be though £700 a month for 2 full sessions a week seems crazy to me x x

Hello! I finally made it - Arthur William eventually arrived 12 days late on 5th August (clearly a good day for it, Andie!), born in the water, weighing 10Ibs 2oz.

All good so far but it's easy to say that after only a week! I think my toughest challenge is going to be managing 3. I do feel for you dannyg - only 7 days in and I'm already feeling the strain of 3 very conflicting personalities!

I haven't really checked into this thread before now as post-natal seemed another world away til now! I'll read back to catch up with you all and learn all there is to know about the first few weeks from all you old timers!

Congratulations to Andie and *princess buttercup* Glad you have joined us.

These leaking boobs are driving me nuts its 3 weeks now and I still can not go out for fear of drowning someone I tried breast pads and they last me all of ten seconds then my mw wonders why I laughed when she warned me I need to be careful about supply.

Glad to say ds is behaving normally now and seems to have adjusted to his sister.

v to hear of unsupportive partners hope they pick up soon might be just tiredness.

Oh christiana what a nightmare - poor you! hope you're starting to have a better time.

And hope all of you are coping. My little grot is feeding erratically and it's really hard at night with only 2 hours between feeds sometimes. It does get better - I remember from last time it does get better but it seems like it won't ... sigh.

oooh congrats Buttercup - a waterbirth at that weight [bows fdown to you] ... well done you!

Right i'll add a list to this thread now cos everyone who has recently been on the thread has had their babies i think.

Congratulations andie01 and princessbuttercup

Babies Born

Our special Niamh Hope Anne, daughter of Woollyjo - Remembered Always - Born 30th June @ 04.12 - 8lb 13oz
rattling - Born 6th May - Magnus and Alasdair (Due 1st July)
Eviebear - Born 16th June @ 00.08 - Mia Rose - 6lb 3oz (Due 7th July)
Quiltedrose - Born 17th June @ 06.17 - Beatrice Elizabeth - 6lbs (Due 6th July)
Christiana - Born 18th June @ 13.03 - Ruby Lucia - 7lbs 8.5oz (Due 25th June)
MrsMope - Born 19th June - Girl - 7lbs 3oz and Boy - 5lb 15oz (Due 1st July)
JLo2 - Born 21st June - Jack - 7lb 15oz (Due 29th June)
Gillyan - Born 23rd June @ 12.52 - Summer Jennifer - 8lb (Due 9th July)
vanimal - Born 23rd June - Girl - 5lb 8oz (Due 9th July)
London11 - Born 25th June @ 10.16 and 10.17 - Theo William - 7lb 7oz and Lewis Daniel - 7lb 3oz (Due 9th July)
LargeGlassofRed - Born 25th June @ 21.46 - Freddie - 6lb and Stanley - 6lb 12oz (Due 9th July)
plot2 - Born 29th June @ 10.31 - Christy - 7lb 7oz (Due 16th July)
nicky6 - Born 29th June @ 11.50 - Noah James - 7lb 11oz (Due 2nd July)
Mij - Born 29th June @ 14.05 - Caitlin - 7lb 1oz (Due 10th July)
dannyg - Born 30th June @ 11.31 - Maisie - 8lb 3oz (Due 14th July)
soozze - Born 30th June @ 15.06 - Girl - 7lb 12oz (Due 5th July)
mum2boys2girls - Born 1st July @ 17.38 - Abigail - 7lb 3.5oz (Due 4th July)
QueenFee - Born 2nd July @ 15.35 - Alfie Ewan - 8lb 9oz (Due 7th July)
Beccabump - Born 3rd July - Isaac Charles - 7lb 5oz (Due 16th July)
xxhunnyxx - Born 4th July @ 17.21 - Joseph Adam - 7lb 4oz (Due 6th July)
Misspaella - Born 4th July @ 20.42 - Tristan Benjamin - 8lb 3oz (Due 7th July)
Lydiathetattooedlady - Born 6th July @10.14 - Bill James - 7lb 11oz (Due 15th July)
Newb - Born 6th July - Eva Constance - 8lb 9oz (Due 10th July)
TheNatty - Born 7th July @ 10.24 - Charlie - 7lb 14oz (Due 16th July)
thelollipoplady - Born 10th July - Hugo - 9lbs (Due 7th July)
Phoenix - Born 10th July @ 09.50 - Noah Rhys - 8lb 10oz (Due 17th July)
scully - Born 11th July @ 14.40 - Connor - 7lb 13oz (Due 13th July)
rubyriley - Born 11th July @ 15.36 - James David - 8lb 12oz (Due 8th July)
Patchybob - Born 13th July @ 09.57 - Max Harley - 8lb 10oz (Due 17th July)
ActivityApple - Born 13th July @ 11.30 - Sidney Wolfgang - 6lb 13oz (Due 7th July)
Bozette - Born 13th July @ 13.49 - Amelia Grace - 7lb 15oz (Due 17th July)
JetLi - Born 13th July @ 18.45 - Hetty Florence - 8lb 6oz (Due 8th July)
mickeylou - Born 14th July - Poppy Grace - 8lb (Due 25th July)
alibobble - Born 15th July @ 08.30 - Rebecca Joy - 9lb (Due 17th July)
Tay1981 - Born 15th July @ 10.06 - Olive Grace - 9lb 7oz (Due 11th July)
moodylou - Born 15th July @ 10.57 - Samuel Isaac - 9lb 13oz (Due 1st July)
Mavornia - Born 15th July - Roman - 8lb 2oz (Due 30th July)
betsyboo - Born 19th July @ 08.58 - Charlie Joseph - 8lb 9.5oz (Due 9th July)
mumofshortie73 - Born 19th July - Charlie Gordon - 8lb 1.5oz (Due 27th July)
starmucks - Born 20th July @ 0.53 - Edward Orson - 6lb 11oz (Due 20th July)
MrsCrunch - Born 20th July @ 13.50 - Matilda Ellie - 7lb 15oz (Due 6th July)
julyjuly - Born 20th July @ 14.00 - Ruby Alice - 8lb 7oz (Due 22nd July)
ilikeyoursleeves - Born 21st July @ 05.30 - Zach - 6lb 4oz (Due 24th July)
pippa251 - Born 21st July @ 08.06 - Islay - 8lb 4oz (Due 13th July)
BonzoDoodah - Born 22nd July @ 11.40 - Gregory - 10lb 6oz (Due 25th July)
slushy06 - Born 22nd July @ 13.45 - Girl - 8lb 2oz (Due 14th July)
Accebar - Born 22nd July @ 14.20 - Matilda - 7lb 10.5oz (Due 15th July)
hobbgoblin - Born 23rd July @ 11.00 - Oenone Rose - 7lb 8oz (Due 9th July)
Cheekycel - Born 23rd July @ 06.22 - Sophia Munashe - 8lb 6oz (Due 28th July)
krumbockmummy - Born 24th July @ 02.14 - Samuel Peter Leopold - 8lb 7oz (Due 27th July)
Belgrano - Born 27th July @ 13.28 - Boy - 8lb 9.5oz (Due 20th July)
Lillabet - Born 27th July @ 23.30 - Samuel Joseph - 8lb 3oz (Due 16th July)
chellebelle - Born 29th July @ 07.47 - Jessica - 8lb 15oz (Due 22nd July)
TwoJobsOneManOneBump - Born 1st August @ 09.00 - George - 9lb 3oz (Due 19th July)
Andie01 - Born 5th August - James George - 7lb 7oz (Due 27th July)
PrincessButtercup - Born 5th August - Arthur William - 10lb 2oz (Due 25th July)
pop1973 - Born ??
Naturopath - Born ??

25 Girls*
*35 Boys

Not Heard From

9th July - chaya5738 - Surprise
12th July - Jenny79 - first baby - Having a boy
15th July - Tamequa
17th July - BrumOne - first baby
26th July - justlookatthatbooty - Having a girl
31st July - maidinamerica - first baby - Having a girl

Its only taken me 4 1/2 weeks to finally post on here!! But I've been reading and am soo going through similar things to all of you...

The nearly 2 year old.... adorable to his sister but swapped with a monster at other times...
Sleep deprivation....
Leaky boobs, the list goes on with the recent addition of swine flu! Am finishing course of tamiflu, have to say it's magic stuff, made me feel better quickly. Didn't give it to DS 'its only a virus, he'll get better eventually' only obvious what it actually was when the rest of the household were ill after a couple of days!!

Can add my birth story now no more prospective v-bacers around, at my elective section it was found that my scar had silently come apart, so good job i hadn't entertained any vbac ideas myself!! Otherwise it was great, still very calm and lovely.

My question for you all... Does anyone else have a baby that grunts?! I remember ds doing it to a certain degree but she wakes me up with noises that would be more at home in a farmyard or brothel and then wakes herself up and may occasionally accompany it with a little fart. Little minx will settle if bought into my bed. It only seems to happen after the middle of the night feed. Any ideas how to stop it?!

Hi guys

Well done to all the new mummies!!! buttercup 10lbs ouch!

I've had my first 2 good nights with Summer. She's just over 7 wks old and has started sleeping from 7/8 - 3/4 then waking at 8am! It's great. She had a feed at 6 last night and lasted till 3.40am and then only had 30z and went back to sleep till 7am DP decided she didn't seem hungry so got her back to sleep till 8.15! All well and good now but when DD1 is back at nursery we'll have to be up earlier but its a welocme break at the moment - sleep!!!

Anyone else FF? How much is your LO drinking at what age? Summer is 7wks and 3 days but had to put her bottles up to 5oz last wk.

Other than that all well here, scar is def better noe, has been for a few weeks! I'm doing my slimming world diet and have lost 3lb in first wk then weighed myself last night ( should wait till sun night ) but I knew I had lost abit more and another 2lbs gone - so 5lbs down in 11 days!! Very happy!

Hope you are all getting on okay xx

bozette dd1 wasa grunter! Had to wear ear plugs to sleep in smae room as her but her scream when hungry could cut through 2 walls so no worries about missing it. She was in her own room by 6 weeks as I was getting less sleep as thought she was waking to feed but just making lots of noises! dd2 much quieter but still wakes me with her silly noises, put light on and she's still asleep!

newbies welcome to the thread.

bozette Im with u on the grunting and farting ! Sophia makes so much noise that I keep getting up to check on her. And the farting! Sounds like an old man with flatulence probs. DP keeps telling her that she's not very ladylike!

She's still sleeping rather well I think, had a feed at 8 slept from 9 to just after 1, woke up wasn't hungry so cuddled for a bit and then slept till 4.30, fed and changed and brought her to bed with me and we slept till 8! No complanints here.

This morning she fed for an hour and a half though.. 3 weeks and 1 day, is that some form of growth spurt or doesshe just need more milk?

Congrats to the new mummies , looks like we're finally all here

grunting and farting my god DS is keeping me up half the night as I think he is awake only to roll over and see him sleeping soundly whilst creating the most horrendous noise!

hello all - just a quick one as I'm pushing it a bit before another feed is due..

grunting - the osteopath I've been taking Sid to said that he's the squeakiest baby she's ever seen - he makes noises like a disgruntled goat ALL the time, it's extraordinary. I wish I could record it and post up here!

bonking - Gillyan - and it must be good for the weight loss too ... it's going to be a while yet for me, but I've been feeling a bit fruity which is a good sign as I was nervous hearing that it's common for women who are BF'ing to lose their libido a bit. DP keeps giving me the glad-eye so hope I heal up quickly...

boobs no leaking anymore, but I'm a bit worried that I might have mastitis in one as it's got red streaks underneath and is quite hot and tender to the touch. Doesn't hurt too much but I think I need to do some research and 'nip' it in the bud if that's possible. Does anyone have any good tips for getting rid of it?

Cheekycel an hour and a half is a whopper of a feed, is she just comfort-sucking by the end, maybe? That's some good sleep she/you are getting there though - nice work!

Christiana what a shocker of a time you've had, hope all has calmed down a bit in your world and that DD is on the mend.

That was a longer post than I thought I could get away with. Back to the boob buffet now though...

Activity I had mastitis on my ds I found holding a warm flannel on the red area while ds was feeding on the breast helpful. Also you need to speak to someone in case medication is needed It is best to catch it early I think. Hope it clears up soon.

Sorry holding a warm flannel while ds was feeding on the non red breast.

cheekycel 3 weeks is classic growth spurt time. DD 4 wks yesterday and just coming out of it. She was feeding every 2 hours for 4 days! just keep feeding as much as you can during the day and it'll up your milk supply and hopefully not wreck your nights too much!

activity keep feeding on side with red patch esp if you know they are v hungry. If you have access to an electric breastpump, express at the end of a feed to empty the reservoir. I massage the area while pumping. Personally found hand pumps useless. otherwise hot flannel good option.

tummy sleeping Anyone finding that their LO more happy to fall asleep on their tummy? Always put dd on her back to sleep but she rolls over onto side already (4wks) and if she's on her side sometimes flops onto her tummy. Seems really settled there so let her sleep like that during the day. Is a bit scary with all the FSID stuff. HV said it was fine in the day as long as she was put to sleep on her back at night.

Horribly out of touch here - no childminder last two weeks so have been up to my ears. Will try to catch up some time!

boobs second alibobble, also find quite vigorous massage in awarm shower followed swiftly by a feed can help with blocked ducts and the mastitis that it can lead to if not dealt with. Plus feeding in different positions. even leaning over the baby so gravity helps! try kellymom.com for great info on all things related to bfing.

Glad i'm not the only one with a grunter!! I registered her today and nearly put Monica Seles as a middle name!Ear plugs sound like a good plan.

Activity Good boob advice you're getting. Another way of massaging away the red lumpy bits is when relaxing in a nice warm bath and hand expressing. If you're feeling well in yourself then it may be a blocked duct, if you start feeling unwell and flu like as well then you need antibiotics. I had mastitis with DS, and it wasn't nice so hope you feel better soon.

Also jealous of Gillyan, i've forgotten what sex is but in-laws are leaving at weekend so hopefully will be reminded.....

I'm doing a bit of mixed feeding, and giving a bottle of formula either for my before bed feed or night feed. Little grunter downs 5oz (that is 150mls isn't it?) in about 10 mins and then passes out! She's 4 1/2 weeks and I thought thats what I could give her? I'm using aptamil btw.

Sex, what is that???? I couldn't tell you the last time we did it.

Noah is having 4oz of formula every 3hrs, sometimes 4hrs and i'm bf at night. I'm thinking of moving onto formula full time now though because i put him in bed with me on a night to feed, he has a few gulps then falls asleep. I normally fall asleep too and when i wake up i put him into his cot, he wakes up, screams, i put him back into our bed, feed him, he falls asleep, i put him in his cot, he wakes up, screams, feed him, you get the picture <<yawn>>

I'm on more antibiotics again for my wound infection. GP gave me some Monday and swabbed it and i got the results of the swab today and another lot of antibiotics. And i'm going to the ditrict nurse every few days to get it dressed. It's really disgusting and smells, i can't wait til its healed.

Grunting - Noah does it too. He stretches and grunts all day and all night. And the farting, my god, he's worse that dh

Oh and Noah is 5wks old forgot that bit re the feed amounts.

Sorry for making you guys jealous with all the bonking We really went through abad patch when I was PG and lost our closeness, we had a big fight towards the end of my PG and discussed alot of stuff and out sex life automatically got back on track, we were even at it in the last few wks ( sure this is why I had all the early labour, although not ahem penetrative ) Anyhow...

phoenix the doc told me the thrush type thing is what makes it smell, try asking for some trimovate cream, that worked a treat for mine, it's the steroid, anti fungal, anti biotic, anti inflammatory all in one thing, maybe you could have that on as well as anti biotics???

hi all, have been at the inlaws for few days so missed out on whats going on!
bill is a horrendous farter, usually at bedtime but worse when he's feeding which is awful if we're out and im feeding him he's so loud!!
he's also a real grunter too, we've started putting him upstairs when his sister goes to bed to try and start a loose routime, im forever dashing up the stirs from the noises i hear over the monitor!!
bonking im also feeling a little fruity, as is dp but unfortunately i seem to be having that ..ahem...prolapse problem i had at beginning of pregnancy, in my lady garden department so having to get it checked out next week at 6 week check up. its awful i thought only people who had 20 children or old ladies get it, i thought my pelvic floor exercises might help but alas no!! YUCK!!
sleep bill is regulary waking at 21/2 hour intervals but luckily he only has a 15 minute feed than is straight back to sleep. he's still looking enormous, he's 6 weeks on monday, saw a baby that was 9 weeks the other day that is tiny in comparison!! i wish he'd slow up a bit as i love babies in baby grows and have some gorgeous no added sugar ones he's almost outgrown!!
gillian glad your diets going well, mine went on a down fall whilst a while, also had a nandos and double decker yesterday which im sure wont help either!!
queenfee i kept meaning to reply to your question to mij about padded ring sling. i've got one and its just padded on eithe edge of the facric where babies head and bottom would go, bill certainly finds it very comfy in there. i use that sling for round house and the moby wrap for when we got out as find it more sturdy!!

alibobble I'm with you on the tummy sleeping. Definitely feel anxious, but he is MUCH happier and more comfortable on his front. Haven't mentioned it to my HV!!

lydia Prolapsed? Eeeks that said I'm a bit worried things are not right with me. Have 6 week check up in a a few weeks so maybe they'll tell me. Worried there might be a varacous vein or something lurking where I never knew you could get them...

Hi all, sorry I've not been on for a bit, I've been knackered and also been out and about a bit with the boys.

No sex here either! We've not done the deed since I found out I was PG ie, AGES agao and DH keeps saying he can't wait for us to get back at it, I think I'll wait til my 6 week check and then think about it...as log as I'm not too tired! Can't really say I have much desire just now anyway.

Grunting & farting (from the baby!) yes Zach and his daddy are now in competition. Zach grunts loads when we go to bed for some reason, I don't think he does it during the day or maybe I just don't notice it? Farts tons too and seems to always crap his nappy just after I've changed it argh.

I wanted to ask what you are all doing re any sort of bedtime routine? DS1 was in a very loose routine at the start as I've never been one for Gina Fording and the likes, but I'm thinking I should start Zach on a loose routine now. So far he has just fed and slept when he wants to, feeding every 2-3 hours or so and he tends to have a longish nap late AM, mid afternoon, evening and then blardy wakes up when we go to bed. So tonight I bathed him before DS1, put him in a grobag for the first time and then put him to sleep in our room in his basket. I'm missing him a bit though as he's always been downstairs with us at night and usually on my shoulder fast asleep having a snuggle. It feels too early for him to go upstairs without us but equally I want him to get into the habit of bedtime when his big bro goes to bed. What are you all doing?

Also thoseWith2orMoreKids are any of you planning to have your kids share a room? DS1 & DS2 will be so I'm thinking how the hell to start preparing for that (doubt Zach will still fit his moses basket at 6 months!). I'll need to get a proper bed for DS1, a duvet and everthing! Any advice?

Hope you are all doing well! x

Sorry for another self-centred post, but can I just share...

I'M. HAVING. A. FARKING. PERIOD.

I had 14 months off last time! What the blardy hell is going on! DD2 is only 7 weeks tomorrow!

Over-punctuation aside, I'm actually really pissed off about it because I get serious PMS which affects the whole family, and sleep-deprivation puts me in a bad enough mood as it is without hormone swings adding to all our problems. SOOOO hacked off. It must have been a couple of nights early one when DD2 hardly fed at all in the night that did it. If I'd realised I'd have got up and pumped...

Yikes where have the last few weeks gone?? DD is 6 weeks now and I feel like I’ve been asleep/a daze for the last 3 or 4!

Glad to hear all the babies are doing well. Christiana I hope your dd is getting over the chicken pox and other problems, sounds like a horrible time for you both.

Mostly all good here, dd is putting on weight nicely and usually seems happy enough. She actually lets us put her down occasionally which is a real luxury after ds

We had a bbq today and she was really fractious late afternoon. She wasn’t hungry and didn’t seem to have wind so I don’t really know what caused it. Maybe she didn’t like having all the people around? I hope it’s not the start of colic or something.

Fast letdown/leaking I’m still leaking loads. I discovered today wearing pink doesn’t really work as the leaks show through. So back to the same 2 black tops I’ve been wearing forever I’ve found the boots ultra slim and tommy tippee pads hold the leaks best. I have some washable ones from boots which aren’t bad, but the washables from mothercare may as well not be there at all, they’re useless. How long does leaking usually take to settle? I think it went on for months last time – part of the reason I never really fed out and about then. That and the fear of squirting milk at someone close by!

I have managed to feed out and about this time so quite pleased. I’ve even been out to dinner with friends twice! The first time worked really well as dd slept for most of the evening. The second time was not so lucky and I spent a lot of the time with a baby on my shoulder or boob. It was still nice to be out though

*Becca & mij* crap news that AF returned so soon, I didn’t realise it could happen that quickly

ilikeyoursleeves My DS 2&3 share a bedroom and love it (which is a good job as we've now run out of space!) We even tried them in separate rooms for a while and they begged to go back to sharing

My advice is to make DS1 feel like it's his decision to share and to make it exciting. You might want to start with just a mattress on the floor if you think he might fall out of bed. It sounds like you need to start talking about 'big boy beds' asap so that he gets established in his bed before you need to move DS2 in. I generally found the move to a bed to be a good one as all mine slept better with the extra space.

Hope that helps a little bit

Bedtime routine funny you should ask, we started one last night. Previously DS would stay wherever we were in the house and snooze in bouncer / pram / on us until we went to bed. Yesterday we did the whole drill - bath (he yelled) massage (he yelled) nappy & pj's (he yelled...) and then a quiet feed in a darkened room with no stimuli, put him down in his cot at 7.30pm-ish and... out like a light until the midnight feed. Splendid. DP and I had a proper evening (even if it was punctuated be me checking on him every 10 mins)

Sling finally using mine and it's ace ace ACE! although I have to stuff my cleavage with tissue to prevent it becoming a vomit-pond (eww)

Hello ladies

Having a very emotional day today. We went away to the in-laws for the weekend and spent a lot of it running round after the DC's. Hubby decided to spend the afternoon on Saturday at home/in the pub with his brother and Dad watching the footy so me and MIL took the kids to St Ives for the afternoon on the train. DS has now been fed on public transport! Drove home last night and didn't get DD to bed till 9pm so she is shattered today and is now very demanding.

My mum was taken to hospital at the weekend too with what is suspected to have been a TIA (mini-stroke) she's OK now but I am still really worried as it could happen again.

Then to top it all today I had a really rude message on Facebook from our landlady saying the rent hadn't gone through this month (it's 2 weeks late apparently). I have nothing to do with the rent...it's all done through my hubby's work so I have no idea why she chose this method to tell us. Her hubby should have contacted my hubby at work (same company) or they could have rung us. The tone of her message was really horrible and really upset me. These are the same people who gave us 10 weeks notice to move when I was 36 weeks pregnant so I guess I really shouldn't be surprised but it has really bothered me

Wondering if my PND is back a bit as I seem to be falling apart at the slightest thing at the moment and I don't really want to talk about it with people who I should be telling. People keep telling me how well I look and how I am coping so well with the 2 but all I feel is how can I then say 'actually, no I'm not' when apparently I am? Ah, well....

periods apparently I may or may not have had a 3 hour period! Doctor said my hormones are just being thrown by the fact that DS is a good sleeper (5/6 hours over night) and I may or may not get my periods back full time now! mij how are you doing? hope you are ok!

bedtime routine not starting one for a while as there is little point when little man is colicky. I'd rather have him quiet being held/fed than screaming his head off upstairs and having to keep going up every 5 minutes. Will start one once he is more settled but am not too worried as he already settles himself down at 6 weeks.

slings we are using a mothercare version of a baby bjorn. It is great as I can still push DD in a buggy if we are going for a long walk. warning do not use your sling whilst leaning over a deep shopping trolley as you may suddenly find baby heading south!!

room sharing the DC's will be sharing once DS moves out of our room. She doesn't know it yet but at least once we move they will have a big room to share!!

exploding boobs sooze - have you tried the extra large ones from boots? They were the only ones that got me through the 1st few months with DD. Mine seem a little better this time around, although I do still occasionally spray DS in the head!

bonking hahahahahahaha - yeah right!

xxx

Hello everyone

not sure this wil work, but if it does look at this link...the childbirth song! Very funny!

Look at www.youtube.com/watch?v=EM2CORdyv8k.

Hello all

AF I'm having a half-arsed kind of period Becca, kind of like the beginning or end of one, with no middle. Which I guess is better than the full thing. No pain and no serious PMS, thank heaven for small mercies. soozee those nighttime feeds are all important for AF/ovulation/natural family planning, depending on your priorities. There's got to be some incentive for feeding the little blighters all night! I just didn't think a couple of nights of very little boob action would have quite such a profound effect quite so soon. But, I guess, if getting AF back is my biggest problem then things aren't going so badly, really .

Slings got three on the go at the moment - finding the Close (which I was about to resell) actually quite handy for round the house as there's no tying, but still rocking the Kari-Me for most journeys and the Didymos for a really supportive back-carry.

grunting DDs don't do it, although DD2 does squeak. Reminds me of a mate, though, who had a baby who growled - now that freaked people out!

room sharing DD1 only got her own room a few months ago (we always co-slept and never sorted her room out when we moved in Jan 08 ) and, if she's to be believed, can't wait to have her sister in her room, sharing a bed. Good job we bought her a double futon then! Right now I'm quite looking forward to that too, because four of us together, even with one tiny one, and even in a super kingsize bed, can be a bit - uhh - busy.

sex are you kidding? When? When do any of you get the opportunity??? No, seriously??!!

sex Can't believe I'm the only one at it mij how do I get time? Baby is in bed from 7 every night in her own room and she sleeps through to either 12 or 3am at the moment so we have plenty of time.

patchy that vid is well funny!

Gillyan all power to your elbow, or any other part of you! Even when both DDs are asleep we both seem to be too busy - cooking/washing up/working/tidying/letter writing/you name it it's on our to-do lists! We obviously need to add bonking to the list .

mijget the bonking added to the list! Ha ha, to be honest me and DP had gone through a rough patch when I was PG and it's really nice now just reconnecting ( sounds dead over the top that ) but no it's important to us to spend the time together. I tend to be on top of housework most days but then other days we just sod it but then maybe one night a week when DOP gets in from work he'll help me and go and quickly hoover the whole house and stuff.

I'm still getting a bit worried tho as no period yet???!!! Have been very careful but?!!!!!!

Summer is doing well, she's 8 wks today and 12lb 2oz, she's sleeping most nights from 7pm - 3am then wakes at 7/8am which is good but wish I could feed her again at 10 and then she might go through till 7 but she doesn't seem to want it and I tried 'dream fedding' her but she still wakes at 3??!! Oh well it's brilliant anyway that she sleeps for so long and one night feed is more than manageable.

becca hope you have recovered from your horrible day!

Hi all
Christiana all I can say is POOR YOU!!! Hope all your LO's are ok now.

I have just skimmed through the posts so sorry if I miss anything really obvious.

BF still painful for me and been to see a cranial osteopath. I am giving everything a go. DS does have a bottle of ebm at night and is still only on 4oz of it (and he is 7 weeks this Sat!?) Can that be right? It suits me as I only pump once a day w/a dbl pump I hired for 10min and get loads of milk out. I have a stock of about 4 bottles always on hand. But it seems like such a small amt.

BF in public god I find this hard to do discreetly. I have to really concentrate on the latch and can take a few times to get right so my boobs are flopping about for all to see. It gets me a bit flustered depending on where I am but nevermind....baby has got it eat. Right?

Sex ugh - is it that time already? Thankfully we did our thing a day before DS was born so hasn't been months - yet! I am going to need some cocktails and painkillers I reckon.

Ilikeyoursleeves when we moved DD into DS1's cot (and room) we did it gradually. First we got DS a bed and he got to help choose the linen and we made a BIG deal about how exciting it was. After a few months we then moved DD from the moses basket into his room and old cot and he really didn't mind. And as she was only 4months they got used to sleeping through each other's cries/noises etc. I hope your transition is just as smooth.

I am dead proud of myself. I went out with all 3 LO's ON MY OWN to a shopping centre yesterday for a few hours. It took a lot of prep and food but I was not at all harassed. Not bad considering my eldest is only 4.

Weightloss still stuck at needing to lose half a stone. It just won't shift. And I seem to be lifted from my chocolate coma I had during pg and making up for the past 9 months. HELP.

Hope everyone is coping as well as they can.

Is anyone still looking at the antenatal thread? WoollyJo has posted on it. Understandably she can't bear to come on here

hi all, bit of a pooh day today it would have been my little brothers 12th birthday today (passed away last sept) had the weepies again all day. me my mum and sisters all went to the local cattle market (his favourite place!) and released some ballons in his memory at the park.
had some horrid news yesterday about one of the young women at my aquanatal class, she had a still born baby girl two weeks ago. its such a shock to hear it, i saw a couple of days before bill was born cant quite get my head around things like that happening. i saw woolyjos post too, its so sad.
BF wise, when out today i was feeding and realised i was being gawked at by women not men!! it got me all flustered and i couldnt get my boob away discretely and flashed my nip in the local italian bistro! luckily it supports breast feeding as i was worried the women were going to say something. im not sure about others but find its mainly women who stare??
roomsharing we're going to have to put bill in a cot soon in dd's room as he's nearly filling his moses bed and our room is too small to put his cot in there! his moses bed has now started tilting the wrong way!
crying bill wont let me put him down at all, but cries when anyone else (dp, mum, sistersetc) pick him up so i can go to the loo, get a drink, something to eat etc. the sling is great but id like to go to the loo without him strapped to me! is anyone elses dc like this?

lydia hope you're okay hun, sounds like u had a nice day remembering your brother.

What awful news about the stillborn baby, it's cack isn't it. I cried and cried for days when I heard about poor woolyjo.

Sorry I have only skim read this as everytime i come on here Alfie wakes before I get to type!
Things going well here. Alfie is very settled still. DH is even hinting at trying for another don't worry I have catagorically said not right now! (that means yes we have joined the boning list )
my babies all slept on their fronts I did some research when DD was little and I didn't feel I was justified in being worried. However please don't take my word for it.
I carry Alfie in the sling a lot as it is the only place I know he won't be mauled by his siblings! In my sling you can bend over a shopping trolly - he isn't going anywhere
I am dreading moving alfie in with DD However it was interesting as we were all sharing a room when I stayed at my sisters last week and he was crying really loud and they didn't wake so maybe it will be ok
I had a blocked duct yesterday and today - ouch it is really painfull. I just get the pump out and massage the inflamed area till it clears. I just caught it in time as I was starting to feel ill. DS came through with the breastpump after and was trying to "get milkys for the baby" from his nipples!
Off to the zoo with the 3 of them tomorrow so should be fun (in more ways than 1)

Morning all! Just back from a lovely week at the coast. Didn't get half the stuff done that DP hoped but he's a bit more aware now as to how full-time the motherhood thing is Before we went I think he was wondering why the ironing wasn't getting done and why tea wasn't on the table when he got home from work - bless.
I've put a new picture of little Hetty on my profile (she is not so little now). This was taken shortly after a feed in the cafe at Sewerby Hall last week - she was happily on the boob under a muslin, she trumped and poo shot out of the side of the nappy, down her trouser leg, past her sock, narrowly missed Mummy's jeans and ended with a puddle on the cafe floor!! We swiftly shot out of the cafe and into baby changing for a complete change of clothes - hence the yellow babygro - one of those days when all you have in the changing bag is cotton wool and wipes, and you could really be doing with a jetwash, a hosepipe and some safety goggles
Not back in the shagging saddle yet but my 6 week check is next Thursday so I'm hoping to have tried it out before then so that I can mention any pain or problems at the same appointment. Lots of lube and a good sense of humour will be required I think

H everyone, haven't had much time to post lately, life seems so manic! Max is doing well, his sleep is still a bit hit and miss, but we had a good night last night for a change. I have had some dreadful nights with him when he seems to have awful wind despite me doing everything I should be doing to avoid it. During the day he seems to cat nap, sometimes only sleeping for a few minutes at a time. Yesterday he probably slept for about 1 1/2 hours altogether.

Queenfee i am suffering from blocked ducts too. Always in the same boob and its agony. Thankfully I have managed to clear it each time before I feel ill. I hope yours doesn't come back.

Lydia hope you are ok.I agree with you that it is mainly women who stare at you when breastfeeding in public...whats that all about then!? I am with you on the fact that Max won't let me put him down. I never seem to get a break from him! I have worn my sling more with him than I did with the other 2! I had to buy a baby bjorn which he loves as I couldn't get on with the Kari me and found it too hot. I love the baby bjorn. I got it on ebab for 1/2 the price it should be.

Anyway, just put Max down for a sleep and he is crying again! Oh joy! Must go xxxx

hello all - thanks lots for the boob maintenance advice, I think I've sorted the mastitis before it got nasty.

Went to BF support group today for the first time, was great meeting other mums in my area, I don't really know many in RL (apart from my NCT lot who are a bit 'alpha mummy' for the likes of me, IYKWIM...really competitive [shudder] )

lydia you're totally right about it being only women who stare, I bet they're wondering if they'd be able to do it in public (or wish they had)

patchy I feel your pain with the windy boy... Sid is the same, I sometimes wonder if I'm making his wind worse with all the fiddling, rubbing and clanging I do to try and get it out of him.

jetli - Hetty is a wee cherub!

jetli - Hetty is cute - lol at the poo incident sounds oh so familiar!

My trip to the zoo was very successfull. Very proud of myself for getting out of the house by 9.30 with all 3 of them single handedly and also not leaving the zoo till 6 we had a brilliant day
We had a nice day today as DH had the day off and we took a trip to the local country show. DS amused me as he wasn't interested in the animals both days yesterday he just wanted to keep seeing the train and today it was tractors!

gah! bill has just fed for 4 hours, must be a growth spurt im absolutely shattered!
jetli i have yet to have an explosive nappy but ...last night (very late i may add!) was changing bills bum put his legs up to get the pooh from underneath...he farted and shot pooh over my face! a bit went in my eye, boys are lovely! how can it have shot that far bleurgh!
had our 6 week check today, he's now 12lb 2oz. doctor made a comment about how he's not fat YET just chubby, the cheek!! have got to go see a female dr about my prolapse type problem eek.
activty glad you nipped the mastitis in the bud, never had it but heard its very nasty! hope evreyone is well and keeping up with the growth spurts!

hi all. the hot weather doesn't help the endless feeding too as they need drinks from us too. DD was feeding every 2 1/2 hrs yesterday and day before and woke twice last night despite 11pm bottle. she won't let me put her down either. Rod, back, back, rod say hello!never mind!

thrush the never ending saga continues. Whenever i think we've cleared it, it comes back. Is it all the cake i'm eating making Bmilk very sweet? Who knows. off for bottle 3 of nystatin!

Hello everyone
I am here but its impossible to find the time to post nowadays! Having a monster toddler and a very needy newborn is a tricky combo! Actually DD not monsterish really, just kicks off whenever I am feeding (all the time) or when DS is crying, which is hard to handle as I have no hands.

Oliver is huge - already 10 lbs plus at 3 wks. He eats constantly, if he is awake he wants boob! Tried a dummy and a bottle of expressed milk to see if its the suck or the liquid he's after but no, its me he wants.

He also likes sleeping on his tummy which is worrying but as long as he's in my bed he will sleep so I have adoopted that as the least dodgy option. He sleeps with his mouth and nose sucker-fished onto a part of my flesh. He's such a mummy's boy! He had a tricky start with blood probs and v bad jaundice meaning he was in and out of NICU and in a UV incubator for 3 days with loads of heel pricking blood tests and my wonderful midwife warned me he might be a bit clingy as a result. Am seeing a homeopath to try and see if we can help him adjust to his beginnings and stop trying to climb back inside me. At the moment its slings all the way and he won't tolerate the v expensive Phil & Teds which I persuaded DH we DEFINITELY needed ...

Oliver has had a dreadful thrush infection in nappy area for weeks too, but it's clearing now I've persuaded docs to stop antibiotics and give me thrush cream (we all know what antibiotics do to thrush, MAKE IT WORSE!).

I hope you are all ok. Impressed there is nookie already. How long did you wait Gillyan? Good for you and the others who are back on the wagon!

Good luck with littlies.

PS forgot to say - not being pregnant any more is BRILLIANT! I can eat loads and can actually move around relatively easily instead of like an elephant. he was an enormous baby (8lb 9oz) in a tiny bump (3-5cm small for dates) so was all up inside my ribs and I was really uncomfy by the end of July!

Hi belgrano Gosh you've had a rough start, glad you LO is ok now and hope he learns to be less clingy soon for you. sex I was 3 wks post c/s and went to see the MW who was discharing us that day and I asked her if u had to wait till 6 wks and she as long as your bleeding had stopped and you felt ok then no reason to wait. TBH think I we only did it about twice as still a bit sore with scar and had a few problems but from about 5 wks there was no stopping us (it's 8 n half wks post op now )

belgrano sorry you've had rubbish time with LO. Thrush is such a pain. DD's bottom bright red. Not fun. Hope it clears up soon.

sex Man, there are some adventurers amongst us! DH and me not even made it back into same bed! (he sleeps in spare room to get some sleep)

Off to "cheeky chimps" this afternoon to try and run some energy off DD1 who has had to tolerate the poor weather and a trip to the docs this morning.

Hi all
Had my 8 week check today (they do that rather than 6 here) and the little man had his first set of jabs. He screamed the place down for a short while and I came out into the waiting room to a lot of strange looks from the old biddies there. I then proceeded to breastfeed him in the waiting room just to really upset them
I agree it seems to be mostly women who give you funny looks, I've put it down to jealousy

Loved the comment about enjoying not being pregnant which I very much agree with, but don't like feeling fat instead. Quite happy to wear clingy tops when pregnant but now I can't find anything nice to wear

Haven't got back to sex, mainly due to not sorting out contraception yet - trying to persuade DH to have the snip 4DS's are definitely enough!

Meant to say - for those with nappy rash problems I'd recommend 'metanium'. You can get it over the counter and it's much better at sorting it out than sudocrem. You'll notice the difference in 48 hours.

jl02 I forgot you have 4! You are brave!

Me too, I am loving not being pregnant, I loved it so much that I almost loved healing from the section!

Summer had her first jabs too this week, gave her some calpol that night but she had seemed fine.

I'm still waiting for my period, starting to think all the bonking could come back to haunt me, I have got a PG test left in the cupboard, might do it just to make sure!

I'm off Summer is crying....

god really love to read all the posts been ages since I've been on here, my eves have been hellish as Stan has colic.
Have been exclusively breastfeeding and they have both been cluster feeding in the eve.
Decided to give them a bottle of formula this eve for the first time and they 've been asleep since 7pm which is bliss.
Feel so guilty though, but tireness taking over.

I think things will get easier when the children are back to school, feel the need for routine but finding it impossible.

Sorry for the moan, lots of positives too the boys so sweet and 8 weeks old now.

london how are you getting on? and other twin mummies?

Lovely to catch up with all the news

LGOR good to hear from you, you must be so tired with having twins, well done on all the BF. Don't feel guilty for giving them a bottle it will do no harm, you need a bit of a rest!

I think routines will definately fall into to place once kids are back to school/pre-school, I hope so anyway!

Hi

Routine - Nowhere near one of those here, we have screamy evenings most days. Not sure if its colic cos it isn't everyday. He's laying on me now trying to go to sleep, mixed with the odd screaming episode and squirming in pain , so this post will probably take me ages.

My c-section wound is almost healed. Antibiotics have finished today and i still need to go to the district nurse a few more times to get it dressed but it looks loads better .

Sex - I'm still bleeding a bit so still a not done it.

We've got our 6wk check on Monday and Noah has a hospital appointment on Monday afternoon. Not really sure what it is for but I think it might be to do with his missing finger.

I got an appointment for Noah's 1st jabs for 7th Sept. I'm dreading that day as it's ds1's 1st day back at pre school so i'll need to get my arse into gear to get both boys ready and get him there by 9.15am.

I forgot how tiring a newborn is i'm so knackered. He wouldn't go down in his cot at all last night so i put him in with us and we all slept til 3am when he woke up. I think i would have slept forever if he hadn't woke.

I've got sympathy with everyone who can't put their LO's down, Noah is the same. I seem to be constantly holding him, even when dh is here i still have him because dh can't soothe him.

Hope all the thrush infections, mastitis and nappy rashes clear up soon, all the colicky babies get better and we all get some sleep

Hello all, I found the thread at last, impressed at the amount of posts and astounded by all the nookie I'm in the same boat as you alibobble dh retired to spare room so someone in the house gets some sleep!

I'm exclusively bfeeding but ds such a greedy boy wants boob constantly. He was a shade over 12ib at 6 week check. The last 2 nights he seems to have settled much better. He has been very windy and have been getting through the gripe water which seems to help him. He is such a faffer on the breast I don't think he helps himself! I also have resorted to a dummy to help settle him at night and putting the cot matttress on a slant. Never needed any of these tactics with dd so in uncharteded waters.

I have a kari me which I love and so does ds always falls asleep in it. He much prefers to be upright than lying down which I think is due to how windy he is.

Apart from being dog tired I am just loving being at home with him and dd.

I will try and get to read some of the past posts to see how you all are.
x

Hia hope all is well with everyone, so hard to post sometimes feel like im constantly juggling feeding & nappy changes & toddler tameing. Ds 2 seems really difficult at mo, it hard work dont know how i get through some days!. Just uploaded a few new pickys on my profile if anyone fancys a nose x x

hi all, i finally found you

im new and in need of your support. been so nice reading your posts, i dont feel so alone now

I gave birth to my DS 08/07/09 he weighed 9lb exactly and was born by emergency c-section.

I am coping ok now but at the begining it was very hard. He has had colic and we tried all sorts. We are now on coleaf drops and gaviscon infant.

I hate the crying, such a painfull cry, really upsets me!!!

He gets really bad tummy aches and only seems to poo every 3rd day!!!

He feeds every 2-3 hours day and night. i have been so tired, but i hear it can only get better.

Had 6 week check and all is good

cant wait to chat to you all

Hi gemgem, glad you found us and someone pointed you in the right direction .

Congratulations on the birth of your ds. Are you recovering from your c-section ok? I had an emergency one last time and an elective one this time so i know that can make looking after the baby even harder because you're recovering yourself.

The colic is really hard to deal with isn't it? and there is nothing you can do to help them . Glad you are coping now and the colief and gaviscon are helping him

Are you bf or ff? My ds is ff now (was bf for first 3wks) and is feeding about every 3hrs.

Oh and yes it does get easier. Ds1 was sleeping through from around 8wks so i'm really, really hoping that in the next few weeks Noah does the same {wink]

Hi gemgem good to hear from you. You will get loads of support on here, there is always someone to talk to and to get advice from. Glad things are getting better for you. I always think the forst 6 weeks are the hardest and after that things seem to settle and slot into place sort of! My ds Max is 6 weeks on monday so I am hoping for light at the end of the tunnel!

Phoenix my other 2 slept through from 9 weeks, I just can't see Max doing that. We had a good night last night though, but nothing like the 5 hour stints the ohter 2 were doing by now. He goes 2 to 3 hours between feeds.

He has become very spotty again, having cleared up nicely. Its all over his face and now spreading to his chest and back. Does anyone have any ideas. Could it be the ff milk he is having in the evening? DD had a cows milk allergy but I can't remember what the symptoms were, I think it was more sicky than rash?

Anyway, hope you are all enjoying the lively weather xx

phonix Hello i am recovering fine from my c-section. the scar is very neat. i was in alot of pain for the fisrt 2 weeks and now im fine.

I hate that he has colic its so painful for him! cant wait till 3 months when they grow out of it? he is better but still has some painful feeds and does not enjoy his milk.

i am bottle feeding and have done from the start. maybe if i had breast fed he would not have these problems?

how many hours is classed as sleeping through? the most lucas has done is 5 hours. But hope 8 weeks brings more sleeping at night

patchybob Hi there Yep everyone says the first 6 weeks are the hardest,so i have got them out of the way so things are going to improve now im not very sure about what the rash could be. i will look it up and see if i find anything.

The weather is great, which we love as nothing better than getting out and about. Lucas is quiet when he is outside, he loves it xx

Hi all not posted for ages - but just had a read through and sounds like you're all having similar issues.
DS having some really bad days - yesterday couldn't put him down from 9am til 10pm - cried and fussed to be fed all day. I'm exhausted! Plus the feeding in the night 3-5am then 5:30, 6:30 and 7:30 ... shattered. Plus toddler DD wanting the attention. Just need sleep and time to be an adult again.

I read through the baby list and realised I had the fattest baby in our group!! 10lb6oz - he's now 11:12 at 4 weeks. No wonder he feeds a lot. I'm determined not to switch to formula but it is sooooo tempting.

Largeglassofred ... I am bowing down to you!! You've exclusively BF twins to 8 weeks! Amazing - well done you!!!

bonzo ride it out. Sounds like a growth spurt to me. DD2 feed every 2 hours daytime and 4 hours night time when she did it. Settled for a while now but took over a week.

patchybob dd2 has a rash too. think it's either heat rash or to do with fabric conditioner. Is red pin pricks (but she's not ill with it) tried a wash without softener (only usea bit anyway) and seeing if it improves. that said it seems to be getting better minus the bottle of formula we were giving (see below)

lactose intolerance DD1 is lactose intolerant and was determined to think that dd2 was "normal" but the introduction of 1 bottle caused havoc day and night. colic in the middle of the night, disgusting mucusy poos etc. Awful. Using the SMA LF that we used with DD1 and it's settled down again. Decided whether it's L intolerance or not, will stick with eh SMA LF anyway cos for 1 bottle a day, does it matter as long as they are settled? Can work it out later on. Anyone else got experience of this or is it just me?

Welcome Gem

Just a quickie as DS has been on the boob ALL BLEEDING DAY!!!! It hurts and I am fed up.......would love advice. He now weighs 13lbs 6 at our check up on Fri and he is only 7 weeks! When does this feeding end? He has been like this most days since about 3 weeks. We are suffering from a shallow latch (9 bf people have checked it to date and have said I need to ride it out and wait for mouth to get bigger etc) and of course the tongue tie which he is still learning to stick out. It means on the days he decides to cluster I am in agony by the end of the day. And sometimes the only thing that settles him to sleep is me. I have tried 3 diff types of dummies and that doesn't work. Anyone else on the same boat?

I am also letting my 2 other LO's down a bit by not having playdates or many outings. At least the weather has picked up so they are in the garden.

Sorry to moan, just one of those days.

misspaella sorry you're suffering so much. Must be awful. What you really want is someone to tell you a magic cure for it, not just "ride it out!" I remember dreading feeding dd1. I distinctly remember latching her on once with a wooden spoon gripped between my teeth screaming in agony! Needless to say, it didn't last long after that! Hope it improves soon.

moby wrap THANKYOU to whoever recommended this amazing thing! It has saved my sanity!

Hi Gem just reading this thread will totally reassure you that you're not the only one! I know it does for me. No one tells you quite how difficult the first few weeks are, or if they did i took no notice! Second time round i'm finding the baby stuff so much easier, its dealing with a displaced toddler thats difficult!

Millie and I are both spotty! i'm not normally, it must be all those hormones still. talking of hormones i keep having some really fruity dreams! still not managed to do a gillyan yet!!

I'm also suffering at night still, 2 feeds mostly but being woken finally at 530 by the grunting! i have to bring her into bed to stop it.

hey misspaella have you thought about getting the tie cut? I know it sounds barbaric but may be an easy way to get round the feeding problem. My sister's son has a tongue tie but she didn't know it affected feeding until he was about 5. But he struggled to feed and was on and off and exhausted all the time. She wished someone had told her about having the tie cut as she would have done. I actually cut my own tie thingie by accident once as a kid. I think I was trying to lick my own nose (don't ask ... a competition with my sister or something) and I felt a splitting and it was that flesh bit and it had split about 5 mm. It didn't hurt and it healed really quickly.

Alternatively have you tried pumping the milk and giving it in a bottle for a couple of feeds a day? It is easier to get it out of a bottle for the baby - so he can get at least one easy / quick feed and it will still be breast milk and he may not be so tired - and neither will you. Just a thought.

Quick post before i go to bed, Bonzo - I think MissP has had her ds' tongue tie cut twice.

Pathcybob A good website about milk allergies, as the rash could be that?

http://www.eatwell.gov.uk/healthissues/foodintolerance/foodintolerancetypes/milkallergy/

but babies get rashes for all sorts of reasons. Heat? dribble?

Baby achne is again quite common and is a reaction to being out in the big wide world rather then the protected environment of the amniotic fluid. These look like any adult spot and should be cared for in the same way as mik spots.

hope that helps. Lucas has a rash on his arms and has milk spots but i just use boiled water to clean.

missp Going to see a lactation consultant might help? i feel so sorry for you. how brave! i did not even try to bf! make sure you use creams on your nipples, i hear kamillosan is good. x

Arrrrrrgh HEADACHES!!

Anyone else? Absolute killer ones, every bloody day all day and paracetamol only just takes the edge off (but am living on it).

Agony. Have stopped taking my Pregnacare postanatal in case that was contributing but really need some advice here or just some company in the headache club. Was crying last night cos they are just so awful.

It's in the forehead and worse for moving or doing anything remotely strenuous - includes pelvic floor exercises, which are hardly exactly strenuous!
Help.

Belgrano how long have you had the headaches? Can't remember what birth you had but sometimes an epidural can cause bad headaches? Could be tiredness? I get terrible migranes but that goodness they haven't come back yet...they will though. Have you tried those forehead strips? Tried them when I was pregnant and they were ok. Your gp will be able to tell you what you can take. I was allowed to take some migraine stuff when pregnant and am sure there is alot more you can take now. There is no point suffering as it is so debilitating. Hope you feel better.

gemgem83 thanks for the advice. I saw my health visitor today and she has given me some oilatum (sp?) Plain aqueous cream has helped his face but his face is awful bless him. she said it is unlikley to be the milk as he would also have other symptoms.

We are all off out tonight. We have arranged a blind date for a friend of ours with a friend of a friend, they were both to nervous to meet on their own (ah bless) so we are all going out together! Should be a laugh watching them. All the kids are coming aswell so it wount be romantic...just funny! First night out for Max!

Welcome to the gang, gemgem The crying gets me too, and now my DS is producing real tears it's particularly heartbreaking.. I have to remind myself that it's just his way of communicating and that he's not emotional in an adult way, just tired or hungry. How are you finding Colief? We tried cranial osteopathy for his colic and it seems to have worked well after three sessions, he's much calmer.

Belgrano I was getting headaches and I made myself drink buckets of water which as helped as I think mine were from dehydration. I was just forgetting or not having time to drink before, and I should have upped the fluid intake as I'm bf-ing. You can take cocodomol while bf-ing if it's really bad- I was prescribed some for painful epi stitches.

It's my back that's killing me now, so am off to Ikea to get one of those Poang chairs for feeding in as I've heard tons of mums saying that they're just right for the posture.

Got the IL's coming to stay for a week from tomorrow, I'm dreading it as I've been in my own happy little bubble for six weeks and lovely as their intentions are I just KNOW that they're going to drive me bloody mental.

Evening all
missp I feel your pain - we're still having fussiness and thrashing on the breast. Working through the Kellymom list for fussiness and fretting, colic and 6 week growth spurt cluster feeding. Trying breast compressions at the moment which hopefully ought to speed things up a bit for Hetty if I understand how they work correctly, so if the let-down or milk flow is slow it should help. Would it be worth a try for you? Wouldn't do anything for shallow latch I guess, but may speed the feed up? Alternatively I'm contemplating numbing the nips with lashings of Bonjela prior to each feed - only kidding!
spotty child here too - rang the out-of-hours GP service on Sunday who said it was probably a virus - after a thorough examination at pram pushing group today the general consensus of opinion was heat rash - she's fine in herself and the boob fussing has been around much longer than the rash so I'm not relating the two.
Better go - she's screaming the house down in DP's arms. She'll want the boob again but it's like feeding a baby alligator

Has anyone given contraception a thought? I had my 6wk check today and the doc asked me but i don't know what to go for. He gave me a leaflet about Implanon. It sounds ok, has anyone on here had it? I started a thread here to ask what other people have

Noah had his hospital appointment today. What a waste of an appointment that was. It was basically to tell me the results of his kidney scan, they were fine and then she looked at his hand and said something like 'oh yes that looks the same as it did when i saw him after he was born, ok we don't need to see him again, he's fine' Could they not do that over the phone/by letter?

belgrano have also had stinky headaches. Are you BF? Need to drink 16 glasses of water a day allegedly.. well double your normal amount... which for me is like 3 glasses a day Am hopeless but been really good recently. I can drink a carton of juice a day. Expensive but as my mum put it, you're not paying for formula!

rashes dd has one all over her face and chest but seems well. Suspect the heat She's a sweaty little bod!

activity Poangs are great, not just for BF! I bought myself a wigey cushion to feed with but the best use has been to have it round behind my back when I've been feeding to try and correct my posture. That said my back also killing but dd is not the smallest of cherubs and all this slinging prob not helping!

phoenix contemplating IUS as due to lactose intolerance can't take the pill and don't want an implant/injection as if it disagrees with me I can't take it out. (have had bad problems with the pill making PMT worse!) Even tried the pill patch for a while but hated taking it off (OUCH!) and everyone thought it wasa nicotine patch!

colic I may have mentioned it before but just in case those of you suffering with colicy babies I highly recommend cranial osteopathy. My ds had severe colic till 14/15 months when we finally caved and took him sceptically to the osteo and we have never looked back for us it was like a miracle cure. I sympathise wholeheartedly with you as it nearly broke my marriage up it was so stressfull.
contraception I really don't know what to go for as I think we will preob be going for no4 fairly soon... (yes Alfie is an Angel at the mo!)
gem helloooo!
bigbabies Alfie is more than filling all his 3-6 month clothes. Everyone thinks he is about 6 months when they coo in the pram where is my little newborn? Will tell you how much he weighs later in week as he is due jabs and I have my 8 wk check
bonzo think it was you who said about baby not liking the phil and teds. Have you tried swaddling whilst in it (or horror of horrors putting them on their front) Alfie will now not sleep on his back at all which is causing me a few issues with prams and car seats

wind any advice on winding? takes me ages to get Ds wind up, what am i doing wrong? he gets so frustrated, he crys for his milk so i give it to him them he is in too much pain to drink it so crys even more!! i dread feeding time, especially at night.

Contraception im back on the pill now, doc put me on Yasmin. I was going to try the coil but was talked out of it by friends and family who had problems with it.

bonding My DP gets so upset that he cant settle DS. he gives him to me and he stops crying! and i feel so bad. He works alot and i dont know what to do to help the problem? i dont want to be the only one who can settle him!

weight DS now weighs 12lb 2oz at 6 week check, so he is doing well i think.

headaches when i get bad headache i take codine+paracetamol which works and i drink lots of water. also 4head is good which i used when i was pregnant.

colic it was suggested to have cranial osteopathy on DS but it is too expensive for me at the moment. Apparently the way he was born can be why he has colic! if only i could have pushed him out, he would not have these problems!

*going out* me and DP are having a night out next week for his birthday and DS is staying with my mum over night!!! i feel so guilty tho i really want to enjoy the night but i will worry so much. does anyone think leaving him is bad? he will be 8 weeks. im not sure what to do?

*postnatal depression* Anyone have this or had this? the gp put me on citalopram 20mg, i feel like a failure!!! why do i feel like that when i have everything i want???

Gem - Don't feel guilty about him staying overnight, the break will do you good. My ds1 started sleeping at my mums on a friday when he was 2week old. He's now 3.6 and he still does. Noah hasn't yet but she keeps hinting that she will if we want her to. For some weird reason i feel more protective about him staying over than i did with ds1

Noah settles better with me than on dh too. Have you tried infacol or gripe water for his wind?

I've just been for my post natal GTT and they said they've changed how they do it now and they only do a fasting blood test and after that i could go home. No lucozade, no sitting around for 2hrs and no second blood test. I was in and out of the hospital within 20mins cos i didn't have to pay anything for the car park. They say if the results ok i won't hear from them, fingers crossed they are