Graduated Elderberries - Thread 8

[Cavort]

The over 30's expecting/just given birth to their first little bundle of joy.

Thread 8 already!!

Cavort, me too. And frozen herbs. It's efficient, not lazy!

yay my tens machine is out for delivery today

Yay
My tens machine was a life saver!!!
Going away today to see a friend for a few days without dh. Quite looking forward to some girly time!

So between 12 noon and 7.30pm yesterday, Viki ate just 50 ml. But surprisingly was not grumpy or crying, but his usual happy self. He must have read the articles warning that some babies just learn to wait til mum is home. Unsurprisingly, he wanted to eat several times during the night. DH has been given strict orders to try to stuff as much milk in him as possible today.

Hello all! Loving the freezer food discussion, I freeze meals in bulk for when I'm on nights and poor old Mr Boom can't cope with making his own dinner. Morrisons do those foil trays with cardboard lids that you get takeaways in, they're cheap and stack perfectly in the freezer, he cooks and eats them straight out of the tray so there's not even any washing up! Plus easy to write on the lid what they are.

Mother oooh I can't wait to be ordering my Tens machine! Out of interest, has anyone done hypnobirthing at all? I can't afford the classes but was thinking of getting one of the book/CD sets and need a recommendation for one that isn't too fluffy/patronising.

Feeling quite chuffed that I've made it to 2nd trimester and the bump is starting to show properly. Husband called me a 'tank' yesterday I think it was meant affectionately! Fretting over telling my new job that I'm pregnant, I really didn't want to until I got my contract but it's starting to get silly and one of my references has been delayed by a thoughtless cow of a mentor, plus I have to go in to sign some paperwork and it feels far too underhand to be face-to-face with them but not say anything. I guess I'm going to have to bite the bullet..

Ooh lol a break sounds lovely, where are you going?

Oh no Hazle, you must be knackered. I hope work are easing you in gently? I hope you have more luck getting Viki to drink from the sippy cup but at least it's not long until introducing solids now.

Massive YY to TENS machine excitement! I've said it loads of times, but mine made a massive difference to my 5 day slow labour and I really couldn't have managed without it. Of course we still all hope for 1 hour sneeze births where one isn't required.

And so the cook up continues, chilli con carne, meatballs (2 lots), chicken curry and chicken in black bean sauce done, so far I have 8 meals done and in the freezer.....unfortunately I think I may have to do a shop to replenish the supplies.....doh. Although we probably have enough for about 5/6 meals left so may leave it till the weekend and make my OH come help me with a food shop.

Hope you're not too sleepy hazel.

Oh and the TENs machine arrived this morning

I'll live, but this morning was pretty much the same, very reluctant feeding. I might have to start introducing solids sooner than I planned, better than starving him I think.

Sorry you're having problems Hazle, I spoke to my HV about weaning if you're interested? She said as long as they're over 17 weeks, can hold their head steady and coordinate hands and mouth to put food in its ok to start weaning gradually before 6 months as long as you don't introduce any wheat until they are over 6 months.

I say 'ok' she actually seemed to think its preferable to start from about 5 months assuming they seem ready for it rather than waiting, they do seem to be altering their thinking about waiting until 6 months, she's qualified as a HV recently so she seems to be quite up to date with things.

V impressed by all the cooking going on. I didn't do any!

Yes I have read some articles as well that the 6 month advice was more oriented to 3rd world countries, where due hygiene reasons BF is preferable than suspicious foods. Will see. At the moment trying to see if he'll accept sippy cups, there are some for 4-month olds.

Hi boom I have the hypnobirthing CD and book as a couple of people I know used it, one swears by it and she had a "great" birth! I've not used it that much but am hoping to before due date comes round. DH loves it though, there is a relaxation track when she bangs on about being in an ocean with all these fish and it puts DH asleep in less than a minute!

mother it was you with lightning crotch wasn't it? My baby has changed position or something and suddenly feels really different, and I've had lightning crotch a few times today - happened in a meeting and gave me a shock!

alex yep it was me, it certainly wakes you up doesn't it! Hope your baby wriggles around a bit and yours goes away again.

mother it's happening loads right now! What is bumpy up to?! Wonder what position that means it's got into?!

ohh must be really low! Exciting!

I keep getting a throbbing down their so think mine is laying on something he shouldn't too! Have the midwife tomorrow and really really hope he is engaged, his movement have changed which I hope means he has shuffled down a bit.

Oh don't envy you two at all with lightening crotch - as you said Alex it's so hard when you're at work (or in public!) - it almost made me yelp out loud on several occasions!

I have also had lightning crotch all week and keep flinching on the tube! So uncomfortable.

same here, doesn't take bottle and then eats the whole night. Well, at least does not seem to be doing him any harm, happy as a clam. I'm a bit less so. And he is such a good sleeper normally, just hungry. Why can't he simply take the effing bottle??

Oh Hazle :( that must be so tough, especially with work on top.

In a complete contrast, I walked into town and back yesterday (40 mins each way with baby faffing thrown in) and did a brave while I was there - managed actual feed in public (ie not in a baby change) for the first time.
Thought I was being very discreet but then the waiter/manager guy called over and asked if I wanted some water! It's officially a breastfeeding friendly place and I was really impressed.

I usually prefer not to get my tits out around the dinner table with FIL and BILs, but other than that, have BFd everywhere. I really don't understand why someone would object - either I feed, or you will have to listen to a screaming hungry baby. I don't think the latter is more pleasant.

Quite right. It was a bit of a revelation tbh, and confidence boosting enough to keep at it for longer. I was very uptight to begin with - but soon couldn't be arsed to go upstairs every time dad or stepson were around so just got on with it.

It's true though, really wouldn't do it in front of FIL... in fact I'm a bit uncomfortable around any of DPs family as they're all a bit unused to bf and are a bit baffled by it. Every time I need to feed H there they offer me an upstairs bedroom... every time I need to feed him around my family I just get on with it, more or less.

My SILs asked if I'm still BFing. Well, not like I have a choice with my bottle-refuser anyway , but I get the feeling that longer than 3 months is considered extended BFing over here.

I get that from DPs nan... along with stories about cousins who had to give up because feeds were taking 3 hours in the evening (ours were about that at the time), and last time we went round she was like 'so you must be giving him a bottle at night now at least'.

In this city, and in DPs world, beyond 4 weeks is considered extended. In my circle though, 4 months plus is the norm and assumed unless there's a problem.