Graduated Elderberries. Thread 9

[Cavort]

The over 30's expecting or just had their first baby.

It's not my place to share news of new baby being born but there's no need to be worried
I'm also worried about nappies brave. What is the banana test?

Hurrah to not being worried!

So (mememe) I had (I think) proper contractions during the night last night - only lasting a fairly short time each time but quite painful cramping/stitching/aching sensation low down alongside the hard bump. Took some paracetamol and went back to sleep and they have now of course stopped.

In other news, my PhD supervisor has been in touch to say sorry it hasn't been possible to arrange my viva as planned before I give birth, how would 30 Jan work for me? Errrrr I will be 4-6 weeks post partum and possibly massively sleep deprived, yeah that sounds like a great time to defend 5 years of complicated work to an academic panel . I don't think he has actually taken on board that I am having a baby not going on an Xmas mini break.

I'd like to reassure you about the nappies but I can't, they're vile. I've had dogs my whole life and cats since I was 18 so I thought I was used to poo and good at dealing with poo but weaning nappies are turning my stomach. And it's a sturdy stomach. I advise you keep them on breast milk until they're potty trained

Alex - hope you're having lots of lovely cuddles, we're all looking forward to seeing pictures when you're up to it x

Oh no purple. Think I'll add a mask to my weaning shopping list ??

Oh aye Lol, what do you know on the new baby front?

Even though there's seemingly not much eating going on - just tasting followed by pushing most of it out, there must be some going down the hatch as the nappies are HORRENDOUS already! She wolves banana and mashed potato down though, not much of those are spat out!

As if getting up for 2 hours every night isn't bad enough, at least she was sleeping soundly before and after her wake up. I say was because last night she decided to also wake up at 12.30, 01.30, then 02.00-04.00 wide awake, 06.00, 07.00 and then she got up at 07.30. I swear if you look closely you might spot the Grim Reaper hanging around over my shoulder, I feel that bad.

I think I told you before about my friend's baby who is 9 days older than Elodie and sleeps through from 8.30pm-10.00am every night and has done since about 14 weeks. Well, she was telling me how knackered she now is because he has started waking briefly at 5am and she has to get up for 5 minutes to settle him back off. FFS I can only dream about a night that good!!

Better make that a welding mask Lol

Oh Quod how exciting! Not long for you now!

I may have pestered janey every hour on fb for an update
Sorry it's so tough cav. I don't know about you but everyone in rl seems to know the solution for her to sleep through. Give her formula . It's bad enough to go through this shit without people telling you your baby is going hungry cause you're insisting on bf that was mil

Yeah I hear the same Lol, and it doesn't help that my friend's great-sleeping baby started sleeping through the same week she stopped BFing and switched to formula.

As tough as it is, I just keep telling myself frequent night waking is the biological norm in healthy babies and has been proven to help prevent SIDS. Even though I feel like shit sometimes, I am still not tempted to switch to formula even if it means a better nights sleep. This is after all a relatively short period in our lives and it won't actually kill us, although I do reserve the right to constantly moan about it.

weaning was making Viki constipated - was not doing anything for a week and then struggled and complained so much that I used some laxative gel for babies. So we're not giving him baby rice this week, just fruits and veggies, to see if that works better.

He's not too keen on any I've tried though - or should say, not always - eats quite a bit one day and refuses the exact same thing the next day.
I hope he won't be one of those picky eaters, they are such a pain. My niece for example only ate plain rice and nothing else for a while.

I would of course prefer to sleep longer, especially if I have to deal with Russian VAT issues and Singapore aircraft sales here (seriously, and that's just this morning). But as Viki is not eating that much during the day then he needs to eat at night, and baby's needs come first. Switching to formula is not an option for us anyway.

Besides, I quite like the side effects of BF'ing - I can actually eat chocolate and still lose weight!

Ah yes, the weight loss. I am just munching on some Haribo while typing this.

I tried the baby rice once and she just pulled her face at it so I haven't bothered since. It looks like wallpaper paste and probably doesn't taste much better so I don't really blame her to be honest. Fruit and veg are far, far nicer. Elodie does the same though Hazle, one day a carrot is fine, the next day it's spat out. Who knows how a baby's brain works?

And, pregnant berries - we're talking about trying for a DC2 soon and haven't ruled out DC3, so all this sleep deprivation and not eating etc can't be that bad

We have a baby!!!!! A little girl!! She's just amazing

Our labour was really tough - scary and painful - but she was born at 3.32 this morning It was absolutely worth every second though, and already my mind is just focussing on the end result which is lying next to me in a cot in hospital. I can't stop staring at her despite needing sleep so much!!

Such a great feeling having her here

Congratulations Alex! Fantastic to hear that you and baby are both well. Does she have a name yet?

Oh wow, congratulations Alex, that's great news! I'm so pleased for you and your DH.

Huge congrats alex, wonderful news!! Sending lots of love and good wishes to you and sleepy thoughts to your little girl! Hope she is a good girl for her mum and lets you get some sleep.

Yay Alex one more for team pink
Huge congrats x

Congratulations!!!

Alex, HUGE congratulations! hormones making me emotional sorry to hear it was tough but obviously worth it. Enjoy the snuggles.
Argh I am now third in line (and only not second by one day!)
Is it just me or are most berry babies girls?

Actually I think it's an even split.

She's being very good so far, only cried once since birth for a minute! Don't worry I am completely clear that this won't last We've breast fed a few times, three good feeds (I think! She seemed to latch and go for it!) It's all so lovely meeting her and seeing what she's like - she's got a head of quite long dark hair already! DH and I were laughing saying she has a mullet Just adorable x

Woohoo! So so glad to hear we have a new berry baby! Congratulations to you Alex!

Really hope you're ok and not too traumatised. You've just been through one of the biggest life changing experiences ever - get loads of photos - including some of you with your gorgeous little girl. Remember that however she arrived, you gave birth and you will alwaysbe one she runs to when she needs you.

Can't wait to see a picture but for now, take care of yourselves and enjoy those precious newborn cuddles!

My girl count included the three of us who know we are having girls next year

Congratulations Alex!

Hazle - baby rice is apparently notorious for making them constipated, hopefully he'll be ok on fruit and veg.

Re: breast feeding/ weight loss, am I the only person who is managing to get fatter then? I'm constantly hungry and I'm just getting fatter and fatter diet starts in the new year.

Purple I saw a friend of mine with her 8 week old. She said that her health visitor told her to cut out cheese and chocolate to stop her DS being so sicky.

Added bonus, she lost 6 lbs in a week!

Could be you're really hungry cos you're so knackered, could be if you're not eating healthy filling food (I eat crap and get hungrier quicker), or if you think you're not eating too much or too much crap could be worth checking your thyroid? It's really common for it to be haywire after giving birth.

Seriously though, don't panic. It'll come off quick - some breastfeeding mothers only lose the last x amount once they stop because the body clings on to fat to make milk.

plus very exciting news quod, when are you due? Sounds like your body is getting ready!