Thread 13. TTC #1 Grads. Some of us still remember that thing called "a full nights sleep" for most, it's a mere memory.

[AudreyBradshaw]

Behold, the wonder of birth! Members from 6 weeks bfp to post-partum wonder Mamas! No question to grotty or minging.

We've come full circle from obsessing about cervical mucus to now obsessing if it's our vagina baby plug going! What larks!

Lots of talk about poo, ours and now babies too! Baby brain is REAL! From morning sickness in the first trimester to the third trimester struggle of getting out of bed ( "walrus-ing"in our house), to actual real babies who are growing so fast! Discussion on the merits of sleepyhead and Ewan the dream sheep.

Sooo many gorgeous babies now! And equally lovely Mummy's! We are amazing! What a year! Can you believe it's been a year since our first tentative TTC thread!? Look how far we've come!

Roll up, literally, in my case, cause I'm practically rotund! for TTC #1 Grads!

Sorry lisa don't know why I said pink!

lisa, if we put her down before she is fully asleep she tends to wake up when we put her down in the cot. If we wait a bit longer she seems to be in a deeper sleep and less likely to stir.

Interesting re the number of times babies have seen PIL. Mine have seen her three times I just over 3 months. They aren't local but it's less than two hours away. I don't think that's often enough if they want her to know them and recognise their voices etc.

Sorry to hear about your OH's day feefs. Hope everything gets sorted.

potato, what do you think Arya is coming down with? It's so good that people are contacting you to review products!

miley, amazing outfits! I'm very impressed by Harrison's Christmas wardrobe

Thanks for that feefs, I wasn't terribly prepared/bothered about bfing before I had him but wish I'd done something like that! The top ups thing is tricky, it's the only way we can get him to sleep. 9/10 times I express during the day and just give him the extra expressed milk but have given a formula on 3 occasions now. Today has been much better so far so maybe we are turning a corner :)

Also your poor dh! What a rubbish day.

Soda it's amazing how many people feel like they can give you advice or say nasty things with no provocation.

Aww Feef that's horrible about OH car. Try not to get too upset though, sometimes these things happen.

Pink I think it's just a sniffle. There's nothing really wrong with her she's just very tired and a bit stuffy. Saline has helped though.

Very excited about blog stuff. I got up the nerve to ask to be paid for a review today. It was a fairly big baby food brand and the product they want me to review is worthless to me so I thought it was a good one to start asking with. Worse they can do is say no.

Have written a new article today about British Gas, I've had 5 engineers tell me I have to have hive installed to replace my faulty thermostat. Spoke to customer relations and they told me that wasn't true, them I checked and it turns out BG engineers get paid incentives to sell hive gits!!!!! I dread to think how many people have forked out £250 for a hive thermostat when they could have had a normal one for free!

Canters also meant to say - I found that sometimes A was just using my nipple for comfort rather than being hungry. A dummy has hugely helped with that. I was so against dummies before I became a mum but I'm quickly realising you do whatever works!

Potato glad your blog is taking off, sounds like things are going really well.

Pink perhaps your PILs feel awkward about inviting themselves over to visit?** My PILs basically said they wanted to come every weekend but understood we wouldn't want that and they wouldn't come unless we invited them but they were keen to come whenever which I thought was quite a good way of saying it!

Feef that sounds horrid for your OH but also a stress you don't need at this time.

I've got a wedding in a couple of weeks and tried to sort out my dress today as it needs dry cleaning. I was about to take it round when I suddenly realised I can't breastfeed in it. Had simply not occurred to me at all. (Tried it on to see if I could find a way to make it work, but the only way to feed would be to pull the whole thing right up to the neck!)

Has anyone got any good recommendations for places to shop for dresses to feed in, or any nice items they've seen? I don't want to spend loads but would do if it was really nice.

(I'm open to most styles except bodycon, and I don't like showing cleavage.)

Wow lisa if I was going to a wedding or anywhere other than the park or mum groups I'd need to buy new things as I don't fit in anything I own! I think wrap dresses would work well?

Thanks Soda, I've been investigating dresses when I was awake in the night and have found some nice wrap styles. I find maternity and nursing clothes hard usually, because they tend to show lots of cleavage, which I don't like doing.

I'm very lucky, I'm basically back to my original size, with the exception of still having a bit of a bump. I think a lot of that is from breastfeeding, and simply not having the time to eat!

I want to lose more though, but that's for after Christmas

I've heard this myth about losing loads of weight through breastfeeding lisa! I'm doing exclusive bf and A is almost 3 months old now and I've still got a stone to lose. I'm bloody starving all the time which doesn't help plus I'm having lots of lunches with people and coffees with cake Im going to try and start being really good in January - Christmas season is a bit of a write off!

Soda I can't believe people feel they can comment like that, how rude!! You new mums are even greater super heros than I imagined having to put up with stuff like that!

Feefs sorry to hear about DH's work and car issues. Don't feel silly for crying, I nearly did the other day when my DH had a bad day at work and you feel so bad for them but there's not a lot you can actually do. So frustrating!

What sorts of pregnancy workout classes did people go to? Thinking it's about time I joined one as I'm getting lazy!

soda I've heard that myth too! Never happened for me.

So I will never in my life forget the look of sheer panic and pain on Harrison face today when he had his injection. I know they need them but I'm finding them incredibly difficult to take him to. I was so anxious this morning I nearly threw up...

lovely I did nothing. I did throw up for the first 21 weeks but I have no excuse for the last 15... that's why I have 2 stone to lose

Oh miley How is Harrison now? Could someone else take him?

I'm debating joining slimming world. I need to shift my baby weight before my first dress fitting. I'm normally quite disciplined but there is so much coffee and cake when you are on maternity leave! Think a weekly weigh in might kick start me and keep me on track.

lovely, I went to spinning classes until 32 weeks, ran up to 24 weeks and did aquanatal. I think it depends how much you did before.

Lovely I found during pregnancy I had people commenting on my bump and now they comment on my baby! I did spinning up to around 27 weeks and after that I did pregnancy yoga - it wasn't much of a workout though, more relaxing!

Pink can you do a proper diet when breastfeeding? I'm kind of hoping you can't as I have no will power to diet right now!

Miley A has her 12 week injections on Monday. I found the 8 week ones so awful I've got DH to take time off work and come with me

Hi ladies,
Autumn was suffering with constipation since her explosion Monday night. She then did a WHOPPER tonight so I'm a happy mummy..never thought I'd be so happy for someone to do a poo! my boobs/nipps are getting better and I'm back to BF-ing but I'm still going to try her with a bottle of formula at night. She's a hungry baby and I don't feel like I produce that much in the evening which is maybe why she cluster feeds and stays up until 10pm every night. She's sleeping so well, I'm hoping we've cracked it! Last night she slept 10pm-7am but I did wake up a few times as she's so noisy! I'm actually looking forward to her going in her own room soon.
Does anyone have the breathing monitor? Which one is it? I'm thinking if I can have a breathing monitor when she's in her own room then I won't mind turning the sound down on the video monitor and hopefully not hear her grunting in the night

Im back to pre pregnancy weight now (I also put it down to breastfeeding) but I'm not half as toned as I used to be. I'm finding it really hard to get to the gym as there's no time anymore! I never thought I'd say that but I really can't find time in the day and by the evening I'm tired and cba leaving the house! Definitely going to try to start back this weekend or Monday. I miss the gym loads but I'm nervous that I'll be sick on my first sesh.

Lovely I'm a bit gym mad and was still doing circuits, kettlebells and spin 2 days before my c section it's completely down to how active you were before so don't push yourself too much if you're body isn't used to it.

Miley poor Harrison and poor you! It's so horrible seeing their little faces when they get their jabs. I have autumn's 2nd ones on 29th and then we have to do a 6 hour drive back home on NYE. Not looking forward to that!

Well done on the blog potato sounds like it's taking off and getting noticed!

Hope all the other mums and preggos are doing well x

I feel like I haven't checked in in an age.
I hope everyone is doing well.
Atticus is being a dream as he spit of his most recent leap. Lots of feeding and sleeping so I think he's growing. He's grabbing lots and blowing raspberries all the time. 3rd jabs tomorrow and first time doing them alone and I am dreading it.

I've made Christmas cards with Christmas photos of the dog and Atticus on this year (usually just the dog is on them) and made special ones for the grandparents. I love Christmas

Indi glad the poo is out! Bodhi is on a one every 48 hours and they are like demon vomit by the time they come haha!

Potato glad the blog is doing well

Pink I also need to loose weight before first dress fitting. I am going to leave it as late as possible!

Miley batbaby harrison on IG is too cute

Feefs hope baby doesn't keep you waiting too long!! Awful timing with DH car hope you get that sorted with minimum stress.

Canters glad you are enjoying time with your lovely boy.

Stardrey yay for DH stepping up. Enjoy the teeny baby stage!

Sorry I haven't been posting much. I have been reading but I am in a real grouchy phase where everything in RL and I feel awful saying it but some things on here are winding me up and its making me feel like an awful mother. I don't get the difficulty with injections - I know that its probably because Bods is so chilled out he doesn't make a fuss but because I don't make a fuss about it either I worry I don't care enough. Same with BFing. And I don't have the difficulty leaving him. We are leaving him for 3 nights tomorrow to go to Germany together and Bods is staying with my Mum and Dad. I will miss him terribly obviously and look forward to getting home to him but I am fine with being away from him for that time. Seems like everyone elses experiences are so opposite to mine I must be doing something wrong or am just a shit mum to him.

Soda, 12 week jabs aren't as bad as 8 week as there's only one injection. 4 month ones I'm expecting to be horrendous again as it's the 3 injections again.

Having said that, Tam had her second lot yesterday and it was still bloody awful. My beautiful smiley trusting baby looking up at me just before the nurse did it made me feel like Judas. I absolutely know she needs them and I'd never ever not take her, but I well up every time I even think about it

Nev sorry you're feeling like that. The injections only bother me so much because she screams so horribly and I feel guilty. If she didn't seem bothered by them then I wouldn't be either. I'm fine about the concept of them, it's just her reaction that makes it hard.

I actively look forward to leaving her as well. I don't get the chance often at all, but I've already agreed an afternoon off next Sunday, my Mum is babysitting so dh and I can have a date night at some point before Christmas and I'm booked for a semi boozy night with the nct lot before Christmas as well. I'm always pleased to get back to Tam again, but I bloody enjoy the freedom while I have it too!!

I hope you stop feeling shit, you don't deserve to. I think it's just one of the joys of parenthood. If you were the exact opposite you'd probably be feeling shit in the opposite way.

Thank you so much irregular! I know with the injections that I am lucky that he is no more offended by them than he is a nappy change! I also think how ill he was so little and having to watch him have a lumbar puncture, catheters fitted etc that they just don't seem a big deal.

I'd forgotten you'd been through all of that when he was tiny Nev. I'm sure that does make a difference in terms of how much of a big deal the routine stuff seems. Just be glad Bodhi is so chilled with them now. There'll be enough stuff that upsets you and stresses you out as time goes on - I'd take the jabs not doing as a win personally!

Nev please don't feel like that. After what bodhi has been through its no wonder he's chilled out when it comes to injections. But A was hysterical at the 8 week ones.

For the record I'd absolutely love a weekend, or any time away from A, but I don't have anyone to leave her with. Both sets of parents live over 200 miles away and my MIL is terminally ill and my dad is in a bad way so I couldn't leave her with either set of parents for any length of time because my mum and my FIL have enough looking after to do! I am looking forward to leaving her for a couple of hours over Christmas with my mum so DH and I can have an evening out.

I think I've run out of milk. A is hysterical and is sucking furiously on a dummy. I've tried her on boob and there just doesn't seem to be anything there. I'm feeling a bit stressed and pissed off - my plans were cancelled today so I've seen nobody but the person at the local coffee shop and DH is STILL in the fucking office! I've just cried down the phone to him and told him to come home and bring some formula!

There's some nursing dresses on ASOS with a double layer at the top?

Poor Harrison miley!!

Soda unfortunately you can do proper diet when breastfeeding, I would recommend continuing vitamin D and folic acid and then slimming world or weight watchers are the most evidence based options. Weight watchers has higher success rates. Low carb or very low kcal diet(1200kcal per day or less) are not recommended as will lead to muscle loss and not enough for baby or you.

Indi one of my colleagues but her baby in his own room at 7 weeks and they were both much happier!! I know the recommendation is 6 months but you have to do what's right for you too.

Love your Christmas cards bunch!

I hope you stop feeling shit nevlet everyone is different. I have a few events next year (weddings etc) and was completely planning on leaving baby with DHs parents and my friend (RL has 10 week old) and was a bit disgusted with me, she was all excited about bringing the baby. I have also let DH pick quite a lot of the baby stuff which a lot of people seem to find very odd including MIL (DH has a degree in social studies and masters in residential child care! Including attachment and child development) You have to do what suits you. I hope you enjoy Germany.

DHs car is written off he was off today and is off tomorrow. We've finished the nursery which has really cheered me up and we've cleared the spare room. I feel much better today but who knows how long that'll last!! Midwife again tomorrow so undoubtedly another trip to maternity assessment with white coat bloody blood pressure!!! might try and push them for a date for induction, I know I should be happy waiting until baby is ready but I've convinced myself that baby isn't going to come on it's own.

Nev I'm not fussed about baby injections either. I comfort Arya when she gets upset but I don't get upset because I know she'll be fine in a couple of minutes.
I'm not the person to talk to about leaving baby though. But I think that more because I'm possessive than anything.
Of course you care about your baby enough. Different people react differently, that's all.

Pink I'm contemplating slimming world too.

Bunch Arya is sleeping the days away too at the moment and has definitely had a growth spurt!
Hope the injections go ok.

Feef sorry about the car.

British Gas contacted me today. They're giving me £50 and sending a hamper for Arya as an apology for their engineers behaviour.

So proud of Arya today, she lifted herself up on her elbows during tummy time for the first time

soda, you can definitely do slimming world whilst bf. I think you are allowed to eat a bit extra.

Lovely photos bunch.

Good outcome from British Gas potato. I'm intrigued as to what they are going to put in the hamper for Arya!

nev, everyone reacts differently to different things. Don't worry that injections etc haven't bothered you. What bothers one person doesn't necessarily have the same impact on another. Given what Bodhi went through when he was brand new, I'm sure a small injection feels like nothing!

Hi ladies! Catching up with a (cold) cuppa.

nev unfortunately Harrison had an actual shitstorm out the side of his nappy so we had to sacrifice batman to the poo God's I just want to say that Bodhi looks to be the happiest, healthiest little boy and you need to stop putting yourself down because clearly you're doing an amazing job. You went through so much with him when he was so little so naturally a little injection isn't going to compare! I have horrible anxiety which makes me worry so much more about things. As for BFing - it's absolutely not for everyone and every baby is different. I'm very lucky Harrison took to it but my cousins little girl didn't and she still beats herself up about it now (her baby us 4 months old). It winds me up whenever someone remarks about formula. I think in 2016 R&D will be that advanced it'll be almost exactly the same. Plus, rather than stress you and little man out by doing 'what's best' you're actually doing what's best for you both by choosing the best path for you both. And just as a side note - if Harrison takes a bottle soon I'll be leaving him with my mum 3 nights very soon. I'm definitely ready for it.

Will catch up properly soon. Harrison has just had poo number 2 of the day already