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!

Feefs massive congratulations!!! Hope
You're recovering well

Miley I felt sick reading your post. That poor poor woman and family. I can't even and don't want to imagine what she is going through.

Autumn is being a little cling-bag and I've just had to cancel a massage I've had booked for my birthday ( bday was October and I've had to rearrange 4 times already) but after reading miley's post I don't care, I don't mind if Autumn wants to sleep on me the whole bloody day.
Squeezing my little princess extra tight today.

indi I've been the same. I've done nothing at all today because I can't bare to put Harrison down. We're doing a book of footprints and messages at group and our bf support lady is going to the hospital to do casts of the little girls hands from us I keep bursting into tears when I think about it I'm so sad for her and her mum.

marmite glad you've enjoyed your holiday

Having a hard time with my mum too. She's been told she's gone permanently blind in one eye and 30% chance of it happening in the other. She also has to go back to hospital for a lumbar puncture on Wednesday as she's not right

Anyway...sorry for all the doom and gloom.

Harrison is going for his first photoshoot tomorrow considering the photographer last time messed us about so we didn't get a newborn one. Very glad we got the bounty photos now!! I can't wait to dress him up.

Congratulations feef lovely news and I hope you're recovering well.

Miley that is absolutely heartbreaking.
I can hardly bear even thinking about it, just awful.

Alexa had her 12 week jabs today and so far so good. Not nearly as many tears and she's just been her normal self since - fingers crossed.

miley, that is so so sad. Was it co-sleeping as in a Next2Me type thing or were they in the same bed? There was an piece on the news a while ago about a baby who rolled over in a co-seeper and suffocated as she crushed her windpipe on the side of the sleeper. There are risks with everything though. Its so heartbreaking and the poor parents must be devastated. Hugs to you too.

pink I didn't think to ask. I'm not sure if she maybe even fell asleep while feeding little one it's made me really anxious today about everything. I can't stop thinking about them.

soda I'm glad Alexa was ok with her jabs. Little super star

My fucking incredibly painful periods are back. And I thought I'd be safe for at least 6 months while I was feeding guess I need to sort out birth control ASAP.

Sounds like a rough few days miley. Especially the co sleeping death. Breastfeeding makes me so sleepy it's a terrifying thought.

We are doing well. Quite a positive birth experience for me. After second prostin baby's heart rate stayed accelerated so had to go through labour ward for fluids. Waters spontaneously broke. Was having "prostin contractions" every 2 minutes in agony but no real progress dilating so had to start syntocin asked for epidural first as wasn't tolerating examinations very well with spd and contractions. Once epidural was in felt one million times better. It's a wonder of modern medicine! Had to be topped up twice but they were so fast with stuff and so kind and attentive. Pushed for an hour but baby turned the wrong way so had to go to theatre for episiotomy and forceps, baby turned back in theatre so actually got her out with 2 contractions and forceps. Was delighted. Stitches are sore but manageable and she loves feeding so all going good from that point of view! Home tomorrow!

Nev no, flight problems are the worse! Hope you got home safely!

Feef congratulations!!!!!! sounds like you went through it with the birth but they are so worth it!

Audrey that sounds like a nightmare! But as much as it's unpleasant the baby worry is normal and you will become slightly less freaked out by everything as time goes on. The first month or so of having Arya I panicked every time her poop was a bit runny or she was sick. Now she's nearly 4 months there isn't much that gets me panicking.

For the first 3 months I constantly felt smelly and yuck because Arya wouldn't let me leave her long enough to have a shower. As a result I only got to shower when OH was able to look after her. The HV don't care as long as baby is healthy, I think they expect a certain amount of dishevelledness

Miley OMG that's terrible. Can't even imagine how horrific that is!
The HVs and midwives in my area are really strongly against co-sleeping and warn everyone they see that the current co-sleeping trend is dangerous and does result in a lot of babies being lost but I'd never actually come across anyone it had happened to. Really shocking

Your poor mum.

Marmite welcome back, glad you had a good time.

Had a good time in bath yesterday but we didn't buy anything (both rubbish at shopping)

Posh restaurant was also good and Arya was amazing. I gave her a bottle when we arrived and she sat with us and looked around babbling just long enough to be cute then fell asleep and didn't wake up again until we got into the car

It's OHs 40th today. He is not best pleased and has deactivated FB for the week lol

feefs glad all went well and you're recovering nicely! Sounds as though you've settled into motherhood like a natural. Well done lovely and congratulations again.

potato happy 4th to your OH. Sounds as though you had a lovely time and Arya was an angel - I liked her photo on IG - she didn't look enthralled

So Harrison has gone from waking every hour and a half at night to only waking once or twice. I'm in shock! I'm worried my milk supply will decrease so I'm expressing as soon as I wake up. He also doesn't wee when he's asleep - he will only wee we he's wide awake. Is this normal?! He kept a dry nappy for 9 hours but when he did go it was heavy

40th* dear me!

Any of you breastfeeding mums are my heros, baby fed consistently last night from 10pm till 5:30am and me cracking and having to ask midwives to take her. She is still asleep now but I'm going to have to wake her up soon so this doesn't happen again tonight! Hopefully home ASAP this am so DH can mind in between feeds and my parents arrive later tonight. Midwives were lovely but said "this is exactly why breastfeeding rates are so low". Hopefully can make it through the next few weeks and crack it as the baby loves it

Feefs you sound like you are doing so well. Her photos on IG are beautiful. Make the most of other people trying to help out so you can get sleep when you can.

I don't see bfing rates being low in real life at all. I don't know a single other bottle feeder apart from potato that includes on here and anyone I know/have met from NCT/hypnobirthing etc. Feels it has gone the other way tbh often feel very harshly judged for it - have you found that at potato? Also happy birthday to your OH

Miley Bodhi sleeps all night usually but his nappy is sodden and ways a ton when I change him. He always does a giant wee during that change though so thats quite similiar to Harrison?

Germany was brilliant. The markets were so festive but not what I expected - all the food/drink stalls (which was the vast majority of them!) were brilliant but all the selling ones were selling absoloute tat. Have returned xmas present and decorationless.

Getting home was awful. Flight meant to leave 21.15 Sunday night. We knew it was running half an hour late all afternoon - no big deal. What I didn't know is that Dortmund Airport has a 10pm curfew - flights are not allowed to land or take off after 10. You guessed it... got as far as engines firing to go at end of runway and then being cancelled at about 30 seconds passed ten. The plane wasnt even allowed to use its engines to get back to the terminal so we had to wait to be towed back. The whole airport was shut inside apart from 2 people dealing with sorting new flights and accomodation for 200 people. Eventually got a hotel room in the next town about 1am and a flight home yesterday afternoon.

Miley I can't believe your periods are back already, how annoying! Are you giving more formula? I thought they were supposed to stay away if you were mostly bf? Alexa's nappy is sodden and heavy in the mornings.

Feef glad the birth was ok and hope you get home soon. The bf does get easier - baby will be sucking on you a lot at the moment to try and get your milk supply in. I found it much easier once the milk came in. Although my boobs did go so huge I felt like a porn star

Nev it's 50/50 in my NCT class re breastfeeding. Out of 8 girls I think there are 2 of us doing ebf, 2 chose to bottle feed from start, 2 struggled with bf and switched to formula after a couple of weeks and 2 are doing combination. All babies are happy and healthy Glad you had a good break away.

Soda that is so different to mine! I am the only of 8 not EBF and the oldest babies are 6 months youngest is almost 4 months. Think thats why I feel so conflicted over it!

Congratulations, Feef. Not going to lie - establishing breastfeeding is one of the hardest things I've done, and I've been frustrated about cluster feeding more than once, but it is so much easier now. I find it easy and convenient now. Theodore is 16 weeks old on Thursday and no longer feeds constantly. You really do need an attentive partner in the first few weeks and you need to accept that feeding all day and night is normal. He slept from 6.30 pm until 3 am last night. Took a while to settle him then but we were asleep again by 4 am and he had another quick feed at 6.30 am. DH took him for an hour and then we dozed in bed together until 9. Having a super lazy day today! I'm hoping to breastfeed him until at least when I return to work. Expressing during the day isn't going to work for me when I'm working but I'd like to continue ye with morning/evening feeds for as long as he wants.

Re: my NCT group - 2 others are also EBF (6 weeks to 2 months old), the twins are combi-fed but mum is moving towards bottle feeding as it's too gruelling, and one is bottle fed after initial 6 weeks. Mum has some issues with her breast (several ops for non cancerous tumours in the past) so she is pretty chuffed with that.

feefs I have said exactly the same thing about breastfeeding rates- I was so unprepared for the amount of time I would spend feeding. Well done you for getting through the night. You sound like you're doing so well!

Nev, I wonder if some of those who are bfing are actually combination feeding, as that discounts them from the stats. All three of my nct group are combi feeding of sorts now. Also I think nct, hypnobirthing etc are a fairly self selecting group in that a much higher percentage are likely to attempt bf. every baby I've seen out since having R has had milk in a bottle, though that doesn't necessarily mean formula. Haven't seen anyone else get their boobs out! Glad you had a lovely holiday, the journey home sounds stressful!

Miley hurrah for Harrison sleeping! I can't wait until that's us!

HV came again today and R has put on another pound in the last week. My big boy! He's on the 75th centile (was 50th at birth). The feeding has settled a bit in the last couple of days so think we're finally turning a corner!

I need a rant. I'm feeling stressed. I have so much going on atm and I feel like DH isn't helping in the ways I need him to. He's great with the baby and is always ready to take her if I need a shower or to sort something out but he doesn't help with ANYTHING around the house. I have to tell him to change the nappy bin, take the dogs for a walk, put his washing away...the list is endless. I just wish he could do stuff without me having to ask so I could just sort A out. I know it's good he helps with her but really she only needs me anyway coz i BF. So that means I'll be doing stuff round the house and then she'll cry for boob.
My mum is still here and she's been great but even she's starting to get on my nerves with some things. She does cook dinner every night though which really helps as I don't think I'd be able to do it in between feeding, bathing and trying to get A down for bed.
I've just spoke to DH about it and he gets on the defensive straight away. It's my mums bday on Friday and Xmas is next week and I just don't know how to fit everything in.

Sorry for rant, I'm just pissed off and wish DH would use his brain instead of waiting for me to tell him to do stuff like I'm his mum!!!

soda I don't give him any formula he's ebf which is why I'm a little confused! How annoying!

nev our group is about 50:50 too. Glad you had a nice time away but how shit about the flight! Yeah Bodhi does sound similar so the wee thing probably is normal.

canters well done R! That's brilliant it's quite a shock when they put a pound a week on isn't it.

feef it's a difficult time - especially the first few weeks. Hope you have a better night

indi show your DH that exact message! Sometimes they're totally dim aren't they. My OH is getting better but at one time I felt like I had 2 kids.

Harrison has been for his photoshoot which he was so well behaved for. Here's what he wore like a little grandad

Apparently 34% of babies in uk are bf up to 6 months. Not sure if that's ebf or combi but definitely shows you're not in the minority nev

That is really strange miley! Gorgeous pic of Harrison. We're getting some professional pics of Alexa done tomorrow so hopefully she'll smile and that's the grandparents Xmas presents sorted!

Just braved Oxford Street with the pram! Was pretty busy and quite stressful but made good present progress and A stayed asleep the whole time. Bonus

You went to Oxford St, Soda?!? You brave woman! Glad it was all ok with the pram.

Indi, I'm sorry and I definitely sympathise. My DH is great with Q and will do any chores I tell him to do - but he'd never do it proactively or think of doing those things! If I didn't clean and do washing I don't think he'd notice, and if I didn't cook he'd get a takeaway every night (which also isn't good health-wise).

Fingers crossed your DH starts helping for Christmas x

On the bf/ff topic - everyone in my NCT combo feeds except me (bf only). And I think one is going to ff full-time as her baby isn't gaining enough weight. I think it varies hugely by different groups, particularly given your experiences, Nev, Leonie, and Soda. I don't think there is a 'normal' out there. Just everyone doing their own thing, which is how it should be.

Adorable photo of Harrison, Miley! Love the bowtie and braces!

Omg congrats feef!!!! sounds a bit like my experience with LO turning the wrong way last minute and needing episiotomy and forceps in theatre - glad it didn't have to be an EMCS for you. Hope you get to go home with bub soon!!

Miley that is so so so sad that poor baby and the poor mum I cannot even imagine what they are going through. So heartbreaking and so close to Christmas.

I'm in awe of you braving Oxford Circus soda! That is a real London baby you have there! Am contemplating Westfields but haven't quite worked up to it yet! Glad to hear the jabs aren't so bad - I go for ours next week. Need to get that calpol lined up.

Sorry been awol the last week - Dsis been staying with us so haven't been online much. M is 7 weeks today and seems like constantly hungry - different kind of cluster feeding to the 3 week one. Hope it passes as my sleep has been horrid and I haven't had the free time to sort out things for Christmas. DH can't help as she is still not taking the bottle.

On another note my periods have come back already at 7 weeks even when EBF - not fair I was hoping to get away without it for a few months yet! Has anyone had issues with dissolving stitches not quite dissolving? I've got the end of a suture that is poking me in the most uncomfortable way

Huge congrats Feefs.
Omg Miley how gorgeous is he?!!! My periods have come back too. No pain yet just bleeding for a fecking week. Over now thank god. Ebf here too so I believe we have been short changed so awful about the lady from your bf group.

Lillian is it a full blown period as I had some spotting 6 weeks pp but that then never turned into anything until last week.

Atticus was weighed today 15lb 9oz now. Just had him on his front for a while and I swear he's trying to crawl- very unduccessfuliy. So cute!!

Hope everyone is well.

Gorgeous photo of Harrison Miley!

Sounds like you're doing really well Feefs are you home now?

Glad you had a good time in Germany Nev but flight problems are the worst! We were delayed on the way home at the weekend and didn't end up getting home til 2am after a long time hanging around in uncomfortable airport, I was knackered.

Sorry to hear you're feeling frustrated Indi my DH tends to be the same with stuff around the house. I can imagine he'll probably be similar in that he'all be quite hands on with the baby but not maybe do as much other stuff as I'd like. Hope he starts helping out a bit more for you.

Sorry for those whose periods are back already that seems v unfair! I must say I'm really enjoying not having to worry about tampons

Well done on the weight gain Canters!

Glad you had lovely time at posh restaurant for OHs bday Potato!

V impressive re Oxford Street with pram Soda!!

Just wondered if anyone could offer any insight on when is a good/sensible time to finish work for mat leave?! I haven't given work a date yet but need to get one sorted. Due date is 14th April, is aiming to finish at 38 weeks a bit ambitious at 31st March?! I'm thinking it probably is and should maybe go for 37 weeks instead?! Which would mean I could finish the day before my birthday! Any thoughts and insight from those who know better than me gladly received!

We're putting Christmas tree up tonight