Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Birth clubs

Connect with mums-to-be with similar due dates to share experiences and support.

Due July 2008 thread - The Final Stretch!

997 replies

LikerabbitsBX · 20/05/2008 21:35

Just thought I would start a new thread! x

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
isaidno · 08/06/2008 20:23

Wow Tjuice - congrats! I wondered where you'd gone! Elodie looks gorgeous!
Try and stick with the bf - it does get easier, honest!

Minkus · 08/06/2008 20:23

Awww Teeeej - she's beautiful. Well done you, and what a beautiful name! Like Pigley I thought you were on a mnet break for your "honeymoon"

I agree that cats are evil. sadly I didn't agree with that before we got a ginger and white menace of a hunter/fighter. Little mare that she is (but love her really even if she hates us and only comes home for food)

Ankles the size of jacket spuds here after basking in the heat all day at moto-x, had a cool bath with ds and been drinking loads of water all day but they are still enormous! Elephantitis of the foot for me

justjules · 08/06/2008 20:26

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Libra1975 · 08/06/2008 20:33

Rumpel, thanks for the pronunciation, it's such a gorgeous name TJuice.
I am not really an animal person at all, I don't mind mess etc but for some reason animal hair on my furniture or my clothes drives me INSANE!

justjules, you shouldn't just lurk, if you are having a bad time you should post about it (if it's not too personal) as I am sure there would be plenty of support (that goes for you too LibraLady don't worry about moaning on here!)

ButterflyMcQueen · 08/06/2008 20:45

tjuice well done you - it truly is as if she hung on for you

were you forewarned ?did you feel any different in the run up? were you sure of your dates?

nice quick (though painful) birth for a first and a good weight

she is divine but i knew she would be!

does she have a middle name?

i have felt RUBBISH today after my 'i am coping so well' spiel yesterday.

been painting a wall and bench so at least made some progress.

felt sick and headachey all day with heavy shooting pains and back ache - i wanna do a TJuice!!

justjules · 08/06/2008 20:50

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

sweetkitty · 08/06/2008 20:53

OMG I am in shock congratulations Mr and Mrs Tjuice, well done lady no messing about with you then Elodie is beautiful so tiny in her cot.

On the breastfeeding front DD1 was like this she wasn't as early but 37+5 and very jaundiced and wouldn't feed so I had to express for her. My advice is when she is hungry give her a boob first every time so she will try and latch, then finish with a top up from a bottle. If you do bottle first she will become lazy and not want to work at breastfeeding which is harder for them to do. Hopefully in a few days she will take more and more from the breast boosting your supply and you won't need as much formula and eventually she will feed all from the breast (if thats what you want). Mixed feeding from the start is supposed to be quite hard as it's a supply and demand thing for breast milk the more baby sucks the more milk you produce, if you use formula it can interfere with the delicate balance.

Anyway I digress, can't wait to hear your full birth story, how did you know it was the real thing etc? Absolutely adore the name Elodie was on my list.

Speaking of lists must update ours in a minute.

Rumpel - the cats like to sleep on our bed as it's one of the only places they get peace during the day, at night they sleep downstairs. They have a special blanket they all sleep on on our bed though. They are mostly indoor cats, one will venture out as far as the back garden but that is it so we never need worry about them bringing any "guests" in with them. They are 3 of the most useless lazy cats ever.

jules - I know some of what you are feeling, I never really thought about the pregnancy or bonded with this baby until oh after 23 weeks when I had the scan, I was scared too made me feel really guilty too. But my dear you are going to be a Mummy really soon. I remember how low you were after mc no 3 and how I said that more than anyone else I wanted you and lissie to be pregnant again, still keeping everything crossed for lissie. Don't need to for you anymore, it will soon be you posting pics of your beautiful little girl just like Tjuice has done.

Had nice day today haven't done anything much, DP has spoiled me, I can feel the difference in my pelvis tonight, also had a long bath with lovely oils in it which helped.

Am off to update the list I love doing it

sweetkitty · 08/06/2008 21:01

THE NEW ARRIVALS

25MAY PEANUT75 BOY CHARLIE? 5lbs 8ozs
03JUN TJUICE GIRL ELODIE 7lbs

THE BABY WAITING ROOM

1 01JUL LIBRALADY (DS 3.10) POOLE BOY
2 01JUL MISSCHIKA (FIRST BABY)CAMBERWELL SURPRISE
3 02JUL BABY3 (DD8 DS5.5)
4 02JUL UNFITMUMMY (DD 2.7)
5 02JUL BEEPBEEP (DD 1.1)
6 03JUL ISAIDNO (DS 4 & 2) REDDITCH GIRL
7 03JUL MRSCLAIRET (FIRST BABY)
8 04JUL FRANNYANDZOOEY (DS4)
9 05JUL MRSMADMAND (DD 1.3)
10 05JUL PONTO (2DD 4.6 & 2)
11 06JUL PENGUINMUM (DD 2.7)
12 06JUL NANNYJO (3rd baby) BOY
13 06JUL MUMMYPIG (DS1 5.11,DS2 3.7)SURREY BOY
14 07JUL CHOCCIE (FIRST BABY)
15 07JUL HATRICK (3DD 4, 2.8 & 15 MTHS) BOY
16 07JUL MINKUS (DS 3.4) ROSSONWYE SURPRISE
17 07JUL CHOCOLATEDAYS (FIRST BABY)
18 07JUL CARRIEHD9 (FIRST BABY) KIRKLEES
19 08JUl JOCESAR (1st baby) BOY
20 08JUL NIKNAKF (1st Baby) LONDON BOY
21 08JUL PEANUT73 (1st baby) LONDON SURPRISE
22 09JUL THE PUDDINGCHEF (DS 1.6) GIRL
23 09JUL PAULAYATES (6th baby) SURPRISE
24 09JUL VIX100 (FIRST BABY) SURPRISE
25 10JUL MINNIE1 (2DD 1.10 & 11MTHS)
26 10JUL SWEETKITTY (2DDs 4 & 2.6) GLASGOW GIRL
27 10JUL HUBARBSPONG (1st baby) GIRL
28 10JUL CASS66(DD 5&3) elective section YORK SURPRISE
29 10 JUL EXCITED FOR NUMBER 2 (DS3) LEICESTER BOY
30 11JUL ICHEF (DD7 & DS3) BOY
31 12JUL MCCHESERS (FIRST BABY)GLASGOW BOY
32 12JUL PIGLEYCHEZ(FIRST BABY)WEST SUSSEX SURPRISE!
33 13JUL MUMMYWANNABE (FIRST BABY)
34 13JUL PEGGYP (DD 9MTHS)
35 13JUL EEC (DS 11 DD 9)SURPRISE
36 13JUL HPG (FIRST BABY)
37 13JUL PURPLEJENNYROSE (DD21MTHS) GIRL
38 13JUL LEGSY (FIRST BABY)
39 14JUL CilC (DD3) Surrey BOY
40 14JUL GILLYTHEKID (1ST BABY)SURPRISE
41 15JUL JODIE (DS 19MTHS) LICHFIELD BOY
42 15JUL BORGLADY (FIRST BABY)
43 15JUL LIBRA1975 (FRIST BABY) SURPRISE FARNHAM
44 15JUL LILYTOTHEB (FIRST BABY)
45 16JUL POLEDRA (2DD 4&2)GIRL
46 16JUL UMLELLALA (2nd baby)
47 17JUL UMM FULAAM (1st baby) SUPRISE!!!
48 17JUL SANDCASTLES (DD 4)
49 17JUL PTIYPASI (DD 11MTHS)
50 17JUL DISNEYSTAR (7th BABY)
51 17JUL TAFFTAFF (1st BABY) SURPRISE
52 18JUL MYLITTLEELOISE (DC ?)
53 18JUL LOVELYLOU (DD 2.8)
54 18JUL MINIPINKSCOTTISH (DS 15,13,10,2, DD 5 )GIRL
55 18JUL SHORTSHAFE (DD 16MTHS) staffs BOY
56 18JUL KAZ1976 SURPRISE
57 18JUL BABYONTHEWAY (DS 10)
58 19JUL HEFFA (FIRST BABY) DEVON GIRL
59 20JUL RUMPEL (DD 17 months) SURPRISE
60 20JUL Fenlondon (first baby) GIRL
61 21JUL FROGMARSH (FIRST BABY)
62 21JUL MIN912 (DS 1)girl s.oxfordshire
63 21JUL MrsHOP (1st baby), S. London, BOY
64 21JUL MONKEY24, (1st baby) Bristol
65 21JUL SLEEPYCAT (DD3, DS12mo) BOY
66 23JUL BROWNOWL18 (DS9, DD7) York GIRL
67 24JUL TWINKLE(DS8 DS2 DD 6)Hadfield TWINS
68 24JUL SHROOMS (DS8 DD 6)
69 24JUL SQUARAH (FIRST BABY)Warwick, surprise
70 25JUL FEB (DS 10 MTHS)
71 26JUL WALKINGTIMEBOMB (DS 10 MTHS)
72 26JUL MISSMCGOO (DS5 DD2)
73 27JUL DIVVY (DD 18, 15, 13, 8MTHS)
74 27JUL LAZYHIPPO (FIRST BABY) surprise
75 28JUL LIKERABBITSBX (2nd baby)GIRL
76 28JUL CUPCAKE76 (first baby) BOY
77 31JUL BREIZETTE (DD 10MTHS)
78 31JUL BEBEJONES (FIRST BABY)GIRL
79 TBC JOOS (FIRST BABY)
80 TBC CHEEKSTER (1st BABY)

sweetkitty · 08/06/2008 21:02

Just updating the list makes you realise how many people we haven't heard from in a while

justjules · 08/06/2008 21:05

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

disneystar · 08/06/2008 21:06

t juice well done and congrats to you both hello baby elodie and welcome to the world

well it was such a suprise i logged on and thought hang on another baby baby went back a page and yep i wasnt seeing things

i think we need more shocks here maybe it will jolt us to go into labour
i wish
i am so so hot totally fed up feel like ive been pregnant forever and will be here till the last of us

doing the school run is gettin a pain now all i hear is not had it yet then or you still here
well meaning i guess but its so obvious i havnt had him yet im hot walked far to get there slow as a turtle and silly comments are beginning to get to me

or my god look at the size of you
well im not even going to comment on that one

sweetkitty · 08/06/2008 21:09

THE NEW ARRIVALS

25MAY PEANUT75 BOY CHARLIE? 5lbs 8ozs
03JUN TJUICE GIRL ELODIE 7lbs

THE BABY WAITING ROOM

1 01JUL LIBRALADY (DS 3.10) POOLE BOY
2 01JUL MISSCHIKA (FIRST BABY)CAMBERWELL SURPRISE
3 02JUL BABY3 (DD8 DS5.5)
4 02JUL UNFITMUMMY (DD 2.7)
5 02JUL BEEPBEEP (DD 1.1)
6 03JUL ISAIDNO (DS 4 & 2) REDDITCH GIRL
7 03JUL MRSCLAIRET (FIRST BABY)
8 04JUL FRANNYANDZOOEY (DS4)
9 05JUL MRSMADMAND (DD 1.3)
10 05JUL PONTO (2DD 4.6 & 2)
11 06JUL PENGUINMUM (DD 2.7)
12 06JUL NANNYJO (3rd baby) BOY
13 06JUL MUMMYPIG (DS1 5.11,DS2 3.7)SURREY BOY
14 07JUL CHOCCIE (FIRST BABY)
15 07JUL HATRICK (3DD 4, 2.8 & 15 MTHS) BOY
16 07JUL MINKUS (DS 3.4) ROSSONWYE SURPRISE
17 07JUL CHOCOLATEDAYS (FIRST BABY)
18 07JUL CARRIEHD9 (FIRST BABY) KIRKLEES
19 08JUl JOCESAR (1st baby) BOY
20 08JUL NIKNAKF (1st Baby) LONDON BOY
21 08JUL PEANUT73 (1st baby) LONDON SURPRISE
22 09JUL THE PUDDINGCHEF (DS 1.6) GIRL
23 09JUL PAULAYATES (6th baby) SURPRISE
24 09JUL VIX100 (FIRST BABY) SURPRISE
25 10JUL MINNIE1 (2DD 1.10 & 11MTHS)
26 10JUL SWEETKITTY (2DDs 4 & 2.6) GLASGOW GIRL
27 10JUL HUBARBSPONG (1st baby) GIRL
28 10JUL CASS66(DD 5&3) elective section YORK SURPRISE
29 10 JUL EXCITED FOR NUMBER 2 (DS3) LEICESTER BOY
30 11JUL ICHEF (DD7 & DS3) BOY
31 12JUL MCCHESERS (FIRST BABY)GLASGOW BOY
32 12JUL PIGLEYCHEZ(FIRST BABY)WEST SUSSEX SURPRISE!
33 13JUL MUMMYWANNABE (FIRST BABY)
34 13JUL PEGGYP (DD 9MTHS)
35 13JUL EEC (DS 11 DD 9)SURPRISE
36 13JUL HPG (FIRST BABY)
37 13JUL PURPLEJENNYROSE (DD21MTHS) GIRL
38 13JUL LEGSY (FIRST BABY)
39 14JUL CilC (DD3) Surrey BOY
40 14JUL GILLYTHEKID (1ST BABY)SURPRISE
41 14JUL JUSTJULES (1ST BABY) GIRL
42 15JUL JODIE (DS 19MTHS) LICHFIELD BOY
43 15JUL BORGLADY (FIRST BABY)
44 15JUL LIBRA1975 (FRIST BABY) SURPRISE FARNHAM
45 15JUL LILYTOTHEB (FIRST BABY)
46 16JUL POLEDRA (2DD 4&2)GIRL
47 16JUL UMLELLALA (2nd baby)
48 17JUL UMM FULAAM (1st baby) SUPRISE!!!
49 17JUL SANDCASTLES (DD 4)
50 17JUL PTIYPASI (DD 11MTHS)
51 17JUL DISNEYSTAR (7th BABY)
52 17JUL TAFFTAFF (1st BABY) SURPRISE
53 18JUL MYLITTLEELOISE (DC ?)
54 18JUL LOVELYLOU (DD 2.8)
55 18JUL MINIPINKSCOTTISH (DS 15,13,10,2, DD 5 )GIRL
56 18JUL SHORTSHAFE (DD 16MTHS) staffs BOY
57 18JUL KAZ1976 SURPRISE
58 18JUL BABYONTHEWAY (DS 10)
59 19JUL HEFFA (FIRST BABY) DEVON GIRL
60 20JUL RUMPEL (DD 17 months) SURPRISE
61 20JUL Fenlondon (first baby) GIRL
62 21JUL FROGMARSH (FIRST BABY)
63 21JUL MIN912 (DS 1)girl s.oxfordshire
64 21JUL MrsHOP (1st baby), S. London, BOY
65 21JUL MONKEY24, (1st baby) Bristol
66 21JUL SLEEPYCAT (DD3, DS12mo) BOY
67 23JUL BROWNOWL18 (DS9, DD7) York GIRL
68 24JUL TWINKLE(DS8 DS2 DD 6)Hadfield TWINS
69 24JUL SHROOMS (DS8 DD 6)
70 24JUL SQUARAH (FIRST BABY)Warwick, surprise
71 25JUL FEB (DS 10 MTHS)
72 26JUL WALKINGTIMEBOMB (DS 10 MTHS)
73 26JUL MISSMCGOO (DS5 DD2)
74 27JUL DIVVY (DD 18, 15, 13, 8MTHS)
75 27JUL LAZYHIPPO (FIRST BABY) surprise
76 28JUL LIKERABBITSBX (2nd baby)GIRL
77 28JUL CUPCAKE76 (first baby) BOY
78 31JUL BREIZETTE (DD 10MTHS)
79 31JUL BEBEJONES (FIRST BABY)GIRL
80 TBC JOOS (FIRST BABY)
81 TBC CHEEKSTER (1st BABY)

CilC · 08/06/2008 21:12

Oh congratulations Mr and Mrs TJuice! What a gorgeous and beautiful little girl and I love the name!

Totally agree with Sweetkitty re: bb. It takes a while and good to always give breast first then bottle as top up - which is why I was so adamant way back that you may need back up formula. You just don't know...and you can never be too prepared!

Look forward to all the details but as previously mentioned wow what a few weeks you have had!!

When my DD was born I was so amazed and overwhelmed. For months I just used to look at her and think - did I do that?! What you described you are feeling sounds so perfectly normal.

Enjoy her and I look forward to hearing all the news/details of delivery etc.

I am with everyone - I want this baby out now!

Take care everyone, hope you all had a good weekend!

sweetkitty · 08/06/2008 21:13

Apologies Jules think I copied the list from further down as peanut was missed out.

Hope list is correct now, that means libralady you are next

disney - I hate the "you still hear?" comments "well of course I am still hear, I've got 5 weeks until my due date and I still look sodding pregnant"

Sorry last time I went crazy being overdue, I remember getting phonecalls asking if anything was happening and was I hanging onto the baby, not things to ask a 10 month pregnant woman!!!!!

CilC · 08/06/2008 21:13

p.s. Lurvvve the shoes!

sweetkitty · 08/06/2008 21:18

here instead of hear - am seriously losing it

TJuice · 08/06/2008 21:19

thanks for the congrats, ladies! couldn't have done this without you . . . seriously, i did three weeks of danish antenatal class and honestly did not learn anything i didn't already know from mumsnet.

the bf is hard - latching such a tiny creature on is hard work and we are both beginners. i think i have to go ask on some bf threads because one of my nips is really bleeding and sore.
i am soldiering it though, 'cos i am determined but i have "difficult" nips (large areola but small actual nipple.

sweetkitty · 08/06/2008 21:24

Tjuice - feed her loads, get both of you naked for good skin to skin. She needs to be taking a good part of the whole breast not just the nipple, she needs quite a lot in her mouth. You should be able to see little muscles between her ear and jaw move as she is feeding. Slap on Lasinoh cream (do you have it over there?) between feeds or spray some milk on your nips and let it dry. Do you have any access to BF counsellors? It's hard to explain things without seeing you latch and feed. Keep with it, it DOES get better, your doing great.

libralady · 08/06/2008 21:30

SK I was thinking that the other day. Thre are loads of ladies who don't appear to have touched base for some time. Hope they are OK. Mind you, maybe the MN addiction hasn't happened to them.
I too post infrequently, but I am on here everyday to keep up with what is happening to everyone. Maybe I am just nosy .
I do post when I need a moan or have something relevant to say though.

Anyway are you ready for my moan of the day/week?

DH phones me at 6pm on Thursday saying get yourself something to eat I am going to be late! He was still working at Southampton Hospital running cables for their network and expexted to be another 2-3 hours plus the commute back to Poole. Wouldn't mind bit he had been late home on Tuesday and Wednesday as well and Tuesday was crucial as we had a new parents evening at the infant school DS is to attend in September. He literally walked in through the door, had a quick showerr and change and then we left. Had to get a Fish and Chip supper on the way home as didn;t thave the time before we left.

Anyhow, when he did eventually get home on Thursday at 10pm, he advised me that his works were sending him away to work for the next three weeks. Next week he is in Barnet, The week after in Putney and Lambeth and the week after that in Barnet again.

On top of that our Antenatal classes start on 17th in the evenings so it means he is going to miss them.

Now if I do go into labour whilst he is away I am worried he will not get back in time. My labour with DS was on 5 hours 25 minutes and I have been warned that subsequent labours are normally quicker.

So now I have roped my BF to come with me to Antenatal (she is to be godmother to this one anyway) and she is now on standby to be my birthing partner if DH is unable to return in time. But them she is due to go on holiday in 3 weeks, so I could be up the swannee without a paddle!

Can't ask my Mum as don't want to offend MIL, plus I'll need someone to look after DS as MIL has more than enough to cope with as FIL has just been diagnosed with cancer and he starts his treatment tomorrow.

On top of that, on Thursday night got a phone call to advise me that DS's Godmother had a stroke last week. She called my Mum on Thursday evening nd is back home. Have tried to contact her this weekend oin several occasions and there is no answer at her house! (She lives in South Wales)

I know she has really good neighbours so if she hasnt been seen for a while they will investigate and they have keys anyway. Plus I know her brother rings her religiously at 6.30pm on a Sunday evening so I am probably panicking about nothing.

DH saw my MW on Saturday when shedropped my GBS swab kit around and he laid it on a bit thick to see if there was something she coupld do to get this LO out as soon as, to no avail. But she did say to DH that I should have given uo work when I got back from holiday and that I am doing to much!

Easier said than done. Finally managed to get DH to get his arse in gear today and help me to sort out the dump room/nursery. At least we've now got the cotbed made, the changing unit in and the wardrobes set up so whilst he is away next week I can finally put the clothes away that have been mounting up as I've washed and ironed them. I can also try and sort the books out on the book case and freecycle a load.

Spent the afternoon ironing whilst DH was lugging furniture, although I did help get the filing cabinet downstairs and assembe the cotbed.

Am shattered now, and my sciatica has come back with a vengeance. LO has been moving around like mad today and I'm getting terrible BHs so I can sympathise with you others. Think I may head off to bed in a mo as my alarm goes off at 5.30 in the mornings so I am in the office by 7am. Only 8 more days at work and counting!

So sorry for the mammoth post. I wonder if anyone has announced another birth whilst I've been typing this?

Thepuddingchef · 08/06/2008 21:31

I'm still around...just...have been reading all the posts, I just don't say much, but I had to say congrats to Tjuice, your little one looks just lovely.....am very of you as I want to meet my little girl now!
Hello to everyone else !

Poledra · 08/06/2008 21:48

Oh, Mr and Mrs TJuice - many many congratulations, and welcome to the world Elodie!! She looks so gorgeous, TJuice, you have done so well. Stick with the bfing, I had a difficult time with dd1 getting the latch right. When I had a really sore nipple, I 'rested' it for 24 hours, and fed the little one from the other side. Also, dh did a formula top-up at about 11pm. And I second everything SK said, especially the Lansinoh - it was the only thing that sorted me out.

I musu be the only person on here who's thinking 'Stay put for a bit longer baba'. I am so not ready for this LO to come yet. I need to start ML before I can get everything ready. Having said that, had a really lazy day today. Did the Tesco's shop then spent the afternoon in the garden with dh and the children. Back to work tomorrow after the week off looking after the dds sigh

Welcome Vix.

ButterflyMcQueen · 08/06/2008 22:46

yes to Lasinoh

I was an experienced fifth timer last time but ds just did not open his mouth up to latch - nightmare

i wept buckets and fed through the pain ( mistake!) ended up with cracked nipples - tried nipple shields ( rubbish!) then mw gave me sachets of that cream and OMG it was a joy

get yourself some TJuice and asap! Liquid Gold!

mummypig · 08/06/2008 22:54

hi and huge congrats to TJuice. Elodie looks beautiful.

I am another one who is hugely jealous here and can't wait for ds3 to come out. Also getting lots of comments from school parents. But I now have someone taking ds1 in every morning and someone else to take ds2 in for afternoon nursery. So at least I only have to waddle over there once a day.

My nipples were hugely sore with ds2 and at times it was toe-curlingly painful. Often it might be problems with the latch, but also I think sometimes it just takes a while for your nipples to toughen up. My midwife agreed with me last time, didn't think ds2 was having any problems latching on and said I should just grit my teeth and soldier on. Anyway you should find plenty of reasonable advice if you post on the bf topic - and if you need more reassurance the helplines are usually pretty good too. I think there are breastfeeding counsellors attached to the Danish 'Parents and Birth' organisation.

Sorry to hear about your dh going off, libralady, and all the other stuff going on for you right now. I really hope for you that your little one hangs on until your dh is back - or at least until after you've started mat leave, so you get some rest before having to deal with a new member of the family.

It's so hot here. It took ds2 yonks to get to sleep. I must go to bed but I'm sure I shall be lying there for ages myself. Night night everyone.

mcchesers · 08/06/2008 23:29

Wow Mrs T and baby T! She's beautiful. How exciting. I just woke up the cat with my girlie squeal! Well done missus

I have just been finishing up the NCT final cram weekend so missed out on MN for a few days. Like T didn't learn much that I hadn't already learned from almost a year of solid mumsnet. You ladies have been an amazing support system for us first timers.

Libra, I'm with you in the hang in there club. I still have so much left to do, and DH has everything stuffed up in MIL's attic.

Kaz1967 · 08/06/2008 23:40

TJuice she is beautiful I wrote this for my SiL who was having problems breastfeeding (sorry not gone through and changed names) it may or may not be of help take out of it what you can.

Feeding
Basics we say to Mums are
First
Make your self comfortable have your feet flat on the floor if the chair is too high try putting something under your feet often the UK yellow pages are the right size. Him being small and you having neat sized boobs may mean you find it easier to have 1-2 pillows under him to bring him to the right hight it depends how you feel comfortable because if you are he will be. Have a drink at arms length as it's really common to feel thirsty while feeding.

Tummy to Mummy - Have his whole body against you his ear, shoulder and hip should be in the same line and not twisted, if you think about how you eat if you have to swallow looking over your shoulder it's not comfy.

click here for diagram Please excuse drawing I don't find it easy with a mouse

Nose to nipple - sounds odd but the best position for him to latch on well is if his nose is in line with your nipple This position means when he latches on your areola, where you Lactiferous ducts are, (all women's are in a slightly different position if you feel round your areola you should be able to feel indents that is where I mean) will be on his jaw line.

His mouth will be full (he wont take in as much wind). His tongue will compress your breast and your nipple will be at the back of his mouth and will not be rubbed. And his nose will be free and not stuck in your breast. Babies voice box is lower so they can suck and breath at the same time so this position means he can stay on for longer and his suck will be it's most efficient.

This link shows the position www.breastfeedingmadesimple.com/bms%20new%20home%20page_files/Latch%20Animation.swf

Big wide mouth their bottom lip is curls back, their chin is touches the breast,
their mouth is wide open

Baby to breast. - Bring James up to you try not to lean down onto him if you lean forward for any length of time you will strain your back and your ligaments are still probably loose from the hormones of pregnancy and not supporting joints as they would normally. Bring James up to you try not to lean down onto him if you lean forward for any length of time you will strain your back and your ligaments are still probably loose from the hormones of pregnancy and not supporting joints as they would normally.

Any pain put your finger in the corner of his mouth to break the seal take him off and start again if he is on and sucks effectively, he feeds better, uses less energy and it's more comfortable for you.

Positioning you may get some help from this BFI leaflet www.babyfriendly.org.uk/pdfs/bfyb_english2.pdf

How should it look, feel, sound?
Your areola is showing more above his top lip that under his bottom lip,

His cheeks should look full and rounded not sucked in and his lips should not look puckered as if he has a straw in his mouth.

Initially they start with frantic sucking this stimulates your let-down reflex (it can feel like a tingling or burning pain which quickly dies off). Their sucking pattern changes to long deep sucks they they have a break then start sucking again the bigger and stronger they get the more they suck before having a break.

You should/may hear gulps and swallowing sounds you should not hear clicking or lip smacking.

Routine
All babies are different but breastfed babies often feed more frequently because breast milk is more easily absorbed. They also put on weight slower because they have increased brain development and do not put on as much fat. They also often take longer to put weigh on because feeding is more effort for them.

A big term baby can take it all the milk it needs in 10 minutes but small babies often get a full stomach and drop off in the middle of what they need I used to recommend Mums of small babies changed them in the middle of a feed not the beginning (stating the obvious I'm sure I don't need to but just wash your hands as well) as this gives time for the milk to settle and them wake up a bit.

All babies have different pattens of feeding but it's normal for breast fed babies to feed more frequently (2-3 hourly during the day), and small babies often have 2-3 feeds close together then have a longer break (because they have small tums). It's also really normal for breastfed babies to feed more frequently in the evening. Often because you are more tired so produce less milk, bit also your milk in the evening contains a hormone which can help them to sleep.. To help them sleep over night some Mums do what is called a dream feed, when you go to bed pick him up as carefully as you can in as dark and quiet environment as poss squeeze a little milk out and brush your nipple against his mouth. Some Mums find it means they sleep a little longer over night bit it does not work for everyone.

American website but worth a look www.breastfeedingmadesimple.com/bms%20new%20home%20page.htm

Problems
Baby does not stay latched on ? Most common 2 reasons. He has a bunged up nose (so common because the tubes between a babies nose and throat are flat not going down hill like yours or mine). The other is your feeding position, look at his nose is it tucked into your beast? If so try tucking his bottom closer in to you if this does not work you can temporally use your finger to push your breast away from his nose (not good idea long term it can block the milk ducts and cause mastitis) but long term it's worth seeking advice from a specialist because it may mean his position needs a tweak.

Sore nipples - Depending on how strong James suck is (being small it will probably build up slowly) you should feel pressure but it should not hurt, your nipple should not feel rubbed. If it is sore then I suggest you find a lactation specialist who can watch him fix. If they become cracked squeeze a little milk out rub it in and let it dry naturally breast milk contains wonderful healing, antibacterial, and antifungal properties.