due may 2009.. half baked to fully cooked we're not all ready yet!

[Grumpyoldcaaaaaaaa]

Using Fi's suggestion......

Looby- sorry to hear you are feeling down- I would hope though that you wouldn't get a negative reaction to BF at a mum and baby group

Men can be a bit rubbish at the emotional side of things can't they? could you tell him you need a hug as you are finding things hard

Looby - so sorry you are feeling down. Try to get yourself to that club if you can though, you will feel you have achieved something and the fresh air will help too.

Perhaps set yourself a goal of just going there and seeing how you feel once you are outside the door. Or tell yourself you'll only stay 5mins or something? If you hate it, make an excuse like you have a DR appt or someone picking you up and just leave? Or, can you get someone to ring or text you 10 mins in to see how you are and then you can use that as an excuse to leave for some reason if you need to?

Not sure if any of these will help, but just some ideas if you are not sure how its going to be.

Re feeding, I have no experience but I'm sure as Sophie says you are highly unlikely to get a negative reation at a mum n baby group. But, if it makes you feel better how about taking some formula as a back up so know you can feed M if you don't feel comfortable BF'ing when you get there? Not sure how 'do-able' this is?

Oh and looby - big hug, you can do it

Oh LOOBY don't worry - if there is one place you an BF it is mother and baby groups, and who cares what people think anyway!? there will always be someone tutting about something but life is too short to worry about them. Take a scarf or muslin if you want to cover up a bit and you're good.

Life with small babies can be v isolating. You only need 1 or 2 new friends in the same position as you to make it much better, so do try to meet new mums. there are v few who won't be nervous like you. It is too easy to let yourself get down at a time like this, and then much harder to come out of it, so you need all the support you can get, even if that means a frank conversation with DH.

Also, is there a Big Scream cinema near you? I loved that, and would go every thurs to watch a film with DS and then have coffee with some mums - such a treat!

Hi everyone.

First of all Congrats to yawining and HtH! Jael no probs about the other night. In the mean time I've lost my phone, otherwise I'd have texted to see how you got on. It's in the house somewhere, but no idea what I've done with it. The battery must be flat by now too, so can't even phone it either

snuffly babies Saline drops and sitting in a steamy bathroom are really the only things you can do at this stage. My ds was v. snuffly when he was 4-6 weeks or something and the drops really did help him.

looby a M&B group is the best place to start bf in public. You wont be the only one and no one will frown upon you. I get really annoyed by people when they do comment. After all, you're doing your best to give your M the best start in life, they should encourage you. Not tut!

engorgement If babies struggle to latch on when you're engorged, there's no harm in expressing a little milk just go get the areola soft and easy to latch on to for your baby. You wont overstimulate doing that.

thanks for the support all..

I just feel a bit inadequate I guess, with all the probs with Bf I've had. Don't want M screaming the place down cos she can't latch on and everyone looking
I also know that once I start BF in front of people I'll prob get more confident about it and after a while probably won't give a stuff what people think

M is snoring away at the moment so will try and find something approaching tidy to wear

I am 40 plus 3 today and the baby hasn't moved today Should I go and get it checked out? Oe am I just panicking, it's our first baby

Hi chica. Defn get it checked as soon as poss. call your MW. hope you're well otherwise.

Thanks I will. We live in Spain, where the system is a bit different, I'm going to have to go to the hospital. I'll phone Hubby now and get him home from work. Thanks

looby, i think everyone has already said what i could have said to support. hope today goes ok whatever you do.

I'm very timid BF in public as well. the most annoying was at the US embassy registering dd2s birth and i was very discreetly BF in a quiet area, just had a corner of my jumper pulled up and my coat wrapped round to cover anythin else. a young woman went out of her way to walk by me and stopped right in front of me and tutted. i was amazed she'd even made an effort to make me feel uncomfortable and ignored her as if she wasn't there. now, i wish i'd had a good comment to give her but I didn't at the time. I thought Americans would be more respectful about BF .

Hope all goes well chica, take care.

Hello all

Still pg here . Feeling more cheerful though , I had to laugh at DH's fury at receiving a text from his mother this morning - "Any News?". He said "Right, that's it. Anyone who texts from now on DOESN'T FIND OUT". His mum isn't really fussed by the kids anyway, so why she's bothered I do not know. His face was a picture though.

I'm just posting this really to avoid doing VAT spreadsheets for DH, so boring [snooze].

HtheH congrats and great name!!

Loobs It can be so isolating having a newborn, I think after after everything you've been through, your confidence will have taken a knock too, but bear in mind you have coped amazingly with various setbacks - I would be a gibbering wreck. I think you may find you enjoy the Mum & Baby group though. I'm another not particularly confident public BF'er - I agree with Momi and would carry muslins or wear about 8,000,000,000 layers (which I do anyway). DD2 was a terror for being nosey and suddenly letting go and swivelling her had round to see what was going on, leaving me rather exposed. I've just bought the world's most boring and enormous nursing bras (I have a couple of lovely ones, but best to have a few). They're the size of bloody parachutes.

Thank you for the hugs (again) and nice comments. I'm definitely more positive today, there is an end in sight...........

And at people tutting at BF'ing in public. Makes me growl in rage.

thanks grumpy, etc

have found a pre-preg top that's quite loose so should be okay to pull up and feed and am wearing bump band to cover up belly so with the addition of a muslin should be okay. Just hope M is not as shy as me about strangers.

am just eating an almond magnum to boost confidence

must stop doing this or I'll never lose baby weight

About bf in public. A few years ago one of the women who went to 'my' bf support group, bf in McDonalds when she took her older dcs there. Someone complained and she was asked to leave McD! She told our MW, who then, together with the HV wrote an angry letter to them. I think the woman got an apology after that. That sort of attitude really makes me too. On the other hand I've had people coming up to me telling me about how they bf their baby and how wonderful it is, so that can happen too . I take muslin squares out with me too, light, small to pack and ideal to cover yourself up if you're somewhere where you feel a bit more self conscious about bf.

chica31 don't know if you're still here, but have you tried the usual tricks of drinking ice water/eating ice cream, giving your tummy a good poke, taking a bath? Those things might wake up baby.

HtheH congratulations on the arrival of baby Monty - I love the name too. And relieved to hear that when you had you pph - although v scary - there were people around you who knew what they were doing and could make decisions and help you quickly.

Emmab - you're doing really well - I would express a little to relieve the boobs pressure as others have said. Also tried a savoy cabbage leaf - perfect size for alleviating the pressure - keep in the fridge - it really works!

Looby hope you make it to the group okay - first time is always daunting - I remember I went to a breastfeeding group and worried that I would look like an amateur - but everyone was so supportive - it sounds like this is just what you need just now. Oh and if my DH was acting like that I would be slapping him across the chops - get 'im in line!

while on the subject of BF have any of you bf on a plane? wondering if this would help M with ears popping?
do you know if they're able to heat up bottles on a flight?

we are flying bmibaby

oh bum - just got ice cream on my top
makes a change from baby sick I guess

Loobs It's a glamorous life, isn't it? From constantly spilling food/drink on your bump (if you're like me, all my clothes are disgracefully stained) to being covered in baby sick/dribble/snot etc.

And grrrr to your DH, bloody men, although it's lovely that they still find us attractive

Anyway, this is NOT getting the VAT done.

looby BF babies have a lot less trouble with flying than ff babies. I have flown with both of my elder ones when they were babies and they were absolutely fine on the plane, neither of them ever cried. It's due to babies using their jaw while bf.
I think they can heat up bottles on a flight. I'm sure I've seen someone ask for their bottle to be warmed and they did it. But I'm sure there are some bottle feeders on here who know a bit more

Anyway, better go and eat now. Got an appointment with the osteopath at 2.15 to have a look at my pelvis now I've given birth. My pelvis does still feel a bit wonky, so I think it'll be good.

looby- i flew to Italy with my DD when she was 5 months old and she had formula and BF on the flight. Don't think we warmed it up for her but i'm sure they would if you asked. Otherwise take a flask of hot water and some cooled boiled water and you can probably make it up to the right temp yourself.

emmabemmasmom- my MW advised massaging my breasts towards the nipple when engorged to help with the latch. It did seem to make the nipple area more pointy and easier for S to latch on. I also did the cabbage leaves thing- very soothing.

Just added cote, yawningprincess and htheh. Girls are still outnumbering boys- just!

So far :
15 BOYS
16 GIRLS

BORN

1 APRIL 2009: SpangleMaker, BOY - Harvey, 9:55, 5lb 12oz, 35+3 (first child)
23 APRIL 2009: LoobyLou36, GIRL - Matilda Rose, 5.53am, 8lb 3oz, 38+4 (first child)
23 APRIL 2009, Reggiee, BOY, Ben, 7lb 8, 39 weeks (DD age 22 mo)
24 APRIL 2009: EmmalinaC, GIRL, Niamh Elizabeth, 9.56am, 6lb 2oz, unplanned vbac! 38+5wks (DD aged 2.4)
29 APRIL 2009: llareggub, BOY, George, 8am, 7lb 9oz, VBAC (DS1 2.5)
29 APRIL 2009: gert2a, GIRL, Edith Ann Elaine, 10.14am, 7lb 10oz, ELCS (first child)
30 APRIL 2009: Jael, BOY, Jacob, ELCS (DD aged nearly 3)
1 MAY 2009: 1stMrsF, TWIN GIRLS, Amelia Carys (7lb 6.5oz) and Georgiana Bronwen (6lb 12oz), c-section 14.06 and 14.07
2 MAY 2009: Divedaisy, GIRL, Sofiah Rose, 00:47am (DS age 6)
2 MAY 2009: Momino, GIRL, 04.05am Harper Grace, 8lb 1oz.(DD age 3 and DD age 1.5)
2 MAY 2009: Tummum, BOY, Gethin Thomas, 9pm, 9lb 1oz (2 DDs)
2 MAY 2009: LadyHelen, BOY, Rufus, 2.15am (DS 3.7)
6 MAY 2009: Aquababe, BOY, Ethan, 4:51am, 8lb 6
6 MAY 2009: YawningMonster, GIRL, Clare, 9lb 5 (DS already)
8 MAY 2009: bekkaboo, GIRL, Evie Mae, 7lbs (DS age 2)
9 MAY 2009: Daizydoo, BOY, Jasper, 2:08am, 8lbs (DS age 2)
9 MAY 2009: Ses, BOY, Owen Edward, 10:17am, 8lb 9oz, born by section
11 MAY 2009: Belgianchocolates, GIRL, Claire, 4.49am, 9lb 10oz (DS 7, DD 5)
11 MAY 2009: Dandylioness, BOY, Hector Frank, 6lb 9oz, 1:25, emcs (DD age 4)
11 MAY 2009: Flippineck, GIRL, Angharad, 11:15am, 8lb 3oz (DD1 2yr1m)
12 May 2009: Pulapula, BOY, Samuel James, 4:16pm, 8lb 3oz (DD 4.5, DS1 1.11)
14 MAY 2009: Jennster, GIRL, Rachel Mary, 8lb 7oz (DD1 3y 4m DS 22m)
15 MAY 2009: Detsy, BOY, Archie, 8lb 5oz
15 MAY 2009: Emmabemmasmom, GIRL, Sara Addison, 9.45pm, 6lb 5 (DD1 aged 2)
17 MAY 2009: Blottedcopybook, GIRL, Greer, 7lb 11oz, 7.35pm (DS1 8, DS2 3 & DD1 22m)
17 MAY 2009: Febes, BOY, Rueben Cornelius, 7.52 pm, 6lbs 15 (DD aged 1)
17 MAY 2009: Cloveofhislife, GIRL, 00.39am, 2 DDs already
17 MAY 2009: htheh, BOY, Monty, 4.59am, 9lb 12.5 oz
18 MAY 2009: yawningprincess/rubysmom, GIRL, Darcy Victoria, 6.40pm
20 MAY 2009: cotedazur, BOY, ??? , 9.15am

..............................

COMING SOON:

fikelly- elcs Fri
bantam?
frazzled?
minimenace?
..............................

OVER-COOKED:

DUE 1ST MAY: bantam73, (DD1 17yrs+ DD2 3ys 6m) surprise
DUE 12TH MAY: Minimenace, (DS age 19 months) SURPRISE!
DUE 13TH MAY: ReeBee, (first child), BOY!
DUE 14TH MAY: Lazzer SURPRISE!!
DUE 15TH MAY: FiKelly 38yrs, (DS 2y9m in May) GIRL!!
DUE 15th MAY: Nauseous, (first baby), SURPRISE!.
DUE 16TH MAY: Frazzledoldbag ,(DD1 age 7, DD2 age 2) BOY!!
DUE 16TH MAY: Sarahken, (DS age 3) SURPRISE!!
DUE 16TH MAY: Hypatia, (first child) - surprise
DUE 20TH MAY: Grumpyoldcaaaaaaaa,(DD age 11, DD age 4) SURPRISE!!

HALF-BAKED:

DUE 22ND MAY: chocolatebunnies, (dd age 2)
DUE 23RD MAY: Runningmonkey ,(first child), maybe a girl!
DUE 25TH MAY: Alapala , (DS 2) BOY!
DUE 25TH MAY: Sophietom (first baby) BOY!
DUE 25TH MAY: lehowell
DUE 26TH MAY: rosielady,(DS age 3)
DUE 27TH MAY: Sausagenmash (first baby)
DUE 29TH MAY: MsG, (First child) SURPRISE!!
DUE 30TH MAY: euromum, (DD age 18m), BOY!
DUE 31ST MAY: MatthewAndBumpsMummy, (DS age 3yrs 11mths), BOY!!

right M just finishing her feed then we're off to mum & baby group - WITHOUT FORMULA- i must be feeling brave

M's got her posh jeans on and I've managed to get most of the ice cream off my top

oh shit M just exorcist vomited all over herself, me and floor!

looby- couldn't help but snigger at your post- babies hey- they have impecable timing