October 09 - Bing bong...this is the final call for October babies, the final call October babies

[twinklegreen]

Here's the list, have tried to update as much as I can. Apologies if I've missed anyone. (also added how late/early they were for you princessmel) Babies due

Cookiemonster1 - 2/10/09 Boy
dogstar - 4/10/09 Girl
Sparklytwinkletoes - 06/10/09 Don't Know
Heylottie - 09/10/09 Don't Know
Kowaikiwi - 10/10/09 Don't Know
SassJ - 12/10/09 Boy
Hackneybird - 15/10/09 Don't Know
HalfMumHalfBiscuit - 15/10/09 Don't Know
littleblessing - 19/10/09
Princessmel - 21/10/09 Boy
NewbeeMummy - 21/10/09 Girl
Jellytotz - 21/10/09 Girl
Dizzytrout - 21/10/09 Girl
MrsHappy - 23/10/09 Girl
Ronniemummy- 24/10/09
MeHimCatBlob - 25/10/09 Girl
Hattie05 - 30/10/09 Girl

Babies born
theboob - Madison Rose born 14/09/09...14 days early
Devilsadvocaat - Charlie born 25/09/09...14 days early
LittleMissBliss - Marley born 25/09/09...10 days early
Mrs Kitty - Eliza born 26/09/09...9 days early
CalypsoFLame - Annalise Francoise born 28/09/09...2 days early
Ohmani - Patrick David born 29/09/09
Wibblydibs - Louis Dashiell born 29/09/09...7 days early
KleineMaus - Magnus born 30/09/09...on due date
Twinklegreen - Amelie Eva born 30/09/09...2 days late
Fidelma - Connor Ben born 30/09/09...9 days early
Treats - Isabel Rose born 30/09/09...7 days early
HumphreysCorner - Matthew John born 01/10/09...2 days late
Willmouse - Henry John born 02/10/09...15 days early
Rubyslippers- Ruby Francesca born 02/10/09...3 days early
Patmum - Adam james born 03/10/09...3 days early
JamesDavidsMum - Alexander Ngawaka born 03/10/09...1 day late
Neon - Thomas (Thom) Laurence born 03/10/09...
Lix - Phoenix Tabitha born 05/10/09...5 days early
BellaCullen - Nathaniel Alexander born 05/10/09... 3 days late
HappyTangerine - Joseph Richard born 05/10/09...5 days late
Smallone - George Robert born 5/10/09...12 days early
KKKKaty - Hamish William born 06/10/09...4 days early
Sammysam- Girl born 06/10/09....9 days late
Littlepea72 - Faith Scarlett born 07/10/09...5 days early
Sugarkane - Aiden Riley 8/10/09...born on due date
Jules88 - Artemis Arte born 10/10/09
Fluffycats = Ella Rose born 10/10/09
Andrea75 - Benjamin born 12/10/09
Mossop - Merryn born 12 Oct...9 days early
Lal23 - Maia Jo born 13 Oct...12 days early
IDOB - Caitlin Abigail born 14/10/09 ... 17 days late
Peachespaige - Frederick William Patrick (Freddie) born 17 Oct...6 days early
saraheb - Robert James born 18/10/09... 10 days late
Flamesparrow - Carys Jean born 19/10/09...3 days late

Hi all - Robert has been cluster feeding in the evenings too. Didn't even know there was a name for what he was doing .

We solve the endless feeding for me with a top up with a 4oz bottle of ready mix sma at around 11pm which usually gets him off to sleep for around 6 hours (except last few nights, typical). Last night he changed his pattern and cluster fed earlier so we decided to replace the late night feed (11pm) so I could have a break. It also gives my healing nipples longer to heal and is really helping as I have been able to ditch the nipple shields too. Anyway last night (not a top up feed - first time we replaced a whole feed) and he took 7oz (5oz offered and finished and he was desperate for more so I put an extra 2oz in a bottle and he polished that off too) and was looking for more. He eventually dropped off but only slept for 3 1/2 hours (2.30am) before needing a feed from me. Then again 4 1/2 hours later (7am).

Oops he's just woken up again - must dash - no gone quiet again. Good - was hoping for a bit longer - better go get dressed while I have the chance.

Hello all! Monster catch-up post

Saraheb, Princessmel, trellis (another Londoner! welcome!) - thanks for sharing your birth stories.

Big Congratulations at last MeHimCatBob, RonnieMummy and Hattie! We're nearly all there!

SparklyTwinkletoes Have we heard yet?

Hackneybird How are you doing?

MHCB Annalise is 6wks old today and I still find breastfeeding uncomfortable (but not painful), it seems to take a long time for the nipples to stop hurting and Anna has quite a ferocious suck. I was also told I was doing it all perfectly. Hard to believe its really this painful - I though BF was going to be a lovely pleasurable experience, and completely understand now why so many people give up...

Flame hope things are getting better X

kowaikiwi The extractor fan saved us too hope that you are getting more rest.

HC If Matthew is being really sicky the sling will be really lovely for him. Annalise is a VERY pucky baby and we are trying to keep her more or less not flat all the time, so I'm trying to not feed her lying down, even though thats my favourite position, and her moses basket is slightly elevated, and her rocking chair is more on the toddler than newborn setting. Seems to be helping.
Don't be worried about using a sling - as long as you've done it up right (if its not a baby bjorn type I mean) you'll love it! I go out almost every day and have never used a pram, I adore carrying her around with me, and I'm very petite too. Enjoy!

HT Hope you really enjoy meeting local mums, I wish I was close enough to you to meet up with you, it does make such a difference having a local network you can pop into. Bet next week you'll be wondering why you didn't start before!

Am worried that Annalise has reflux though, she hasn't put any weight on in the last 2 weeks, and is still in Tiny Baby size clothes,despite weighing 3.8kg (8lb6?). Have felt really upset about it, even though the midwife said they sometimes plateau for a bit, but all that crying, fussing, eating loads - I thought it was a growth spurt Might take her to the Dr tomorrow as she's having a 6wk post-natal check this week anyway and ask about what to do. This website has lots of useful background info
reflux info - This includes info about silent reflux which means lots of unhappy crying when laid down but no vomiting...

Went swimming with Annalise yesterday afternoon, but couldn't find any swimming nappies small enough for her, so had to have to sellotape her into some bigger ones she LOVED the hydropool, was so much fun!

photo of Annalise dressed as a pumpkin at a Halloween party!

Hope you all have a good Monday X

Hi Calypso - such a sweet photo of Annalise in her pumpkin outfit. I'm having a hard time resisting all the Santa/elf/reindeer costumes in the shops at the moment, although I'm still spending waaaaaay too long thinking about what Isabel will wear on Christmas Day .

I'm worried about silent reflux too. The osteopath thought that might be why Isabel is so unsettled and keeps arching her back. she's definitely more miserable when on her back. She's not due her first GP check up for another two weeks (at 8 weeks) but I might see if I can get her an appointment before. In the meantime, I'm being much stricter about scheduled nap times, because she really wasn't getting enough sleep before - she hardly ever slept in the day after the first two weeks and was impossible to settle at night. Once she was settled she would sleep up to eight hours, meaning that she would go for more than nine hours without a feed. Nice for us, but not ideal for her......

HappyTangerine - don't forget to go for a walk today! It's cold and miserable out there (it is in London anyway) but wrap up warm and you won't notice it. Have you got any nice parks near you? Even if you just pop to the newsagent for a magazine or some chocolate, it would make you feel better. Hope you're OK.

Forgot to respond to the person who asked about the tiger in the tree hold. You lay your baby down the length of your forearm so that their head is in your elbow and your hand is holding their leg. I've done a quick Google to see if I can find a picture, but no joy. Search for 'tiger in the tree baby hold' and you'll get some more info. Lots of people recommending it as a way to calm a baby.

Congratulations Hattie and such a short pushing session.

Calypso-she is beautiful, don't worry about the clothing sizes. DD2 was in early baby clothes for months. She is 3.5 now and last Christmas at 2 1/2 she was wearing 6-9 month Christmassy clothes.

So, Matthew screamed all round Tescos this morning so couldn't concentrate on toy shopping. Back to online shopping......

DH asked if it was once or twice I got up in the night. Er, try 6 times matey.

Have a good day ladies. DD1 at skipping after school club tonight so have asked the teacher to wear her out.

HC
x

treats
Is the tiger in the tree hold like the hold in the photo below the pumkin photo in my profile, where Annalise is napping on DH's arm? If so, that certainly is a nice way for a baby to be held, Anna likes it a lot!

aww calypso those photos are gorgeous. I hold Robert in a similar was but put his face in my hand and lay him the other way across my arm. When I try that hold my hand can only hold the top of his nappy area and I don't think he is secure enough like that - wishing for a smaller baby (only joking) - was weighed this morning and is 10lb 15oz at 3 weeks old - put on 1lb this week! Wow - knew he liked his food

DD used to love being held like that When we were holding her like this, other people looked at us as if we were mad!!!

Congrats to hattie05

Freddie was weighed again today and is now almost 9lb8oz!!! He's put on nearly 6oz since thursday....!!!! Still feeding every 3-4 hours, going longer in the night. Almost 6 hours last night.

I used my sling today, to collect dd from nursery. He looked very snug in it. I'll add a pic to my profile.
Dh went back to work today, so far it's going ok. Have the 3 0'clock pick up and ballet to go yet.

Hope all ok.

MHCB lots of good advice on here, I just wanted to put my twopenneth worth in too! Its really common for latching on to hurt in the first couple of weeks. Squeezing some milk out of the nipple before a feed definitely helped me. If it still hurts after about 10-15 sucks then you may have a problem. IME one bad latch can cause pain for future "perfect" latches. With lots of lansinoh and militant latching you should heal up quickly. Have you got enough light for night feeds? This seems to be when mine are worst coz I've got one eye open and am not concentrating properly in the half-light.

Congrats Hattie sounds like a really positive birth!

Forgot to say what a shame it is that breastfeeding is promoted as such a fantastic, pleasurable experience with all the problems brushed under the carpet. It is wonderful but only a couple of months down the line. I think it has the opposite effect of making some mums believe that they can't do it, or that its not for them, when if we knew the reality, that its a hard lesson to learn, more people would persevere.

Got a ringsling off a friend over the weekend, and its also good. I like both! Its a more versitile with positions than the pouch, but it is more technical. Also my pouch sling is fleece and doubles up as a blanket for my carseat, so I always have it with me.

Great to read all your birth stories and try and catch up a bit. Ben is 4 weeks today and giving birth seems ages ago.

He has been colicky but is a but better, infacol and laying him on his tummy on my lap in evening is helping I think, but it has been rough at times, with me feeling v weepy and tearful, and worrying I am getting depressed. I am feeling better now, each day is a bit better.

My DD is v cuddly towards new brother (needs careful monitoring but is taking it out on us with loads more tantrums, refusing food, bath, getting dressed etc etc etc. That has made tearfulness worse. The worse but is when she got used to me crying almost and brought me tissues, without me having asked.

Congratulations to all new mums and babies!

Congratulations hattie. Only one more bith on our list now

princessmel my sling is quite tight also, I think it's suppose to be like that, dd2 seems to like it. Love the photo, he's so cute!

Some very good breast feeding advice on here ladies, I agree with everyone on the latching pain. Pain at the beginning of a feed is completely normal and occurs even when the latch is correct, the pain should ease off during the course of the feed though. If it hurts ALL the way through then the latch probably isn't right.

I agree it's important to prepare mums a bit better for bf. At the ante-natal class I run we try very hard to do this, I try to make it clear that certain types of pain are normal and some indicate problems. People think because it is 'natural' it should happen automatically, but we say 'flying is natural for birds , but baby birds still need to LEARN to fly' Anyway I'll stop waffling.

calypso lovely photo.

Amelie has just started smiling in the last few days which is lovely, she makes us work very hard for it though! Can't believe she's nearly six weeks, it's gone so quick

Just searched and found sparklytwinkletoes has had her baby, so congrats to her, I look forward to hearing all about it soon.

Any news from newbee?

Can't find anything on dogstar or sassj tho.

Congratulations Hattie

HC I feel some solidarity with you over the screaming round Tesco.I wish people would ignore us, they mostly feel the need to either a)stare b) tut or c) smile wryly and say "aww, thats a newborn cry, can I have a look?"

Calypso and princessmel lovely photos

smallone and twinklegreen Absolutely agree with all thats been said about bf. If I was to do one thing over, it woud be to go to a breastfeeding group before I gave birth. Nothing prepares you for how difficult and emotional it is. But I also think there needs to be more preparation for the first weeks-bathing baby, winding, recognising colic and reflux, which rashes are serious which are not, what to do when your baby will only sleep on you, a demo of slings eyc. Everything is geared towards the birth and for me, the early days have been such a steep learning curve.

There's a thread somewhere on MN called something like "newborn expectations-too high?" I've found it a massive help and agree with a suggestion on there that the first 12 weeks should be known as the 4th trimester. I also liked the description given of a newborn - like a small foreign person with very fixed ideas . Will try and find it to link to.

Yesterday was awful, Joseph cluster feeding all day and our trip out was a disaster. He normally falls asleep quickly in the car but screamed blue murder. We had to stop repeatedly to sooth him(and feed again). In the end we abandoned the idea of a walk around town and I nipped into Matalan while DH had Joseph in the car.He didn't stop crying until we got home and I fed him again. By that point, having had roughly 3 hrs sleep the night before, both DH and I were in tears. DH said that's the first time Joe has ever cried and screamed for so lonfg during a car journey.

I had about 3hrs sleep on and off last night and haven't had the energy to go anywhere today. Health visitor has been though-she thinks Joseph has colic. I've already given up dairy and we've got some colief so fingers crossed it helps. Its awful to see him screaming in pain in the evenings and winding takes forever. On the plus side, we're getting some smiles and gurgles now and he was weighed- now 9lb 1 up from 8.4 2 weeks ago.

Congrats to hattie,ronniesmummy,trellism,mhcband sparkly
Are there any left now or have we all had our babies now?

Princessmel lovely pouch your ds looks adorable and cosy in it.Ive got a moby wrap and quite like it after getting hang of it.First few times didnt do it tight enough and Nathaniel was hanging by my tummy.

Nathaniels been a bit unsetteled in evening and just screaming for ages.He screamed for over 3 hours thu,it got too much for me so left DP to calm him down went to sleep from exhaustion in end and slept till 5am.Was screaming again early.Not sure whether its colic or whether everything just gets too much for him.Only seems to do it after his check ups at hospital or if Ive been out a lot with him like shopping.

HC Nathaniel screamed in Asda today so had to do shopping rather quick,of course forgot a few things.He had done a poo that went all down his leg though no wonder he was screaming.People were lovely and helpful though,lady in front of me put my shopping out from trolley and cashier packed it all up.

HT hope you got out today and will manage toddler group this week.

Can`t believe I gave birth 5 weeks ago it seems like ds2 has been here forever and pregnancy is very distant memory.

Found the thread I was talking about here

Bella-will report back on Colief, it's £11.99 to buy but apparently you can get it on prescription if a diagnosis of lactose intolerance is made. I was a bit that it has to be discarded after 3 weeks

I am feeling better that I'm not the only one with a screaming baby in the supermarket. . DH said I am off to the breastfeeding clinic tomorrow even if he has to drag me there. It takes so much effort on so little sleep though. Feel sorry for DH-he's out at work from 11.30am to 10pm and usually comes in to a screaming baby and no meal. He then gets around 3-4 hrs sleep if he's lucky. Ah well, this too will pass. It HAS to get better.

princessmel-how lovely that pouch is, where do I get slings from?

Matthew screams in the car too, nothing settles him when all he wants is my boob.

Mum and I are attempting some Christmas shopping tomorrow. Can we stand the screaming I ask myself.

We are nearly ready for a PN thread, how sad I will never be on an AN thread again.

Laters!

HC
x

connor is feeding away.|i have a bad cold and feel exhausted tonight.connor sleeps alot but wakes for feeds every 2 hours.

he is getting bigger and must be 10.7lb at least.my newborn has already gone.we get smiles but we have to work hard to get them.

i am sad that i wont be doing this again.however i am looking forward to a nights sleep soonish !!!

thinking of you all x

Hi everyone.

Just want to say i agree with everything you are saying about the BF. What hurts me the most about other people, is the comments i get from them because im not BFing. Gave up trying to tell them that my milk never came in, they just look at you as if you never tried hard enough or that you failed. Made me feel like crying so now i dont answer or just avoid it. Have gave up pumping (or trying to) after almost 5 weeks, nothing happened, not a drop, but she is doing well at 12lb so it makes me feel better about it.

Does the sling work? Faith cries whenever she is awake, i cant do anything arround the house and thought that might be a good way to get things done. Wouldnt change her for the world....but god im beat!

HT - glad that you got out but that it was difficult for you. It WILL get easier. I've just started on the Colief as well - another mum told me it was much better than Infacol which we've tried for a few weeks and doesn't seem to be working. It's "only" £9.99 in Boots if you can get there. Apparently each teeny tiny bottle will only last a week anyway, but it'll be money well spent if it works.......

Calypso - yes that's the Tiger in the Tree hold. It sometimes works for me......

littlepea - I'm for you that you feel so judged about not bfing. I hate the way people get so sanctimonious about it. I've been reading some of the threads on the feeding forum and I get quite angry at some of them. The thing that irritates me most is the widespread belief that it's only a lack of support that stops women breastfeeding. the truth is that some women can't and some simply prefer not to. I always said that I would do it for the first 6 weeks and then see how I felt. Isabel is 6 weeks tomorrow so I need to make my mind up........ Best wishes to you and you're obviously doing very well for your baby if she's 12lb at 5 weeks, so well done you!!

HC - just wanted to say that I'm sorry it's being tough for you but you sound as if you're coping really well - well done!!

HC my sling is a Lifft one. I ummed and ahhed about getting a fleece one but went for this one purely due to style reasons!! Silly but true.

It's a bit of a struggle wriggling him in, but it's supposed to be tight apparantly. He seems to like it.

He's not awake much at the mo, and if he is, he's usually feeding!! But I think it would be fab for getting jobs done round the house, or shopping, if they're crying.
Coorie and hotslings are meant to be good too hc

www.lifftslings.com/site/content_home.php

www.brightsparkslings.co.uk/slings.htm

morning all

lots of unsettled babies - DS had silent reflux and was a nightmare. He was only diagnosed at 7 weeks after a hospital admission

after 10 days on the drugs he was like a different baby

it is hellish when you have a crying/screaming baby which won't settle

DD deffo has mild reflux - very hiccupy but nowehere near as bad as DS

Am still breastfeeding - it is hard tho' and have had very little support from HCPs TBH. Told my latch was fine the day after DD was born, and it so wasn't ...

littlepea - don't let others get to you ... pumping is bloody hard work ...

DS is in nursery today so just me and DD and we are havign a PJ day - yay!

Sorry forgot to add that pouch slings will only work if your baby likes being held in a reclining 'crook of the arm' position. If they like being upright, over your shoulder, then maybe a different type would be better.

Littlepea, Sorry people are making you feel bad Ignore them and focus on your beautiful, healthy baby. You're doing fab.

Just wanted to say it sounds like everyone is doing really well. Hang on in there everyone on night duty.

To survive I make sure I have lots of accessories to hand to make it as comfortable as possible. A hot water bottle to warm up DD's moses basket (and to warm me up after she has fed). Glass of water, book/magazine, radio, cereal bar (just in case I get the munchies). Towel (to lie on if feeding lying down - stops having to change the bed due to leakages), muslin cloth, tissues. I am sure you all have your own survival techniques. Have a good night tonight!

littlepea you are doing just fine.what will be will be.it's hard if your baby wont go down i have been there many times before.i think when their digestion gets more mature they get better at going down.have you got any relatives or friends who would love to hold the baby for a while so that you could rest, shower, clean etc it is good to have a change in activity.i get help this way and most people love to hold a baby.

my baby has my cold today so has also been held for most of today.i am still getting visitors from people that havent met him yet !!! he is 6 weeks tomorrow.