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

no I never tried her before HC as the teats are so much shaped like a nipple that I was not worried, Madison had a constant feeding and being sick episode not long ago, my breast feeding adviser said it was just a growth spurt and she was taking more than her stomach could hold and was bringing it back up, I had some dummy's sent from germany that are ment to not interfere with breast feeding called NUK and this helped her alot, she seems to have settled down now but at night still likes my boob for comfort and has stopped needing the dummy so wil only get them out again during the next growth spurt,

she ha started smiling now which is the best feeling in the world , but does not nap as much now and wants me to sit holding her babbling all day and if I dont she will cry , Dh got to feed her last night for the first time from a bottle I pumped at tea time , the grin on his face was brilliant to see , hope everything goes ok at the doc's HC and congratulations to those who have given birth, postnatal for me tomorrow and thigh's , bums and tums at teatime .......time to shift this jelly belly

Congrats princessmel glad you had a quick birth,shows that pains beforehand are useful after all,my labour was only 4 1/2 hours and had loads of pains before too.Nathaniel was also 8lbs 10oz.

Fidelma what a busy day you had today,we`ve got half-term at moment thank god,no school runs for a week.

Nathaniel was up loads during day yesterday and constantly feeding,I noticed that I had tea day before and obviously it seems to affect him.So will definitely stay away from caffeine it didnt affect dd so thought it be ok.Were co-sleeping at night makes bf a lot easier.I do put him in moses basket during day but he has to be fast asleep for that.

kowaikiwi I would try and express while feeding on other side,should help the let down reflex of milk.Not sure about amount though probably about 5-6ozs.

How long should a 3 week old be awake for?Sometimes hes awake for 1-2 hours and just wont sleep.He woke upo around 6.30am yesterday and I couldn`t get him to sleep till 10am was absolutely exhausted and got massive headache today.Feel for everyone with migraines I get them too specially when not getting enough sleep.Have you tried Iboprufen MW said its ok to take a bit just not all the time.

Good luck to those still waiting xx

Colic apparently and there is nothing I can give him but if he keeps sicking a lot I should go back. I can mention it when I get him weighed at the clinic next week. Still not convinced it is colic but having said that, he does suck well and takes big mouthfuls each glug. Don't know how to approach night times if he wants holding and won't go in his crib.

HC So sorry to hear Matthew is unwell, hope doctor has been able to give you something to help.

fidelma how was Connor last night, hope you got some sleep. I can't believe how busy you are, I want some of your energy.

theboob Its so lovely to hear about the smiles and gurgles we have to look foward to at the 6 week mark

A day of mixed emotions here, I've been in tears for much of it. Am I still a bag of hormones I wonder? Really missing our dog which died in February-she hated this time of year and I'd always have to construct an elaborate den behind the sofa for her to go hide.

Joseph was an angel and slept for most of yesterday then went nuclear just as DH came in from work at 10pm. He screamed and wouldn't settle for ages-tried feeding, winding, nappy-nothing. The only thing that helped was the hairdryer. At 1am I went to bed for a few hours and DH too him out in the car, that eventually settled him. He's embarked on a feeding frenzy today-do they have a growth spurt at 3 weeks? He seems frustrated if he comes off the latch and hits at my breast. His new trick of the day is grasping-favourite object to grab = my sore nipples.

Biggest problem I have atm is that I feel trapped, largely due to the pram situation. We bought what seemed to be a bargain from ebay but its really bulky (too bulky for public transport around here) and the rain cover doesn't attach-I think its the wrong one. So I can go out with the pram without raincover and chance it, or I can go out with raincover on but not folded back so Joseph doesn't get the fresh air. I need to get out each day for a walk or I get cabin fever so this has been really upsetting me. Am not confident to go to mother and baby groups when I'm so dependant on the weather. Am also on my knees with tiredness, as we all are-I fell asleep standing up, rocking Joseph last night, DH couldn't belive it.

Two huge positives though-

1. I'm going to watch the sling DVD and try it out tonight, its made of the most gorgeous soft cotton.
2. If anyone else has velcro baby, go get a Fisherprice Rainforest cradle swing. We paid £40 for one on ebay. Its amazing. I was able to eat a meal two-handed yesterday for the first time in 3 weeks. I put him down in it sleeping earlier and he stayed there for a bit, long enough for me to put some washing on. That little bit of freedom makes a huge difference. Am adding a photo of him in his swing for you to see, I can't believe how much he's changed already!

Love to all-and thanks for letting me moan

Hi all

Not writen my birth story in full yet. Will do soon...

I have some questions...!!!
I know these are pretty obvious to some but I need reminding on a few things dd is 4 now....!

1. You know the little red marks inside the nappy when they've done a wee..thats just something to do with the chemicals and wee reacting isn't it? I'm sure this happened with dd and ds.

2. Rock hard boobs- please tell me this only lasts a few days?? They are SOOO hard and quite painful. I am trying to feed as much as possible but ds2 is so sleepy and going for hours between feeds. (4+ hours)My milk came in last night and today. Ds2 was restless last night as if he was adjusting to the new milk.

3. Poo. Please remind me. Colour goes from black and tar like to green with yellow seed like bits in to yellow chicken korma??? We are on the green with bits in stage at the moment. That's ok isn't it??

4. sleepyness. ds2 is very sleepy, as dd was. (ds was a very awake newborn)I am letting him sleep but after a good few hours trying to wake him and offer a feed but until he wakes himself this is not possible. Could he be jaundiced? He has a very good colour iykwim. I remove his socks and bottom half and change nappy to try and wake him a bit more but not having much luck. I know I'm lucky he;s sleeping but I need to ease some of the milk. I don't want to express.

Thanks for any suggestions/help

I will catch up on the thread now...

Bella midwife told me that at 3 weeks they're generally awake for 2 hrs at a time max but that some babies will sleep much more and others will be more wakeful, especially during a growth spurt.

HC How do youi feel about co-sleeping? Or try raising the top end of his crib slightly, thats supposed to help with colic

Princessmel
3)re the nappies-we had black, greeny-brown, orange with seeds(nice) and now yellow.

2)I sympathise re the rock hard boobs. The only thing that helped me was expressing-can you hand express if you don't have a pump? I didn't think I could and then I found an online video of the Marmet method.Hey presto, I was suddenly able to express.

4)I hate waking Joseph up for feeds but try not to go longer than 3 hrs, however, this is largely due to the whole "you're starving your baby" midwife experience. He could probably go longer but I don't dare. I'm lucky , a sure fire way to wake him up is to put him in his moses basket. If nappy doesn't work I tickle his feet or wash his face.

princessmel Not sure on the red marks in nappy someone will be along who will know no doubt.

Regarding rock hard boobs, mine were only like that for a couple of days I know its hard but it will be over soon enough, I found that giving Aiden a little off one boob then changing boobs before he finished helped a little.

Your right with the poo will be yellow soon now your milk is changing.

If he is a good colour and no yellow tinge I would say not jaundiced but if your worried when Aiden was jaundiced I was told to feed in sunlight and it went really quick.

HC Hope Matthew is better soon.

BellaCullen I agree with you that alot of pain before means shorter labour, I had a 3 hour birth this time and 12 hours with first and had a lot of pre labour pains.

HT We got a Cradle swing from Argos when Aiden was born and although he will not go in it for long periods its a godsend for eating tea and doing bits and bobs around the house, deff a best buy from me aswell. If anyone is interested its this one although im sure they can be found elsewhere but I didnt want to wait

*found cheaper elsewhere, sorry cant type today

I am feeling slightly exhausted, but managed the day.The kitchen is a bit messy but I think that will have to wait.

All the children seem well.Dd2 has moved to a lower reading group today and she is a bit sad,me too.So many little people to look after.

Connor fed at 10.30 pm last night 1.30 am,3.30am then up at 6 for a feed and play.I wasn't walking the floor with him but it is full on.

Thanks guys. I really dont want to express. I dont want to affect how much I produce. Had a nightmare re leaking with ds1. Used to be able to fill up a mug of milk from the breast I was NOT feeding from.
I dripped a bit out in the bath tonight and have cabbage leaves in my bra as I type.

I have tried waking him by removing clothes, changing nappies, etc but he will not feed unless he is ready. Can be 4 or 5 hours between feeds.

I am sure I wont be engorged for too long but it's mighty painful while it lasts.

Mw coming tomorrow. Will mention all this to her.

HC sorry to hear Matthew is poorly
peaches They tried tugging on the placenta but didnt want to damage it. They had to give me a drip to bring on cx to help get it out. If that didn't work I would have had to go to theatre.

Oh forgot to say HT what pram did you get? Could you not get a new rain cover from ebay? Plus good luck on the sling hope this stops you feeling trapped, let us know how it goes.

Morning all,
Not been on for ages, George is 3wks now, had my sister here last week and my mum and dad are coming down tomorrow. So glad coz I'm not driving and I live in the sticks. I've got a cold, fuggy head and a really sore throat. Its really affecting my milk so have had to resort to a bottle of ebm in the evenings. So glad I'd frozen some in his first weeks. We're using closer to nature bottles too and haven't had any problems.

I have every sympathy for those suffering with sleep deprivation and velcro babies, I had the same with dd but so far have been very very lucky with George. I do swaddle him in a sheet and pop a hot water bottle in his moses basket while I'm feeding him so he doesn't notice when I put him back.

Hi ladies

just a quick message from me while Isabel is (miraculously!) asleep for a few minutes.

I've read all the messages and just wanted to send a message of fellow feeling to all the new mums who are a)lacking sleep b) suffering from sore boobs or c) feeling overwhelmed. All of the above for me.

Breastfeeding is going OK but still not enjoying it. I hate the pressure of having to be 'on duty' 24 hours a day. I know that the answer is to express, but I'm currently having to feed about once every 2 hours, so the thought of having to spend some of the non-feed time expressing is more than I can handle. might give it a go once she's got over this current demanding spell.

She's not sleeping much at all during the day which is exhausting because I can't put her down at all. Am giving a silent hollow laugh to the idea that I could sleep when the baby sleeps. She MIGHT sleep if i take her out in the pram or the baby bjorn, but that's not much good for me! Fortunately my brother's coming to take her out for 2 hours this afternoon, so that might help. Luckily she sleeps quite well at night - going for 5-6 hour spells at a time. I know that - strictly speaking - she shouldn't go for that long when she's only 4 weeks, but it takes such a long time to settle her to sleep that I daren't wake her. DH and I are getting some good sleep during the night and he's very good at taking her from me after night feeds to settle her - Daddy Magic is much more effective at settling her than anything Mummy might do - but I'm still exhausted. I think the BFing takes it out of me more than I thought.

I keep reminding myself that this phase only lasts for a short time and I'll probably look back nostalgically one day (hah!). I'm getting through it by making sure I go for a walk at least once a day, planning something delicious for lunch to keep my strength up, and finding time to read the newspaper each day (fortunately something I can do during feeds). Hope everyone else is finding some lifesavers of their own.

hackneybird - please don't be frightened of an induction. I had to have one because my waters broke early and it was really fine. I don't have any bad memories of my labour or delivery at all. I hope everything's OK with you.

fidelma - am in awe of your energy. and feeling quite reassured about the things that it's possible to do while looking after a newborn.

princessmel - Isabel had red marks in her nappy the other day but an application of Sudocrem saw them off.

Can't remember who asked but I've been out in the car with Isabel - some quite long journeys as well. Most of the time she sleeps quite peacefully but we had an incident on Saturday where she wouldn't stop screaming. Had to pull into a layby and get her out to try and calm her down. She stopped eventually and went to sleep. it's quite jarring to the nerves, but the best thing to do is to drive more slowly and carefully, rather than try to rush to get home. Better not to stop if you can avoid it, as it only takes you longer to get back.

Hi to everyone else - i'll try not to leave it so long next time......

So it's my birthday today & I didn't get to sleep until 4am with Sadie, and so far my day has been filled with tears & bad tummy cramps/aches. I need to get up and ready to take her to be registered but I'm not sure I have the energy.
She is feeding for only 10-15 minutes at a time but wants it every hour or so. We want to change her patterns but hate to see her crying. Will check with the midwife tomoro. Once she falls off tho I can't get her back on.
A positive: my boobs & nipples feel better!

Sorry that HC & others arent feeling well, don't know how I'd cope if I was poorly, but it sounds like you're managing really well.

Sorry for the negative post, need to get it off my chest.
Hugs to everyone x

Hello all! mega post with lots of exclamation marks!

omg the osteopath is a MIRACLE WORKER! Took Annalise to the London clinic yesterday, and they suggested that she was still all tense and twisted from the labour and birth, they 'untiwsted' her and she slept like a peaceful baby rather than a honky wretched banshee - totally amazing! I hope that wasn't a one off

kowaikiwi - expressing query:
I pump once (or twice) a day depending on what my milk supply is like when I do it, but generally I do it STRAIGHT after I've done a feed to give myself the most time to build up enough milk for the next feed (usually every 3hrs but more often in the last few days - growth spurt I think). I found it impossible to pump and feed at the same time as Anna is so darn wriggly! But straight after wasn't too annoying - hope you manage both at the same time!
Annalise is 4 weeks old and I pump off 70ml (2oz). She usually has between 50 and 60ml and she is gaining weight well, but I like to have an extra 10ml just incase she's randomly extra hungry
I should explain that I pump so that I can go to bed at 9pm and DH does the 11:30ish feed then he passes her to me around 2:30am (I sleep in the nursery as Annaise is/was a noisy sleeper) so I don't want to be woken up. If you are going away from the baby its probably similarly wise to pump an extra 10-20ml just in case, although Annalise is pretty consistant in her amount. I should also add that Anna is a very pukey baby and will often bring a lot up but sometimes not.
You'll work it out pretty soon! Good luck, I found pumping tricky to start with, but now I have a expressing bra (from Express Yourself Mums website) that it really doesn't interfere much - and takes about 15-20mins, whereas it took about an hour in the begining!

HC as the midwife said - babies will generally suck on anything! We've had no problems with Annalise switching between teat and boob, I hope you find the same, but perhaps try him on and off from now on? We've been using the Dr Brown anti-colic bottle with wide neck and the newborn teat.

HappyTangerine aww I'm sorry you seem to be really having a hard time with little Joseph, sounds very stressful so you're doing really really well! Why don't you feel up to going to mother&baby groups? I've been going to baby-singing and baby-massage twice a week, and its made me feel a million times better to moan to other mums, to show Annalise to them as she has VERY dry flakey skin (looked like the chemical peel from hell at the weekend!) and generally have an excuse to have tea and cake! I hope you feel confident and try to pop out to one, its really not as scary as you may think. If you are worried about Joseph crying or breastfeeding out in public - never fear, there are LOTS of crying babies and I sometimes feed lying down if I can't be bothered to clumisly hold wriggling baby, no-one cares
Also, I leave Annalise to sleep for 4 sometimes 5 hours during the night, she's putting on weight very well and producing wet nappies, so midwife said she's happy to sleep longer, so don't feel guilty for leaving Joseph for a bit longer if it means you can catch up on well needed rest!!
I'm melting at how cute he looks in the chair. He has long legs - good for running I think
Good luck with the sling, I've never used the pram someone has passed to me, its so easy to pop her in it. Actually thats a lie - I have a wrap (Calin Bleu microfleece) and it was hilarious trying to get the wrap done correctly and then stuff her into it! Well practiced now and she's very cosy, and I can get about no problem. Do post if you have questions, I'll try to help, but generally I still sit down when stuffing Anna in, then check in the mirror to make sure her legs are going through the right bit of the wrap. Can't wait until she's big enough to go into an Ergo carrier!

princessmel engorgement really is horrid isn't it. I got (non-infected) mastitis when my milk came in because I wasn't draining my breasts completely. Pumping and feeding was the only way through it, hurt like hell, but eventually the ducts unblocked. And use cold gel-packs to sooth the ache.

Bella Annalise can be really wide awake some days, startlingly so, and sometimes snooze all day, its hard to know whats normal! THAT book suggests regular napping times and lengths, haha, no chance!

fidelma and boob and I am amazed at how anyone can do this will 3 other children, in fact all of you with other LO - I'm boggled! Bravo to all of you!

smallone hope your cold gets better soon, sounds rough

treats {waves from up the road} sorry to hear that things are not improving with Isobel; Anna is still fretful at the moment, but hopefully it is just the 'growth spurt' and our girls will settle again soon. was lovely to see you last week, if you need people to pop to, please feel free to give me a bell!

Actually thats extended to anybody - I love meeting up with people especially if cake is involved

hugs to all - I don't know what I would do without you all! X

X-posted:

happy birthday kowaikiwi, although it sounds like it won't be the most relaxing of birthdays. I know that people keep saying 'aww enjoy them when they're this small, it'll go so fast' but I can't wait until baby is passed this stage. Being a new mummy is so hard! But everyone also says it gets easier, so I'm taking each day at a time...
Anyway, a virtual double black forest gateaux for you and I hope Sadie relaxes soon XX

Hi everyone

I'm staying at my mums for the week, it's a bit hectic as my sister and I have seven children under seven between us! Just got back from the beach. so just having a catch up of the last few days.
Congratulations princessmel on the arrival of Freddie, you all have such good taste in names!
Happy birthday kowaikiwi

Just a few answers to questions...
1)babies generally have a growth spur at 3 days, 3 weeks and 3 months.
2)generally babies under 6 weeks ish will be happy to suck from a teat (however the advice is to wait until 5/6 weeks to introduce a bottle if possible)
3)Ibuprofen is fine to take when bfeeding
4)engorged boobs should calm down after a few days, your right that it's best to try not to express if you can bear it, as that only triggers your body into producing more milk. A hot shower usually eases it a bit.
5)mel green poo sounds completely normal, should be changing into yellow (chicken korma) coloured in the next few days.
6)newborns should be having 8 feeds (absolute minimum) over a 24 hr period, but you don't have to stick religiously to every 4 hours, sometimes the gap may be bigger sometimes smaller (although it's not advisably to let them go over 6 hrs)
7)For people who have babies who fall asleep at the breast then want feeding again shortly after, you may find breast compression helpful.
8)To all those who are finding the breastfeeding hard work, it does get better It's quite intense in the first few weeks but most people tend to have a breakthrough around 6 weeks when everything sort of slots into place.

calypso so pleased to hear the osteopathy has been so successful

ht slings are great, I have been using mine all the time, they can really help with clingy babies.

So sorry so many of you are struggling with sleep deprivation, I remember well what it's like. Fortunately at the moment Amelie is sleeping really well, she has a feed at 10pm then sleeps till 2.30am then a quick feed then back to sleep till 7.30am, I'm not getting complacent though I'm aware that this may all change!

Kowaikiwi Happy Birthday! So sorry you had such a rough night, can someone take Sadie out for a walk so you get a breather

Sugarkane-thanks,I was thinking of getting a rain cover, it would be worth it if it wasn't so damn heavy! its an older Mamas and Papas MPX. Its so heavy-I gave up trying to get it on a bus last week. Good news though, when in Italy in June, I fell in love with a pram/buggy. Never dreamed I'd see it here but I have.Better still it's in the sale at Precious Little One. Its the Inglesina Zippy and its ariving tomorrow!

HC How was your night?? Is Matthew any better?

Treats It was me asking about the long car journeys-glad I'm not the only one who has to do them (and with mixed success

Hackneybird hope you are ok and that you have your baby in your arms now.

Gah, I have a clear blister on my nipple. so painful!

Health visitor just left, Joseph has put on weight! 4lbs in just over a week. She's told me not to get hung up on the weight thing as breast fed babies can put it on more slowly and rarely follow a straight upward curve on the graph. Only concern she has is the co-sleeping, given the new study the BBC reported on last week but she couldn't tell me how else to sleep when he refuses to go down and its 4 in the morning.

Yesterday's early evening meltdown was the worst yet. Joeph cried/screamed on and off from 6.05pm to 8.30pm. He wouldn't latch on, kept kicking out etc. The only thing that slightly calmed him was the hairdryer so I wound up feeding him standing up. I think my breasts might have been a bit engorged yesterday and h couln't feed as well-he's certainly making up for it today!

Right, off to start the sleep "training"-although I think I need it more than he does at the moment!

Spent so long typing my last post that I forgot about it and fed Joseph in the middle of typing!

Calypso Glad cranial osteopathy is working!
I've been reluctant to go to the mother and baby groups purely because of the pram, both chancing the weather without the non fitting rain cover and the fact thats so bulky for public tranport-DH is taking the car to work . I am desperate to get out to some groups

Gotta go, he's just woken up in a grump!

Happy Birthday Kowaikiwi
I hope your day improved. You can always have a re-run tomorrow! It was our 6yr anniversary at the weekend and I felt so rough we didn't do anything so we had a belated takeaway last night instead!

calypso Glad that the osteopathy has helped. I hope its effects are long-lived! Don't worry if not tho, I've heard sometimes a couple of treatments are necessary before the effect is permanant.

HT well done! You must be doing well for a 4oz weight gain. Its so easy for people to say ignore the charts, but really they mean nothing! dd's line went down, then horizontal, then upward slowly and then rocketed upwards at 6months, absolutely nothing like the trend line.

Re the co-sleeping, HV's have to toe the party line with things like that, try not to let it get to you. I'm sure planned co-sleeping is safer than accidentally falling asleep with you lo so far better you feel confident in doing it.

George is sleepy and would go for hours between feeds. I wake him to feed every 3-4hrs in the day but to wake him up in the night would be madness imo, no point in losing anymore sleep unnecessarily!

Hey

Not been on as my family are over here from Northern Ireland, great to have some help.

Well done to any new mums

HC Faith is just the same, im taking her to see the doctor tomorrw as the HV didnt help much, but im not happy.

Can't believe I wrote 4lbs instead of 4oz-dozy me. Thanks smallone for understanding what I meant! Belated Happy Anniversary

Twinklegreen Thanks for the info. Seven children under seven-sounds like a great half term! I used to love getting together with family in the hols-my mum has 12 brothers and sisters (biiig Catholic family!) so I always had loads of cousins to play with. Motherhood has goven me a new respect for my nanna, I don't know how she did it. I'll be experimenting with the sling tonight.

Just noticed Joseph has a little double chin, it looks quite cute. I managed another meal with him in the swing earlier-small step but made me feel heaps better.

Great to see how everyone is getting on and puts my mind at rest that any problems I seem to have encountered appear to be pretty normal as everyone here seems to be going through the same things!

The info on the expressing has been very helpful. I am hoping for an evening out in a few weeks and would like to have a bash at it, so think I should really start giving it a go now. I have some really stupid questions though!

1. can you put the milk from both boobs in the same bottle or should they be kept separate?

1. If you don't get much milk in one go can you top up the same bottle later or should that be separate too?

1. How much roughly should you fill a bottle for one feed?

1. How many bottles should you leave with someone for a nights baby sitting?

1. if you have frozen the milk should you defrost in the fridge or room temperature?

1. How do you go about warming the milk after it has come out of the fridge?

Sorry for the very basic questions but there are just so many little things that I never thought about before!

Another quick question on poo! Is it normal for them to poo only once every 2-3 days??

Cheers xxxx

Hi ladies

Just back from the hospital where the lovely Phoebe was born very early on 25 October, a mere 3 days late by the hospital's reckoning, 2 days by mine.

fluffycats - thought I would have a bash at answering some of your questions.

1. can you put the milk from both boobs in the same bottle or should they be kept separate? The same is fine

1. If you don't get much milk in one go can you top up the same bottle later or should that be separate too? Can top up later

1. How much roughly should you fill a bottle for one feed? Depends on the baby to be honest, I used to store milk in small units - 1,2 or 4 oz and then there was less wastage.

1. How many bottles should you leave with someone for a nights baby sitting? Depends on the age of the baby etc.

1. if you have frozen the milk should you defrost in the fridge or room temperature? Fridge, iirc.

1. How do you go about warming the milk after it has come out of the fridge? Put the bottle into a jug of hot water and swirl it occasionally. Don't microwave as it can create hot spots.

HTH