April chat for locals

[mellow2]

New thread for new month!

oops try this:

gaels - I singlehandedly made it the worst summer ever a couple of years ago by buying a summer hat ...

hi Gaelsmama you are asking about pools here is the local public one

and about the weather don't worry it will be cold and wet again soon I recommend wellies just kidding

and the yoga bit here not sure about all the classes

slng I love hats and always get at least one every summer, although last summer a fetching shower cap would have been better

slng did you pull out your summer hat? boo rain.

sfx thank you! the yoga place is perfect!

i'll be taking the momma-baby yoga class on thursdays starting 17th april - anyone else game?

paddle where in the US are you headed?

paddle I am sure you have other far more important things on your mind but I am looking forward to Nick Cave at latitude

Gaelsmama - would love to meet you at Kew next week! Did my first public bf there yesterday in the middle of the half-term scrum! Mind you, am having serious bf issues here - ds is cluster feeding and has been on me ALL day, was the same yesterday. Am wondering if I'll manage to continue as when he was weighed this morning he had only put on 2oz and has not regained his birth weight ...

OOOhhh Mad few days at my mums!! Will have to catch up on all the talk on here!!

HI Sfx Mum, We're doing ok I think thanks - although there is cetainly no time for sitting and relaxing - ds has teeth coming through at the back and boy do they make him a handful - glad to say - he seems to be over the worst of it today.. she says fingers crossed. Dd is just delightful - has gained 8oz in the past 3 days making the whole breasfeeding marathon worth it - feeling proud at that. DH is going back to work next Thursday and am wondering just how I'll manage these two darlings on my own - as this last week has been a full time job for the two of us - feeling abit nervous at the prospect tbh. Had a few hours sleep last night though - so the crazy brain fuzz been less today. Sound fun - it kindof has been actually.... Hows everyone else?

bunyan - try steak & guinness for dinner (i'm totally serious!) i swear my DS was on my boob for 12 weeks straight before his feeds became more efficient... he still loves his non-nutritive sucking...

2under2 - nice work on the weight gain!

Bunyan - how old is your little one?

Susi - sorry afternoon visit to Kew Sat isn't really practical for me at the moment - we're both having a "post-viral" nap after lunc and the animals get closed up to de-stress around 3pm so think we'd miss it. My plan is to get to Kew around 11am - could DH take cat to vat and meet you and DS at Kew later (DH's are supposed to have a purpose aren;t they?)

Twounder2 - my little one is 10 days old. I've just been up literally ALL night with him. Midwife came to weigh him yesterday and he had only put on 2oz so am very teary and - wondering if I'll manage to stay the course. Apparently I am doing nothing wrong so why isn't he putting on weight ... dreading dh's return to work next Fri! Uh-oh, sorry, everyone for moaning ... lovely day out there!

good morning, all

bunyan, no wonder you're feeling teary after a sleepless night and, don't forget, 10 days after birth is classic time for hormonal 'baby blues' to kick in..

i do understand, though, having been there 3 times myself (and got the baggy, saggy boobs to prove it..sorry TMI and too late a warning ) as it's just so emotive, isn't it? it goes to the very core of wanting to nourish and nurture your child.

don't beat yourself up, you're doing a great job. is it 2oz in a week? the main thing is that ds is gaining weight and next week he may well put on more. is your milk supply ok?

is it possible or practical, if dh is around at the weekend, to take to your bed for a day with ds and just cuddle and feed? would hopefully make you feel less stressed too which helps.

i really felt like giving up at one point with ds2 but just when i thought i'd had enough, things got better - like they oftenm do, eh? but, if things don't work out, there's no need for women to feel guilty for ff.
good luck!

..yes, indeedy, the kew farm animals are taken off for respite at 3ish.
by then they've had enough of being gawped at, prodded and pestered by small children..
know how they feel

bunyan..have you tried swaddling ds? cluster feeding can be the baby trying to soothe himself, so that might help?? {anything worth a try, eh?!)

Thanks for the words of advice and support, Steppy - much appreciated. Yes, 2oz in a week - and given that he's less than 7lbs that's not really good enough. Apparently I am "doing everything right" so feeling at my wits' end! Sitting here sipping a fennel tea as I type! And, of course feeding - have been feeding solidly since 0830am. Not sure if my milk supply is good enough which is sad. And this is despite following a v good diet and drinking loads. We'll just have to see. DH is keen for us to introduce a bottle of formula but as ds is still so small I didn't really want to do this until a bit further down the line. Wah! Had totally forgotten how stressful this bit can be. Anyway, folks - no more moaning today - promise!!! Hope everyone is well and looking forward to a good weekend

hello all been to hairdresser and look all pretty now well the hair does anyway

not quite sure where dh and dd are, how careless of me

bunyan big hug to you take it easy (easier said than done) don't be afraid to ask for help when your dh goes back to work, one of us can do the dishes and entertain the toddler if need be - you are doing fine in that zombie way newborns tend to turn their mummies into

hi 2under2 glad you are ok it is just plodding on until it settles isn't it? teething and newborn, much sympathy

not really

hi steppie thanks for info on saggy bits

KC hope you made it to Kew and are feeling better, enjoy nap

hi lau welcome back

Hi bunyan,

I was told by the West Mid midwives that I was doing everything right but dd wasn't gaining much weight at all and it might have to do with my milk supply. I saw a lactation consultant in Msia (long story) who introduced me to the free breastfeeding clinic in Oxford (apparently best in country) and the bf nurse fixed the latch. This was when dd was 3 months old.

As I didn't have an abundant milk supply, it was important for dd to latch on properly so she could empty the breasts properly.

I only stopped bf 2 months ago after 22 months so take heart.

Anyway, it took dd longer than 10 days to regain her birthweight and the midwives gave me a hard time about it so don't worry, things will be fine.

Hi all,

Bunyan - sorry to hear about worries. Can you find bf counsellors nearby? There's NCT drop-in bf help sessions in Ealing at the skylight cafe Mondays 10-12, if you can't find anything nearer you. Hope it all works out.

We had DS2's 2yo "party" today! Now he's old enough to want the same things as DS1 so plenty of fights, but not so old that he's not terrified of birthday cake candles!

Hey All

Actually had a really nice couple of days at my mom's, they spent the entire time telling me how well I was doing and that my son was an angel and all sorts of things!! Feel like WonderMummy now! They we're very impressed with his feeding and sleeping routine!

Bunyan - could you try doing a yield of your BM to see how much your little one is getting? Or express to try to increase the demand to your body?

I had a pretty tough time in the beginning BF my DS, after 2 weeks I was rushed to hospital because I had a ridiculous temperature - had to take DS with me as I was BF-ing - turned out I had 3 different infections, they gave me a carrier bag full of ABs and so I gave up BF-ing - it was the most awful time for me, baby blues had totally kicked in and I still get teary now when I think about it (I just keep thinking maybe I should've held out for another week but hindsight is a fabulous thing) but I look at my son now and he is perfect - it will be fine if you do what is right for you AND your darling baby

PS - Bunyan do you still want to meet at the Little Olive tomorrow?

Hi everyone,

I hope you all had nice weekends. I spent all by myself while dh took dd to the ILs. I even found time to for a facial.

sfx,
I've emailed you the name of my accountant. I hope your dh likes them.

Hi Lausy, sorry for not getting back to you. Have the midwife popping in tomorrow "some time between 09am and 5pm"! so can't nail down a time at the moment. It also depends on ds's full-on feeding schedule! Can I text you once the midwife has been?

Everyone else, hope you've had good weekends! Mellow, bet you enjoyed the facial, mmm lovely! BF going ok-ish but there have been a lot of tears this weekend! Will be interesting to find out tomorrow how much weight ds has put on.

ooo bunyan good luck tomorrow with midwife. instead of kew this week why don't my DS and i meet you somewhere easier for you? or try another time ... you need rest i am sure!

sfx your hair looked lovely when i saw you but it always is such a treat to have done i know. speaking of, i need my moptop fixed!