Sept/October babies - how are you doing?

[Enid]

I miss all my mumsnet pregnancy pals so thought this might be a good thread to start for all Sept/October babies.

Baby Alice is 10 days old and still lovely, but quite windy and sicky (unlike dd1) which means she won't settle that easily, unless she is on/near my boobs. My HV just told me that babies that have very quick births can become quite irritable and recommended cranial osteopathy - don't think we need it just yet but I'll bear it in mind. She can roll onto her side already, she swings her legs around so much that she flies over onto her side - I already don't feel safe leaving her on a high surface!

Dd1 is much better with her now, its been good having them together with no dp as it seems to have settled things back to normal for poor dd1. She has reverted back to being very shy around other people though, although the potty training and settling at nursery don't seem to have been affected at all.

I feel pretty good, a bit rough some days if I don't get enough sleep but no 'baby blues' as yet. I feel quite normal having 2, it doesn't seem to be as horrendous as I though it would be. It does mean I don't really have much time to myself (if any), but it certainly doesn't seem to be as bad as Rebecca Abrams makes out in her book 'Three shoes...' (I won it on mumsnet and it put the fear of god into me).

Love to hear how anyone else with tiny babies is coping.

Enid, baby Dorotea is now almost 5 weeks old. And like yours she is much more windy than ds was. But she sleeps soooo much more, it's truly a dream. I have actually been putting her to sleep on her belly which seems to have taken care of most of the wind problems (I don't even have to sit up and burp her when I'm bfing her while asleep in bed at night). I'm not too worried about the cot death thing as there are no other factors present in our house (ie drinking smoking family history) and she sleeps in our bed. Despite ds who is almost 2, it seems so much easier 2nd time around. It's great to know what to expect and not to get panicked at every burp and cough. Though I do still occasionally poke her when she's been sleeping really soundly for a long time, to make sure that she is still alive. I'm lucky, like my ds, she will sleep through a brass band (or my husband watching Newcastle almost scoring goals!). In general I'm thoroughly enjoying myself...if only because I'm no longer pregnant (went out for sushi a few nights ago with the whole family in tow).

Hi Enid I was going to start the same thread, beat me to it.

We are doing fine. Alice is 5 weeks now and growing really fast, much faster than ds. She has really long legs and arms so she is in 0-3 months clothes now that will only last another few weeks I feel. Im not surprised she really feeds well. She too can nearly roll over.

I recovered much quicker this time round, only a couple of rough days. Though I suppose you have to with a toddler and dh only having a week off. I have had dd sleeping with me as I was so exhausted with ds so thought this would be the best way to ensure some sleep atlest. Dd is also very windy.

Ds adores her, he hugs her, showers her with kisses, helps me bath her and brushes her hair. She is never left out by him, she is included in everything.

I dont find it as difficult as I first thought it might have been do sometimes have crying in stereo

Where are Tetley and FrancesJ? Alice smiled at me last night and this morning, she's only 3 weeks but it was definitely a smile directed at me and not wind - I don't care what anyone says

Breastfeeding still painful (see new thread) but Alice gaining masses of weight and everything going well.

Dd1 improving slightly and actually taking a friendly interest in the baby now, holding her lots and talking about her with something approaching pride, bless

Hi Enid, I too have had smiles (not wind either ) and coos especially to dh and ds. Dd is also feeding well, growing much differently than ds.

Sorry you are still finding bf a bit sore. I have been really lucky this time round with only a couple of days being sore, hope it gets better for you.

I cant believe Alice is coming up for seven weeks, it feels like she has always been here. Ds adores her and includes her in everything.

DD is 7 weeks this week, so far has definately not smiled at me. Keeps doing her Frank Spencer look though, with lots of sharp intakes of breath, quite hillarious, but would like a smile.

Getting better at holding her head, she is not so floppy now. They start to sleep longer at this stage don't they?!

Hi all, how is everyone doing? How is the bf going Enid?

All ok with me, Alice is a real joy. Loads of smiles and chats now. Growing really fast, not into weighing babies after the hassle with ds but hv wanted to weigh her the other day and now 9lb 11 I was shocked. She is in 3-6 month trousers, long legs and arms.

Only a quite one, got to go lots to do.

Alice the Second (on mumsnet anyway!) is lovely, the bf is improving, I've been really concentrating on the latch and it seems to be working. She's gaining plenty of weight and gives me big gummy grins from time to time, bless. AND she is sleeping from 11.30pm to 7am, she just started doing it three nights ago so I'm hoping it will last! Although I miss those cosy late night/early morning snuggles...she's already a month old and looks huge to me, I am really trying not to miss any of her babyhood as we probably won't have another so this is it...sob!

She's got awful skin, the doctor said it was baby acne, poor soul.

DS is almost 7 weeks and gorgeous. He smiles alot now and although a little windy seems quite a happy soul. Now have DS and DD in bed with me and DH in room next door - not ideal but will work on it. DD seems to love her little brother but has "little clumsy accidents" near him so have to watch her. Bf is going great and he's now 11 lb 10 oz as at 6 week check. He has a hell of a suck and can empty a boob in record time compared to how long it took DD. Glad to hear you and your babes are all doing so well.

I started DD on a little rice this week, 15 weeks. Anyone else starting, she hates it. But was chewing hands at every opportunity and I didn't want her to start waking at night.

Hi Gosh2, yes, I started with the rice last week, and this week we have progressed to rice+apple and rice+carrot. My little dd (17weeks) loves it, which is excellent for me as theres not much mess... well not much in comparison with what I was expecting... or not much until she decides to burp a bit of carrot back out! By the way, rinse carrot immediately otherwise everything turns orange!
Dd gets very excited when she sees the spoon now, almost jumping out of her chair...and she tries to talk whilst eating (such bad manners at such a young age! tee-hee). She normally frowns at the first mouthful, then realises she actually likes the taste and ends up looking like a little bird - head up with mouth wide open... excellent for me as theres a large target to aim for!!
My DD started chewing her hands a month or so ago, so don't worry if your DD isn't too interested at the moment, there's plenty of time for her to get used to it. From what I've read/heard the first month is really to get used to different textures and tastes, no real nutritional benefits as most vitamins etc are cooked out, so don't fret, I'm sure she'll come round to liking it soon.

I was also worried about DD waking up at night as she started not to want as much of her milk. Some of the books I have don't mention that this will happen, so I was expecting DD to drink just as much milk, plus solids on top. Initially at some feeds DD was only taking 4oz, so I was debating whether to stop the solids as I thought she was giong to start waking up at night and also that she wasn't getting enough nutrition. Apparently so long as they are taking 20floz of milk a day, it's OK, and I'm sure they will tell you if/when they are hungry!!
She is now back up to 6oz per feed (x5) plus solids at 11am and 6pm, so I'm ready to see my sweet DD turn into a nice plump DD.
Good luck with yours, let me know what happens.

dd2 is nearly 12 weeks so no need for me to think about weaning yet - but gosh, its not far away I think I'll try and put it off as long as possible - does anyone know how long you can put it off for?? She's already chewing her hands but I just put that down to the fact that she has discovered that she can chew her hands IYKWIM.

I have given her the odd bottle of formula but realised that it coincides with her skin erupting, so have bought some Nanny goats milk powder for the odd extra bottle to see if that improves things. I keep meaning to express bf but its so hard to find the time.

We are going OUT next week to see Lord of the Rings - I've been out and left her with dp for the odd hour or two but this will be our first evening, hurrah!

Anyway, she's gorgeous and a very happy little thing.

Any news from Joe1?

The recommendation is not to introduce solids before six months. I started at four months but it wasn't really necessary and made no difference whatsoever to his sleeping. Chewing of hands is not a sign that a baby needs solid food. My ds is 15months and still chews everything and anything.

So Enid, is your little one still windy and sicky?

My dd has always gulped her milk and takes down SO much air. I thought it might be because she was over hungry, but it doesn't seem to make any difference how hungry she is. She will either take it and gulp, or not take it at all. Hmmmm!

Your little one seems to be pretty active. I've attempted to show my dd how to roll over (back to front and front to back) and she can get as far as moving her hips 1/2 way but that's it. I'm sure she will do it soon.
She loves being on her front now (didn't at first), and likes to scratch at the different 'feely' bits on the play mat with her rapid-grow fingernails!

How much of a gap is there between your 2? My dh and I were talking about it last night (...just talking! No, we won't be trying just yet.) I suppose there are pros and cons about every gap, but I'd like to know what other mums think about the age difference they have.

ps sorry everyone, I think I've got the verbals today!!

I have just seen the thread for babies due Sept/October 2003, cant believe that we were not very long ago counting down the weeks until Sept/Oct 2002.

Alice is 20 weeks this week, going for her last set of injections tomorrow. Still doing really well bf and hope to get to 24 weeks before introducing solids, so far so good. Ds adores her and has to include her in everything, she gives him loads of smiles and enjoys the attention from him. She has the strongest legs and insists on standing at every opportunity. She is also very much into toys and very precise with her finger and hand movements.

She really is a little darling, not as clingy as ds was. She often falls asleep on the settee or in her seat while sucking her thumb, it really is very sweet, she is a real poppet and complete joy. Ds feels so big now, I suppose he is now in between being a little boy and a baby and still really enjoys cuddles, good job I have a big lap and long arms to cuddle the two of them.

Other having some really bad colds and having to go on antibiotics last week, I havnt found having two as hard as I thought, it has certainly helped shift the weight running around for the two of them. I have started taking Pregnacare vitamins as advised by others here so hopefully will keep the energy levels up, dont think I will have enough to get me to go the the gym like Enid yuk.

How is everyone else doing? A friend of mine has a dd 6 weeks older than Alice and she has her two front teeth already, anybody else look like their little ones are getting teeth. Cant believe how quick the time has gone, probably wont have anymore (although you never can tell) so didnt want it to go to quick, I suppose you cant stop it though.

Joe1 and Enid, it really doesn't seem long ago when you 2 were talking about being due! I know time is bound to fly for me, 'seeing' it all from here, but I can't believe your children are 5 months old already. Glad to hear you're doing OK.

Lovely to hear that Alice1 is doing so well Joe, I agree I can't believe that time has gone so fast. Alice2 was 16 weeks on Saturday and is a lovely, smiley, chatty baby. She was going crazy every time anyone ate anything in front of her so I have started giving her a bit of baby rice and pear, she loves it with a passion, she even doesn't mind it a bit lumpy. Since she's been having that at teatime she's been sleeping through most nights (7-7) with occasional wakings at 4-ish but I quite like those night feedings so am in no hurry to stop them!

I find looking after the two girls all day really really tiring so I am making a real effort to eat properly, take vitamins etc. Luckily dp gets home at 6-ish so quite often takes over dd1's bathtime so I can give Alice a lovely long feed.

She has started chuckling which is the most sweet thing, she finds dd1's dancing absolutely hilarious. Everyone comments on her huge smile and very mad hair (she's got a proper David Beckham). She was born with an umbilical hernia and also developed a granuloma (where her cord didn't fall off properly) so we have been back and forth to the hospital to have it 'burnt' off, it doesn't hurt Alice but its a pain and we've had to go every other day for the last couple of weeks. Its nearly gone so hopefully will be gone by Friday and I can start going to the gym instead!!

We also don't think we'll have anymore so its been bittersweet watching Alice grow so quickly ((sigh)))

Enid, thats sad, why do they have to have things like that to contend with when they are so little. Glad everything else is going ok. I will type more in a couple of days, Im off to spend an hour or so with dh as he has just got in and he is taking the pc with him to work tomorrow.

WWW have I missed something while I have been away, are you expecting, know you were trying.

Joe1, no, I'm not pregant! I meant time had flown in terms of your babies seeming to get older so quickly (to me) from reading you all posting about pregnancy to reading about how you are doing now. God, I bet that's still confusing! So I'll stop now

www, Im actually quite with it today so understand your post no worries. Time is going fast from this end too, sadly, but who knows maybe we will have another one.

Decided to start solids this weekend. Alice is showing all the signs that she is ready and she is waking every few hours at night. I have gone 5 months, wanted to get to 6 due to ds exzema (sp) but feel I have given her a good chance so far so fingers crossed. I am armed with my ice cube trays and lots of veg ready for steaming. Dh cant wait as he always gives them their first dinner. She has her own little bowl with princess on it, bless.

Hi, how is everyone doing?

I left Alice a few more days before solids, 21.5 weeks, so quite happy. She was showing all the signs and I think would have started eating my food if she could. She loves her food and ds helps. As I was feeding her the other day she spat some out and ds told me she didnt like it and she didnt want anymore and I should put it in the bin. He really is a good big brother.

Enid, are you still going to the gym?

I am feeling so much better. The antibiotics cleared away the virus I had and I am now taking pregnacare everday and feel like my old self again, the nice spring like weather helps.

Feeling a guilt trip, about not going to the gym!

Still making purees. Still getting it spat out at me! - usually only butternut squash on a white shirt!

DD is still bald, still fat, still the most ugly looking baby! Definately mine, looks just like me. But quite fun.

She is in nursery F/T with her brother, and they both love it. I also love it, as I can escape feeding times. I have gone back to work and thought I would miss her, but don't as I am so happy with the nursery set up. I really do look forward to weekends.

Even now, on a Friday night I get so excited about the thought of playing with both children and having DH around that I tend to wake up before them on Sat morning.

Hi Everyone,
A little update from us.....my DD absolutely loves her solids, so much so that I'm not sure whether I'm giving her too much or not. How much do you give yours? My (not so little) DD is eating a good breakfast (1/2 weetabix with a cube of fruit and a little toast), lunch (about 4-5 cubes of veg/meat/fish + yoghurt), Dinner (similar quantities to lunch), plus between 20 and 26oz milk per day. Is this too much?

She is a very happy baby and VERY active...loves rolling around and jumping in her bouncer.

She too has developed a little chuckle.... very sweet. But seems to giggle at the oddest things... e.g when I was bashing my walking boots against the wall to get rid of the mud....hilarious..apparently!!

I'm loving being a full time mum with no desire to get back to work...yet. I'm also managing to get to the gym twice a week (baby sitting help from the Grandparents) which is helping with the inches, but not with the weight. Still got about 10lbs to go and has been so for the last 3 months, although I think I may have lost an oz this week!
Sorry...not such a LITTLE update after all!