September 2010 - we've met our little ones now!

[comixminx]

Or most of them at least - there are some late September ones still to come!

I've managed to upload my photos on my profile page at last! It took a while!

Welcome ethelina witter away, we all do!

Lovely pics Sassy, I've done the same.

Chelle just go with the flow. Oliver (who's also Olly!) is taking 4oz every 3hrs, 4hrs at night. As someone said, hungry baby food is just harder to digest & can cause constipation. I have a friend whose ds was taking 6oz at 2 weeks.

Olivers got himself into a great routine. He gets up at 8am sleeps on and off throughout the day & goes to bed at 6.30pm. His crying seems to have calmed down and he's really settled through the night. I really hope it continues as I'm managing 9 hours sleep with 2 half hour breaks!

Hello all,

congratulations to Jodeylea and other ladies who have delivered safely since I last snuck on!

Breastfeeding, Mary is feeding quite happily off both sides, but I find my left is way more uncomfortable than my right... anyone else found this?

I find I feel like it's heated and there's residual pain/aches after she's fed from that side. Doesn't help that there's residual scar tissue/damage from when I attempted to feed DS through cracked thrushy sore nips

I see the mw once more on Friday, so if it's still painful she'll spend some time with me on my latch. Mary gets on the right straight away, and after an initial few stabs of pain, it settles down and is quite comfortable. But the latch on the left is easily 3-4 times more painful, although again, once I count to 10, it eases, but not totally.

Also, she's very windy and poopy, but in comparison to DS's performances (he was FF) these are a joy - dead easy to clean up and next to no smell :o

She's sleeping well too, averaging about 3 hours a go, sometimes a bit longer. The other night, she only woke up once, about 3am, but the last 2 nights, she wakes at about 2, then about 6. All I can say is thank goodness for DH, as I sleep through DS getting up and going to school! lol

Congratulations to all the new arrivals :)

Well Maria-Ann is 2 wks old and she gone from constipation with one hospital addmission to waking at 4am with colic. It tends to start in the evening then start again at 4am and I just can't get her back to sleep. I'm doing night feeds and my O/H takes over in the morning so I can get some much deserved sleep. I'm lucky that my other daughter sleeps through with all the noise.

I've tried colic bottles but the teat on them seems to be to fast. Tried a number of different teats and bottles. Colief seems to help a little, infacol does nothing. Tried baby massage, warm bath. Hopeing this will settle soon. :)

Congratulations to those who've recently had their babies!

Can I make a suggestion... can we put the age of our little ones at the end of the post, like we did in pregnancy? I just thought it may make it easier when comparing your LO with respect to sleeping/feeding etc. Obviously when they are a bit bigger it won't make any difference but at this stage every week counts.

I've now been using infocal for a week and its made such a difference to Belle. She still gets grumpy between about 7pm and 10pm, but now has happy wakeful periods as opposed to being asleep or crying.
She's been a bit sicky today so I stopped using it and we've just had a very stressful evening.
Just tried Gripe water, as you give that after a feed and she did such a huge burp I nearly dropped her! So would recommend that too... although had to give her 5ml so was hard to get her to take that much!

Very jelous of those of you whose Dh'S help out with the night feeds... mine grunts and rolls over! Having said that Belle has only woken once for the last 2 nights!!!

Going back to the nappy discussions...
I tend to use supermarket own brands. Huggies are lovely but not the price!
What I've learnt to do over the years is to turn down the back, fold the top 1cm back down so that it catches explosive poos etc iyswim. Also always check the leg cuffs and make sure that the cuff bit is sticking out all around the leg.
Having said that Belle currently poos once every 2 to 3 days and they are huge! I don't think any nappy could contain hers!

I got interviewed for BBC Radio 4 today on my views on the Child Allowance Cuts... ended up sounding like a stuttering foul so hope that they edit it well! Listening now... wish me luck!

Belle 4 +5

Hey Sassy - seems like we're on the same page, i've had the same advice and demo from the midwife but my problem is getting him to open his mouth wide enough every time. I'm sure his first words are going to be 'big mouth' I say it to him so often! I do try and persevere and try and get a good latch and it feels much better when he does but like you sometimes we both get too frustrated & i just let it hurt, especially in the middle of the night!!

Right his dad has called me to say he's managed to get him off to sleep so I'm going to take advantage of an early night!!

Good idea stick :)

Ruben 2+5

Just wrote a lovely long reply while doing the early morn feed and the bloody machine's eaten it! Bah.

Sympathies with the bf, it's taken me a few trips to the bf drop-in clinics but I reckon it's just about there now. I've certainly done the "let her feed even if it hurts, just get it over with" thing too!

here's a photo of DD with her first try of her new dummy - Mum's visiting and thought we should get her one - I would have waited a bit longer but it has come in useful sometimes at least (ie when it's just comfort she wants, not food).

Aphra- 5 weeks today

comix that is too adorable!!!!! I've got one style that nearly covers their whole face too. So cute.

I am dreading today. Got their first immunisations. I remember DD's she went white as a sheet a few hours after and started screaming her head off. Being a 1st time mum, i completely went to pieces and my mum had to come and drive us to the emergency doctors.
Hope these two cope better with it. Asked my mum to take the afternoon off, and come round, just in case! What would we do without mums!!!!!

I second that it's a great idea stick

7w+6

Yes boostar that's Isobel's problem too. I say, 'wider Isobel' all the time. I even demonstrate, by opening my mouth wide and saying AHH. :o

OOooooh, shiny new thread.

Hope everyone is well.

Quick question for those who have done it before or whos babies are a wee bit older than mine (2w+2). Does breastfeeding get any easier?

I was determined to do it for 6 months but now I'm contemplating attempting to get to 6 weeks and then reconsidering. I feel awful though because my reasons are entirely selfish.

We've started giving him a bottle of formula at about 8pm whilst I pump out another bottles worth of boob milk which my OH gives him for the first night feed meaning I can get about 5 blissful hours of sleep. Also, I'm utterly terrified of getting pregnant again so really want to go on the pill at 6 weeks. I got pregnant (which ended in MC) whilst using condoms and the morning after pill so I don't have much faith in condoms. (which I know is irrational because one accident in 18 years of shagging is a fairly small percentage!). I'm scared of feeding in public and, most selfish of all, I want my body back after 9 months of a fairly crap pregnancy.

Are these feelings normal? Do they pass?! Does BF'ing become enjoyable? Am I going to be a 'failure' for jacking it all in when realistically I have no physical reason for doing so - he latches on fine and I seem to be producing enough milk.

Sorry for such a long post - feel slightly better for unloading that all!

Hiya pickle - I have found that bf-ing gets easier but in my case it was the latch that was the issue, not anything else, and that took a bit of time to really get right. Your reasons are a bit different.

• bf-ing will reduce your chances of pregnancy but I suppose it's not foolproof. Can you not take the pill while breastfeeding then? Would it make sense to continue breastfeeding for that protective effect and take the pill too?
• don't be scared of feeding in public, honestly: I've done it several times now even though DD is my first and so I don't have any previous experience in doing it! Everyone's been very reasonable and helpful about it so far.
• having your body back; well, I can't say much helpful about this. If you continue bf-ing your breasts will continue leaking etc I guess, whereas if not then I suppose they will stop getting engorged after a bit. This is up to you. I suppose breastfeeding will help you lose weight, if you're concerned about that?

Even feeding your LO for this long is better than not having done it at all - the rest is for you to decide!

Comixminx That is an adorable picture, she looks very small and petite.

Sassy lovely pic of the twins in the little cot.

Pickle breastfeeding does get easier I promise. Even feeding in public gets easier, saying that I am not bothered in the slightest what other people might think as I know I am doing my best for the babies.
I will admit that after being either pregnant, breastfeeding or both at the same time I do look forward to 'getting my body back' The leaking does usually subside after a couple of months, bar growth spurts.
Finalyy bf is so personal so if it's not for you then look at other ways. You are still in the hellish first month and you will get a growth spurt where he will feed round the clock for a couple of days. remember though that using a bottle is a different sucking tehnique which can make it harder for them to bf and you are better off waiting till over 6 weeks before introducing a bottle.
Like Comix said you have already given so many benefits by feeding this long just try and take each day as it comes and feel free to ask Q's or moan at me for more support or advice.
Lucy 7+5 where has the time gone?

Picklesarnie - am pretty sure my midwife said you can use the mini-pill if you are BF-ing so that would be ok?

With my boys I gave up BF-ing pretty quickly and gave up expressing just a few weeks after. So they were 100% Formula fed from about 8 weeks. I didn't regret it as such but some dowsides of going for 100% formula were

1. expense. Ths is massive, specially with twins!
2. hassle - mainly mixing up the powder formula (took AGES with twins) and sterilising all the bottles - as opposed to jus being able to pop them on boob
3. Occasionally wished I'd carried on with, say, just one feed per day being a breastfeed but too late to change my mind as milk had dried up.
4. my weight loss stopped dead and I never got rid of my baby weight (this is partly due to laziness though and also a love of cake). While BF-ing and expressing, the ounds were dropping off.

I did like the feeling of having my body back. I also liked knowing exactly how much milk the boys were having but that was because we had a lot of fedng issues in the early days and they had to go back to hospital because dehydrated and lost too much weight.

This time I'm mixed feeding - hardly using any formula but it's so handy for out and about- I really admire women who happily BF in public but I'm not one of them and don't think I ever will be.

Snap comixminx but mine said the website was being updated :( Your pics are very cute Aphra looks so much like your dh!!

Boostar you don't need thewhole areola and the bottom is most important so check the bottom lip rather than top one for how much is in. With you and sassy34264 about letting hurt occasionally!

Monstermuncher the night feeds are very important for milk supply. I can't really help as I've had loads of milk both times. Do you offer both breasts at each feed? ds1 needed both from about 9 days old and always had both.

parkj83 is it possible you a blocked duct or possibly mastitis? Heat is often a sign of an infection. I have an easier time latching on my left as he works his way to the end of my nipple on the right and the lets go, leaving us both getting sprayed with milk! I think this is because of scars from ds1 and my nipple is a slightly different shape on that side too.

Picklesarnie you can take the progesterone only pill while still breastfeeding if that is a big issue. We use condoms and have always been fine, although not for 18 years! I don't particularly enjoy feeding in public, am not a person who likes a lot of attention especially if it's negative but are there really that many occasions you have to? Most shopping centres have a mothercare or boots who have feeding rooms and I have fed both ds1 and Luke in the car before we've gone where ever we are going and then they were fine until we got back to the car again, or you can use your expressed bottles. I had a really hard time with ds1- badly cracked nipples that didn't heal because I had thrush, was terrified of feeding in public at the time as it felt like such a polava with creams and leaking milk and I got mastitis which made me very ill but the thought of not breastfeeding made me feel awful! I did enjoy it much more by the time he was 3 months and I do feel it helped us bond and became a special time as he got older, he's smile at me while feeding and my nipple dropped out of his mouth which was annoying but so lovely! May be TMI here but my nipples have always been a huge part of my sex life and so it was very difficult in the beginning as I couldn't even hug dh because it was so painful but despite feeding ds1 for 15 months I very quickly got pleasure from them again and dh actually enjoyed there being milk there and it was very different/separate to when ds1 was latched so didn't feel I had lost anything there. I also got an underwired nursing bra which made me feel more normal again too. You have to do what's right for you no-one can tell you that, whatever you decide you should never feel guilty about it!

I have 4 sleeping children again, very nice bit of peace! Luke has been sleeping from 9/10pm until 1/3 and then until 7 the last few days so I'm feeling more human! Ds1 had his preschool photos today so I took Luke so they had their picture together, then took Luke to the clinic and he's now 11lb.

3w+3

Thank you so much for all the advice! I know I'd be silly and be really annoyed at myself if I jacked it in so quickly. I just think I'm letting everything that comes with dealing with a newborn get on top of me and 'blaming' it all on breastfeeding. I know that realistically everything is not going to fall into place if I switch to bottles.

The mini-pill though I don't think would be an option for me. The doctor told me before that you have to weigh under 11 stone and unfortunately I'm a wee bit more lardy than that. But will attempt to put my trust back into condoms again. Sounds like all I interested in is sex again (and i have to admit 6 weeks is a verrrrrrrrry long time of enforced chastity!) and that makes me feel even more selfish!!

I'm going to set myself a mini goal of 6 weeks and then take each week at a time after that.

Thanks again!
2w+2

I'm afraid I can't comment on the breast feeding because I failed with both of mine. I do think tho that I am qualified to say well done on the 2 weeks you have done pickle every day you manange is a day more than a lot of people & a day to be proud of. Like you say set yourself a mini goal. you'll gradually become more confident & things like feeding in public will become the norm and before you know it you'll have done 6 months!

So we had the annoying pregnancy comments. Whats annoyed you all the most since you've had the babies. I'll kick things off.

1-babys crying "aw, perhaps he's hungry/tired/got wind" do you think I haven't tried all that?! I know people are just trying to help but it does annoy me!

2-Why does everyone make reference to their boobs when holding a baby?? Oliver doesn't know what boobs are so no, he doesn't expect milk from them, he's been bottle fed practically since birth and he's 5 weeks old fgs so no he's not a "typical man" if he puts his hand down your top. thats just where his uncontrolable (spelling) arm has ended up!

Thanks cinnamon, I do wonder about the heat/ache thing, so I'll mention it to my mw - she's a bf-ing counsellor.

Love it bananstew
The tactless chas in the Post Office who gave me their opinions on everything pregnancy related... yesterday said as soon as I told them Jack's name...... "You should have chosen something else" FGS! I know it's super popular but it is a family name and anyway..... how rude!
Also, I think people are staring at me and thinking OMG she's never pregnant again ALREADY! Perhaps it's my paranoia but bumpy will go gradually and I only gave birth 2 1/2 weeks ago.
The MOST irritating thing has to be the fact that when you have a pram you really do become a second class citizen. Folk are just annoyed at the inconvenience of getting around us in shops or on pavements and not a single person has held a door for me or let me pass first. Though I still give them right of way and open doors for other mum's with prams where I can.
Rant over anyway.
Can I use Gripe water yet Jack's all evening awake spell is really driving me bonkers as DH seems to want to share this time rather than let me have some shut eye. He does get up in the night tho so maybe shouldn't grumble AGAIN. How early have people used it?
I've tried to start a Gina Ford ish routine to get him to settle in the evening but no joy yet.
One more thingy..... anyone had a c section finding that their scar is really stinging all day now that it's hardening? I'm back on paras but it stings all day long.
Happy weekend thoughts to all! I might go volunteer doggy walking with some lovely Greyhounds so I don't miss mine too much.

I meant 'chaps' not chas!
Also.....
2 weeks + 3

Hello all! A quick update from me:

Frederick (Freddie) was born at 7.14am on Tuesday 5th October and he's absolutely, perfectly wonderful :)

The birth didn't work out exactly as I'd planned. We'd hoped to manage with no intervention and just use Tens and hypnobirthing as pain relief, but labour stalled at 7cm and I ended up (after 9 hours of trying various natural methods of getting it started again) with syntocin and an epidural... despite that Freddie was born naturally and the whole experience was really positive :)

Freddie's feeding ok, but falls asleep during most feeds. Any tips on how to get him to be a bit less sleepy??

Haven't managed to catch up on the other posts yet but I hope you're all well and many congrats to Dixie, JodeyLea and the other late arrivals!

3 days

Is really wishing that someone would invent something that gets rid of colic as Maria-Ann has it so bad! I just can't seem to settle her at all no matter what me or my O/H does she still continues to cry, I feel so helpless and just want her to be free from the wind and constipation. :(

I ended up phoneing the doctor's today after the hospital addmission (with constipation) as she hadn't been for over 48 hrs and was really struggling with trying to poo. Even the boiled water does not seem to be working. Anyway the doctor that seen her since birth prescribed lactolose I'm really hopeing this will help.

Maria-Ann 16 days old.

Love2Dance #2 BORN 23/07/2010 London, BOY - Raphael

Sassy34264 #2+3 BORN 13/08/10 Lancs BOY & GIRL - Jacob & Isobel

Debs75 #4 BORN 14/08/2010 Hull, GIRL 6lb 6oz - Lucy

Sazziej #1 BORN 24/08/10 West Lancs, GIRL 7lb 8oz - Evie Rose

Jaysfourth #4 BORN 26/08/10 Nottingham, GIRL 10lb 8oz - Marianne

Bananastew #2 BORN 31/08/10, BOY 8lb - Oliver James

Eggonlegs BORN 31/08/10 BOY 9lb - Johannes Henri

Patito #2 BORN 01/09/10, GIRL - Maia Grace

Mapletrees #1 BORN 01/09/10, BOHY - Louis

Comixminx #1 BORN 02/09/10 Oxford, GIRL 6 lb 6 oz - Aphra

Whammie76 #2 BORN 02/09/10 Scotland BOY 5 lb 12 Oz - Oliver

Stickhasgrownup #3 BORN 03/09/10 SE London, GIRL 8lb 15oz - Isabelle Grace

Skatergrrl #1 BORN 03/09/10 London GIRL 8lb 10oz - Rosalind

skyeplusbump #2 BORN 04/09/10 Hampshire BOY 7lb 15oz - Arlo Phoenix

NovemberAli #1 BORN 08/09/10 Nottingham GIRL 8lb 6oz - Matilda

Heather1980 #3 BORN 09/09/10 Manchester BOY 7lb 13oz - Samuel Johnathan

Ladyrabbit #1 BORN 09/09/10 BOY

Foxyjbro99 #3 BORN 09/09/10 Shropshire GIRL 9lb 1oz - Tahlia Elizabeth

Surreygirl #2 BORN 09/09/10 - GIRL 8lb 5oz - Grace

Ethelina #1 BORN 11/09/10 Kent BOY 7lb 6oz Sebastien

Cinnnamongreyhound #2 BORN 13/09/10 Suffolk BOY 9lb 2oz - Luke

Bellabelly #3 & #4 BORN 13/09/10 Kent 2 GIRLS 6lb 2oz - Charlotte Rose and 5lb 14oz - Lucy Elizabeth

Monstermuncher #2 BORN 15/09/10 Glasgow BOY- Sam

swordfishtrombones #3 BORN 15/09/10 SE London BOY 9lb 2oz - Finnian

CathN #1 BORN 16/09/10 London GIRL 6lb5oz - Lydia Maria

aswellasyou #1 BORN 17/09/10 Birmingham GIRL 6lb 12oz

Chathappy #3 BORN 17/09/10 Cambs, GIRL 8lb 13oz - Lola Eleanor Rose

BooStar #1 BORN 17/09/10 New Forest, BOY 8lb 9oz - Ruben Anthony

Catbus #4 BORN 18/09/10 - BOY

bluebell4 #1 BORN 18/09/10, GIRL - Amy Lilia

beaditAli #1 BORN 20/09/10 - BOY 9lb 7oz - Jack

ThatDamnDog #2 BORN 20/09/10 Scotland - GIRL

Watersprite #2 BORN 21/09/10 - GIRL 6lb 12oz - Maria-ann

PickleSarnie #1 BORN 21/09/10 - BOY 7lb 11oz - Fraser John

upsoearly #2 BORN 21/09/10 - GIRL - Maya

MammyG #3 BORN 22/09/10 Ireland - GIRL 7lb 1oz - Phoebe Elizabeth

Mellymooks #2 BORN 22/09/10 Gloucs - BOY 8lb 7.5oz - Flynn Jago

Merlin8878 #3 BORN 22/09/10 Carmarthen - BOY 8lb 6oz - Logan Heath

StrictlyTory #2 BORN 23/09/10 - GIRL 8lb 12oz - Clementine Arabella Elizabeth

Zowina #1 BORN 23/09/10 GIRL 7lb 10oz - Amelie

Saoirse86 #1 BORN 24/09/10 Birmingham - GIRL 6lb 14oz - Orlaith

Chelle1986 #1 BORN 26/09/10 - BOY 7lb 12oz - Oliver Daniel Williams

RunningGuerita #1 BORN 27/09/10 GIRL

parkj83 #2 BORN 28/09/10 Swindon - GIRL 7lb 11oz - Mary Josephine

JodeyLea #1 BORN 1/10/10 Birmingham BOY 8lb3oz - Harlyn James

Cluds BORN 1/10/10 GIRL 8lbs6oz - Jessica Grace

AliKatt #1 BORN 5/10/10 London - BOY 7lb12oz Frederick Charles Anthony

Inzidoodle #2 EDD 26/08/10 Scotland, BOY
MerryMagpie #1 EDD 28/08/10
lilypad72 #1 EDD 30/8/10
mcfee #2 EDD 31/08/10
lillyfc #4 EDD 02/09/10 East Sussex
Babyshoes #2 EDD 02/09/10
ChocolateCalculator #2 02/09/10
flippertygibbet # EDD 03/09/10
IlariaS #1 EDD 03/09/10
jbakedbean #2 EDD 04/09/10
Cakeandfinewine #2 EDD 05/09/10 Staffordshire GIRL
Mellousol #1 EDD 05/09/10
ciacia #2 EDD 05/09/10
Eleanora #1 EDD 06/09/10
monkeymiss #2 07/09/10
EmmaLM #1 EDD 07/09/10
TTTrouble #2 EDD 10/09/10
LB1981 #1 EDD 14/09/10 NE London, Girl
Susiey #3 EDD 12/09/10 N.London
weirdbird #3 EDD 12/09/10 BOY
Cityangel #2 EDD 15/09/10 London
Bonners #1 EDD 15/09/10 Scotland
MadameG #1 EDD 16/09/10 London
MudandRoses #2 16/09/10 Brighton Boy
ArcticFox #1 EDD 16/09/10
HellysBelles #1 EDD 16/9/10 SW London
Bloominnorah #2 EDD 17/09/10 Scotland
WhiteRoses #1 EDD 17/09/10
cazza41 #1 EDD 17/09/10
Willthecatbejealous #1 EDD 17/09/10 Leeds
Lifeas3plus1 #2 EDD 17/09/10
princerhysmum #1 EDD 17/09/10
LucyLG #1 EDD 18/09/10 Staffs
VoilaAnotherGimlet #1 EDD 19/9/10 London
Scooby16 #1 EDD 19/09/10
lenga01 #2 EDD 20/09/10
Irishgal1 #1 EDD tbc
Nandos #2 and #3 EDD 22/9/10 London
caprica6 #1 EDD 22/9/10 Hampshire
DreamingAboutSleep #2 EDD 22/09/10 Herts
Muswellmummy #1 EDD 22/09/10
coppertop #4 EDD 23/9/10
ooosabeauta #2 EDD 23/9/10 GIRL
Bessie123 #2 EDD 25/09/10 London BOY
Sunface #3 EDD 25/09/10
Kittyonthebeam #2 EDD 25/09/10 Dubai BOY
Amberbop #1 EDD 25/09/10 London GIRL
AliKatt #1 EDD 25/09/10 London BOY
Dixiebell #1 EDD 26/09/10 Hampshire, BOY
legallyblond #1 EDD 29/09/10
velvetjess #1 EDD 29/09/10 London, SURPRISE
MummyFifi #1 EDD 30/09/10 GIRL