December 2010 - Merry Christmas new babies!

[Chooster]

Hi, I couldn't see a post-natal thread but as we grow in numbers we'll need a place to chat!

All good here... Jude is now 5 days old and such a wonderful good baby. Mind you he must think he's been born in the Arctic as it was -16 outside this morning in Edinburgh. Brrrrrrr - Its not always this cold Jude .

How's everyone else getting on?

wow! lots of stuff happening on here today...hoping all mamas are keeping well despite not very helpful DHs, other children, illness and so on!

DF - am with Chooster re. feeding and trying to spin out some of the 'snacking'. your little Bob (lovely name BTW, some people are very rude) doesn't actually need that much food and may well being using the boob for comfort. in this instance something like a dummy would be really useful. i have resorted to one of these with DD after some very fractious nights. TBH i cried when i first gave it to her because i'm not that keen on them, but it works, gives her comfort and helps her to drop off without the mad screaming! i have also found taking her out for a walk in the buggy really useful for settling her if she's ratty and wanting a feed 'before' its due.

p.s. thanks for the feedback on hearing tests! mucho appreciated

I would like to say a big Thank you to OWO about the tip for buying a moby wrap. I hadn't bought a sling as I thought it wouldn't work with twins but have been struggling to get anything done as one of them always seems to be awake. Mine arrived today and it is AMAZING! the girls love it. However, I read your post on my phone and it doesnt let me open the attachements, I bought mine on Amazon for a lot more than the one on ebay

Also like to second Rudebekia's tip on hot milk bra's see this site for some great discounts all though they don't have all sizes including mine . I bought 2 Elle Macpherson La mere ones from figleaves. Its nice not to be wearing ugly M&S ones.

DF Glad you've been reading on Kellymom. I also read up on cluster feeding because the girls do feed constantly at night and I was worrying but it's a great site and has done alot to allay my fears. I don't get out that much to be honest, I'm hibernating I'm a bit worried about all this flu going around and it's just too easy to be cosy at home. I'm quite glad it's winter. Don't beat yourself up i'm sure you are doing a great job and I think Bob is a fab name

DF i had one of those days yesterday, trying to meet a friend, we didn't leave the house in the end, a feed that was planned just before leaving to settle her down, actually turned into a really messy session, so a quick wipe, into coat and car seat just about to put my coat on and the creak of a pooey butt. So changed her, as i was getting a clean nappy she peed all over her clothes, so another wash and change and then we were an hour late and it would take half hour to get there so i called and rescheduled. She is coming to us on the bus next week.

However we had a really smooth exit today for the postnatal group at the end of the road. Those babies are huge compared to Bea. All of them weighed more at birth than Bea does now. But it was nice to talk to other mums and compare notes.

On the subject of dummies, we never planned to use them, but they really do help to distract her and sometimes calm her ratger than tenderising the nips.

I also bought a Moby on eBay and waiting for it to arrive. In the afternoon she only wants to nap on mummy and nowhere else so think this will work.

Did my first expression using the medela swing and it wasn't as scary as I thought.

Hi again ladies :)

Had 5 day check up yesterday. DD has maintained her birthdweight! Cracked nips well worth it after all :)

notso how long did it take for the post birth SPD to fade? I'm really struggling with mine at the moment. Like you I strained my pelvis pushing dd out so currently on strong paimkillers and crutches.

Congratulations to QueenofDreams, notso and kiwi5. hope you're enjoying snuggling with your little ones. :)

Over Christmas, the health visitor told me I should get DD weighed on the 7th. I went to the clinic and they said oh we do weighing on Wednesdays. So went back to the clinic today but they said they only weigh babies once a month and I'd had DD weighed two weeks ago.... argh! Why didn't they say that on Friday?!! They made me feel like I was some needy first-time mum.

Breastfeeding going really well and DD seems really heavy and also seems a little bit longer. (Do they grow this quickly?)
I've expressed too, using manual Medela Harmony. I'd recommend it for occasional use. Haven't managed to get DD to take the expressed milk yet. I might try warming it up next time.
DD is a month-old now but I feel like she's been with us forever. She's sleeping well too. But still gets very windy, especially late afternoon. I get a few burps out with winding but she still farts a lot and looks like she's in some discomfort. :(

The other day, I caught my nipple inbetween the bath panel and the bath. (have asked DP to fix it hundreds of times) There was blood everywhere _ I thought it was DD bleeding So let that be a lesson to me and others - pop your nipple back in your bra after breastfeeding.

I fear the adrenaline has worn off. I'm feeling really tired this week and overwhelmed with laundry and housework and my list of jobs-to-do never seems to end. Hopefully, DD will smile soon and make it all worthwhile :)

Meant to add to Duelingfanjo- love the name Bob and love your photos.

Ouch steno! That sounds nasty!.... Jude has grown loads too and I've already got a bag of clothes that are too small. Yikes! He has his 6wk check tomorrow, will be interested to see what he weighs.

Df - a good cry and moving on if the best thing. Hope you get some good sling advice on Saturday. Don't worry too much if bob fussses a bit when he first goes in it. He'll settle pretty quick - hopefully!!

df, hope you're feeling better today, I was invited to baby and toddler group today but said no, just want to have a quiet day on our own without the hassle of getting to places at set time (except the school run!), I'll probably go next week.
We've hads rude comments about Calebs name too, lots of people haven't heard of it and don't like it or say its very old fashioned, but some others love it and we love it so I just ignore them!
I'm going to get some infacol for Caleb later, he's getting colicky (3wks old today) not for hours and hours but often up to half an hour many times a day (&night), I hate seeing his little face screwed up in pain. I think it also contributes to the little and often feeds that he does sometimes as I think he comfort feeds. He's had 10 bottles in the last 24hrs, taking anything from 1oz to 3oz, 1.5-3hrs apart so I'm hoping a few days on infacol will help him feel better and feed better. I feel guilty about it too as part of me thinks he might not have had it if I'd managed to stick with bf.
on the positive side dd is being great, but I have huge admiration for anyone who manages a toddler and baby, I don't know how you do it, I only cope by napping once a day with Caleb and having quiet time too.
Caleb used to fuss when he first went in his sling but we've worked out what he likes now, when awake he likes to be more upright and doesn't like his head covered at all, but when sleeping he will snuggle in more, its taken us time but he loves it now and its so useful.
Steno sorry to hear you were messed about by hv etc, some of them seem so helpful others irritate me, I found the mw commenting on the fact that i had a 'jelly belly' when caleb was only 1 day old pretty insensitive! QoD I've been lucky and my spd&pgp went very quickly, I ache after carrying caleb in the sling for a long time but I think thats the muscles getting fit again, I hope yours gets better soon, it must be v hard being on crutches with a newborn.

thanks WLL & Chooster

WLL great news on William's weight gain!

DF sorry you had a tough time yesterday - we all have god an bad days so don't be hard on yourself. It's not your fault that Bob was hungry, it was raining or he filled his nappy! Motherhood requires quite a lot of flexibility and going with the flow. FWIW I'm on baby no 2 and the other day I'd have had a complete crisis if DH hadn't been at home as Matthew slept through the time I was expecting him to feed then decided he needed to eat just at the time I had to leave to collect DD from school - thankfully I was able to send DH to pick her up instead.

stenogirl - that sound painful, how on earth did you manage it?? Yes, babies do grow that quickly but I think you notice it more in the first few weeks as they 'unfold' from where they've been srucnhed up in the womb. I'm surprised you got turned away from the clinic esp as you're bf. Those of us with 2 or more children just manage because you have to If I were you, I'd forget about the housework, as long as you've got clean clothes and something to eat, you're doing ok in my book - you should see my house!

littleb I don't think bf makes much of a difference when it comes to collic/wind if that's any consolation. I'm bottle feeding and Matthew (touch wood) hasn't had any problems with wind - but then, neither did his sister.

got my moby wrap and sock-ons today - loving them!

got my Moby wrap today, and Bea loves it. Excitedly put it on as soon as postie delivered it. It looks really epic with all the reams of fabric, but once tied in place isn't too bad. Managed to get a few odd jobs done with her in it, as she wants to be with me or asleep on me in the afternoon's.

I have the dentist first thing tomorrow, they are checking my wisdom teeth over before they come out, I really cannot wait for them to come out now. They had planned on taking them out about two weeks after I found out I was expecting, but they are sooo much worse now.

I'm also finally able to type on the lap top and using both hands :)

DF Bob is a lovely name, and it's nice to be different to everyone else, I met an Ezra and Samson at group yesterday, I love hearing what people have called their babies and the stories behind it. I bet most of them had the same comments with their children. My Gran in law was scolded by the vicar when she went to get MiL christened as it's an Irish name, Bridget, so she's christened as Mary, her middle name.

Max fingers crossed about the redundancy notice. I've been advised that my post will go unless I decide to return, and if I decide to come back part time it will be to another role within the Uni, but not neccessarily doing the same thing, just the same level of responsibility. I still haven't made up my mind, plan on making the most of my maternity leave before making the decision, depends on so many things really, and the mortgage still needs to be paid.

Steno that sounds rather painful.

I haven't done much housework at all. Each day I set my self one houseworky thing to do. Laundry, loading the dishwasher or hoovering. Everything else can wait.

bloody hell, William has discovered his voice. Having v fussy evening, he is LOUD.

Have red patch on boob, hoping not going to turn into mastitis again.

df don't worry, this happened to me loads with dd, just put it down to a bad day. Great thing about BF is once you get confidence up, you can just pop them on whenever/wherever especially once they are bigger and more efficient.

steno yikes that sounds horrible, your poor nipple. William seems massive to me. He's grown so fast and he is really long. His legs are at the end of some of his 0-3 month sleepsuits

Sounds like lots of people enjoying their moby wraps. I took William to toddler group in his kari me this morning. He does get a bit fussy in it if I put him in awake but once I'm walking outside he generally either settles and looks around or falls asleep.

Got the cloth going - just using terries and muslins with a wrap. Wraps still a wee bit big and think there could be leakage if he has massive poos. The best fitting one is one of DD's nature babies one. William looks very fetching in pink flowers!

thanks kellestar it's difficult isn't it? I enjoy my job but more importantly for my family, I'm the main earner in our house so if I lost my job it would have a big impact on us. Plus I wouldn't want to cut my mat leave short by having to look for another job. Good luck with what you decide to do.

WLL lol at William's flowery nappy

omg steno you poor thing!

thank you everyone for all the supportive comments about the name and for my mini meltdown.

I managed to make it into town to meet a friend and breastfed in public. go me! Apart from grizzling a bit this afternoon Bob has been a dream baby today though maybe having my sister drive me into town and ordering coffee for me has made things easier. Obviously I need a PA

Thanks lavita - just bought some bras from that site!! Pretty good price

Hello lovely mummies.

Don't feel at all guilty LittleB. Most babies are windy whether FF or BF. My DD is BF and she is really windy. She could play trumpet for the Royal Philharmonic!
kellestar Good luck with having your wisdom teeth out. It's no fun when they're hurting so much.
and best of luck maxpower with your work situation. I hope it all works out for you and your family.

I've had a shite day. Woke up last night with a massive pain in my left boob. I've had a small blocked milk duct there for a few days but it's now the size of a tennis ball and nearly as hard. :(
This morning, I spent an hour and a half in the bath expessing and massaging it. Then I got DD to chomp on it. Bless her, she fed for 40 minutes and was pulling the nipple out and sucking really hard. I swear she smiled when I finally put her on the other boob and she got some decent milk easily!
By 2pm I was in agony and crying and luckily I managed to get a cancellation appointment with GP and I'm now on penicillin. If the lump doesn't go away, it'll need to be drained. Now that most of you have your hands free with your slings, can you all keep your fingers crossed it goes away .
Why is BF so difficult and full of obstacles.... arrgh?!

littleB i breastfeed and my DD gets really windy some days - her parps make her daddy very proud

DF well done on getting into town and BF in public...not something i've done yet but i am hoping to meet a friend for lunch next week which will involve just that!

kellestar, wisdom teeth. ouch. i had one removed under general due to being impacted. grim all round so good luck and lots of hugs!

maxpower just to reiterate what others have said, fingers crossed for the job. it must be very hard having a baby and worrying about job security. i hope it all pans out for you.

steno OUCH! so, so sorry you're going through all this. thank goodness you managed to see your GP and get some antibiotics and really hoping they work.

all fairly quiet here - HV and hearing test yesterday, DD fine so one less thing to worry about. nights are slowly getting better - DD had a slightly upset tummy last night though so more wakeful than the past couple of days which is fair enough, she's fine now. poor thing has a face full of milk spots but i am assured they are a) normal and will b) go away soon!

i'm sat here eating left-over apple crumble for breakfast! yum!

My Moby wrap arrived the other day but haven't had chance to try it out yet!

Steno Thanks for th ewords of warning! DH laughs at me as I often forget to put my boob away . Last time I bf with DS,I answered to door to the postman with nipples on full display, I only realised after I'd closed the door and he was gracious enough not to mention it!

Kellestar I have a Medela Swing but not tried it yet. DCaitlin is 3 weeks today so thought I would give it another couple of weeks. i also need to read up on the best times to express before I start.

Off to the bf group this morning - Apparently there are a couple of LC's there. I think DD is feeding ok, no pain etc but more often than not, makes a 'clicking' noise when she feeds. Think I need to check that her latch is ok. anyone else had this? Hoping shw will have regained her birth weight too. Luckily have a good HV who believes in breast feeding and not in agreement with giving formula top up if they don't achieve birth weight by 2 weeks (as my previous HV did!!)

Hope you all have a good day x

Forgot to say, Bob and Caleb are both great names - inore the silly buggars who make negative comments

Are you tempted to comment on the rude person's old fashioned and unattractive hairdo etc when they are rude about lo's name ?

Another windy bf baby here, makes some feeds really long. I think I've been mainly feeding for the last couple of weeks and am worn out but M has put on 3lbs in his first 4 weeks which is nearly half his birth weight so feeling much happier about it all.

Ouch stenogirl! That sounds awful hope it is sorted out quickly.

DF feel for you re outings, hope the sling works all and makes it all a bit easier. My mum was great at taking me out and making me feel comfortable about bf in public. It makes such a difference to have a good supporter in the first few weeks.

thanks for your kind words ladies - I'm trying not to think about it as worrying won't change the outcome and I don't want it to spoil my mat leave.

DF glad you had a good trip out

steno hope you're feeling better soon

I had my first day of being home alone with both DCs and doing the school run - after much panicking and running around we made it with 30secs to spare! DD was fab though, she was trying really hard to get herself dressed quickly (a skill she's still learning) and find her shoes and things as I was feeding Matthew. As much as I've moaned about her behaviour in the last few weeks, she really is a smashing little girl who I absolutely adore. I think I'll have to rethink our schedule for Monday. Thankfully, as DH works shifts he's quite often around on weekday mornings which takes a lot of the pressure off.

Not enjoying this rain....

Hi all

Firstly, a question for al the Moby users!

Which hold do you find better for the little ones - Kangaroo or Newborn Hug?

Have any of you attempted to breast feed with little onein the Moby?

I've also posted this on the 'sling' section but I know several of you on here have them too!

Oh, DS now back up to birth weight now so happy. Breast feeding group fab too!! [grin}

CJMommy when I was pregnant I managed to accidentally flash the postman as I forgot that with my bump in the way my dressing-gown didn't meet properly at the bottom

is quite a good instruction video for a couple of newborn holds with the moby.

maxpower hurrah for a successful day of juggling with the kids

I took Bob to my work today, it's amazing how long it takes as everyone was stopping me to have a look at him - even people I don't even know. I've been out of the house for six hours and was out of bed and dressed by 9.30am! I also went to visit an old friend which was nice. Although her husband was all 'where's his coat?' (I didn't have one, just a big warm blanket) and 'Why do you have the carseat in the back?' which I found a bit annoying. As if I was doing it all wrong :( Ho hum.

I do feel loads better than I did the other day though.

Hi again all.

Sorry to hear of mastitis woes :( Thankfully I've never had it and fingers crossed I won't as it sounds so bloody awful.

We took the DC to bounce and rhyme yesterday morning (we were late) and bf DD in public for the first time. I've lost the knack

DD feeding loads but generally a little dream :)

I also have a moby - used it loads when ds was tiny but haven't been able to use it with DD yet due to pelvis problems

Just been taking it easy today and trying to rest as much as possible.

hope everyone is doing ok today.

My apologies to everyone for being MIA for so long - haven't had netbook or computer on for weeks so have just been surfing on my phone.

Hugh is being renamed huge!! He was 7lb7 at birth 5 weeks ago and is now 12lb2 2 days ago! He is not satisfied with just breast even though I am feeding 2 hourly through day I have to top him up some evenings with a bottle - still have pain at end of a feed from the thrush so I know when one side is fully drained He sleeps well at night and normally goes 11-5 at night although will sometimes wake at 3 for a quick top up
He is a very windy boy and most times wakes himself up farting but at night will resettle after a little squeak as he passes wind!!

Using a baby carrier most days for school run - didn't get a sling in the end as we found we still had this from DD. Carrying a 12lb baby for a 2 mile walk definately keeping weight off! I knew I had lost weight being pregnant from pre pregnancy but I have lost 2 stone since birth with no attempt - determined to keep it off this time but seem to still have "cravings" for Cadburys Caramel

DD is coping reasonably well - just over enthusiastic with her love and attention for the baby and a little bit of attention seeking going on!!

Hope you are all ok - will try and come back more regularly

Hi folks, I see everyone is getting into the swing with sling usage, reusables and getting out n about. These tiny humans are taking over our lives so quickly when only a few weeks ago we were all waiting impatiently for them to arrive!

steno you have my utter sympathies for the sore boobs.

I am just emerging from a 2 week fog since Nancy was born. after the mastitis cleared she had lost weight so in an attempt to keep up the breastfeeding I have been sat feeding constantly- her weight is now improving but of course she has become insistent on being attached to boob nearly all the time and only sleeping on me. People keep asking if she sleeps through yet or has a routine - that would be NO. Bonus of having a late baby though, she is already giving us smiles which makes up for it all.

I am using washable nappies - with 4 kids one more load of washing is no hassle. Her bum is very cute and fluffy in them.We don't have a moby but have used a sling - one time she liked it and one time she didn't. I hope it goes well because they are so handy for getting out.

I haven't weighed myself but i feel back to normal and judging by my clothes am back to pre pregnancy size apart from the jelly belly, so I think it is time to start being a bit more active. DH is also wanting to start "activities", seriously I am flattered but how do you reject them 10x a day without er, rejecting them?