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?

Miffstr, I have just read through the thread you posted.I have no advice but wanted to send my support. BH has him now as he is so good at calming him but the default setting always seems to be to give him to me when he cries as I am the one with breasts :(

FF what a story I hope you're ok

GGG I hope your infection gets better, it sounds horrid :(

lol at kicking the mw ff - and I thought I was bad when I grabbed the mw's arm and had DH by the neck at one point in my labour . Well done for coping with all of that drama.

ggg hope you're feeling better soon

chooster the earlier bedtime didn't work quite as well this morning, but at least she wasn't shouting randomly so that in itself is an improvement. Let's see how we get on tonight.

miffster sorry you're having such a difficult time. I don't have any helpful advice to offer I'm afraid. Is there a breastfeeding counsellor in your area who you could see for advice/support? I would second the poster on your BF thread that says get out the house on your own for 20mins - it'll help you keep your sanity if nothing else.

to everyone else.

Evening all. Well I've caught up a bit on sleep. William currently in middle of evening cluster feeds but has been more settled today so I am wondering if his 6 week growth spurt came a week early. He is chubbing out nicely in any case and has a little double chin and michelin rolls on his arms and thighs. He seems huge - he is at the end of most of his 0-3 month sleep suits already. DD is v tall too.

Dd continues to be lovely, we had a really nice day together today. I'm sure it can't last though but I'm enjoying it whilst I can.

I've noticed William has quite a white tongue and now worrying about thrush. DD had this too IIRC and it wasn't. HV has looked at it and said no, but she also said he didn't have a tongue tie so don't trust her.

FF what a birth story. My G&A ran out but they had another cannister luckily. It was right as I was at height of transition/starting to push too. Nightmare.

GGG sorry you are so sore with mastitis and infection. Hope you can get some rest and feedl better soon.

chooster the close baby carrier sounds good. I lvoe the sling but it is a pain having to tie it each time.

lavita well done for still BF your twins, that's a fantastic achievement.

Missed some posts. steno how is the mastitis? Hope you are feeling better.

miffster I saw your thread but didn't have a hand free to comment. Sorry you are having such a rough time. I can sympathise with the lack of sleep as William has had some nights like this. It's really tough. Wish I had some good ideas for you. Just take it a day/hour at a time x

hello all!

so sorry to hear of general BF woes and cluster-feeding babies.... i wish so much that i could help or at least offer some useful advice but as a first-time mum its all new to me! just sending lots of hugs and sleepy baby vibes!

all here good except i've hit a brick wall in terms of energy. have been totally overdoing it - wed night was really bad, i was so exhausted and dizzy i could barely feed DD at 2am...had to get DH to change her nappy because i didn't trust myself not to drop her the room was spinning so badly think the BF is taking its toll physically - i'm on a restricted diet anyway so getting enough calories can be a struggle. has anyone else found they're drinking for England but still thirsty all the time?!

my moan for the day is about my coccyx - have been in agony with this since the birth. i did try and dicuss it with the MV but they didn't seem too bothered and said it was normal. for the first two weeks BF was almost unbearable because sitting down is sooooooo painful. it did seem to be easing but has got really bad again this week. getting upright and going to the loo are also mega painful...thinking i might go and see my osteopath. HV also unhelpful about it. has anyone else experience of this pain? just quite naffed off at how dismissive the health professionals have been

rubekia it's interesting you say about the pain in your coccyx. IIRC I developed coccyx pain after having DD (by emcs) and (I'm sorry to say) I had it for around 18 months. However, I didnt seek any help for it - I'm a bit crap at going to the drs

Sorry to hear about your bf woes miffster - its tough and you sound very down about it. I'm sure it will all get so much better over the next week or two, but as a more practical step for the meantime have you considered / would you consider a formula bottle once a day, probably before bed? A friend of mine did this when evening cluster feeding was just too much and it meant her LO was fully satisfied and they both got some well needed rest. He must be tired as well and being overtired can make him seek the comfort of breast feeding. And as you say because he is sucking so much your body is compensating and increasing your supply so you are becoming engorged so quickly. Either way it sounds like you and he need a break from the constant boob attention in the evening. You could possibly feed in the early part of the evening and then offer a formula bottle about 9pm. If your boobs are then agony a few hours later, it may be worth expressing a bit and then trying to feed your baby if he's interested. Perhaps a dummy could also help?? I know I've mentioned a dummy before but it can give some much needed comfort to the baby and some space for you... Let us know how you get on and how things are going. I really feel for you being so exhausted as you can't enjoy him as much...

Shame it didn't work as well maxpower - fingers crossed she sleeps longer tomorrow

WLL - yes worth looking at the close carrier as its really speedy!

maxpower thanks for the feedback - from what i've read coccyx injuries are notorious for being slow to heal...sigh...which fits with your experience. i'm thinking i might go and see my osteopath about it. she gave me some wonderful treatment during my pregnancy for pelvic pain so i'm vaguely hopeful she might be able to ease things at least. ditto on the being crap at getting to see the Dr. with something like this the usual advice is painkillers and rest, anf frankly such advice isn't worth sitting around in a surgery surrounded by sick people for

Jasmine and I had our six week check up yesterday. Everything is going fine for both of us which is a relief.

I would really like to say something nice about my DH. He has been a wonderful support to me from day 1 and I am sure he is going to be a great Dad. Like me this time last year I think he had given up on any idea of becoming a parent.

(Might be TMI to turn away now). He has never once pestered me for sex but last night when I made the offer he was very keen indeed. So was I. Jasmine just had a sleep!

How to folk manage sex during breast feeding . I was leaking milk over DH's chest all the way through. A towel, nursing bra during sex, no touching by DH. What?

Lol Pitterpatter the same happened to me! I nearly wrote it on here at the time fountain boobs, it was so embarrassing next time I wore a bra and no boob touching!

Hi all

I rang my GP to make my 6 week check up for me and DS yesterday (as instructed by the mws) only to be told 'oh we do that at 8 weeks' I shouldn't be suprised mind, our local services are so badly organised.... It'll be a little awkward though as they do their first jabs at the same time, so DH said he'd come (as he knows I'll just want to punch the nurse for making my baby cry ) but I didn't really want him sitting in on my post natal check - I've regained my dignity and would like to try to hang on to it, thank you very much.

We went to my DNephew's birthday party this morning. DD was in a peculiar mood - she'd cried about 4 times before we left. When we got there she wouldn't join in with anything. But she was adamant all the time that she wanted to be there . Then my DSis went OTT - she was nominated to pick the best fancy-dressed boy and girl at the party and because she didn't want to appear biased she didn't pick my DD (although she was of course the best dressed ). So I laughingly said 'well I've noted you didn't pick your neice' DBIL chuckled (we get on brilliantly) and DSis flew into a tirade about why she couldn't have picked my DD then stormed off in a huff. DBIL said she'd already had a go at him about something - seriously, I love my DSis but DBIL deserves a medal for being married to her Anyway my DH then tried to blame me for upsetting her but interestingly she came back later and apologised for her behaviour.

DD(4) came trotting into the kitchen earlier saying 'look, I can carry Matthew' DH 'encouraged' her to let him take him!

Was changing DS's nappy this afternoon and discovered his belly button had been bleeding He didn't seem bothered by it, but it looks like he's got a blood blister inside the bottom of his belly button. Very nice NHS direct nurse didn't think it was anything to worry about and has probably just been caused by his nappy rubbing on it or something. He's his usual (mostly) happy self but if it's not gone by Monday, she suggested I see the GP.

Hope everyone's having a good weekend.

TMI (again)!

We are just rediscovering sex after the six week check-up. If DH touches me almost anywhere I start leaking. We have had to resort to hand and knees position (as perfected in months 7 and 8 ) and a towel beneath me. Drip, dribble then spurt.

This cannot be right!

maxpower my DD's bellybutton bled quite a bit after the umbilical stump fell off - MW said it was fine a prob due to nappy rubbing etc. About a week after this i noticed it had been oozing green, not very nice smelling goo (tmi, sorry) and whipped her off to the GP. He had a good look and said because there was no redness or swelling round the bellybutton area not to worry - that there's usually a bit of stump left behind (esp. if its an 'inny') and the green goo was the last bit of it dying away! Advice was to clean with cooled boiled water twice a day and keep and eye on it - of course if any redness started to appear i was to go straight back. It had cleared within 24hrs. Hope some of this is helpful/reassuring!

lol pitterpatter

thanks rudbekia DS's cord came off quite quickly and it dried out - it's been perfectly normal until now. I'm not entirely sure (may just be looking for problems now) but I thought the top was looking a little red today and he's been quite grizzly for him. Arrgghh I hate overreacting or coming across as a neurotic parent! On the odd occasions I took DD to the drs for something - just to be on the safe side - I always endd up feeling like a muppet becuase there was nothing wrong. You'd think this parenting lark would be a bit easier second time round Might try calling our out of hours service this afternoon.

Hi everyone, hope you are having nice weekends. Dd and Dh are curled on sofa with William watching Toy Story 3 - the end bit with the little girl

DD's cord went oozy then red and came up in a big red lump called a granuloma or something like that. It was fine, but we had to go to the docs a few times for silver nitrate to be put on it. William's cord came off really fast - about the first week - and has healed really nicely other than one day where it bled, but the midwife saifd nothing to worry about.

max I still get anxious second time round too. I took William to the doctors for his white tongue and she looked at us both and decided it probably wasn't but prescribed treatment just in case. I do feel generally more relaxed about things this time round. Sorry your Dsis was being a bit odd with you.

pitterpatter and lavita I've been thinking about resuming relations, but not had a chance yet. I remember the leaking boobs from last time - slight passion killer! Poor DH, I have these enormous boobs a(I'm usually quite small) and he is not allowed anywhere near them as I'm still a bit sore.

Went to children's party yesterday and had to feed William - this space appeared around me as various freaked out people legged it. I didn't have anything on show and was slightly about the reaction, but hey ho. My Mum, who should know better, first said how well I was doing as William is nice and big, but then said anxiously, 'do you think you're overfeeding him? Why is he not feeding at least 4 hourly?' etc etc. I had to point out he was on his line (75th where he was born), that like his big sister he is extremely long (She is over 91st centile for length/height) and that you can't overfeed a BF baby. FFS. Luckily it hasn't stressed me too much as she did this with DD and kept saying DD was too large. She wasn't at all - usual baby chub which went when she started crawling.

Funnily I've had opposite comment from MIL who has said 'he's a big boy, maybe your milk is not enough for him' so you can't win.

I think William may have been in growth spurt earlier in the week as he is more settled and has had two great nights the last two nights. Right, TOy Story is over so better go and do dinner. Sorry for epic post!

WLL what a weird reaction to you BF, hope it didn't upset you. Thanks for sharing re the cord - Matthew kicked his off at 6 days old. It doesn't seem to have bled today.

DSis popped round this afternoon, all seems to have been forgotten/forgiven. She brought DNeph with her (he's our brother's son, not her's) and then said was it ok if she left him with me while he drove her DH somewhere! I was very impressed with myself at keeping DNeph & DD entertained as well as looking after DS single handedly! (as ever, I'm in awe of you extraordinary mums with 3+ children )

Think DS maybe starting a growth spurt - he's guzzling milk like no-one's business.

I'm quite up for resuming relations but was told not to until I have my post-natal check, which has gone from at 6 weeks to 8 weeks . Mind you DH is so wrapped up in studying for his exams I'm not sure he'd notice if I gave him the big come on . I've also been thinking about changing contraception, which I think I should at least talk to him about and I can't get 5 mins alone with him at a sensible time of day to tell him!

hey all :)

Bob is definitely going through some kind of growth spurt as he is feeding a lot more. We've had the odd disruptive night but he's still a pretty good sleeper. I worry that I am not stimulating him enough but am not really sure if shaking things in front of his face is actually doing anything for him!

We took him to see his grandad and aunt and uncle yesterday and today I've just sat in waiting for a health visitor who hasn't turned up; maybe I got the day wrong? If I have got it wrong It means she will here tomorrow along with the hospital outreach person who is signing me off tomorrow morning.

I want to go out!

DH and I haven't got to the talking about sex stage yet and I've not heard from anyone about my six week check. do I book it do you think, or should I wait to be contacted? I need to think about contraception too as DH doesn't want another baby and at my age if I was going to consider it we'd have to be quick. Deep down I would like Bob to have a sibling but the reality is we just can't afford two lots of childcare and I don't have the option of waiting a few years. Heving said all that, it took us 3 years and IVF to get pregnant so I wonder what the chances are of it happening anyway.

DF I think it depends on your GP's surgery as to wether you book it or they contact you. Having said that at my surgery they're supposed to make an appointment and send a letter out and I've had to make one myself as Kira's six weeks today and I haven't heard anything. If I were you I'd phone them just to check.

This is the first time I've had chance to get near the computer in weeks. Kira's finally in sort of a routine and is sleeping better. Getting up every two hours at night was killing me especially having to look after two toddlers as well.

I've had to admit defeat with BF. I had to start mix feeding as she lost too much weight and wasn't putting it back on and after a week or so I wasn't producing milk so now she's EFF. I got a bit upset as I really wanted it to work this time but I know it's whatever is best for Kira and as long as she's healthy that's all that matters.

DD1 started nursery last thursday, I can't believe she's three already.

We've got a busy few weeks at the moment. 1's birthday last week, DH's on friday, DS's next tuesday, Dnieces next sunday and then mine the week after. Plus my parent's silver anniversary on valentine's day. I'm exhausted just thinking about it.

Is it just me who's fed up of being asked about contraception? I've had it from when Kirs was a few days old, I was still in agony with afterpains and from having an 8lb 9oz baby and sex was the last thing on my mind. If I get told I "need to think about it if I don't want another baby" I'll scream. Yes I've got a just 3yo, nearly 2yo and new baby but do HV's/doctors etc. really think that I don't know how I got pregnant with them?

Sorry that last part tuned into a bit of an AIBU rant but it's driving me nuts.

I did find it quite amusing when they talked to me about contraception but then I was asked over and over and it does get annoying.

Wow crazyKat the Dec- Feb period is always going to be a busy time for you! I find aug/sept/oct a really busy time for celebrations and also April/May.

I'll give the surgery a ring. Think I might go out now; the health visitor still hasn't arrived.

crazykat sympathise about the questions about sex and contraception. They keep telling me I must consider it seriously. But we plan on having another baby soonish anyway. HV keeps nagging me about the mini pill, but it did bad things to me a few years ago, so nervous about trying it. It took me a while to find a contraceptive that worked. Plus with the episiotomy scar stiff and achey, I think it'll be a while til we are there, though we are both keen.

DF I had to call the doctors, even though was advised they would send me a letter to book one, I am 6 weeks next week.

Bea seems to have come out with some infant acne, it was a little scatter over her cheeks last week when the HV said not to worry, but it's now quite a tight rash over her cheeks, nose, neck, shoulders and chest. It just looks irritating and sore, but not sure what to put on it. first time parent worries, is it something i've done, is it why she cries at night etc, but I am trying to remove myself from those worries.

DH is still really crap at giving me some sleeping/lie in time. He planned on being really supportive but that hasn't been put into action yet. We go to bed at the same time and get up at the same time, except I do a feed and settle at 10pm, 2am & 6am and that can be anywhere between 45 mins to 1 1/2 hours. So really not getting the quantity he is. The whole point of me expressing was so he could give her the 2am feed on the weekends to give me a rest, but I am still there :( Oh well, may have to get more firm with him soon.

Got to go and get tea now. Bea's going in her Moby, so she settles down and I can get something done :S

Kellestar I have heard you can rub breastmilk into baby spots, though I am not sure how that works!

my DH sleeps in the spare room in the week but this weekend slept in with me and Bob. I was slightly amused when, at 2 am, he grumbled 'what are you doing?'... 'erm, feeding Bob' I replied and wondered, what does he think I do every other night - sleep? I swear he thinks I am getting more sleep than him!

I have just put the dinner on with one hand.

hi all,

df i'm with you on the stimulating/entertaining the baby, we've got 3 mobiles now! they keep her entertained for about 5 minutes! I went to a post natal group today and we were shown baby massage (I wasn't able to join in as we haven't had our pn check yet) it looked like a nice way to entertain the baby though :)

but... there were 11 babies and 4 were called isabel!!! i'm quite upset about it, which is stupid but i don't want her to be 'isabel R' :(

re sleep, do your babies have a bed time? i'm just letting isabel sleep whenever she wants (usually on me) then we settle down together around 11 or midnight. If they do have a bedtime do you leave them upstairs alone. i'd love some time with dh but i think i'd freak out about leaving her (she is 5 weeks)

I think the ante-natal classes should teach one handed cooking (and other skills) i did spag bol last week :)

no bed-time here. He goes to bed when we do which is really very late . He does sometimes have a nap at about 8 but I think that's just a fluke. I'm not planning on any attempt at a routine for a few weeks (he's 5 weeks tomorrow), and definitely not while he is cluster feeding. We have a moses basket in the sitting room and he will settle in it but mostly I wait until he's fallen asleep in my arms before trying him in it. Right now I am in the sitting room with the lights off wondering if he will self-settle and hoping DH doesn't come in and rattle something in front of his face.

hello all,

I was on the Dec antenatal thread but its taken me a while to post here, as I hardly have time to check my emails let alone post on MN.

It sounds like everyone is having quite a similar time. My DD (nearly 5 weeks) is going through monster cluster feeding sessions, both in the morning from 9 till 1pm and then in the evening from (at worst) 5 till 1am. I'm trying not to let it get me down but it makes me feel a bit useless that I can't seem to provide her with enough food to satisfy her. However, I suspect I have thrush and finally managed to get a doctors appt tomorrow, so hoping that might help - even it if doesn't help with supply it would be nice if I could feed without wincing on one side!

DD doesn't have a bed time yet - I'm too lazy to keep going up and downstairs so she is in the moses basket in the living room in the evening. When were people thinking of trying to get a routine going - I was thinking somewhere round 2 - 3 months, but have no idea if that's a sensible time or not!

Sorry for those of you with unhelpful DH/DPs. Mine has been an angel and even then I find it hard, so you have my deepest sympathies. Mind you, he has already developed the ability to sleep through DD's cries and me getting up to feed in the night, so some mornings he doesn't realise I was out of bed for 3 hours while he was snoozing!

Trying to work out what contraception to ask for - which depends slightly on when we'd like DC2, and that varies from "straight away" to "in about twenty years, if I can afford a wet nurse" depending on how much sleep I've had.

FWIW, I hate breastfeeding. Truely I do. I'll keep doing it till I get to 6 months, but it doesn't mean I will like it.