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?

evening all

DF I was told (about 3 times) that it was up to me to make the appts for my post natal check and Matthew's baby check. But it might be different in different places.

crazycat my sympathies on all the birthdays. My busy period is March to May - I've started buying cards already to try to stagger it! At least this year I should be able to do some birthday shopping without DD in tow asking a million questions and wandering off while I'm trying to choose things

re contraception, I was only asked about it twice and in a non-annoying fashion, which makes a change!

kellestar sounds like it's time your DH had a reality check. My guess is he's not done a whole lot of looking after Bea on his own yet? They really don't have a clue what we're up to when they aren't around. If I were you I'd get this sorted now so that you don't become resentful.

kitty I loved going to baby massage with DD, I hope they're still running the class now as I'd like to take DS. Don't be sad about the other Isabels, take it as a compliment that you picked a name that's so well liked. (I love it btw). I didn't introduce a bed time with DD until she was in a routine and sleeping through the night - I'll do the same with DS. Oh and I always have them sleeping near me - if it's during the day, DS naps downstairs or wherever I've based myself. I take him up to bed when I go. Plus I take the view that only using his crib at night might help him differentiate between night and day.

congrats on your one-handed cooking ladies - I can't cook with the full use of 2 hands and no children around

WWSB good to hear from you. Sorry to read you're hating BF, but good on you for persevering. Hope GP appt helps. FWIW I found introducing a routine at 3 months worked really well for us when I had DD, so will probably aim for that again this time round.

Yes, it's amazing how we can hear our LO's tiniest murmurs but DPs/DHs seem to be able to sleep through their loudest crying. I heard somewhere that women's hearing is particularly sensitive to the pitch of a baby's cry (for evolutionary reasons) - I expect a man in trouble with his DW for sleeping through the crying came up with that suggestion but it does make some sense.

Hey they WWSB

I am not sure about routines but was thinking the same as you, though I have no idea what might happen RE how long Bob sleeps for so even if I start putting him to bed at say 8pm, will he still wake every 3-4 hours anyway or will any routine go to pot when he has another growth spurt?

Hello everyone,
Hope you dont mind me joining could really do with some advice/support.
Isadora is 5 weeks old and just adorable! I am breast feeding every two hours at the moment which is fine although making it out of the house is a major challenge. Sleeping is the biggest challenge as she will not go down at all and will only sleep on someone which makes everything difficult. I have tried many nights of feeding rocking and putting her in the moses basket only to have her wake up as soon as she hits the mattress to then repeat the process. the only way I can get any rest is to let her sleep on me and I sleep sitting up, actually when I say sleep its the new mother type of sleeping with an eye and both ears open!
She wont go down during the day either we have a chair in the living room but again she wakes as soon as she goes down. Should I persevere? any suggestions? I tried tonight while cooking dinner but she cried so much she choked and it really scared me. Do I just need to toughen up or will it happen when she is ready? The health visitor scared me by telling me letting her sleeping on me was a cot death risk and I am really worried about that, I have tried warming the moses basket and blankets, placing a cloth with my smell and milk on it, putting an alarm clock in the basket - any other tips I could try?

hey there frenchfries and welcome,

I can't really offer any advice as I co-sleep so my baby Bob only goes in the moses basket in the day, sometimes. He likes to sleep on me a lot but we do manage to get him down in the Moses or by placing him on our bed inbetween me and DH.

I know exatly what you mean about the sleeping sitting up, when he has a feed at 5am I always end up with him on me rather than beside me. Co-sleeping is safe so long as you haven't been drinking or smoking as far as I know.

hope someone comes along with some advice.

Hi All

Well, we're pretty much the same; 2 hrly feeding (at most), won't sleep in crib, in bed with us every night etc .

Am a little concerned about DD's weight gain - took her 3 weeks to regain birth weight and then only put on 2oz this week. I've had latch checked and asked the LC about the clicking noise she was making; she didn't seem overly concerned. I also asked her to check for tongue tie as I thought there was...she said possibly a small one but 'probably' insignificant . She has recommended I weigh her weekly for a few weeks in order to get a better picture, we'll see what she is on friday?

Am still in the process of trying to master my Moby but have found a local sling meet so will pop along there for some advice.

Can I ask, when BF, do you wait for your little ones to fall asleep/fall off or do you take them off when there suck/swallow pattern changes? I keep reading and being advised different things and am interested in what you all do?

Hi Frenchfries

My LO was just the same as yours at night and I didn't feel comfortable co-sleeping with her. I could never relax and sleep properly.
Anyway, after talking to lots of people I think I've cracked it:) I use a fleecy blanket as a bottom sheet in her crib because it's warmer and cosier. I also swaddle her quite tightly with her arms by her sides, then tuck the bottom of the blanket under the mattress, if that makes sense. I've also caved in and bought her a dummy which she likes (with a bit of persuasion:D)

I've found that she'll now go 3-4 hours between feeds at night rather than the hour and a half - two hours she was managing before.

Maybe use a sling/wrap during the day? I hope you find something that works.

CJMommy I usuallly feed until Bob comes off by himself, sometimes he just falls asleep on the boob so I gently remove him.

Hi frenchfries I would second the suggestion of using a sling/wrap during the day. How does your LO respond when someone other than you puts her down to sleep? Personally I'd try to persevere (although it's horrible listening to babies cry) but the quicker they learn to self-soothe the easier it is for you. However 5 weeks is still very young so it's not suprising that she needs your reassurance to settle.
IME dummies can be a bit of a problem in their own right - when we used one with DD she kept crying every time it fell out and we had to get up and put it back. Don't let that stop you trying it though, just be aware. WRT co-sleeping or letting babies sleep on you, we've all done it. It's not safe to sleep on a sofa with a baby but in bed, as long as no-one is a smoker or has been drinking alcohol, that's fine. Like you say, you don't sleep properly when you've got the baby with you anyway.

DS only woke for one feed last night - fingers crossed this'll be the start of him heading towards sleeping right through! His belly button's looking better and hasn't bled since Saturday.

Got a bloody puncture in one of my tyres on the way home from the dentist this morning. Took it to the garage who said the tyre needed replacing (rather than repairing) oh, and by the way, 2 of the other 3 need replacing as well as they're worn out. So, that'll be £200 then The MOT's due in April so we'll have to get them done sooner or later.

Also, I got a bit of a bizarre pay packet yesteray - I was expecting to get my first reduced pay, instead, I got paid £700 back pay - not entirely sure why or what for - so my pay was more than it would have been normally. Can't complain about that

Anyone else got their period back? Not happy as it was a year with ds's not 6 bloody weeks. If so, what are they like? (TMI) I'm pouring bright red blood. I have to go and sit on the toilet every 20 mins and let it drip into the toilet.

Yikes Cheryl - that doesn't sound good... I've only had spotting, not a real period yet. Yours sounds pretty full on, mind you mine were never that bad anyway - always fairly light. Is that normal for you??

My Ds1 was a bit like some of the LO's here in that he would be perfectly asleep until his body hit that moses basket mattress then all hell broke loose. Jude is so so much better. We have a nice little routine now which is working a treat. Its something I remember from DS2 - I think from the baby whisperer... but its the EASY approach. Eat - Activity - Sleep - You... and back round again. I think you probably need a good sleeper who will go off by themselves but this has really given us some structure to the day and I can be more predictable about Jude's needs and when I can spend time with the others. So now he feeds, then we do something like massage, or i sing some songs or we hvae a bath or shower etc then he sleeps for about an hour or two. I'd started to put him to sleep on his tummy during the day and he would be out like a light straight away (provided tired enough) and I'm now doing it at night too. I still feel a little uneasy about it as its no longer the recommended way they should sleep bit he is so relaxed like that. Last night he only woke at 4.30 and then went straight back off again. It may be worth a try for anyone with an unsettled baby - maybe try during the day when you think they need a nap and see how you get on.

The good thing about the approach above is that it disconnects feeding and sleeping so that LO doesn't nod off when feeding and can settle easier without that prop.

We're generally great here - Jude is such a little star and we're getting some yummy smiles - not too many, he's using them sparingly, but they are gorgeous when they come. I was up in the night a few nights ago and just couldn't believe how lucky I am to have 3 such wonderful sons... Almost makes me want another!!!! DH says no way though...

Neither me nor Jude have been for our 6 wk check and he now approaching 8 weeks. Damn..... The HV cancelled Judes and hasn't re-booked and I've not got my arse in gear to organise mine.... Oops!

Mine are normally very light, only last for about 3 days. This is totally out of the ordinary for me.

Hi CherylAnn

Are you sure it's a period? With DD1 I was still bleeding from birth at 6 weeks, and this time although it's only been 3 weeks it tapers off then starts up again. The HV said it's a sign you're doing too much when it's bright red. Have you had your 6 week check? I'd take it as a sign to sit down more and have a cup of tea.

Thanks for all the advice. I have been using a sling during the day which makes it much easier to move around! I have tried a dummy - three different teats but she is not interested at the moment although will keep trying now and again. Chooster the Easy approach sounds good and we are generally falling into that pattern, planning a trip to the library tomorrow so will check the baby whisperer out.
We had a lovely night last night Isadora slept from 12- 4 and 4:30-7 and then fell asleep again until 9 I had to wake her up to change her and get ready to go out, think she has a cold though has been very grumpy today.
CJmummy I feed until she comes off herself or falls asleep - that way I know she has had enough, I have taken her off a few times but then she screams the house down!

Kira has a sort of bed time. If she's asleep in her moses basket downstairs and DD1 and DS are asleep (about 8pm) I've started to take her up as she seems to sleep better. It's only worked once so far though. DD and DS went to bed at 7pm from birth though partly due to living at my parents trying to get our own place and our room was the only place I could get some peace.

I'm planning on introducing a loose routine about 8weeks if Kira hasn't found her own by then, DD1 and DS fell into a routine after about a week as they were EFF from birth. Saying that thoug in DD1's case I still didn't get any sleep as she had very bad colic, it just made it easier to go out as I knew once they'd had a feed they'd sleep or be content in the carseat/pushchair for a couple of hours.

CAT if it's diffferent to your normal period I'd ask your HV or GP especially as you it sounds very heavy. I suffer really heavy and painful periods anyway and the first couple after my other DC's were really bad so I'm not looking forward to that one bit.

frenchfries your LO sounds like my DD1, the only way I could get her to sleep more than a minute in her bed was to get her to sleep on my chest and then gently put her in her bed on her tummy. I know it goes against all the advice but after six weeks of less than two hours sleep a night I was willing to try anything. You could try laying your DD on a blanket on a firm surface on her tummy during the day when you can see her at all times - my MW suggested this for DD1 to help with her colic and it worked wonders.

Kira's going to be a nightmare tonight as she's been sleeping most of the day which makes a change from screaming every time she's still. It's my own fault but she just looks so cute and I've had a chance to get some sleep stuff done today. Best go get dinner ready before DC's get back from my parents.

I wish I could do Eat, Activity, sleep, You!

It's more like eat until asleep, wake, wind, walk around until asleep, wake, activity, feed and so on. I am scared to try the sling since the time he freaked out completely. I still think he's an easy baby but I am starting to feel tired and frustrated by the relentlessness of it all. DH tries to help but all I really hear is 'he's hungry' as he is passed back to me yet again. bloody biology.

I have only just stopped bleeding but towards the end it did go bright red.

iPhone happy here so can post with dd on my lap! Apologies for the poor punctuation though

A friend had same problem with ds only sleeping on his parents chest - they resorted to putting him on his front on the basis that the SIDS risk is still low, but also sAw a cranial osteoPath which turned things around totally.

Cheryl - I have had same thing with v heavy bleeding again, including a large clot, but dr reckoned it is my period. I'm not convinced. He also told me the thrush symptoms were a bad latch - so going for a second opinion next week.

Tried to co sleep last night with Isadora on her back next to me but as soon as I put her down she woke up crying and would not settle even with me next to her she then went on a feeding frenzy for pretty much the whole night, she seems to get really panicky about it all. ended up with her back on my chest. Think that putting her down on her tummy might be the solution bit scared to try though.
WhatWillSantaBring - I had thought about cranial sacral therapy I know a few others who have tried it and its helped with other problems will look into it.
DF - I sympathize my DH does his best to help but I always hear the same "I dont have breasts she needs feeding" comments, quite frustrating when I think I have finally found 20 mins for a bath!!

Morning, thanks for the advice, have been googling away and there are lots of people asking about a 1st very heavy period. It does seem to have slowed down a fair bit overnight and while heavier than what I would usually have is much less than the last couple of days. However I've been hit yet again by this flueyness that I keep getting.

Chooster thanks for the advice re the Close sling, how do you get the cross in the middle of your back? When it's in the middle of my back it's too loose and the front is quite low,meaning when I put Caitlin in she is down at my belly which pulls on my back and is obviously very uncomfortable. When I tighten it up the cross goes up between by shoulder blades, this is much more comfortable but also means DD is up high when in the sling so that the top of her head is about mouth level on me. I spent a while last week unthreading it and refolding and threading. Boy was that a long job!

I sorted out contraception last week, currently on mini-pill, although not been an issue as I bled for nearly 4wks, then DP was ill and then this period arrived so unfortunatley not had to worry (I'm gagging for it! ), but yes I got fed up with the looks when saying no not yet when questioned if I'd sorted contraception out.

Kellestar. DD also has/had quite a lot of spots, especially on the right side of her face, perfectly normal although slightly ruins that perfect baby skin look. Hers has now almost gone after about 2wks.

CJ I also let DD feed until she comes off on her own or falls asleep.

WWSB are there any nice BF support groups near you?

We don't have a set in stone routine here, I'm not a big routine person, but DD does tend to have her own built in routine. She usually has her last feed of the day at about 10.30-11, then sleeps 'til 4am, then back to sleep until 7ish. That's only the last few days though as she was feeding about 9, then 2, then being wide awake from 5! Once we're up in the morning we put her in her swing (best £30 we've spent on her!) and she sleeps until about now. During the day she feeds pretty much every 3hrs. She sleeps on her playmat on her belly after her lunchtime feed until her dinnertime feed and then she is usually awake in the evening.

She's smiling loads and I can't help staring at her with a big grin on my face when she does which just makes her smile even more!

Mmm, I had the same trouble but found that if I pulled on the material at the bottom more forward from my hips than downwards it tightened the whole of the material at the front and kept the cross low on my back....

Hello ladies,
Hannah is now six weeks old and weighs 11lb 5oz. The mastitis finally cleared last week but the milk duct is still blocked. A friend recommended grated raw potato in my bra - dunno if it was that or the fact that I'd finished the course of antibiotics.

Like Chooster I'm also vaguely following the Baby Whisperer EASY routine.
EAT: 40 minutes eating/winding
ACTIVITY: Nappy change, bicycling legs, tummy time and then happy song. As soon as I see the first yawn, it's two goes of Frere Jacques.

SLEEP: Two hours.
YOU: Chores or a nap.

She stays in her Moses basket during the day in the living room. I sleep in the spare bedroom with her in the basket beside me at night. What works for me is putting Hannah down while she is still awake. HEr first yawn usually occurs after she's been awake for an hour. She doesn't always go straight to sleep and will kick her legs about. If she cries, I will pick her up and do Frere Jacques again and gently tap her back gently and put her back down (confidently saying It's time for sleep, see you later).

CJMommy When DD is feeding and it feels "fluttery" or "tickly", I take DD off and wind her.

Lovely to hear of smiles :)

I was very proud of myself this morning - got DD and DS fed washed dressed and out of the house in time to walk to shcool - and we got there 10mins early

*school

Bob has turned into a monster. From about 6pm every eveing he cries and cries and there's nothing we can do to stop him except feed him which causes more wind and more crying. It's awful.

:(

Sorry to hear that DF I've always thought continuously crying babies must be so hard to cope with. I've heard that quite a few babies get ratty at about 6pm but I'm not clear why.