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?

Where has the time gone??? Never have chance to post anymore; usually by the time I have caught up on the recent posts, DD wakes up!

Well, we went to the DR's to discuss silent reflux and he said he had never heard of it and therefore did not exist! However, i discussd her symptoms again and suggested a few articles that he may want to read on the subject. I also dropped in that I work in health and have come across this in a professional capacity, at which point he prescribed Gaviscon . It has actually worked and DD much more settled now. She will even go down in her cot occasionally for longer then 10 mins .

I did think that DD was finally 'getting' the sleep thing as she would only sleep in our bed but is currently on her third long stetech of sleep in 24hrs, in her cot!! However, from your posts, it's a growth spurt (6 weeks).

Is anyone expressing? How much do you get and how often do you do it? I only manage to do it once in the morning if both DD and DS are asleep at the same time and only manage 2 oz max - I guess I need to do it more often but it's finding the time!!

Going to get hair cut and coloured at the weekend - DH said he will be fine with DD and I will leave him with some milk. Will be gone for around 3 hrs - has anyone who is EBF left their little one yet? How did it go?

Anyway, here's to a peaceful evening x

P.S. Forgot to add, I'm interested to see all the discussions on routines. Nothing remotely routine related going on here except DD will not go to sleep until at least 11.30pm every night. Still having very fussy evenings and cluster feeding like a fiend but still only 6 weeks! DS found his own routine around 12 weeks so not expecting anything at the moment.

thanks pjen and rudbekia for your advice. I guess we're up at about 8 - 8.30 most mornings and I have recently managed to get him to nap around 10am for a bit. I think he's definitely overtired (today certainly) and so perhaps I'll just let him sleep on me if he wants to rather than keeping trying to get him to settle in the moses basket. A least then he's getting long stretches of sleep. I only really notice his lack of daytime sleep if I stay in, most days I seem to be out and about and he sleeps in the car or pram. Is this a bad thing?

Night time is fine at the moment really but I would like him to go down earlier.

I am quite happy to let him set his own routine but not if he's sleep deprived as a result.

maybe it's just a growth spurt and I shouldn't stress.

DH is in work all day and so if I do stay in I feel alone, plus there's not much he can do even when he gets home. I'll stop moaning now

df i bought a baby swing off ebay (£3!) and isabel will fall asleep in that as she likes the constant movement, it maybe worth looking for one or seeing if anyone you know has one that you could try as they are very expensive if he doesn't like it IYSWIM. I think sleeping in the pram or car is fine, any sleep must be better than none

last night Isabel actually slept in her moses basket rather than in bed with me only 2 hours, then another 1.5, but it felt like an achievement :) it was the first night that she has actually been sleepy at night time and so I could settle her, but may be growth spurt tiredness I got a bit over excited and started thinking about routines but may be a bit too soon after one night!

hi pjen lovely to see you are back, I sympathise with the crappy christmas, oh well i'm sure the next one will be lovely with our little 1 year olds!!

big wave to everyone else xxxxxxx

DF I also support what kittybump says, downstairs I have a chair bouncer/rocker that Bea will sleep in, she hates her moses basket with a passion and will yell until removed. But the bouncer is adjustable so you can sit her up/lie down and you can also nudge it with your toe to rock/bounce it. I've developed quite a technique and it settles her really well. The movement is what works, but she'll sit quietly if it isn't moving for a while. She wants to be in motion all the time, she's also indicated that she prefers to see what's going on rather than lying back, nosey monkey that she is.

I didn't manage to get a nap, my sister visited and we went to Cabot's Circus for the day. I am starting to feel tired now and can't wait to head to bed in a short while. I feel satisfied with my lists written in the wee hours and managed to get in a little bit of crochet.

My milk is finally in and feel much less emotional, 7 weeks and hit the growth spurt, and I think a surge in my hormones too :) Last week i felt crappy, this week I seem to feel a little more in control, and not under the weather.

PJEN & kittybump I agree that this christmas was a write off, inevitable really, no matter how hard you to try. I can't wait 'til christmas next year with Bea, it's going to be so exciting and I am usually very festive.

Must go, Bea has the hiccups from hell, making her bouncer bounce without my aid!

CJMommy had my haircut on saturday and left DH with DD - all fine (managed to fit inbetween feeds).

i have expressed and he's fed her a couple of times because we felt it would be useful if i was ill/had to be away etc. we've not experienced any problems with EBF feeding as yet - has your DD taken anything from a bottle before? TBH it shouldn't be an issue but i do know of some babies who resolutely refused bottles

as to the how often and how much - depends - i usually manage about 4floz if i leave it 2hrs after a feed and i don't do it more than twice in a day as my boobs go into overdrive! from what i've read breastmilk can be kept in a sterilised container in the fridge for up to 5 days which helps if you only manage to find time to express once in a day.

I have a couple of bouncy chair things but Bob has never fallen asleep in one - possibly because he's never been in it long enough. He likes to be held upright and carried about (by me) or cradled (by DH). At the moment I am feeling a bit crap, that Bob loves DH more than me. I think it's because I am with him all day and all night so exhausted and stressed while DH spends some time with him in the evenings which is just more 'fun' than me as I am stressed and knackered and not so interesting apart from the fact that I have breasts.

DH has a week off next week which hopefully he can spend taking some of the burden off me. I long for just an hour, a whole hour, to do my own thing without interruption but it's impossible with Bob basically attached to me 24/7. I just hope I don't spend all of next week feeling resentful and pissed off like I am today.

I absolutely love having Bob, and he was so wanted, but I am feeling really knackered now and there's just no relief at all.

Hi PJen great to hear from you

glad some of our poorly ladies are beginning to feel better

DF you sound like me after I had DD - being a new mum can be tough for so many different reasons. It doesn't reflect in anyway on your love for your baby. It's quite a culture change to stop 'full time' paid work to stay at home with a baby which truly is full time work. Definitely treat yourself to some me time while your DH is off work. You've earned it!

We've had an eventful few days - Sunday DH and I went to see Jimmy Carr, yesterday, I spent a lovely afternoon with a dear friend of mine and the eraly hours of this morning, we were awake feeding Matthew and discovered our next door neighbour's car (parked very close to the front of our house and our cars) was on fire Had to wake up DD as her bedroom was close to it and we weren't sure if we'd have to leave the house or not. I wonder what the rest of this week has in store....

DF I agree with max, I felt this way after having DD and part of it is the shock of how much your life has changed. The 24/7 thing is tough, but it is honestly not forever and Bob will settle into his own routine in time and you will get your evenings back. DD was very like Bob and so is William. It is hard going and sometimes I just want some time off but it will come. If your DH can take Bob for a bit whilst you have a bath or something and read a book or mag - if he takes him out for a walk in sling or in the car you can be fairly certain Bob will fall asleep and you can relax for your hour off.

DD also found DH more intersting and saved all her smiles and laughs for him which was frustrating, but it was me she wanted as her security. I saw a lovely post about BF the other day about how much more than just food it is. You are Bob's world right now, he loves and needs you- that's why he wants to be close and carried by you all the time. It's hard when they seem to give more back to your partner - unfortunately the one who has been out all day often seems more entertaining. FWIW William has given a couple of his best smiles to total strangers!

Rambling now, sorry. Just wanted to try and reassure you what you are feeling is totally normal and ir will honestely get better.

max your neighbour's car was on fire!! Did the fire brigade have to come and put it out?

kelle which bouncer did you have? William loves his bouncy vibrating chair and will nap in it but it doesn't go flat and it's quite small so he is already nearly out of it!

Hi Girls,
I just ordered a pillow to prevent flathead syndrom after noticing a slight flat head spot on DD... Hope it is as good as the reviews claim it. I am off today to a fitness class for new mums. I did it last week too. You bring your lil one in buggy and run with them and do a booty training outside while they sleep deeply. It is sooo fun.... Last week the weather was crap and I had sore body for at least 4-5 days. Today it is sunny and I can't wait. Afterwards we go for a coffee with the moms, which is also lovely... Have to run... Hope all of you can get out to enjoy the sunshine a bit....
lots of love

Hello everyone. So sorry, I haven't been here for ages. I did do a very brief quick scan of recent posts, but have probably missed loads.

PJEN, great to see you. We should meet up and see if we can drag any other West Londers along. I laughed when I read in your post "I don't believe in letting my baby cry". Just want to wish you luck with having ababy that doesn't cry.

DF, your boy is just like mine. Fusses whenever I put him down AT HOME. Sleeps for ages in the pram. This means I can never do any of the housework that is so behind. I just end up leaving the house when I can't listen to the fussing any more and my arm feels like it is going to fall off from holding him.

(excuse me whilst I go get the little fuss pot who clearly doesn't appreciate his very cool swing)

ok, I am back now. You had a rough time with a pretty traumatic delivery and you now sound rather down. Remember to take a break whe you need one. That might mean handing Bob to DH on Saturday and going for a coffee. Or it might mean hiring a babysitter for a few hours one morning. You cannot be superwoman. Don't try.

And I am sure Bob loves you loads. Boys and their mums, you know... He just isn't old enough to express it. Although it is probably why he cries for you every time you put him down.

Now, for everyone who has a routine I am most impressed. Our only routines involve older children and a mad rush to get all three out the door by 7:45.

And baths every day... Oh now I am definitely a slacker because DS2 is lucky to get one a week. He doesn't seem to care though. In fact, I think he'd prefer to skip the one.

Hey Strix so nice to hear from you too. Oh she DOES cry and actually we had a total tantrum/ meltdown today in restaurant. What I meant is that I don't believe in letting a baby cry herself to sleep and not sooth her. I was talking about ''3 nights cry sleep technic''. I don't believe babies cry without a reason and therefore should be soothed. Like mine gets scared overstimmulated and frustrated when we are out for too long and cries. She seem to get scared of all different faces and sounds and is fine but suddenly it becomes too much for her. Anyway, I'm absolutely up for a meet up. Name the place and time and I shall be there :)

yes WLL we had the whole caboodle - fire engine, ambulance, police. DD quite enjoyed watching them all at work. Shame it was silly o'clock in the morning at the time! The poor couple next door who are really old and frail, are very shaken up and apparantly the man fell over in the middle of everything. I hope they get over it.

strix great to hear from you - I was just thinking about you yesterday! I'm loving that you're as slack as me on the bath front. And I'm hearing you on the getting out the house for school - and I only have 1 to get to school.

pjen your fit class sounds fab, hope you had a good time. I used to go to this amazing step class but the instructor left and the new one just wasn't anywhere near as good. I really miss it.

Going to take Matthew to be weighed today. Have a good day everyone.

Anyone around? Had our six week baby check today and we've been referred to test for Down's due to a flat nasal bridge and a single palm crease. She didn't tell me that it was a referral for Down's but a quick google search has shown me that what its for.

Going a bit mental with worry and wondering how long we're going to have to wait to see someone. With other things going on at the moment, I'm scared this will tip me over the edge...

:(

hi wwsb, sorry no-one has been here sooner to talk, and sorry you're in for a worrying wait. it seems a bit weird that she didn't explain her concerns to you and left you to figure it out yourself.
have you looked up the other common indicators? things like floppy joints and slanted eyes www.babycentre.co.uk/baby/health/downssyndrome/, a few of them seem to be things most babies will have like a flat head at the back.... sorry i'm probably not helping.
i did just read that 10% of the population have the single palm crease on one hand and 5% have it on both (without having DS) so is not very indicative and surely all babies have a flat nose bridge?
Did you have any of the screening tests whilst pg? Also did they check your baby's hands in the newborn tests (should be in your red book). When will you find out when your appt. is? I think i'd ask to speak with the GP who referred you to discuss her concerns.
Big hug xx

Oh WWSB, so sorry you're going through this. How odd that doctor didn't tell you what the tests are for. Single palm crease is very common. Sending you lots of love.

wwsb

I don't know if link will be of any use/help

www.bupa.co.uk/individuals/health-information/directory/d/downs-syndrome

but it seems to suggest that a diagnosis of Down's tends to happen very soon after birth (i.e. midwives etc trained to identify the characteristics of it......)and as a result I am suprised that this has not been picked up on before. Who did your newborn checks? I would be asking the people involved with you and the baby post-natally some very serious questions, including hurrying them up with a date for the referral. In the meantime, whilst I'm sure this will be almost impossible, try not to worry too much xxx

So sorry you have this worry wwsb... the GP seems to have acted in a very odd way. It seems very cruel to not detail her concerns and let you find out yourself. In the age of google she must have known you would do some digging. Did she say that the tests were exactly - blood test? So sorry you are going through this... Please come back and let us know how you are...

Thanks all- dh came home so had lots of support last night, but been worrying myself silly. I don't know why it hasn't been picked up till now- no mention of it at birth. NT scan at 13 weeks put us at low risk, but I guess the odds of 1 in 2500 means that someone is going to be the one at somepoint. Trying not to look at other symptoms as I've already convinced myself that she has them all and I hate the fact that I can now see it in her eyes when yesterday they seemed "normal".

don't get me wrong, no matter what the dx, I still love DD totally and think she's perfect- I just don't want anyone else to think she's not perfect. Am also v scared of what the future holds if she does have it, both in selfish terms of how will it affect our lives, and in the fear of the prejudices she will suffer.

Just hoping we get seen quickly but really trying not to think about (and failing).

wwsb

big, big hugs. having worked with students for many years who have varying degress of Downs I can honestly say that, whilst there are those who will show prejudices, the real majority of people are incredibly supportive. (This includes other students at a mainstream secondary school.......)

BTW, your DD IS perfect - and anyone who thinks otherwise deserves a slap - and if things are confirmed there are support groups out there who will help you through, practically and emotionally. Of course a pos dx will affect your lives but perhaps also in really exciting and enriching ways too!

please let us know how things develop x

Pitterpatter2 is waving goodbye.

I think now is the time for me to leave Mumsnet. I know I have been so lucky in managing to conceive in the first place, in having such a trouble-free 9 months and in having such an easy time with baby Jasmine (who is fine BTW).

For some time I have felt really guilty about being unable to offer support to other members who have been less lucky. This meant I felt ill inclined to visit Mumsnet and so on.

I will always remember the good wishes and support I received here. I wish you all the best of luck in the long journey we are all just starting.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/relationships/975623-Told-I-could-never-have-children-Wrong

Wow Pitterpatter2 I've just read your thread.

What a lovely story! I think you could give lots of support and hope to people. Maybe you could just pop in every so often to give updates on Jasmine.

wwsb big hugs for you while you're waiting to hear about test. xx

AAAArgh. Baby slept more than usual last night and then most of this morning- my boobs are in agony. I now have to do the school run and she's bound to wake up starving at exactly the wrong moment.

Am feeling a lot more sorted emotionally - bit of sleep helps- but mainly cos the birth is fading from memory and am getting over the last baby thing and looking forward to what else I can do.

Good to see a few more people posting again.
WWSB of course you feel like going mental but hopefully the results will get back quickly and you can take it from there. Thoughtless GP though. {{hugs}}

pitterpatter2 The story of Jasmine is sooo sweet, it is fantastic how everything worked out for you and that your pregnancy, birth and baby have been easy. It sounds like you have great RL support too. If you change your mind you don't have to "give back" , please pop in for a chat any time if you want to,say, moan about your boobs, lol, or have a boast about Jasmine as we all like to about our babies. Best of luck on your journey, too.