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Post-natal clubs

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January 2011

602 replies

MacMomo · 16/01/2011 14:03

Thought we should have a post-natal thread so we can stay together from our ante-natal one. Technically, DD was a December baby after coming early on new years eve; hope you don't mind if I stay with the January group after all this time. How is everyone doing?

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deedee321 · 28/04/2011 18:35

I've had quite a few evenings with wine - usually 1 or 2 glasses, on one special occasion had 3! Advice I've received is reasonable amounts are no problem, as long as not all the time. You can def enjoy a few wine evenings on holiday - if you've not had any for a year, 2 glasses will prob feel loads!!

LadyPelvicFloorsOfSteel · 28/04/2011 20:25

Envy at Egypt- I'm sure it'll be great! Nice shady spot and plenty of ice in your drink(s) Grin

DS2 is still a bit unpredictable with evening/night feeds so I've only had an occasional small glass. With DS1 I didn't worry about having a few drinks once I knew that I wasn't feeding him until the next morning.

Hannah1890 · 30/04/2011 17:46

Hello all,
not been on in a very long time but just been catchng up with everyones news and so glad to here that all babies sound to be doing so well. All fine here been trying to keep busy after feeling so lonely when Rory was first born,
Enjoying him being able to interact and actually play alot more and being very giggly.

Been having major teething troubles though and wondered if anyone had any advice? for the past 3 weeks hes been rly dribbly but the past few days hes needed a finger constantly in his mouth to chew, bought him a teething ring today but although he can put it in his mouth cant hold it there for long so Im left holding it, any advice greatly appreciated!

Also very jealous of Egypt and all inclusive, Ive also indulged in a few nights of a couple of glasses of wine which I was told is fine for bf , went straight to my head though.

Almost a yr since i found out I was pregnant time just seems to have gone so quick has made me reflect on how different things are now and I love it!

Hope everyones enjoying cuddles and smiles, good luck to all those potty training!!

PelvicFloorsOfSteel · 30/04/2011 20:46

Hello again hannah, glad you're back! I found it really lonely when DS1 was born, do you have a sure start centre close by? I went to every group I could - new baby, baby massage, baby oasis - and eventually met some 'mummy' friends.

I've never found a really effective remedy for teething, tried gel, powder and an assortment of teething toys. I found the rings which you cool down in the fridge marginally better but I'm afraid you'd probably still have to hold onto them for him. Quite often once the first teeth are through the rest bother them less, not at all pleasant but it does pass.

Currently trying to work out how to make DS2 do bedtime, he seems to drift off about 7:30 but treats it like the last nap of the day and is then wide awake until about 10. I'm torn between loving getting a bit of totally relaxed time with him and thinking it's about time we had our evenings back. What time do all the other babies turn in?

DS1 finally spent the whole day in one pair of trousers today for the first time since we started potty training! Grin

Hope everyone enjoyed the extra bank holiday Smile.

deedee321 · 30/04/2011 21:52

Ds has come out in chickenpox today :(. Blistery rash looks so sad and harsh on his baby skin.

readyornot2011 · 01/05/2011 13:59

Welcome back Hannah glad your enjoying DS. Sorry to hear about the chicken pox deedee hope it clears up fast.

Just emerging from another growth spurt, boobs soar, huge and leaky again. It's bloomin hard work. I woke up shattered this morning, unfortunately DH woke up horny Hmm.

DD is really getting the hand of holding things and is beginning to roll too. I should be pleased but I must admit I'm dreading her being able to move about, it opens a whole new can of motherhood worms. I put her down for a nap on her back and when I check on her she's on her side, or even (just today) her front. As I type she is lying on her front in her cot sleeping soundly and I'm torn between letting her sleep and rolling her back again. What do people think. So far I have opted for checking every other minute that she's still breathing!

Glad to hear others are enjoying a few drinks, 9 months was long enough for me to go without. Took DD along to a hen do weekend last week, all very civilised, a cottage, spa, afternoon tea at chatsworth and a few glasses of wine rather that clubbing and L-plates and my Mum came along to help. But the other Mums in my real life postnatal group seemed a bit Shock about it when I told them. I do realise I'm lucky to be able do that kind of thing but (runs and ducks for cover) DD is so relaxed and contented 95% of the time, she was no bother at all. Just felt a bit guilty when they all looked at me like I was mad and irresponsible. Think the corresponding weddings going to be very hard work though as I'm a bridesmaid, DH is working so can't come and DD is only 'invited' (allowed to come after I put my foot down) to the evening do. Luckily my parents live close-ish to the venue up North and will be delighted to help again but I'm not looking forward to it at all.

Hope everyones enjoying the sunshine, bit windy here (Buckingham) but still nice.

readyornot2011 · 02/05/2011 20:02

Spoke too soon, growth spurt continues. Up nearly every hour last night, fingers crossed for tonight Confused

PelvicFloorsOfSteel · 02/05/2011 21:39

deedee poor DS Sad

ready I wish I'd had the confidence to get out and about more when DS1 was young (although he was a colicky nightmare who probably wouldn't have appreciated it). I think it sounds great taking DD on a hen night, I've taken DS2 out to dinner a few times but obviously it's harder with DS1 to juggle as well. Definitely enjoy this time while you can Smile. Fingers crossed for a quiet night too.

Hannah1890 · 03/05/2011 09:17

pelvic Thankyou for the tips at this point we'll give anything a go cold teething ring seems to help for a bit. just hoping the first tooth will be through soon.

We had the same sort of problem with deciding a bed time, we weren't sure whether was best leaving him up till 10 and getting a full night sleep or having evenings to ourselves, we decided to save our evenings now, DS goes down between 7-8 but means a 4/5 o clock feed and 7 o clock wake up, loving having a bit of adult time again though.

oh no deedee hope DS is ok poor thing.

ready I think good on you for taking DD if you've got such a good baby then definately make the most of it! Hope the growth spurts calming down.

Does anyone do any activities with their LO's recently did a couple of baby massage classes and loved it just to give me something to do with DS an get out of the house, wondered if anyone else could recommend anything?

readyornot2011 · 03/05/2011 13:04

Hi Hannah I'm starting baby massage this week, little bit apprehensive as it starts at 9.30 in the next village I'm still not very speedy in the mornings. Also do Gymboree www.gymboree-uk.com/ every week which is really good fun and gives me lots of ideas on how to play with my DD, (sounds daft but I didn't really know what to do with someone who couldn't hold things/see colours/focus/talk/walk when she first arrived but now we have lots of fun together. Our local sure start centre organises lots of things particularly for first time mums, do you have sure start where you live?

Went to get DD weighed today, all this hard work growth spurting and she is still on the same curve (a lower curve than she started on) nevermind she is gaining weight & happy so nothing to worry about really, just thought all that extra work and lack of sleep might produce some kind of spike. There were lots of Mums there with 2 DC's, ladies I solute you, I don't know how I'll cope with a toddler let alone a baby and a toddler!

deedee321 · 03/05/2011 23:29

Gymboree sounds great! None near me though. I took my dd to baby signing (Sing & Sign) from 7 months, Jo Jingles (from maybe slightly older) and Musical Minis. They were all good, but think there's prob not a lot for this current age group apart from Gymboree. Baby swimming? Mum and baby groups?
Definitely agree that hen-do with baby sounds lovely!!
My poor wee ds is in such a state, can hardly bear it. Chickenpox on his tongue, his eyelids, his ears...worst on his little back and thighs. He is coping really well with it but it just makes me want to cry!

PelvicFloorsOfSteel · 04/05/2011 23:34

That sounds awful deedee, has your DD got it as well?

hannah I'd definitely second ready's suggestion of surestart, most of them do loads of activities, I did new baby group, baby oasis and baby massage at ours. There's generally a few other groups (like stay and play) which are a bit hectic when they're tiny but are good when they're older. If you have a local library most of them do bounce and rhyme, great refresher if you can't remember the words to any nursery rhymes. It's also worth finding out about any local parent and toddler groups - they vary a lot in age suitability but some are good. Out of the 2 we go to, one would be worth taking DS2 on his own as they have a lovely baby area, the other is pretty hopeless for babies and DS2 spends most of it in the sling so he doesn't get trampled by rampaging toddlers - DS1 loves it though so DS2 just has to put up with it.

DS2 has finally produced after 4 days without doing a poo! I know it's perfectly normal for bf babies, but he's always been pretty regular and DS1 used to do several a day so it was a bit worrying, also from day 3 he got really tetchy and he's normally a very laid back little soul so I'm sure it was bothering him. He seems to be doing much better after his enormous explosion. On a more positive note DS1 has only had 1 accident in the last 4 days so I think his potty training is finally coming together. Smile I'm really looking forward to the days when I don't have to spend as much time obsessing over other people's bladders and bowels...Grin

blanchedevereaux · 06/05/2011 21:19

Hello everyone,

Just caught up on all your news. Having a rollercoaster here as well. DD2 still has snotty cold, cough and now a heat rash. It's on her head, trunk and legs. Doesn't seem to be bothering her too much but looks horrible. When she is 6 months she will have an immune system of iron!!

DD1's potty training went VERY well. We have had a couple of poo accidents in pants but she is excellent with the wees. Just one accident in Sainsbury's ("cleaner to aisle 3" lol) and she has got it!

I had a 3rd degree tear with DD2 and went back to see the consultant today. All ok though my pelvic floor is rated 2 out of a 0 to 5 scale so need to get on with those exercises!!!!

EBF here and I am going to a concert next Saturday. CBA fannying about with a bottle but wondered if anyone had an success with giving BM in a tommy tippee or doidy cup? I'm only away for one feed and will fill her up before I go (her timings are still so erratic anyway) so I'm sure she will manage. Will report back anyway!

We go to baby swimming and baby cinema here. Also do some running with the buggies with friends. The rest of the time I seem to spend in cafes eating cake!

PelvicFloorsOfSteel · 08/05/2011 22:21

blanche I've still only managed to find time to express once so haven't tried a bottle/cup or anything else... sorry not much help.

Managed to get DS2 to bed at 8 on fri, which is the earliest he's gone yet. I thought it was the start of things improving but then it took til 9 to get him to sleep on sat and 9.30 tonight so we seem to be slipping backwards again. I really need to get him into better habits as I've finally signed up for another OU module (first since before DS1 was born) - it's only a 10 pointer and the assessment is flexible so I can postpone for a few months if it takes longer than expected but I'm still a bit nervous Confused.

It's very quiet on here, hope everyone's doing well!

Hannah1890 · 08/05/2011 23:33

thankyou for everyones advice about activities, have been to the sure start centre and signed up for swimming next week but apart from that the only thing available was the stay and play. Still keeping a look out but think having no car is making it hard, but looking forward to swimming.

pelvic weve been all over the place with bedtime and sleep routines recently as well, Rory has gone from sleeping through the night to waking up for 2 feeds, hoping its a short term thing but its just so hit and miss at the moment.good luck with the OU module, Im going on placement in June to get back into my uni course and already nervous.

deedee hope DS is better poor thing

beatofthedrum · 09/05/2011 19:25

He's all better now thanks :), hardly a spot in sight. Was scared he was going to be left with scars, but def don't think so.
We've got much quieter on here, hopef that means we're all coping! I've had to express quite a bit recently, just to give poor torn nipples a break! He's now pretty good with a bottle, but I was thinking would try a doidy cup too Blanche,think is a good skill to have iykwim, much less messing about - it's all the sterilising and clipping pieces of equipment together that makes expressing so time-consuming.
'Tis deedee by the way, fancied a change of name :)

WalkTheDog · 09/05/2011 20:59

Hi
just quick check in to say hello and that I haven't forgotten you all, will try to read backthrough all your news, not been online much and when I have been checking out BF/weaning info. Not planning on weaning until around 6mths, but being told by too many people I should start at end of week when DD is 17 wks - checking out the research etc, and still happy that 6mth mark works for us.

DD doing well, still feeds frequently and is needing more night feed/comfort - since 2nd injections has been waking up crying, not all the time but rarely did before.

We've been swimming, which she loves. Also doing bookbugs (used to be called rhymetime).

My joints have started to play up, they were so good during my pg - about ther only thing that was! I feel like 100 when getting LO out of her crib during the middle of the night..lol!

gurgles to you all :)

blanchedevereaux · 10/05/2011 11:37

Yes, weaning will be here soon! I did BLW with DD1 and hope to do the same this time. Have even less time to make purees than I did with DD1!

Night sleep all over the place here. Awake 5 times last night. Sometimes she isn't really awake but is thrashing about the place with her eyes closed. She has mild eczema (getting better) which must be a bit itchy. As we co-sleep it wakes me up and I end up putting her on the boob so I can get back to sleep. Looking forward to 6 months so she can go in her own room and thrash away to her hearts content!!

How we all doing for naps? She just can't get beyond the 20 minute mark unless in pram or car. So frustrating. I hope she begins to stretch it out soon. Can't get a thing done during the day. As if on cue, she's awake.

Got the Bumbo out the loft this weekend and she likes to sit up in it for short periods. Might get the grass cut today.....

PelvicFloorsOfSteel · 10/05/2011 20:36

My course materials have arrived! In theory that means I should be spending a bit less time on MN but I'm having one last procrastination session (course doesn't officially start until 14th so I don't have to feel too guilty yet).

I did BLW with DS1 at 6 months and it worked really well so I'll probably do the same with DS2. I had him sat in the highchair with some toys while DS1 and I had lunch today and was thinking it'll be great when we can all eat together.

Naps are pretty rubbish here, I've not been trying the cot because even the buggy has been a washout lately. DS2 sleeps in the patapum or our arms and that's it! DS1 was exactly the same at this age and he happily takes himself off to bed now so I'm sure DS2 will get there in the end.

Hannah1890 · 11/05/2011 15:50

Rory actually had his first spoon full of baby rice today, he's 17 weeks and sitting up he's also huge so we've decided to start. . Seemed to enjoy it though and grabbed the spoon off me an into his mouth so I obviously wasn't doing a good enough job! Not sure about the ways of weaning have heard of baby led weaning and then my Mum saying just puree everything, guess I need to look up all of this.

Napping is going well here although seems to have come as night time sleep has gone to pot. Now have two feeds in the night but don't know if that has something to do with him just being so big he needs more milk. Also were still having to swaddle him to get him to sleep so need to start weaning him off that... If we don't though he ends up moving himself all the way up his cot and banging his head on the end of the cot!

Going into uni on friday and as they asked me to go in at short notice and I have no one to look after Rory they told me to bring him in for my hour long practical... could be interesting, but hopefully he'll be good.

WalkTheDog · 13/05/2011 11:01

Reading backwards through the thread, while seeing if DD can settle herself for a nap (hmm, unlikely!)

Hannah1890 site re baby led weaning www.babyledweaning.com/ Beware though they are very pro waiting until 6months (or just a little before) and approach only really works from then. I had thought a month ago I would start DD weaning today (17 wks), after reading a few things, have decided to hold off. Sounds like your DS enjoyed his first. Hope uni trip works out.

good luck with course pelvic

blanche brave you still co-sleeping. I sometimes bring DD into bed if we are too early to get up (so OH can keep sleeping, dog hounds him for her walk, once DD and I get up), and she can give me some good thumps with her flying arms. She has taken to hitting me at times when feeding, hoping she gets more coordinated soon!

Friends promised us their bumbo, put they gave a short loan to someone else to try and they can't get it back.

blanche asked to be referred or if you can self refer for physio re pelvic floor. They can be loads of help. Leaflet here www.acpwh.org.uk/docs/leaflets/ACPWH-PelvicFloor.pdf

beatofthedrum nice new name! Oh poor your nipples, but good he can take a bottle. DD now refusing, mainly as we haven't offered her a bottle often enough, as I have been struggling to find time to express. Thinking we might just go onto cup. Seen the doidy ones, but also read that mini glasses work quite well too. Still have one from the hospital and we have two brilliant sized after shock plastic ones - might get black mark against us for that..lol! Just read re chickenpox, poor wee one.

Naps intersting here!. DD will scream (and I mean a horrid sound as if I am putting her down onto a bed of nails), or just lie wide awake and giggle, until gets fed up and then start grumping. Tried pre tired, timing, winding down, BFing, white noise, swaddle....All really hit and miss. Some days great. others not so. Yesterday she woke at 730, had 10mins in car on way to swimming, 20 mins on way home, 30mins in buggy while out with dog, then 1 1/2hr just before bedtime! And I had tried to settle her down at other times. She will sleep for longer after car rides or walks, so guessing if she needed it yesterday she would have kept sleeping.

Night sleeps also gone from waking once/twice to between four and six times, but she feeds and falls asleep quickly, or she'll wake talk to herself and then fall back to sleep. Thankfully crying at night has mostly stopped.

ready if DD can roll back and fore fine, then she can sleep on side/front, but if she can't they recommend returning to her back. But if you are with her, then I'd leave her to sleep as you are checking up on her. Jealous that DD is relaxed enough for you to go to a hen do and can't believe there were issues re you taking DD to evening do if you are a bridesmaid. Our wedding is in 10 weeks (yikes!, no outfit for me or DD yet, done very little apart from book do at hotel), and we will have a 2 mth old, a 4 mth old, a 6mth old, a 13 mth old ,a 2 year old and three 4 year olds (and two teenagers), will be like a creche! It is quite a small do, so kids will be very much part of it. But I know that a couple of the adults will be more of an issue. Wondering how in the world I will manage to be a bride and BF - will be a bit odd! Hopefully DD will have stopped crying whenever someone else tries to hold her (or if she is tired, even just look at her). She has started this over the past month and OH's mother is quite upset about it.

cadlecrap a real holiday - how lovely.

Have reached top of pg 15, DD still asleep (nnedeed help to get there), so feel I should go do something else other than chat! Must try and come on more often than have such a long thread

PelvicFloorsOfSteel · 13/05/2011 22:50

Awful, awful napping at the moment, I should be doing something far more productive now but my brain is too frazzled. DS2 has had about 6 really short naps today, we made it out to new baby group - which was just lovely, I'd forgotten how calm and peaceful it was compared to toddler groups, had a friend round for lunch and started some of my course reading.

hannah how did your practical go? I'm just about managing doing a bit of reading while DS2 snoozes on my lap but not sure how he'd be in a lesson.

walk glad you've returned Smile, do you have any idea what sort of dress you want? I've seen a couple of brilliant online shops for bfing dresses linked to from MN but not sure if they'd be quite bridal enough!

Hannah1890 · 14/05/2011 08:22

walkthe dog thank you for the link, I know I was a bit worried about starting him at 4 months but spoke to the health visitor about it and he ticks all the boxes with sitting up and able to put it in his mouth etc. Just sticking with the baby rice for now though. How exciting about your wedding!! I keep seeing such lovely mini bridesmaid dresses and they're so gorgeous!! makes me broody for a little girl lol

pelvic practical was absolutely fine, DS was an absolute star! was truly amazed especially because he was really tired (had a nightmare night) but he just sat there chewing on his teddys ear, had a very proud mummy moment, especially after Id been really worried about it. Impressed by your reading I really need to get on top of all my reading but when hes asleep at the moment im just so knakard! lol need to get motivated I think.

WalkTheDog · 14/05/2011 13:26

pelvic just started looking. Will have a look via MN, but any names of sites you remember let me know. I've lost all pg weight and another 1/2 stone, would love to loose another stone, so I am back to what I was pre putting on weight pre pg (if that makes sense!), but my body shape has really changed. My boobs are a tight size 14 (really should be a 16), I no longer have a waist and hips - just a straight line!, and they are a size 12 (with a jelly belly...yuk!). Hannah have seen some cute dresses for DD.

glad practical went well Hannah

are you taking any of your reading in pelvic? I have major baby brain and I was fine during pg - must be the lack of good sleep.

PelvicFloorsOfSteel · 14/05/2011 20:41

walk this is the thread with all the links on it. I think my favourite site was babes with babies, I know there was one particular dress I loved but without following all the links I'm not 100% certain that was the site (although it looks familiar). I sort of tried to blank it out as I've not got any events coming up so can't justify buying any lovely dresses [sigh].

hannah Well done to your DS, what a star Smile

The reading is easy at the moment because it's about something I've done a lot of at work so it doesn't matter whether I'm really taking it in, later on I'm going to need a lot more concentration as it gets more complicated at the same time as getting into topics I know a lot less about Confused. It means at the moment I can keep up with the study plan without much time or effort but I'm probably going to regret not getting a bit ahead of myself for when it gets more difficult...