January 2011

[MacMomo]

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?

DH away with work for a few days; = me knackered

today I've managed to;
go to the cinema with DD and finally see the kings speech

forget I'd started running DD's bath and flood the upstairs so badly it leaked through the ceiling

must go to bed zzzzz

really enjoying reading everyone's posts and helpful advice

Hi all.
Not much to report here. DD2 settling around 9-10pm and waking 2ish and 6:30ish still, so beginning to have some decent sleep

Haven't yet bought a kari-me. I tried the baby bjorn again yesterday afternoon, but suffering from a bad back, I last about 10 mins before I'm aching and my neck is sore - how long do you peeps last with bubba in sling? I'm wondering whether I should bother with one or persevere with making sure she's wind-free and just use the vibrating bouncer chair? it seems as long as she can see me she lets me do a fair bit until she gets restless and wants cuddles.

My supply seems to have settled more so she's not as windy anymore. I think my powerful let-down along with full-to-bursting boobs was making her gasp and swallow loads of air.

smallsniffle thanks for the reassurance about DD1's behaviour, she is really so good a majority of the time but knows how to push my buttons!

sarrita out with no pads - argh, that sounds like a nightmare! I have them stashed everywhere! change bag, handbag - (although that hasn't seen daylight since DD2's birth!), coat pockets, many rooms of house!

in other news, the weight loss from BFing seems to be slowing right down, coupled with my uncontrollable urge to eat chocolate ALL of the waking hours of day, means I need to start watching what I eat as of this week.

Tetty, I have just polished off a family size Milkybar and half a packet of Pringles - another healthy lunch - lol.

oooh Blanche I am soooo tempted to go and raid the fridge, but I am gutted at how badly I've eaten over the first few weeks of DD's life! If I had eaten more sensibly, I reckon I'd be at least 10lbs lighter by now!

I should have shares in cadburys and walkers

new week next week = new me! (yeah right)

Hi all

tetty With my Kari me, I can walk about the house (do hoover etc) and go out for about 40min walk. Make sure you are watching your posture, easy to let it all hang out and that can give you neck/back pain. Doing some gentle tummy pulls while walking can help. Also make sure the sling is snug enough to you. If you've neck/back pain at other times, check how your carry/feed/day to day things postures, when you are pg your posture goes to pot.

I lost all my baby weight by end of wk 3 but since then nothing, I was over weight pre-pg, so have been hoping that I might loose some with BF, carrying baby etc. Mind you I have been enjoying more treats than usual!

readyornot oops re bath

macmomo 8hrs!!!! I am so happy that DD sleeps for 4-5hrs at night, can't imagine 7-hrs, think OH would be up checking that she was ok.

I have DS2 in the kari-me for quite long periods, if he falls asleep I'll just leave it on until he wakes up. I find it easier if he sleeps through toddler groups so have done over 2 hours a couple of times. I have got a double buggy now and I was hoping if he fell asleep on the way somewhere I'd be able to park him for a while, only tried once and he woke the second we got there so I ended up carrying him round which is harder work than the sling.

He was weighed this morning and is 15lb 1oz at not quite 7 weeks, HV looked a bit but he's only gone up a couple of centiles since birth (96th to 98th) so not vastly unexpected. I'm guessing if he keeps going at this rate it might limit our sling time eventually though.

Babybjorns well known for giving bad backs; plenty of friends carrying babies in slings until 4-5 years old (on backs when really heavy). Have ordered my third sling - am not getting a pram for at least another month or 2, longer i hope. Try slingguide.co.uk for all the info.

Also using a swaddleme though they seem to be made to fit very chunky babies, really useful.

Weight loss stopped here as well, I am just super hungry all the time. Trying to go for beach walk every day but dont always get off the sofa!

smallsniffle 15lb 1oz wow!! Thought DD was big -almost 12lbs last week at 6wks, she's in 91st centile for weight/length/head circumference. Between her size and her real nappies finding so much 0-3 mths stuff is way too small. Have these great vest popper extenders. Think I'll become an expert at shortening trousers over the next few years as she'll need to be in the next size up to go round her rather large behind!

Bit drizzly here today, but should still get out for our walks. Try to go with pram at lunchtime then using sling we aim to go with OH when he gets home. Not yet able to take dog out for her morning walk, DD quite unsettled first thing and if she decides to start crying, the pram motion doesn't help. Until DD head control is better, can't sling and walk dog at same time.

Anyone expressing? I have done it a few times, but I've noticed that the night after I've done it, my boobs are really heavy and achy. Not getting much out, 1oz to max 3oz in 20-30mins, which is not enough to satisfy DD. Hoping it gets better or I'll not be able to leave her for long.

Hi all not been on a long while but now all the hype of new baby and lots of visitors has died down starting to feel very lonely and remembered how much being on here whilst pregnant helped.
Really great to here everyone coping so well with sleep deprevation and still amazed at those with toddlers and babies.

walkthedog ive been expressing since week 2 due to illness, but had the same problem at the start, but persevered and now wake up at 4am spend 10mins making bottle of 8ozs and head straight back to bed. Hope gets easier and quicker soon!! having my first night out tonight so been stockpiling expressed milk this week!

Im also starting to struggle to lose baby weight, weighed myself for the first time at the weekend and still 10kg heavier than before pregnant! put on alot whilst pregnant but thought id have lost it quicker with bf, but maybe all those jaffa cakes arent helping!

Hi all,
had major puke fest last night at 2am feed. DD2 decided she would gulp down tremendous amounts of air during feed, and puked over me, my hair, my bedding, her AND her grobag and grow

woke dh in spare room to try and settle dd2 while I sponged puke out of my hair, and he fell asleep with her on his lap and she was bright eyed and playful when I came back in - grrr.

I shouted at him and feel bit bad today about it but he couldve at least tried to get his butt out of bed to wind her upright over his shoulder!?! Unreasonable?

I'm having the same paranoia I had with DD1 at this 5-6 week stage. My supply has settled down leaving me no longer with that full feeling and I worry constantly that DD2 isn't getting enough
I know i'm being daft - I went through this last time, but I can't help worrying that she's not getting the right amount?! anyone else have this?

I haven't started expressing yet, DS2 is always either just finishing a feed or just starting another one so there's either not enough milk or I'm worried about not leaving enough for him. He does occasionally go longer between feeds but because there's no logic to when this happens I can't plan round it.

There's always something to be paranoid about but I always think if there's that much milk everywhere when they throw up then there's probably enough going down in the first place .

Hi all, sorry its been so long, I've been lurking at 3am when feeding but don't seem to have the energy these days to post then, I wonder why?

DD is doing well, she weighed 10lb 12oz at 8 weeks, can't believe its been 8 weeks, sometimes it feels like forever and sometimes it feels like a second has passed!

My mum came over from NZ and we had 3 fab weeks with her, it was so so hard saying goodbye, all three of us were crying!

So far I think I have a reasonably happy baby, she is quick to cry when she is unhappy thankfully that isn't very often and when she does she is quick to calm down (boob). Two weeks I think she was having a huge growth spurt and was quite crotchety at night so we decided to try the nightime routine this week, the score parents nil, child four. Oh well she'll get the hang of it eventually. For now we are trying to put her down, round seven, but if at 8:30 we are still trying, well I give up cause I want my dinner and .

Her first jab is on Monday and I think I'm gonna get some calpol and a syringe today so we are prepared. I'm also a bit nervous!

Had the HV come on Monday, which tbh was a waste of time, she made me fill out a form about pnd and then let me keep it? She dropped off some books, and that was it. I was expecting her to ask about DD, but she seemed more concerned about me going back to work DD has been doing green poo on and off so I asked about that and she said it was over feeding, but everyone tells you, you can't overfeed a bf baby?? So, since DD is pooing and weeing and eating and sleeping and smiling I'm happy!

I also tried a kari me, liked the idea of it but it took me ages to put it on, and since we were given a 2nd hand baby bjorn which takes 10 seconds to put on, I'm sticking with that. It is a miracle worker when DD is really upset, 5 mins of walking around and she's out like a light, I've even baked wearing it, hehe!

Happy weekend everyone!

quick pop in, SIL's baby will be finally arriving soon, she's in hosp being induced, hope it comes quickly, moreorried for her and baby than I once for myself.

oops - more worried and was- typing one handed and with no brain!

Beat of luck for your sis-in-law walkthedog!
Kiwi, lovely you had your mum over for a good long visit, no wonder you were sad saying goodbye.
Things going much better here. Went to Breastfeeding Support Group and was amazed to find my positioning was all wrong (breastfed dd for just over a year so had felt I knew what I was doing this time!! Had forgotten the basic 'tummy to mummy'). It has really helped! Ds is feeding for longer now (averaging about 8 mins probably instead if 3ish!) as he doesn't have to crick his neck now, poor love. He has also (and am in disbelief typing this as dd didn't do this till about 2 years old after strategy upon strategy and much hysteria) started falling asleep happily on his own - I feed him, give him little wind/cuddle, pop him in his cot awake and he happily snuffles away and goes to sleep. This seems incredible to me :). He's now waking twice per night on a good night, but the settling thing making everything much easier. Still keep him up till we go to bed - evenings are our precious time with him beaming and kicking at us once dd is in bed! - but feel start of routine has started in that he has one main nap each day for around 3 hours at half twelvish and that sustains him with other little 45 min naps as he feels like them.
And dd has conquered not only the potty but the toilet too!! (Most times :)).

Ps Sarrita, in total awe you are managing to give lectures (at all really, but just now? Wow!)

Oh long tales today!

I now have a little nephew . Quite a traumatic labour/birth, so much so that my brother didn't know if baby was alive when baby was handed to him. Main problem was a knotted and twisted cord making baby's heart rate drop. Stupid Dr afterwards told my brother that a lot of still births are caused by that. All are well and healthy, but brother says never again (very sure they will have more). Can't wait to meet the new arrival :), either this or next weekend.

deedee glad you got some help with BF. Good going dd and her toilet mastering.

kiwi nice you had your mum over for a while. Hope injections went well. I asked when I was in for my 6wk check and the receptionist said DD wasn't due until April, although I said wasn't she supposed be done at 8wks. If not had a slip in by end of week (DD 8wks then), going to recall surgery, seemingly they do them every Thursday.

I don't think you can overfeed a BF baby, but I did take Jo Frosts baby book out of library and she talked about getting baby on a schedule and increasing times between feeds so that you don't end up with a fat baby who eats too much. Everyone else I have spoken to says, feed on demand.

My DD has green poo too. MW initially said it was possibly still a meconium (sp?) pocket, but she still gets it. HV wondered if it was linked to her being jaundice (bile), took ages for her to loose the yellowing in her eyes/skin. We've looked up about it on the net and there are a few things why it can be green, but the bottom line seems to be that it can happen and don't worry about it.

poor you Tetty and DD2 re puking. Sure she is getting enough, if she is peeing, pooing, putting on weight and generally happy.

Hannah hope the lonely feeling isn't too bad. Wish I could express 8oz, but have found if time it right I am getting more out quicker. The last two nights I think I must have leaked about 10oz (ok maybe not that much!) all over me and the bed. Next time we are near any big shops going to get a mattress protector. Not too keen on having to wear a sleeping bra with pads. Did read up on lilypadz so might give them a try, quite expensive and supposed to only last for 2 months.

We are having some issues with DD's naps during the day or lack of them. She has always been a bit up and down with how long she sleeps, but usually at least every other day has a long nap at some point. Last 3 days she has only been sleeping 20-30mins, at times waking up wide awake or crying, but still tired, but can't return to sleep. Seems to be a common problem. Tried taking her up to bed yesterday, but no difference. Put her in a sleeping bag last night (best night sleep she has had, and she tends to sleep well then anyway), so going to try that for her afternoon nap (when she tends to sleep the longest). She's been asleep for the past 40mins .

Wow deedee that's an amazing amount of good news for one post. I'm very of long naps!

kiwi welldone even having the energy to lurk at 3am, I can just about manage feeding but no multi-tasking.
You've also reminded me I must book injections, I'm sure the surgery sent a reminder for DS1 but haven't had anything yet for DS2 and my brain is even less functional now than it was then.

walk congratulations on being an auntie

DS2's naps are pretty hopeless, he's only been sleeping in the sling/buggy by day lately but because we spend so much time running around doing stuff with DS1 I don't have time to try and sort out better sleep habits. It kind of makes life easier having him asleep on the move as he's screamed on the rare occasion when he has been awake in the buggy but it also means most of his naps are only about half an hour as he tends to wake as soon as we get where we're going. I'm sure he'll sort himself out eventually, DS1 was a fairly hopeless napper for a long time but he got there eventually...

It's finally felt a bit springlike today, which is very lucky as DS2 did an explosive poo in the park. He seemed to think it was still a bit too nippy to be stripped naked and voiced his objections loudly but it really needed doing and he got a warming cuddle afterwards

Well I think I can forgive DD for not sleeping in the day... Last night she slept for 8 hours. Night before that 6.30, before that was 7 and before that was 7 too. I now just feel tired as opposed to so tired I'm going to be sick.

Very, very green poo here too walk Its the colour of grass cuttings. I've got a drs appointment today so I'll let you know the outcome. Congratulations on becoming an auntie and very good to hear baby is now safe and sound.

deedee I simply can't congratulate you on the self settling as I'm too jealous. DD only wants to feed to sleep. Planning to stop that this week by taking her off boob after 15 mins a side and then offering dummy. Fingers crossed!

Expressing is ok here... 60ml in 20 minutes. Whether DD will then take the bottle is another matter of course...

Naps in the day also shocking. She just will NOT sleep. Yesterday she slept for 2 hours in 12. Horrible.

Hello So very busy here! Have been keeping up with you all, but no chance to actually post! Sounds as though you are all mainly getting on very well Be back later...hopefully!

Does feel good to know that others are in same boat with naps and green poo. Be interesting what your Dr says beijing

Am also trying the not falling asleep after feeding and the self soothing, with varying sucess.

springsniffle I'd be screaming if someone stripped me while in the park

For the first time, I got up, had my breakfast, got the washing on, before DD woke up, felt werid. She def sleeps for longer in her sleeping bag. Previously wakening between 630-730, now 830am. Feel sorry for OH as he has gone to work last two days and not got his morning smile.

Better go do something as DD now settled in pram, hopefully for a good nap like yesterday am

Ok...

I have had a very, very good day. DD slept for 8 hours last night. This morning she woke up, fed and fell asleep again. When she did wake up I had a shower whilst she happily burbled in her cot then fed her again. She was quite happy in the morning until she got upset because she got tired and wanted to sleep by having a comfort suck. Comfort sucking is now banned so I calmly held a dummy in her mouth, jiggled her on my knee and sang to her until she very, very happily accepted the dummy and fell promptly to sleep. She then slept for 2 hours.

Same thing happened after her bath (though I let her feed to sleep then) and she's been asleep for almost 45 minutes.

This is the first time in over a month that she has done ANYTHING like this ladies! Normally she's attached to my boob and I'm stressing because I want to put her down but she just won't sleep otherwise because she wants to suck and I never pushed the dummy.

Didn't end up going to Dr as DH has taken the car unexpectedly and taxis don't have seatbelts let alone any provision for babyseats. I will let you know on Thursday what happens as we're going in then for jabs.

Sorry lurking.

DD had lots of green poo at the beginning; looked like green string.

It stopped since I changed position feeding. Seems that green poo can be a sign of too much fore milk and not enough hind milk. She also wasn't gaining weight.

She is still a noisy feeder, and I do still get the odd green poo. But positioning her tummy to tummy helped.

deedee thanks. Last week was TOUGH! Two lectures, separation from DD at 8 weeks :( and a fourth Birthday party to plan and deliver - this included making a pirate ship cake. Was exhausted on Sat after party - and then had to go out and have a "chat" with my Dad, who has been behaving like a teenager [for the last 14 yrs].

Big Ups to all the Mummys out there with babies and toddlers. Am grateful that DS is 4 - but mine will never play like yours will. It'll all be worth it.

PS expressing worked with TommyTippee boob like bottle and someone else feeding - and me not around. Good luck!

sarrita just popped on to say that I have just read abour green poo and not enough hind milk - odd how when I read up about it before it didn't mention that.

DD takes bottle from OH with no problems and will go straight onto breast after (can't express enough and we just want her to get used to bottle as told best to start between 4-6 weeks)

good news beijing

can you tell DD having long naps today! - 2hrs am and pm