Late Jan 2011 (some very, very late!) - here we go!!!

[ThreeBubbasAndManyBumps]

Graduated
JJKM - Twin Girls
Stars - Baby Boy
FloraPost - 6th Jan - Baby Boy
Mimou - 14th Jan - Baby Boy - 7.3lb
Zippy - 14th Jan - Baby Boy - 7lb
LadyBuzz - 18th Jan - Kali Margaret Briany 6lb 1oz
Scuba - 22nd Jan - Baby Girl - 6lb 13oz
AmIGoingMad - 25th Jan - Baby Boy - 7lb 5oz
Gallicgirl - 26th Jan - Alys May - 7lb 2.5oz
BubbaAndBumps - 27th Jan - Lachlan Robert - 12lb 3oz
Travispickles - 27th Jan - Saskia Faye
Fuzzy - 28th Jan - Evan James - 8lb 8.5oz
*Saltnvinigar - 28th Jan - Henry David
Ryuk - 28th Jan - Ezra - 7lb 4oz
TheBreastMilksOnMe - 30th Jan - Amelia Rose - 8lbs 9.5ozs
SaraL77 - 31st Jan - Reuben Mark - 7lb 2
Pootle - 2nd Feb - Jacob - 8lb 9oz
cyberfairy - 4th Feb - Rowan - 7lbs 7oz
RockLover - 5th Feb - George Christopher - 8lbs 4oz
RunningKatie - 5th Feb - Isobel Millie
CupcakesHay - 5th Feb - Jesse William - 7lbs 1oz
Crystylline - 8th Feb - Xavier Louis - 8lbs 11oz

Count: 8 girls, 15 boys

Still Huffing and a Puffing..?
Shanster: 30/01 Boy (1DD)
Faraway Trees: 22/01
RobynLou: 24/01 ?? (1DD)
Loopylu: due 31/01 (1st?)

Here we go, down the slippery slope of parenthood. Slippery thanks to the poos, wees, leaky boobs and goodness knows what else :o :o

We'll be here to hold each other's virtual hands through the tough nights and delightful days, and to laugh at each other's stories of comedy nappy changes , and the fear (or not?) of getting back in the saddle, and coating some cervixes just for the fun of it again!! :o

I'm completely with you salt fussy feeding started about an hour ago. Last night it went on until 2.30 am. Tonight am trying lavender oil on bed sheet and radio on low. I've for new angry birds (lol) and a book to finish. See you on the other side?

Evening ladies

Salt sending you big virtual Jacob had a day like that yesterday where nothing I would do would settle him and he screamed from 11 til 8pm when dh got home from work. I spent the day crying to myself and wondering if this was how it was always going to be. But today was a new day and I had a shower! and managed to walk into town with him and he has been an angel all day, although dh is now back from work and he is screaming his head off again!!!

JJKM that's brilliant news about the girls, and the best thing is that next week is March so not long to wait.

Running Isobel is a cutie and thanks for the pre-warning about the possibility of projectile pooing!!!

Fuzzy hope Evan is better and Bubba hoping Lachlan is less snotty and not being so sick.

Cupcakes hope you have had a lovely night with dh, remember we are all here so you can moan to your hearts content about parents and it's really good news about Jesse's appointment, I did wonder about how you were going to get back! On a slight different tangent, with all that's going on in North Africa and Middle East, is Syria likely to go the same way or is it a democratic country? (Don't know much about Middle East politics )

Crysty I too am a good mother if it involves chocolate biscuits and watching sky plus!

Ok, this may be contraversial - is anyone laying their baby on their front to sleep? Jacob screams if we lay him on his back, however, will sleep for hours (4 plus) if he lays on his front. I normally only put him on his front during the day or after his first feed of the day, but am concerned about all the advise that is given. I did speak to my mum and she said that her 3 all slept on our front and I was sleeping on my front up until 7 months pg as it's how I sleep! Any ideas to make him like his back? I did buy a light show thing from Early Learning today that we can all sleep to, maybe that will keep him amused and me awake!

PRight of to do my last express of the day, he managed to latch on for 25 minutes from my lovely right boob today after we spent the afternoon with lots of skin to skin and chocolate and milk shake for me (for the calcium!) so he hasn't forgotton how to suck

Pootle- heard from a friend that when her baby was in neonatal unit (born very premature) the nurses laid him on his front in order to aid digestion - however, he also had apnoea alarm under his mattress. Probably best to discuss with HV.

I'm off to bed in a min - we've had 4 nights where DD has been awake until 3 or 4am and just won't settle or og to sleep. No idea what's wrong and can't keep her awake during the day! Oh well, sure this too will pass.

Hope everyone else is ok.

The advice is very much to put babies on their backs and toes to the end of the cot/crib, but HVs/MWs are aware that some people do other things. Have you tried a wedge so he's on his side as a compromise, and slowly work it down so he's comfy while flat? A rolled blanket works for the wedge. I really wouldn't put him on his front though, it's just not worth the risk if you can get him to sleep somehow else.

For those of you with wriggly, shouty little ones, have you tried letting them suck on your little finger or dummy? Most babies need to suck for longer than feeding requires and it settles Lachlan really quickly. Worth a try at least?

Hi ladies, hope all is well.

I seem to be having a nightmare with George, he won't sleep during the day and is stuck to me permanently screaming his little head off.

Feeding has also gone down the pan too, he seems to fight every bottle I give him and he rarely takes a full bottle. I think I am feeding him too much, so I have left a message with the hv for advice.

Also, mega disaster, he can't seem to fall asleep in th day without a dummy, which then falls out then he wakes up and screams. I have not managed to get dressed yet and am only just having breakfast. Lots of tears from me and George at the moment.

To add insult to injury I have sores developing down below I am presuming because of the lochia (moisture I suppose). I am showering and washing every day to keep as clean as possible, but now I have nicked Georges sudocrem to try and clear things up.

I feel shit today and have come to the conclusion that I am a rubbuish mum because I just never know what George wants. DD was so bloody easy compared to this, I would just like him to sleep!

much sympathy on the screaming baby front, we had a little screamer till 2am. DP slept through the cluster feeding but woke up for the second nappy change, where his innocent suggestion that she might need feeding was met with a no shit sherlock exasperated response.

He's just told me about all his forthcoming work trips and I'm a bit scared, some of them are 4 days long. I can do this, I can, I really can. [wibble emoticon]

Got the NCT girls coming over in less than 2 hours so just got to hide all the rubbish before they get here.

Just had hv call back and she said everything george is doing is completely normal, but that I am stressed. She thinks I have taken too much on coming up to my parents and George is just feeding off my anxieties.

I am going to try and calm down a bit now that I know everything he is doing is ok, but really, I just want to go home.

Sympathies to you too running, I am lucky that George seems to be sleeping better at night than in the day, but I am finding it hard without DP here to help.

Rock big hugs, then repeat after me you are not rubbish. Your HV seems to be talking sense, can your mum or dad take him for a little while so you can have a bath or sleep or something? If he doesn't calm down maybe talk to someone about reflux as JJKM suggests.
Sorry your little ones are having tummy troubles too JJKM.
I know where you're coming from Running, DH is away for a week in a week or so, because I'm a chicken I'm going to my mum and dad's while he's away!
Grrrr another nappy required! Ev is a pooing machine today!

God how utterly frustrating for yoiu jjkm :(

rock course you're not a bad mummy. glad the hv is talking some sense into you! it's a stressful thing having little people to look after, especially after a c-section and your DD to look after too. It'll get easier, just remember that.

fuzzy it's not chicken to de-camp to your parents - it's bloomin' sensible is what it is! :)

snotbags is sleeping allllllll day today (as he was partying all night long , so expecting another long night tonight.

Thanks for the sympathy pootle and crysty. Last night was better thankfully but I know how you feel rock about feeling like a bad mum because you don't know what they want. I feel the same. I never know when it's wind or hunger but always seems to be hungry. Also, he seems to have a bit of a spotty face at the minute. I'm wondering if it is from my milk spraying all over his face. I wash his face often with sterilised water but not sure what these little spots are. Anyone elses baby got little spots?

I wonder if the sleeplessness is related to their age? I went to bed at 6:30 this morning! yes, read that again.I went to bed when everyone else is getting up :(

I don't expect DD to sleep through the night but part of the night would be nice. You are definitely not alone rocklover

Tried a dummy but she sucks it out almost immediately. I'm really beginning to think the people who suggested she might have a tongue tie might be right.

rock agree about the anxiety thing - I think i've been so anxious about Dh going and Dh is so upset at leaving Jesse - baby's picked up on it - and has been upset too.

Dh just gone - who's going to stick up for me with paretns about the whole "leave him to cry" debate.... plus very worried aqbout putting baby to sleep after b-feeding - as usually DH does it - so i need to figure out way to smoothyl get out of bfeeding position, and wrap Jesse up and put in crib how on earth will i manage it?

Poor you jjkm with your girls - what a mare on the eating front. And how awful to feel powerless - I hope it doesn't come to more surgery for them - poor loves!

Oh and pootle i'm crap on politics too - syria's meant to be ok at moment, but DH is going back nad will find out more at wwork when he goes in - I've kind of heard a rumour about Iran sending a warship to syria (?) odd....

Bugger -SIL on phone for me - so need to go.... i'll try and get on here later - although with Dh gone, and my dad's laptop is broken - we've only got 1 laptop! eeek!

salt the spots are normal - it's something to do with the milk and impurities just working through skin. All you need to do is wash with water and leave them alone. They will soon go. Alys had a few but she has lovely skin now.

salt Jacob has serious spots over face, head and back of neck. Health visitor said it was probably baby acne because of the hormones from my milk, but again said it will balance itself out and will disappear. Just got told not to pick or squeeze them -

Thanks jjkm for the reflux advice, I will keep an eye on things. Believe it or not George is having a huge sleep, at least 2 hours so far..bloody miracle!

I have finally managed to get dressed (although managed a shower first thing ), brush my teeth and get all the bottles washed and sterilised ready for the next round of feeds. I'ven had my lunch!

Feeling a bit pants today, have yet another headache. Think it may be dehydration along with the fact that I have completely forgotten to take my iron tablets for the last week, so I'm probably very anaemic, will start taking them later.

Looks like George is waking up for his next feed, so I better get to it, but I'm glad to say I feel a little calmer now.

cupcakes I can so sympathise with you about looking after Jesse alone. It's been so hard since I came up here without DP, every tiny problem seems magnified. But rest assured you will cope and Jesse will be fine, there may be a few tears (yours and baby's), but that's normal too thankfully (or I'd be in an institution by now lol).

Enjoy the rest of your day ladies, I will try and drop in later.

I've even had my lunch that should read. Bloody baby brain!

Hi all - well after a couple of weeks of ok sleeping last nigt Saskia woke me up every hour and a half so am shattered now. Bleugh! Got FIL and SIL coming over shortly so will keep this short. Those of you stressing - remember all this will be over soon enough!! Watching box set of the Wire. Brilliant. Back soon.

Really need to do some house work but have a sleeping baby lying on me, if I dare put him down he wakes up in 5 minutes. Will feel bad if the house still looks like it does when DH gets home. DH has been so helpful in the last couple of days when I've been ill, has left work early (well on time anyway) so he can put DD to bed then does some work in the evening least I can do is empty the dish washer! Must dig out the baby carrier from the loft so I can move from the sofa!
Rock glad to hear George has got some sleep today. I keep getting a headache from not drinking enough, have to keep reminding myself! Hope the rest of your day is good.
Cupcakes hugs for you too, hopefully the time will go quickly before you see DH again. All I can say about your mum is interfering is try to bite your tongue whilst doing exactly what you think is best for you and Jesse. Just remember we're here to vent to, betting there's at least one of us on here every hour of the day and night at the moment!

jjkm sorry to hear about your battles with the twins care. have you seen the reflux thread in breastfeeding forum on here? i've been scanning it and it's full of brilliant advice and people with v. varied experiences. perhaps there may be someone else who has some knowledge/experience of the twins' condition?

pootle DS sleeps on his back or side if windy and though it takes time to settle him when he's being grumpy - side first always seems to work for me.

to all of you worrying about being on your own for any amount of time - it is possible. you CAN do it! my folks are back again helping out, but I've done a full week on my ownsome so far and it's been tricky, but i've also kind-of enjoyed having him all to myself

my top tips are:

don't get dressed if you aren't going out. have a nice shower/bath with the moses basket/cot in the bathroom just after the morning feed, but put on comfy clothes or pjs after.

do make sure other people bring you things like milk or bread. i asked a few friends who wanted to visit if they could bring some with them.

Do have daily naps in bed preferably and not on sofa for a better quality of sleep.

Do make a little nest on the sofa with everything you need around you - book, laptop, water, choccies , muslins etc.

cupcakes you could try partially swaddling him in blanket before bf and then finish wrapping him as you take him off and lie him down. I have his basket next to me when feeding, so i can just pop him straight in without too much disruption.

i hope you all enjoy having maximum cuddles!

and yup to fuzzy... i agree we're all about at funny times. I know i check in and read up at fart o'clock in the morning regularly!

cupcakes remember i'm not too far away and we could do cakes and coffee one day when your DH has gone - ditto rock. we really should get together for a good old rant chat in RL. x

Just put a couple more pix of Saskia on... looking very serious indeed! About to hit the sack as we have family outing to drs tomorrow at 10am. Wish me luck!

Travis she's so cute, great outfit too

travis she is gorgeous! And thanks for reminding me, I need to go doctors and drop off birth certificate and book 6 week check up!