March 2011 - we made it!

[Muser]

The waiting is over, the babies are arriving. March 2011 mums, come on in your time is up.

Thanks Petty - I've updated FB with photos and my details !

So far I'm finding the reusables fine. Still haven't dealt with a pooh though! It's no biggy washing them- the only thing is that Elijah now looks as though he has a big comedy bottom! Think we will persevere with them as long as I can dry them easily whilst the weather is nice.

Had our 6 week check- up yesterday and he is 12lb 2oz today. Very pleased as he was big at birth so doing well. After a day of firsts- first trip for me with him on the bus into a new town, first at the doctors and first breastfeeding in town in a cafe he has slept all day today- only waking to feed! Really hope he will still sleep tonight.

Me hope things clear up for you soon.

We've just recently started on the reusables - no poo in them here yet either! They're OK, but need changed more often, so keeping them for around the house wear only. The big bottom is hilarious, KP, MrM hates them for that reason, which is weird I think!

hmmm, that's one of the reasons I haven't got around to it yet, Angus poos a LOT, as in every nappy change!!! Do their normal clothes still fit the enormous bottom or do you have to go a size bigger??

I've just moved E onto 3-6 month clothes as he's a big baby- his feet were too big for the 0-3 months. His bottom is small (!) but with the reusables the 3-6 month are definitely a better fit., yes- definitely something to take into account.

If I had a very pooey baby I may not be as gung-ho about it highland. E did a pooh in them this morning and the good thing is because they are bigger and thick the pooh didn't go up his back like it often does with the thin throwaway nappies, but having a lot of pooey washing when you've got a lot else on your plate might not be ideal..

EA is still comfortably in 0-3, so the vests and bottoms just stretch over the extra bulk of nappy.

Me I hope you are feeling better.

Quick post as Anya is in her crib refusing to sleep as she seems to need my cuddles to do that.

She has been a bit more unsettled this week which I put down to my trip to my parents. Parents were over the moon to see her and I have had such a relaxing week with them fussing her and me relaxing and only being called on to feed her. I'm really glad my dad got over the uncomfortableness of me feeding in the same room as him. He knows it's best for her especially as I'm far too lazy to manage the whole sterilising business properly. The trip home was less stressful as I didn't use the underground and went by bus between the stations. :)

At 7 weeks I think Anya is still too young for a routine, she won't even settle on her own yet and needs my help to do it. Got bored of shushing her to sleep so have started with the lulabys and was amazed to find that I only knew all the words to two. I am learning though, I found a few on baby centre and had lots of fun learning them yesterday . I have found them more effective than the whole shushing which I guess makes sense as I'm not as stressed and I can sing loud enough that she can hear me over her crying.

Don't remember who said it now but someone commented that they would prefer it if their DC sucked their finger. A quick word of warning, my sister did this. Started as a baby and she didn't get out of the habit until she was 11 years old. She really damaged her teeth (although braces fixed them) and her finger which to this day is slightly smaller than the same finger on her other hand. You can always take the dummy away when they outgrow them although it is morally questionable to take away a child's finger.

Can't believe I have been able to write a 30 minute post while she has lay awake in her crib quietly - I think she deserves a big cuddle now so she can get back to sleep.

My tea almost spurted out of my nose at it being morally questionable to take away a childs finger Catherine.

Lozario - I had an IUD after DS2 and much prefer to any other contraception I have used in the past. There are two, one which contains some hormone and one which doesnt. I opt for the non-hormonal, but this one has the downside of bringing on very heavy periods and with a fair bit of cramping for me for about the first 6 periods. My doctor is fabulous, she is an expert and did a smear test and put it in at the same time and I wasnt really even aware that she had finished.

it was me catherine about the fingers :) my dsis sucked her first 2 fingers rather than thumb for a couple of years. At this rate I might have to chop off my own fingers as they are the only thing Arthur will suck (Other than my nipples!). At what age should i consider chopping them off?

catherine I know a few nursery rhymes but mostly I make songs up as I go along. Complete nonsense and i'm sure other people would laugh at them should I do them in public but I guess at this age she just wants to hear my voice.

I feel a little embarrassed asking these questions now many of us are on FB but am slightly concerned.

Firstly does anyone still have lochia? Or still had it past 6 weeks? I've been on the yellow stage for over 3 weeks now.

Also does anyone's episiotomy still hurt sometimes? Mine hurts when I kneel or sometimes when on the loo. Is this normal?

The GP seemed unconcerned about both these things but didn't really reassure me.

Mixed Thanks for IUD info - interesting about the periods, one of the "selling points" the midwife told me was that it would give me lighter periods! (I normally suffer with period pain etc) Maybe the hormone one gives lighter periods, but like you I'd be more inclined to go with the non-hormonal one.

haloflo don't worry at all about embarrassing questions. My main problem is a non-existent pelvic floor, if I sneeze in the street I have to hold my legs together!!! My lochia has just about stopped now I'd say, right up to the 6 week mark. Am sure with DS it went on longer though. Has anyone had a look at how your episiotomy has healed recently? I'm sure some tenderness is normal but have a look yourself with a mirror and if it seems redder or swollen then go back to your GP to have a check.

KPidgeon Well done, that's a big boy you've got there!! L was 10lbs this week at her 6 week check, bang on average! And short, just like me, DH and her brother.

Well we've had a HIDEOUS day, both DCs in horrendous moods, I went shopping this morning for an outfit for a wedding we've got next week and everything looked disgusting on me. My body shape is bonkers at the moment and I got more and more desperate as I went around the limited supply of shops (Wimbledon Centre Court!) and my boobs got more and more painful, got call from DH that Lara wouldn't take a bottle and so I then panic-bought a dress with a stretchy neck for feeding (wedding attendance and breast feeding do NOT go together!) and went home. Still, I had a nice time on the train, a bit of peace and quiet!

Lara is terrible with her daytime sleep and she was just MENTAL when I was putting her down for the night just then - nothing would placate her. I'm determined to start putting her down in her basket for more structured daytime naps next week - otherwise I'll have to start putting her to bed at 5pm at this rate!!

On the plus side, DH is making me a BLT :) I'm being such a cowbag to him at the moment, I can't stop complaining!!!!

Haloflo I have a similar feeling, although mine was a tear, it is still tender when kneeling, and as you said, sometimes when going to loo.
I describe it not as painful, but uncomfortable, like a pressure behind the scar tissue IYKWIM? I think it is partly to do with pelvic floor not holding everything up tightly like before.... who knows!
There is a tiny part of my scar that hasn't healed properly, I am going to mention it to the nurse when I have a smear test next week (groan) as I was too to mention it to my doctor at the 6 week check. I know, I know, but I couldn't face talking about it with a male doctor!!

Finally plucked up the courage to do the deed (!) and was pleasantly surprised to find it wasnt painful at all! what a relief!

Lozario this week I introduced proper daytime naps in Moses basket upstairs with shut curtains, as B was only napping while being cuddled or being on the move, so I wasnt having any sort of proper rest during the day. It has made a big difference, and the first two or three days she has had a good solid nap of two hours! Hurrah!
I'm certain your DH isn't the only one being moaned and groaned at. I frequently take my lack of sleep out on mine, poor bugger.

Morning all!
Am pleased to see I'm not the only one not following a strict routine. A few of my NCT friends are doing gina ford. I bought the book but just dint have the energy for it. Going to try and follow the amount of daytime sleep she recommends though. We're still getting 6hrs sleep in a row at night, it's lovely. Only thing is she often doesn't go down till midnight. Need to bring it forward a couple of hours!

We're now having to do mixed feeding. My nipple on the right is destroyed as she still cluster feeds for 4hrs in the evening. She's never satisfied with breastmilk and cries and cries for more until I give her a bottle. So we've been mixed feeding and she's a different child - so happy! Glad we did it and I'm going to wean down BF over the nxt few weeks. I've Bf for nearly 11 weeks so pleased with myself.Will continue expressing twice a day and we have a lot saved in our freezer so I'm not worried! Feel like a massive weight has been lifted TBH.

kpidgeon good weight well done. Izzy is now 11lbs so cruising the 25th centile nicely!

lozario izzy has vaguely structured naps, mainly the lunchtime one 12-2ish. It isn't always at home as we're often out and about. I'm always snapping at DH too, can be a right shitbag sometimes.

hippo well done on doing the deed. Really need to get the courage up to do that soon! It's just finding the time!

Had a breakthrough last night! Beth fed at 8pm, went down to sleep properly at 9pm and didnt wake for a feed until 4am! And then slept again until 7.30am.
My boobs were like rocks but it was fab that she did eight hours between feeds. Hopefully same again tonight, but what's the likelihood?!
9 weeks tomorrow - my my its gone quick.

cheese 11 weeks is good going, well done! You know your child better than anyone, and if its made such a difference introducing formula then you know you've done the right thing.

Has anybody been contacted by St Thomas' Hospital in London regarding the EAT study?
I have signed up to do it, sounds interesting, its basically medical research on exclusively breastfed babies vs introducing solids early- at 4 months. They are trying to discover why allergies are so high in this country and think its because of the current guidelines of holding off allergenic substances til 6 months.
Have to go up for assessment next month and get put into one of two groups, either continue BF til 6months, or introduce foods at 4 months.
You get assessed again when baby is 1 year old and again at 3 years old, but with regular online or phone monitoring in between.

hippo I got something through about that study but god knows where it's gone!! I think I decided my hands were too full with DS1 approaching the terrible twos! Does sound interesting though, let us know how it goes.

We're off to a park fair this arvo when DS wakes from nap, will put DD in the sling. (does anyone else have a baby who wakes as soon as the buggy stops moving?! Most annoying!!)

lozario Thank you - i'll bravely take a look later. You reminded me, must do pelvic floors at every feed.

sittinghippo Hopefully the uncomfortable feeling is normal and will fade. Let me know if the nurse seems concerned. Poor you having a smear already. I am very jealous at the 8 hour sleep though, we are back to 1 1/2 - 3 hourly intervals. I didn't fancy the EAT study although it would be interesting to see the outcome.

I feel H has been on the boob constantly this weekend, night and day. Maybe a growth spurt? She is napping now so giving myself some MN time. I know I should nap but am wide awake. No doubt i'll flag later, just as she is waking up.

Oh and cheese someone gave me Gina Ford. Definatly not for me either. If my baby wakes up after 7 there is no way I'm getting up earlier!

argh, the dreaded mastitis!!!! :( came on last night with awful fever / shivering.....feeling bit better today with lots of massaging and feeding from painful side, anyone got any tips / advice??

Haloflo, hope you feel better soon, my lochia didn't stop until just after 6 weeks although tears were better after 4 weeks, and don't worry about the embarssing questions we're all going through the same stuff!

oh, and wrt routines and books, I threw way the baby whisperer as it made me so anxious I was in floods of tears, much happier now following baby's lead but not for everyone, esp if you have older children as well. A friend of mine loosely followed gina ford and her daughter sleeps amazingly well......

Hippo - got that and actually fancied it but OH said a big no. He very rarely does this so I'll respect his decision on this one. Especially as it isn't important to me anyway. Always good to let them win the things you don't really care about.

Lozario - Anya is the same in the car - as long as it is moving she is quiet but the second you stop in traffic or at the lights she's off again. In her buggy she is worse as she is only quiet if the buggy is moving forward, backwards is a big no no!

haloflo - I am never reassured just because the GP doesn't seem concerned. I don't think I have ever felt like a GP has been concerned about anything.

Got 6 week appointment tomorrow and feel like it is just at the right time. Anya has developed a rash but is perfectly well so NHS direct told me there's no rush and Monday will be fine. She's a moody baby atm too, she goes from giggling to screaming in a half hour interval and then stays screamy for quite a while! As for me - I have a whole list of things I need to talk to the doctor about :(

must go - Anya is fussing.

1catherine1 hope your appointment goes well tomorrow!

wrt the EAT study, I started weaning my DD1 at 15weeks (at the time that was the advice I was given by HV) and she's never had any food problems, and a wonderful eater now. So in that respect I am happy to do the study as I have weaned early in the past, but on the other hand BFing is going so well this time round that I am happy to carry on for as long as I can. So whichever camp they put me in I will feel comfortable with.
I am an asthma, eczema and hayfever sufferer so the whole allergy thing is interesting to me. Will let you know how we get on, have to go up there mid-June. DD1 is going to come with me so we can have an afternoon wandering along Southbank and make a day of it. She is 4 next week, cant believe it...

highland poor you! Hope it feels better soon, no tips I'm afraid, just sympathy.
I am glad you are following your DS lead now, it is so much easier IMO if you can ignore all books and regimes and go with the flow, less stress on both of you!

What should I expect at my post natal check up with the doc? They do the check up here at 8 weeks when baby has check up/vaccines. I think I'm ok although sometimes I feel a bit sore below but ok once I tense my pelvic floor muscles - I think they have had a bit of a battering but thankfully holding up . Also my hv advised bringing either dh/bff/mum with me to the appointment for support???? I know it won't be nice for ds to have the jabs but is it really so traumatic that I'll need someone with me?

We are off to my parents next saturday for 9/10 days and my mum is going to help me get Arthur into a bit of a routine (but not schedule!) as he is getting over tired in the day and I am at a bit of a loss/dont have the patience to settle him and make him sleep! We have started baby massage so hoping to incorporate that into a bedtime routine as he seems to love it!

Hello - just checking although ought to be in bed and still need to express - arrggghhh where does time go?

highland hope you are feeling better.

petty my 6 wk check for me was uneventful. Had BP taken discussed contraception that was it. GP did not want to see stitches so no idea if healed ok. Not sore though so assume it has. Not DTD or anything though (can't face it).

Re: contraception coils don't one the one with hormones or the one with heavy periods so condoms it is I think.

Had thing re: EAT study in post, but not BF so can't. But sounds interesting.

halo for me one of best things re: having baby is the TMI discussions/questions etc that you are able to have with people who were recently completly strangers. I say carry on... I will.

catherine got my buzz and love it ;-) didn't bother with carrycot on basis that E 10lb 14oz at 6 week check - chunk, tho sure her hair must weigh something.

hello to everyone.

Right expressing and then off to bedfordshire. Can I be bothered to express though - only if I don't and then crap amount tomorrow I will regret it....

Night x

Hi ladies, I've just requested to join the facebook group. Hope you're all well! x

Sympathies Highland - sounds like you are doing the right things, but if you are at the infection stage I wonder if you need to see GP/ HV for some antibiotics? Maybe worth a call to your HV?

I'll most likely be on my own for the immunisations too, PP. Probably not ideal, but I'm sure she'll be fine in time.