March 2011 - we made it!

[Muser]

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

OMG we've had a shocker today. Don't quite know what happened, think a combo of grumpy kids, thundery weather and me staying up too late last night to watch Luther. Lara has hardly napped all day and DS has been a little cling-on. Normally I can get Lara to nap for at least half an hour whilst DS is down for his 2 hour nap so I can get a bit of respite but today she wasn't having any of it.

However she is now asleep... in her cot!! As she was starting to roll on to her side, I thought the basket was probably getting a bit risky, she's quite strong and I would have been mortified if she'd knocked it over and hurt herself. But I'm very very sad about it, my little baby is getting bigger!! :(

My SIL finally had her baby yesterday by C Section, after 2 days of labour failing to progress. She must be bloody knackered poor thing. DH has gone to see her in the hospital now, I guess she'll be in for at least another night. How long does it take to recover from a C Section - I can't remember if any of us had one?

Also might be at the bottom of why DS is so tired all the time at the moment - we measured him this morning and he has grown over an inch in a month!!! Jeez!

Anyway welcome Pamela and 33goingon64 - I promise I don't normally whinge this much... (my kids do though!!)

Now the question is, do I have a stop up for The Apprentice ????

highland we're on reusables here too. I use tots bots which are lovely soft towelling and an ancient set of motherese (3rd hand from my boss!) they both work well. Like Muser said you have to change more often- I'd say every 3 hours tops as they don't draw the moisture away like a disposable but they are fine, I'm happy with them. We also still use one disposable at night as I don't want to wake E up to change him in the night.

We only just bought a condenser (tumble dryer) so up until now if it rained I had to use disposables as I couldn't get the reusables dry! No excuses now though!

There is something very satisfactory about seeing his little nappies drying on the line.

E is getting better at sleeping during the day- is only in his pushchair though. I don't have any joy getting him in the cot at night.

Hope you all had a great meet up London people- the photo of all them lined up was lovely!

I mean cot in the day

Just lost a massive post AND i saved it took me 5-6 weeks to recover from c-section this time biut only 3-4 with my 1st. after spending best part of half an hour typing that post i have to go write to dH NOW!!! be back soon, hope everyone has a good nights sleep

So what did your SIL have Lozario?

DD1 was Csection, spent two night s in hospital and was very stiff and sore for a week afterwards, then only a little bit stiff and sore for another couple of weeks. I waited until the 6 weeks were up before driving again, that was one of the toughest bits.
I hope you have a better day tomorrow, poor you, I know those days well, thankfully they dont happen too often!

Good to hear from you Highland . This thread does move quickly sometimes doesn't it! Glad to hear Angus doing well, and I loved the photo you posted, he's gorgeous.

I have some second hand reusables, but as they are size 2 I havent started using them yet. They are bamboo ones, cant even remember what make, with a wrap too. Didn't use them last time, but feel braver to have a go this time. Just not sure about adding to my already mountainous pile of washing...

I use motherease nappies that have already been through my friend's 3. They work for me, but definitely interfere with sleep, so I use disposables at night and am contemplating disposables before each nap to get a longer nap from here.

Hello all

welcome to Pamela and 33goingon64

nappies fraid we are disposables ? I can?t keep up with my existing washing.tbh

lozario hope tomorrow is better and congrats on niece/nephew. I also love luther can?t believe it is over already!!

Daytime naps have gone hit and miss here ? if we are out napping is v short and v infrequent. If we are at home decent naps are had. I can?t face staying in all the time though.

sam having read you lost post and doing this in word and then pasting in ? mega annoying

petty hope Arthur is recovered tomorrow. We have our (overdue) 2nd set on Friday.

highland and medee lovely to hear from you

going back to work sent form back to say 6th March as return date. E has nursery place from 30th Jan so could move it forward slightly. Will be living on fresh air by then, but nice to be off in DS first term and a half of school.

cheese banana phobia ? glad you managed to feed it v brave. I have a fish phobia.

Catherine hope you are still enjoying spain.

halo & kpidgeon how are the nights?

Katie early learning linked plastic rings are good (baby links)? about £5 ? kept DS entertained for ages at various stages and fit easily in bag for when out and about - www.elc.co.uk/Baby-Links/113720,default,pd.html. And Lamaze firefly thing ? E seems fascinated.

cherub well done on christening. I need to sort a date for ours with the vicar.

Hello to anyone I have missed [waves]

Sooo jealous of the meet ? love the photos. Not sure about Reading as 1.5 hours on train ? London is closer so maybe next time I will be mad and head down.

In other news? had mobile stolen ? complete PITA ? fortunately was insured, but so much hassle ? using my old (not smart) phone and have new SIM but o2 are taking forever to unbar my calls ? arrrggghhh. Do not leave your phone/purse on tables ? even if you are sitting at them and even if you are with a big group. Criminals undeterred ? grrrrrrrrrr

Lost 3.5lbs on ww ? yippee ? and had social week including going out for meals 3 times.

xx

Hi all
Welcome to newbies
Shattered here - ollie no better and whilst rash is gone is now being sick and is snotty so problems breathing. Going to dr again today.
Have now had 3-4 hrs sleep a night fir a week. Will only sleep cuddled up with me comfort sucking which is getting really irritating! And weirdly only one side- what's that all about? I have milk dripping from one side but he will only suckle the other but gets frustrated he's not getting any! Different story in the day when he is happy both sides!!
Fortunately ds1/2 going to friends house for the day...

Anyone see the programme about the Lamb Sextuplets? She is such a lovely mum but I now feel a but pathetic finding it knackering with just 1 baby!!!!!

Jupiter, congrats on the weight loss!

Thanks for all the advice re reusables, we started yesterday and the first one contained an enormous explosive poo he'd been holding in for 3 days!! Am using totsbots with motherease wraps also 3rd hand so we'll see how it goes, think I'll stick to disposables at night for now too.

Hope you have a better day Lozario and congrats to your SIL!!

Hello to everyone else no time to write more now........

Hi, Alex had his 3rd lot of jabs on Tues and seems fine - better than the he was after the first and second lot which is a relief.

It'll be Alex's 4 month birthday on Sat and I've started thinking about weaning. I was planning to wait until 6 months but it seems that a fair few people start before that and I was wondering why that is and how you know whether they want solids or not? Alex is quite big for his age so some friends are telling me he will probably want solids sooner but then I've also read that I should just give him more milk. Confusing!

I'm not planning on going back to work for a year and am already not looking forward to it! Am tempted not to go back but financially that doesn't make sense. Also am a bit concerned that if I don't go back then it'll be hard to ever go back.

Pamela, people wean earlier for lots of reasons. But it's recommended to wait until 6 months because the gut does lots of maturing between 4-6 months and by 6 months most babies will be able to cope with solids. Some babies will be ready to wean before that. The signs I've been told to look out for are baby trying to reach for food, being able to sit up/support themselves, and losing the tongue thrust reflex (which is a natural reflex to push anything in their mouth unfamiliar out with their tongue).

Some people wean early when their babies stop sleeping as well, but apparently not sleeping through is not a sign to wean, just a sign to give more milk.

Thanks muser. I've noticed that my page only refreshes after I've made a post so it looks a bit like I'm ignoring other people's messages. Sorry, it's not intentional!

About toys (sorry, I can't see who asked about good toys as am on my phone), Alex's 2 favourite things at the moment are his walker and a fabric book called where is squeaky(!) from mothercare. I've heard a few negative things about walkers but figure that as he loves it it's ok so long as I'm in the room with him when he uses it so he doesn't bang into something and hurt himself. He only manages to move it at a snails pace at the moment so I think the risks are pretty low!

Not sure if everyone has a one o'clock club near them, but I've found that that is a good place to test out toys to see what Alex enjoys. The one near us has a sensory room that is dark and has different lights in (like lava lamps, fairy lights, light pattern projectors) as well as mirrors, waterbeds and music. I find it a great place to take Alex if I can't think of what else to do with him.

Well after bit of a scare with dr considering sending ollie to hospital for chest X-ray she decided to put him on antibiotics and if no improvement then to hospital....

Felt like crying. Was so worried last night....

Toys... Ollie loves his baby gym - basically anything that he can lie under with toys dangled over him. We also have a tippitoes door bouncer which is brilliant and not expensive- it hangs from the door frame. Of course at the moment all he wants to do Is lie in bed cuddling mummy.

Oh dear, hope Ollie gets better soon. Tom has given me the cold he and DH had last week. Tying to change nappies whilst dribbling snot from nose isn't pleasant. On the uP side, Tom slept until 3.30 then I had to wake him at 8am. Of course I was awake half the night blowing my nose so no benefit to me, but hope this is the end of the sleep regression. He has his third imms tomorrow so hope that won't set us back again.

Tom's favourite toys have changed recently. He used to love lying under his gym but I think he finds it too frustrating now as he wants to really handle stuff and chew on it. He now likes a big soft elephant (jelly cats I think) which I sit on his chest and he goes for the ears and sucks the trunk. I'm going to have to start washing and disinfecting toys I think. Yawn.

Naps wise we are still experimenting. He went through a phase of having 2 hours at lunchtime which was fab for me as I could get stuff done and have a civilised lunch reading the paper. But he then wouldn't have one in the afternoon so by 6pm would be grouchy. So am trying to limit each nap to an hour in the hope he'll have an afternoon sleep too.

We finally have the forecast rain here -the garden is happy at least.

Welcome, 33!

Pamela, our doc had recommended that we start weaning Franz after 4 months (this Saturday) b/c he is so tall and holds his head up and has mild reflux. DH and I decided to wait until after we return from the US at the end of August, and to allow his gut to mature, as Muser mentioned. Plus I really want to try the BLW. He frightens me, though, with how much milk he takes a day -- over 1000 ml!

Cherub, sending all positive thoughts with fun dangly toys for Ollie to recover quickly! :) We also live in the Ravenscourt Park area if you'd like to meet at the end of August. I love going to the butcher in Holland Park.

Lozario, it took me less than 6 weeks to recover from my CS, though I highly recommend that she not do anything (no lifting, cleaning, allowing baby to kick scar...) except maybe the ridiculously light exercises recommended to her. So sorry for her long labour experience, but happy that she and baby are doing well!

Am returning to work after February, as have been there for 9 years and needed a break, plus can't imagine having to travel for work with a baby at home!

Sleeping: We had a mild 4-month regression (?) mixed with teething (?) last week when he was waking a bit more at night, but now (knock on wood) nights are fine. It's the daytime naps that we can't seem to keep consistent. I blame the dummy, which I think he's too dependent on, for daytime sleeping.

Franz loves his dangly toys and soft books, too. Also loves to roll onto side and play, but hasn't made the plunge to his belly (except on the couch with the incline in his favour).

Weighed myself at the gym today and haven't lost an ounce! :( Maybe it's my ravenous appetite and sporadic eating! It'll be worse when we go to the US for the obvious reasons (food is crap there, portions larger, and less walking!) I'm doomed...

Hi everyone

welcome Pamela and 33 this is a really friendly informative board. I feel like all these people are my friends and I havent met any of them !! my fault for being such a northerner hehe.

Thanks for all the suggestions re toys. I eventually decided to go with www.mothercare.com/Bright-Starts-Bounce-Baby/dp/B004B9RSBA?ie=UTF8&ref=sr_1_15&nodeId=42764041&sr=1-15&qid=1310054311 This.

It looks really good!! and My friend bought lucy a gym after she was born an couldnt get it to me until lucy was 2 months by which time I had already bought one so I took it back the shop put some money towards it and got this. It looks super fun and another distraction!!

Spent today inside cleaning!! I am addicted to cleaning and washing and all that stuff but I can leave myself looking dirtier than a sewers! strange!

well anyway better go its feeding time!

much love xx

I'll just quickly add I did want to buy the jumperoo but as the gym was from mothercare and I didnt have the receipt It had to be something from there and the jumperoo was £99.00!!!

So I thought noooo way
especially since its on amazon at £62!

petty Glad your baby friends are coming to you. I've not got on a bus since Hannah was born & have no plans to start.

Catherine Sympathies with going back to work, least it's only a couple of days before the summer holidays. I think nello was going back early - she's not been on for a while - maybe too busy?! What's your plan for feeding? I go back in January - took 9 months. Tried another baby group today - definatly finding our feet out and about.

highland We use lollypop pockets Pros: Easy to use, quick drying and good at containing poos. Cons: Two sized and I can't see the size 1 lasting the 9 months (91st centile baby) and they do need changing every 3 hours or risk a wet patch on her clothes.

cherub You poor thing. I hope Ollie gets better soon (and has a long sleep for you to catch up)

Jupiter Well done on the weight loss. Sleep is still broken. Going for block feeding at night now to try and fill her with hind milk.

Today Hannah was mostly amused by some shiny cards which I attached to some string. The light kept jumping off them and she loved it.

Welcome 33goingon64

Right an episode of True Blood and then bed for me. Or maybe not - Hannah seems to have woken.

Mothercare price match to Amazon - take a screen shot in to the store. I got my pram much reduced as a result.

Thanks for all the C Section recovery advice peeps :) SIL had a little boy, she knew it was going to be a boy all along though. Haven't met him yet, OH has though as he went to see them at the hossie. Not sure when visiting hours are now they are home!

How glad am I that it's Friday. It's been a long week! Lara up at 5.30 this morning :( I rocked her back to sleep til 6.30 when she was desperate for a feed, so she has now just woken up from her first nap of the day! Comes to something when you need a nap at 8am doesn't it...

cherub how is Ollie today?

lozario I forget to say - congrats to your SIL. I hope her recovery goes well. Hopefully you will get to see him soon. Will it make you broody?! I too am glad its Friday, we had a 5am wake up call as well. Hannah then napped at 7.00 til 7.30, we are on nap number 2 now! Am not feeling human today.

C'mon Hannah - repeat that 5 hour stint you did weeks ago. Or just go 4 hourly at night. This 2-3 hourly pattern cannot go on! She probably isn't hungry - its for comfort at least every other time, but anything other than a boob would take too long in my sleep deprivated state. I am seriously considering a new bed (we only have a double) so co sleeping can become more full time.

I have ordered a lie in tomorrow. Thing is its just so hard to convince DP to get out of bed before i'm properly awake. He seems to think he is tired after working all week!

Definately planning on expressing for the 3 days I´m back in July at very least. I´m only out of the house 8am till 4pm so I work that at 3 feeds. I´m just not sure how much a feed is. Then I can keep my usual BF pattern during the summer and express enough to last at least till the 6 month mark (23rd Sept). I will then feel proud of myself for making the 6 months and if she then goes on formula during the day if expressing is too hard with work then I won´t feel guilty. I want to keep the morning and evening BF though.

Better go... break time over, Anya wants booby!

haloflo we dud exactly that and now have a superking size bed so cosleeping is easier. Having said that he still takes up virtually the whole bed as I put him in the middle as scared he will roll out ( I settle him there at 7 and leave him there till I come up). And he lies spreadeagled!!

Ollie is much better thanks to the antibiotics. He gave me his first real smile in 5 days today, will let me put him down fir a few minutes and has got his voice back! Last night not great as settled at 7.30 then awake at 11.45, 1.15, 3.15, 5.25 and up at 6.50 but a million times better than the last week as I actually got 7 hours sleep over the night!!
Hope you are all sheltering from this rain!!
Sounds like a holland park/ravenscourt park meet for the west londoners might work????

Hi all, welcome 33 wow have you been in the rain!! Its absoulutely chucking it down or as my mother says stair rodding???? Anyway! we have had quite a good few days, got cassie weighed this morning and she is now 14lbs . sleep wise she has gone back to once during the night at about 2am, then waking around 7.30ish It was Oscar's sports day on wednesday which he did really well in , came 1st in 3/5 races and 2nd in 2/5 . He wasn't happy about the 2nd place though, SO competitive it is actually quite embarrassing!
I'm not thinking about work as my job won't be there for me as my boss using other childcare arrangements, after school clubs and holiday clubs as she really only needs me for 3 hrs a day twice a week, but then 8-6pm in the holidays. So maybe i will be on the dole come November!! At least Oscar would get free school meals and more importantly to him a mummy who picks him up from school and is at home everyday. wow, its really tricy feeding and typing!! call back later!!

cherub So glad Ollie is feeling better. Hopefully tonight will be better for you & he won't need his mum quite so much.

Can I ask you a bit more about your bed? Do you have bed rails? Or mattress on the floor? Or surround the bed with pillows? Hannah can't roll yet but its probably a matter of time. What is the spreadeagled thing about? Arms up in the cot, arms out in our bed. She takes up more room than your average adult!

sam Well done Oscar on his sports day performance! Congrats on cassie's weight too.