March 2011 - we made it!

[Muser]

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

nello transition to cot was relatively easy as we did it in stages. I sleep lying on my side with arm on the mattress sticking out straight or under the pillow, knees curled up slightly. Baby lies on his side next to me, tummy to mummy, and he feeds lying down then just falls asleep (fingers crossed!). One good way to get in this position with baby at the right height to latch on properly is to sit in bed with baby latched on in cradle position, then lie down with baby latched on...not as difficult as it sounds!

I let baby go to sleep wearing just a vest and baby gro, and have the duvet pushed down round his feet so not covering him, but pulled up over my shoulders. my body heat keeps him warm. I find that I don't move a muscle in my sleep and wake up in the same position, and I do wake up if he starts snuffling around for food. When he wakes up we just change sides so that he can have the other boob.

Other tip is I have my mobile on silent next to my free hand so I can see the time without moving and disturbing him.

as for getting him in to own bed - with DS2 as he got a bit bigger, once he was in a deep sleep I was able to wriggle out of bed and then scoop him up and transfer to moses basket for an hour or two, and then after a while he just became comfortable being settled in the moses basket. I think a big difference for him was when he was old enough to wear baby sleeping bags which meant he fed in the sleeping bag with me in the chair, and being transferred into the moses basket he wasn't going into a "cold" bed IFSWIM. Ironically now, DS2 does not like cuddling up in bed at all and he is 2 years old, so I don't think it necessarily creates a dependence on being in mummy daddy bed!

To be honest, co-sleeping started out as a survival strategy for me, but I absolutely love it and would always do it now.

I think the key is softly softly, little by little - it does feel like it will be never ending but baby will get there in the end....

hope this helps... as it happens, even with the co-sleeping I didn't have a great night as after a 3 hour sleep he then wanted to feed every hour for the rest of the night, but we have just hit the 3 week growth spurt.... I shouldn't tempt fate!

Morning all, we're on day 5 now and Lara is feeding well but my nipples are SO painful! When do they harden up??! Never had this much pain with DS1, but he always fed in 10 mins flat so never got to bad.

Not much sleep happening - I remember when I was pregnant, she would wake up around 10pm when I went to bed and kick the crap out of me for 3 hours or so - now she's out she feeds almost solidly during that time! Reckon I'm still getting more sleep than I did at the end of pregnancy though - it was dreadful by the end.

Really what you need after giving birth is a week at a spa - not a newborn!! Oh and DH has man flu - the same cold that I had last week at 41 weeks pregnant AND when I gave birth, but of course it's MUCH worse for him...!

Morning. I'm with you on the spa thing Lozario, I'd love a day in the spa. On the nipples, have you had your latch checked to make sure it's ok? I know it's your second, but there could be a little problem you're not seeing or Tongue tie or something.

My girl is now 7 weeks and we're off for her 6 week check today. I can't believe how quickly it's going. I'm getting big smiles now and it's lovely.

Hi all, I've read the thread and had lots of comments as I went through but I'm on my phone and i've forgotten everyone's name!

Split, I'm SO made up for you, congratulations! x

Lozario, I read your birth story on the Antenatal thread, that has to be one of the best birth stories I have ever read!!

Nello, I would also be nervous about falling asleep with LO on top of me, could you try side feeding in bed? My DH has been sleeping downstairs while we get him settled in the Moses, co-slePt for first week then luckily he settled in Moses.

I should point out that I have DS settled in moses, not DH

just checking in. I do read every day just finding it hard to post at the minute.

love to all.

Wow this thread is v busy since I last checked in! Congrats to all new mummies and babies. Am staying with my parents for 10 days without any Internet so just saying a quick hi from phone.

Wonderful news Spilt - hope it all keeps going well.

Take care all. Also need a spa - although suspect I'm a) a bit hairy as haven't managed to get waxed and b) my boobs would probably leak everywhere .

That would be a very compact DH honeymoonmummy

Thank you for all your congratulations, still got silly s here.

Take care all x

Thanks to halo for updating the list on AN thread - thought we should have it here:

ARRIVALS:
09/10/2010 (due 25/02) Spilttheteagain pg#1, baby girl Bobbie, born sleeping at 20 weeks, RIP xxx
15/02/2011 (due 27/02) Muser pg#1 - baby girl
15/02/2011 (due 04/03) Jeffily pg#3,(DD1 angel baby, DD2 15months) - baby girl Leila Hope
19/02/2011 (due 02/03) AfterIVF - baby girl Isabel
21/02/2011 (due 27/02) Mendipgirl pg#2 (DD1) - baby girl
24/02/2011 (due 24/02) Sam26oscar - baby girl Cassie Cherry at 10.47am 6lb 10oz
01/03/2011 (due 03/03) irishqueen - baby girl Maeve 7lb
02/03/2011 (due 18/03) Jenchandler- baby girl Isobel Seren at 7.11pm 6lb 12oz
03/03/2011 (due 10/03) Spaceal - baby girl 5lbs 11oz
04/03/2011 (due 04/03) CarrieBadshaw - baby BOY 10lbs.
04/03/2011 (due 04/03) Bluebeach -baby girl Hester 7lbs
04/03/2011 (due 12/03) am988 - baby boy at 02.26am 7lb 7oz
06/03/2011 (due 05/03) Hattie05 - baby Boy at 4:30am 8lb 9oz
07/03/2011 (due 17/03) Niknan pg#3 (DS3,1MC) - baby girl Charlotte Louise at 4.16am - 6lb 2oz.
08/03/2011 (due 04/03) Larty74 pg#1 - baby boy Blake at 12:36pm 7lb 14oz
08/03/2011 (due 05/03) NowPanicAndFreakOut pg#1 - baby girl
08/03/2011 (due 09/03) Pushmepullyou BABY BOY 8lb 4oz
09/03/2011 (due 11/03) ckny1 pg#1 - baby boy Franz Zaven
10/03/2011 (due 27/02) StrangewaysHereICome pg#3 (DD 5yrs DD 4yrs - baby boy at 7.45pm
10/03/2011 (due 03/03) cherub59 pg#3 (DS 3 & DD 20months) baby boy Oliver
11/03/2011 (due 10/03) Evianbaby pg#2 (DS1 Oct 08) baby girl 8lb 1oz
13/03/2011 (due 18/03) Purplefan pg#2 (DD 4.5) baby girl at 2am - 5lb 3oz
13/03/2011 (due 03/03) TooImmature2BMum pg#1, Baby girl Thea Joanne born sleeping at 9.42am, 6lb 15.5 oz
14/03/2011 (due 09/03) Sittinghippo pg#2 (DD3) Baby girl Bethany
14/03/2011 (due 13/03) Doubleshotlatte pg#2 (DD 2.5) baby boy 8.2 lbs
15/03/2011 (due 22/03) jammiedodger2 pg#3 (DD9 DS6) baby boy Benjamin Luke 7lb 8oz
15/03/2011 (due 10/03) Coraltoes pg#1 baby girl
15/03/2011 (due 11/03) Sarahscot pg#2 (DS aged 3) BABY GIRL - Millie born at 9pm 8lbs
18/03/2011 (due 18/03) Rockchick1984 pg1 baby boy Alfie at 9:55am, 8lb 6oz
18/03/2011 (due 23/03) Me23 pg#2(DD 5)Baby boy Ethan born at 10pm 6lb 10oz
19/03/2011 (due 13/03) gemma4d Baby Millie born at 2:50, 9lbs!
19/03/2011 (due 10/03) GeekLove pg#2 (DS1 Nov 08) Micheal Charles George born at 23.41 3.8kg (~8lb 6oz)
17/03/2011 (due 12/03) Highlandbird pg#1 baby boy 8lb 7oz
18/03/2011 (due 19/03) angelbabe1982 pg2 (ds 2.9) baby girl Emily Elizabeth
18/03/2011 (due 04/03) Superpenguin pg#1 - baby boy Thomas 8lb 13oz
19/03/2001 (due 09/03) gem3225 pg#1 - baby boy Harris 8lbs 8oz
19/03/2011 (due 07/03) Mixedmama pg#3 (DS1 4.5 and DS2 2.5) London baby boy Emir 8lb 7oz.
20/03/2011 (due 17/03) edeluna pg#1 baby girl Sabine 7lb
21/03/2011 (due 18/03) EvaLongoria pg#2 (DD 3) baby girl Zara 8lb 14 3/4 oz
22/03/2011 (due 21/03) Jupiter118 Pg#2 (DS 3.5) baby girl Emilia 9lb 4oz.
23/03/2011 (due 20/03) 1Catherine1 pg#1 - baby girl Anya born at 1:54am weighing 6lb 12oz
23/03/2011 (due 28/03) Chickiewoo pg#2 (DS 4) baby girl Imogen Cecilia 7lb 9oz
23/03/2011 (due 16/03) Honeymoonmummy (was Campervanfan) pg#2 (DD born Nov 08) baby boy Dylan 8lb 5oz
25/03/2011 (due 22/03) Niamh29, DD1 4, DD2 1.5, baby girl Mya Grace 7lb 3.5oz
26/03/2011 (due 10/03) LovelyKatie pg#1 baby girl Lucy 8lb 2oz
26/03/2011 (due 12/03) Medee baby girl Elizabeth 6lb 14oz
27/03/2011 (due29/03) emma31177 (boy 15yrs girl 2yrs 4 angels) baby boy Tobi Daivd born 11.51am weighing 9lbs 4oz
27/03/2011 (due 20/03) Kagey (DD Sept 08) baby girl Elize at 3.03pm and weighing 9lbs 5oz
29/03/2011 (due 20/03) haloflo baby girl Hannah Kirsten 8lb 9oz
30/03/2011 (due 24/03) mama2plusbump pg#3 (DD2, DD1) baby girl Safiyah born at 2.13 6lb 2oz
30/03/2011 (due 30/03) pettyprudence baby boy Arthur Dafydd at 3.22pm 7 lb 7oz
01/04/2011 (due 23/03) Lozario (DS1 22 mo) baby girl Lara Jean
01/04/2011 (due 27/03) Kpidgeon pg#1 baby boy Elijah 9lb 8oz
03/04/2011 (due 18/03) JeelyPiece pg#3(2MC) baby boy Alistair

ARRIVALS TO BE CONFIRMED:
28/02/2011 (due 01/03) BunderTheBonnet pg#2 (DD3) - baby girl 7lb 1oz
03/03/2011 (due 20/03) nancydrewrocked - baby girl
07/03/2011 (due 07/03) Lauzifer - baby girl
??? (37 weeks) (due 13/03) HeadingHome - baby girl, 5lb 4oz

DUE:
28/02 BramblyHedge pg#3, (DS1 4, DS2 2)
01/03 Snapdragon3 pg#9 (MMC, DD 3, DS 2, 5 MC)
01/03 MummyGeorgie pg#1
01/03 rfata Expecting TWINS!!
03/03 Celia76 pg#3 (DS1 5 & DS2 almost 3)
05/03 Bollandbear (ds1)
07/03 Toota pg#?
08/03 Clucky31 pg#1
08/03 Polkadottytotty pg#3 (DS1 5.5 and DS2 3.5)
09/03 Penguindreams #1 & 2!
09/03 DramaMama pg#3 (BABY GIRL) DS now 4 + 1 angel baby.
10/03 Sevenbubbles pg#2 (DD1 23.5 months)
11/03 Rayeraye pg#4 (DD aged 3, two angels)
13/03 katster37 pg#2 (DS 10mo)
13/03 MJM86 pg#1
14/03 ZafNoodles
16/03 Sharu Expecting a baby girl
17/03 KateandEmsMum pg#5 (DD 3, DD 10 Months)
17/03 MrsMullen pg#1
17/03 looblee pg#1
17/03 Coco29 pg#1 (1MC) Its a BOY!
18/03 Oceanbreeze pg#1
19/03 castlegirl pg#1
22/03 NoSleepTonight pg#3 (DS1 5.8, DS2 15months)
23/03 Katystar pg#2 (DS 4)
23/03 Lia66 PG#10, (dd 15, ds 13, ds 7, dd 5, dd 3 (4 angels)) BABY GIRL
23/03 sac55
24/03 Snotdroolanddirtybums pg#4 (5, 3 and 2)
25/03 Darnsarfupnorf pg#1 (DD on the way)
27/03 FuzzyWuzzwuzz pg#1
29/03 PipPipPip pg#1
30/03 JoJoB77 pg#1

ps also seem not to have too much time to post, but am reading if anyone else does.

Congrats to new babies.

Baby 2 weeks old now - time flies. She is quite well settled most of the time (for now!!!) and seems to be developing her own little personality already. Is getting weighed tomorrow, but hoofing down bottles. Still expressing, but had to chuck it for about 5 days as the EBF/antibiotics upset her.

Stitches/downstairs still sore - antibiotics for infection finished hopefully infection gone - mw coming to inspect tomorrow (lovely job - not) and also now have thrush. Got pessary from GP, but is hard tablet kind and can't face putting it in so have bought a cream combi one (more expensive hence not on prescription) to use instead. The thought of putting it in still horrifies me though - am such a wimp.

[waves to all] Jx

dp went back to work today it was so nice having him around, luckily today has been very good, Ethan has been sleeping for most of it, he woke at 6am fed then back to sleep at 8ish then woke at 10:30 fed back to sleep at 11:30 and still sleeping.
DD is in easter hols tomorrow I don't know hOW i will keep her entertained as I don't feel confident going out yet as Ethan is fully bf and feeding in public is quite nervewraking, and I don't drive and it is a hassle to get anywhere.
I can't believe he is 3 weeks old tomorrow, The health visitor hasn't been in contact at all though! was discharged from the mw on monday and she was surprised the HV hadn't been. Oh well not a major issue as nothing I need to ask hv I just want the red book so I can record baby's weight and vaccinations.

Jupiter and Halo thanx for the list. Just went through and looked at all the arrivals. Lovely names floating around.

E is doing well here. Very awake in the mornings till about lunchtime. He seems to be drinking lots of milk too but not to any sort of routine. He has a bottle every 2-3 hours tried upping to 4oz but he didnt ever really finish it so sticking with 3oz and more often. He does seem to be hungry about 1.5 hours later sometimes though and sometimes just an hour and I worry that his little stomach will be overful as if i do feed him he often (though not always) vomits a little later.

The big brothers are still being very helpful and sweet which is a relief that this attitude seems to be here to stay.

We have booked our summer holiday so need to get E a passport. We are off to Turkey for the full six weeks holiday with my mum and dad, DH is coming for two weeks. I took DS2 when he was 6 months and we were fine. People keep asking me if the heat will be too much for him, what if he gets ill etc. We are going to our family house though so I feel confident that we will be fine, plus there will be loads of family support, plus we know everyone at the beach, in the shops etc. So excited though, cannot wait. And, my dad decided that he wanted to pay for the kids so that was a massive bonus.

Anyway, mammoth me me me post.

We all seem to be falling into some semblance of normality now so hope you are all out enjoying the lovely weather.

me23 - what about playdates? We are short of money this Easter holiday so I have contacted ALL of my friends/school mum friends with DC and offered playdates at mine or at theirs. For a couple it is going to involve major public transport and all 3 DC - however I am bottle feeding so that not such an issue.

Alternatively, what about offering to meet at parks for picnics etc as for the short time I did BF any of mine I found these were the kind of places where nobody pays any attention whatsoever even if you have to whip the boob out in its whole entierity (the way I have always done it).

Other ideas if you really dont want to be around people.

• Teddy Bears Picnic (in the garden/living room)
• Board games
• Craft days
• Treasure hunts
• Film/duvet days
• Baking

Can you tell I have already been googling to keep us occupied??

Also, sorry for the third post in a row.

Please try and feel better about feeding in public, it can get very lonely and isolating otherwise. Maybe baby groups or soemthing where BF is expected IYSWIM.

mixedmama those ideas are great - all our toddler groups are shut for Easter so it's good to have some games planned. Isn't it good about all the bank holidays coming up though - as long as DH is useful about the house, that is!

Muser it's strange because she's SUCH a different style of feeder to my first. I asked mw about it, she said it looks a bit like she's chewing on the end, yuk! Her mouth is very small though so hopefully she'll get a larger latch as she gets bigger. It's not quite as painful as it was but god it smarts at first!!

Lara is quite settled during the day, but at night she is feeding constantly between around 10-2ish, quite fussy too, it's exhausting. Tried to put her in the Moses basket 8 times in a row last night between 10-12 before admitting defeat! She genuinely feeds each time too so I think that's when she cluster-feeds - she's been sleepy in the afternoons so that's just her pattern at the moment I think. She's only 6 days old so I'll give her the benefit of the doubt... For now!!

Well after a pretty good start to BF I have today given up and switched to formula. I swear my nipples were starting to retreat at the thought of each feed. I think the latch was ok but he is such a fierce sucker! So have mostly been crying on and off all day due to guilt but also massively relieved when he was chomping down his first bottle that it wasn't my nipple. I thought I would EBF until he was weaned!

Hopefully with a bottle feed he will be more settled at night too as we have had some noisy ones! Sometimes he'll settle in his cot fine, other nights, not a chance.

lozario been there with the sore nipples - it will get better soon. Providing you let them air dry with a little breastmilk rubbed on them they should heal soon. I cannot believe that 2 weeks ago my nipples were blistered and xcabby but now they look unscathed.
Had to spend 6 hr in the hospital yesterday for Michael's jaundice screen - tedious was not the word. Then DH forgot the carseat on pickup so I had to smuggle him home! Other than that everything else is fine, he is registered and is wonderfully settled.
I also managed a first last week - BFing on the bus. I was a little self consioux but that was more to do with the emormous poostain up his back which had entitley escaped my notice until then.
Hope to hear from you all. Next on my things to do is contact the DWP and tax credit people.

Just popping on to say Tooimmature has been in touch on the antenatal thread, in case you aren't checking it any more.

Will catch up properly again soon, for now everything is fine, 3 weeks in and everything feels like its starting to fit into place. Honestly second time round is a totally different story, so much more relaxed, but I do remember those first few sleepy, milky, sterilised, pukey, nappy filled weeks first timers! Soon it will seem as if LO has always been there, you will barely remember a time before...

petty you gave the breast feeding a good go - I can see why you're sad about it but if it was that painful you can't blame yourself. Lara is quite a delicate feeder and even she's made me cry once or twice, so can't imagine what a fierce sucker would be like! How is he taking to bottles?

geeklove thanks for the advice about the nips - I think they are starting to heal now, I feel a bit sorry for Lara feeding and probably swallowing scabs?! Grim. We had some tedious hossie jaunts over the wknd too for her jaundice levels, felt sorry for her when they jabbed her little heels! She hated it.

My phone sent msg before I was ready!

hippo thanks for letting us know about tooimmature on the other thread. I find it amazing that she had the strength to write it, especially so beautifully. It's just utterly tragic, I'm glad she is still touching base with us.

Also re: second baby, so far I totally agree with you - Lara is one week today and so far I really can't believe I've enjoyed her so much - am kind of waiting for the tits-up moment!!! So it's reassuring to know that after 3 weeks you feel the same. Are you in any sort of routine, how are you sorting DC1 at bedtime with the new baby?

Right, time for Corrie :-

Agh just typed out long message and lost it - takes ages typing with one hand. Elise is doing very well and BF going much better than with DD1. She has a top-up of formula at 1am. She is 12 days old and just gorgeous like her big sister!

xxx

Lozario I couldnt exactly say I am in a routine as such yet, just that Bethany seems to feed every 2 hours during day, and then 3-4 hours at night. I am lucky that my DH is home by tea time every evening so he can help out with the bed time for DD1. Beth seems to fall asleep after her feed at 7pm-ish so I can then go and do the story and tucking in with DD1.

Kagey I too have found BF soooo much easier this time. I have no idea why, I struggled on for over four months first time round, and never properly enjoyed it as I frequently (though not always) found it painful. This time round the pain was gone by week two and am getting used to being discreet in public. (I'd forgotten just how tricky it is holding a crying baby, trying to fiddle with bra clips, while not flashing any boob at the old gent on the opposite bench!! )

Petty I meant to ask whether the night time is more settled with your DS now he has formula? I remember introducing a bed time formula for DD1 after a few weeks and it definitely made a difference to her sleep pattern then. Apparently formula sits heavier in the tummy so keeps them going for longer.

hello, just checking in to see how everyone is getting on, great news from Spilt!
Just wanted to say thanks for the words of support on here when I was struggling recently, I'm now getting some help to cope with my PND, started on AD's a few days ago and this morning am actually feeling positive for the first time in ages. Also, am still able to BF on them, although going along to a BF clinic tomorrow to check his latch on as he seems to be swallowing an awful lot of wind, anyone else having problems with excessively windy babies? Shouldn't complain though, at least I'm not suffering with scabs on my nipples, that must be awful, I'm still slathering on the lansinoh after every feed!
Anyway, sounds like everyone else is coping just grand, hopefully I'll be posting in a couple of weeks saying how great I feel.....the doctor seems to think the AD's will kick in fast.

highlandbird glad you're starting to feel better - I have a friend with PND and after a couple of weeks on the meds she's feeling levelled again, and like you she's breastfeeding successfully too so it hasn't impacted at all on that aspect.

And re: windy babies - Lara struggled with lots of farts last night, she was quite difficult to settle all evening - I think as it's hot weather at the moment she's feeding more frequently to stay hydrated, so she's taking down more air.

She's also becoming more "awake" already, only 9 days old! I feel like it's going really quickly, does anyone else? Although when DH goes back to work it will be a different story...!