september edd new babies arriving come share the ups and downs here

[ssmile]

Hello. Think i was first to deliver off the September EDD thread so waving to see if anyone else out there yet to join me :)
Had my 2nd DD on 26aug by C-sec. We now home but struggling with BF and baby lost 10% body weight in 3days. Started to top up with formula in syringe to try give cracked. Bleeding nipples a rest, but milk is starting to drip out now leaking everywhere! Hoping for a better night tonight after 3nights of hourly feeds and snatching 2-3hrs of sleep.
Anyone else struggling too?

So I started to write a load of replies last night and then got waylaid and couldn't finish the responses! So I am leaving some in and some are re-written!

Thanks Minky, I didn't leave her to cry and I know it's natural, but boy it's not easy hearing it. The clip is lovely, and it's cool, seems like it's a natural kind of noise for babies to make as LO makes very similar noises.

ssmile, Glad you managed to get some clothes, I've tried to buy a few new tops, but they looked weird on me, I need to go shopping again, maybe I'll go again the week after next, very busy week this week. I've not tried putting her down that early, she tends to have a snooze around 6ish, then has a play about for about an hour and a half, but she always wakes after the snooze at 6ish and I don't want to try and keep her awake then as she gets proper grumpy then. But then we don't get up as early as you, it's usually between 8 and 9!

pixie, I think it's partly to do with the fact at first you are running on adrenaline and new baby love, then a few weeks down the line the adrenaline has run out and the lack of sleep has caught up on you and it feels more difficult that way. I know what you mean about OHs, I have on one occasion told him NOT to tell me he is feeling tired, as I had had a really bad night with LO and would not have appreciated the fact hat he slept through most of it and then said he was tired. As for bed time, I'm not trying to get a strict time in place, just a more regular time, I'm not too set on a strict routine as I'm fairly chilled about a lot of stuff, I just don't want her still to be awake at 11pm as she had been doing. But thanks for the advice on swaddling, I might look at it and see if it helps, as she does fall asleep really easily in the sling when she's all wrapped up on me, so swaddling might help.

feral, well done on the christmas shopping - not even started it here! We have our cot like that and have since she was born, it's fab for middle of the night feeds and settling if needs be. The only downside is losing space to get out of bed.

jimmi, Sorry to hear you had to abort the original santa plan, but glad you found another Santa for free. :) Hope the implant helps settle your hormones.

sebs :) we also had a long sleep from LO last night! 7hrs 40 mins between feed and the next one! OMG and had a very broken night on Friday night, I think friday night tired her out to the point of just crashing out fully last night. What is the highchair you have?

China, hugs. I find it tiring on days I don't have catnaps, although I don't have another LO to also look after.

Re the sleep thing and a routine for my LO. I'm not desperate to get a strict time for her going to bed, I just want it to be earlier than it was, otherwise it's put her down then me sleep then up and do it all over again the next day. Does it sound really wrong if I say I want a little bit of time in the evening before bed where it's just me and OH and we get to chill/chat. Before it was us 3 going through to the bedroom and me trying to settle LO before sleep and then OH would go to sleep about 10 mins before LO and I would then put her down and go to sleep, so I didn't get chance to have any proper chat or adult (and I don't mean in a rude way) time with OH.

I've had mixed results on the getting LO to sleep earlier. It's taking a long time in the bedroom before she goes off, but I'm going to stick with it for a while before I give up and go back to waiting till she falls asleep herself. Friday night it was 2 hours of settling! OMG - no tears or crying like the night before. Last night it was about 1hr 40 mins! I think I just need to stick with taking her through. I'm going to try the same thing every night for a while. Bedroom, feed, read story, feed, into cot, talk through day, say good night, stroke head and put on music, lie next to her for a while then cuddle again, try and put her down again see if she goes off, if not another feed and wait till she drops off. She's not quite self settling yet, but almost did last night, I'm hoping if I keep doing this she will do so in the time between putting her down and feeding again. I don't know if I'm doing it right, but if I keep the same thing every night then eventually it should work! I blinking hope so anyway. It's always darker in there as I only have a little light on in there now. It sounds like I do a lot, but it's all calm and after the good night has been said in bed I don't really talk to her, just keep it nice and light music and either hand on tummy or holding her hand. I'm not sure if trying to do a routine is easier at this age or when they are older, I'm trying all this the week before her 12 week growth spurt! Then things might all change.

But last night she slept for the longest so far :) 7hrs 40, mini 5 min feed, straight off again and then another 2hrs something! However Friday night was ridiculous, she woke up so much and spent 2 hours awake from 3:30 to 5:30 and practiced her chattering then.

In the interest of the group, I'm going to share some more TMI stuff. We had pain free sex yesterday and it was fucking amazing great :) It does stop hurting, just in case anyone is worried and has tried and it hurt, it did for me the first time, but has got loads better.

LO is one step away from rolling over! She is trying and trying and I reckon it really won't be long before she's over fully! If she is on her play mat, 10 mins later she is at 90 degrees to how she started! She is lifting her head loads when on her tummy and when holding her she's really really trying to stand and can if you support her push herself up! She is very much liking moving around. And now definitely knows where her thumb is!

Got a very busy week this week, tomorrow we're over to family, tues swimming, wed meeting friend in town and doing German market, thurs swimming, fri jabs! At some point I need to go and drop off the milk (2300mls so far) at the hosp for the milk bank, and see if I can exchange a couple of packs of nappies at mothercare. So no rest till next Sat!

Made Bara Brith today for OH and victoria sponge for me :) Yum OH had some of my cake though, but I'll not have his as I don't like dried fruit!

Anyway, I need some tea now before the bedtime trying starts again.

When I say 90 degrees I don't mean lying on her side, I mean instead of her lying like she is at 12 o'clock on a clock face she's then at either 3 o'clock or 9 o'clock, just coz she wriggles so much. She has on occasions moved higher too!

Thankyou everyone for your kind words. I should be more of a regular here - I tend to lurk a lot and only post in threads where monosyllabic responses are required! Think today was a bad day as dh had to work and has to overnight too so was a bit glum. Had a long walk and feeling more positive about the week ahead and being proactive about things. Hope we all get good sleeps tonight, and a good X Factor eviction (JanetJanetJanetJanetJanet)

china, don't worry, just come back as and when you can :) I have times when I lurk a lot, then do a massive post like the one above, then other days it's little and often!

I don't (or rather haven't) watch X factor, so I have no idea who you are all on about, but I'll say out with the rubbishy one :)

1hr 30 to get her down tonight. Hmmmm. OH did the feed/story bit, then she took a massive feed off me! I think she needs more in the bottle and a faster flowing teat as I think she got fed up with the bottle, I think it only had one hole in it! She hasn't long really been on the 2 holed teats, but I think it's needed now. Having said that she's never taken a huge amount from a bottle. But it was nice that I didn't do the whole time :)

Hurrah for no more Janet

100years, just a thought, do you have a bath as part of your evening routine? IME it works brilliantly at knackering babies out and getting them into a bedtime frame of mind. DS, DD and I bath together every night which is lovely, apart from when DD craps in the water. DD goes to bed at the same time as DS now (between 7.30 and 8.00) which gives us a good few hours of watching shite telly adult conversation.

DD is also a legendary wriggler and getting very strong at holding her head up. It's so exciting when they start figuring out how to move around.

Another weekend over - time seems to be flying past. Have had a really hectic weekend with a family birthday party and friends over for Sunday. Had a virus two weeks ago which has now become tonsillitis and chest infection so on antibiotics and hoping to feel better soon.
Thanks for lovely comments about LO on YouTube - all three of my dcs have looked much older than their ages - probably because they have all had so much hair from birth.
Had good news this week which I still can't quite believe. I have had a neural aneurism for over 16 years which is the reason I could never have a natural childbirth with any of my children. It's been hanging over me for so long and such a worry. I had a scan two weeks before LO was born and just got the results from my gp - the aneurism has completely gone. I am so amazed but seemingly it can sometimes happen.
Now I have scared myself senseless watching a horror film ( I never watch scary films but it came on while I was surfing my phone, couldn't turn it off and now I am petrified !). Well, off to shake like a leaf under my duvet - night all, hope you are all okay and sleeping well

China - big hug coming your way - hope you are feeling better

Feral, no we don't. OH said what about when we are away and can't give her a bath, he thinks it would make it difficult to get her down then if she is used to having a bath before bed. So we're tryin without. At least if we keep doing the same thing every night she'll hopefully work out that it's bedtime. If not then we'll possibly add a bath in then. But I've bathed her before bed before now and it's still taken ages from then before she goes to sleep. I don't honestly know, it's trial and error isn't it?!

Minky great news about the aneurysm I bet that's a worry off your mind. And I hope u managed to sleep ok after the film, what was it btw?

Thanks to anyone who has given sleep advice or routine advice. I'm very grateful and taking in board all comments and trying things as we go.

100 - it was called in dreams I think - very scary ! Luckily I slept like a kitten ! Think i should get a wiggle on and go buy some nappies - not sure which will be cheaper - asda or lidl - may have to go and have a look. Having done the brands with dd1 and dd2 I have come to realise how much could be saved by using the supermarket ones so need to investigate. Still using up the size 2 nappies but getting alot of overflows so time to move up a size I think !

Minky I have been using Lidl and they are FAB.

Minky - i've been using Adsa and they're good!! Think the Supermarket ones are just as good and a fraction of the price. And excellent news on your aneurism... :)

100years - the high chair is the Chicco Polly one.

China - glad you feeling more positive.Think we all go through lurking and posting phases on here!

Well, following the good friday night, we have had two poor nights... she's getting used to a new crib and not going well :( Also, think she's on a 10 and half week growth spurt (I guess babies don't always follow the book!!) as she's getting hungry quicker and can take more milk in a feed this week. Also she's filling out her sleepsuits when she wasn't just last week!!

100years - yes, my LO seems to turn 90degrees on the playmat when she's in a wriggling mood!

LO is becoming very chatty - loves the sound of her voice! And she has started doing proper belly chuckles and squeals! It's so funny...!

And... YAY to Janet going out and YAY to robbie still being in Strictly!! Good results!

Sorry I havent been on for a while, LO got taken in to hospital as he has Broncitis after waiting for 12 hours in A&E we then got moved 30 miles away to Reading as no local hospital has a bed for him, Thankfully his Oxygen levels have improved and was let home last night.

Hope everyone is doing well and will catch up on all the post later x

Hi Jpojo, hope your LO gets better, that must have been really scary for you. Have noticed LO is falling asleep at 5 ish then 7ish but I still end up having t go to bed by 9.00 if we want him to stay asleep as dream feed takes couple of hours with colic bouts. Wish the tv upstairs had an arial

Thanks sebs, will have a look into that. Hope she settles again soon, seems like Friday night was an odd night for everyone, mine was crap then brill on Sat, whereas others had good friday night's and crap sat nights!

Jojo, It's horrible with a LO going into hosp, my niece has had a lot of time in hosp this year with chest problems, not nice for her or her mum. Thinking of you.

More swimming today :) Woohoo :) Was great.

LO has a tiny bit of nappy rash, so put some cream on it, she's been fairly clear of it till now, hoping we can nip it in the bud quick enough.

OH woke me in the night to say "I think she's done a poo" Hmm, I 'made' him check even though she was next to me in the bedside cot, and I asked him earlier why he woke me to tell me that, he said he thought I was already awake! Nope I think I may have been in that shallow sleep bit, but I defo wasn't awake, and why I wouldn't have heard it had I been awake I don't know! Anyways.

Dropped off 2400mls at the milk bank today :) Picked up some more bottles, so I have enough bottles now to do another 1600mls, then I'll do another drop off and pick up if I'm still managing to do as much. :)

jojo hope your Lo makes full recovery must have been v stressful for you all.

candr can u connect your TV to.internet watch stuff online? Sometimes I watch stuff on laptop in bedroom whilst Lo windin on my shoulder.

china hope getting out for some fresh air helps. It's hard work with two.
I find 4-7pm exhausting in our house as DH not home, and if Lo doesn't have catnap around 5pm its nightmare trying to eat dinner with DD1 and do her homework, give her attention whilst babe ends up.crying in my arms. I just about get 4yr old in bed, then straight into trying to get babe down, if I'm lucky I'm.done by 8pm, when I just go to bed to.after 5min how are you chat with DH. Lo sleep still hit n miss, had one fab night she went 7pm -6am with one feed at 1am, but alas she hasnt repeated that! Yet... Last night was more typical she slept 7 - 12, then unsettled till 4am, then up 6am, I was vtired again this morn. It's becoming more of a battle to stay positive at the moment as exhaustion sets in.

Hope everyone else is hanging in there ok on these grey days. Wish rain would go away and we have some bright blue sky cold days I much prefer those.

Oh lord Jojo, that sounds terrible and frustrating and scary all rolled into one. I really hope your DS makes a speedy recovery.

Ssmile, I spend a lot of time trying to pay attention to DS with DD grizzling in my arms too. I hate it. Fortunately DS doesn't seem that bothered though and just shouts over her!

Had another visit from the HV today; I'm seeing her every couple of weeks because of the PND but I had a letter through saying that the counselling service has an indefinite wait! The HV was well PO'd about that. It's really crap that, unless you're prepared to take ADs, there's no treatment. There was a feature on Women's Hour about it yesterday saying that counselling services in the SW are amongst the worst in the country. Bless her though, my mum guessed yesterday when I was close to tears with DD being a complete PITA and has offered to pay for me to go private.

DD's been a bit rubbish at night this week, doing mega feeds at 1.30am-ish then pooing and puking everywhere for an hour or two but last night she didn't wake at all until DH left at 5.30 to go to work and I was dithering around getting DS's monitor and going to the loo, so that was 8.30pm - 5.30am

Another thing to about is that DS seems to have taken it upon himself to start potty training again. I went up to get him up from his nap this afternoon and he had done a poo in his potty all by himself

Just off now to email PALS, my MP and Women's Hour to do a bit of keyboard activism about the lack of mental health care in my area!

I donated my milk today and then discovered that someone I work with had her baby at 27weeks gestation and has been discharged today after 10 weeks! I had no idea that had happened as we didn't socialise with many people outside of work but it kind of brought the whole milk donation thing a bit more personal as we did chat at work. Her baby shouldn't even have been born yet and was only born about a week after my LO and probably before some people's in this thread.

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That %23 is supposed to be a hash but because I'm on the mn app on my iPhone it's not worked!!!

When I read this thread I often think how amazing some of you all are - well done for all the milk donations and positive things you still find time to fit in to what are very hectic lives. Feral - stick in there, hope that the pnd passes soon for you, I am so impressed that you are still thinking of helping others when you are having a hard time yourself.

Meant to also say thankyou for nappy tips. The asda new baby ones in midi size 3 seem very good so far and work out at just over 10p a nappy - something like £3.50 for 30. Asda also had a size 3 midi nappy that was not a newborn one that was even cheaper but I have not tried these yet - has anyone ? Will try out the lidl ones next I think as lidl is nearer to me than asda - wondering what the price is ? With regards wipes, I have found the huggies pure to be the least aggressive for delicate skin - I know this as years ago a friend pointed out the fact you could remove make-up with baby wipes - even waterproof mascara. Since then I have tested a few different wipes on myself and the one that is gentlest on my skin is huggies pure. When I was doing alot of decorating I discovered some brands could even remove paint they were so harsh !

Hi guys

Sorry I've been quite but will catch up later, hope you are all ok

Minky, you have a lot going on too, and you probably don't see it yourself, but you are amazing too, sounds like you have had a LOT to deal with and you are still giving out good advice, listening and helping others.

Hey Firework :) Hope you are OK yourself if busy.

Off to meet a friend and browse the German Market :) Might end up spending loads of money on tat. Looking forward to Big German Sausage :)

Jojo - that's awful ... really hope your LO is getter now, and things calming down.
Ssmile - hope your LO settles at night for you and you get some sleep.

100years - well done on the milk donation -that's brilliant, and as you said, so very needed. Your poor colleague - 27 weeks is so early. A friend of mine had a son at 30 weeks, with a cleft lip and palette. You could fit him in your hand (if you could have held him) and spent a while in hospital - but is a strapping 7 year old now!!
Feral - Yay to your Mum, that's very kind of her. Hope the counselling helps - what's the point of having counsellors on the NHS if the waiting is so long? I'm sure there isn;t a shortage of counsellors - but the funds for them. When will they take mental healthcare more seriously?
Minky - my LO is still in size 2 Asda nappies, although I am thinking that wie'll use up what we have, as she'll be in the next size up soon.

Got DSS and DSD at home today - due to strikes. Nice to have the company! LO seems to be settling easier after her feed in the middle of the night ... so getting about 2.5 - 3 hours sleep either side of feed :) Mind you she still stirs about every hour after the feed - but just needs dummy or tummy stroking rather than picking up. Growth spurt seems to be still on!!

Hi firework, thanks 100 - made me feel all warm and fuzzy! and good to hear send that your lo is settling better at night.
Lovely day today with the three dcs and my mum and auntie. We did a little shopping and then lunch out and it was wonderful - added to which I now have two gorgeous pairs of shoes (heels that I am going to try and use for once !). Lo was gorgeous all day and is now cooing at his daddy. Hope you all had lovely days too

Send should read sebs !