November 2011 - early birds, just in time and late to the party, all welcome!!

[TwoJackRussellsandapumpkin]

Hi all,

just starting up a post natal thread for all the due in November peeps on the antenatal forum and anyone else who would like to join in too, hoping to see my arrival by the end of the week, so officially an early bird I hope :)

Voodoo loads & loads of luck for the job interview tomorrow- knock 'em dead. I can't believe how many ladies on here are doing phds & masters & things - makes me feel quite an underachiever

Well it is 3am & I feeding DS for the 1st time since 8:30 as he took 5oz in a bottle from DH at 11! yay, yay, yay! I slept from a bit before 10 so a good 5 hours OMG when did that last happen! Still time for him to refuse to go back in his cot but still pretty much the most sleep I've had in 1 night, let alone 1 block

Found out this eve that iodine shouldn't be used in bf mothers so I'm very annoyed with practice nurse & a bit worried about how much I might have absorbed & passed on to Henry through course of yesterday & what the implications are for him . Have removed the iodine strips & cleaned all the iodine off so nothing more I can do really. Will try & get hold of tea tree oil tomorrow if I can.

Pam poor little W, it is so heartbreaking to see anything medical done to our LOs. I am a wuss about getting my blood taken so I am always amazed at how well they cope. Both Ds1 & DD have blood taken occasionally & I still find it heartbreaking.

PamSco Nothing wakes your Lioness as seeing and hearing your child in pain. I can hear and sense Abigail in pain, if that makes sense - when she had her lumbar puncture I heard her down the corridor and I nearly ran up to the treatment room and lamped the registrar - only DP holding me and wiping my tears helped...

Pam you poor thing, can't imagine how horrible it must be to watch your LO have something that medically invasive done - I was bad enough when DS had his heel prick test

Alicat totally feel the underachiever vibe at the mo too - getting dressed in the mornings is a major achievement in this household at the moment! Let alone doing any kind of further education lol!

Does anyone else's LO have constipation? I am exclusively FF'ing DS (who is 3 weeks old btw) and have done for the last week or so... (before then I was expressing and using formula - me and the little man had some issues with latching on). He used to be really regular, pooing about 2-3 times a day but now he really struggles. From 5am-9am for the last two days, he has strained constantly and groaned. I rang the HV and she advised giving him cool boiled water which I did yesterday and it did the trick, but no such luck today... any tips or advice? I am considering switching formulas as he seems so uncomfortable and irritable (and I'm nearly at the end of the tin anyway). Oh yeah and I am making the feeds up as per instructions (ensuring correct level of water etc.)

Am a little concerned he has an allergy as I did when I was a newborn and according to my mum, mine started with constipation and irritability but when I mention this to HVs they don't seem that fussed (maybe I'm just being a bit paranoid?)

Sorry for the epic post!

To all Mummy's who have had to sit through your baby having tests etc a big hug. I thought my tears would never stop when my DD needed lots of bloods in her first few weeks. But then I vomited after her first set of jabs.

I'm on the phone and cant name checkout but the easy digest Aptimel has eliminated DSs constipation and trapped wind. Took a week or so but no problems now.

Hot water bottle in the cot - genius. We got 4 hrs of straight sleep!!!! Thank you all for your wisdom.

Pamsco - i was welling up at your description of poor little W. Totally agree that its just the worst feeling ever. My DD1 had endless tests as a newborn, culminating in having a kidney removed when she was 6 months old. Just your description made me think about the whole process - had buried the horror down deep somewhere...

but on a brighter note, little Amaya has gone from 6.6lbs to 8.8lbs in 3 and a half weeks. I was thinking she was a little greedy guzzler but wow! Happy about that as having been worrying about my milk supply.
The health visitor was actually okay and quite useful today. Told me of a different way to latch her on (just lie down, put baby on top of you and let her find her own way) which will help relieve the never-healing left nipple.

Also, mentioned how energetic and difficult to settle Amaya is in the evening and she asked me what I eat in the afternoon. Which is quite a lot of sweet things as that is when I feel the most knackered. So her theory is that Amaya gets a kick from this extra sugar load which lasts into the night. But is this possible? I thought the nutritional composition of millk stays the same, no matter what you eat (although it can vary in taste)????

Anyway, it would be probably good for me to stay away from the biccies and cakes and eat muesli and yoghurt (her suggestion - how terribly dull!). My weight loss has now plateaued and could stay here for ages if I continue to eat pizzas, tubs of Ben and Jerry's and cakes.

ali - quite negligent of nurse, although maybe topical iodine isn't so much of a problem. I wish you quick healing now though, as I can imagine its getting really annoying and sore too.

And thanks all for the bf support - it was quite horrible but apparently this store (Illum) did actually ban bf-ing and actually chucked some mums out of the shop. Cue lots of media attention. Now it is allowed but in some designated areas or something...
But smiling - hook me up with the danish swear words for future use!

Pamsco I know exactly how you feel they did that to little Darcey on day two. Am actually sat here blinking now just remembering fx William is ok... We are still struggling to get Darcey well from her trip to SCBU with jaundice but each day is an improvement and I'm 50% there on getting her back to being exclusively bf again.

Well after reading some peeps posts on here I (touch wood) am really lucky. Darcey feeds every four hours, occasionally she likes a mid-feed snack. We use a mixture of bf, ebm and formula. However each fees the bf is getting longer and the formula getting less. She is a food monster though :) on the whole she is a really happy baby, screams the house down when hungry but other than that never really crys.

The only thing I'm gutted about is the lack of visitors I wanna show her off more :)

We are having a photo shoot tomorrow so mega excited! But could be messy as all pics are naked.

That's meant to be blubbing not blinking haha

There is some scarey physical response to our babies being in distress isnt there. I wonder if it ever stops though. Like, do our mothers still get it with us?
Mil has arrived. This isnt a problem but it highlights how I want MY mummy instead. There is something about my mil that reminds me what I dont like about dp without ever really being that awful or anything.
Wish dd would feed more, my boobs are overdoing it a tad.

Hey folks! Just popping in to say hello and congratulations on your lovely new babies! I still think of you all and wonder how you're doing but am obviously still quite cut up about losing my lovely girl. It's been almost two months now and I still find it hard to believe it happened. I put a little Christmas tree and nativity scene on her grave today to try to make it look a little festive but am so sad that she has to have a grave at all. Give all your snuggly newborns a kiss from me!

There's a boy sleeping in Scotland that has a grumpy look on his face because a big kiss and cuddle has just been deployed for you chip. A big hug back at you for your family.

Thanks all for your kind words - had a call to say W needs to go back to the clinic for round 2 of blood tests. Sigh, I need to toughen up a bit.

H007 I was thinking of getting some photos done for xmas presents but I may try to do them myself, give me something to do during the day :)

Can I clarify, only kiss and hug your awake babies for me! Never, ever wake a sleeping baby is my motto!
Thanks, Pam >

chip Thank you - there's a girl in the Peak district chomping away on a bottle while being showered with kisses :)
I keep thinking of you - I hope every day makes the memories sweeter and the pain duller.

PamSco I had that talk with my mum one morning at 4am when I called her crying and losing it because we were still in hospital, and still struggling with food, and had scalded her arm. Apparently she still feels that lioness urge to protect her babies, which is why she was on a plane over the next morning...
The other reaction was when I scalded her arm - I felt like I had completely broken the bond between us.
It all happened so fast - the water was all over her arm - I got her clothes off, saw the big blisters forming and ran out in the corridor screaming for help - the nurses ran off with her and I curled up in a corner screaming with shock, sorrow, fear, all those combined with thoughts of how I could have done that to her... It's taken until this week to properly re-bond with her and trust myself with her again.

Cali, I scalded ds4 once. Obviously by accident but I felt so bad. I had made some peppermint tea, so didn't add milk, it was very, very hot. I made it in a mug that had the Tweenies on it. I put it where I thought was out of his reach but didn't realise how tall he had become and he saw the Tweenies mug, figured it was his drink and spilled it all over his face and the top of his head. Luckily dh was on the ball and poured cold water all over his face and head. He looked like a pizza for a while but now you would never know he had ever had a burn. They do heal amazingly well at that age and more importantly he still loves me and thinks I'm wonderful.

We were at her second outpatient appointment today at the burns clinic - it's nearly healed over, just small wounds to go now. She should be out of dressings next Wednesday, all things being well. She's such a brave little girl - we've been through our turns with her...

Morning all. Just up again as little Erin isn't settling all that much. Just had 40 minutes in her cot but became upset. Just giving her a cuddle and a kiss from you Chip. She is only 4 days old so I don't mind giving her lots of hugs through the night. Mw reassured Mr it'd ok. Milk is in so hopefully she'll settle for longer soon.

Cali - its only now that I can understand how much it must hurt when your baby is unwell. I would never have understood this until now. Funny that your mum mentioned lioness my friend uses the term tigress. I can totally see it now.

Cali I had a similar thing with my mum - I was on the verge of falling out with her as she was insisting on coming down the day of my CS. I thought she was being a competitive grandparent wanting to see baby 1st & said I wouldn't be having visitors immediately. She said it wasn't to do with my baby. but her baby who was going for major abdominal surgery so obviously she had to be close at hand.

Chip lovely to hear from you. I think about you & your beautiful daughter a lot. H had decided that 4am is playtime so has been duly kissed & cuddled!

Anyone else up?

Ii am Never. Everything ok?

Chip, one little girl in Newcastle duly kissed & cuddled. I too often think of you and your beautiful little girl.
Thanks for the best wishes guys, gutted I didn't get it. It was between me and another candidate who actually had more research experience than me. I knew the people interviewing and it was the best interview. Feedbacks been excellent, that I totally impressed the panel etc. I've cried solidly since 5pm when they rang me.
Pam ah poor W. And poor you. Horrid when your babies are ill/needing intervention.

Morning voodoo. Everything is ok thanks. Sorry to hear about the job. If you did a good interview then you did very well. I can't imagine even putting on a suit at the moment let alone presenting as a job applicant. A very well done to you!

Erin is fine but just isn't sleeping for more than 40 mins or so even after feed. Milk only came in last night so not worried as its such early days. I don't mind being up all night looking at her anyway :)

Am tired but have a snoring dp next to me who will be duly woken in oh say an hour for his shift to start. I'll try and get a couple of hours then.

I have two bottles of lanson black label in the fridge awaiting my attention. I have a plan for those.

Anyway..........yawn

Ah thanks Never, literally it was between me and the other candidate apparently. Very gutted as it is literally my dream job. Trying to work up some enthusiasm to get over it. Not working so far!
Sophie has been up since 5.45. She did sleep most the night and is snoozing on the settee now. I should have gone back to sleep but just not settled enough. Bah. I could also watch Sophie all night! My OH is going to be in the doghouse when he wakes up. He's flipping useless at the moment! Difficult cos we haven't tried to express so I'm the only one feeding at the mo so I end up getting up and he gets to sleep. Very frustrating so good on your OH getting up! Hope you get some snoozing in later!

Ha just thought, I attempted to drink some wine OH bought me cos I was so down over the interview. I managed 2 inches. Then felt guilty. Arrgghh!

voodoo sorry to hear you didn't get position. I had wine on my birthday last week and W punished me by not sleeping, so i've sworn off it again.

Not that it has made any difference. W has been a great sleeper until the last few nights. He's discovered his voice that's for sure. We did a 4am feed, 6 hours later he hasn't stopped. He's drained both boobs twice. He screams blue murder if he loses the latch. I'm beyond exhausted.

I'm tempted to breakout the dummy though bf is not pain free yet.

Know dummies can be a Love em or hate em type point but I have given Sophie a dummy and it's made such a difference. She doesn't have it that often but as an example, lastnight she was uncomfortable, using me as a soother as she was screeching to be fed, not latching or managing it briefly and then screeching and not feeding. I gave her her dummy cuddled her and she finally fell asleep, up until that point she couldn't drop off. For us it works and as long as that's the case it's fine by me! She's asleep now btw without having needed it. I had to try two different dummies, she settled with the one that is flat rather than 'nipple shaped' and no nipple confusion as yet. Have been there re the feeding as well Pam.