Nov 05 Babies - They're ALL here!

[Rodeo]

Here we go, was going to write something lovely and meaningful, but I'm not very good at it so I'll leave that to someone else.....

Enthusia - it sounds like Sam is ready for bed after his 6pm feed and bath, so maybe try moving his bedtime til then and eating when he's gone to sleep. You can always do a dream feed in place of the 9pm one. It may mean that he wakes up earlier but he'll be happier in the evenings. My guess is he's unsettled because he's tired - this is exactly what Natalie was like before we started putting her to bed at 7.

I find pampers are the best, the occasional leak at night, but on the whole she can go for 12 hours in them, and no leaks during the day. Huggies were awful.

Natalie has 6/7 feeds during the day as opposed to 5 like it says on the tin, but I've been looking at the total amount of formula the tin reccomends during 24 hours as opposed to how many feeds.

The HV actually suggested weaning when I saw her before christmas, we were just waiting to see how she took to the hungry baby formula. I'm certainly not in any hurry to do it, but if she's hungry and formula isn't doing the trick then I don't see the harm.

oohh and I didn't realise they were charging to CAT now - makes sense I suppose

Morning all.

Haven't posted in a while, but doing well with Nathaniel turning into a very smiley happy baby. I guess I never really believed all those people who told me that children totally turn your life around and all your priorities change, but now I so understand. What a trip this is!!! I cannot believe how much I love being a Mum - even when Nathaniel decided that he HATED baby massage and screamed throughout the entire class (I think he may not like being naked, going to try again next week much to the other mothers' chagrin I'm sure!)

On the nappy debate - I find that Pampers are better than Huggies, but he manages to leak in both, usually all over me at very inopportune moments. I've become a master of changing him in the most difficult places - in the backseat of our car while breast feeding him was a highlight! I think with boys you can't avoid leaking - I always try to make sure he's pointing downward when I do change him, but doesn't always work .

Have a not so nice week this week as DH is heading over to US for his mother's funeral and I'm going into my office to try and get them to settle with me over my grievance - I'm hoping they'll agree that at least my job was made redundant and give me a generous redundancy package to make me go away, otherwise it's tribunal next which I really don't want the stress of going through.

Well N. has fallen asleep so I'm going to take this opportunity to jump in th shower.

J xx

Agree Golden and Busy, weaning is a PITA. My mum gave me a lecture the other day about this 'straight to finger food's at 6 months' theory. (She'd just been on a course to let her nursery qualify for the 'breastfeeding friendly' thingy from Unicef) It did actually make sense, will read more on it when the time comes. Bel and Joe were both weaned at about 18-20 weeks. Well, we shall see

She's started waking again quite frequently at night now after her 8 hour stints. Easy come, easy go

My bf got her 'long' baby girl measured again yesterday, her height is now off the scale!

Can't wait for CBB to end and get back to normality can't stop watching now! Also watching CBB Big Mouth straight after, it's taking a huge chunk out of our evening!! And don't get me started on Sly Burns, grrrrr.....

We've abandoned our cloth nappies for the time being. Her bottom get's so sore with them, even changing them every 1-2 hours, like she's been scalded Not worth the hassle or the extra washing at the mo! My washing pile is always busting out of the basket, and it's not just the washing it's the drying and putting away! What a drag! Our house is like a launderette.

Right off to pop madam in the bath, now I can hear she's awake

Nova/LilJ/JenJam/Anyamy - any one else? - fancy coming to mine for coffee/chat one lunchtime? After spending £20 at Giraffe for a salad, two coffees and a smoothee have decided to give it a miss for a bit.

What days are good for you?

Disaster - only lost 1lb on diet this week...........

Hope everyone and their babies are well. Can't contribute anything to weaning discussion. Don't have a clue yet.

Not quite sure what has happened to me but have been feeling mighty down since yesterday morning. Went out all day and visited a friend in the evening in the hope of feeling better but still can't seem to shake this off. Needless to say, DH and DF have made a quick exit, think they've had enough of my mood swings. Z was smiling away at me this morning and I burst into tears - feel guilty for feeling this way when I have the most beautiful thing that ever happened to me right here. I can't put my finger on anything, usually very happy but woke up and looked at the ever growing pile of laundry, dishes & various chores and just thought..I can't do another day of this. I know it will pass, I've experienced similar days in pregnancy and even at work. Finding the day to day mundanities a bit much at the moment and that's with my DF here (who is leaving on Sunday...eeeeek) so not sure what lies ahead when I'll be alone. I think I still expect to keep the house the way I did without baby and that I'm able to keep on top of everything AND have a social life..not possible I think.
Had also planned to visit the kids at school and then go on to visit an old colleague again in the hope of raising my spirits but DH has changed his plans now and the trip there is too difficult on my own.

Really sorry - don't know what's wrong with me.

Back to the grind x

Aw Chacha, don't worry, we all still get days like these, only last night I was trying to cook and hold Jess at the same time and shouted at dp 'you take her!' He then tried to give me her back about 5 mins later to which I snapped 'I don't want to hold her AGAIN!' Think dp is hacked off with my mood swings too! And things will come together soon (the house, social life, etc) (until Z starts crawling/walking/climbing and starts demolishing the house. Sorry I'm trying to make you feel better, honest)

A good friend of mine (I veiw her as a 'Supermum')walked out of her house and left her dh with her toddler and 3 day (!) old baby and drove to the park at 9 at night and sat in her car for a couple of hours, just to get away. We all laugh about it now but she felt suffocated by it all. Se was back in the arms of her loving family (and much relieved dh) by midnight BTW

oohhh Chacha cyber {{{{hugs}}}}. Is Z 8 wks? I only ask because thats when it all got to me too. Everything seemed so relentless, and the tiredness starts to catch up with you, and you just wish your baby would entertain himself to give you a few hours off.

I don't think there is any immediate solution - just make sure everyone knows how you're feeling and don't be afraid of feeling like you can't cope. A baby is bloody hard work, and we all deserve a big medal and pat on the back

What I mean to say is that that useless depressed feeling usually comes and goes and that is normal. It's when it comes and rarely goes it becomes a problem and if it does get that bad then get yourself seen by your GP pronto. Promise?

What I mean to say is that that useless depressed feeling usually comes and goes and that is normal. It's when it comes and rarely goes it becomes a problem and if it does get that bad then get yourself seen by your GP pronto. Promise?

What I mean to say is that that useless depressed feeling usually comes and goes and that is normal. It's when it comes and rarely goes it becomes a problem and if it does get that bad then get yourself seen by your GP pronto. Promise?

Ooops Hope you got the message anyway

Rodeo - I had to stop myself at the cinema on monday as the woman i was sat next to had a daughter called Jess born on the 10th Oct! I remembered you didn't live in London, which is good because she would have thought me a bit weird if i asked her if she was Rodeo!!!

Golden - which formula do you use? TBH i wouldn't have considered weaning if the HV hadn't raised it. They were just concerned that her weight had jumped so quickly. Going to get her weighed next friday which is 4 wks since we moved her onto the hungry baby formula to see if it's settled down. If it has, then i'll wait to wean. In fact i'd rather wait until she's able to sit and grab to do it. After reading another thread i'm going to give milumil a try.

Yoga was good yesterday, they all hang around to chat afterwards so it might be a good way to make some friends. One woman shaved her baby's hair off to get it to grow back thicker in later life, anyone else heard of that?

Wow, that's cool Nova! I read about a baby in Grazia who was born on 10th Oct 2005, and thought that was good, butto have the same name too is brill!! Probably a good idea though not to ask haha!

Really nust get my bottom up and start on the day's grind...

well, might put the kettle on first.....

I was supposed to start my exercising and diet this week.......

it's not happened.....

surprise, surprise

Thanks. You are spot on Nova, Z is 8 weeks on Saturday. I think I'm tired. I shouldn't be, DH takes Z from 12pm until the morning and only wakes me if he needs a feed. Honestly feel guilty for feeling this way.

On a brighter note, he has put on more weight and HV was v.pleased. Tessasmum - GP said his willy looked fine and to just keep an eye on it, she thought it okay. This morning there is little redness and I'm bathing it as often as I can.

Nova - we shaved Z's head at 7 days old. His hair is taking a while to grow back. DH wants to shave it all again so it grows back 'thicker/stronger', this is what everyone I know says who have done the same. Not sure if that's the case though. Will do some research.

Rodeo - You made me laugh at the 'you take her' scenario. Thanks for that.

Someone is awake. Bye for now

chacha - i find it's not lack of sleep that makes me worn out, but looking after baby during the waking hours. DH thinks he does me a favour by doing some weekend nights but what i really need is for him to take her during the day. H e finds it reaaly tiring if he has to look after her on a sat/sun day time - tries to make her sleep!!!

Hi ya

Chacha don't worry honey you are doing fine, this anxiety about keeping the house running as you used to and feeling like its all getting out of hand are completely normal, especially for first time mums. Nova was spot on about the 8 week feelings.
All I can say is don't worry about the household chores, they will always be there, enjoy grinning inanely at Zayn 'cos this time really does fly by even if it doesn't feel like it at the moment.
If you really feel the need to get everything in order wait till the weekend & tell your dh that he is looking after Zayn for the day and then crack on, you'll feel better that the house is back under control for 5 minutes & you'll get a break from Zayn too. Keep smiling and let rip to us whenever you need too.

LilJ sorry to hear about your dh's mum, I hope everything goes as well as it can in these circumstances and that he is back home with you soon.
Give them hell at work this week, make sure you screw them in to the ground

Well things with us are interesting, both boys are bunged up with coughs & colds, Ben hasn't been to school this week and is bored rigid and is driving me nuts!!!

The discussion on weaning is interesting, I think Thomas will be a 4 month baby too as he's fascinated by food plus he appears to be cutting a bottom tooth - I was amazed to feel a sharp point on his bottom gum yesterday - he seems to be in such a hurry to do everything i think he'll be chewing steak by 6 months

If anyones interested I've finally managed to post some pictures of the boys on the yahoo site. The one of Thomas & I was taken by Ben [proud mummy emoticon]

Right best go as I promised Ben I would play with him once Thomas had gone to sleep. Hope you are all well Beks

ChaCha - don't be hard on yourself. Having down days is perfectly normal. Don't expect to do too much yet, and don't plan too far ahead. Take one day at a time and it all falls into place.

First babies are much, much harder as you just don't know what to expect and your life changes - forever. Parenting is the hardest job you ever have to do, and the one you get no training for.

Always find getting out of the house, babies in buggy, if just for a walk around park, always makes me feel better.

Nova - using Aptilmil 2. What have you heard about Mulumil?

I've started yoga too. SureStart provides a free crech!

Have heard of shaving hair to get a better growth - don't know if it works like that? My boys have loads of hair so not an issue here.

Golden - the thread about Milumil is - here . Not all the posts are relevant, but thought it worth a try.

I was so ashamed at how long i could (or should that be could NOT) hold the yoga poses for. This is a sure start thing aswell, except no creche - the babies do yoga with you!

Hi all,

ChaCha so sorry to hear you're feeling down and overwhelmed and agree with what the others have said... do let people know... people really don't know what you're going through unless you tell them which is always surprising isn't it when you feel it's so blatently obvious how you're feeling. You talked before about getting a cleaner... perhaps worth considering again if having a clean/tidy house helps you cope? Or maybe ask dh to be in charge of specific areas or chores for next month or so (they love to be given a job I think) like say be in charge of cleaning/tidying the bathroom and kitchen? Say how you're struggling and how it would help you so much?
Interesting what's being said about straight to finger foods at 6 months...never heard that b4. Was always told to wean at 3/4 months with other kids. Am going to keep going as long as poss but not holding any high hopes as at 12 weeks E is eating almost constantly all day and even when her tummy is full she's griping towards the end of the day and starting to posset the watery foremilk after afeed and then asking for more to get the full fat hind milk... at least this is what I thinkj is going on. Treating it as a growth spurt for now but am not going to hold off weaning just because the 'experts' have changed their minds.
BEKs love your pics, what gorgeous boys, a real pair of cuties! Are you sure that cute baby is the same one you told us about who yells the house down? And I love the picture of you, you look lovely, made me smile.

Hi all,
Enthusia not sure i can make 9/10th feb as we are meeting rodeo on the 10th in meadowhall, unless you can get over to meadow hall??????
that could be good;)
DIEGE/Enthusia sorry did not win euro millions but have bought another ticket will try harder!!!
Josh got weighed today he now weighs 11.7oz and is following along the 25th centile.
well must go and sort washing!!!!!
twinkle & josh

Oh yes forgot about sheffield, might be brave and look at trains, do they go to meadowhall?

ChaCha - have emailed you but have been very honest, hope you respect this and it doesn't offend you or make things worse. Here's to a good end of the week

Right have bought a swing in the vague hope that we may be able to eat together tonight. Am also going to try your suggestion Nova.

Hope everyone's ok

Enthusia and sam 11 weeks.

A big thank you to everyone who offered me advice and support. Feeling a little better now. Being on MN and having supportive family and friends have helped - just have to be more open with people instead of pretending I'm on top of it all when I am clearly not!!

Hoping that you and your babies are all well, and a real big thanks to all of you .. what a wonderful thread this has been since day one!

Catch up with you all soon. Will try and grab some 'ME' time this week. It helped in the first few weeks.

M & Z

glad you're feeling a bit more cheery chacha. like everyone said, we are all bound to have off days.
i'd reccommend going for a haircut or beauty treatment - my mum booked me a restyle and colour as a surprise when i was visiting her, which cheered me up so much.

i think i'll give the nappy wrap idea a try...anything to cut down on laundry! it's terrible, dp ended up going to work in a dirty shirt on monday as we hadn't gotten round to doing any 'grown up' washing..hehehe

oskar is trying his hardest to laugh...he'll do a massive grin and a gurgle comes out which always makes him look surprised..teehee..

i should have some hilarious stories tomorrow night as i'm meeting m.i.l in central london tomorrow..argh! she's refusing to see dp too so it'll be just me, wish me luck! hehee.
i met her in meadowhall over xmas and everytime i went to pull oskars trouser leg down or put his mit back on she batted my hand away and snapped 'i'm holding him'!
ah well.

nova are there still places at gymboree as me and my cousin would like to start coming with you?