May Baby Mayhem!

[Bodeccia]

Hello fellow May mums. Let's follow on from our lovely ante-natal threads, here's the first of the post-natal ones. Join us as we work out how to handle nappies, feeding, colic, crying and all things newborn, or just to celebrate the joys of a new baby!

Oh and two is wonderful and a piece of cake on a good day and the worst thing i have ever done on a bad day. seriously though I am glad I did as the absolutely adore each other :)

goodname,I don't mind,just got used to that.I'm not a person who likes the gadgets,every mobile phone lasts me a few years,food shopping once a week,no tv(we resigned).I've got my laptop,books,garden to look after and most recently DS.I live in a beautiful place (Scottish Highlands) in a quiet village.

MIL knows that I already want another one,DH doesn't.He might be very difficult to convince.

Is anybody else lurking here?Please write a few words how's things.

I'm always lurking lime hello :) I'm really glad we had 2 close together, it's lovely. Hard some days, but mostly lovely. Hope u can convince your dh! We got pregnant couple of months after ds1's 1st birthday, seems to be quite common to start TTC around then so maybe he'll think about it more then x

Morning cupcake :)

Well,will try to talk to DH next year because if start now he'd be running for the hills .The beginning of parenthood was a shock to both of us,so many stereotypes we believed turned out to be rubbish.3 months since DS is here and both of us adjusted.

Will have to decide in the next couple of years as I'm over 35 and DH is in his mid-forties.

Thanks for advice,will try to talk to DH next year-our DS is the youngest in the family as all our cousins and both sisters are childless-everybody in their forties and doesn't look like any of them is going to have children

Would be good for DS to have a brother or sister-just somedody his age to grow up with and to turn to when he's older.

Forgot to add:last week I was sorting DS's chest of drawers,packed all clothes that he grew out of into the box.I was wondering how could I to get rid of them,decided to sneak them into the loft or hide them somewhere in case they come handy again...

Hello again ladies! Nice to see some people on this thread again - we must have seriously been hit by new baby fog :D

Yes to wanting another DC, I felt that really strongly even in the delivery room with DC1! Just have to figure out how to get DH on board... we had to go down the IVF route with DD and I do feel very blessed to have her. But I want her to have a wee bro or sis, but I don't know if we'll have to do IVF again (££s). So many people have said that they know people who have conceived naturally after having their first child on IVF, but who knows... I'm on the pill at the mo just as a precaution. Although it seems like contraception is a waste of time for me - I was on it for 10 years, then spent 6 years TTC! Pff...

No to weaning early here. At least, no at the moment. DD is 17 weeks now so I could start theoretically, but she's showing no interest. I'm going to take her lead, I'm sure she'll let me know if she wants to try "real food".

I don't have any strategies on keeping DD occupied. No clue. I get bored myself. We've started swimming (SUPER FUN), God, I love it (probably more than DD...).

I'm going back to work in a month, so I've been going from bf to ff - cue lots of "fun" trying DD to take a bottle and formula. We've cracked it now though, but I do feel like a (kind of) expert on what to do to get little ones to take a bottle.

DD seems massive (although she's only 6.5kg), she is wearing 6 - 9 month clothes. 3 - 6 month clothes are too tight on her chest and leggings/trousers look like knickerbockers!

Will check back in later

Oh how do you get them to take a bottle? I have tried with expressed milk just for car journeys as he is terrible in the car and also so I can leave him with dh for longer than an hour (he is in no real schedule and is super hungry) but have had no sucess.
Finn is definately interested in foood, he looks longingly at our food and dives for it, managed to grab some of my plate and into his mouth one time. I have so far given him some banana which ds1 didnt want, i just gave him it whole and he devoured it. He slept all night after it but thats probably a coincidence.
He wasnt so keen the next day and its so messy I have reisited trying again, bit sad at the idea of him growing up aswell as I wont have another one.
Limeflower I am not big on shopping either, in fact now I have 2 I get all mine delivered but I do like the distraction of a town to walk around sometimes and a good coffee shop :). We live in the country so actually spend most days just pottering around with the two of them, not looking forward to being stuck in more in winter, I really hate being cold. We are only 7 miles from nearest reasonable town (St.Andrews - we are in scotland too) though.lots of villages round about for playgroups and stuff.
How is everyone getting on with bedtime routines, schedules, Finn is terrible, still feeds for most of the evening, he is feeding right now in fact. I dont mind too much as he then sleeps well at night unlike ds1 but it makes it really hard to get anything done.

I posted on the breast and bottle feeding forum (there's loads of advice there on how to give bottles - as well as lots of mums having trouble getting LO to take a bottle). Here's a cut/paste. You don't have to get them to take a bottle, btw. You could go straight on to soft beakers, real food and bfeed. Anyway, hope this post helps:

Hi fellow bottle-battlers

I have been struggling getting my 3.5 month old to take a bottle and only now am I feeling like we're getting somewhere. It has taken me two weeks of trying various strategies every day. It has been a PITA, and it has stressed me out at times. This is what I did:

1. I tried giving a bottle of formula which she plainly refused. She had taken a bottle before but it had been a while.
2. I expressed milk and tried giving it to her. She didn't want to know
3. I expressed milk every day and tried different teats to see if one was better. I would stop expressing after about 20 mls because it was depressing throwing it all away when she wouldn't take it and it had been reheated. I was also buggered if I was going to spend ££s on new bottles/teats to see if that helped. (having said that Dr. Nars? was recommended, as was tommy tippee? I didn't try either, I just wanted to wait and see what happened with my philips avent).
4. After a week she would chew rather than suck the teat. I tried these (even though it says 6+ months old). I figured she made more of a flat shape with my boob when she fed, maybe this was more natural to her (clearly I have no clue). Anyway, finally she realised she needed to suck.
5. She started to suck regular teats and took 1oz
6. She started to take more expressed breast milk (4oz)
7. I mixed formula with breast milk (30/70%) and today reduced the ratio to 50/50. She ate it all no problem

Tomorrow I'm going to give her a 100% formula bottle and officially drop a feed.
She takes the bottle from me (when she is in her bouncer), DH and her gran.
It has been better for her to "practise" the bottle when she isn't starving. I gradually moved "bottle time" from the middle of the feed to the beginning.

I wasn't keen on the tough love approach, I didn't want this to be a battle. I just believed that she would take it if I just kept chipping away and made sure that everyday we would practise the bottle at some point.

As I say, this has been a PITA, but I'm glad there's some light at the end of this tedious tunnel. Good luck, and I hope some of this can help in some way.

Another one still lurking .

We haven't even bothered trying to get this one to take a bottle after having total refusal from ds1. At this age you could always try a cup instead.

Adam is 20 weeks now and no weaning here yet. Ds1 was on a few purées by now but that was due to the reflux- it helped keep everything down. With Adam I think we'll try a bit more like baby led weaning- lots of finger food so he can feed himself (ds1 at 3 still wants to be fed!). They do say when they can pick up the food, get it into their mouth and chew then they're ready. I think we'll start just putting some soft fruit and veg in front of him soon and see if he can do it. Then we can jump in with more variety in six weeks when he hits six months.

We have a bedtime routine here (7pm like his brother) but not a lot else. He normally has a sleep around 9.30 then 2-3 more before bedtime. Naps seem to be getting shorter- I think he's reached that phase of being too interested in everything to sleep.

Church playgroups are good so certainly worth checking out- we have quite a lot around here (I'm in a city) but lots have waiting lists so worth checking if you need to put your name down. Singing classes are pretty good too and I really recommend sing and sign when they get a bit bigger- from Jan start of term would be a good time. We did a Gymboree class but at £35 a month (£8+ a session ) I don't think we'll carry on.

Hello! Just realised there's been more chat on here. Good to read all your updates :)

Aoife is now 14 weeks old and doing really well. She is such a happy content little girl and I really appreciate it as the first few months with DS were very hard.

Interesting to hear of others having difficulty getting their LOs to take a bottle. We've tried and she's having none of it. I left her for a couple of hours with a friend and a bottle of expressed milk. My friend said it was like A thought she was poisoning her! I've left it this week and will try again next week.

In terms of activities, A gets taken along to DS's things - Jo Jingles usually wears her out! We also go to Rhyme Time at the local library.

As for bedtime, I'm starting to think we could do a routine at around the same time as DS's bedtime as she does settle after a feed at around 8.30pm. I could just try and bring that a bit earlier and somehow do both DD and DS at the same time

Wow,what a traffic!Nice to see you all:)

Bodeccia when I hear stories like yours (IVF) I feel so ashamed that I was whinging about my "late" motherhood,I had it so easy comparing to some people but still remembering feeling resentful towards DH who kept me waiting for so long.
Can you tell me how does the swimming looks like?Sorry,I'm an ignorant and thought it's more like paddling with the wee one.The leisure centre in the city has 2 pools:recreational and competition one.I can recall kiddies being in recreational shallow bit.
Enjoy the remaining month at home with DD and good luck at work.
I'm curious how your DD looks like in 6-9 clothes.DS has the other problem-he's long but thin so the sleepsuits are filled in length but very loose at the tummy.I must say that tesco and primark are better "propotioned" clothwise than mothercare.Shame on them as they are so expensive.

goodname at your DS grabbing the food and shoving into his mouth-I had picture of mine doing the same as yesterday he was ogling our plates at the dinner.
We are 30 miles away from Inverness,about 20 to nearest town with shops.Went there today,got some food stocked up but spent far too much money.I like going to town for the sake of DS being sound asleep so peace and quiet for me.
I'm going to just one group once a week-the car I'm running takes loads of fuel so I can't go out a few times a week.
How do you manage to type when you're feeding?As for routine-mine has a bath first then gets a bottle for the night and that's him till 4-5 am.

wrigglebum about the price and waiting lists.here most of the groups are either free or costs at most couple of quid but you get tea/cofee and biscuit.

SES glad to hear from you,Aoife is just 2 days younger than my DS :) sorry,but the rest of May babies seem to be so far ahead of June ones

Going to MIL tomorrow,she's having her cast taken off on Thursday(broke her hand poo thing).Went to the town with DS,he woke up at the butchers and was flirting smiling to all ladies working there.

Well then,off to bed,will catch up with you later,keep writing :)

MIL is a poor thing,not a poo

Lime, don't feel bad about having the odd moan about motherhood! I feel totally justified when I get stressed/irritated at DD because I'm human :) The IVF path was really long and emotionally very difficult, but we hit the jackpot first time round so we were super lucky. That doesn't mean that my LO is any more special or that my problems are any more important. TBH, I love my LO to bits, but I can't wait to get back to work in a month's time. There, I've said it :o

To swim with a baby, baby is on the stomach looking at you, and you have your hands flat (palms up) under the stomach with your thumbs hooked around baby's shoulders. As you then go backwards, the baby moves forwards and floats and kicks. You can also to a type of back floating where you hold the baby on its back and try and get him/her to relax in the water. DD is very relaxed now in the water, and I can hold her with one hand under her neck/shoulders and sing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star while making a twinkling star with my left hand above her head. She sleeps like a baby (err...!) when we've finished, she's always knackered and happy :)

Last word on the bottle feeding: I was out the other day, the car was in the garage and I was stuck in town. I forgot LO's bottle, so I went and bought another one (through gritted teeth). I got one of the new philips avent natural bottles rather than a bog standard one we have at home - just thought I'd try it. Well... LO has much less wind, latches on much easier, doesn't gag/choke or whatever... Looks like I'll have to get a couple more of them even though I'm trying not to spend money unnecessarily... grrr!

Sorry to hear about your MIL's hand Lime, hope she's better soon

SES: I imagine the green/foamy poo issue has sorted itself out now?

I'm going to France tomorrow, we've got passports sorted (DD looks like a peanut) and its bon voyage to us! Can't wait :)

Bodeccia thanks for the info re swimming.

I never mentioned Avent bottles because I assumed they are so popular that everybody heard about them.DS is on mixed feed and getting formula in Avent bottles-they have breast shaped teats and they come in 3 or 4 different flows.DS is on the slow flow as he's so greedy but will have to change it soon in preparation for his teeth.Their microvawe steriliser is brilliant but breast pump is rubbish.

Have a good time in France,don't forget to bring some goodies :)

Limeflower- I have extensive experience of buying for skinny boys . You are right about Tesco and Primark being good. I love the fit of Primark stuff on both my boys. Sainsburys is also pretty good and Baby Gap- expensive but great quality and good deals in the sales and when they do their 30% off times if you're on the mailing list. We also have some Petit Bateau from gifts and second hand that is super for slim ones but prices are !

Next, Mothercare and Asda are made for the more chunky child in my experience.

Bodeccia - yes, no more green poo :) I think it was because she slept through and missed a feed. She's not slep through for a few weeks now, although she usually wakes for a feed once between 3 and 4 so I can't complain. DS didn't sleep through at all until 10mo.

Lime - yes, nice to have another June baby on here Not even started to think about weaning yet!

Hello everyone else :)

Hello all, Sorry I'm a bit of a lurker on here, i rarely post but addicted to reading! Anyway Heidi rolled from her tummy to her back today, then done it a couple of times afterwards, so exciting! I'm so excited to try weaning but waiting til she is showing all the signs. Just ordered a swivel bath seat off amazon, to make bath time more fun as she is filling up the baby bath, she sits up in the bumbo quite the thing so I think shes ready.

Are you guys going to any classes? If so any recommendations?

Morning ladies :)

Not much to report here except I've got bloody throat infection and nearly lost my voice last night,glands the size of walnuts and sore like hell.Last night I had a shot of vodka-DS's asleep now-did he have an milky alcopop with my milk?Feeling soooo much better today.

Wrigglebum i have some stuff from mothercare but it seems to be so lousy fit that I'm wondering how can it be so expensive.No gap or zara here-they packed their business a while ago,unless I go to Aberdeen.

SES I got very sensible HV the last time comparing to the usual loony one that answered all my questions and everything she said made so much sense that I wanted to hug her.She said that DS will let me know when he's ready for solids as no amount of milk will satisfy him.We are wondering with DH when it's going to start as DS can smell our food and doesn't like to be put down when we're just about to eat-last night he was ogling our plates(not the first time).
She also said to NOT to wean ANY baby before 17 weeks as their gut is too immature

Hello imissbrie, did you find the FB group?

Have to dash off as DS just woken up,have a nice day :)

no could someone please gimme a link to the fb page? i just looked back 4 pages to try n see a link but no luck and got bored trying :P

Sorry,can't help you-I'm not on fb but tried to find a link on our last antenatal thread-went through all 40 pages and couldn't find it.I know it's there but it's not easy to find it.

Congrats on Heidi rolling over,that's big achievement :)

As for groups-going to one bf supporters,nice girls and plenty to talk about,advice,recommendations and such things.

Just finished writing email to my sister,still to make lunchbox for DH,shower and bed.Where the time goes,eh?

Good night :)

Went quiet here again...

Sitting in the cold house with stinking cold-boiler finally decided to pack in.DH is sick of trying to fix it so will have to get another one

Off to dress DS and stick the washing on.

Hope everybody's fine :)

Hi ladies! Just popped in to catch up, as I haven't been around for ages! DD1 started school (what a shock - I'm exhausted, she's full of beans!!!), we had a huge birthday / welcome party for her and DD3, which was lovely but took loads and loads of organising, and we had a weekend at the Paralympics - the time seems to have just vanished.

DD3 is 18 weeks now, really smiley and talkative. Not sure how much she weighs - the HV was annoying me, so I haven't seen her for a few weeks... She is definitely heavy, and growing out of her clothes every few weeks, so I'm sure she's fine (DD3, not the HV)! She sleeps really well - usually goes down about 7/8pm, then has a feed 9/10pm and sleeps till about 7.30/8am. We've been lucky with all 3 of ours on the sleeping :) We do a baby group on Wednesdays with DD2 as well. That's enough for me at the moment - I used to do loads with DD1, then a bit less with DD2... With swimming lessons for the older two, plus the school run, I feel like I'm always rushing around at the moment. I also managed to volunteer for the PTA last night - not even sure why or how really, as I hardly have time to dress myself...

imissbrie we have a swivel bath seat (we were lucky enough to be given it for DD1 from someone on Freecycle), and it's been great for DD1 and DD2 - will definitely be using it for DD3 soon. Can't help with the fb link - remember looking for it myself a while ago and not being able to find it :) .

It's been lovely to look back over the last couple of pages and see how you are all doing. Hoping I'll be keeping up a bit more in future.

Lime that's not good!!! Hope you get a new boiler soon.

Hello Catsy :)

How the heck do you manage with 3 kids?Hat off my head to you,I don't know what to do with DS sometimes.

Sod the HV-my usual one was not too fantastic either and she was talking rubbish or giving conflicting advice.Got a visit from a different one the last time-she has 4 kids herself and knows what she's talking about.

DH got a new boiler today so going to fit it at the weekend.House is warm because the fireplace is going and warms up the walls :)

Limeflower that's so sweet of you searching for the fb page for me. I'm always on my phone so its not easy to do. Glad to hear u got a new boiler that'll be a weight off. The seat came and she cried after a few mins of being in it, gonna wait a few weeks and try it again, woops! I got the bargain of the century at a charity shop. I found a graco walker for a fiver like new, and its 40 new, so chuffed and Heidi loves it! She is growing so fast and is now fitting in to size 3-6 months, weighed her on the bathroom scales about a wee ago and she was 15lb, dunno how accurate it is though. So that's my news. Also I must agree Catsy you sound lie supermum!