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!
Please or to access all these features
Please
or
to access all these features
Join our Postnatal Clubs forum to find parenting advice for newborns.
MNHQ have commented on this thread
Post-natal clubs
cupcakefairy ·
15/06/2012 14:46
Thanks tostaky I am a major lightweight so wouldn't normally have more than 2 drinks but had hoped to enjoy a cocktail at the hen do, esp as it's a prepaid bar that I've already contributed to 
might have to just be virgin ones!
My ds gets a bit sad too it's really hard isn't it! He'll ask me to play on the floor & if I can't cos I'm feeding ds2 he just accepts it with a sad look :( I try to play with him properly while ds2 sleeps to make up for it but I'm so tired it's really hard not to just turn tv on!
sircharles so sorry to hear of your problems hope u get some good advice..massive well done on persevering!
Bodeccia ·
15/06/2012 15:44
Afternoon ladies
Harecare I'm really glad you and DP managed to sort things out. I'm also super impressed at your active day - wowsers!
littlesarah: long may good sleeping patterns continue :)
cupcake I read this article and this article about drinking alcohol when breastfeeding. They basically say that it is fine, express milk beforehand to give to the baby when you're on the lash , don't feed the baby straight afterwards. But I would agree with tostaky - it would probably be fine for LO but not great for you IYSWIM. If your hen night is a couple of weeks away, your LO will be stronger then too.
sircharles what a nightmare for you. I'm glad you posted on the breastfeeding/bottle feeding forum. They're a great source of help on there. Hang on in there, I'm sure things will work themselves out. Can't be easy for you ((( sircharles )))
tostaky hmmm... not very happy to hear you're skipping meals You'll lose the weight, you've only just had your LO for a couple of weeks, don't put too much pressure on yourself. I think the reason you're reaching for the chocolate and cake is because you've got 3 kids to look after, you've got to have something to get you through the day :)
Having said that, I have had A for 4 weeks now, and I'm wondering when I should be thinking about making the effort to lose the weight. I have another couple of weeks until my 6 week check up, and I have needed to be careful having had a CS. I'll probably get some kind of action plan sorted then.
Cool, another 2 weeks to stuff my face not worry about the old weight loss
anyone?
OP posts:
Catsycat ·
15/06/2012 16:36
Glad to see everyone is still doing OK.
harecare I'm glad you and DP are moving forward, and impressed at your energy!
tostaky & Bodeccia, I'm also not winning any prizes for my diet at the moment! Having said that, I'm back in my pre-pg jeans, but as they are a size 18 I'm not sure that is anything to be proud of. Will definitely have a since you're offering!!!
Glad some of you are getting longer bits of sleep now. I'm really hoping to soon! Zuleika did 6 hours between feeds last night, but wouldn't settle for the first two hours of that time, which seemed like a waste! She seems to go longer between feeds in the morning, and settle quite well in her crib or moses basket, or the buggy, then in the afternoon and evening she feeds loads and is harder to settle, and wants to be held all the time (OK unless I need to cook tea/ wipe DD2's bottom / do baths / bedtime). She is generally going 4 hours between feeds at night, which is not too bad if we can get her to sleep quickly after a feed. Her sisters quite quickly went to 6 hours between feeds at night as a regular thing, so I'm hoping she will follow suit...
It was DH's first week back at work this week, and he was away monday and tuesday night. I had about 2-3 hours sleep each night, so am exhausted now. DD2 had all her teddies confiscated on monday night, as she sneaked out of bed and poured an entire brand new bottle of lovely organic baby oil over our landing carpet, followed by a bottle of water (both taken from my bedroom). She also took DD1's inhaler apart and stuffed the bits into her spacer (fortunately it still works), and various other naughty things. I didn't discover this until 1.30am, at which point I had to try to clean the oil out of the carpet (you can still see it though 
).
Have been to the GP this morning to see if I can drive next week, which he said would be OK :) but he also noticed my uterus hasn't contracted, so has been on the phone to gynae at the hospital, and now I have to go to Warwick next wednesday to see the consultant. Tried to persuade him that it was because I'm old and have had 3 CS, but he didn't seem convinced!!! Not sure what this means - any ideas anyone???
MrsHoarder ·
17/06/2012 10:58
We're doing well: last night DS was (sort of) awake when I put him down in his moses basket and hr went t sleep in there (I think.I also think I was asleep first!) We're settling into a bit of a routine and being able to wear my (bloaty days) pre-pregnancy jeans has ilfted my spirits no end.
Agree on the not skipping meals though: you and baby need the protein and fat, not just carbohydrates. If you feel that guilty about cakes (I don't: I'm getting through a pack of biscuits in 2 days) go for a walk.
Been having the occasional small drink too, half a glass of wine or similar. Even that little bit means I need to up my water intake though. But I need t be carefull about that as the GP has me on a fibre drink to try and clear things up at the other end! Sometimes motherhoodis so glamorous! 
Catsycat ·
17/06/2012 17:23
MrsHoarder I'm so with you on the glamour thing!!!! Glad the sleep / routine seems to be going well. :)
tostaky that was me an hour ago! DH, DD2 and Zuleika were all asleep, and DD1 finally got to make the cupcakes from her Ben and Holly annual. They have just cooled and been tasted, and she said "I had one bite, but I don't like it!!!". But we had fun making them .
Things seem to be improving here too :) Z is easier to settle at the moment, and managed to soothe herself back to sleep very quickly this afternoon when she woke up mid-cupcake-cooking with DD1! The secret seems to be infacol - I'm most surprised as it didn't really work on DD2, and DD1 never needed it. She also seems to be feeding for shorter periods of time, rather than the mammoth 2 hour feeds!
Catsycat ·
18/06/2012 17:28
LittleSarah I tried to use my Close carrier last week - put Z in it, and she just started screaming until I took her out of it! I think I was doing it right, but will have to try it with DH there and see. He put her in the Babasling yesterday while we had lunch, and she seemed to like that (but I can't use that sling as it hurts my back!). Haven't even dared try the Wilkinet yet - potential to straitjacket myself in it seems too great!
Tostaky we have an Amby that we used for DD1 and DD2. It is lovely. It rocks with the baby's own movements, and you can also gently bounce and rock it to soothe the baby. It also looks really nice (we had the neutral colour one). DD1 loved it, but DD2 didn't so much - she kind of looked a bit cramped in it, and used to squirm and grumble a bit getting herself comfortable, which DD1 never did. Once she moved to the cotbed at 6 months she used to drop straight to sleep! Because we were told from the scans that Z would be quite a big baby, like DD2, we bought a crib instead this time. We have the Amby in the loft though, in case of emergency. It's another thing you can get from eBay and make all your money back on later, btw (well, at least I hope so!).
ballroom my periods started after about 7 weeks after DD1, even though I was exclusively expressing. With DD2, I breastfed in the normal way (not expressing), and had no periods till I stopped breastfeeding at 6 months. I wonder if it is just bad luck and AF has returned already, a bit lighter and spottier because there's not much there so soon after having the baby?? Alternatively, it could be a sign you have been over exerting, which I have also had with each baby, but this never had cramps with it. Last option I can think of is an infection, but not sure there are usually cramps with this.... However, I know nothing being qualified only in the Google medical college :) Best option is to run it past your GP or HV. def mention it at your 6 week check if not before.
MrsHoarder how lovely that your DH leaves you a sandwich! That's so nice! I also eat from the cupboard quite regularly when DH is away!! Am really trying not to though.
goodname Z sleeps really well when we're out too. Not sure what it is, but the HV recommended taking her outside to calm her if she's hard to settle. It has been horrid weather though, so difficult to do as often as I might like. maybe a good thing, or I might turn into one of those 1950s mums who leaves the baby down the bottom of the garden in the pram!!!!
Had a pretty good day so far. Took the DDs to their swimming lesson (I didn't actually go in the pool, just sat at the side to watch the lessons) - drove the car for the first time in 4 weeks, managed to get there on time and not crash . Hoovered, emptied the bins, and changed the cat litter box before we went out, and bathed Z (well, the HV was coming round !!!). Dealt with the HV while giving the older DDs lunch and feeding the baby. Let the DDs watch The Gruffalo while I had a bit of a lie down on the sofa. Z has had a couple of nice long sleeps (one this morning and one this afternoon). Hoping I won't be getting a sleepless night as payback for a good day, and that I can wrangle everyone through their tea and baths later... may also attempt the washing if all goes really well!!!
cupcakefairy ·
18/06/2012 22:06
Hello again :)
Seb went to sleep at 7.30 tonight and so far hasn't woken...first peaceful dinnertime in a while!! I'm very much hoping we're over the trapped wind/painful cries all evening phase...fingers crossed!
Liking all the sling talk..I still love my Close sling..Seb has gone straight to sleep in it from screaming a few times and ds1 was the same I call it a miracle sling...hope it works if you try it again catsy! goodname I'm so impressed at your ds2 staying asleep while you run around playing with ds1! (And also impressed you have the energy!!)
catsy 
at your dd emptying oil onto the carpet I think I would cry! Hope she learnt her lesson from getting all her teddies confiscated! Massive respect on you coping with dh being away...mine has after work commitments 2 nights this week and I'm dreading that enough!!
tostaky glad ds3 got some relief from the gaviscon, or whatever it was.. hope it continues.
Re weight loss I am a firm believer in stuffing one's face with cake during first few months of breastfeeding I certainly have been anyway!! Didn't start dieting til ds1 was 4 months old and don't intend to this time either.. what's ace is that I was a bridesmaid for my older sister 9 months after having ds1 so was a great incentive for weight loss...and this time I'm bridesmaid to my little sister next summer so get the same incentive again, yay! look forward to sharing weight loss tips and woes together in a few months!
Been an interesting day chez cupcake.. a friend came over who also has a 2yo and a newborn, and all 4 kids ended up having meltdowns 
our 2 toddlers both kept screaming and crying arguing over the toys and my ds got himself so worked up he threw up all over the sofa which is v unusual for him. Dear me...we had to laugh about it all but am a bit frazzled after that!!
Catsycat ·
18/06/2012 23:07
Glad to hear you had some peace and quiet cupcake! Hope it lasts for you. I'll definitely try the Close sling again, as I could use the hands-free aspect! I also couldn't believe DD2 and the baby oil - was too to cry at the time though!! Hope it all goes OK when DH is late home - it's been fine today here, long may it continue!
tostaky no idea on the poo, apart from it does sound unusual... could explain the crying though if it means wind / constipation, so would get it checked out.
Managed to get tea for the DDs and get them into the bath before feeding Z, fed her while they were in the bath, then again once they got out. She has been asleep since about 9pm. Time to get ready for bed, feed the cats, unpack the dishwasher, nice up of tea, then get her changed and fed, and into bed for a nice 6 hour sleep.... .
tostaky ·
19/06/2012 01:53
Not "in facial" but "infacol" of course!
So green poo = trapped wind? So that's colic, yes? I will talk about it to the HV and then I will talk about it with Gp ... It is so heartbreaking to see babies crying in pain..
Speaking of which, when do they stop being newborns and start being just plain babies... After a month? When they get good head support?
I'm so impressed at you lot, caring for NB + sibling AND running a household (
Laundry, cooking..) I have to admit I have a nanny to help me 3 evening a week and both DS1 and DS2 go to nursery 3 days a week 
I would go mad otherwise!!!! Hats off you.
Re-baby poo again. Seems like he has stopped poing at night already... Same with yours? Or could it be the justification?
Re-weight loss. I'm going on hols on the 1st of sept so I really need to be somewhat comfortable wearing a swimsuit in public... will happily exchange tips and woes with you all. Have been hiding my scales since mid-pregnancy, need to dig them out.
Right baby's finished feeding and back to sleep so zzz for me too!!
Don’t want to miss threads like this?
Weekly
Sign up to our weekly round up and get all the best threads sent straight to your inbox!
Log in to update your newsletter preferences.
You've subscribed!
Catsycat ·
19/06/2012 11:24
Well, turns out my little fantasy re. last night wasn't too far off - I was out on the sleep by about 2 hours, but amazing how perky I feel on just 4 hours!! :) Can't believe how well this is all going..... worried it's going to come crashing down round my ears later Got the DDs to nursery a bit late (10am), but had to feed Z a bit unexpectedly mid-getting ready, then had an unexpected phone call just before I put them all in the car. Guess if it had been more pressing to get out, Z could have done without her wash till later, could have ignored the screaming a bit longer :( and ignored the phone! Have since taken in and unpacked the Tesco order I did last night, found DD2's lost hairband (behind the shed 
), and sorted 2 massive baskets of washing, 1st load now in the machine. Hoping to make the most of some sunshine to hang it out in the garden to dry.
I have to go out again at 12.30 to pick DD1 up from nursery, as she has her first visit to her new school this afternoon. Hope she will enjoy it - she's generally fairly sociable and sensible, so I'm thinking the "I'm scared!" comments this morning will not last once she gets there! She doesn't know any of the other children, but I think there are only 7 in total in her year group (very small rural first school!).
tostaky there seems to be a bit less night time poo here, though can be variable - would say there is a general trend toward it lessening. There wasn't much last night, and now I've just heard a horrible rumbling / gushing sound from the moses basket, but am too scared to look (she's asleep, and I'm enjoying the peace)!!! I can't remember when DD1 and DD2 stopped pooing at night. I think Z is still a newborn, though she's 4 weeks old and now too big for most of her newborn clothes (10lb 2oz yesterday), she still looks newborn in her face, the way she holds her body iyswim. Fair play to you with the nanny /nursery - why not, if it makes your life easier and gives you a bit of a break! I'm similar, in that DD1 goes to nursery 3 days a week, DD2 goes two days, and I have a cleaner at the moment (sadly not permanent!). HV and OT have both suggested I get Home Start to help out too, though I'm not sure really (partly because I don't know what to ask them to do to help).
Re. weight loss... have just taken delivery of cream cakes in the tesco order - don't think they will last the day...
LittleSarah ·
19/06/2012 14:25
I do love the moby sling when it works (as in when I have tied it correctly) as Finn loves it in there and snuggles up and falls asleep every time. I wear it most days. Just wish was better at using it! Going to check for ebay deals on ergos....
Bad night last night again. Urgh. Three hour wakeful period from about 1am to 4am, lots of feeding with crying in between and some dozing but you know, 30-40 mins. Have managed to get him to take dummy now and then, as always wants to suckle, but it doesn't always help. Hardly at all last night. As things have been ok recently I had no white noise primed, or even a Radio 4 radio play for me. Might suggest dh sleeps downstairs tonight just in case. It is sad being alone but I kept feeling guilty not being able to get ds to sleep as I knew dh had to get up extra early. 
He has been no problem today! Long nap in arms/sling this morning, now asleep in car seat, can't get him to sleep for long in moses basket but I am trying...
Right must tidy living room. Feel like collapsing on sofa.
Please create an account
To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.