August 2012 - sunny (ha!) summer babies

[ImissMiniPop]

they're starting to arrive, so here's our 'Due in August' post natal thread. To talk poo, pee, burping and everything else, too...

Here's link to antd-natal thread for those we'll be waiting for www.mumsnet.com/Talk/antenatal_clubs/1511603-Due-in-August-Thread-Part-6

Have borrowed Needles list, which I'll start here, please feel free to add your details to it. I'm rubbish at list keeping, and hopefully Needles will be along to keep it updated :o

BIRTHS
tigger8 (?) DC? due 27/7/12, GIRL born 11/7/12
missjemima (?) DC2 BOY due 3/8/12, born 10/7/12
PoppySeed34 (34) DC1 BOY due 4/8/12, born 28/5/12

Congratulations marmite on your LO... What a crazy story! Good that she's here safe and sound :)

Thanks all with dummy support haha! Sandy sucks for comfort too... He will go on for a few sucks then drop off over and over which is irritating for my nipples so the dummy helps with that.

Had a good day yesterday was out in the sling with my mum for a while. Had a nap with sandy in the afternoon then felt really crap later on. Ended up with this ridiculous headache that seemed on a par with the level of pain in labour eek! So I was in bed delirious for hours while the painkillers kicked in and DH looked after sandy. All was well but it totally freaked me out, what happens if I get properly ill like a flu or whatever? Who looks after him when he is being EBF? Scares me how I can't ever not be there you know. Feel a lot better this morning though.

On the plus side we had a brilliant night after the last two rubbish ones. Sandy slept 8 - 11 then 11.30 - 2 then 2.30 - 4 and 4.30 - 6 and made very little noise all night. Feel like for the first time since we got him that we slept properly. Also getting much more used to bed sharing so not as worried and sleeping more deeply yay!

How is everyone else doing? Anyone finding their baby is starting a routine at all? Can't say sandy is yet but hopeful...

A new laundry routine, does that count?

I'm here waiting for the health visitor, she called last week to make an 'appt' but hasn't arrived yet. I guess it depends on how long their earlier visits take but it is a lil annoying having to wait. I know I shouldn't but I like to be up, showered and dressed when I might have just lounged around or gone out. Don't know her number either..... hmmmm.... ah well.

Hope everyone had a good night :)

welsh can't believe you lost the cord it must be somewhere?? I found jacobs tangled in his clothes so you might wanna check those as you don't want it going in the laundry!

marmite your birth story sounds crazy! Glad you lo arrived safe and sound in the end tho!

ham no sign of any routine here except the aformentioned laundry one. Lost count of the amount of times he has puked or leaked through nappy onto bed sheets! Keep washing them and thanl god for a washer drier or he would have no clean dry sheets you would have thought 5 would be enough but it seems not defo moving to size 2 nappies as soon as the 1's are used up as jacob just leaks through the 1's so easily!
Also yes started getting paranoid about getting sick and not being able to feed him.

ham when did you introduce the dummy as am starting to think jacob needs one as can't sit up at night with my finger in his mouth till he drops off. Don't wanna put him off the breast and I know you are not supposed to introduce a bottle before 6 weeks. Thanks

Last night jacob decided 10pm was the time to be awake and alert so far he has just been eating and sleeping. Dh sat up with him playing until he was nearly falling asleep!

Susie I put sandy on one of his cot sheets on our bed so if he leaks it's just that which gets washed.... Worked out to do this after 3 leaks in one night! As for dummy I gave him it about 2.5 weeks old when colic was causing screaming. Now use it just to send him off. He feeds with no problem at all so felt confident he was established enough for it. I just also make sure a few times he won't take more milk before giving it... He will mess about at nipple shaking his glad if he isn't hungry but wants comfort :) hope that helps

Does anyone have an opinion on the idea that sleep breeds sleep? Do you think awake day baby sleeps better at night as tired or worse as overtired??

Ham don't worry with DS2 I had a flu type thing and was in bed ill for 2 days, DH had the baby and literally just brought him up for feeding every few hours then took him away, wasn't pleasant for me but we both survived and he didn't get ill.
Now can we please talk piles?!!!!

I think we're kind of in a routine in as much as William is feeding every 4hrs, or there abouts anyway. He sleeps so much during the day but now I'm trying to wake him more in the evening, I'm not succeeding though! He does have longer waking periods now though so he will gradually get there.
I have started bathing him at around 7.30 in the evening as much as I can and this should all help getting him into a night time routine.

Did someone mention night sweats? I've been getting them too! I usually get them before and during af so it's obviously our hormones rushing around!

No routine except no sleep as a matter of course! Just been feeding for 90 mins. It's all I do at the mo. Anyone else's baby take this long sometimes?!
Hope he sleeps better tonight as am knackered but he seems to unsettle himself at night, having been so good during the day.
It's me with the nightsweats..
Off to bed soon for hopefully some rest.

tashaw oh god the piles they hurt so much more than my tear! Get to the doctor and get proctosedyl ointment and suppositories mine are almost gone :)

miggins in the first week or two sandy did those mega long feeds as well as cluster feeds of 30 mins each like 4 in a row. Now he only rakes about 20 mons they get much more efficient

Takes mins ha

Hi ladies and LOs, can I join? thought it might be polite to introduce ourselves:

I am 31, PFB DS1 was born 12aug (due 11 aug) at a hefty 9lbs3oz. Long labour then ECMS due to meconium in waters and no results from pushing for 6 hrs! We're bf and it's going well, though can take a long time and not sleeping much at night at the mo. no sign of a routine yet. I'm also super happy with the sling - baby Bjorn.

I lurked on the antenatal thread for a while but didn't post, hoping you'll accept these latecomers to your group as you seem to be having a lot of the same experience as we are

I'm finally joining this thread!! My wee girl Laila was born on her due date, the 25th! 24 hour labour, 8lbs 8oz. Still feeling a bit shell shocked and emotional about the birth so won't go into my story in detail just yet! It wasnt too traumatic or anything it's just taking me a while to get my head around it!

Unfortunately due to having to have emergency surgery after the birth and being out of it for her first night we had to make the heartbreaking decision to let her be bottle fed. Tried several times since to get her on to the breast but it just causes her distress so have had to admit defeat and let her be bottle fed. Feeling really guilty about it as though I've let her down. Especially when everyone always goes on about how they really need to be breastfed. has anyone else had to decide to bottle feed when the plan had been to breastfeed? If so how have you felt about it?

alisonmcg my dd is bottle fed. I am o medication (lithium) Which I can't bf on. I bf her for a couple of days, then ff. It is heartbreaking. Let yourself grieve for it. That might sound daft!

There are advantages to bottle feeding, shared night feeds etc. My ds was bottle fed from 6 weeks (when I became very ill) and is a happy, healthy little boy.

Breast might be best, but formula is an excellent substitute.

Congrats on your dd!

Thanks for that ham will leave it another week or so before I introduce a dummy I think as is only just over a week old at the month tho is already very good and efficient at feeding tho sometimes gets distressed if my milk comes out too fast. Jacob also does exactly the same as sandy at the nipple when not hungry but just wants comfort he like messes around with it. Thanks for the sheet tip but it was his own moses basket sheets he was wetting or sicking on luckil they don't take much washing/drying! Have tried some size 2 nappies and although they look large on him are defo much better no leaks since and managed to get away with not changing before every feed at night!

alison do not beat yourself up over not being able to breast feed especially as it sounds like you had a really tough time of it. I have know people who give up over much less! You were willing to do it and you tried and that's all that counts you have not failed your lo, you have done the best for both of you in the circumtances that were presented to you. You still get the same bond from cuddling your baby while she feeds even if from a bottle and your dp will get a good bond too as he can share the feeding (which means you can get more sleep than the rest of us). Enjoy your baby and please please don't feel guilty! Good luck with bottle feeding tbh in a lot of ways its harder than bf having to listen to your lo cry while you get formula made up etc. Hope this helps. Oh and congrats on the birth of your daughter a girl yay not many on this thread!

alison don't worry you're not alone, we had an emcs and tbh I'm wary after the experience. Our little girl has a cleft lip and palate and can't suck enough off the breast and so we have to use a bottle. I'm trying to express, day 4 and first day home and am a little too knackered to do much and the thought of expressing is making me a little daunted about how to cope but also I really want to breast feed but am finding it hard after recovery. I'm going to make sure my milk is still there later and see if I can do it, I think it takes about a week for milk to stop.
I had to let the mw take her for two nights in hospital so I could sleep and bottle feeding with formula has had to start straight away. She is still rooting and I am finding that hard, so hoping to give her formula as top up but expressed milk as well. That's the plan anyway!
One mw said that it is better to have a happy mummy on formula than a stressed out one that is finding breast feeding hard and so this has made me feel better in case I can't express well.
On a real positive DH is amazing at feeding and is really enjoying it. I think I'm a little jealous! X

marmite if you're keen to express, would def recommend investing in a good breast pump. Had a hand pump with DS1 while he was in neonatal which just ended up giving me a sore arm from working it and making me more stressed!! The hospital's electric ones were so much better. It isn't so bad once you get into routine with it.

ham firm believer in sleep breeds sleep! Well it certainly worked and still does work for DS1. As a rough guideline newborns shouldn't be awake for much more than an hour before stress levels are reached. We found that DS1 went down for naps more easily when he was content rather than overtired, ie. waiting for him to get upset from tiredness. Of course may not be the case for all babies!!!

Not much of a routine here yet... but still early days (two weeks along), I think... Well roughly 3-4 hours feeds and sleeps and evening cluster feeding so we're happy with that.

Welcome happy and congrats :). I've found the group really helpful to share experiences and advice.

Alison second what everyone else has said re. feeding. Just enjoy your LO and don't even think about it any more :)

cape sounds like my baby! If you're happy with that after DS1 i'm happy! When does it help to start a routine - now? By that I just mean bath every night at same time etc. as guess can't expect much more yet?

lois bed time bath every night certainly helps with routine. In my opinion it's still a little early for a proper routine (although I do really like routine and find it helpful all round). We're not bathing him every night yet due to dry skin (and coping with toddler too).. trying to remember when we started DS1 on that hmm.. probably a couple months? DS1 got a topup bottle at night which seemed to help him sleep longer, and gradually that night time sleep got bigger, but we're not doing bottles just yet this time.. We also tried to differentiate with night and day in terms of light and dark and noise levels. It is so hard to tell though - can already see this is going differently!!

BIRTHS!!!!
PoppySeed34 (34) DC1 BOY due 4/8/12, born 28/5/12

ByeBabyBatshit (35) DC1 due 11/8/12 TWIN BOYS, born 21/6/12

missjemima (?) DC2 BOY due 3/8/12, born 10/7/12
tigger8 (?) DC? due 27/7/12, GIRL born 11/7/12
Loupee (26) DC1 BOY due 28/7/12, born 24/7/12
ontheedgeofwhatever (?) DC2 BOY due 25/7/12, born 25/7/12
ontheedgeofwhatever (?) DC2 BOY due ?/8/12, born 25/7/12
ishopthereforeiam (32) DC2 BOY due 27/7/12, born 27/7/12
warzonemummy (?) DC1 GIRL due 4/8/12, born 29/7/12

hamncheese (24) DC1 BOY due 11/8/12, born 2/8/12
Gnomi (29) DC1 BOY due 7/8/12, born 4/8/12
ChicBabyP (?) DC1 GIRL due 5/8/12 born 6/8/12
Littlelamb1980 (31) DC1 BOY due 6/8/12, born 7/8/12
vinolover (29) DC3 BOY due 11/8/12, born 11/8/12
McBaby (31) DC1 due 7/8/12, born 13/8/12
PictureThis (38) DC2 BOY due 27/8/12, born 14/8/12
capecath (29) DC2 BOY due 15/8/12, born 14/8/12
lynniegooner (43) DC2 GIRL due 5/8/12, born 14/8/12
Stinyminkymoo (35) DC1 GIRL due 11/8/12, born 15/8/12
eightieshopaholic (32) DC1 BOY due 12/8/12, born 15/8/12
Whiteangel (?) DC1 BOY due 2/8/12, born 15/8/12
theressomethingaboutmarie (35) DC2 BOY due 30/8/12, born 15/8/12
The3Bears (24) DC2 BOY due 11/8/12, born 16/8/12
forgetfulmrs (?) DC2 GIRL due 6/8/12, born 16/8/12
Nel1975 (?) DC1 GIRL due 6/8/12, born 16/8/12
Loislane78 (34) DC1 GIRL due 24/8/12, born 16/8/12
missingpate (31) DC1 BOY due 31/8/12, born 16/8/12
Weekipper (32) DC1 GIRL due 9/8/12, born 17/8/12
Claire1209 (?) DC1 GIRL born 17/8/12
WelshLadyCDF (40) DC1 GIRL due 8/8/12, born 17/8/12
MrGeresHamster (33) DC1 BOY due 7/8/12, born 19/8/12
therumoursaretrue (22) DC1 BOY due 26/8/12, born 19/8/12
Gingerelle (30) DC1 GIRL due 17/8/12, born 19/8/12
Glimpers (33) DC2 GIRL due 19/8/12, born 20/8/12
TheRealMrsSmith (32) DC4 GIRL due 23/8/12, born 20/8/12
susiegrapevine (29) DC2 BOY due 21/8/12, born 21/8/12
tashaw28 (36) DC3 GIRL due 19/8/12, born 22/8/12
redandyellowbits (37) DC3 GIRL due 22/8/12, born 22/8/12
tumblebug (34) DC2 GIRL due 20/8/12, born 23/8/12
MrsMigginslovespies (35) DC1 BOY due 15/8/12, born 23/8/12
miaboo (29) DC3 BOY due 21/8/12, born 23/8/12
Geekette (32) DC1 GIRL due 21/8/12, born 23/8/12
Sparklesandglitter (27) DC1 GIRL due 24/8/12, born 24/8/12
alisonmcg (25) DC1 GIRL due 25/8/12, born 25/8/12
lovemarmite (38) DC1 GIRL due 11/8/12, born 26/8/12
pintofmilk (35) DC3 GIRL due 19/8/12, born 28/8/12
NeedlesCuties (27) DC2 GIRL due 24/8/12, born 29/8/12

Hello all,

So useful reading about starting routines etc. Am still totally at sea a week in, but starting to think about it. Feeding all afternoon today and now in bed having a quick look at the thread before a sleep.

I'm still very emotional and tearful. Is this normal?! Feel quite anxious to be honest at time about coping once DH goes back to work. He's a teacher, so still on holiday, plus gets two weeks PL too, so am going to miss him anyway as well as his support with baby. I know I'm being clingy but do feel nervous about being just me. MWs have been every day to see me at home this week, with the last trip being Mon which has been great. I've asked about a million questions and they've been super-supportive. Also spoke to my IVF clinic today too with the happy news and they were so happy! Was lovely! Am getting over the guilt trip I gave myself about topping up with formula in the night, as it does help him sleep a bit better. Sorry to sound so pathetic, as millions do this every day!

Anyhoo, off to take my leaky self to bed for a snooze before the next feeding session starts. xx

I have finally caught up with the thread! Thanks once again to all those who replied to my poo and stitches worry.

I genuinely had nothing to be afraid of. A midwife also suggested heated orange juice. Don't know if it worked as i did it all but it is out there.

Just want to thank my midwives for their Fab support.

Breastfeeding is on track. Stitches feel OK. We are getting sleep as we cosleep.
I am wary all this will change so just enjoying mini geek for now.

Mini geek also strains to poo, fart, pee or even burp! I just find it funny for now. She also has a lot of hiccups...

Hi capecath, I have an electric NHS pump at home because of the cleft and the NHS have so far, been really good at support for feeding and all the operations to come. We also have two midwives and a specialist nurse and so we're being well cared for.
Just tried the pump though on day 5 and not much really came out and the bit that did, ran out from underneath and so got wasted, grrr!

For expressing, how long does it take for your milk to really come in?
I just hope I've not missed my window

Thanks Ham managed to go to the loo properly today but they bled a bit so will get something for them tomorrow I think.
Can't remember who was talking about dummies but I EBF and always introduce a dummy early, hasn't ever caused a problem and Summer has already used one a couple of times and we're on day 8 today, the key is to only buy orthodontic shape one's, I like the NUK ones but they are hard to find, however DS2 slept every night with one for three years and his teeth are fine!
Routine wise I just make sure she's not awake too much, think the rule is something like if they yawn more than once you're past tired!!!

Does anyone else's LO squeak and grunt a lot at night? I find it quite sweet and I'm sure it's fine and normal, but he sounds like a little guinea pig sometimes!

Not sure about expressing, but generally milk come in between 3 and 5 days. I think it often takes a while to establish expressing. There are some real experts of breast feeding section, they helped me loads when ds was small.

We are back into 3 hourly waking tonight after last night being awake all night- hooray!