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

After a whole pregnancy without getting so much as a single cold I give birth and within 2 weeks am struck down by the flu. Felt absolutely hideous last few days - temperature, sweating buckets, convulsive shivering, migraine. Starting to feel a bit better today - just headache and stuffy head remaining but still doing nothing but sleep, drink and feed. Thankfully LO has been an absolute star, only needing feeding every four hours and sleeping lots. Makes me wonder if she realises something is wrong. Really scary being unable to look after her properly though. So grateful DH and DM around to help. Don't know what I'd have done if this happened next week when DH is back at work. Just praying I'll feel better by Monday...

MPmum thanks for the tip - I'm finding it hard enough to express as much as I am, increasing doesn't seem viable but is still good to know.

Tomorrow we are going to a pub lunch with the ILs, first trip out of mre than an hour or so (pub is half hour away, I imagine the whole trip will be 4-5 hours start to finish) and I'm nervous. Mostly it's the formula thing, I was planning on BFing and being able to just feed whenever needed, with formula you have to be really organised with sterilising and keeping milk fresh etc and then you have to heat before feeding, all of which is difficult because Theo though usually calm and happy will suddenly decide: dinner time and start bawling loudly... I know there is nothing wrong with him crying for a few mins whilst I get the feed ready but it really gets to me

nightfall I usually give Minipop to dad to distract him (and to try & stop him crying) while I get milk ready.

We use ready to drink cartons while out, and I have a travel bottle warmer (basically a flask with a big lid) and a cool bag with sterilised bottles in where I can store unused formula for next feed.

Try not to worry if he cries while you do it, I used to panic about it, but my sister told be I was being silly as he's a baby & will cry when he is hungry. Very true!

Hope you feel better soon lu sounds rough :(

Me again.... Sorry!

Had an emergency c section fifteen days ago. Had no pain although a little tender for first day. Painkillers used where paracetamol every four hours and 3 dickifenoc a day. I didn't stick to this and reality was probably more like 2 sets of para and 2 dickifenoc a day. Course finished Friday but stil had a couple left over. Yesterday and today I have been in real discomfort. It feels like trapped wind and is relieved by going to loo for either function but also hurts when I sit down and stand up. Took few para which have taken edge of it but is this normal? Is it likely to be section pain after 2 weeks or could it be something else ? Anyone else had this ?

Thanks mpopsmum. Am gradually starting to feel better. Even managed to sit on sofa for a feed today (and to watch Great British Bake-Off)!

Signet, could it be uterus contraction pains? I had really shocking stomach cramps for about four days. They often coincided with feeding but not always. If it is not then I can't help I'm afraid, I'm only 12 days post-section so can't help further. Hope you feel better soon though.
P.s. if it is the uterus contracting at least you know there is a positive behind it (tummy going down), although when DM told me this I wanted to punch her!!!

mini it is nerve wracking giving them the medicine and I used to freak out about it.

2 things to hopefully make you feel better, reflux - proper GERD, does serious damage to the gullet without it so they need it - you have no choice but to help them when they are suffering so much pain so don't feel guilty about the meds.
I used to wonder if I could just put up with the screaming to avoid them being on meds which is obviously just silly in hind sight.

My 5 yr old and 2 yr old are both healthy, rosy cheeked, shiny haired kids with no stomach problems or otherwise. They grew out of it at 1 years old, the meds stopped and I never looked back.

That's why I was happy for Charlie to get them right away at only 3 weeks old.

You sound like you are having a night mare just now so I hope it calms down soon. x

Thanks quick I am giving them to him, but will ask at hospital on Monday for liquid Omz as we've got the dissolvable stuff which makes MiniPop wretch and bring it straight back up.

Signet I had all manor of weird pains, I thought I had a bladder infection as one point as that's what it felt like everytime I went to the loo, but it was just stuff settling down. However, get it checked out if it's bothering you, it's not worth ignoring.

All fine here today (1 month old!!!), not sure if it was a delayed reaction or not but she was an angel last night and all day today, (5 1/2 hours!!) so am sure she's fine, phew.
Mini buggy is an 8 yr old Mama's and Papa's Pramette and it's my own fault cos I'm used to a heavier child in it so put the basket of shopping onthe back, won't be doing that again!!
Signet after my c section 4 years ago I had a lot of very sharp pains from trapped wind, it kills! They mess around with your insides a lot during the op and it gives you trapped wind for ages, peppermint tea helps a lot! Good luck

Having another tough night here after only 3 hrs sleep last night.... LO (5 weeks today) suddenly stopping sleeping well in Moses basket which she seemed to have got used to. She has now been awake since about 4pm and cries every time I put her down. Has fed every hour since 7, and if I offer more will feed but surely can't be hungry? Lots of poo and farts today so don't think it's wind...just got small break from screaming by walking her around bedroom but zm
So so shattered I can't do that all night. I knew a newborn would mean not much sleep but I am absolutely frazzled.

Hope everyone else is ok...sounds like some tough times for lots of peeps, hope everyone is surviving xxx

Glad to hear you LO is ok signet

That sounds horrible fairtrade hope you get better very soon. Flus are the worst! Interesting what you say about your baby knowing something's wrong because twice I have had agony tension headaches since he was born and both times he just went to sleep the whole time. And the second time was two days ago and the whole rest of the day and night he was a colicky nightmare. It really felt like he knew.

gingerelle keep an eye out for signs of constipation. Sandy was perfect to 5 weeks then became awfully colicky...

... We took him to gp and referred to the hospital for his lack of feeding etc they have prescribed him lactulose as is constipated. Thing is he has not passed any hard stools and the ones that do come are normal so it was hard to diagnose apart from his tummy being really gurgle lots of farts but no poo for ages. Apparently the hard stuff gets lodged and soft stuff still comes but they have to push it past the hard and it gets trapped

Had two hellish days and three nights in a row of little sleep. Had a bit of a breakdown yesterday sosleep deprived and ended up melting my milk pump which was three days old thus putting us out another £50 because I am so stupid and frazzled. Really was worried and scared and not enjoying a single moment. Then last night he slept from 8 til 4. What in the heck? I tried to feed him twice I'm this time and he took a few sucks then fell back asleep so it was 8 hours. Cant believe it. Then he slept 4 til 7 after a feed. And got up at 7 and he is sleeping again. No idea but maybe he is just exhausted from 3 days of constant pushing and crying. I wish there was some consistency. Id like to be positive and think he is about to go back to the progress we made up to week 6 where he was sleeping 5 hours in a row but I am dubious and expect bad days and nights to come again...

gmomi I think the NCT course left me a little bit with a rose tinted view of what would happen, I thought it would be a natural birth, this amazing shared experience, I had my positive affirmations ready, music, books etc in reality it was a pretty traumatic experience that still gives me shivers when I think about it.
The main positive was that I have made some good RL pals and our LOs are all the same age xx

Hello all,
Haven't been on past couple of days due to more crazy feeding, my crap netbook falling off the wireless constantly, plus pil here (again) yesterday. Phew! Not toooo much new to add other than we experienced our first proper overstimulation yesterday due to mil never leaving LO alone. Drives me mad as she always wants to cuddle, pick up, coo at, stare at,play with etc, even when he's in his basket and I want him to settle. Eventually, I put him in the sling where he slept for a bit after lunch. Then nothing from 3.30pm until 0030!! However, was an angel till 0630 but not how I plan to continue...My mil is so intense though and wants to visit again either tomorrow or Tues. never just for an hour either, it's all day. Sigh. I know she's excited etc about being a granny but wish she would back off and give me some space sometimes. Rant over!

Signet, that sounds just like my trapped wind I had last week. I actually thought I was I'll it was so sore. Labour and surgery and post pregnancy can make things internally move about...I took lots of Tums etc and mint tea helped too, as did a hot water bottle. Hth

We took our first bath together today which was so sweet. Until he pooped it in it!!! Funny but really gross :)

Off soon hopefully to get his footprints cast at a ceramic cafe place! Can't wait.

Happy Sunday ladies, enjoy Downton later x

Ooh yes it's Downton Day.

mini i meant to say, Omerrazole takes weeks to work on an older baby with reflux as you still have to wait on all the scarring on the gullet to heal before you reap the benifits. That may be why you are still having problems. I didn't know there was liquid form, would be much easier as I have the tablets too.

Ah, Downton. I sat there last sunday with a glass of wine (which you obviously need to watch Downton) I was soooo excited all week, it started and so did Charlie! he screamed through first half, then I passed him to DH and I fell asleep, wine untouched! Im off for a bath now in the hope it brings me round a bit. I have had a glass of wine with dinner already as I had my parents for sunday roast. I may have to squeeze another in during Downton.
My mum has filled me in on last week so I HAVE to stay awake.

I scared to say this......Charlie has been brilliant for days . Still a bit pain after every feed but he does settle after 40 mins or so so massive improvement.

Had a lovely day, went for a walk with the kids, DH and Charlie in the sling through the woods, across the beach then to a cafe for lunch - he stayed asleep!!

Had both sets of grandparents and my Uncle and Aunt visiting then a lovely sunday dinner. It's been gorgeous here all day. Love this time of year.

I should be nervous shouldn't I? Im waiting on him waking up this evening and making up for 2 days worth of easy!

Hope everyone else had a good day. x

HAha I didn't have my parents for sunday roast, that would be cannibalism!!

Today has been rubbish, absolutely rubbish. Minipop hasn't slept properly for three days, I am shattered, and he's been awake since 1pm bar a couple of cat naps. He's so tired, but just can't get him to stop asleep. Managed a 30 minute nap about 7pm which meant I could cook dinner, but apart from that it's been a scream fest all bloody day. I have no flipping clue what the problem is.. Have checked all the obvious... Think his tummy is playing up.

Back at hospital for neo natal review tomorrow. I hope they can help sort him out. 11 weeks of crying & screaming is quite enough..... Sorry for moaning :(

hope everyone else has had a lovely sunday :)

Hi everyone waves. Back again after more weeks unpacking boxes post move.

signet I had sharp pains exactly like tat post c/s, always worse when standing up and felt a lot like trapped wind, it's v common post c/s. Hope it gets better soon tho.

mrsm you have my sympathies! I thought weekly visits from pil was too much here! We had similar problems with mil and dd, all came to a head when dd was 3-4 mo asleep in pram and mil yanked tbe hood up to wake her up to play! Dd went nuts, mil tried to hand her to me while I did the washing up and I politely declined saying 'well you wanted to play so go ahead'! She's slightly less full on this time with ds (!)

Dare I ask how much sleep everyone's getting?

Ps good luck tomorro mini pop

Thanks ishop we're also still unpacking post move, it's never ending! I am not getting a huge amount of sleep :(

Well I'm awake right now :-) No really Theo is great, he sleeps most of the time! 'Night-time' round here us considered to start after the 9 o'clock feed when I take him upstairs to his Moses basket (sleeps in his pram downstairs during the day), I go to bed at the same time and usually so does DH as we're both still knackered. Then he pretty much just sleeps except for feeds very 3hrs which take approx half hour in total (formula feeding , nappy and winding). We don't don't let him go more than three and a half hours between feeds even if he doesn't wake but usually he wakes us. During the day he is similar but with a few happy wakeful hours thrown in - generally he is happy to lie in his pram and look around if I'm busy doing something. I know that we are very lucky and that at not quite 3 weeks there is still plenty of time to change! Still we are both exhausted, partly as we never caught up with sleep after the birth or the 3 nights of no sleep starting on day 3 when we got readmitted to hospital...

As mentioned previously if I do need to get him to settle then his MAM dummy is scarily effective, he doesn't even wake for feeds! I use it very sparingly as I don't like dummies (though I know they are recommended for SIDs prevention) only at night and only when he's fed but still wants to suck - often when gassy - so tonight he hasn't had it at all.

ham mini seriously, it may be one of those annoying things that people tell you... but I will say it anyway... It really does get better!! Before you know it sleep patterns will suddenly change, you'll be on solids, and soon you'll be on to new, increasing joys and different challenges, with a growing sense of achievement as you look back and see how far you've come as a mum. Then it'll all be blurry and you'll be itching for no.2:) Was catching up on posts and saw quick saying how you forget, and you really do! Was thinking this weekend about contraceptives and how we can't possibly have any more, but then for DS1's 1st year I was absolutely paranoid about getting pregnant again and how I wouldn't be able to cope... Having a 2nd has been easier than imagined though (aside from lack of sleep) and feel sooo much more laid back. Definitely worth it - recommend!

That being said, we had a really tough weekend with little sleep. We were at a wedding down south where we were so hoping that he'd sleep for a few hours at a time but that just didn't happen at all. Now resolving to put him down for his next nap after max 1 hour awake time while he is still happy, because reminding myself how he goes to sleep so much more easily when not overtired. When overtired it is a slippery slope.... We did have a painfully amusing moment with both LO screaming and DS1 crying his eyes out in the car when setting off on long trip home again. DH and I looked at each other and just laughed in desperation! But then LO was asleep about a minute after we set off and DS1 in 5 mins, then a rare calm reigned in our car for half an hour:)

P.S. ishop Our general pattern at 6 weeks during the night is, awake 11:30pm, 3am, 6am, 8am for roughly 30-40 mins per time. Know it could be a lot worse. Past few weeks have not been too bad with extra help from my mom and in-laws but about to go back to having to get up for DS1 at 7am on my own so we'll see! Desperately trying to co-ordinate afternoon naps...

mini hope you have a better day today

ishop - at 5 weeks our 'usual' nights are LO sleeping 7.30-10.30, awake 11-1, then wakes at 3 and 6 ish and then our most consistent pattern of sleep is 7-10am, which is great for catching up on sleep or more often getting a few jobs done! But we have had several nights with none of this and just awake and crying every hour.

Can I ask about times between feeds? LO can go anything from 3 hours between to wanting to feed every hour (usually in the evening). Is anyone else also having this seemingly random pattern? LO is still quite small (just up to 8lb now) so wonder if it's partly that her tummy is still quite small so can't go long between feeds??

Also, I know a few of us were talking about spots a while ago....LOs have pretty much cleared up but left loads of dry flakey skin on forehead and top of head- anyone else got this/ any recommendations of anything that might help it?

Just looked out window....rain again, bah.

sooo at the thought of sleep right now! I totally tempted fate by asking didn't I!? Ususally DS feeds at 9pm 1am 4am 7am and we're up at 8/9am as DD wakes up BUT last night we were up almost every hour feel like a zombie right now but got to crack on as dd is full of energy and currentlt munching coco pops!

minipop - the boxes just seem to keep coming, just when I've "finished" one room I find more(!)...

Did I really think potty training dd at this moment in time was a good idea!?

DH has started a new job. Being at home all day with two babies can be a challenge, we're having good and bad days. Good ones are generally when I manage to get all of us dressed, washed, bag ready and out of the house (takes about 2 hours!)...

Here's what I'm doing in my alternative life - how about you? Today I got up, had fruit salad for breakfast and headed to the Dorchester where I've checked in and have a huge suite in which I've already tucked into chocolate dipped strawberries and some cristal champagne. I've got a spa treatment booked in 30 mins (and I can get whatever I want because I am not breastfeeding!). I'm wearing skinny jeans (which fit because there is no flabby tum or stretch marks!) and a cashmere top which is not covered in baby sick. My hair is blow dried and not just scraped back in a pony tail. I'm not tired, no bags under my eyes and I am totally NOT about to have the strongest coffee of my life to get me through a long day...

oh did I mention the sky high black Louboutin pumps I'm wearing that I can afford and can walk in effortlesslu, ok a step too far perhaps lol