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

susie thanks for the tip re sleeping bag, I have been taking it off as MiniPop tends to throw up after feeding, but might leave it on and see what happens.

Been meaning to post for a while but finding it hard on phone all of a sudden. I can read posts but have not been able to reply for a few weeks now.

We are heading for or week 5 and still no directed smiles or snuggles. Actually the screaming is amplifying instead and that one is well targeted at me. bummer.

Ah well she was registered today. That's one thing done.

As for sleep after giving us 4 wonderful weeks she has suddenly decided she likes the idea of a witching time. Except hers doesnt have a definite start time. Yesterday she kicked off at 11pm. lasted almost 3 hours. The day before that was a 4pm start and lasted 4-5 hours. Poos and gas are fine... ah well.. hopefuy this will pass soon.

Still struggling with the feeling of being a live milk jug and dummy. As for romantic time, hugs will have to do for now. Both I and DH are afraid of the concept. No help that I am partly incontinent.

I find the sleeping bags hard to breastfeed in and most don't fit in carseats...

I hope to post again when i am in a better mood bt DH going back to work next week... could be a while.

ham - hope you are ok and it's not mastitis or if it is they can help you out?

minipop the night before last was horrendous for me (hence my alternative life post!) - was so tired all day yesterday (but couldn't sneak much of a nap in as dd was energised and ready to play when little man was sleeping) so ended up crying twice as I was so tired and little man wouldn't stop crying. Dd found it hilarious . Although this morning when I woke up she said "Mama's tired, it's ok mama" and started cuddling me bless her.

those with more than one baby HOW the hell are you coping? DD (21mo) and 8 week old little man make it almost impossible to do anything involving leaving the house. Ventured out to a playgroup today which dd enjoyed but it's such a bloody hassle to get out the house, in and out the car etc I wonder if it's all worth it. Then when we get home they're both screaming and I start to wonder why on earth I've done this (had babies)!?! Love my babies to bits but sometimes hate my life!

Feel like I'm just feeding and changing nappies constantly... and miss being my old self a bit...

ishop we're finding it tough going!! DS (25 months) has been very gentle with LO (6 weeks) but also gets a little envious when I am feeding him and tries to climb all over me. Not helped by LO who is currently fighting sleep! I keep thinking back to all the rewarding times seeing DS growing and developing and reminding myself that the sleep and crying does get better! I have been trying to get clothes out and bag ready the night before so that I can get dressed before going to DS in the morning. Juggle feeding the two at breakfast and eating my cereal. Shower (if possible) during DS's afternoon nap or in the evening when DH around. Push carseat to car on pushchair with DS on buggy board, then transfer - DS in first then LO. Toddler groups have been a lifesaver and in my mind worth the hassle of getting out!! DS plays happily while I get feeding time in peace with LO. When we get back we have a rather chaotic lunch, then nap time for DS (and hopefully mommy and LO too :))

Ah mini I wish I'd logged in here last night...was up till 4 with LO constantly wanting to feed- she barely slept yesterday so I was convinced she was tired rather than hungry but nothing else would settle her, but even after feed/falling asleep as soon as I put her down shed start screaming again. I ended up sobbing from pain at the feeding. Been back to breastfeeding group to get some more advice and see some friendly faces as feel so tearful. Hugely annoyingly LO slept for FIVE HOURS STRAIGHT and could not be woken to get latch checked (bloody bloody typical) but did get some positioning advice so and looks like got blocked duct so hopefully can start easing these now. Feel so shattered and emotional though.

Hmmm realise the irony of complaining about no sleep, and then in next sentence complaining about too much!! Such is my addled brain!!!

Sorry to hear youve had a tough time ishop and ginger

Much awe for those of you with more than one, you are super mums!

So reporting back after second cranial appointment. After the first we had a lot of gurgle belly noises. Now at the second one the osteopath was working on his diaphragm which has Improved resulting in him having really good deep breathing, and he was farting and pooing like mad! He also said his head was good and we won't need to go back as eveything is in order so should see improvements again this week and onward. Will let you know but he has been an angel since the lactulose. But I think maybe the cranial has helped too as he does a lot less groaning and pushing, is less noisy at night, and most incredibly sleeps on his own now without waking from wind. He also has no screaming sessions in the last 5 days and only a minor cry at the boob yesterday otherwise feeding well. Can't exactly tell how much to attribute this to cranial and how much to lactulose but I think both have helped. Still early days and worried it could go back to bad again but maybe not...?

As for mastitis doc thinks maybe just a blocked duct as no flu symptoms. But she gave me a prescription incase that I can hold on to and have ready incase I come down with it. Annoyingly though seems I have the cold... Sore throat, hot eyes and general bleghness. Not had a cold for A YEAR! Crazy. Hope sandy doesn't get it though!

Sandy has been a champ today was sleeping on me but not soundly, put him in his basket anyway as needed paracetamol and tea for this throat and expected cries within minutes but he slept for ages... Got all the housework done! He fed and I decided we would share a bath but fell asleep on me again so going to do some uni work while he sleeps on me and then try and basket him again. Maybe things really are improving... At 8 weeks I hope so! Mind you, immunisations tomorrow may throw a spanner in the works...

Hope you are all doing ok. May I ask, what size clothes are your LOs fitting at what age? Sandy is in 3-6 at only 2 months in sleep suits due to his long legs eek!! Generally though don't think 0-3 will last right up to 3 months! I seem to be putting away too small items every few days! Glad for all the gifts now!

Ishop I know what you mean about getting out but I find toddler and parent groups are my life saver as I can sit and chill with ds2 while ds1 burns off energy by running around with other kids. So I agree with capecath you have to get out and no one minds at our groups if you are late I was 15 mins late yesterday due to my washing machine crisis! And the 1st week taking ds1 to nursery for his 1 afternoon on my own I was 15mins late but no one minded. Just takes a bit of getting used to I guess. Maybe its easier for me cos ds1 is 27 months and ds2 is 5 weeks plus my main toddler group I go to and nursery are 5 to 10 mins walk from my front door so no car fiasco. We only have one car anyway so I have no choice but to walk or get public transport but luckily I live close to the town centre anyway.

After my washing machine breaking I broke my blender today at the start of soup season nooooo. Waiting for the 3rd thing now!! Arrrggg.

hi ham- what advice were u given for blocked duct?

I have a poop qu.: up until a few days ago LO was pooing after most feeds, but now just goes once in the evening, she's coming up for 6 wks. I know this frequency can be normal in ebf babies but she's in pain and I can hear the gurgling in there. The minute she does it, the relief is instant. Poos are soft but can't help think its a bit of constipation. What do you think - regular nighttime gas or bit bunged up? Made me think after what ham said about the lactulose... Haven't tried boiled water yet, will see if there is an explosion soon (hope so!).

gingerelle ham I had a blocked duct for about a week a few weeks ago (but without any other symptoms unlike ham just a painful lump) and hv advised lots of massage towards the nipple and to make sure LO always empties the painful side. This certainly worked well for me, especially massage in the shower since this caused lots of leakage.

I am also interested in the response to your question Lois as mini geek still strains to poo. She is ebf and pools are soft and down to 1-2 a day.

Just got through witching hour. Today's horror started because she had "emptied" the boobs and was still hungry. Must be her growth spurt.

Signing up to as many parent-baby groups as I can manage as I feel bored and I have run out of ideas on how to stimulate my lo when she is alert..

Theo seems to have a cold :-( Today he seems to want to feed little and often - first clue, then noticed how hard he seemed to be breathing, like it's a real struggle and now spraying milk everywhere as he tries it combine feeding with blowing out through his mouth Tonight he wouldn't settle in his basket - unheard of for Theo - so I've just been holding him all night, sitting in my rocking chair and trying not to fall asleep. I will take him to the GP in the morning but don't know whether I should really have done something tonight like take him to A + E? Just because of the breathing difficulties. But I didn't, luckily though usually a quiet sleeper the loud breathing makes it easier to check he's ok... Have just fed and popped him in his basket and come downstairs to pump (DH upstairs with him) fingers crossed he'll settle now.

What cath said about the duct ginger and paracetamol if needed.

lois if you feel LO is in actual pain, or waking up all the time in pain go to doc. Sandy started to get less regular then the next few dys were a nightmare. Try the bottled water, we were told 10mls before and after a feed but ask your doc to be sure. I mixed the water with some expressed milk too so he wanted it more. He used topoo after every feed then was down to two a day, then one a day and it all got awful. They like to tell you nothing is wrong and bf babies can go weeks but trust yourself you know what's normal for your LO and if they are hurting. Also really useful leg and belly massage... But you have to persevere. First run I'm circular motions on belly for 5 mins. Use dummy as may cry a bit, stop if really upset. Then cycle legs for 5 mins. Repeat. Usually results in a poo or a load of farts for us but that's post lactulose. Something to try in the meantime anyway and keep doing it even if it doesn't work at first. Also the poo might look normal even when constipated as the hard stuff is stuck inside and the normal goes past it but with difficulty hence the pushing. Feel like the constipation queen now ha... Hope it gets sorted soon.

Sandy has the cold too nightfall I had it yesterday then he got it in the evening. He was sounding so stuffy too, but more when he was fretting plus he's been smiling like mad so I'm not worried it just a shame for him. Is theo generally content and lively? If not I'd go to the docs soon, can you check his temp and if his fontanelle is normal too? If not get up there ASAP, or call nhs direct. Sandy is meant to have immunisations today but won't be going now he is sick... Which is good I feel pretty rubbish too so we are having a pj day on the couch, going to let him sleep upright on me all day to help the congestion. Any other tips mums who've been there??

Hope a good day follows for all

BOILED WATER not bottled sorry!! iPad mistake!

Hi all!

I have been woefully absent from this thread, but I see you've been busy with lots of posts :)

I never feel the urge to keep up with the post-natal threads as I do with the ante-natal ones, I was the exact same when DS was born.

Anyway, all is fine here in the Cuties household, DD a total darling, she'll be a month old on the 29th Sept. Was 9b 1oz at birth, lost her usual 10% afterwards, got weighed on Monday and is now a whopping 10lb 8oz! Hooray for my milk

I haven't read any posts recently apart from the last one or two, so I haven't been keeping up to date with everyone... I send my greetings and hope all is well.

ham I saw your post this morning about Sandy being stuffy. My gran used to say to rub a bit of butter on the end of their nose No idea if it works as I haven't had to use it yet, but you could try it. Could be some crazy working-class Belfast thing that my gran came off with, but sometimes those old tricks are the best.

I have a question for those mums who are using/who have used slings, any advice would be good. Am going to a slingmeet next week, but will ask you first. I have a Kari-Me sling, which is 5metres of stretchy fabric. DD likes it and I like using it, as it means I have both hands free for DS when we're out and about. I've never been keen on big fancy changing bags, so have just been using a shoulder bag with lots of pockets in it for nappies, purse etc. One thing I notice is that when I have the sling on the bag keeps slipping off my shoulder :( What sort of bags do you ladies use? Am loathe to get a big backpack, but will do if needed.

Sorry that was such a long post!

needles I have two bags for with my sling... One is a smallish leather backpack I got before pregnant etc from topshop. The other is a little black rucksack from decathlon which cost £5! There are quite a lot of little back packs in shops at the moment they seem quite 'in' ... Typical to get something then it gets really popular! But means you will probs find something for your back that isn't a big rucksack.

Morning all! Such a better night here, 2 lots of 3.5 hours sleep, feel so much better!

Thanks cape and ham for blocked duct info.

I've just expressed for first time (DP now calling me Daisy!) got loads more from left breast than right (3.5oz vs 1.5) is that normal? Right breast is blocked duct one so not sure if that would effect amount?

Thanks ham I just had images of me carrying DD on my front, holding DS by the hand and lugging a suitcase-type bag round on my back

Will have a nosey in the shops when I get a chance.

Also another here using a
Black back pack when using the slings.

Finally timed feeds and seems we are up for 5 minutes every hour at night! I don't know why but I don't mind. What I do mind is that she won't go back to sleep on her own afterwards. Currently lying on my boob which is engorged and that hurts.

nightfall ham Sorry about those colds, really doesn't help things... LO had a stuffy nose recently too. Really helped us to prop him up in his moses basket with a cushion which we put underneath the little mattress in the basket. We found that he was snorting so much when lying down flat, this worked well for helping him to sleep.

Hey jacob slept 5hrs in a row last night so yay!! Also had sex for the 1st time this morn. Was a bit sore after but nothing now 5 weeks and 1 day here but I had no stiches or tears. Was 8 weeks last time with a slight graze and tear. But dh was up for it last night but were both too tired. Really we were too tired this morn but after my 5hrs in a row u was up for it. At soft play no burning off energy well ds1 is as weather is pants!

So took Theo to the docs this morning as he was fighting so hard to breathe and was clearly unhappy and not himself. Felt a bit neurotic (and PFB) but so glad I went as put my mind at ease.

She was great, checked him thoroughly and said that his lungs are clear, his sinuses are just severly blocked. She didnt suggest anything we hadn't already thought of - lots of time in steamy atmosphere if possible and prop up head end of basket - but did prescribe him some saline nose drops. At 20 days old they cant take much. She listened to his bowels and said she thinks the virus is probably in there and might well get some diarrhea but not to worry as long as he keeps feeding... Poor mite. but at least I'm less worried now...

Cape and susie thanks! I need to get more organised and get myself out and about more. It was def a life saver when dd was little.

Ham sorry he's not feeling 100%. Hope he's better soon. Also v interested in the cranial massage as Little Man strains to poo and fart and obviously causing him muchos pain esp at night.

Night hope he's better soon too.

So far today I have a v overtired dd as she couldn't nap while we had burglar alarms fitted. Dilemma is take her out of cot and then have two overtired screaming babies as she'll wake Little Man or leave her there screaming?! Off to try and settle her now... ahhh this is the life.

So I wrote a really long post this morning and then lost it... so annoying!

Gingerelle Thanks for your "romance time" experience - I had exactly the same pain. Hopefully it will go away soon.

Ham Ben is also in 3-6 month sleepsuits now at 7 and a half weeks old! He was a very long baby though, and is growing well. Personally I find there is a huge discrepancy in sizing between different shops, some are much more generous than others.

I've found a way to get Ben to sleep longer - giving him a bottle (4oz) of expressed milk as his last feed (around 7.30pm). Last night this kept him asleep until 1am, then he fed and then slept until 6.30am! When I've expressed in the evenings, I can only get a maximum of 2oz, so he wasn't really full when he went to bed I guess. The only thing is, I think I've broken my pump now!

I'm thinking of getting some formula, just so we have the option of giving an occasional formula feed if DH or someone else is babysitting - any brand recommendations?