September 2012 babies - warmest welcome!

[Macaroons]

Here's the new thread for September babies fresh from the oven!

I'm a first time mum and I'm struggling with breast feeding at the moment, my 6-day old DS always seems to be hungry (a feed every 2-3 hours, each lasting roughly an hour), and when he's hungry he's very aggressive towards my nipple it really hurts! Any tips out there? And how often do you feed your baby and for how long? how do you teach your baby to be gentle on the nipples?

Good luck to those still waiting for their babies to come out! Will be watching out for more baby news!

Cried my eyes out during Downton Abbey and I'm coming down with a bug. Not the best end to the week. On the plus side Euan seems to be going 4 hours between feeds.

Oh can't wait to find out what happened in downton- it's my Monday afternoon treat!

Gorgeous day here today, how is everyone getting on. DS is 7 weeks today and is starting to smile more. At first it was just the odd one every so often and I wasn't sure but today he smiled at me when I went to pick him up from his basket and then again when DH came to hold him so I think they are real smiles now and not wind. Very special . He is technically an August baby but have any of the September ones started smiling yet?
My boob leaked again when we were out today, so embarrassing.

Oh gosh Downton has had me in floods the past two episodes, keep your tissues handy small!

leelteloo your outing sounds stressful, I haven't taken my two out on my own yet, they've been good so far when DH has been with us but I know once I'm on my own it will all go pear shaped.

Hope everyone's doing ok :)

smallgreen my wee man is full of smiles :) it's so great to see them. Although sometimes they are few and far between but it really makes my day to see them :)

Was so good to get Herbie back yesterday. I don't no how I coped being very drunk helped missed him like mad on sat night. Although he has been a monkey when it comes to feeding and hasn't finished a bottle since he came home. So hopefully I'll get him back into shape today,

It's amazing isn't rachel one little smile sendse giddy with excitement. Hope everyone is well. I didnt get time for downton in the end so fingers crossed for tomorrow.

My LO was 4 weeks yesterday - cant believe how fast its gone!!

Rachel smallgreen I love the smiles too! He's only just started doing it (a few days ago) and at first I wasnt sure if it was wind(?!) but I know its definitely smiles now!!
In fact, at 2am this morning when I was getting upset because I was so tired and he wouldnt sleep, he just gave me a massive smile and my heart melted and all was well again!

Im flying solo with the bub for the first time today as DH has gone back to work. Alas, Im still in bed - not showered or dressed - though have managed to have breakfast!! Its difficult as LO is reluctant to sleep anywhere other than on me!! Though as the weather is so rubbish, I doubt I'll be leaving the house today so I suppose it doesnt really matter!!

I'm feeling so tired this week! More so than in the very early days. Mind you, with a very wakeful baby (during the day, is brilliant during the night), and three other children to look after, it's no wonder I suppose. Plus, Lola is a very hungry baby, she's put on over a pound again this week. I'm finding the constant breastfeeding draining. DH suggested giving her a formula top up, but as she's obviously doing very well on my breast milk, I see no need for formula.

I haven't been out of the house for a couple of days, except to go with DH to do the school run. I've got parent's evening for two children tonight though. I think I'll pop into town with Lola tomorrow, somebody gave us a Next giftcard for her, so I'll get her an outfit. She's 10lb 2oz now, so the newborn clothes have been put away (some unworn!), and she's well into 0-3 months. Will probably get a few things in 3-6 months to wear in a few weeks time.

Aww how lovely for you all getting smiles. It's one of the things I'm looking forward to, although I'm a wee bit sad that already my 2 week old is losing her new-newborn look about her.

Ds is just over the moon about her still and is always banging onto anyone who will listen about his little sister. So sweet. Also pleased that the night time bed wetting he was going through at the end of my pregnancy seems to have ceased. Poor mite must have been worrying at some level about how things would change and how he would fit in once the new baby was here. I'm still not brave enough to take the two of them out alone together just yet leelteeloo

I can't wait for some smiles!

DH is back to work Thursday and I have to take babyfunch to be registered plus for a hearing test that day so a bit nervous (and I have no other dc, no idea how I would manage more than 1!). Have been out with her several times but more flexible times that could dit around feeds etc. These are fixed appointments so may result in public screaming if she gets overstimulated. Fingers crossed.

Good luck funch! We been lucky with appointment etc until yesterday, Lola had been fine. But when we got to the 2nd parent's evening appointment, the teacher was running really late, about half an hour
I'd given Lola a quick feed before we left, but when by the time we spoke to the teacher, she'd decided that she was hungry again. So I was trying to pacify a grizzly baby whilst discussing the new year one phonics test. By the time we got home, Lola was screaming blue murder. She was even crying real tears!

I found taking baby b for her hearing screening fine. She slept the whole way through it. I think the warm hospital and being all snug in her carseat kept her in slumberland. My dad had his hearing test at the same time and was a bit what are you going to do if she wakes up and wants fed? Umm feed her in the waiting room. Don't think a hospital will stop you from breastfeeding anywhere.

Hi ladies! I have been lurking for ages, but not posted for a while. Hope everyone is well and getting out and about with their babies, weather permitting! Been doing a lot of furniture ordering (moved into our house at the end of August)- might as well whilst I am at home to take delivery. Oliver and I have our 6 week check on Friday, plus I'm having a whopping cough jab. Our GP is offering it to all pregnant women and new mums. I must say, the epidemic has been bothering me; roll on the first lot of innoculations for Oliver in a fortnight.
He managed a whole 4 hour stretch last night (10pm-2am) without boob, so i was really pleased. That said, I spent most of that time listening to the radio. I am used to being awake through the night! He was 11lb 4oz last Friday, so he no longer seems like the little newborn that we had a few weeks ago. He is long like his brother was, so 3-6 month sleepsuits are getting a bit snug. Fortunately, alot of the gifts we received for him were 6-9 month old clothes!
Anyone interested on doing some kind of exercise regime, once we get our post natal sign offs? I was inspired by a similar thread in chat, so wondered if we could use this thread for moral support. It doesn't have to be anything as prescriptive as following a particular DVD. Plus, exercise makes you feel so much better, even if it is a quick half hour walk with the pram! What do people think?

ballroom mine was the same. When I took him to get his hearing screening he sept the whole time. Doesn't seem to bother them.

Re: 6 week checkup did your docs send you an appointment or did you make one? Oh and I take it is with doc or is it nurse?

I thought Herbie was getting big but I tried some 3-6 on him and they were huge. He in Newborn still and even some of it is massive. I have a mothercare outfit in new baby up to 10lbs and its massive on him. The vest alone is like a whole outfit :) he's def getting the use out of his Newborn clothes. I've had nearly everything on him at least once.

shoeprincess I think the exercise thing is brilliant. I really need someone to force help me to do my stomach exercises otherwise ill never get round to it. So I'm in :)

Okay so I mentioned before about clots, but this morning when I went to the toilet I passed a clot about the size of a medium bouncy ball, can't think of anything else it was the same as. Was bigger than a grape. I can't find my other post, I know some replied explaining to me but if someone could explain what this means I'd really appreciate it.

Rachel130690- I had to make my appointment for the 6 week check and it is with the doctor. I did get a letter from the GP when Oliver was a week old, saying how it is important to use contraception and to remind me to make a 6 week post natal appointment! Yes, stomach exercises are a good idea for us all to get on board with. Mine is all wrinkly at the moment and quite soft. Don't know anything about clots, so it may be worth giving your GP a call.

I'm not sure Rachel but this my 6th week after the cs and I'm still bleeding and passing little clots on and off. I don't think it ever was my period. But why don't you ask when you call and make your 6 week check.

I'm in for excersise moral support. I've been trying to do bits but really when are you supposed to find the time?! I've got a Pilates DVD and I AM gong to do it tonight before bed!

I'm up for exercise support too. After 4 dcs my body has taken a battering. I definitely need to do something to get back into shape. Am sticking to walking and gentle post-natal exercises until my six week check, but have picked up a timetable from the leisure centre, or might get a DVD. I'm currently 10st 11lb and a size 12, would like to get back to 9 st 7 and a size 10 (am 5'7"). Even more, I'd like at least a little abdominal tone back! It's just a wobbly, flabby mess! My body gets me down some days, I have to keep reminding myself that I only gave birth 3 weeks ago.

Ok ladies so I'm all caught up so lovely to hear about the new boys and girls! My DD is nearly 6 weeks and just can't believe how quickly it's all gone!

I'm definitely up for the exercise motivation, am back in jeans but they're tight and my tummy definitely needs some work (scared about damaging c section though...,)

Was wondering whether any of you fab ladies have advice about sleeping.... Ive read a couple of books and all good in theory...! Basically I think I've set a rod for my back by letting DD sleep in our bed at nighttime... I know all the advice is not to but just worked for us and still does as she only tens to wake once and goes straight back to sleep without winding etc. the problem is obviously the day.... She wails and wails If I leave her in her cot. I've tried swaddling and letting her 'cry it out' which some of the books say not to do..., I'm so confused and feel utterly hopeless that I've no doubt cashed this by letting her sleep with me.... On the other hand or nights are amazing. Is anyone else sharing a bed with LO? Has anyone had this with their previous DC? Please tell me 6 weeks is still ok and I will be able to get her in a cot at some point.....?

Thanks for listening ladies, feel v about it all x

Hi Loup, I'm no sleep expert and actually had huge problems with dd. So i can't offer any great pearls of wisdom except they are all different and you have to find out what works for you and your LO. Books are great for routines and the like but you have to remember that these will not suit every baby and some will scream regardless. My dd did not sleep through the night till she was nearly 3 and that was despite trying all the different methods. I used to feel like it was my fault, that I must be doing something wrong. It turns out some kids just don't. I guess what I'm trying to say is don't feel bad for the decision to co sleep if it works for you. maybe start a thread somewhere else asking for other parents who co sleep for tips about day time sleeping. As for leaving baby to scream, I personally wouldn't do that for too long: they haven't got the cognitive ability yet to hold you in mind and when you are not responding to them they just experience abandonment. That is why cc is left until baby has developed enough to know you are coming back, I think around the 8 month.

Just had quick look on amazon and if you search co sleeping there are 2 books which might give you good advice too.

Hello ladies. Wondered if you could give some advice? My ds is 6 and half weeks. Thinking about introducing a bottle of formula a day. He's having an expressed bottle at bedtime but he still seems hungry after 120ml. So think maybe formula.

Count me in for exercise too. I'm not brave enough to try on my jeans yet as I don't think there's any hope in hell they will fit me. Started off as a size 8 but am now about the same weight and height as you mommin so guessing I'm about a 12 at the moment, and that's with already dropping 2 stone. I'd be happy to enough to remain this weight, but I really want to tone up my belly. Not keen on the squidy paunch.

Don't know about the clots Rachel but I would be inclined to ring the doctors and check. I checked today while I was registering dd at the docs and we have to make the appointments for postnatal check ourselves. They used to send out the mother and baby appointments together when I had ds. I got checked by gp while he got checked by hv but they must have changed it now.

That's great you are getting the whopping cough jab shoeprincess . I queried my midwife about it as I am also a bit concerned about it. She seemed to think because I had the innoculation years ago I may be passing on some immunity to baby b through breastmilk. Don't know how true that is though.

Have to say my first foray into giving dd a bottle did not go well last night. Decided to try mix feeding so I can get some sleep when her dad is here. She hadn't a clue what to do with the bottle - and it was the tomme tippe closer to nature ones - eventually took some then promptly threw everything up again. Scared the life out of me as she looked like she wasn't breathing while she threw up about four times. Was shaking after and it's put me off rightly.

Off to the baby clinic later today to see what weight she has put on and to ask hv who I would go and see to check baby b's latch. Seems to be getting worse and she's making the odd sucking noise which I know is making her swallow air.

Thanks leeletoo I'll have a look at those books although like you suggest maybe I should just go with what works for us. DD just fell asleep on me, I waited 20 mins, swaddled her and put her in the cot BAM shes awake, eyes open and gurgling and yawning but not crying......!

Hope your LO has put on some weight ballroom hope all other LO's are doing well x

I am so pleased that we have a number of mummies who want to join the exercise support group. All being well, I'll be starting some proper exercise on Monday. My wrinkly tummy is my biggest issue, so looking to do some toning up exercises. I'm going to take a photo of it to spur me on. Also, my hips seem to have spread a bit, so I am struggling to do up all my nice jeans. I'll measure them on Monday too.
Loup- no advice on sleeping I'm afraid. Oliver won't sleep in his cot during the day either, so it his carrycot in the lounge. He seems to like noise and activity surrounding him!