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!

WhereAreMyShoes- oooh, homemade choc truffles. Now that's a gift I'd like to receive. We're not spending much on gifts this year. It just gets ridiculous. I have been picking up bits of things for Thomas over the last few months and Oliver really doesn't need much (as he gets whatever Thomas had). I have bought a Christmas "That's not my reindeer" book and some PJs for him. The boys are certainly not going to be awash with christmas presents, but then they are warm, dry and get fed, so that's the most important thing.

Oliver has had a horrendous cold. Yesterday i felt so sorry for him. He had red eyes and a snuffly nose and a bit of a temperature. I had to administer calpol for the first time. He seems better today, so we might go out for a bit with the pram.

Hope everyone is feeling better and looking forward to a quiet and restful Christmas

Thanks ballroomblitz I just feel like my happy bubble after having Ava is well and truly burst, meeting some mum friends (from ds)yesterday made it worse and my skin is bad and costing me a fortune and making me look really old ironic as I used to look so young for my age...not a genuine problem I know...on the plus side Ava keeps cooing at me so she can smile at me she is so gorgeous as are all the sept babies of course x

cjbk1- don't be too hard on yourself. I find that it is around the 3 month mark that you do start feeling a bit meh about things. I had a complete meltdown on Sunday. We had gone into the centre and Thomas was having a strop and Oliver was crying and I just felt that every other mum was so much better at being a mum than me. Immaculate clothes and makeup, well behaved children etc etc. I was wearing a woollyhat and just feeling frumpy. I think all new mummies have a moment like this. However, when you see your LO coo at you, it makes it all worth while (though i still would like to know how mums manage to look so well groomed all the time!!!)

I find using the hot cloth cleansing method help skins (I have battled with rubbish skin most of my life). Massage in any cleanser into the skin for a good minute or so. Get a flannel, soak in hot water, wring out and then remove cleanser. Exfoliates as well as cleanses. Give it a go if you haven't already.

Hello all hope you are well. I've been reading the thread but not posting much. Hope everyone are getting over the cold soon.

Leetleloo hope your dad is fine!

Am now on the train heading out for a girlie Xmas dinner tonight. It's my first night out since DS is born! Feels abit strange really. Hubby is baby sitting and will feed him formula for the 6-7pm feed while I'm out and I'll try to do the 11pm feed when I get back. I'm gonna have my first glass of wine!!! Really miss that!

We are not sure if we are gonna get Xmas present for DS as he wouldn't know whats xmas anyway and we have been buying all sorts of stuff (clothes / toys / high chair etc) for him regardless whether it's Xmas or not!

Cjbk - don't be too hard to yourself! I feel my skin is not as good as before as well, due to lack of sleep I think. But what can I do? Can't do much until DS sleeps through the night...

Have been meeting some local mums and some of them do make an effort to put make up on and I have to admit im the lazy one! If I had time I'd rather have a cup of tea / a short nap than putting make up on... (maybe that's just me!)

Thanks for the well wishes for my dad; he's still in a really bad way so I'm packing the kids up tomorrow and heading back down to London. I'm so tired and feeling like I only just got back but it's got to be done.
I know what you mean about other mothers managing to look like they've just walked out of a salon: I look like i've just walked out of that bush over there. I don't care right now though! I will get back to being slim and giving a rats ass but right now I feel it's progress to leave the house having showered

Sorry to hear about your dad leelteloo . I really hope he gets better soon, you must be worried sick.

If it's any consolation cjbk I'm not feeling full of the joys of spring (or rather Christmas) either. I look a sight most of the time. My hair hasn't been cut or coloured since before dd was born and I never have time to straighten it or wear make-up and absolutely nothing fits me. The house is a constant tip and life just feels like a relentless slog of running after everyone else and no time to myself. I'm just crossing my fingers it will all get better soon.

Hope you enjoyed your night out Macaroons and your first glass of wine!

ballroom Herbie is the same, but it started a few weeks ago. So reckon its just gonna take a long time. He's dribbling loads, rosy red cheeks, white gums and is constantly sucking his thumb or fist. But no other signs is still in good form. Although sometimes when he's upset I'll rub his guns which soothes him.

leelteloo really hoping your dad is okay. Been thinking about you lots past few days.

shoes that sounds like a great idea, hopefully you'll get a chance to get them cooked soon.

shoeprincess I hope Oliver gets better soon. I'm feeling a bit rough today but that's probably lack of sleep. Over past few nights. It's crazy how much it really affects you.

Cbjk I know what you mean, although I never wore make up before I had Herbie so that side doesn't bother me so much. But seriously how do some mums do it, do you think they have help? Or maybe just ignore there child until there ready?
Although I must admit, between my sister and myself, there's only 3 weeks between our kids and not to sound vain (but it prob will anyways) I always look the better. I only need a shower but my sister usually wears full make up but doesn't get a chance to anymore. So she always looks a bit sick. Saying that my sister is always dressed way better than me. She has nicer clothes and way more style. So I think we do what makes us feel better about ourselves. She takes her time to dress nice but I like to be showered.

ballroom I've always said from the start I wouldn't of coped without my Oh as he tidies the house when he gets a chance. If I was on my own it would be a dump site. :) I just would rather be with Herbie than always cleaning my house. I don't want to regret anything it feel I missed out in some ways.

How c* do I feel? I completely missed the post about your dad leelteloo. Hope he is ok and getting better. Thinking of you and your family xx

hey all, crap week here, have been in hospital with DS2 since Sunday, he has bronchiolitis, ended up needing an oxygen box and feeding via a nasal gastric tube, with me expressing all hours to keep him fed according to a strict hospital schedule. After also having 3 rounds with a nebuliser and lots of nasal saline drops, we were able to come home this afternoon, but he is still far from ok, only started to feed from me again late last night and fed far less today than he would do usually. Just hoping we don't get re-admitted and that i don't get mastitus again or have any milk supply issues as a result of this.

Sorry re your Dad leetleloo hope he is improving?

And to whoever said about making truffles, tis easy. Buy elmlea, has long date so no rush to make them! For a 284ml tub, i use 70g dark choc and 70g milk choc. Warm cream in a pan, melt choc in, transfer to a bowl and wait till it starts to cool. Add any flavourings now, although it is just as nice without. Then whisk for ages and it will change colour, and go fluffy and light rather than runny and dark. Stick it in the fridge to harden. Then take out and roll into balls. I like them rolled in demerara sugar but you can roll in icing sugar, cocoa powder, crushed nuts, crumbled chocolate flakes etc, whatever you fancy! Then put back in fridge or freeze. I personally don't like dark chocolate or anything that is too bitter, so i find a 50-50 ratio suits my tastes, but if you want them richer, increase the amount of dark choc and reduce the amount of milk choc used. The ganache works well for filling/icing cakes as well, just need to use it whilst soft.

Loopy I hope your Lo gets better soon. Seems like your having a tough time ATM.

Also you have made me want truffles now, but I might just buy them instead :) too lazy to make any.

I think Herbie is coming down with something I'm just not sure what. Has coughed a few times tonight and was completely out of sorts. Feel so sorry for him. Also his eye which has been gunky from birth was bright red and swollen looking.

Oh my word loopy I hope your ds is ok and makes a speedy recovery for you, the poor wee mite.

Hope Herbie is ok too Rachel . Re teething my ds had long and protracted bouts of teething. Cutting them was the easiest bit. Didn't even realise until he took a drink of my water on holiday and heard the click off the glass.

On a chocolate note I've been making various types of chocolate vodka. Have to do taste tests just to make sure they are up to my exacting standards for extra pressies for people

Has anyone done or thinking about christaining/naming ceremonies? I really am not into that sort of thing but dd's dad is wanting one. Don't know what to do. Think it may open up a can of worms with us not being together and naming godparents among other issues? Still not impressed with his mum only seeing dd for the first time this week at 9 weeks old. She lives a couple of hours drive away but has been flying and driving all over the place so a couple of hours means nothing really.

Thanks for kind messages re my dad, he is out of icu today but very confused and drugged up to the eye balls. He has history of chronic depression, so I'm hoping all the drugs and trauma won't send him over the edge. Glad he had improved though.
Oh Loopy that sounds so tough I hope your LO starts to feel better too and Herbie of course.
You don't need to be separated for christenings to cause a problem: my dh wants his brothers girlfriend to be godmother! I don't like her and she already has Aunty status. I think a godparent should be a special person who is not already related.
Right it's bed time, here's hoping for a good 6 hours straight (yea right )

Oh Loopy- I hope he gets better soon. Just keep pumping and your supply should be ok. if you do start to develop any blockages in your ducts, dangle your boob over the pump whilst expressing. it really does work. or use the warm flannel/ massage in a hot shower.

Rachel- hope Herbie gets better soon. Oliver was much better yesterday. But for 2 days he had red rimmed eyes (he too suffered from gunk from birth, so i keep worrying about eye infections). Just keep applying the cooled boiled water.

Lee- good news about your dad. I'm sure they'll be keeping an eye on him to make sure it is the right balance of drugs.

Well, we're at the end of another week. For all those who have had a tough old week, have a nice weekend. I'm off to buy some elmlea and chocolate. Take care all xx

I took Herbie to doctor as his cough got a lot worse and didn't want to leave it all weekend. But doctor says his chest is clear and it's prob just a cold but to keep an eye out as it can get bad very quick.

So calpol has been given and I'm trying to get him to sleep again.

Glad your dad is getting better leelteloo . Christenings are just such a minefield. It's not just godparents we have to worry about here. It's where to have it as the families live a bit apart. Then the biggie - he is RC and I'm protestant which can be a bit of a deal here in NI. Not to us or most of our generation although you wouldn't think that to watch the news the last couple of days but trying to keep the older, more traditional members of both families happy. I'd rather just not have one and avoid the hassle altogether.

Good new about Herbie Rachel .

thanks all. He fed once yesterday midday, and then another good feed about 4pm and another at 10pm and had 2 reasonable feeds today, so hopefully we are over the worst and just need to rebuild his appetite now. Lots of 1 minute feeds which aren't doing him any good as just the watery milk, and not doing me any favours either, ended up having to express and dump loads of milk last night (he won't take a bottle)

fyi his symptoms started as a cold, then he developed a cough, and then on the sunday he started to do a grunting noise, and his breathing became laboured, and then he stopped feeding completely. Phoned the out of hours doctor, and was made to feel that if we wanted to take him to the hospital out of hours service we could, it was up to us, as if there wasn't any real need to take him! the doctor took less than a minute to examine him before referring us urgently to the childrens ward as he was very sick indeed. Nearly every child on that ward was suffering the same thing, it is apparently rampant this year, so keep an eye on your little ones...

Re christenings, i don't think it has to be non-related people for godparents personally, but i feel it should only be people who will always be in the childs life, so either direct family members or very close family friends, not the girlfriend of someone who may or may not continue with her relationship - what if you chose her and then they split up a few years down the line - would she still be a part of your families lives??

Hi all, not posted for ages though have been reading all your posts.

Glad your dad is getting better leelteloo.

cjbk1 / ballroom - I feel exactly the same!! I look and feel rubbish most of the time - hardly ever get to have a shower or wash my hair so feel a big greasy mess, am still in maternity jeans as my 'normal' ones dont fit me still (DS is 12 weeks!), feel fat and ugly (dont have much chance to put make-up on either!), DH musnt find me attractive in the slightly (we havent 'done the deed' for weeks!!), housework hardly ever gets done (we only wash up when we have to!), and I generally feel shattered and overwhelmed all the time!

DS still wakes every 2 hours or so throughout the night and hardly naps during the day (and when he does it has to be on me!). Thought we were doing ok but not sure anymore???!!

Help!!

ballroom tell me about it, it's crazy what's happening in Belfast at the minute. It's so stupid the divide we have to deal with constantly. Would you consider a COI christening. It seems to be the one closest to RC and still Protestant.

I'm thinking of getting Herbie christened, but in my Oh's church as I hate mine, it's full of nosy people that's good friends with my dad, and we don't speak. So that's a no no. I'm asking my closest sister and my Oh's sister and her boyfriend. (it's only a matter of time before they tie the knot).

Loopy it sounds like your Lo had an awful time of it. But I thank you so much for posting up what happened. The doctor said the same to me that babies around Herbie's age are prone to it and to keep a very close eye on him. Kinda put the fear into me :( so keeping a very close eye on him.

Glad your ds seems to be on the up and up loopy . Ds isn't a baby but was hospitalised with his chest in Feb and it's scary how rapidly they can deteriorate. Would you not freeze some milk?

Littlecherub I'm still in my maternity jeans too (dd going on 10weeks) so I feel your pain. Oh my goodness every two hours at night would kill me? Are you breastfeeding? I had a complete crying breakdown to my mum on the phone last night. Pretty much the same as yourself - completely overwhelmed. I'm having moments I'm really not enjoying being a mum as I'm finding it too much and it breaks my heart. She felt sorry for me and told me her and dad are taking both the kids tomorrow so I can get a chance to have time to myself, clean the house a bit and made me make an appointment to get my hair done.

It's just nuts Rachel and you know yourself no-one wants to go back to the way things were. There was trouble in my town the other night when a protest went haywire. Funny we had talked about COI to kind of meet in the middle. I know he would want to ask his sister, although I'm a bit as she's only seen her the once and I don't know her that well myself. I would ask my sis and her partner - they've been together 10yrs+ and she can't have kids herself and we are close. For ds it was my best friend and ex's best friend we named. We've known both from childhood.

Ah Littlecherub I know how you are feeling and that kind of sleep deprivation is a real killer. My dd was like that and I remember days and nights just merging into one another and time collapsing. I never got anything done as she was either feeding or screaming!!! I really feel for you but IT DOES GET BETTER. Honestly. She's now 3 and still not the best sleeper but she is the brightest and most wonderful daughter i could wish for.

I agree with leeltello in that my ds had colic and screamed night and day. I'm not ashamed to admit that on occassions I had to put him down and walk away because I was scared I would do him harm his screaming got to me so much. 12 weeks - all of a sudden just stopped.

I will get better! Ds now is a brilliant sleeper.

Hugs to all esp those having a few probs
Ava is lying on the bed next to me alternately cooing, feeding or bringing it back up lol x

loopy, sorry to hear that your ds has been so poorly, poor little thing. Glad he's on the mend. After reading your truffle recipe, I think I'm going to give that a go! Sounds simply enough even for me! Ballroom, how do you make chocolate vodka?

*leetleloo, hope your dad is ok.

Rachel, glad Herbie's chest was clear.

We've still got colds, DD3 is still coughing loads, but she's gradually getting her appetite back. Due to me losing my appetite, I'm now 2lb above my pre-preg weight. I wouldn't recommend it as a weightloss regime though!

I went to the office Christmas party last night, DH had gone out separately (and is still festering in bed), so his sister baby sat. I was nervous about leaving Lola, but she was fine. I only stayed for two hours (and had one glass of wine), and Lola was awake when I came back. She laughed when she saw me, which was so cute.