October 2012 babies part 2: winding, yawning and grizzling, and first smiles?

[YompingJo]

Part 2: in which our babies learn to sleep through the night and make us tea in the morning

yomping pom poms indeed. Thats tremendous. Whilst I like the idea, am super embarrassed by the state of my pelvic floor. To say it wouldn't feel the same s a bt like saying somerset s a bit damp at the mo.

Thanks midget - he does react to noises when he's awake and his hearing test was fine :) just being neurotic!

We've managed sex 3 times since he was born. Bit weird the first time, better the 2nd time and better again third time. Perserverence I guess is the key. Got put on minipill last week but really don't like it so going to have to rethink. O

Busy days, ups and downs, had a bit of meltdown yesterday, but generally enjoying maternity leave loads and wishing it could last forever.

Did baby yoga yesterday, that was lovely, met a mate with a baby for a naughty white wine spritzer, went to animal farm with nephew today... good stuff, feel well and healthy.

The 7pm-7am sleep was definitely a one off, but generally we are getting 5-8 hours a night here - and lots of settled naps in the day now - feel VERY lucky. She feeds masses in the evening as if she knows she has to go the night... clever baby...

Quick question: my sis-in-law with the newborn is really struggling (she is home because she refuses to be in hospital, but is basically bedbound and has a catheter in still) - she has my brother for one more week of paternity leave and then is on her own. I really really really want to offer to go up there every day for a week and help out with things - but am I being completely unrealistic, with a baby myself? Would I just be more trouble than help? Or would just the company and spare pair of hands be useful? She has a 2 year old as well... Jess is fairly settled (MOSTLY) and I have got quite good at multitasking... what do you think???

God champagne for all those brave enough to explore the dreaded s-e-x thing again. Glad to hear it is still possible....am aiming for 2027 as a goal to when we will next have sex and be delighted if it happens b4 then. No pelvic floor at all.
Thanks crazypaving was traumatic. Good plan re bf cushion. Will try tonight as so scary otherwise. Meep cant roll or anything so that is a good safe option. I just dont know if ill get any sleep uf hes not in with me but dont trust myself not to accidentally smother him...
Re- swapping sides when cosleeping...usually only feed one side u like duringday but if he wants i will clamber over or move him...bit of both.
Abnd i have to physically push him onto his back otherwise he would sleep on side.

Swapping sides while co-sleeping - i can breast feed off either breast on either side by rolling to a slightly different angle. I guess this may depend on the size/shape of your boobs, but give it a try.

Well done yomping, am super impressed it didn't hurt, I still find it a bit tender at times

Quick wave at all. Bean's cold is away thank God and she slept well last night so I feel a bit more alert :) Just as well as she did the most horrendously vile nappy ever - exploded up her chest and back, went through her clothes AND my clothes including bra Had to bath her at lunchtime, poor friend arrived for lunch only to find me opening door with my elbow and holding my pooey hands in the air like a surgeon. Luckily she likes babies... :o

BTW we invested in a tummy tub a few weeks ago and it's brill. I held off for a while because thought it was basically an overpriced bucket but it's great. Very smooth inside and at top, no sharp edges anywhere and just the right size for baby. Bean can sit up herself in it - great when dealing with poonami and because water comes up to her shoulders she is nice and toasty. Goes mental when she gets out though...

Trying not to think about tomorrow :( But got some great answers on MN and seems v straightforward procedure - if only me and GA got on better I'd have nothing to worry about.

Here's hoping to chilled out evenings and chilled out beans :) x

Best of luck for tomorrow angelico! I know it's really shit you have to get it done, but it's the last little bump in the road and it'll be over before you know it! Will be thinking of you tomorrow

Confession: I just took a pregnancy test
It was negative
Longest 5 minutes of my life

Sex? Going to attempt that at Christmas when DH gets to NZ. I had a poke around there the other day (was terrified but steeled myself) and things are definitely looser. But at least my stitches aren't sore, wahey! DMIL can't believe I haven't had a look at my mangled bits with a mirror, I told her she could look for me if she thought it was such a good idea - got catsbummouth from her in response

squid

Double wrap your DP from now on, haha!

Sweet lord Squid, u trying to give us all a heart attack??

Angelico just popping on to wish you the best for tomorrow xx

Really that's all, dinner ready!!

Will be thinking of you tomorrow,Angelico

Hope all goes smoothly snd without too much sickness tomorrow angelico. Will soon be over!
squid if I were your sister I'd really appreciate you coming, evenif it was just for company and moral support ( and I'm sure you will be lots of practical help too).

good luck tomorrow angelico!

squid you nearly gace me a heart attck there! Glad you aren't expecting number 2 just yet! I second smiley, if you feel up to it then def go and see your sister. Having someone else around is so re-assuring, even if you won't be able to help all the time, you will be a huge support I bet.

Well, my day has been like my night. Crazy feedathon and no longer than 20 mins sleep. Crying all the time when he isn't feeding so had to resort to putting the hoover on to be able to put him down. Still, at least dh is in tonight so he is doing ds1's bath. Date night is off though. Sigh! Will try again tomorrow. Hopefully tonight will be better.

Much love to you all. X

Hi ladies!!
Sorry- I can't catch up with you all so I'm just going to jump straight in here, does anyone mind?
Well firstly I just wanted to say thankyou so much to all of you for your thoughts and well-wishes, and for all your support in the last 9 months and especially the last few long days. You have all provided me with lots of humour, different perspectives and ideas and you are all just AMAZING.
My baby girl is 5 days old now and literally is an absolute angel. We've cracked breastfeeding, expressing also so DP can do a few feeds and get in some bonding time. Anyone else just conk out when they breast feed? I can't understand it but literally just sends me to sleep. And DP! Lol!
We are finding our way quite fast and I seem to have been blessed with the easiest child in the world. (I'm sure this will change, ask me next week!)

Not going to post my birth story. The birth itself was absolutely great- better than anything I'd hoped for. 12 hours, G&A in the birthing pool. Got out of birthing pool to push Pipsqueak out because I was getting tired and the contractions were dying off. Pushed baby out at 22.56 after an hour and a half of pushing (I think).. 10lb!! it was all the pork pies i blame DP for being so tall!

Anyway, to cut a long and frankly traumatising story short, I ended up with a retained placenta, a third degree tear... and lost 3Litres (yes, litres) of blood. An epidural, a 4L emergency blood transfusion later, 4 hours in ITU, and I was alright. Really scares me how close it came, god bless my midwife- I owe her my life. Poor DP is properly traumatised I think. Not that he will talk about it. I think we both have come to some sort of mutual understanding that I'm still here and as awful as it was, we need to get on and be parents now and not think about what it could've been like. Its all a bit of a blur to me anyway, I do keep having random flashbacks though.

On the brighter side, 5 days later and we are so loved up. He is head over heels (as am I) in love with our daughter and is so, so gooey. Our girl is perfect and already knows who we are. She was weighed in today and only lost 250g, so its all good!
The dog is just beautiful, and is really protective of the baby which is just so good. I am recovering well, and for the first time in months, I put make-up on today- must be back to normal!

Just cracked open the champers given to me for my 21st birthday- a small celebration here in the mickeyhousehold.

Again, thankyou so much everyone. I have virtual love for you all, and am really looking forward to sharing the journey!!

How I will find the time to mumsnet I don't know, but you lot obviously are doing fine! Nearly christmas, HOORAY!!

Hope you are all well. Lots of love xxxxx

Hello ladies, sorry for radio silence from me but have had a hectic few days with in laws staying and a fractious Smorglet. In laws have gone home now and baby seems to have calmed down - not sure if the two are linked as it was a fairly stressful week. They are very sweet but needed a lot of looking after and weren't quite as much help as we'd hoped. Anyway it did mean we got out of the house a lot to see/do things - I BREASTFED IN PUBLIC! In the market square of an old bastitde town in fact. Pretty sure I didn't expose myself but Smorglet rewarded me by throwing up over my suede and leather jacket MIL had very sweetly knitted him lots of lovely things including a hat that makes him look like an elf, will post a pic on fbook it's too cute!
Still nothing like a routine in our house. I'm thinking of burning my baby whisperer book, what a Nobber I mean - activity after feeding? As someone said milk sends them to sleep and that is A Very Good Thing. Had horrendous night few days back with just 2 hrs sleep on the back of some pretty bad nights (and days) but last night he was an angel feeding every 3 hrs ish and very easy to settle afterward. This is all with the help of Infacol mind, magical magical Infacol. Still not entirely sure he hasn't got reflux either - keeps spitting up and crying after feeds and often makes a weird noise in the back of his throat. Seeing paediatrician on Monday so will ask then.
I'm feeling really positive about things over last couple of days and have started to fall back in love with France again. It's beautiful here at the moment. I go for walks along the river and canal du midi most days. People always stop to look at him and ask if he faits ses nuits - does he sleep through yet? Umm no he's 4 weeks old! We went for a walk in the forest today and the world and his wife were out mushrooming coming back to their cars with bags full of ceps. The weather is still fairly warm too - makes me feel very lucky when I see what it's like in the uk right now! Plus I've discovered my local nursery is just ?3 an hour and takes babies from 3 months! Can't imagine leaving him now but if I get this freelance contract in jan then it means child care is sorted. Also had some more work come in this week - deadline Thursday eek! Full respect to wantanorange and kyyria for doing college/ degrees through this!

londonmrss Your post a few days back wx so lovely, I also have thought about those we lost along the way. goldengirl I hope you have good news soon. My cousin had tried for 15 years and is now expecting twins.
cherry thanks so much for thinking of me
livvy how you feeling? Can I ask how they diagnosed silent reflux? Did they do a test or just ask about symptoms?
mickey you sound like you're doing really well but crickey 3 litres?!
angelico good luck for tomorrow, what a nightmare for you but hopefully this will sort everything out.
bella massive sympathy on the tough nights (and days)

Huge hugs and to everyone else suffering with lack of sleep, sore boobs, sickness and coping with other children. Here's hoping for peaceful nights all.

Mickey you are a trooper!!! Well done girl!! That was a hard one....... So pleased u are so upbeat and getting over it. Bless your poor DP too, very frightening for them when things go wrong. Delighted you have an angel!!!! Long may she continue to be!!! Take it easy pet as your body will take time to recover from all that!! Eat well, rest well and take all the help u can get!! Tho a wee youngster like you will recover so much faster than some of us old birds........! (no offence to anyone but me!!!)

You are obviously doing great on BF if she has only lost 250g!!! Brill!! They usually happy with over 10% in big babies, that is amazing!! If my boyo is anything to go by, big babies like lots of feeding (but often sleep v well) so do not be shy about asking for help should you hav any concerns at all.

Hugs and love to Pipsqueak, enjoy all her lovely newness!!!
Xx xx

mickey knew your cervix was gearing up for a quick one .

Glad your long wait was rewarded with an angel baby. I have one too and been expecting him to change but nearly 6 weeks in he is still angelic so you could be in luck. Unfortunately my mum says I was like that and then went a bit loopy actually properly hyperactive, gulp so I am not counting my chickens!

Anyway we are all having a virtual glass of bubbly for you and little miss mickey.

Good luck tomorrow Angelico. Hope all goes well and you have a speedy recovery.

angelico good luck, hope it goes well for you and your family.

Best wishes Angelico, get well soon!

Great to hear from you Mickey, glad things are going well for you after such a traumatic start.

Hope you all have great weekends. We're off to do touristy things with our friends

Well done mickey. Sounds scary but glad all good now.

Hope all goes well angelico

We had a bad reflux eve and screamathon and she finally fell asleep on my chest at 0030, after starting the late feed at 2200. I am not convinced te gaviscon. She slept fine on my chest but I haven't slept and am shattered. Sigh. Thinking of shattered, how are you Bella?

Smorgs, doc diagnosis purely on basis of described symptoms.

Good luck for op angelico, will be thinking of you.

Crumbs mickey sounds like you've been through it, give yourselves time to recover and keep cherishing your angelic daughter!

Time is scooting past here alarmingly fast, cannot believe mini-Confusion is 7 weeks old already! She's slowly spacing out night feeds, 3 hrs between on bad night, 4-5 usually and very very rarely 5-6 hrs between feeds.

Any other BF babies seem to have suddenly forgotten how to latch? She grabs at my nipple, won't open mouth properly and is really noisy/slurpy. :( Seems to be since we tried expressing and giving a bottle last week (on GP's advice, to make sure she'll take both). Or maybe that's just my paranoia about bottles.

I am reading but rarely get a thumb free to post. Thinking of you all lots and in awe of all the strength, humour & bravery in this group. to everyone coping with relatives, colic, vom, poo, sore bits, sore boobs, low mood, and a big for anyone trying sex. I've dreamed about it (quite vividly, a number of times ) but too scared to try, and anyway baby seems to stir even if we just snog...

Love to all, hoping at least some of us get sleep tonight!

squid I shat myself for you! Phew...

angelico thinking of you- sending get well vibes.

Ds and I now both full of stinky cold. So. Much. Fun :-(