It's April 2013, the time is now & HERE ARE OUR BABIES!

[toobreathless]

Our first post natal thread!

Cooking & Cleaning can wait till tomorrow
for children grow up we've learnt to our sorrow
So wipe away cobwebs and dust go to sleep
I'm cuddling my baby cause babies don't keep!

A thread to celebrate the highs of life with a gorgeous newborn and the lows of sleepless nights, stitches, feeding traumas & Baby blues.

I'm impressed to read how much people's DH/DPs are doing!

I've been going to a first time parents baby group it's a 6 week course, an hour and a half a week. It's awful! Condescending and pointless.
Aiming to start 'bumps & babes' next week, and go to the baby friendly cinema session on Wednesdays, maybe a weekly story time at the library too. We're aiming to be out and about most days, even if that's just a quick walk to the supermarket.

My report on Ewan the dream sheep-BUY IT NOW! User and angel I think you asked.

After 2 weeks of 'the witching hour' lasting all night, getting DS to sleep about 11-12, Sunday night we started a routine-he was 5 weeks, bath at 7, feed then bed, Sunday he was sleeping by 9.30, Monday 9, Tuesday 8.30 and tonight we bathed at 6.30 and he was asleep by 7.30! I can't believe it took us two weeks to realise the screaming was a cry to let him sleep, we were keeping him in living room with us and he was totally overstimulated and overtired.

But the best bit was that yesterday we got the dream sheep and he was out like a light within 5 mins-after going down awake!!!!! DP continued to lie with him, but tonight I put him down with dream sheep, put monitor on and left him for first time. DP and I sat down at the table to dinner, tentatively waiting for a cry-which never came! He's still not sleeping for long-3 hour stretches at night but hell I think we've reclaimed our evenings, amazing!!!! Hoping longer stretches will come in next couple of weeks!

PS It's currently reduced to £23.95 from kiddicare and if you use this code-AHD73NV9C at checkout you get extra 5% off, order now and you'll get it Friday morning, spend over £30 and delivery free

We also have Ewan and rate him!

Thanks for the reviews of Ewan, ladies. Just to add to essex's bargain hunting, if anyone uses the top cashback site they currently have 7% cashback on kiddicare too. I think I will order one tomorrow.

essex I am in awe of your routine! DS is not even 3 weeks yet, so I am happy to follow his lead a wee bit longer, but would eventually like to have something in place like you. My question would be how your wee one is between putting down and sleeping. If we put DS in his cot awake he screams blue murder even if (especially if!) he is tired.

Hi all...need some advice pls, am thinking to start a baby friendly Pilates class in a couple of weeks but am really nervous about trying to attend said class with baby as I keep worrying what I will do if babs decides to cry all session or wants a feeding session right then.

Any helpful tips?

Edin I think timing was right, if I had just placed him down at 3 weeks he would have done the same, just over last 4 nights, we started cuddling and rocking him til he was out cold then put him down, he's then suddenly be wide awake, so we'd pick him up again and repeat then the next two nights we'd just lie next to him awake and hold his hand and stroke his face til he was asleep and stayed next to him, last night my DP did this and left for a bit then went back then tonight we just left him and it worked. But I am cautious of my smugness as this has only worked once, but am going to stick at it. I am loosely following baby whisperer/gina ford with nap times in the day, following EASY then not letting him sleep past 4, so by 7 he is a goner!

Oh and playing the dream sheep worked wonders too!

I admire all you ladies with routines. We just get DD into her PJs around 9-10ish and then try to fill her up with milk for the night! So far it is working as we have been getting six hours straight most nights. Can take no credit really though as we did the same with DS and he was never so good with sleep.

Would like to go to baby groups but afraid DS might run riot while I am trying to breast feed DD!

Thanks essex, have everything crossed for you that it continues to work more often than not :)

Thanks essex I think I will get one, its the points where I know she is tired but she refuses to sleep that its most needed for I think!

We had another extra feedy day yesterday, I got so frustrated, just couldn't do anything. Gave her to OH and she was a little darling then the second back near me screaming the place down till she had boob.

kitten in baby massage most of babies were screaming the place down, except baby username who slept the whole time, it's just what babies do no one will be annoyed or expect any different.

faith she usually poo's after each feed, yesterday she eventually did one but then during the night had what kellestar would call a poonami of smelly diareah, I suspect it's the antibiotics messing with her. Finish them tomorrow anyways.

Right going to try lap to basket transfer so I can get breakfast, am hoping to get bus into town today to go shopping! Wish me luck

I've never heard of a breastfeeding cafe will see if they have any in my area thanks for the tip! Has anyone tried the meleda electric breast pump? Or any electric pump for that matter I'm sat waiting for mine to arrive (due today hurry up postman!) and am wanting to get the maximum use out of it any tips!? So jelous of all you lady's with routines we sort of started one vaguely but baby just does as she pleases on varying nights so going with the flow till she's 5 weeks (Monday gosh where has that time gone!) then will attempt to establish a proper one.

Yummy I used a a medela swing in the hospital, I've been manual pumping at home but now she'll take a 100ml for one feed I've just bought an electrical pump off eBay - I bought an Avent on a friend's recommendation. It's a closed system so the milk can't just stuck in the tubing and go manky. I liked the swing but I wouldn't buy one second hand because its an open system so you could find milk stuck in parts of the system from the previous owner....

We had a better night (work at 12.30, 2.45 and then 6.15!). She's latched at the moment but pretty asleep! I've managed to express 80ml so nearly there for bottle tonight.

Are you bathing your babies? Do they still hate it?! Faithlet screams most of the time but we're going to try giving half the bottle before the bath to see if she's happier when fuller.

kitten I'd just go for it - try to feed before you go but accept that everyone will be in a similar boat to you!

faith we switched to deep baths as baby hated the way we were told in hospital, much nicer. She really enjoys it now and loves floating on the water (still using the baby bath and supporting her head) doesn't even grumble when water goes in eyes while washing hair now.

Just had to feed again, going to try transfer to basket again now so I can get dressed! This being a mum thing is quite tiring.

I'm using manual pump, it's mostly quick but if electronic can increase quantity I'd probably consider it, currently I express 120mls for her night feed but I'd like to try giving her 150mls to see if she can settle longer

I am very impressed by those of you with multiple children. I am so sleep deprived and knackered that I can't imagine coping with more than one! We have had a rough week - I had a tummy bug early in the week and we also seem to be having a growth spurt. He is 9 and a half weeks now but would be 6 if he had arrived on time - do you think it's possible that it is the 6 week growth spurt? Either way I have had very little sleep and look and feel like hell!! I was hoping it might be a bit easier by now but it seems harder than ever....fingers crossed things will improve.

Having said that I am very grateful for my beautiful baby - just struggling as sleep is a distant memory. I almost thought about switching to formula just so my DH could do some nights and I could finally sleep but I do love bf so I am soldiering on.

Hope all are well and having a good week.

This Ewan sheep person sounds great ... Must look out for him. Our little one has developed an aversion to sleeping anywhere apart from right next to me so maybe it would help to distract him as he falls asleep.

On the bath front DS also hates traditional baby baths but loves his tummy tub where the water is deep. Sounds like baby user is the same : )

How much do people express? My DS will be 6 weeks Saturday and is currently 11lbs6, when I've expressed sometimes he'll only take 4ozs other times he'll have 6ozs and be wanting more?! I'm leaving him with my Mum Saturday as I need to go into London (and then I'm never leaving him again) so want to leave enough but struggling to express loads and keep up with his feeds and everything else that needs doing when he naps!

Oh will try a deeper bath then!

I usually express about 4oz - sometimes she won't take it all, sometimes she wants more but she always needs the boob to settle and sleep (which makes me wonder about leaving her!). Bear in mind though that Faithlet is only 6lb 14oz (ish) and 4 weeks though...

Hi all, I'm a bit late to the party but have been reading your posts with interest

My DS is 6 weeks old and I'm a first timer so sort of feeling in the dark with most things. He's an Aptimil baby after BFing not really working for him and tends to feed every four hours. He's ok at night and we're co-sleeping at the moment but I'll be looking out for tips on how to transition him to his cot - it would be nice to have my bed and hubby back!

Can't fathom how you do it with toddlers too - this is hard work!!

Ladies I want to cut to 5 feeds a day from 6, which do you think is the best option? Or do you have a other suggestion?

Midnight
5am
10am
3pm
8pm

Or

3am
8am
1pm
6pm
11pm

Hunter has 150ml at each feed and will be increasing that to 180ml when he's 8 weeks xx

I'm about to feed again, this baby is like her dad I should buy shares in frozen pizza manufacturers now in preparation for her teenage years.

trish depending how long your feeds take you I would say 11pm one since you said you go bed at midnight if I remember rightly? That way you won't be so tired you need to rush and your partner will be up still to keep you company!

I'm posting like a mad person today, mostly as sat here trapped since baby screams everytime I move. After this feed getting her ready and going out shopping, I'm going to treat myself to some tops (and maybe earplugs!)

Thanks user! I was even contemplating changing the 11pm to 10pm! It's all trial and error I guess xx

Oh and he takes 10-20mins normally to feed and we wind/keep upright for 15 mins or so xx

Baby yummy is 4 weeks and is now 8lb 12oz she takes around 3 to 3 and half oz and I can express around 4oz from right breast (sometimes upto 6oz if we've been out of the house for 4 hours with no feed) and 3-5oz maximum from my left breast, this is with the tommee tippee (sp?) manual breast pump I can sometimes leak around 3oz out of the opposite breast to which I'm feeding on I catch it with the meleda cups just popped inside my bra (note: don't lean over with these in as baby can en up having a milk shower poor baby yummy has been in this situation alot with my forgetful baby brain!) winding is a nightmare at the moment I have her on infacol but she's not a "burping" baby she prefers to let loose the most horrendous smelling pumps instead she's getting ether bit winding can still take upto an hour! Tried every position going feel awful tapping her on the back for that long poor babe!

HV has just been and she said leave him on 6 feeds a day for now til he starts going even longer at night and his amount increases.

He was weighed on Tuesday 7th may at 8lb and today is 9lb!!! Xx