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Original poster

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

999 replies

toobreathless · 15/04/2013 22:10

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.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
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Mama1980 · 22/05/2013 09:12

Wonderful news empress! So happy for you and fingers crossed you get to go home Friday. I know it's terrifying I was petrified, what if Alex had a apnoea episode etc. but you get used to it and the joy outweighs the fear. I think everyone feels the same first time they take their baby home.
I found aloe Vera gel was good for soothing Alex's skin.
Well Alex is still feeding Grin the cup idea crashed and burned - he couldn't get the milk fast enough! I have physio today so I'm hoping he can cope in his car seat for a hour or two without boob. He is so happy though has really started gurgling a everything. I bought a stick on giraffe toy from toys r us and when I attach it to his waterproof mat he loves hitting it Smile physically he seems to be gaining strength I've really noticed he is willingly kicking his legs much more since I have been doing the exercises the physio gave him.

Mama1980 · 22/05/2013 09:14

Tattooed, I would think it were better for babies not to overheat and if you say it's literally only 10 steps away I would put them in the cool I think.

Trishstar · 22/05/2013 09:43

Bec that's ace! Alex sounds like he is thriving!!

Need your opinions!

I never changed H to 5 feeds a day on the HV advice but H has gone since a feed at 3.30am this morning and is still fine, so shall I drop to 5 feeds and increase him by an ounce? He regularly can go 5 hours+ now between feeds

Teapig · 22/05/2013 09:50

Thanks so much for all the reassurance ladies. I didn't have any internet connection most of yesterday so couldn't check in sooner.

The GP had told me to take DD to casulty if it got any worse so I spent most of the day staring at DD and worrying. It spread so I called my health visitor as A&E seemed pretty drastic and not great for such a little one unless really needed. The health visitor told me about a walk-in clinic so I took her there. The doctor took a proper look at her and said straight away it's a perfectly normal rash and no need to worry. I felt so much better with the second opinion from someone who properly checked her and so pleased we didn't go to A&E.

Sorry for the me, me, me post I'm off to catch up on everyone's news before I take DD out for a walk without feeling like a bad mother Wink

Trishstar · 22/05/2013 09:53

That's great news Tea xxx

Silly first doctor worrying you xxx

Mama1980 · 22/05/2013 09:58

Thanks trish Smile
I would personally, drop and increase by a ounce if he can happily go between feeds then I think that shows he is getting plenty. Sure he will let you know if he doesn't like it Grin x

Tea- glad you are fully reassured and all is well x

Mama1980 · 22/05/2013 10:05

Don't know if any of you have a B&M home bargain store near you but a the moment they have some great animal/bus storage boxes that double up as seats. I've bought 4 and they are really strong and very practical as well as looking cute! Smile

I have a lot of mother are vouchers to spend can anyone recommend anything fun/practical? Work very very generously gave me 300£s worth and I haven't a clue what to buy.

Teapig · 22/05/2013 10:10

empress, it sounds like Sam is doing really well I'm so pleased. Fingers crossed for a homecoming on Friday.

mama, wow Alex sounds like a hungry boy all that milk must be great for his growth.

tattooed, I have no experience but my inclination would be to put them in the cooler room. I know a lot of people who didn't room share for more than a few weeks and all waa fine.

BonaDea · 22/05/2013 10:34

Tattoo - I would also put them in the smaller room I think. If you can afford it perhaps invest in an angel care monitor or similar which not only lets you listen but will sound an alarm if baby stops breathing for 20 secs or more. To be fair, not sure how that would work with twins and you might need to shell out for more.

Otherwise all you could do is keep windows open in the bedroom open all day with blinds down to keep out sun so the room is as cool as possible when you all go to bed...

Trishstar · 22/05/2013 10:34

Mama any big items you need? Like cot or lightweight pushchair?

Bumbo seat? Door frame bouncer? Activity mat? Xxx depends what you have already?

Mama1980 · 22/05/2013 12:06

I don't use a cot or pushchair and he has a activity gym/mat thing but I don't really have anything else, except clothes he has hundreds of them - dds clothing obsession stretches to dressing Alex, seriously dd had three friends come round the other day and all they did was dress Alex and ds, making them look 'cool' the boys loved it Smile
Has anyone got a good highchair yet? Or anything they've loved?

Trishstar · 22/05/2013 12:11

Don't know what to suggest then Bec if he's ok for clothes? Educational toys? Or maybe use some of the vouchers to stock up on essentials like nappies! I know it's not exciting but they are things you will use?

Mama1980 · 22/05/2013 12:37

Thanks trish I hadn't thought of that Grin nappies aren't excited but very necessary. Might do that then get some toys as well.

birdbrain17 · 22/05/2013 13:22

mama maybe just go to mothercare and see what they have I find that when I'm in the shop I suddenly see things I hadn't thought of.

quick question to those who use dummies how often do you sterilise?I don't want to get paranoid about it being clean but don't want to make dd ill...

Trishstar · 22/05/2013 13:28

Bird i sterilise whenever he's having a long sleep xxx

itsaruddygame · 22/05/2013 15:56

Mama - don't know if mothercare sell them but we were treated to the stokke high chair and love it. The new born attachment is great and clips on and off so we often use it as a stool in the kitchen when we have visitors and an adult can happily perch on it!

Empress - great news about coming home! I would be nervous too but I am sure you will do a great job.

Tea - glad all ok what a relief!

We were in hospital overnight with this horrid tummy bug. He is doing
Well but his poo not back to normal yet - he is only small
So hoping this has not set us back too much!

photochick · 22/05/2013 16:12

Good news empress Sam sounds like he is doing well.

Things have improved here - seen two doctors and on mild antidepressants. given up on the combination breast feeding / formula as too stressful and have gone on to formula with me expressing a feed or two a day. Not what I wanted but then I didn't want the labour I had either and I'm still recovering from that!

Guess I want to say that if anyone reading this is struggling, you are not alone and there is help out there if you need it x

ElliesWellies · 22/05/2013 16:32

The thread looks positive today - glad Sam is doing ok Empress.

TattooedApril - I would put them in their own room if it is significantly cooler, but leave their door and your door open.

Kitten - Angry thrashing at the breast could be trapped wind? Sometimes fixable, but sometimes they just have to pass it through!

DS and DD both miraculously asleep on sofa, so am keeping on eye on them while on here, and having something to eat in peace!

We have been in all day, finding it really hard to organise getting toddler and baby fed/changed/dressed/strapped into pushchairs/carriers etc. to get out. It always seems to be that by the time DD is fed and changed, DS will be asking for a snack, etc etc. Anyone else still hopelessly disorganised? DD is seven weeks now. I am lucky that my parents live close by and drop in most days, and will take DS to the park if needs be. Much easier to get out on DH's days off work.

bunnygirl80 · 22/05/2013 18:56

empress great news about Sam, hope you get home soon

mama have you thought about getting a Jumperoo? Alex is probably still a bit little at the moment but they're great when they reach the stage of wanting to be upright.

photo I'm glad you're getting sorted. Don't worry too much about the bfing, babies need happy healthy mothers more than they need breast milk.

I managed to get both children in bed and asleep by 7:30pm for the first time ever. And dd actually took a dream feed for the first time ever too. She fed at 6:30, dream feed at 9, and she just woke for a feed at 3:30am. Just doing my 30 mins of holding her upright before I pop her back in her basket.

HadALittleFaithBaby · 22/05/2013 19:28

kitten could it be reflux?

photo given how stressed you've been that sounds like a sensible plan. You sound happier too :)

Well I have been pretty low today. I broke the electric breast pump as soon as I got it (washed the motor) and generally felt overwhelmed. Had booked in to get my hair cut but they cancelled! I felt all frizzy and crap. I managed to book in with another hairdresser. Dad looked after Faithlet while I got it done. She had about 4oz from a bottle with him! But settled afterwards. He carried on cuddling her while I did a bit of cleaning (we've got family visiting over the weekend). I feel loads better! I am wondering if I might be anaemic - Faithlet is over 5 weeks and I'm still bleeding! Will ask doc at 6 week check on Friday.

birdbrain17 · 22/05/2013 20:30

empress that's great news Grin good luck, you'll be fine!

birdbrain17 · 22/05/2013 20:35

two questions: firstly those of you who have a routine i.e set feeding times, if your lo is asleep do you wake them. Baby bird sometimes doesn't sleep for hours then sleeps through when she's supposed to be fed I'm worried this will mess up our routine?! Secondly how do you dream feed? I tried last night at 10:30pm before I went to bed (normal time for a feed is 11 but wanted and early night) but she wouldn't take it in her sleep and when I woke her by trying she fed for a min then went back to sleep Confused any tips on how to do it?

On the up side we had a really good bath today. Thanks whoever suggested making it deeper she really enjoyed it only one little cry when I took the towel off her to put her in Grin

tattooedapril87 · 22/05/2013 20:59

bird i wake them in the day for feeds on time. my reasoning is if in 24hrs they will do one long sleep i want it to be at night time...
as for dream feeds i think it could depend on baby if they take it. W literally dreamfeeds-poke the bottle in he drinks then is still asleep after, M half heartedly has a go but struggles. i take his bsbygrow off to not let him get too cosy (mean mummy here!)

ps i still have no luck with them keeping dummies in... any tips anyone?

birdbrain17 · 22/05/2013 21:14

thanks tattooed so she had a feed at 5:30 and would normally have another one at 8 and then 11 but she's still fast asleep now should I wake her? not sure if this is counted as a day or night feed Confused! I don't want her wake up in the night because she's hungry but maybe she's just learning to go longer between feeds?! (she's now 5weeks 1day and weighs 9lb 2oz bw 6lb 8oz)

I just bought mam dummies (£4.90 for 2 in boots might be cheaper elsewhere I didn't look) still have to hold it in for a few mins but then she sucks it by herself and mostly stays in even when she isn't sucking so it's there when she wakes up. Having said that someone should invent a way to get them to stay in, would save frantically searching round the bed in the middle of the night Wink

num3onway · 22/05/2013 21:32

Dd could not keep any orthodontic dummies we tried in but does much better with cherry teats so we are sticking to these for now! With regards to sterilising I do it at least once in 24 hours more if dropped etc. We have 3 on the go. One with her, one in the bag and one in sterilizer.