April 2013 - We've all had our babies now. Let the (hard work) fun commence!

[HadALittleFaithBaby]

Thought I'd take the liberty of starting a new thread since the last one filled. So mark your places, get comfy and prepare for a few sleepless nights!

In particular we think of Empress and little Sam - hoping and praying he's coming home! :)

Feeding them, as little one doesn't automatically need feeding to sleep, so I would say that you are doing a great job!

Sorry, on the right hand side for a feed right now, hence the clumsy typing!

thanks for the reassuring words tea and kell. I will mention it to the hv on Wednesday when I see her.
well just had to chsnge A as he'd pooed normally hes ok with having a quick change in the middle of the night but he protested then wee'd all over the bed little monkey woke his brother up too so hes now singing the Thomas song

good to know amberlav that cuddling isn't all that bad and hes not over ly reliant on the boob right hopefully back to sleep x

Not familiar with pnd as not been symptomatic (I think) though really nice reading all the supportive posts.

It's been a good night but my LO will NOT sleep before 11pm without comfort nursing. He's addicted to the boob.

My poor little Faithlet had awful reflux yesterday. Much puking, hardly slept all afternoon and woke at 2am (early for her) fed and then puked down me! (Lovely). I'm wondering if my caffiene intake affects her - she was fine Friday/Saturday when I hardly had any caffiene but awful when I had plenty yesterday. Going to try cutting down and see if it makes a difference.

Oops I seem to have dropped off the talk I'm on list so just marking my place again. Not got any internet at home at the moment so can't really get on here too much at the moment.

Has anyone breastfeeding had their period? I bled quite heavily for 4 weeks then on and off for a couple of weeks, then last week was no bleeding at all and now at 9 weeks suddenly bleeding quite heavily again just wondering if it could be my period...

Oooh I had loads of catching up to do, I think baby user had little side effects from jabs overall, she did scream for 6 hours afterwards but she does that a few days per week anyways!

I've always been very anxious, I think I control it quite well, but those little awful scenarios do shoot through my head sneakily!!

Had a nice weekend, mostly thanks to whoever posted that sleep link. I put her down & induce a nap by rocking about 1.5-2 hrs after she wakes and since Thursday have had a reasonably happy baby. Got jumperoo this morning, sooooooo much fun. It's the fisher price rainforest one and its great, we got secondhand a bargain!

faith, I hope the reflux clears up. At least if it's caffine related you can avoid it.

bird, I'm bfing and T is nearly 9 weeks and I haven't had my period yet. I've almost forgotten what they're like now.

A question about jabs and capol. Is it advisable to give capol before the jabs? Someone told me this is a good thing to do but I think it came up here before and there was a reason not to. Sorry to ask again I can't scroll back on my phone.

I also have horrid scenarios that go through my head, they are always about dropping E, or her being suffocated in our bed- I often wake up in a panic but I can usually talk myself out of them, I have spoken to the HV and she said that it is very common but if they seem overwhelming to seek more help.

We have had a horrid few days, E had her jabs on Thurs and it really unsettled her, she has been much more pukey and had some horrid nappies and a rash on her chest. This was combined with awful high pitched screaming and no sleeping- yuk. Thankfully she seems much more herself today but I'm not looking forward to the next lot.

I was pleased with myself as we made it to a new toddler group this morning, on time and with everyone cheerful, which on 4 hrs sleep was good going. Thankfully we also had to park a little way away so when DD1 threw a huge strop because I had the nerve to fasten her car seat before she had finished picking all the petals off her daisies, no one was there to see!!

bird yes, BabyCandy is 13w and I've had 2 periods, the first was AWFUL, the second was light and only lasted a couple of days.
I'm EBF on demand (never get more than 4hrs, even at night) and it still came back :(

tea The advice with calpol is to give it if they get a fever or seem distressed afterwards rather than just give it. This was backed up by my practice nurse. Best thing to do is get them to feed afterwards because the sucking is a natural painkiller and its also comforting.

Yes giving up caffiene is a small price to pay to have a settled and smiley baby which is what I've had most of the day after only have two caffeinated drinks! She's also slept better. Starting to think its not just coincidence.

No periods here bird but I've had intermittent bleeding at times since my lochia stopped at 7 weeks (she's now 10 weeks).

candy oh no I was hoping to not get any periods while I was breastfeeding, so dissapointed I need to go and buy some more pads, I'd let them run out and thought I wouldn't need anymore for ages...

bird get a mooncup! Works out so much cheaper and better for the environment.

I cut out caffeine completely from my diet when I found out I was preggers. Even a small dose sends LO hyper!

Ebf and no periods yet, ds is 11 weeks tmw.

keys just wanted to add to the excellent advice above that even if it turned out that there is an issue with your supply all is not lost. Mine has been dwindling (we have slow weight gain and this was diagnosed by the breastfeeding clinic) but I now have an active management plan to bit boost my supply and make sure that T gets enough to eat meantime. It is pretty labour intensive (Breastfeeding for half an hour, topping up with ebm or formula, then expressing - which all takes over an hour - at least every three hours- and, my horror, waking him overnight to feed) but like you I am really keen to breastfeed so if this is what it takes I have to give it my best shot! I have only been doing it for 4 days, but I think (touch wood!) I am noticing an improvement in my supply and T put on 7lb in 6 days, compared to our previous 0.5oz a day. It is more than likely that you don't have any problem with your supply, but to put your mind at rest I'd really recommend a trip to a Breastfeeding clinic - the mw's I've seen have been lovely and had really good advice, and if there is an issue the sooner you catch it the better.

Hey everyone xxx I sometimes get those negative thoughts and see those "films" in my head. Tell me a mum who doesn't ?

Well last night H managed 9.30pm-6.30am between bottles and slept from 10.45ish!

Crickey how annoying for those of you with periods! I bled for about 8 weeks after birth but nothing since and am 15 weeks in now. I have heavy periods so it is quite a relief. I had not realised how common it was for them to return : (

I have not managed to keep up on the thread at all over the last week or so. Hope everyone doing well. Sleep wise we have had 2 x 5 hour sleeps this week which is the longest yet although the little guy is still snuffling from the longest cold in history and has struggled quite a bit to sleep after his long sleep,

Just had a proper read and as Trish says I think some anxious thoughts are fairly normal .... I too have the odd horrible thought about things like tripping over whilst carrying H or dropping him. If the thoughts are taking over and spoiling your enjoyment of your baby then it is definitely time to get help. A friend from antenatal classes has been very anxious and has had great support from the gp and hv and is feeling a lot better in a relatively short period of time.

Morning all, I also agree with trish I think some anxious thoughts are completely normal. Sometimes worst case scenarios just flash through your head.
I went back into nicu yesterday to take the nurses a picture of Alex for their wall, everyone was so thrilled it was lovely. I took such comfort from that wall, I hope seeing how well Alex is doing will In turn help someone else.
He is just over 9lbs now, he still looks small but has a fair bit of chubbiness as well especially around his face. He is still feeding all the time, I asked my drs advice about weaning given actual vs corrected age as its very confusing the literature i have been given i assumed i would wean him at 6 months corrected but its not that simple apparently, and we have been referred to a specialist on micro preemie nutrition hopefully in the next week or two. Which is very reassuring knowing I will have specialist help to guide me.

Good to get an update Mama! We've been back to scbu a couple times and they love seeing H

There's a little boy who was born at 29 weeks that's still there each time we go back :-( hope he goes home soon x

Thank you everyone (too many to name check!) for your advice on my worries about my milk supply. I finally feel better about it and much less worried! I have been feeding on demand and then pumping after she has finished and it definitely seems to have helped, since yesterday my breasts feel much fuller and Immy is back feeding for her usual length of time and not appearing hungry after. So hopefully we may be back on track!

My next problem, my MIL is convincing my DH that I am too protecting of Immy, she says its not healthy that I haven't left her with anyone other than my DH! I have left her with DH many times, I even went on a hen do afternoon without her when she was 4 weeks(it was torture leaving her, but I managed it!) but she is only 7 weeks and BF so I feel that sheis being highly unfair, but she is working her way into DH head IYKWIM! She also wants to see her more, she already sees her twice a week, which I think is a lot! But the other day she said that if we want her to do 2 afternoons a week childcare from September then she needs to spend more time with her to bond! She knows we are relying on her for those two afternoons.
Am I overreacting???

Mama it is lovely to see how 'big' Alex is getting and hope the guidance re weaning is helpful. Are your preferences more puree or BLW? We were talking about weaning at the children's centre yesterday and was interesting to hear the different plans. Evan is nearly 15 weeks old now so many of the babies in the group have reached 17 weeks and many have already sucked on various foods.

One of the CC ladies was advising that sleeping through the night and then not sleeping through the night is a clue to the baby being ready - in which case, I imagine Evan is going to ready one day in the far off future! We have just had three nights where he has gone 5 hours between bottles so fed at 11pm and next one at 4am. This is progress as he was feeding at 11pm, 2am and 5am.

I agree with all the posters regarding the scary thoughts. I think it is normal to worry and to imagine worse case scenarios; I still climb an extra set of stairs each night to check the DDs are breathing; we keep their bedroom window locked as they could (possibly) work out the latch and fall out; I wrap all blind cords because they could (possibly) strangle a child; I worry about DD2 thinking it might be a good idea to use drawers as steps and the chest will topple onto her so DP had to attach all furniture to the walls and there are lots more - and my girls have been around for quite a while so I don't think the worries go away (my dad is still insistent on being the last to leave if we are all leaving a restaurant car park, for example, in case any of our cars (I am one of three) won't start. I have lived in different countries but now I live near my parents they can be more practical in their worries!)

Trish and Mama it is always nice to go back to visit NICU and the staff always love to see my three! We have a tradition of going every Christmas Eve and give a donation, lots of chocolate (that I get given as a teacher) and also a dozen small toys to be included in the stockings for the babies in over Christmas. Christmas Eve is DD2's birthday so we know what is it like to be in NICU over the holidays and we were very appreciative of the fact that Father Christmas (with the help of the staff who use their own money) found her and gave her a stocking when we had bought nothing for her as she arrived so early. We also give an up-dated photocard which they add to their 'graduates' board.

We are off to DD1's sports day today - she is very excited. They have a morning of group activities in houses and then parents turn up for the afternoon field and track events which are also competed in house teams. The house trophy is the real focus of the day so DD1 is not anxious of coming last; some one has to and, considering her prognosis as a baby was not walking or talking, then she just loves it all and bounced off to school today (which she does every other day when there is no sports!)

Keys I agree it is hard to get used to the idea of leaving the baby with anyone other than the parents and I think it is harder for you to leave DD with MIL rather than own M. My DC have never been left with DP's parents - not for any real reason other than the fact that they live on the mainland and so we only see them a handful of times each year so they don't know them so well.

All 3DC have been left - individually or together - with my DM (and DF) but they also live on the island and we usually see them at least once a week when they are not on holiday (which they are for up to 6 months of the year!)

None of my DC have been away from both DP and I overnight. We have both individually been away, with work or friends, but the other one has been home with DCs.

However, I do see MIL's POV if she is going to be your childcare on a regular basis from September. My DM had DD1 one day a week from the age of about 6 months but I cannot remember whether she had her much in the time before that or whether we just dropped her off the first day. What are your plans for that - will you just drop DD with MIL on her first childcare day or were you planning on letting her have DD for an hour or so in the few weeks running up to it. Your DD is still very young and BF so an hour would be about the max anyway. What are your plans re milk when MIL has DD in September? It is a difficult one for you and I think, made harder due to the childcare situation.

Good luck in finding a solution!

Dysgu, my ds2 when aged 2.5 did decide to climb a tall (5FT) heavy chest of draws. They fell over and had it not been for them landing on the end of his bed I dread to think what state he would have been in. They are very very heavy draws and he would of had broken bones at least, I cannot even move them. It was horrible. I wish I had had the thought that it could of happened! Thankfully he was ok. Just a bit shaken up. And the draws have been moved.
I am Ff. Dd is 12 weeks. I had period at 8 weeks and had depo shot while on it. And I am still spotting four weeks on. I am so annoyed. I have never reacted like this to depo before!
Dd sleeping a lot today. Slept 9-4, 5-8.30, 9-10.30, 10.45 - still asleep.

I am also a mum who constantly checks children are breathing during the night, usually by tickling feet lol and with dd just lay my hand on her chest

num glad your DS was not hurt and was saved by the end of the bed. My DD2 is a real climber but it was only when I saw a story about two children being killed by a falling chest of drawers when one had been using it as steps that I made DP attach furniture to the walls. DD2 would probably not consider doing it - she loves to climb onto kitchen counters or up the shelves in our built-in wardrobe though so I thought it was best to be safe as they are heavy chests.

I had one period since Evan's birth and then went straight onto progesterone pill. Trouble is, I am useless at remembering to take it (has 12 hour window) so have been spotting on/off for last two weeks as missing a couple of days seems to bring on mini-period.

I am going to make an appointment with Dr to have implant fitted.