July 2013 - Part 1. Remember your pelvic floor exercises!

[TotallyEggFlipped]

Time to start the post-natal thread.

And start those PELVIC FLOOR EXERCISES!

[evelynj]

Thanks for those tips dinky-will try some different positions when out. Day 2 today in another coffee shop & another success!

I'm also worried about dh going back ft on Mon but convincing myself that as F will be4 weeks on Mon, there's just 2 weeks to get through until the magic 6 week mark?! Having said that, yest & today dh has been on hols but hasn't been nearly as useful as I'd hoped, keep having to nag him to do really obvious house chores whilst I'm stuck in my nursing chair & he's playing some stupid game on his phone. Its getting me really frustrated!

Also, any advice on handling older siblings? It took my 3.5 yo about 1,5hours to put his socks on today-not sure if some of it is attention seeking as he can do it but again I'm getting really annoyed with him as he needs to do it himself, then feel bad that he's suddenly deprived of being the sole focus of attention ov us both, grrr!


Agree clenching about single parents-they superhuman!

Ugh, have just fed Florence & coated my nipple in the probiotic powder as stated on pot but it's sort of coagulated round the bit she hasn't taken-think it may be easier tobput in a bottle-need to go wash my boob!

[dinkystinky]

Evelyn - my top tip for older siblings is ensure you get some quality you and them only time, especially if they are little. Hand F off to dh for a couple of hours and go to park, do painting or baking - whatever he loves most. Big him up as a brilliant big brother and how much F thinks he is the coolest thing ever. Make things like getting dressed a race - my 4 year old loves racing against me in the mornings. This phase will pass - remember he's still really small (even though he seems massive compared to F).

[Beginningofthejourney]

Theo rolled over today from his tummy to his back...my baby is getting big already!
Thought I'd share a bf story as it made me laugh...I saw my cousin and his 5 yr old son (A) this week, while A was busy chatting away I latched Theo on with my top up just above his face not really thinking to much about but then A started stroking Theo's head then he noticed his ear was moving so he investigated further and realised theo was sucking something so lifted my top slightly to see what was going on, he found this very funny so I explained that's how babies eat, A said 'what from your belly button?' I was too busy laugh to say otherwise, then theo popped off and A looked shocked and said 'you've got an outie!'
Btw I'm a single mum, it's not that bad at the moment at least I don't have to get annoyed at OH not pulling his weight! I do have good supportive family and a generally good bay tho!

[MightBeMad]

Beginning love that story! I had a similar experience while bfing dc1 once. When the child's mum appeared and apologised for letting her bother me I had to warn her that she might be facing some interesting questions when they got home!

[dinkystinky]

Go Theo! Love the bf story too.

Clenching - you'll be fine, just make sure you get out and about to get some adult interaction during the day. Abzs - your mil sounds like abit of a star. Hope you manage to get dinner tonight.

[TotallyEggFlipped]

Story made me , Beginning.

DD1 loves to investigate as I'm BF. She keeps asking to see the milk & thinks my breast pads are hilarious. I think I'd better keep the pump out of her sight or she'll probably try to use it herself!

[dinkystinky]

Ah bless dd Totally.

Ds2 had taken, whenever J starts grizzling, to yelling at the top of his voice "Mummy, Jackson needs breastmilk"!"

[cheekbyjowl]

chocolate and caramel torte panda? you know that husband swap you offered...how about a wife Time share? I haven't even made a cup of tea since having j

also dreading end of paternity leave lets pray we all get lots of.company and lovely social gatherings next week.

[VinegarDrinker]

We've been having all sorts of chats about "milk from nipples" here, too. Do rabbits make milk? Do zebras make milk? Do caterpillars have nipples? What animal's milk is mozzarella made from? Can you drink cat milk? He always tells me "Mummy, Bessan needs her milk" and gets "Bessan's pillow" to bring over to me (my BFing pillow).

And when I BF DD at nursery they all flock over to look. I think it's really sweet

Re. clothes for BFing, I mostly do the two tops trick (one up, one down) to avoid flashing my muffin top and back fat, but I do also have some bargainous h&m maternity t shirts that are also BFing tops. They were pretty cheap and are really practical.

[MightBeMad]

I like the h tops too. And I got some others in the jojo sale which are useful.

End of paternity leave looming here too, on Tuesday, though I won't have both do for the full day until Friday. Eek!

[Abzs]

Dinky - you're right, she is. Having a rotten evening with constant feed/Grizzle/poo/feed/Grizzle/comfort suck/scream ad infinitum. She took him from me at 9, after nearly 3 hours when I was starting to crack, and did the pacing up and down for me so I could get a cup of tea and sit down. She's even managed to get CatB to accept her presence.

On the other hand, I didn't need to know that dh behaved like this for months, then was the archetypal terrible two...

[TomDaleysTrunks]

Yep DHs pat leave ends on Monday. He's back to work with a vengeance doing 5 out of 8 days on call! It's going to be a bit of a baptism of fire though I've enlisted the inlaws. They aren't amazing but at least they will help with DD1.
Sleep wise not great but not horrendous either. Cluster feed 6-midnight then 2-3 more feeds overnight.
I also do the pull one top up and another top down trick. Managed a few public BF, had to do it walking around at Playgroup today running after DD1. Seemed ok.
Hope everyone else is getting bits and pieces of sleep.

[wavesandsmiles]

All a bit of a blur these early few weeks - have been lurking but not posting as I don't seem to have time to sit at the laptop!

My little boy (who I named Caspian Nicholas John but forgot to say here), is 2 weeks old today. We are getting out and about, and I'm managing to feed in public okay, but yesterday was hard work as we went to a local fete, and so I found myself in the corner of the tea and cake tent, whilst my older DCs went a bit crazy for the 30p a go lucky dip stall! Sleep is okish, some nights are better than others, and I'm super conscious of the noise of Caspian crying and worrying it might disturb DCs or my lodgers. I shouldn't worry as the lodgers moved in knowing I was pregnant etc, but it still niggles.

DD (7) decided to sketch me breastfeeding yesterday evening - was quite sweet really. I am very relieved that both she and DS (9) have taken so well to their baby brother. DS relishes the role of big brother, and was beaming yesterday as I left him holding the baby whilst I went for a wee, and when I got back he was being complimented on his big brother skills

Makes things easier as I am a single parent (stbxh left when I was about 4 months pregnant), so the more help they can be, the better. Just wish they could make a decent cup of tea! Must confess I am starting to get really really lonely, and finding things are getting to me a bit. It's just the relentlessness of meeting Caspian's needs, and knowing that there is no one else to do a nappy change, or get me a cuppa, or get me some dinner (although DD makes a mean slice of toast), or even give me a hug and say I'm doing ok!

I need to put together a bit of a breastfeeding wardrobe, at the moment I am mainly in vest tops and skirts, usually with a loose cardigan, but I only have a couple, so may need to invest in some more, as I can't think what else might work in terms of practicality.... The feeding itself is going ok, although it is still sore on my right, and a bit ouchy at the initial latch.

My biggest surprise has been that despite getting all prepared for safe co-sleeping, Caspian has decided that he doesn't like it, and prefers his Moses basket! I've taken to swaddling him in a thin sheet at night time, to try to help him settle better and quicker between the feeds.

I have just three major (sort of) mishaps so far:
Trying out the cloth nappies, and I musn't have fastened it tight enough and yellow poo went running everywhere, all over the bed and DD who was playing with him
Breast pad somehow moving itself within my bra, such that the sticky bit stuck itself to my nipple (OW!)
Waking myself up with a bad dream and managing to flail my arm as doing so, sending my glass of water flying, all over the Moses basket, drenching C, the bedding, and completely waking him up.

[dinkystinky]

Proud outies list (corrected with the mystery mum's name included)


The proud outies list:

SuperShiv - DS, Oliver, aka the little fighter, born 13.04.13, 1 lb
Emblosion - DS, Oisin Michael, born 27.5.13, 6 lb 1 oz
Beginningofthejourney - DS, Theodore, born 28.05.13, 6 lb 11 oz
Elliejitny - DS, Ezekiel, born 3.6.13, 7 lb 2 oz
Paolocee/Donna - DDs, Leila Poppy and Caitlin Liv
Princessllama - DS, Humphrey, born 11.06.13, 7lb 4oz
Devilforasideboard - DS, Will
Schrosawmargerydaw - DS, Caspar Neil Ruaridh, born 21.6.13, 4 lb 8 oz
BB01 - DD Rosie, born 22.06.13, 4 lb 9 oz
Differentnow - DD Posy, born 22.06.13 8lb 4oz
OhGood - DS, Thomas
NotprincessKate - DD, Amy Rose, born 26.6.13, 8 lb 14 oz
Shelley72 - DD2, Florence, born 27.6.13
Twinklestarstwinklestars - DS, Max, born 27.6.13, 5lbs 3 oz
Gingerpanther27 - DS, Callum, born 27.6.13, 8 lb 4 oz
McKTastic - DS, Murray, born 29.6.13
Bigbelly4 - DD2, Constance Rose, born 30.6.13, 7 lb 4 oz
Chinainthegarden - DD, Clara Elizabeth, born 30.6.13, 7 lb 7 oz
TotallyEggFlipped - DD2, Naomi, born 1.7.13, 5 lb 8 oz
Vinegardrinker - DD, Bethan, born 2.7.13 (bang on her due date!), 7 lb 13 oz
Abz - DS, Joseph Robert, born 2.7.13, 8 lb 4 oz
Wifey6 - DS, Kyle, born 2.7.13
Cheeseandbread- DD, Juno Olivia, born 3.7.13, 7lb 2 oz
Tryitonforsize - DS, Gray Everett, born 5.7.13, 8 lb 6 oz
MarieKL - DS, Alexander, born 5.7.13, 8 lb 2 oz
MysteryMeg - DD, Edith, born 6.7.13, 8 lb 4.5oz
Pinkballetshoes - DD, Rachel Amelia, born 6.7.13
SundaySunshine - DS, Luca, born 6.7.13
CitizenOscar - DS2 (name to follow), born 7.7.13
Calmisthemantra - DS, Abraham John Anthony, born 7.7.13, 8 lb 5 oz
Dinkystinky - DS3, Jackson Rivan, born 7.7.13, 8 lb 7 oz
Marmitemad - DD2, Evelyn Grace, born 7.7.13, 7 lb 2 oz
Silverbirdie - DD, Edith Alice, born 8.7.13, 9 lb 1 oz
MrsMillions - DD, Abigail, born 8.7.13, 7 lb 1 oz
RunswithSquirrels - DD, Eden Rose, born 10.7.13, 9 lb 3 oz
BadmissM - DS, Caspian Albert Sebastian Alexander, born 10.7.13, 7lbs or so (3.4kg)
Quinnandthem - DD, Sophia Isabella, born 10.7.13, 7 lb 14 oz
Tashtastic - DD, Georgia born 10.7.13
CutandStick - DD, Lara Erin Ivory, 7 lbs 13 oz
Esme80 - DD, Abigail Marie, born 12.7.13, 11 lb 2 oz
Cheekbyjowl - DS, Joseph, born 12.7.13, 7 lb 13 oz
Andrea75 - DS, Joshua Timothy, born 14.7.13
Minipenguinmaker - DD, Maya Grace, born 14.7.13, 8 lb 14 oz
Persuasion - DD, Felicity, born 14.7.3, 6 lb 12 oz
GeorgieWilson - DS, Oliver George, born 14.7.13, 8 lb
Thinkingof4 - DD, Morven, born 15.7.13, 9 lb 5 oz
EvelynJ - DD, Florence Heather Rose, born 15.7.13, 8 lb 12 oz
MummyKanny - DD, Alice, born 15.7.13, 6 lb 6 oz
OrangeBubbles - DS, born 15.7.13
Hai1988 - DD, Madison Alice, born 17.7.13, 9 lb 1 oz
lancslass - DD, Annabelle Grace, born 18.7.13, 6.lbs 14oz
Reikimummy - DD, born 20.7.13, 6 lb 11 oz
Slouchingpanda - DS, Felix , born 21.7.13, 9 lbs 6 oz
MrsD77 - DD, Libby Hope Daisy, born 24.7.13
Cantreachmytoes - DD, born 24.7.13 (on due date!)
iclaudius - DS (no 7!), born 24.7.13, 8 lb 6 oz
PhieEl06 - DD, Macy June, born 25.7.13 (born in her caul!), 7 lb 6 oz
Shockingundercrackers - DS2, born 25.7.13, 8 lb 1 oz
Photographerlady - DD, Matilda Sofia, born 25.7.13, 8 lb 15 oz
Pocopearl - DS, Logan, born 26.7.13, 8 lb 11 oz (after epic induction)
MrsRoss26 - DD, Charlotte Sophia, born 25.7.13, 7 lb 4 oz
Icingthecake - DD, Alice, born 26.7.13, 8 lb 10 oz
Mightbemad - DS, born 27.7.13, 9lb 8 oz
MrsWilderMac -DD, Amelie Grace, born 27.5.13, 6 lb 15 oz
Wavesandsmiles - DS, Caspian Nicholas John, born 27.7.13, 7 lb 3 oz
Twirliedobbit - DS, Oscar Edward, born 27.7.13, 6 lb 14 oz
Sashabella0 - DD, Alice, born 28.7.13, 7 lb 14 oz
Guavasforbreakfast - DS, Sebastian Charles, born 29.7.13, 7 lb 8 oz
GrannyApple - DD, Amelia Catherine, born 30.7.13, 6 lb 14 oz
Amadablam - DD, Elspeth Anna, born 31.7.13, 7 lb 4 oz
LizinCornwall - DD, Emma Eloise, born 1.8.13
TomDaleysTrunks - DD, Harriet Eleri, born 2.8.13, 8 lb 11 oz
Silver15 - DS, Jotham, born 4.8.13, 9lbs (or thereabouts)
Sugarkane - DD, Freya Amelia, born 4.8.13, 10 lbs
Waitingforwombat - DD, born 5.8.13, 7lb 8 oz

What a lot of fabulous names we've chosen for our DSs and DDs. Final tally - 33 boys and 43 girls!

[dinkystinky]

Abzs - maybe MIL was trying to reassure you that a grizzly baby can turn into a lovely person like your DH? Or that she lived through it and you will too? In any event, my MIL (who I love lots) tells me stuff like that too - I find the policy of smile politely and let it pass over my head works well as its well intentioned.

Waves, Beginning - you're both doing brilliantly well. So pleased your DS and DD are being so supportive Waves - nights will get easier I promise. J has gone from amazing hourly waking nocturnal boy to having 4 hour sleeps last night (day time sleeps are now out the window but hey, would much rather sleep at night anyway). C is still really little and finding his place in the world. V envious of you having a baby who likes his own space though - took me an hour to persuade J to go to sleep in his carry cot this morning!

Re pat leave and dealing solo with baby (for those first timers) - its not too bad honestly. Just get out and get some fresh air if its getting too much for you and baby - and try and get some adult interaction if possible. If you're struggling, dont be afraid to ask for help - from family, friends or anyone else.

[cheekbyjowl]

love all the breastfeeding and kids stories

waves sending virtual hugs to you and beginning I think single mums are amazing. hope you can get some family and friends near you too

lanclass those pads are.awful. are the sticky bits meant to go on the bra or boob? either way they don't stick and mine fall out in embarrassing places and my boobs are like niagara falls.

we had a horror of a child yesterday who fed every hr from 1:30am till 9pm! I suspect hell be twice his size soon and I'll be half of mine.he slept well last night but he makes the most frightful noises my dh.and I couldn't join him in the land of nod. he grunts, wheezes, does the backstroke, yelps (the worst sound) snorts. google tells me this is the norm but does anyone else know how to ease /stop it.were on the infacol and winding him after every feed.

[waitingforwombat]

So wombat is a magnificent 6 days old now, feels like she has been here for ever! Finally managed to log onto computer rather than on phone, so able to update rather than just lurk.

Everyone's predictions of combination of wedding on Saturday and induction on Sunday being far too tempting for baby to wait for were completely correct. Had fantastic time at wedding (including nice glass of pimms and some bouncing on a bouncy castle to help things along, much to the HORROR of most of the other guests!). BH turned regular, approx. 7mins apart during the speeches in the afternoon. Drove home, and contractions hit hard at around 8pm, coming every 2-3 minutes. Into hospital at 1am, slow to progress, waters broken at 5am with thick meconium. Ended up with continuous monitoring, drip, antibiotics, epidural, consultant threatening section due to slightly worrying CTG. Scary bradycardias followed, so to theatre as 10cm, but head still very high. Consultant prepping for section, registrar agreed to trial of forceps and with the "encouragement" of potential section wombat delivered after 3 pushes/pulls!

Unfortunately left me with quite a fantabulously long vaginal tear and a very bruised/potentially cracked coccyx but she is so so so worth it. Head of dark hair (both me and DH very bald and fair as children) and very beautiful. Completely besotted, but still very sore to sit down!!! Care in hospital was second to none. Obviously birth didn't go even remotely to plan, but I don't feel that I missed out on my "birth experience" because everyone was so kind and caring.

Survived PIL visit (remember they wanted to camp?!!) In the end all worked out quite well. Ended up with 2 night hospital stay and so they came on day 2 but MW helpfully draconian on visiting hours. Also came to visit on Thursday, but thankfully DH put his foot down and they didn't stay. They were super helpful doing lots of cleaning etc, but didn't leave till gone 8pm, and I was exhausted and a bit tearful by the end. Feel terribly guilty as they have been so kind, but just wanted some time to rest and enjoy the three of us.

Also had some really helpful input from breastfeeding advisor (phoned at 10am, she was here helping with a feed at 11.30!) and that seems to have helped with latch and so wombat can now go longer between feeds as clearly getting more milk. Had amazing night of feeding at 10, 3 and 7 last night, but then a very hungry morning! DH managed to get her to settle and so also had a very luxurious one hour nap this morning, and feeling much more human.

Mega post.....must go and actually care for my baby now!

xxxx

[esme80]

Hi all!
I still havent gotten it in my head that this is a post-natal thread. Still start catching up and half expecting more babies to have been born!
Re bf clothes I took vinegars advice and do two tops. Makes me feel quite well covered not worried about everyone seeing my stomach. Or back fat...
A slept 12.30-5.30 last night, and then 6-8.30! Best night we have had, feel like a new person! Or just human I guess. Woke up with hugely full breasts though. She is super fusst and windy in the evenings, but does settle between 11-12 mostly so not too bad.

[TotallyEggFlipped]

Great to read your birth story, wombat.

waves - you're amazing! DH is going away for work for a week, so I'm decamping to my rents with the girls because I can't handle the two of them on my own yet. Daytimes are manageable, but it all goes tits up in the evenings and bedtime with DD1. If it was just me & the baby I'd be fine, but the added toddler is defeating me!

I can't complain really, but I will . N is gradually reducing her time between feeds both by day and by night. Not bad really, but a depressing trend. Fingers crossed its only temporary.

[Mrsd77]

I think you all sound like you are doing amazingly well! It's tricky managing a change in any family but massive respect to those going it alone. I'd be a shambles without DH.

Pat leave finishes tomorrow and I have two weeks with him at work before a weeks proper leave where hopefully we can give DS a good week of days out before he starts school. Won't be alone though as DM will be with us for much of it when DS not in nursery. Like you Totally I can hack them individually, but I struggle with both kids together still.

On the hormonal front, I'm feeling much better. Only normal levels of mummy tearfulness, like when DS' school trousers arrived!!!

We are also starting the infacol today as the wind is extraordinary. My daughters intestines are not dainty or ladylike!!!!

[dinkystinky]

Cheek - J is super noisy like your little man. Ds1 was too - so much so that we moved him to his own room at 4 weeks as I wasn't sleeping at all after a difficult birth. Ds2 was quiet, but super windy. Nothing that can be done to stop the noise - other than wind and make sure they are comfy - they become quieter over time. We have a fan on in our room which helps cover the low grade grunting - I can mostly sleep through it but DH can't so he's still switching between our room and spare room to make sure he can still function on work days. Been there done that re the hourly feeds for a prolonged period - probably a growth spurt in your case - tonight should be a better night with any luck.

Wombat - nice to see you on and thanks for sharing your birth story. Baby wombat sounds beautiful. Top tip for bad tear - arnica, vitamin e supplements, keep clean and dry (blot with pads rather than wiping), salt and lavender baths to clean the stitches, perineal chill pads can help relieve the area and valley cushions (you can hire them) to sit on (takes pressure out the area when you sit down). Feeding lying down is good if your coccyx is up to it - means you don't have pressure on your lower area while feeding lots on the early days. Hope you recover soon x

[dinkystinky]

We took the boys over to the discover centre in Stratford today - j slept most of the train journey there, had a feed there, then slept for nearly 5 hours while we went around the centre, went to Westfield to go school shoe shopping (joy of joys) and some free kids activities and through the boys dinner. He then proceeded to do two poonamis in a row at the restaurant and on the train home! Fortunately the nappies just about managed to contain them till we could change him!!

[TotallyEggFlipped]

dinky - I initially misread your advice to wombat for soothing tears as chili pads

[wavesandsmiles]

Ouch at the thought of chilli pads!!!

C is a ridiculously noisy baby too, sounds like he needs oiling a lot of the time. What with that and pig like snorts, I'm surprised the neighbours are able to sleep.

[dinkystinky]

Yowsers, chilli pads down there.... Doesn't bear thinking about even without a tear!!