The posifrikentivity graduates thread - we did it!!

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Finally enough graduates (with more very imminently expected) to have our very own little thread. Yay. :)

Pink he's 8 days old today :) I'm so relieved! The dummy has been a total lifesaver this avo. Didn't get to town to register him after all, maybe tomorrow!

Bump thank you, I totally know what you mean. I think sometimes we need to be told that we're doing a good job. Leo was yelping earlier (before I remembered about magic dummy) and dh was online saying maybe he has colic. He said the way I breastfeed can be a cause. Cue the tears. So it's all my fault that he's crying then?! Beating myself up about silly internet. Dh didn't mean it, he was just reading out what the wee said.

Bump your afternoon sounds amazing! My dh is on the sofa sleeping with Leo curled up and I'm finally getting round to finishing the Xmas tree that we started putting up when I was getting contractions last week!

My stitches are super achey today, mw took a swab as she said there was a little bit if broken skin so may need antibiotics. Boo. The glamour never ends!!

Hope everyone is having a good day xxxx

Yey Janie that's fab news on the weight :)

Charlotte was weighed today and is now over 9lb1. I still struggle on with the feeding bit she is obviously getting what she needs. She has a really sore little bottom though :( makes me feel sad to see her skin like that.
Janie sorry to hear of your aching stiches. I'm the same. Had a 3rd degree tear which (TMI warning!) goes up my back passage. I'm on more drugs than a crashes kid! Will have numerous gyne follow up appointments. Am so very tired today and keep falling asleep only to be woken by the phone, the postman, the health visitor! Early night I think tonight. Just waiting for DS to be dropped off by grandma then try and keep him awake until bedtime!

Ouchy :( I've tried to have a shallow bath for about 5 minutes each night with tea tree oil and lavender oil, you maybe got the same advice but it's meant to have very good healing properties but if it's an infection it's not going to do much good. Here's hoping. If it's sorer tmro I'll give them a ring.

Ouch to tears and stitches!

Anda you ARE fab - no two ways about it, the other night was a sleep deprivation induced blip. I hope you are back to realising what amazingness you are

Omg I too am sleep deprived. DS is stacking on the weight, feeding lots and lots....need to invent a transferable boobage! DD has been a bit of a struggle tbh, she's waking up 2/3 times in the night begging to come in our room and crying. Tonight it took 2 hrs to actually get her to sleep in the first place and I am just praying she doesn't wake! How's everyone else's siblings coping? Any advice welcome - pleeeeease, I really need some sleeeeeeeep!

Garden sorry to hear your wee one is being demanding. Leo is my first so sadly I've no good advice to offer. But I send good vibes and sleepy ones at that to all the night owl children of the world. Let your mummies sleep. Now. Do it. Night night all children. It's f*ing bed time ok. Thks x

Garden, not only am I in awe of diet and her twins, I am also in awe of anyone who attempts having a newborn when they have other children. How do you cope?! I am literally just focusing all my time around the one, the day is counted as a success if we are both fed and clothed, even better if I manage a shower, and leaving the house is a full scale military operation. How does anyone do this with a demanding little person in tow?! Me and DH originally thought we'd like 3 kids, now we have realised the realities of the situation we may just stick with one. Not sure how we could manage any more!! Full time childcare perhaps?!

Evening all. I'm on about the 3rd feed of the night. So jealous of your little Leo going for so long between feeds Janie!
Garden - how old is your DD. My DS is 3 and had been waking a couple of times a night recently. He is mostly happy with a kiss and cuddle from me but if DH becomes involved he becomes upset. Def adding to the tiredness! He kind of goes to bed ok if we sit in the next room until he is asleep! This is progress from sitting in his floor! We introduced a Gro clock a few weeks back which had helped with night time routine and a reward chart. I'm glad he has broken up from nursery for a few weeks now. I've been late every day this week! Oops!
Pink - it is harder in lots of ways with 2 bit I was also more prepared so a bit less of a culture shock this time round! She is also a lot more chilled baby! I'm thinking the HypnoBirthing helped with this. Who knows really but it's nice! Hope it lasts!
Are you all sorted for Christmas?

Yet another feed! Yawn!

I'm in the wide awake club too, lucky! He only went on the right boob earlier then fell asleep.

At each feed, Do you guys always always offer the other boob once they finish the first? I have been but as earlier,is it best to let them just drift off without disturbing and offering boob número 2? Lucky I'm guessing that's maybe why Leo goes quite long between...cos he's had a feast?

Aaargh! I just got the wee man off at 2 and then girlie wakes and goes absolutely mental when I send DP up. Only mummy will do. I ended up having to settle as she was doing that's screamy sob thing that just gets worse and worse. Took ages and annoyingly DS slept for over 3 hrs so I missed a lovely snooze! She's 2&1/2 Lucky, gro clock and reward chart it is (maybe I should start praying too?!)

Janie your comment about them sleeping reminded me of a book my brother got me when DD was born called 'Get the f*ck to sleep' - very funny, may dig it out again for a chuckle (and read to DD!).

We are on 2 boobs here. I think from the midwife's reaction it's quite early for him to be on 2 boobs but he knows what he wants and it's BOOB! We do the following; infacol, boob, wind, nappy change (if required), other boob (or two-be as I like to call it), wind, sleep (pretty please). I try and start him on the boob he last finished on so he gets the good stuff (but can't remember a lot at the moment so it's a bit hit and miss). Must be working as in 12 days he's gained over a pound.

Pink it's funny, the other day I was thinking how hard it was with newborn DD and how chilled it is with newborn DS. Mainly for the reasons you said which don't seem to apply to number 2. I was thinking how nice it would have been to be that chilled with DD and it just have been DD I.e one child. I've concluded that nature doesn't allow this and the only reason number 2 is easier as a newborn is to help with the fact that number 1 becomes a nightmare! Lol! Don't worry the epic missions become second nature after a while, it does get easier and soon you'll be wanting another ;o)

Ha garden that book sounds awesome!

So infacol. Talk to me. Leo is a cryer, a high pitched one at that. The dummy is the only thing that helps. How would I know if it's colic? Is it even a possibility this early on (9 days old today)?

God I'm starving. Should've brought a snack selection to bed. I'd love a selection box. Which reminds me I haven't had my advent calendar choccies since labour day ooooh. Now I want chocolate treats! Damn it! Think I might need a fry up , haven't wanted one ever.

Sorry delirious sleepy babbling ha! Going crazy ha!! Mmm sausages!

Sorry I've been absent but things have been a bit horrible here

I've had a major complication post birth which could effect my quality of life going forward and have also picked up infections which have made me so ill it's been a horrible week I can't stop crying so am on PND watch with the GP/MW but am not depressed it's just bloody upsetting!

I've been reading your comments and everyone sounds like they're doing well (whether they feel like it or not) so pat yourselves on the back

Noah is a quicker feeder thanDS1 but wants feeding more often which is getting me down...at this point I was only up once in the night not 3-4 times I need sleep too being ill so it's really tough!

Will try and keep up more now

Oh shell darling xxxxx you have been through so much, my heart goes out to you. I hope you are getting all the support possible? If you need more there are ways to get it...I know surestart offer a 'befriending' type service where you can get additional help from volunteers if you need a someone to come round for a couple if hours so you can sleep, they can do cooking or groceries etc.

Aw sweetie I'm so sorry you're having such a rough ride after the trouble you went through during your pregnancy. How are you managing with the feeding? Are you able to express or ff to top up with his extra feeds?

Sending you such a big hug xxxx

hi ladies, sorry I've gone AWOL; both DH and I came down with DD1's stomach bug on Saturday night, felt absolutely awful till Tuesday and then had so much to catch up on (Xmas presents/cards/washing/tidying up) I didn't get the chance to post

How's everyone? shell I'm sorry to hear about the complication and infections; it sounds quite worrying, no wonder you're upset. I hope you have enough support from DH, family and MWs

garden I'm in exactly the same situation with DD1 who's going to be 3 at the beginning of February - she wants someone in the room with her in order to fall asleep (she was able to fall asleep on her own at some point) which I don't mind so much but for some reason she's started waking up in the middle of the night, pretty much every night and asking for me. She stays awake for 1-2 hours and wants cuddles, hand-holding or just to chat...frankly this is making me more tired than the baby...I haven't sent DH yet but I'm sure it would result in screaming...Since we're in the same shoes I assume it has something to do with our new arrivals so I'm trying to be patient and understanding. We tried to get her to go to sleep on her own with us standing outside her room and the door half open - it didn't really work and coincided with her being ill so we decided to drop it for now and try again after she turns 3. I think it's too soon after the baby arriving and I don't want her to feel neglected/unloved. The gro clock sounds great - thanks lucky - I'm going to look into getting one!

Anyway, if there's one thing these past 3 years have taught me is that there's no point getting too stressed over things. You overcome one obstacle and another one appears; and as a friend said "it's a marathon, not a race"

DD2 is doing well and the only bit I find tiring is that sometimes she doesn't settle till 1 or 2 am (on good nights she'll settle at around 11:00-11:30). Once she settles she'll wake up 2-3 times during the night, feed for 5-10 minutes and then go back to sleep quite easily. I only change her if there's a dirty nappy and I'm not very good with winding but I think with breastfeeding it's not so crucial? (correct me if I'm wrong)

ibip I found having my first baby so much harder than having my second one. Maybe she's an easier baby but I'm also more confident and it's less of a shock to the system. I'm sure you'll want more in a few months' time

anda, janie: being knackered is part of the job description and of course you're good enough and aren't doing anything wrong...all your babies need is food & love (and clean nappies)!

I still haven't bought baby's Xmas present...Thanks for all the tips!

So sorry you are having such a rough time Shell.
Glad you are on the mend Pentagon. Hate the dreaded tummy bug!
I'm going to take the children to a garden centre this afternoon to meet a friend. Thought it would be less stressful than a the kids trashing my house! So tired though now and need to get a wriggle on getting sorted!
Whoever posted about the clothes and turning them into a teddy or a blanket I love love love that idea.
Still got Christmas stockings to sort bit think I've done all the rest. Best go and get dressed!

Hi pentagon! Thanks for talking sense! We're all doing a pretty goddamn good job. It's not easy but we have to keep reminding ourselves how amazing we are. Back pats all round :)

Lucky hope the garden centre was fun! There's a Santa at our one nearby and I'm tempted to take Leo :)

We registered Leo today, I got quite emotional!

Dh has been doing most if the nappy changes which is great, but this morning I saw his (Leo's) wee bum was very red so I think he might have nappy rash. Anyone else's had this? Not sure if he just hadn't dried well enough or not changed enough ...although we always change him as soon as we notice a poo so not sure how it would've been left too long. Feel really guilty :(

Charlottes bottom is very sore :( health visitor said to give her time on a mat nappy free and put some cream on it. If not cleared up in few days see dr. Said it maybe thrush as I have it bit I can't be treated until I've finished antibiotics for an infection. Feels horrid doesn't it to see their baby skin so sore :(

Aw lucky I'm sorry little Charlotte is also suffering :(. I have some nappy rash cream and got some extra sensitive nappies. Hoping it clears up as it looks so sore, although he doesn't seem to be in too much pain I hope.

Ok tmi alert...I'm waiting to hear back from the midwife with the results of the swab they did of by nethers after telling them my stitches were a bit sore and throbby. I looked at them in a mirror tonight after I had a bath and oh my god. It seems the stitches have started to dissolve but the skin hasn't healed and there is still a big gash. I nearly puked at the sight of it (they looked gone and very neat when I looked on Monday). Rang the hospital to see what they thought and they've just advised that I call in the morning and try to get a midwife to come out. I can't get the vision out of my head. G.r.o.s.s.

I looked last week Janie and have been too scared to look again! Hope you get some good advice 2mor and they are able to make you more comfortable. Charlotte had been very wingy this evening. Worst night so far. Can't seem to get the latch right still with the feeding and she is gulping air and having tummy ache :( She had just fine to sleep so I'm hoping to get an hour ! Fingers crossed!

Yes to the nappy rash!! First noticed it last week, covered her in sudocream and almost all of it went. Just a couple of spots stayed. Carried on with the cream, but now those spots are bleeding :( I don't know what to do. Like you say, we change her as soon as possible, but she poos so often, we just can't stay on top of it. Caking the cream on, and hoping it will clear a bit, but the redness is back again :( poor little thing. If anyone finds a miracle cure let me know!

Oh no pink not you guys too :(. We started on the metanium cream today, will let you know if it does anything magical.

I'm not sure if this will work but thought I'd try to share a little pic of Leo with you My guy

I recommend Bepanthen for nappy rash; also you're only supposed to apply a very thin layer so that the skin can still breathe. Don't feel guilty, some babies have more sensitive skin than others. janie I hope you see a midwife tomorrow - are you in pain? indeed, brilliant idea/site, I love it - many thanks anda! bump your Love Actually afternoon sound idyllic!

Hmm one more try...

Yes pentagon it is sore...throbby pain. Probably my own fault. Went into town today and walked a fair bit. I just have a real urge to be outside and move my legs! Maybe I overdid it a bit.

Trying to remember what everyone wrote! Here goes...

Shell that sounds horrific, no wonder you are upset, it's been just one thing after another for you. It's times like this when the reality of the effects of pregnancy and giving birth have on your body really hit home. I don't think people fully appreciate what an exceptionally difficult, exhausting and potentially life changing body wise experience it is. My heart goes put to you. Big hugs xxx

Infacol: I'm using it with DS, he definitely doesn't have colic (they scream the house down for hours on end in the evenings generally) but he is having issues with bringing up wind, possibly due to him eating like he's never been fed each time! It just assists by making the little wind bubbles join up to make it easier for them to burp.

Sore bums: IMO the best bum cream is Metanium, you can get it on the supermarket and it's in a yellow tube (and it's bright yellow and can stain), you'd need to check its suitable from birth. My childminder recommended it, apparently they use it a lot for children who need to wear nappies for years.

That gash Janie (?) sounds awful, I hope you get it sorted in the morning and can erase the image...it scares me to look at my now wizards sleeve...just hope it all goes back to some kind of normality soon pretty please

My health visitor came today/yesterday Pentagon and she was very reassuring about the sleep thing, she used to run a sleep clinic. I said about gro clock and reward chart which she said are very good ideas. We are away for a wk on Sunday and she said there is no point trying anything until we come back. Not sure whether it's the right thing to do but DP is having a 'sleepover' on DS's floor tonight as I can't cope with another night like last night. We decided that it wouldn't make much difference as when we are away (grandparents) we will all be in the same room anyway. Anything for an extra hours sleep. He's eating so much I felt totally drained today and me and DD had a power nap together.

Big group hug all round I think - today we have newborns ladies , it will get easier! XXX