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. :)

janie I can't access it something about iframe...sorry to hear it hurts, I'm sure you'll get some drugs (maybe even antibiotics?) tomorrow. garden thanks for sharing, it's reassuring to know we're not the only ones with this problem! We're also away at grandparents' and staying in the same room over the holidays which is another reason why we've decided to give up for now. Big group hug indeed!

I can't seem to see the picture either :(
I'm sure all of us with older DS that things will calm down soon and they will eventually adjust. I guess it's a really big thing in their lives.
We are going to see Santa in Christmas Eve this year at a farm. I'm so excited :) think I'm the biggest kid of all!

Thanks for the group hug garden. I hope you manage to get a decent rest tonight. Sleep babies, sleep. Think I may have to look into slumber bear or Ewan the dream sheep!

Thanks everyone, yeah it's just dead tough one thing after another and it's not letting up But, I've got two gorgeous babies so I can't really complain....defo no more tho

Hi pentagon DH has been sleeping with DS1 in the spare room at some point in the night most nights lately! And now DS1 has a cold that won't be changing! We'll sort it out in the new year, DS1 just needs the extra comfort at the mo

Ooo janie sounds sore Mine split with DS1 and when I looked there was a big gaping hole took ages to heal Hope you get sorted today

Boo my picture linking abilities are obviously crap ha! He shall remain the mystery man then!

Shell you are allowed to complain and feel free to do so xxx

We started Leo on infacol yesterday evening and he pood at about 8.30pm but only done wet nappies since. Just wondering if anyone has noticed any constipation after using infacol? Normally he would've done a good 3 by now (lucky us yay!)

On the plus side, the metanium cream seems to have started clearing up his sore red bum since starting it last night.

Hello ladies.
Sorry I have been AWOL- I hast first MBA essay due in yesterday and was stressed about it all. But got it in on time, sadly have to do another one and a presentation this weekend but it's doable so less stress.

Shell- so sorry to hear about your physical complications. I hope things improve and you get good care.
Janie- hope you heal quickly, sounds very sore.

I agree with all the advice here re metanium ( great stuff but stains!!) and Infacol.

Garden- I think it's totally normal for things like sleep to regress in older children. Do whatever it takes to make it easier for you all. I used to be really strict about my son sleeping in his own bed, but after he got diabetes he often sleeps with one of us as it's easier to check him in the night, last night my husband was in with him and my daughter decided to join the baby and I at midnight. Not ideal , but sleep is more important some nights than fighting where they sleep.
Pentagon- hope you feel fully better soon.

Andadietcoke- hope the night feeding has settled down again.
IBIP- I think it gets easier with experience, I have found going from 2-3 children easier than 1-2. Can manage bedtime and meals by myself, I couldn't do bath time when I had my daughter as a baby and a 2 year old son for ages. Must be a confidence thing. Still a mission to get out the house though!!

We are doing ok, Alex is struggling with wind and reflux at nightie especially. Will be using Infacol soon!!
He saw the GP yesterday who wasn't worried about the heart murmur particularly.
He's growing so fast and is mostly so happy and I just love to sit and cuddle him as much as I can!!
Looking forward to Christmas- all presents bought online, but no cards done yet!!
I have bought him a jellycat monkey, clothes, sleeping bag. The older 2 are totally spoiled- will be so exciting to see them open their presents!! Can't wait.
Only thing that's getting me down and I'm trying to not let it is my weight- I'm 2 stone heavier than when I got pregnant, my boobs are huge and my legs and trunk like. Hate it and know it's my fault!! But I'm so hungry, desperately want to exercise but can't yet. Any tips other than leave the biscuits alone??!!
Take care all and have a lovely weekend with your babies xx

Glad to hear those with older siblings seem to be in the same boat sleep wise (although yes it would be nice if none of us were having problems!)

I had a relatively good nights sleep but am aching to buggery and feel drained, have a minging taste in my mouth and really don't feel like eating anything but keep force feeding in fear of collapse! Anyone else felt grim? I've been drinking the fluids so it can't be that but maybe I should up them, can you drink too much???

Sorry to hear you feel rough Garden?
Do you have a temperature, sore boobs? Just thinking mastitis??
I'd take some paracetamol and rest if you can.
You have to drink litres of water for it to interfere with you body salt balance. Try to have drinks with some sugar- fresh orange etc as it may help.
Get better soon xx

Sorry to hear you are feeling unwell garden :( there is a lot of bugs around but as JMF said also possible mastitis?
JMF am so hearing you in the weight thing :( feeling really crappy today about it. Can't seem to fit into anything and just feel a mess. Getting me down. Wish I was one of this ladies it just dropped off by breast feeding! No such luck.
DH has peed me right off as he wants to go out with "all the lads " later ! Grr. It's already tough managing 2 children on no sleep when he is at work never mind going on a jolly! Do feel a bit mean bit he told me last week he wasn't going!

Ooh I think you may be right about mastitis jmf & Lucky I've just looked it up and it really fits, thanks - Anyone had it and got tips on how to get shot of it?

I had it mildly with DS bit that was nearly 4 years ago and I can't really remember! I think i remember expressing some milk as I was so engorged at the time. Hope someone else is able to be more help. It's a good job men don't have babies, they'd never be able to cole with all we go through ;)

Just googled and the nhs site has lots of good advice including rest, fluids, paracetamol, keep feeding or expressing and a warm flannel over breasts. Also ensure bra not too tight. Think I remember taking mine off and lying on a towel.

Oh dear Garden, you poor thing - you may need antibiotics.
Keep feeding, keep hydrated, regular paracetamol.
Lots of rest and sleep.
If you are spiking temperatures I'd get yourself seen for possible antibiotics.
Hope you feel better soon xx

Oh no garden that sounds nasty :( it will clear up with the right treatment and perseverance though. Hope you were able to get in touch with the out if hours go maybe?

I got an antibiotic for my ouch fanjo today. Had the midwife out and she seems to think it should heal itself within 2 weeks (TWO WEEKS WTF). But there's no way I can ever look at it again. Too gross.

Other than sleeping for 2 x 1 hour family visits, Leo has been on the boob non stop since 9am. Seriously does he think this is ok?!? I couldn't even eat my takeaway without him on tit and having to eat over him. I honestly don't know if he'll ever stop. Dh can't really do anything. I need to get sleep tonight as there's been not even a half hour nap today :( worn out zzzzzzzzz

Oh and needless to say he's done ample shittage since my constipation worries early!

janie you do make me pee! (Even when I'm feeling sorry for myself!)

Thanks Lucky and jmf I will check out NHS site, at the mo I am going with the Savoy cabbage leaf on my red right boob, oh the glamour. This however does mean I can't take the bra off unless I Sellotape said leaf to boob....may go the whole hog and do an Eve with 3 cabbage leaves in the vital places

You need to change your name to Gardenofedenworm!

Leo has just dozed off and now I can't get to sleep aargh! Too shocked about not having a baby attached! Think I might bring out the hypno birthing relaxation cd zzzzzzz

Night all, hope tmro is a smiley one :) x

Lol Janie at the shittage :)
Maybe if he's fed all day he will sleep all night!
Charlotte has had really bad wind tonight so I've cracked open the infacol. Hope it works as she has been really upset. Hope not the start of colic or something. She wanted to feed but then just kept crying and bringing her legs up. Poor baby. Just got her down so hoping to get a few hours! Fingers crossed!

Oh no. She's awake again. This feels like I'm in for a long night!!!!

Hope all the other babies are sleeping as there is know one one here!

Mine wasn't up until midnight and then did for a bit but is eating now. Just as well he woke me, I was literally drenched in sweat. Nice. Hope Charlotte is giving you a break and the infacol has allowed some wind and sleep xxx

Oh Garden. You really don't sound well. I would seek medical advice 2mor if I was you. I've managed a little sleep and charlottes managed a few burps. Still seems jncomfortable though!

Mine has been awake for over an hour and a half now! Are just won't settle tonight - I have just left her gurgling in with DH to come and express as this is getting silly. Will probably wake him and I will be in trouble. Oh dear.

Garden - I was verging on mastitis a week or so ago I think. I had a blocked duct. Hot flannel and lots of massage when feeding. Or, my friend had the same and just got in a hot shower and massaged until the milk was flowing! Stopped it progressing for me anyway, but I don't know if it would work when has already progressed?

Oh I'm in the wide awake club too :) after Leo's epic 12hour munching session earlier, he blessed me with 5 hours sleep! I had set my alarm as they say not to let them go 6 hrs without a feed so had to waken the little sleeping beauty only to have him not latch on for AN HOUR. He seriously can't have forgotten how to do it?! Only just got him on there now so no doubt I'll still be here this time tomorrow with bed sores if yesterday was anything to go by.

Pink - do you find expressing better at a particular time if day? I tried last night for a bit but either my boobs were drained of everything they could ever contain or I did read that morning is better?!

Lucky I hope wee Charlotte managed to go down in the end? I got the Sleepy Sounds app on my phone (I think Anda recommended it) and Leo seems to like the lullabies on it. I quite like them too actually although I think hey might have started to give me a bit of a sore head! I think it was free too, dh and I now both have it on our phones and on the iPad!

Garden I hope the boobs are ok, sounds like good advice from everyone who knows about it. In fact the hot boob flannel session sounds quite appealing, might give it a go myself...sounds almost like a nice spa day for breasts. Funny you say about the sweat...I have woken with my chest dripping with sweat since he was born. I had been wearing a stretchy bra type thing in bed but didn't bother the last 2 nights as it's a bit annoying for feeding, and it wasn't half as bad. That'll teach me for wearing a synthetic sainsburys £5 bra to bed. Might try to find a cotton one.

All this feeding and sleeping and changing malarkey really has made me appreciate my mum and what she must have gone through with us. I always laughed when she said I was a very demanding child that ate, shat, puked non stop for the first year. Bloody hell I have it easy in comparison to what she went through with me. I want to get her a really nice present from Leo as she's been amazing since his arrival, but can't think what. I got her a nice pamper day voucher from me. Need to get my finger out as Christmas seems to nearly be here.

Wow - I've missed loads, just been reading through and I could have been reading about my life! It's so reassuring to come on here and see we're all experiencing the same trials and tribulations. We too have the toddler who no longer wants to sleep alone, she said to me she wanted to be the little sister instead of the big one :( she also keeps asking us to feed her and generally treat her like a baby, I suppose it's a pretty text book reaction - just very difficult to deal with anyway.

Today I fell over carrying Matilda, she was fine but I turned my ankle over and it is bloody killing me. When she is windy in the evenings all she wants me to do is carry her around and now I've knackered my ankle its going to be very shit. DH can help but he doesn't do it right! (see control freak admission earlier!). Also, I have DD1's 3rd birthday this week and her party on Saturday, oh and yes Christmas too what a ballache :(

janie I loved your post about your mum, I remember having that realisation with DD1, just how much you love them makes you realise what your parents did for you - so lovely :) Also, on a completely different topic! You are very brave to have looked at your stitches, I never ventured down there with a mirror last time and I'm still quite happy for it all to be a mystery. I hope you start feeling better soon, I did the lavender baths and I think it really sped up healing.

shell I am sending you some good luck for Christmas. As you said you have your two beautiful sons and that's a lot to be grateful for but I think you deserve a break too - I hope things start improving for you xxxx

garden hope you're feeling better

Hi to lucky, ibip, anda, pentagon and jmf

right, this post is too epic I clearly need to come and read and post more often :)