November 2012 - Spring is here, time to get our babies out and about.

[StuntNun]

Apart from the 'down under' contingent anyway!

Previous thread: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/postnatal_clubs/2011361-November-2012-Walking-or-not-walking-talking-or-not-talking-any-other-skillz

Weaning tips for YW...

For stopping feeding to sleep we changed the order of bedtime so that J was getting bath, PJs, feed in the living room so it was noisy and too distracting to go to sleep, sleeping bag, teefs, story, cot. In January we swapped the bf for a bottle of cows milk and we all know how that turned out and he took the bottle fine because it was less of a comfort thing than bfing to sleep had been.

For night weaning I just stopped feeding him. DH started going in at night a bit more to settle J so that he would be less likely to demand a bf. But when DH is away travelling I still manage to settle J without resorting to a bf. He has only had one night feed in the last few weeks and has his first feed of the day as soon as he wakes up now.

I'm not planning to completely wean J until May but the plan is to offer a small bottle of formula after each bf (currently two sometimes three bf a day). Then after a few days of that offer a bigger bottle of formula before each bf. Then after a few more days stop offering the bf. This gradual approach should allow your milk supply to decline gradually so you don't have problems with engorgement or anything but if you have a lot of milk or are feeding more frequently during the day it may be necessary to keep one feed a day for a bit longer. Even though you are deliberately weaning it can still be quite intense emotionally. I think there are hormonal consequences to stopping bf that are partially responsible for so many people feeling bad when they can't initiate or continue breastfeeding.

I actually think go cold turkey YW. He is. Big boy now and will cope fine with Daddy. It will be good for them both. He is a clever boy and will understand. I found wearing tops that were not bf friendly helped as I couldn't just whip one out. You may need to hand express to relieve pressure, but he is probably not feeding much now anyway. Your fun plan sounds great

www.kellymom.com helped me get over R self-weaning. As Stunt says, there are hormonal influences when you stop. I found the end, even though it was a natural conclusion, far harder emotionally than anything including giving birth

Penny I felt quite sick at the thought of a balcony.

J has fallen a few times on my watch. I have been watching and assessed the risk. DH however panics and screams like a girl if he so much as stands on a brick.

I am not very happy with DH at the moment. Just his usual idiot ways, but I am not so well able to cope. He just ups and does whatever he wants whenever he wants, but I need to book a time to be able to have a shower or a poo, and as for doing something I want to do. They are his kids too, but I often feel like I am a single mum with a lodger.

Sorry guys haven't read but needed to moan. Anyone else ever have days where they wished they could just walk out and fuck off for a few hours forever?

Anyone?

Today I'm having one of those days, and I feel like a prick for it.

Will catch up later, just nobody else will understand.

Me Kyz luckily my mum has R for a few hours now so I'm going to have some lunch and go back to bed. I get occasional passing thoughts that a broken arm or some other non-life-threatening injury would be a good thing so I could get some rest and other people would take over for a while

I'm hoping pregnancy hormones plus my dairy bender high will help me over the worst of the hormones . But I won't know until we do it .

I don't think he gets much milk now. He feeds before bed and in the morning and maybe one other feed in 24 hours. Also I think my supply is dropping from pregnancy as certainly in the morning he only feeds for a couple of minutes.

I feel ready to quit now and I worry if we keep going I'll get BF aversion from my preggers hormones and I'd rather end our BF relationship on a high. Being pregnant on a restricted diet, chasing a toddler and BF at the same time is too draining. I've not put a pound on yet and I'm nearly 12 weeks. I'd put on over a stone by this point with Jonas. Maybe I don't feel sad because I know (fingers crossed) I'll have a new little one to nurse in six months and get to have this lovely time again. please not a CMPIer please please

I am definitely going to cold turkey it. And wear a swimming cozzie so I can't feed him!

Polo neck probably more advisable YW what with needing to wee

Kyz exactly the kind of day I'm having. Down to the packing my bags and disappearing. Fh are arguing and can't stop. Just keep snapping and digging. Sick of being told I'm tiered cos I bf. I just want to kick his head in.

And this anti B crap is doing my head in. No food for an hour before or after?!? With a bf baby is a bloody nightmare.

Yes YW. You need to wee. The time is right, and you will all be just fine

Kyz I frequently have days like that. It is normal to have odd days like that. If it becomes more of a regular occurrence then it might be worth talking to a GP, but please don't feel bad about feeling like this.

Antibiotics are best given on an empty stomach, but I think if you get them to swallow it then you are doing well. I just give it 4 times a day regardless of food.

I have managed to give it fine. However fh got it all over his baby grow. And it's bright red. Was worried he had had a small dose but I guess it's a common issue with babies. Will maybe relax a lil. Last night had to cuddle him for 20mins to put off feeding him. He wasn't screaming but could see if I put him down only way to sooth him would be to feed so I avoided it. 20mins to next dose

I left his anti B on counter last night. My brain is so stupid. Called pharmacy they said its ok, but to put in fridge. I've come to bed now. Fh can deal with A. I know I won't be here long.

Kyz - so normal. Me and dh take turns dreaming about running away and living in a hut alone! Just comes from very rarely getting a break from it all. We each took a turn for a break this week. Me yesterday, him today. It helps. Rubbish if you're not able to do that though :(

Half a fucking hour. Hadn't even fallen asleep. Boiler broken at tenants. Off he goes.

Just read back bp so sorry about your friend. We lost a friend to a cycling accident. Horrible. He was a keen road cyclist (part of a club) died whilst training. What I've written isn't exactly positive but it just brought it back. I'm thinking about you and the family.

More baby kit sold it feels so good to be closing that door. I never felt like that after DD2. Clearly I was waiting for J but didn't know it.

kyz yes! right now for example. Have had headache all day and all I want is O to go to bed and sleep until 9 tmrw, Jo chance sadly.

GT with the eye drops R was prescribed, the label says every 2 hours for the first 48 then every 4 for 10 days. The Dr said ignore that and just get what you can in and it'll be fine. Most illnesses clear up on their own anyway, often medicine just helps the process along a bit

Practically begged my parents to take R for the night. They're going over to a neighbour for dinner so can't cancel because she'll have prepared food already. Said neighbour popped in at 4 while we were still there and said she'd only just prepped some potatoes. I feel like death and nearly couldn't get out of bed to go and pick him up. They did send me home with a miniature of southern comfort and a tin of lemonade though

kyz definitely I have had those days. Not today though. But lots of those days.

Can't help on the weaning chat I am afraid, but hope all goes well yw and time out with a Dominos sounds great!

Great day at women's conference, thinking about Me me me. And went to a seminar on marriage. I have come home with a big questionnaire for DH to fill out which should be interesting. Really lovely day. Now looking forward to my actual real life friend arriving tomorrow.

However, think DH is just a smidgen frazzled after his day with the boys.

Enjoy your time with your guest soph

Lots of gardening done today. Even in the rain! Plus a walk along the river, a trip to the shops, and well earned pizza from our weekly mobile pizza truck.

Knackered.com. Might watch ant&dec though. I enjoyed it last week.

kyz Yep I have days where I feel exactly like that and totally out of my depth. Has anything in particular happened to make you feel this way?

We had a lovely day out at the zoo but came home to some really sad news. Our next door neighbour passed away last night She had been fighting Cystic Fibrosis and on the waiting list for a double lung transplant for 2 years but the call for a match never came. She was 23. Life is so cruel sometimes.

What? 23. That is terrible apple and seems senseless.

I like the idea of gardening In the rain and mobile pizza!