June 2013; Toddling into our second year!

[BeanCalledPickle]

New thread ladies:-) I think we filled about ten threads when pregnant and this is only our fourth post natally!

Pretty sure it's Juno. And not Dido, or Bathsheba or anything else weird and wonderful:-)

I don't think I will have Polly come to hospital as I reckon it will freak her out. If I'm back the next day she won't know I'm gone as no different to just working late.

You should def have a back up plan for emergencies. It makes me feel much better knowing I do. Have had Polly play round the houses of a couple of people a lot recently so won't be too weird if she has to go there at short notice.

I wouldn't mind having a section alone but I'd feel bad for Sean. But I actually think I'd prefer to be alone than to think of Polly horribly upset having been woken at 4am and transported to someone else's house...

Love it.

I guess it will depend on a number of factors such as what time of day I have my section and how I am. I had no visitors last time which I was happy with, however the in laws have said they will come and visit in hospital! And I definitely want DD to be the first person to meet him (other than DH, obviously).

Yes, we really must sit down and sort something out. There's still a list of stuff that needs doing before baby can arrive, I'm panicking now. And I agree that I'd rather be alone when you put it like that! There are a couple of people that she would feel comfortable with but they aren't in a position to help. I really hope that baby stays put until 39 weeks. This is a massive baby so I hope that doesn't lessen my chances.

I'm enjoying Dido. Get going!

Thoughts on Juno?

I am confident Juno and Dido are names that are acceptable in a limited number of London boroughs and elsewhere will attract widespread derision. Can't imagine Dido at school in inner city Bolton.

I've been off work four weeks. Have hardly touched my to do list.

Actually, Juno and Polly make a good twosome. If we ever did face our fears and try for another, and had a girl (scary), I am liking Cleo and Rue lately. Except I can't imagine ever having anything but another boy. I suppose that's how it goes....

If you're not planning a move up north I think you'll be fine! My friend chose v mainstream names for her two cause she moved out to Reading. Lord. It's not that far out...

I don't think Juno is too out there. It's a strong name. As long as the association with the film doesn't bother you. And the possibility of people being lazy and shortening it to June (I know someone who picked Owen because it couldn't be shortened and people call him O!).

I really like Rue actually.

You can shorten anything really. Guy at work is George and he is known as G. Which I thought was weird but Geraint Thomas is always G so I guess that happens no matter what! My first boyfriend was an Owen and I always called him O! Sarah is rarely shortened but I do get Sas which I hate!

Moving to Reading is hardly descending into the ghetto now is it...

Yeah the whole birth plan thing I am trying to keep in perspective. A section allows us to plan but what would you do if not having one? I'd just be sat hoping for the best but I guess accepting that my comfort and convenience may have to slot behind Pollys etc. It wouldn't be nice to be alone but I figure worst things happen at sea. We are grown ups. We will survive.

I'm hoping that there will be limited scope to be having visitors as I hope to get the hell out. I definitely don't want Polly there at the canula and catheter stage. She'd be sad. I'd be anxious. And after they are out I want to be too!

DD didn't visit us in hospital. She would've done had my section not been 3 hours later than planned, but it was too late once I was on the ward and then I was released the next day. She came in briefly every day prior that I was in though.

It'd be a bit different now as she's older and more aware (and mobile / stroppy!) I suppose.

I had no visitors this time. I loved it.

Our landlord accosting us on the landing when we got home annoyed me. We just wanted to go in and show DD her brother. Not really socially acceptable to foist yourself on people taking their baby home for the first time, I think, but there you go!

I loved no visitors too.

How was your DD around your section scar, hungry? My DD loves 'cuddles' and they involve climbing on me which is a bit worrying. Did you use anything to protect it?

Urgh yes, the cuddle thing is concerning. Does your DD have much to do with babies at the moment? Polly has been introduced to a couple and signals her discontent by climbing on me. Literally trying to assail to my head. I'm thinking of carrying a cushion everywhere!

Yes, the tots group is from age 0 to school age. Some people take their babies from when they're a week old! DD absolutely loves babies and is fascinated with them which is a good sign, however I think the reality of living with one full time will be a shock to her.

I've seen these special Theraline caesarean scar protector belt things but the reviews are very mixed. People seem to love them or hate them. They seem ideal but I can't work out if they'd be easy enough to use, or if my clothes or feeding pillows would go around one easily. If this baby is like DD I'll probably spend most of the day with a feeding pillow wrapped around me anyway.

I've got one. I'll post you it if you want it but I found it a horrendous faff and of little use! I think you end up over compensating and doing yourself more bother!

One tip for feeding is to have a breastfeeding box that comes out when you sit and feed- with special snacks, toys and stickers etc for feeding time. It annoys me that all the books seem to suggest babies will have bottles and her babies all have baby milk. BreAstfeeding may be a shock to her ...

Ummm...she sometimes trod on my scar, but it was fine anyway. Those shorts I mentioned earlier gave me loads of support and are really thick so cushioned me from blows!

She didn't understand then, but would now, so that might be easier if I was doing it now. Swings and roundabouts really.

Thanks very much for the offer, bean, but I think you've answered my questions and confirmed that they're not worth bothering with! Much appreciated anyway.

Breastfeeding box is a very good idea. Something else for the list! I can see breastfeeding being a problem. It is annoying that most books show bottles. DD loves "I'm a Big Sister" and I change the words. She does have one book that shows the mother breastfeeding - I think it's the "I'm a New Big Sister"(Princess Polly) book. I've explained to her that that's how I'll be feeding the baby and she says she remembers being fed that way and seems to understand. There's a slight concern that she'll try to have a go but she did self-wean in the end so maybe she won't.

Ouch, hungry. I'm glad it was ok though. I've had a look at those shorts and they sound good but are they a pain to get on and off? They remind me of those spanx things that I tried once and never again. I have massive thighs (pear shape) which doesn't help.

Juno is great, bean! And I don't think anyone in Edinburgh would bat an eyelid at it either so don't worry about the London-only thing.
Good luck for Friday. I CANNOT IMAGINE having two.
DS wears pjs and sleeping bag in bed. We need to get him a wee duvet but I'm too terrified to change anything about bedtime now he's sleeping through consistently. That has been life changing. He now sleeps 11-12 hours straight, a total joy.

I won't lie, they're a touch tight. But they need to be to do their job! I absolutely rate them though. I really wasn't bothered by my scar / op site apart from sneezing / laughing for a few weeks. Definitely no real pain (I stopped taking painkillers at day 3 or 4 as I kept forgetting and didn't need them).

How much did you pay? They look like they cost a fortune! I'm a cracking 95kg this week. My thighs are absolutely enormous. I know my priorities are screwed but I really need breastfeeding to work from a thigh reduction point of view!

They sound great but I think I'd be too lazy to wear them consistently.

Breastfeeding didn't do anything for my weight loss; I didn't lose any until I started cutting out feeds. Not that I've weighed myself in three years, I just go by my clothes and how I look and feel (stopping weighing myself is one of the best things I've ever done - I feel so much happier). So I'd only recently got back to normal when I got pregnant again!

And I'm dreading it, to be honest. Everyone on the antenatal threads is excited but I can't wait to get the first six months over and done with. I found it much easier once I was feeding slightly less and didn't have to worry about feeding in public so much.

It did me. I gained 20kg last time, 18kg this, but didn't lose it all in between. I have a work wardrobe I need to get back into by Christmas! I loved the fact that every Monday I'd be another kilo down with no effort whatsoever. You're right though, not everyone find it helps and I've read that people can actually gain weight because their appetite goes through the roof.

Yeah I think there is a huge difference between us and them. They get tired they rest. We sit down and a two stone lump jumps on us! And you don't even get the benefit of my three days of nursery time which I need! They have no idea what lies ahead but we really do.

I'm quite surprised at how many have been re admitted with jaundice, feeding issues etc. can't remember that last time. If this one fails to gain weight I will definitely be reaching for some supplementary formula etc. The decisions we make this time have to factor in the older child and that I suspect may influence them a lot. It feels very different!

I probably didn't eat enough which is why my body held onto the weight until I started cutting out feeds. I logged my intake on Myfitnesspal for a short while years back and I never ate enough, especially with the exercise I was doing. I eat massive meals so it feels like I eat a lot but I rarely snack. And I don't drink alcohol. Bizarrely I've always lost weight when I've started to eat extra!

Yes, to be able to rest when I need to! I admit that when friends announce they're expecting their first babies I do think to myself "you have no idea what you're letting yourself in for".

I went through the feeding issues last time; DD lost just within the acceptable limit as it took almost a week for my milk to come in. I had to feed lots and lots to encourage my supply. That would be much more difficult with a toddler around so I hope I have an easier time this time. But yes, there have been a lot more problems this time - and it's not even May yet!

Reliving the feeding nightmare now. Normally the midwife signs you off after around a week but ours didn't sign us off for 3-4 weeks. She came around every couple of days to weigh DD. It was horrible, although she was supportive of my desire to persevere with bf, which I was grateful for. Got the weight sorted (not that DD ever looked like she had a problem, having been born at 9lb 10!) and then came the mastitis and abscess. I was crazy, looking back.

What would you do differently? I found it horribly painful at first but persevered. She bit me and threw up bloody sick which scared me. And I'd feed her for ages and she never seemed done. I think in retrospect she just needed to suck. Couldn't have actually been feeding for in excess of an hour.

They will work it out I guess. We did! Most people do. I'm hacked off today having been sent a gift list for a baby shower which annoye me anyway, but it's full of the most insane stuff; you do not need designer baby vests and sleep suits at 25 quid a pop or 15 quid baby oil. Makes me want to send her something useful like 472 plain vests for the cost of two designer ones

DS had curtailed BF thanks to jaundice / lazy feeding / non-latching. It wasn't fair on DD to concentrate solely on his feeding.

Then he's CMPI anyway, so has prescribed formula.

I paid $189AUD for the shorts (about £90) but they accidentally sent me 2 pairs, so the price each wasn't too bad. And it's helpful to have a spare pair so there's one to wear in the wash.

I lost 3st 10lbs in 4 months after DS (I had weight from both pregnancies to lose!) as I also had to get into work clothes, 5.5 months' post partum.

I restricted calories and also exercised hard, so my net calorie intake was about 600 per day. Not possible when BF though, obviously.

My August group of babies have been quite tricky and a good few have allergies and have spent time in hospital. Way more than our lot.