December 2011 "Mummymummymummymummy.... it's MINE!"

[NorthernChinchilla]

Combining our catchphrases...sigh...

mopsy it might sound like an odd question, but has he got a bum hole? DD didn't have a proper one (it's called imperforate anus) and so didn't follow the poo chart and stopped eating altogether on day 2. No poo for 9 days sounds a bit worrying to me. Although I hasten to add I am in no way an expert! I hope the combination feeding does the trick

Yes he defs has a bum hole! All new born checks were normal. My sisters baby didn't poo for ten days around this stage, then had a massive explosion. If he hasn't been getting enough milk also it might explain the lack of poos ... will see if topping up with formula helps ...

Hope things improve soon Mopsy, in the meantime sending you virtual

DS is at nursery today so took DD in to work to say hello to everyone, then DH and I had lunch out afterwards which was lovely. DD behaved very well at my work and slept all the way through lunch - phew!

Spending this afternoon chilling out on the settee

Snap Chip. Well, the lunch followed by sofa bit. We had lovely lunch in yummy local bistro (squid ... yuummm) and now at home on sofa. Dismal out. Freezing cold, rain hail sleet. Brrrrr.

PS thanks for support. Hopefully he will have put on weight by Saturday and then we can continue mixed feeding until he fattens up, then phase it out again down to one bottle if possible.

mopsy, some bf babies just don't poo much, they absorb lots. Adding in your formula may make more poo though as it's less completely absorbed. If there's lot of wee then babyM is getting enough fluid in.... Totally agree that formula is quicker to produce than expressed milk: the more formula that goes in the less your boobs need to make BUT it won't dry your supply up entirely so jus keep going and once he gains you can drop the formula gradually back to boob only IF that's what yoi want, or mix feed if that works better for you. Just do what gets you through, we're all here to make supportive noises!
One thing more: i'm sure ppl have checked but does he have a tongue tie? DS was SO slow to put weight on and he had a rotten one that needed snipping. The Bf counsellor should be able to check for you if they hvent already.

No tongue tie aethel. Think maybe he's just not feeding often enough. Thanks for support everyone. I think I'd be happy to combi feed actually. We will see how it works out though. If we can get back to one bottle in the evening and the rest bf, great. If not I'll just bf as much as I can. Main thing is he starts gaining weight I think. Not going to beat myself up this time. Will persevere with combined feeding for now and see how we get on. All I can do is try.

Mopsyboy did a big explody poo! Brown though, not yellow. Do you think that's OK?

ANy colour that's not black, white or red is fine! Probably just the formula coming through...
You sound very sensible about it mopsy, listen to the sensible if anyone gets stoopid with you about it, yes?

You're doing fab, Mopsy.
You're doing everything you need to do to try your best and do what's best for you and LO. Good for you!
No 1 rule: keep baby alive whilst retaining some semblance of sanity.
There's nothing wrong with a formula top up to give peace of mind.
I am awake.
I have to get up before 6, less than 5 hours away.
I think the boiler has stopped working again. I can't be bothered climbing into the loft now. I won't want to do it at 6 either. But I've had mulled wine. I'm not doing it now!

for big poo!

Can I get a Woop Woop for my poo holding medicated poo phobic ds who had 2 poos on the toilet yesterday .......poos have been stressful with him since he was little and he can hold them in really well unfortunately by Thursday I thought he was going to explode but 10 minutes on the toilet with book and bubbles did it!!

Right if my cycle is usually between 25 and 28 days and my last AF was on 12th so 30 days ago and I've been having low cramps for 2 days within AFon the horizon when do I start panicking??? Bet just by putting this here it'll come on which would be good no hiding a pg over Christmas for me everyone knows I love a baileys on Xmas

Hurrah for poos all round! Really pleased for your DS figster. I'd give it another three or four days before POAS, still in the 'body just being odd' zone atm I'd say.
Glad to hear you sounding brighter mopsy, and hope DS is more comfy.

DS is three today, presents this morning and am just off to get him. It's DP's Xmas do, so am bringing DS home on the train which will be the highlight of his day . Spent HOURS building the toy kitchen n baking cupcakes last night, so am knackered.
A weekend of DS favourites will commence- that'll be rice and trips to the park then- plus wrapping and housework awaits!

Aw happy birthday to ds northern!!

Nice work on poo figgyboy!

Happy birthday to Northernboy

Had a bit of a breakdown today. Really stressed about bf/baby losing weight. Decided to put him on bottle. Was feeling my grip on sanity beginning to slip and not enjoying my beautiful baby and being massively stressed out every time we fed. Not good for him or me. I tried my best but maybe it just isn't meant to be. Anyway, needless to say, in spite of knowing it's the right decision, and I'll be way more happy and relaxed and able to enjoy my beautiful little boy, I'm still feeling terrible and have been intermittently bawling all evening. I know it is the right decision but I still feel guilty/upset/like a failure. Not rational. Think I just have to have my cry out, then move on.

I was just the same so I really know how you feel. Have got to head to bed but I'm thinking of you and will reply properly tomorrow x

Happy birthday to your DS Northern! I can't believe we're in December and having birthdays again already!

Mopsy it sounds like the right decision to me if you'll be more relaxed and happier. Only a tiny % of babies are "exclusively breastfed" in the UK, and I think it's because it is very hard to get breastfeeding established and we do have a ready alternative of formula milk, so you're not alone!

I had decided to formula feed DD, and expected to do the first couple of breastfeeds for her to have the colostrum, but was surprised to carry on and do 24 hours breastfeeding. I'm glad we had a bit of breastfeeding, but I'm also glad to have moved onto formula, she's less than 2 weeks old and apart from one horrendous night, she's very settled and is actually having a bottle every 4 hours at night time. DH can also take turns to feed her (day and night), plus I have more time to deal with DS.

DS seems to have turned into a monster child and was awful yesterday, tantrums galore, kicking, hitting and screaming. I'm hoping for a better day today because I'd just about had enough yesterday. DH and I both ended up shouting at him and using the "naughty corner" and for the first time confiscated toys. Any advice/tips/words of wisdom gratefully received!!

Chip, Minimopsy was in full on tantrum mode for about a month a few weeks ago. I found being firm but calm really helped. It took a while but it eventually worked. Losing my cool made it all much worse. Is SO hard to not lose your cool but if you can manage it, it helps. I had to use the naughty step a few times. Ignoring whining but reminding her how to ask properly (e.g. not 'miillkk' in a whiny voice but 'can I have some milk please?'). It took a while but now she is a million times better. Whines way less and asks properly. Wrt tantrums I had to be very strict about hitting but ignoring otherwise helped. But mainly just remaining very calm. Which at 8 months pregnant and knackered with full time job and long commute was sometimes impossible. But it helped. Ugh tantrum phases are just SO challenging. Bug sympathies. Horrible with a newborn

Yay for poo figgy, that sounds great for DS, so well done!

Yay for you feeling better mopsy, you have to do what works for you and it's important not to self dissolve in order to placate other people. Hope your stress is less, and things look up for you to enjoy squidgy baby cuddles... And maybe get a little sleep and an angelic minimopsy for a day

And a seasonal brandy snap with cream for all on the thread! Why do they only seem to go on sale at Xmas?? It's just not right....

dDs spent most of today trying to teach DS the Buttery Biscuit Base remix song from Masterchef (youtube it if you don't know it). V silly.

Ah I shall break the thread silence .....
I am def not pg I do however still have a cold, ds party on Sunday stressing me out as we've got 13 coming, 8 nos (bloody Xmas bdays) and 8 god knows as no RSVP so far next year we going to avoid party and go to Lapland uk instead.

I'm babysitting tonight our next door neighbours 4yo naively thought ds would settle in bed with4yo as dh out had to take him with me ds now watching Mickey on sofa until he passes out 4yo asleep upstairs.

Have to drive to epsom tomorrow

All Xmas shopping done??

At least with 13 yes replies you've got a good crowd to start with. Your much braver than me I'm sticking to family party this year.

Hope the 3 of you ladies with tiny newborns are doing well. The pics have made me very broody!

Took DS to see Father Christmas at the weekend, DPs work did a lovely kids Christmas party. DS loved Santa and sat there whispering fire engine on repeat when asked what he wanted Santa to bring. Was very cute.

Most of the Christmas shopping done, except for DSSs stuff, he is asking for an iPhone (which isn't going to happen) and is not asking for anything else so we are having to do a but of guess work.

Gosh figgy, I'm having four little friends plus Minimopsy for her party on Saturday. You are very brave! I'm already dreading the mayhem with five kids running about! Oven broken so was thinking ham/cheese mini sandwiches, cheese straws, veggies and dip and a few crisps, then rice krispie buns and chocolate biscuit cake. That would be plenty ... no? Have packs of stickers for each layer of the pass the parcel. Otherwise thought they cd just play. Unless anyone has some good ideas for party games for 3 year olds?

At three, just a few simple things will be fine:
Pass the parcel
Musical statues (bumps is harder!)
And a lucky-dip/ fishing game (scrunched up newspaper in a washing up bowl or baby bath, little toys from pound shop, use a seive or home made hook-and-line to "fish" a prize)
Borrow a paddling pool and put plastic balls in.

So reallly simple!

Oh and a packet of funny shaped balloons to run around with. Wilcos do good ones.

Thanks aethel