August 2015 - Let the Sleepless Nights Commence

[nolongerwaitingfornumber2]

My DC2 was born on 5th August and I'm up in the wee hours feeding away. Anyone else with their August babies care to join me?

I still can't believe he's here and in my arms!

Glad lads and dads went well kbro and poor you getting bitten by a dog! Totally agree that absence makes the heart grow fonder... A break can definitely be a really good thing.

We have jabs tomorrow nolonger and I'm nervous about the effect it'll have. Glad your LO is over them now, and yes yes yes to wanting to tell people about having a newborn. I went to the dentist yesterday (urgh) and made sure to let them know that I had an 8 week old I also agree about my boobs not being sexual anymore, I think OH agrees although he wouldn't say as much. Just hope that will change again post BF.

Totally agree with happy mummy = happy baby Lily. It's one of my Mummy mantras! The only way I've managed to continue with BF is setting an end date so I know it's not forever. I've had various struggles with it and really think you get very little info about the realities of it when pregnant.

That's lovely about the reading Siani, DS has a cloth book that he likes to look at but the only words in it are pig, sheep and cow - he finds our various animal impressions hilarious but don't think it counts as proper reading!

Swimming sounds great Dozy, I'm not a big fan of the water but am encouraging OH to take DS as he loves bath time so will hopefully like swimming as well. I wouldn't worry too much about the poo if Piper is gaining weight but green can mean they are getting too much foremilk so make sure you're not swapping boobs too quickly.

It's another gorgeous day here and we're off sofa shopping - now I spend half my life sat on the sofa feeding I've realised how uncomfy ours is! Hope everyone else has a lovely Sunday.

Clstow that is how I am doing it too. Have set 'review dates' where I will see how it's going on and if hard/difficult will increase formula feeding or give up all together. Mentally it helps me to know the end could be in sight. The reality of breast feeding could not be more different to how I imagined it in pregnancy.

Hi!! I've not posted as we've had a super busy weekend with dh's family visiting. It's been really lovely to see ds meeting his older cousins who were besotted by him. He has been a perfect baby to show off as well.

I think his great mood all weekend has been down to figuring out that I've been waking him way to early from naps. I was basically picking him up every time he made a noise because my midwife had told me to try and catch his feeding cue's before he cries. But more often than not he will go back to sleep and have a much longer nap. Now I leave him when he stirs and he sleeps for around 2 hours and is a much happier baby as a result. He's also slept much better at night.

I can't remember who said what, so sorry for not replying to you all individually.

I am also large of boob and have found stretchy crop tops from Mataram ideal for night time. They're easy to pop out of for feeding, stop the uncomfortable flopping around and stem any leaks. I have to admit to giving up on breast pads most of the time as every one I've tried ends up crumpled and with the sticky bit stuck to my poor nips. I only really leak at night so as long as I change my pj's and shower every day it's not too bad.

Sex? What is this thing you all speak of? nothing has happend on the front here yet. Ds is only 5 weeks, I'm still bleeding on and off and dh has moved to the spare room. i'm hoping it won't be too long. I think I'm another one who will feel a bit weird doing it with the baby in the room.

How horrible for you to have been bitten by a dog kbro. It must have been very scary. I really hate irresponsible dog owners. They give the rest of us a bad name. for you.

I know what you mean about wanting to tell people about the baby when you don't have him / her with you. I must admit that I've only gone out twice without him. Once to the shop and once to the vets and I managed to drop him into conversation both times.

Swimming sounds lovely dozy. I need to think about going.

I hope everyone is having a good weekend.

Totally want to tell the world I have a newborn whenever I'm without her. I really hate being separated from her but it has made it easier going to appointments if someone else watches her. My brother really wants to have her for a few hours but I'm just not ready yet. I thought I'd be well up for leaving her with people but in reality I just want to be with her all the time. Even thinking of having a night out is worrying me because of the breastfeeding. If someone has her I'll still have to get up to express or my boobs will explode so that won't make drinking and a hangover much fun.

Sex haha. That's a distant memory in my house. My dp is really not a very sexual person so we never did it while I was pregnant and i reckon it'll take ages till we do it again now she's here. I'm a bit scared at the moment because it still hurts just to do a number 2 so I wonder if it'll hurt to have sex. Although I think it is all healed now. But I want another baby at some point so we'll have to get on it again lol. The tiredness is stopping me rushing into it and plus I don't like my body.

I used a bambino reusable nappy underneath a normal swim costume. I'm not convinced theyd contain much poop though of she'd had an explosion because it's quite loose on her. But it contained the small poo she did. I like the idea of it because it was cheap and washable but if I take her to swim lessons I don't think they'll accept them in the pool. I'd like to get her a warmer wetsuit type swim costume as well because she definitely looked cold in our local pool. It was nice taking her though and being able to do it to our own schedule so it fitted in with her feeding and sleeping etc.

Despite her sleeping longer last night I'm pretty tired today. Been out with my brother and his family for the day but all I wanted to do was go home and sleep because dd slept the whole time which has meant I've gotten home and need to stay awake to feed her while dp gets to snooze on the sofa. Must admit I've drifted off occasionally though.

Oh god! I've just cried buckets at a picture of my friends newborn. Because I haven't got a tiny newborn anymore and I'm jealous of her new baby high. Ds is 5 weeks for fuck sakes! Can someone please get me a great big grip?

Frolic get a grip. You've got a 5 week old baby. Save the crying for when they are 7 weeks old like my DS. That's totally ok ??

The ?? Was supposed to be a by the way.

Thanks kbro! I will save my tears for 2 weeks
Pesky hormones!
I'm utterly exhausted after a really busy weekend. My c-section wound is throbbing and my emotions are all over the place. I'm praying for sleep tonight. Normal service will hopefully resume tomorrow.

Nolonger- yes to wanting to announce newborns existence!! Haha! It's weird such a massive thing has happened in our lives and yet if they aren't with us no one knows and goes about their own lives as normal! It felt weird putting him upstairs but only had small tears and that was because I used the opportunity to sort some of his clothes and realised there's a proper little pile forming of the stuff he's outgrown which made me feel like he's growing up too quick (even though it was tiny baby and first size stuff)!!

Kbro- omg can't believe you got bitten by a dog!!! Glad it wasn't too bad and that you managed to enjoy the rest of your day and that DH suceeded in his dad and lad day!

Nolonger- I'm getting the coil soon too hopefully- when I rang up to book appointment they said I have to have a phone assessment with the nurse first so that's booked for Wednesday- seems weird, don't know what they can do over the phone?! You had one before any ideas? It's the only contraception I'm prepared to have after realising how crappy I have felt on hormones for the last 11 years once I stopped to conceive!! What I thought was normal really wasn't!! No more nasty hormones for me!

Wow loads of posts whilst I was writing that! I'll go catch up......

Eshk so much to catch up on! We had eventful shopping trip whilst DH played football. It involved a lot of leaking nappies and no change facilities – or even toilets nearby! sigh , thank the lord M&S don't mind you changing nappies on their floors...
We haven't had sex this year...oh god probably need to get around to it soon...maybe...

FattyNinjaOwl Babies born with teeth!!!! WTF!

Lilydreams: Well done for the monitor, I think we might get our out in the next couple of weeks!
We had a similar thing with DH and the shop/tea biscuits...on saturday (after him getting in at 3am) he was going to take a shower while I fed her, he took so long faffing I went to the bathroom and said 'oh my turn' knowing full well he hadn't been in, and he was a little shocked, I had to politely tell him that you don't get all the time in the world anymore and he needs to speed up! He has amazing for the rest of the weekend though!

nolongerwaitingfornumber2: sending you hugs, hope you and DS are ok now. Have some cake for those hormone wobbles!!
When I went down the road for the massage on Saturday I literally wanted to shout at the top of my lungs “IM A MOTHER, MY BABY IS AT HOME” so no, you're definitely not alone there!
Have you tried the lanisoh breastpads, they're slightly more expensive but i've found the most absorbent...

Clstow: we're currently watching grand designs and all I want to do is watch x factor lol! I'm also not into rugby, it did have its purpose though, it was the only way DD had ever fallen asleep with out us feeding/comforting – shares my views clearly!
Can I ask how long you're planning on BF for? I'm trying to figure it out atm...completely agree about the struggles, that would be my primary advice for preggers peeps!

mzzzf Sorry to hear you had a bad night, I hope last night was better for you and DH is going to step up and look after you girls whilst on his pat leave – you never know you might even get some sex ;)
We're also going through dribble/fist in mouth (must stop saying molly's fisting herself again!) - god I hope it's not teething this soon!

kbro79: Dads and lads day sounds like the cutest thing! Cannot believe you were bitten by a dog!! Glad you're ok!! A swim sounds delightful!My DH also does the look after and use phone combination!

sianihedgehog: I too live in my bra due to leakage! I miss that feeling of taking it off for the day...and as for sex, hell no...

Ahh more posts!!

Also - got a letter about my overdue smear, i've stopped bleeding, do you have to wait a while or shall I just book it in, any one know?

x

Wait 12 weeks fanby. I had a letter too and booked in for it but told to wait till 12 weeks

Ahh thanks dozy! I'll book it in now but wait until then, will probably take that long to get an appointment

Fanby we have lots of dribbling here too- when he cries I can see a white dot in his gum at the back, I thought it was a spot of milk at first but it's been there a few days now! Eek hope it's not teeth I've only just started to put him to bed of an evening and I'm guessing teething will equal more fussiness again! Glad to hear it's not just my DH who needs reminding! And I totally agree with you on the bed advice to pg ladies! It's the most natural thing in the world but no one tells you that doesn't mean it isn't damn hard!! You'd think all these years of evolution would have made it easy by now!

Remind me ladies how often do we have smears? Is it every 3 years? I can't remember!!

I've no idea, I'm not old enough for smears yet. I think it's stupid though. Surely it's about time the age was dropped. So many young people have had things missed because they can't have a smear.

Yeh think they are every 3 years. That's crazy fatty, the age thing really needs to be lowered.

Not doing so well on the sleep tonight. She has been a hungry monkey all day and tonight has wanted more food at 1:50am and now, just when I thought our gaps were getting longer grrr....

Yeah I think it's every 3 years Lily, and agree Fatty it should be done from earlier. I know a couple of people who had early smears and then needed treatment so goodness knows what would have happened if they hadn't had the smear.

I'm going to BF until December Fanby, 4 months is a good start for DS I think and I'm going back to work in Feb so would have started the transition to formula in January anyway, but it means I can have some time out over Christmas with OH and family helping out with night feeds, etc. DS is so far away from sleeping through (still waking several times) that I need an end point in sight or I think the fear of never ending sleep deprivation will send me crazy! Only a couple of months to go.... Agree Kbro that BF is nothing like I imagined it would be.

Hope you have a good night Frolic, I find busy weekends absolutely exhausting. Hope your wound feels better in the morning.

We're off for jabs at 12. Calpol ready!

I'm actually finding breastfeeding pretty much exactly how I imagined! I'm quite thankful for having realistic expectations, I guess. My cousin wrote a well regarded breastfeeding guidebook, The Food Of Love, and a few of my friends have breastfed, so I guess I had heard more about it than most.
I am returning to work when Fergus is just over 6 months, so I'm planning to feed on demand until then, then express at work so I can keep feeding in the evening until he weans in his own time.

Clstow good luck with the jabs. Dd is on Tuesday. Dreading them. I really don't want to see her not feeling well if she's affected by them.

I knew bf was difficult but I didn't know it was so time consuming. That's the part I've struggled with the most. The fact she is almost permanently attached to me and still takes a long time go feed. I long for the day that she's done in 20 minutes. Please let that be soon. She was on me all of yesterday evening up until bed time where she then took a full bottle still. I don't know what would happen if I didnt give that bottle at night because she's clearly still ravenous despite the hours on end of feeding. I'm grateful for the bottle though because she'll always sleep afterwards.

Sian I bought that book. It's really good, lovely and funny!

Yeh, 4-6months sounds like what most people do! I'm still undecided. I got made redundant when I was pregnant so don't need to factor in the going back to work situ, just will need to start looking for a job!!
I've ordered some breast milk freezer bags which arrive tomorrow so I'm gonna start stock piling for Christmas...

Hello ladies hope you're all having a good week so far. DS slept so much yesterday after eating loads over the past few days. He's started now only wanting half a feed then asking for the other half 2 hours later. He's had his wind issues come back - he can't seem to get the wind out when I wind him so am trying gripe water again. Does anyone think this could be the end of a growth spurt? Mad feeding then less feeding and more sleeping?? He's almost 7 weeks. I wonder if the digestive system starts to change at this point, maybe causing the wind?

Fatty- I agree the age is too old to start them, I've only had 1 and I'm nearly 28! I even knew a girl who had loads of family history so asked for one early and was refused!

Clstow and dozy- you might be pleasantly suprised by the jabs I was! Took DH so he could hold him as I fully expected him to scream th place down and me cry as a result after what his heel prick was like! He was such a brave boy he had a 1 minute cry and then stopped!! I couldn't believe it! Gave him the calpol before we left which he was majorly impressed with and wanted more then pretty much slept for he rest of the day and night waking only to feed and have more calpol as instructed! Probably the best sleep he's done! I thought he was going to be a right rat bag and fuss all night but he was the opposite!

Fanby- those bags are brill I had the boots ones and there's something very satisfying about filling them up and sealing them up and stashing away! Or maybe that was just me!

Ahh how sweet that he loved the calpol! I hated the stuff as a kid. Our jabs are on the 15th and have picked up the calpol in preparation. I've also made DH book the day off!

Not just you at all, I weirdly really enjoy expressing and seeing all the bottles lined up in the fridge!