March 2016 babies! The (hopefully) graduation thread!

[hayleycookie]

We reached 999 posts without making a new thread - woops!

Park your bums and continue the newborn chitter, and due date whinges

Me too indom trijo. Not a sniff of movement.

Ooh congrats bump nix and wool! So glad you had a speedy induction nix!

indom, crispy, trijo, magpie and others overdue, I'm still cheering you on here, come on babies!

time and suz so sorry about all the extra worries, as if newborns aren't stressful enough. They are still perfect though, hope your worries are eased soon, you're handling it really well

time I read that some yellow-green weepy discharge and pink/bloody blobs of skin are normal when the cord comes off. Signs of infection would be discharge that smells, redness and swelling around the area, tenderness and fever.

purple I'm weepy and emotional too, normally have at least one cry a day but with proper sobbing, poor DH doesn't know what to do. Feel like such a failure sometimes and it gets a by overwhelming. Seren is starting to regain some weight but not as fast as the docs want, so am still on my gruelling b feeding, pumping and supplementing schedule every 2-3 hours, and starting to dread feeds instead of enjoy them. I think they are getting better though as she's taking more of my milk, but every feed is a struggle as she gets so sleepy and burpy, I did notice that when I've had a stressful few hours my pump output is only a few ml, but if I've been relaxed and had cuddles then i get almost an ounce! I think sleep is key but just not getting enough

Thanks for the baby sleep suggestions, have been trying to find a US equivalent to the sheep thing you mentioned! Brought her into bed with me last night and finally got a couple of hours but was so nervous

indom*crispy, trijo, magpie and anyone else I'm cheering you all on here - 9 days over was bad enough for me!

Bump, nix and wool congratulations on your new arrivals! Hope you're all on for a swift recovery.

Time - rory lost his cord stump at 3 days so I was panicking like mad that it would be infected etc, so far keeping it clean has prevented any gunk. From what i can see in your pic it looks similar to Calais'

purple ffaux ive had a couple of crying breakdown moments too, struggling with feeding now and then and JuSt pure exhaustion I think.

Can't believe Rory is 1 week old already, not had a second to stop and breathe since he arrived. Episiotomy stitches appear to have disappeared leaving a lovely open wound that noone can do anything about so now also worried I'm Going to heal horribly and that dp will be repulsed by it (had a look and really isn't a pretty sight)

Hope everyone is keeping well and we have some more teenies over the bank holiday!

Keeping my fingers crossed for some bank holiday babies! indom trijo magpie crispy
Ginny had her first night St home, she is sooo chilled out we have to wake her - with cold water on the bum - to feed! Her brother didn't sleep for more than 2 hours until he was at least 6months so this is a whole new world!!
q I know it's really tough but try not to stress about stitches etc. I had a cliteral tear last time and thought that would just very the end if everything it wasn't (hence second baby). All healed and sorted itself out. Give yourself time.

q that does not sound pleasant at all, can't believe you had a look! I don't want to know what it looks like down there after my 2nd degree tear at all, and won't be giving DH a close up view for a long time! I'm sure it will all go back to normally eventually.

bump clitoral tear??? ^^

ffaux I won't be letting dp look but I had to, it felt 'different' have got community midwife coming out today to have a look but on the phone they said if it's not bleeding they'll just leave it to heal itself. I feel like that'll take years!

bump that sounds awful, glad to hear it healed though. I think with that and the surging hormones I just want to break down. I feel awful but I want to give him back to the hospital - just for one night so I can catch up on sleep,then I'll have him back.

ffaux impressed you had the courage to look. I have had ginger feel in bath of episiotomy and labial tear stitches but no plans to look. Good to know Q that even a clitoral (!) tear can resolve itself, amazing what the body can do really. My bruised cocyx is far more painful than stitches, but either I am getting used to it or the pain is a bit better today.

Eloise's cord stump fell off yesterday (day 5) and all looks nice and dry and at 5 day check today she had lost only 5% of birthweight and managed to feed through heel pricks (needed 2nd for final blot) with no reaction so feeling pleased. Sorry for those having stump problems and struggling to keep weight on though. Sure our testing days will come.

Sorry bump got confused on clitoral tear - see it was you and not Q. So grateful for the sharing on this thread, such a nice community.

All the best for those still waiting. Eloise was born at 40+15 and I was glad to finally see her.

Sending lots of love to the overdue ladies, I remember the misery well!

Sid is 10 days old and his cord stump hasn't fallen off yet, should it have done by now?

maybe Eleanor is 8 days old and hers hasn't come off yet either- it's looking a bit gross and shrivelled up so am hoping it does soon. Having a bad day- the weather is awful so we're cooped up in the house and DD1 is acting up because of it. She needs to go out and run around like a mad thing to get it out of her system. Think DH might risk the rain and take her anyway as she's driving us mad. Then to top it all, I've managed to put my IPhone in the washing machine in my sleep deprived state luckily am due an upgrade but God knows when I'll get round to sorting it

Another one here struggling with wet weather and a toddler! Took DD1 to local museum today with some success, it was free so spent an hour wandering round and I think it knackered her out as she went down for a nap today. She is home from nursery till Thursday as its extended closing over Easter, weather is going to be crap all week so we are going to struggle!

Sorry for those of you struggling with episiotomy/tear recovery. With DD1 I was surprised at how long my episiotomy took to heal (I also wasn't brave enough to look) and I did think it would never feel the same again and I'd never enjoy sex the same again. Worried for nothing as once fully healed I never noticed the scar tissue and I did feel completely back to normal given time. This time my 2nd degree tear has healed a lot quicker - 9 days post birth and I don't really notice it but still too afraid to have a look down there!

Massive kudos to all you second time mums - no idea how you do it!

DP goes back to work next week...feeling very wobbly about it. Not sure what I'll do with myself. Advice seems to be snuggle up in bed with baby and feed feed feed!

Definitely do that maybe! When ds was this small I tried not to worry about routine or anything, but tried to get out at least once a day, either to meet baby friends or go to a group or just wander round town. I'm worrying about dh going back too as I won't be able to do that any more as I'll have ds. Timing has worked quite nicely with the holidays, I'll have a week just getting into the swing of looking after two all day on my own and getting used to getting out a bit more, then ds is back at preschool and we start our regular routine again. So time to ease our way into things, and I'll try doing some gentle local outings with friends. Just hoping feeding is less painful by then and I can manage without wapping out an entire boob and doing the old squeeze and stuff move, as that's not terribly discreet in public!

Everyone worrying about stitches and tears - it's really soon to be looking!!! I don't plan to check mine for a long time. Around here the doctor offers to check it at the six week appointment, perhaps that would be a good way to put your minds at rest of you're worried?

Congratulations bump nix and wool hope everything is going well!

To the last stragglers, come along we don't want to have to relegate you to the April thread!

I've been trying to keep up while pumping but can't really reply one handed and have been feeling a bit bleugh, I presume it's hormones but starting to feel a bit better after a blub on the midwife today. Tongue tie was snipped earlier in the week but still really struggling with any kind of feeding so she's having expressed milk after an attempt on the boob at each feed.

On the subject of stitches and stuff, pealed my dressing off c section today and all looks fine except for one tiny patch in the middle which hasn't sealed to the same as the rest yet but looks fine not red or anything for those of you that's had them is that normal?

Do that, maybe - but try to get out too! I think daylight helps the baby sleep or something. I felt so guilty with Nancy crying on the motorway back from Ikea - nothing I could do! :(

Yes will definitely be trying to get out at least once a day. The problem is lifting the buggy up the stairs from our basement flat after my section. I can use the sling but it does hurt my back after a while.

Vroc re c section scar I have one weird red/sticky bit in the middle. MW said to spend time airing the scar every day so after my shower in the morning I lie on the bed for a bit holding my tummy up to give it some air - so sexy

What kind of buggy is it maybe? If it has fairly big wheels you might be able to bump it up slowly rather than carrying it up folded, that's what I do with ours to our first floor flat. I suppose there's nowhere at street level to keep it, car perhaps?

Ffaux, Marmite and Q sorry you are weepy too but it's nice to know I'm not alone. I think getting out the house helped me feel better yesterday, we took ds to the park and had a good walk in the sunshine. Then today we have been on an Easter trail so more fresh air. I remember with ds I would get out once a day so I need to do that this time too.

Maybe good luck next week. I'm terribly nervous about being alone when the holidays finish. I'm googling groups I can go to already. With such a big age gap I don't have any friends with babies so I need to start meeting some new mum's as well.

What slings do people have? I never got one with ds but think I might this time around. I have no idea what to look for though, what's good etc.

I've been brave and checked out my stitches, they seem to have dissolved more or less. I did have to ask my midwife to snip one because it was so tight and painful. Need to start working on my pelvic floors now

I've got a Moby wrap purple, then for when she's bigger a boba 3g. Stretchy wraps are great for newborns, or if you want something more structured I'd go for something like an Ergo or similar as they're more comfortable for you and better for the baby's hips.

Evening all. I'm still pregnant, but very uncomfortable this evening. I think he's just getting too huge now! Still, he needs to stay in now till after DSs birthday.

I've been doing bollock all all day (joy!) and lurking around on mn. Just came to join in the sling convo:

I've bought a cheap stretchy wrap from Snugiwraps for the first few months, then we've got an Ergo which was hands-down the best thing we bought for DS. Used it for 4 years, super comfy.

Hello again ladies and huge congrats to everyone!! I have been majorly struggling to keep up with all the action this month and keep trying to get back up to date and start a post and then inevitably Zach needs a feed and I get distracted and then by the time I get back there's another page or two, a few more babies and I don't manage to post again.

I can't believe how many seriously gorgeous babies there have been on the thread so far. They are all delicious!

Marmite, so pleased for you that you got your home birth. That must have felt great. not that I'm at all envious as had a failed home birth with DS1! I hope that your latching issues sort themselves out soon, or your boobs toughen up so that it no longer hurts. You are seriously being a trooper working through that.

Indom, Crispy, Trijo and Magpie, really hope that all your babies make an appearance very soon. It must be exhausting! I will be sending lots of baby dust your way.

Time and Suz, really sorry to hear about your concerns with Calais' and Sylvie's health concerns. It is so worrying for there to be things wrong with your baby (had a lot of experience of that over the last four months!) but it's definitely good that any problems have been picked up now and they can get the proper follow ups and treatment. They're so little they will never know and soon enough I'm sure everything will be sorted and you can relax. Time, it sounds like mucus may well be a more likely cause, but even if it is partial hearing loss it doesn't need to affect her long term. My cousin has a serious hearing impairment in both ears and is now a registrar anaesthetist, it certainly didn't hold her back!

We have our first development check with the consultant neonatologist next week for Zach (the first of many which he will have until he's 2 to make sure he's developing normally and if he isn't then to make sure that any early intervention/contact with further specialist services is put into place swiftly). I'm not sure what they can check for at this very early point as he's not doing anything much yet (except for the standard newborn things like feeding constantly, pooing, weeing and crying)! I'm really hoping that soon he may start smiling, but guess he's only the equivalent of 2.5 weeks old corrected so it wouldn't be expected yet.

Have any of the other early babies on here started smiling yet?

Someone (sorry can't remember who), was mentioning giving in to giving a dummy. When I was pregnant with DS1 I was very anti dummy and had very strong ideas about not giving one. At 4 weeks he became very unsettled (later realised it was probably due to tiredness in the evenings which at the time being first time parents didn't identify) so we gave him a dummy and have never looked back. It has always worked great for getting him to nap and, although he still has it for bed time only at 2.5, I don't regret giving it to him one bit. I think dummies are great for what they're designed for. Personally I just really hate seeing older kids with them in their mouths all the time even when they are clearly settled and ok. With Zach as soon as he came home and was unsettled I didn't think twice! They are also proven to help with reducing risk of SIDS (I think) and were recommended on the neonatal unit.

Thinking of all you ladies struggling with feeding/open stitches/not wanting to look at your bits! It all does get better soon! I'm with you all on the cluster feeding. Although Zach is 17 weeks old now he still spends the majority of each evening attached to my boob. It is exhausting! But I have to keep reminding myself that it does get easier, they do start being able to be put to bed (rather than lying in their moses basket growling for more boob like Zach is currently!)

Well, this post has been massive...sorry! I will try and keep up a bit more regularly. Bring on the rest of the March babies soon!

Purple, I second Suz on the stretchy wraps (if you can be bothered in learning to tie them....which is fine once you know how!). I have a Boba wrap which is really comfy and snuggly. I also have a Close Caboo which has the advantages of the stretchy wrap but you don't have to worry about the tying. I love carrying Zach in a wrap, there's also the advantage that he's so snuggled in it that people aren't tempted to touch him, which I still have to be really careful about due to his immature immune system. I keep having to tell grannies not to touch when we have him in the carseat attached to the pushchair. It feels really rude but so many times old ladies have just gone straight in to stroke his cheek or hand....I just think germs and have to say really quickly 'please don't touch him....sorry I don't mean to be rude but.....and then explain about his prematurity and how careful we have to be with him.

All those people who dared ask what we would do with our cats when baby was born have been shown this now - best of friends!

Q adorable!!

Good to hear from you again missi! Glad Zach is doing so well still :) good luck with next appointment

it was me asking about the dummy, still considering it. Seren spits up a lot, sometimes over half an hour after eating when we think we're in the all clear to put her down. Will the dummy be dangerous if she does spit up with it in?

Also Is it normal to get an increase in cramping and bleeding when your milk comes in and breastfeeding is more vigorous? Or does it mean I'm not resting and healing enough? I'm not bleeding enough to call in (can wear the same pad for hours) but it just seems more than it was, as it was starting to peter off but then increased around 5 days pp when milk came in

I have the Close Caboo and tried her in it today, was wonderful! Amazing to be hands free and feel she is secure

vroc sounds like your feeding issues are similar to mine, it's exhausting isn't it? I was prepared for it to be hard but not this hard!

I'm also dreading DH going back to work next week, especially as we have no family here and mum doesn't fly out for another 2 weeks. Friends have been wonderful in bringing around meals etc but i am just so nervous to be alone with her!

Just pooping into say missi. Calais is six weeks old Tuesday. 1 week corrected yesterday. She's very much still acting like a newborn. Sleeping,eating etc. doesn't really stay awake yet for long and not smiling unless she has wind lol