August 2016 - early arrivals to the newborn cuddles & graveyard feeding shifts

[rumisyum]

So many August bus babies have arrived already! Anyone else fancy a chat during night feeds or wondering what to make of the contents of tiny nappies? Might as well get comfortable...

What is wonder weeks Sophia?

Our night was ok, DS has a temp after his jabs, and also has had more dirty nappies and wind presumably from the rota virus vaccine. He is generally sleeping really well though we had an extra wake up last night. He is clingy today and vomited all over me just as we were about to go out for my exercise class, so we missed it. Quite enjoying sitting on the sofa watching Gilmore girls instead tbh.😳

Lotsofdots It's a book and an app about developmental 'leaps' babies go through at different weeks, how to spot them and what you can do to help baby through it.!

I like Wonder Weeks too! I have the app & it's very reassuring in a "this too shall pass" kind of way.

hgl we had v similar time yesterday and ditto for the hand interest. I keep saying it's going to be the best day of her life when she discovers she's got two!

bella we get a lot of interest when we're out too although thankfully no whispering. More just kindly old people wanting a peek.

How are you doing pear and biscuits? Hope you're getting some sleep & are feeling better. I understand now pear why you can't express. I tried but E won't take a bottle really so I've put that plan on hold. I have similar issue in that she's feeding v frequently so I'm a bit scared to express in case she gets hungry when I'm empty!

Nice to hear from you coco. Your post is lovely and upbeat as usual! Sorry to hear DS is not so keen on sleep at the moment...hopefully just a phase and he'll remember how delicious it is to sleep a lot!

lots and others.... It's a strange feeling having them grow out of clothes. On the one hand I feel a little nostalgic for the tiny baby but on the other, in so grateful she's feeding properly and getting everything she needs to thrive. She's currently growing her second chin! Needs a lot of cleaning in all her neck and thigh folds.

Like my daughter, I'm feeding lots and have some squishy rolls! I'm not yet at the point where I want to do anything about it though. It's taking everything I have to just keep on top of having a baby (etc) so the weight loss will have to wait!

E has been quite distressed the last few days and I "diagnosed" silent reflux. I raised it with the GP at our six week check. He was a it clueless to be honest but I asked him for ranitidine and Gaviscon as well as his offering of infacol. I'm slightly worried that this is all on my "diagnosis" (what if I'm wrong?!) but then I can't rely on him as he really didn't know much about little babies and their digestion. He also asked me to make an appointment with a "lady doctor" to discuss my ongoing pain post-birth

Plimsolls I'm sorry did I just read that correctly? Your doctor asked you to make another appt to discuss your lady bits with a female doctor? That's not normal, surely? Why couldn't he help? Or is it because you would prefer to discuss it with a female doctor (which I totally understand and sympathise with if that's the case)? Doctors nowadays really puzzle me

I'm OK thanks. I was a bit sad when I read Fours comment to me so I've been reflecting on that for a bit. Not that Four means bad by it** (I know you don't) but it just made me sad that I've put an image on here of myself having a "crap time and not enjoying the early days". She's right that it is a tough time for me right now adjusting to little sleep v juggling a reflux babies needs with an energetic toddler but it just made me sad that I've portrayed that image alone if that makes any sense. I do have lots of happy adoring moments too

So, I've been busy trying to not dwell on the sleep problems but enjoying the early days I went to the cinema tonight. Yes the cinema My sister very kindly offered to sit in the foyer cuddling Dd whilst I watched the 6pm showing of Bridget Jones. I loved the film. Made me laugh a lot.

DH has tomorrow off. I have already told him that we're going to de clutter the kitchen. Spend quality time de cluttering and just making it look a little better because I think it's bringing us both down that it's so disorganised and messy looking. The kitchen is the heart of our house and I'm quite looking forward to pointing where it should all go whilst he does the moving

Also, yesterday I realised I need to get DD back on a 3hr feeding pattern. Mainly because I need to start feeding her at 7am whether I'm shattered or not. This is because I'm running late to anything that happens in the morning like nursery drop offs as because she's such a bad sleeper we've all been sleeping in. I need to break the habit!

Does anyone else's baby cry whenever you put them in the car seat? I'm guessing this is a reflux thing because my son had the same problem. I'm wondering whether there's an element of the maxi cosi car seat not being comfortable for them. It's really really stressful listening to her cry for the whole car journey. I remember I stopped going long distances with my son because of it On the bright side I know she will grow out of it in a few months

Oh and I downloaded the wonder years app just to see what you're all talking about. Apparently I only have two days left of a thundery spell. Rock on

Just a quick stop.... will be back later. Just wanted to say bella is now a mumsnet celeb - excellent thread made it to classics!

Plimsolls at your doctor!

Fwiw Pear I haven't had the impression that you are totally unhappy. There are undoubtedly difficult bits and bits that you wish would pass pronto but am sure there are plenty of happy making moments too. Well done on getting to the cinema and for a non toddler appropriate film too! I'd quite like to see the new Bridget Jones but there seems to be a trend at the moment that baby friendly screenings aren't allowed to be rated older than a 12. Will keep an eye out though.

This week is going well so far. Having energy again is amazing. Yes, I'm tired, but in an appropriate way now. I no longer doubt my ability to manage with them both to quite the same extent!

Alfie I was gobsmacked! Who'd have thought ddog and his antics would get me into classics, and a tick on my bucket list?

Pear I think I'm probably guilty of painting a less than lovely picture, too. I'm very wary of coming on here and posting that she's had a really good night because I'm so aware that others may be struggling! FWIW DD had a good night last night and I am LOVING the baby days at the moment!

We have 2 school visits for DS today. I am So not ready for him to be starting school.

plimsolls I was told a 'lady doctor' would need to fit the coil if I wanted it.

pear yes, you did read that correctly! I'd psyched myself up beforehand to be brave and not embarrassed about talking about all the various ailments I now have down there....and he was the one who couldn't hack it. I didn't feel like I could insist "LOOK AT MY BUM, MISTER!" so I just made the appointment with the "lady doctor" (I even find that term quite hilarious!)

I think everyone understands that we use this thread to post occasional general update and regular gripes/vents. Everyone is the same so I wouldn't worry that anyone in particular is more negative. I'm often aware that I only post when there's a problem. I think it's true that some people have had a rockier start, either with very unfortunate illnesses or babies with a few more challenges than others but no one comes across as miserable or not enjoying their baby.

In good news, infacol has had a great effect on E and I'm hoping the ranitidine also kicks in soon. She's much more comfortable already, has done some lovely big burps, and her sleep has been more settled. However, when we woke up this morning, she'd slipped quite far down her sleepyhead and the blankets were up to almost over her chin. Must be because we have the crib on an incline and she's being extra squirmy because of her various ailments but it shocked me a little in case they'd gone a little higher over her face. Will have a rethink for tonight.

sophia what is it with these squeamish "man doctors"?!!!!?

'Gentleman doctor' if you please ;)

Oh god, it's been ages since I've been on here, how is everyone? plimsolls I think you have the exact same set up as me, sleepyhead in a next 2 me? I also have it on a slight incline and the same happened! Now I just either put blankets down lower to account for the wriggling, or I use a grobag (my preferred choice).
So a quick update, health wise, we've now got a fabulous consultant who is tying everything together for us! Kidney function has come back fine, also we finally got the chromosome test back, again fine! We're being referred to a geneticist for further tests to be sure, me and DH will also be tested. Still have to have windpipe and bum checked, but consultant thinks she'll prob avoid surgery on both thank god. She announced her joy at this news by spraying him in shit
Aside from all that medical stuff, all is pretty good! We've had smiles, and lots of proto talking
Good to read up on how you're all getting on (especially those not on the Facebook group, I get way too lazy!)

Oh pear I'm so sorry, now I feel like a complete dick! I didn't mean my comment the way it came across - I really didn't mean to imply that you were having a universally crap time, just that your specific situation of just then was crap (re pain & lack of sleep!). Fwiw I actually think you're doing a bloody amazing job - DD was an awful sleeper and I was a mess, no way I could've coped with another kiddo on top. The fact that you function at all is a miracle IMO! And I obviously loved DD to pieces, but I definitely didn't love the lack of sleep, the boredom, the repetitiveness, the change of dynamic...
The flip side is I think I often come across a bit Pollyanna on here - mostly it's just utter relief that DS isn't like DD was. Plus the fact that if I'm posting, it's cos I've had a good day and have time to be on mumsnet - I never post at the times DD's pushing me and DS won't stop crying and I'm crumbling under the stress of it all, but those days definitely happen. It's easy to come across one way or another online but it's never the full picture! Anyway will stop rambling away but please tell me if I'm being a knob, I'll never take offence and have a terrible habit of engaging mouth before brain so sometimes need to be told to shut it!

Anyway, biscuits am so glad you're feeling better now - you've been through the wringer. Fingers crossed you're on the up for good now and no more pneumonia!
bella don't forget about us now you're a MN sleb! Hilarious thread, reminded me why I don't think I'd cope with a dog - too many naughty dog stories on there!
plimsolls great that the meds/incline combo seems to be doing the job. Afaik cellular blankets are reasonably safe as they're breathable, otherwise a grobag will prob work better, as per fizzy. Your doc sounds a bit ridiculous - I've shown my post-birth bumhole to a Man Doctor when I had a fissure after DD. Somehow he coped
fizzy fantastic news all round for you! So pleased for you all, must be such a weight off for you and DH. Baby smiles and chats are the best too!

No Four you're right. That's why I said I know you don't mean bad by it It is interesting that you feel you post more on good days because I feel like I mostly post more on bad days which explains why I've mostly painted a negative image of myself. Biscuits you're kind not to think I'm all about being negative and Four I deffinagely need to be more positive so thank you for pushing me to do that even if it wasn't intentional

Well, by some miracle we did manage to make a start on sorting out our kitchen/playroom this afternoon and evening. I'm really proud that we achieved something other then deal with the normal daily challenges. DH and I have had a really good chat about my frustrations with our house. So much TLC is required and a lot of it was meant to be achieved before baby no2 arrived but that didn't happen so it's been getting me down. Just talking about it has made me feel better. I've already booked a decorator to complete the nursery. I know I'll feel great when that starts next week as I brought the wallpaper 12 weeks a go and it wasn't cheap!

My sister has now arrived at my house to give me more sleep in the night tonight like a night nurse. Really kind of her. I'm hoping that Dd sleeps lots in the night and I'm only woken once but I think that's unlikely. Most importantly I'm going to get sleep now. Exciting Oh dear...I can hear Dd crying already

Woohoo she lasted until 3:30am. Just shows. Silly really but I'm quite happy to snuggle with her again. So she can go 4.5 hours in the night. That's a long stretch and certainly one I could manage! The next one will be 4-7.

And 6:39 My sister looks terrible Very interesting to hear her technique though! She keeps Dd upright for 1 hour and then puts her down. The night confirms that she is comfort eating because of the reflux pain she's in and also that if DH took 1hr to settle her he also could sleep short stints like my sister did (he wouldn't though because he would say it makes him feel worse).

Upright for an hour?! That's great that your sister could do that last night Pear. Clearly easier to do that when it isn't Every Single Night. Hope you feel a bit revived from the sleep :)

Once DS was a bit bigger he used to finish every night in his pram (we have the Uppababy Vista; once it was in pushchair mode it could be put at an angle that he found comfortable, he would sleep for a few more hrs, was safe, we got some zzzz too).

Actually now I think of it, we have an insert for the pushchair mode which technically means DD could go in it now. Will need to see if there is a minimum size requirement - would be handy if we didn't need to use the bassinet all the time.

Biscuits I don't feel revived at all but I think that's because at the end of the day it's still broken sleep?! Won't be telling my sister that though I know, i think I keep Dd upright for an hour anyway as it's rare she lets me put her down. It's a very different story for my sister when she doesn't smell of milk

With regard to the male doctors - quite a lot of GP practices have one GP who specialises in female reproductive help, and has extra training etc. Could it be that your practice is like this so they are just avoiding the need for you to be examined twice?

we are also still getting lots of comments from ransoms at 9 weeks and over 12lb. I quite like it tbh, he IS adorable and someone telling me that's he's just tiny, or fresh out the packaging is prolonging how long I get to think of him as a squishy new born!

And there goes the negative me again lol OK, what has been reviving is handing back Dd after feeds and not having to do any settling sessions and not having to give Ds breakfast. That's been great

lots So "lady doctor" could mean "doctor for ladies" rather than female GP? That makes sense and is less weird! Although, the guy I saw did just seem a bit embarrassed and reluctant. I did wonder why he was up for the 6 week post natal check if he didn't want to get involved in talk of vulval pain, sore stitches, fissures and piles though.

pear I might have missed this upthread but what (if any) medication is she on for her reflux? I've found E's comfort feeding has reduced since getting her on ranitidine but I'm hoping it doesn't wear off. I've heard it's important to keep getting dosage adjusted with their weight gain. E is gaining weight v quickly, mostly because her operation was successful but also because of the aforementioned comfort feeding.

Plimsolls Dd is on 0.8ml ranitidine 3 x a day. TBH I don't really think it's working because she's still so windy and farts a lot. It takes a long time to settle after feeds. She finds being in the car seat really uncomfortable. I'm hoping the paediatrician will help but also, I know her reflux is not bad at all compared to others.

Well we've just lasted 2.5 hrs between the last feed. I couldn't make her wait any longer Perhaps 2.5 hours will be the best I can get for now and I'll just have to keep trying to stretch it out.

Yes pear, although it often is a woman! Sometimes they've done more hospital paeds and o&G before becoming a GP so have a special interest.

Plimsolls, glad to hear E doing well after her op!

Lots I really don't mind people commenting to me, it's the ones that point and whisper and don't even make eye contact that annoy me!

Pear how lovely of your sister. How much longer until you're pediatric appointment?

Really stressful day here, won't bore you with all of the details but suffice is to say I am not enjoying being a mum today. DH actually did the washing up for the first time since Sunday but only because I was almost in tears over the state of the house.

How do people do anything with a baby that won't be put down?