The APRIL 2007 invasion has started

[1becomes3]

Right ladies this is going to be used as a tip's, questions and answers etc thread for those of us who have had our babies and can't keep up with the chat on the other thread. (my word those ladies can talk)

And of course everyone is welcome to post on here the more advice etc the better.

Thats me all over now even as I am typing I feel like it is a race against time until LO wakes up for his feed. Strangely has not fed quite as much today, but that could be cos it was his first "day out" today I think all that fresh air has knocked him out a bit he's been really quiet all day.....

And lol at trying to write an email. I keep on meaning to write my list of "jobs to do" and just don't seem to get round to it???

Glad I've got my first day out over with I always find it a bit traumatic but now I've got the world at my feet and there'll be no stopping us, just need a bit of sunshine now!!!

Happy Birthday Pinions!

Well I think i had the most boring/sensible birthday EVER yesterday with not one drop of alcohol in sight. I thought this "being good thing" was supposed to stop once you popped. Feel quilty still for having occasional glass of wine cos of BF, but still keeps those happy hormomes alive so I guess it kinds of evens things out.

Well baby still sleeping, seems like he has been asleep now for AGES at least 2 hours, I think this is the longest stretch for days now. Last night went quite well too with only about 4 feeds, the MN vibes must have transcended I think.

I rang work today just to "officially" tell them that I've had the baby. Nice to know that I've got another 10 months or so of not really having to think about it, would be interesting to hear about when others are planning to return to work, if at all???

Well this peace and quiet seems like bliss, all that will change when DS1 gets back from nursery in half an hour. Think I'll go and have my last "sane" cup of tea of the day before the madness arrives.

Happy days everyone!!!

Hello ladies

I really do salute all your mums who already have DCs - because even although it is worthwhile it is bloody hard work.
Well Sarai is 12 days old today and it is amazing how much she has changed, she is waking up about three time during the night too feed, and isn't sleeping so much during the day.
Sarai was born on the 5th April, we came home on the Good Friday and then the visitors started - it was non stop from Saturday to easter monday and during the week as alot of people had taken time off. There have been times when i have wanted to drown the phone in the toilet and when people say you must rest during the afternoon, i smile and think i would if people wouldn't keep on coming to visit me. I feel bad because i know they are excited about the baby, but i am a first timer and completely out of my league and would have appreciated some more time by myself. Anyway the visits have scaled down now, I have my mum staying with me at the moment and she has been a godsend.
I am so behind with the a\n thread and haven't even had a chance to catch up on this one propely yet - will catch up then post again. Hope you are all well.

Happy Belated Birthday Pinions.

Hi everyone, just checking into the PN thread. Hope everyone is doing OK esp !b£ - are things any better? Hope you got some good advice from the other twin mums on your thread.

Not too bad here but ds had some kind of feeding frenzy last night and was on the boob from 6pm to 5am so my nips feel like they've been in a vice. Hope he has a good length sleep now so I can get a kip. Thankfully we shouldn't get too many visitors with this being number 2. Dh is being a star and dd coping though she gets completely hysterical everytime the baby cries, dunno what that's all about but she's going to have to get used to it, I keep telling her babies cry a LOT .

Happy Belated Birthday Pinions

Pinions - Up until 2 days ago, William was exactly the same with only wanting to feed for about 5 mins, but only on one breast (he was ok on the other one) Found out that my milk flows differently on each side - very weird. Spoke to mw about it who told me that everything does eventually even out, and this is still the early stages. I also mentioned giving him water (mainly because its so warm) but mw said that bf provides everything baby needs, so not to bother. Suprised that your mw told you to make him wait for a feed - there's no way I could that with William - when he wants feeding, he wants feeding now! Although he is getting a little bit more predictable.
Haven't spoken to work yet. Text my boss when he was born, and had lovely message back, but I'm in no hurry to actually speak to them iykwim. Think I might email some pics. Don't plan on returning to work until January. The only thing is, I know my boss has been looking for new premises, and I have a feeling they will be closer to his home, which will mean more travelling for me. If that happens, then I doubt I'll go back. Just have to wait and see.

1b3 - Hope you're getting better support sweetie x

Baby blues kicked in big time yesterday. I completely lost it with dh over a pair of trainers Everything came out, but the bit that shocked me the most was when I actually said I hated bf because I'm the only one that can do it, and I'm constantly tired. Dh was really shocked, but I burst into floods of tears, because I really didn't mean it. Feeling better today though (think its the thought of having my hair cut later)

Right, ds1 is with his nana today, ds2 is sleeping, dh is pottering around, so I'm going to have a shower and make myself feel nice.

Take care
x

Hi all. Just had to pop on here to report that Orla slept like a dream last night!! Fed at 10.00, then 1.30, then 6.00!!! And settled back in her moses basket, despite being awake at the end of each feed! Consequently I feel almost human today! Now more of those please girly, and less of the 10.00, 12.00, 2.00, 4.00, 6.00 nights! And yes, I know she's only 3 weeks, and it's far to early to be in a pattern, and it was probably just a blip etc etc

Yvie - blimey at all those visitors! Hope they are tailing off now and you can get some rest while you've got your mum with you.

Mammyjo - re conversation ages ago about bottle teats etc. The midwife said to try a Nuk teat as closest to breast, but I couldn't find any, so I just used an Avent newborn one. I'm going to try another bottle on Sat or Sun morning this weekend, so I'll report back on whether she takes this one as well, and whether it confuses her latch again. Feeling more confident about the latch etc now, and resigned to the fact that sometimes it takes her a while to get on, but she does in the end. Also now don't think we have oral thrush as needling pains in breast seem to have subsided and HV thought the white in Orla's mouth was just milk - hurray! Am taking Acidopholus tablets though just in case.

Oh and work - arggghh, still doing bits and pieces which is not ideal, and supposed to be going back in August so realise I must look for a childminder asap. I'm self employed and it's taken me 4 years to build up my work to the level it is now, so I really don't want to have to start again from scratch, but August feels sooooo soon.

Hi everyone,

Congrats liath. hope all is going well in the liath household.

1b3 - how´s it going now?

RH - sorry about the baby blues. I had them for the last couple of days as the milk came in. Managed to hold off a meltdown, probably as parents rather than DH are here.

Feeling so much better today. Nips are healing up nicely and I´ve managed the last couple of feeds without the shields, which is so much nicer for Ruby and me. DC coping OK - DD1 and DD2 are fine, DS is getting clingy for mummy but, bless him, he´s still got his leg in plaster, daddy´s just gone back to the UK again and he has a new baby sister to cope with, so I reckon he´s doing OK.

Am so looking forward to May. DH will be back for good, hurrah; DS will be out of plaster; weather will be fab; pool will be open and May is Cordoba´s big month with all the festivals and fairs - DD1 is dancing flamenco at various performances throughout the month. So lovely. Just 11 more days without DH and we´re done. He´ll have been away for more than 6 months of this year, so it´s been a long haul.

Anyway, hope you´re all ok and getting lots of rest. Ruby managed a stretch from 3:45 to 8:45 last night, which was blissful. The longest stretch of sleep I´ve had since 7 months pg I think!!

hi Bramshott, x post as I stopped mid writing to answer the phone. Glad you had a good night with Orla. Makes all the difference, doesn´t it?

1B3 - how are you hun?????????

If you want to email me direct it's
oooggs at hotmail dot co dot uk

I know it is hard, yes I really do know finding it hard to get on mn and catch up nevermind eat and shower. Sleep is a luxury. DH went back to work today and ds is at nursery, dt's are currently sleeping.

Have had to give up on the bf but in doing so we are a much happier family even though I find it upsetting.

Catch you all soon xx

Hi oooggs. Sounds like you are doing a fab job. I found it upsetting every time I stopped bf. While I was making and enacting the decision, it was all I could think about. But after I´d done it, it just melted away, overtaken by the next big issue, whatever that was at the time. As you say, the most important thing is a happy family and you have to achieve that whatever way you can.

Glad you are doing ok oooggs. Stopping bf is a really hard decision, really felt guilty with ds first time round but I have to say it was a good thing for me at the time. If it means your family are happier then that is really important too. Hat off to you and 1b3, my day is so full with one baby so I really dont know how I would ever manage two!

Runny, my baby blues have definitely subsided now but know where you are coming from. Glad you are feeling better today, happy haircut!

Ffion doing fine, already knows exactly what she wants. If she doesnt want to settle to sleep then I have absolutely no chance of getting her to do it!! When she is ready she goes down like a dream though which is great.

Bramshott, I have the avent bottles. Havent used them yet but bought the smallest newborn teats for them. Hope the next bottle goes better for Orla.

Hope everyone is doing ok, take care xxx

Hi girls. Todays update. Was signed off from the MW today, bb has put on 11oz's in 6 days so almost 2 oz per day and MW said that was very high, so must be a really good feeder.

Well considering he has a "good feed" every 1 and 1/2 hours I am not surprised, still very reassuring to know IFSWIM. Also reassured me on all the other "added" benefits to BF really encouring stuff AND she said perfectly fine to have a couple of glasses of wine, so I can now feel guilt free and make up for my alcohol free (probably the first one since I was at high school) birthday lol.

Just to add that I had quite a "blue" moment this afternoon, then had a good kip and felt 100% afterwards so I am pretty sure that its usually just a sleep thing, its amazing how much better you feel afterwards its just getting the chance to sleep thats all.

Getting busy on here now with baby news

Hi Runny! Great to hear from you. BF is going a bit better and he's put on loads of weight a pit of a porker. Can't really tell whether the feeding thing is starting to settle down but I had to laugh when I read how you felt about BF and hubbie cos thats just how I feel too. It just seems like you're the one doing all the hard work feeding whilst they get to sleep through the night. I also gave him water just the once and I am sure that is has caused some sort of "nipple confusion" I'm not sure whether he latches aswell as before. But still managing.

Bramshott Hope you managed to write your email! Out of interest what do you do if self employed? [nosey emoticon].

Hi Yvie!

Hi Liath and congrats!

Clarice very of your life in spain and summer approaching hey ho. Love the name Ruby, was on my short list and much prefer it too Laura.

Nutty Hope you are on the mend now and sorry about crappy treatment at the LGI, i had that first time around so this time was having none of it!!

1B3 Read your post and am really sorry but cannot offer any solid advice except I know how you feel. One baby is hard I cannot even imagine two. can you not get a trainee/childcare student in for a couple of days a week to help out. You could ask HV. Hope you are feeling a bit better now.

HI Oooggs, Dooby, Nelly, Mammy, Twinkle, WCL and anyone that I happen to have missed!

DP just brought me steaming hot cup of tea and mega large double layered box of Thorntons. Musn't grumble!

Fingers crossed this works. Thought it was quite interesing!!! For anyone thinking of having any more children.....

How do you know when you have had enough children?

(Comments and experiences please!)

LONG AND NOT VERY HAPPY POST ALERT......

Just thought I'd get a quick post in before all hell breaks loose yet again.

We have had a bit of a nightmare with our little darling. Birth etc was wonderful (again) just like with DS2, in water, straightforward labour etc and she seemed(!) a lovely mellow little thing when she came out as well. Within a day or 2 my nipples were total agony - despite my obsession in getting her latched on just right etc. A midwife at the unit then spotted that she had tongue-tie. A simple procedure fixes this but they don't do it in Devon. By the time we were able to travel to Cornwall to get it done (yesterday) I was expressing off one boob and barely able to feed off the other.

Since the procedure the latch has been fine, which has been a good thing as she has turned into a clone of her big brother - you feed and feed (for an hour plus at a time) then try to put her down and she goes ballistic until put back on the boob (which by now is empty). The sore boob has had no time to heal as I keep on having to put her back on it. I am still expressing (v slowly) and we are giving her this as well. Nothing is working and I am in tears most of the time and we are both at the end of our tethers. Have just phoned midwife unit for support and she has suggested an ounce of formula if we are absolutely desperate. Even as I'm typing this she has started screaming yet again and DH has gone to her.

I am dying to read about everyone else but god knows when I'll get the chance. Just hope you are all having a happier time than us at the moment.

Oh heck, Birdie what a nightmare for you. Would shields be any help if she's just comfort sucking a lot?

Congrats to everyone who's had their baby since I last was on. Sorry but haven't had time to catch up.

Feeling much better now, cold is getting much better. Ankles swelled up the other night and had pain in left leg so went to hospital and am off for a scan at 12 today (don't think there's anything wrong) to be on safe side.

Hi Pinions...feeling much better now, community mw was really nice about everything. Your theory didn't pan out tho...my LO was 7lb 3oz!!!

Best wishes to all.

Birdiebump - hugs to you. Getting bf can be so difficult and that's with a compliant baby. I have suffered in varying degrees with my four. The first couple of weeks (or in DD1's case couple of months) have always been horrid. I've been using nipple shields this time. From day 3 to 5. It made such a difference. Really gave my nips a chance to heal. They are a bit of a faff as you have to sterilise but easier than expresing (which I've done in the past to overcome feeding pain). Now that I've stopped using them, the latch is still painful but the nipple looks ok so I think they're just still toughening up.

No advice about the endless need to suck though. Have no idea about the tongue tie procedure - would she still be uncomfortable from that and sucking helps??

To anyone with BF problems. Its just a thought but it might be to do with their breathing and how clear their noses are.

We were up ALL NIGHT last night as LO not feeding well at all. Got to the point where he did not have a feed for 6 hours at which point he (and us) were completely hysterical.He was so bunged up that every time he tried to latch on he could not breathe at all bless him so just spat it out. Anyway the community midwife was called out at 5am cos we were besides ourselves.

She then did this thing where cotton wool was rolled into a point and kind of stuck up his nose in an attempt to clear his nasal area. Then soaked the cotton wool in warm water and let it run down into each nostril to soften anything remaining in there.

His nose is now as clear as anything and is sleeping and feeding again beautifully.

This could help, or could be pointed out to MW anyone with feeding problems?

He is also feeding for what seems to be twice as long because he is not having to work so hard.

pinions - poor you, what a night, but so glad you've got it sorted and DS is feeding well again.

Pinions - OMG, you could've been talking about us. William just wouldn't settle last night (although did feed, but it seemed to be a struggle for him) but we were up for most of the night. I can see that he's got a bit of mucus up his nose, so will give it a go.

Thank you!

Birdie, are you using Lansinoh? Deffo would recommend breast shields. My DD slipped in the bath as a baby and chipped her front teeth and I had open sores on my nipples, Lansinoh worked wonders.

Also, any possibility with her feeding and feeding and screaming, that she is colicky? Maybe a dummy to suck onbetween feeds would help? DS had a tongue tie, although did not affect his feeding, and was colicky so am sympathising on all counts.