July 2007 - yet starting in June!

[Jamantha]

Well, I can't see a post natal July 2007 thread, so will start this, even though Charlotte, my DD was born 4.5 weeks early in June. I'm sure the other July ladies will be along soon enough.

Have had 2 nights at home now. Yesterday afternoon was fairly distressing as Charlotte wouldn't latch on, and if she did she wouldn't suck. But have got loan of electric pump from hospital, and support from midwives and now managing with comination of breast, expressed and formula milk, sometimes all three in the same feed. Finding it quite emotional, with all the issues associated with feeding one's baby, but trying to stay calm as found out yesterday that getting self into a state doesn't help anyone.

Dh has just gone out to get some things we're still missing, and I'm putting my feet up for a bit. Phil & Ted has just arrived so we might try a stroll down to the ante natal class tonight!

Any how, hope there are lots of lovely birth stories to come from July ladies, and that we can swap advice, give each other moral support etc over the coming weeks and months.

Glad you're getting out Melissa. I'm sure the hairdressers won't mind you taking DD along. I thought I was going to have to take mine, and they said it'd be fine. I had a dentist's appt the other week and had to take her. I had to go to an upstairs room, so asked if I took her up, could I leave the pushchair in reception as it was too big to carry upstairs. They offered to mind DD as well, and when I came back 45 mins later they were all cooing over her and nearly didn't give her back. Until I reminded them that in an hours time she'd be hungry and wet and crying, that is.

Can anyone shed any light on the eternal mysteries of my diet and its effect on my baby's poo?

I thought it was the orange juice, so I cut that out, and we were ok for a day. Then I thought it was beans and so that passed, then broccoli so we're off that too. Last night though, from half 7 until after 5am we had grunting, straining, griping and whingeing interspersed with short naps and feeds until the finale of a huge windy runny poo at dawn, after which he slept.

Working on the basis of the MW's advice that there's a 24hr gap between me eating the guilty foodstuff and baby suffering for it, I'm thinking I'm going to have to give up either air, or water.

Anyone had experience of bread or tea causing upset tummies? He'd gained weight when weighed on Monday and he's fine today, but I can't seem to crack these episodes of sore/runny tummy.

CSB- my DD sounds a lot like your DS. She stuggles a lot with poos, often straining for 6-9 hrs before having a huge explosion which invariably goes through all her clothes etc. To be honest I think some babies are just like this, and as they get bigger/stronger/older they grow out of it. I have been watching my diet too, but i refuse to give up all fruit etc.- esp. as I'm veggie. I don't think my diet is affecting her that much...she's just one of those awkward babies...though why it seems to happen more at night I'd love to know! Hopefully they'll grow out of it soon. I know in spite of such struggles she's gaining weight well- put on 1lb 2oz in 2 weeks!

pulapula, my baby's nighttime routine is about the same as yours. And your bedtime routine sounds cool - I need to pull my finger out!

Anyone having a glass of wine with dinner ?

everyone seems to be doing really well though, and coping with the going out fear. Such a relief to know that everyone seems to have it. So that mum you meet on the street is as scared as you are!

Does anyone else's baby do really loud farts? My mum says ds is the fartest baby ever [so proud emoticom].

I am trolling the internet for baby groups near me.... has anyone been to one yet?

Glad everybody elses lo's bowels are the same. Dd seems to constantly feed from late afternoon onwards and saves up for a couple of explosions a day !

Still have a really sore nipple, so have decided to express from that side for a couple of days until healed.

Had visit from health visitor yesterday and was told that in our area there are student nursery nurses available to come on placement to your home and help with your children, for free !! We are moving out of the area, gutting.

And yes, my dd does fart extremely loudly, and poos the same. Hope everybody is bearing up with the breastfeeding and sleep depravation.

I am so disappointed, theprecious. I really thought my baby was the fartiest baby ever

I went to a mother and toddlers on mon to keep dd from poking, whacking, biting lo. It's easier to be out of the house bundled in pram than keeping the two of them apart fed and occupied. I looked the mother and toddlers groups up on (whispers) netmums.

Seem to be stuck to settee today feeding. Had to sling ds around while tidying up and nipping to the shop to buy a large bag of sports mixture which was eaten within half an hour. All to myself. No sharing.

Jamamtha - LOL. Farty baby comp!

right I will look on the "other place" website for baby groups - ekk!

Thank god someone else mentioned the noise their baby makes! I cannot believe how loud he can fart! I blamed my Dh and he was adamant it wasnt him! A friend said its a good sign because he is getting all of his wind out

Well, I managed a trip to the hairdressers alone this morning...first trip out in 2 weeks. I was sweating hot and so anxious but the ladies in the salon were very sweet and let me leave with wet hair as I wanted to get back. Came home to find DH and LO cuddling on the couch and then felt really silly to come flying in the house like I was expecting a problem.

Also glad to hear that LO's are not being bathed twice daily! My baby seems to have really dry skin so I want to avoid getting him too wet....

Thanks for making me feel normal ladies.

Big hugs to all
x

Oscar is definitely the fartiest baby ever ever; we call him Buncefield . A family friend who is rather nouveau posh (an extreme version of Hyacinth Bouquet) held my 21 month old daughter when she was newborn and our newborn little sweetheart let out the most ripping fart ever (it was the hightlight of my year lol).... we are getting quite excited about her impending visit to meet Oscar (AKA Buncefield).
I am on my own for the first time today - Oscar was born on 16th July, I accepted the paternity leave was over only this morning .

Caroline, my DH goes back tomorrow...im dreading it. I know im going to cry tomorrow!

Quick question: when you change LO's nappy do you use wipes? The reason I ask is because I have been using huggies wipes that are supposed to be the same as water but my LO has nappy rash and it looks really sore..just wondering if its the wipes and if i should be using just water?

MFO - Don't believe the blurb! Am just using water on cotton wool. Can't remember at what age I switched to wipes, about 6 months I think. I really should use reusable wipes, but never got round to them.

Am watching a programme recorded earlier about pandas, and the mother panda just walked away from her newborn baby. S/he was wriggling on the floor screaming, and I felt so sad and had tears in my eyes watching

And now another panda is being taught how to be a good mum by being being a toy panda to look after! Since having DD I've seen several wildlife programmes and see that it's common for many animals to have problems with their babies - quite reassuring really.

sorry - being given, not being being

Oh you lot always make me feel so much better. It's so nice knowing I'm not alone with panicking about going out, and dealing with a colicky, farty baby

Thankfully after a rough couple of days with colic Bryher has been much better today. The midwife came this morning and said things like citrus fruits and grapes, green veg, and spicey food can affect colic. I drink a lot of fresh orange normally, but I only had 1 little glass yesterday and Bryher is so much better today. We've also been using Infacol for a couple of days so I think that has kicked in too. She's spent most of today asleep, even when we've been tormenting her to stay awake so she'll sleep tonight.

I'm joining the mucky baby club too. The plan is for Bryher to have a bath twice a week, especially as DP and I both have bad skin. At the moment she's getting them a bit more often as DP can't get to grips with leaving her dirty nappy under her till the last minute, he takes it off, she wees everywhere and she has to have a bath.
I'm sure she does it on purpose as she loves them.

We did actually have a fun trip out today, (I'm fine if DP is with me, but I'm a more cautious driver now.) We only went to Mothercare and Virgin but at both places they had to phone up to get my card authorised. We've decided it's because the only place we've spent any money in the past couple of months is Tescos, and we haven't even been there for 3 weeks as our parents have been shopping for us. The bank obviously thought something dodgy was going on

myfairone - my lo has a tiny patch of rash as well. my hv recommended metanium cream, apparently it is magic ointment. i too have veen using wipes which are apparently very mild.

Jamantha, I'm smiling at you watching all the nature programs. I too attempted to watch one the other day and when the tears started streaming down my face I switched to Jerry springer!

Okay, so now we can all relax and know that baby isnt a grub if he isnt bathed every day. We are not bad mothers if he gets nappy rash and its perfectly normal to be scared to go out!

Now we have that cleared up I'm off to cry because DH just left and I'm all alone!

Big hugs to all.
x

For anybody with sore bottomed babies, my dd had a very bad rash from third day onwards. Tried everything and the only thing that worked was a very dry bottom after changing and vaseline ( thin layer ) worked fantastically in about 2 days.

Her bottom had two red raw patches before, and we think it was from wipes. Now using water and cotton wool with no reoccurance.

My dd had nappy rash too which i am convinced was from 'mild' wipes. Switched back to cotton wool and water and it improved the hv suggested sudacrem too. This made it worse again. Now using water and cotton wool or small squares of muslin cloth (well we are using re-usables so dh didn't think we should be using cotton wool which we just chuck away). We also try to make sure dd has some time everyday kicking about with no nappy on. Usually before her bath (if she has one) or before her evening feed.

I'm glad everyone else's lo's have noisy bums too and that they aren't bathed every day. I think it dries out their skin and they don't really get that dirty.

Ok - off to try to get a shower before lo wakes up and then hopefully make it to the baby health clinic for her to be weighed and maybe meet some other mums.

Hope everyone has a good day.

HI all,
On the bathig front Lee wasnt bathed until day 8.. I just top and tail him every day. he is only bathed every 3-4 days as his skin was peeling, so massage him with lavender baby oil too. His skin is alot better now.

Dh goes back to work next week, straight onto a course for 2 weeks, then at end of month he is going to the uk not sure yet for how long.
We put a request in for a bigger house on Tuesday, and went to the other camp to see if we could have alook at 4 bed houses available. We had a look at one and they offered us it. They are hoping to move us ready for the kids starting school in 3weeks !!!! So I am not going to be to busy then, looking after newborn, toddler, packing and cleaning a house!! But it will be woth it the new house is 3times the size the one I am in now. DS1 and 2 play room is the size of my front room dinner I have at the mo!!.

News on my mam, she had some radioactive die injected yesterday to check her lymph nodes.. all she has told me is she has to go in today to have lymph node biopsy so I am takingt hat as they have found another suspected bit of cancer I really hope not. She has her masectomy next week.
At least it has all been picked up early which can only be good. (as good as good can be in the circumstances)!!)

DH has gone out and totally locked me in the house.. I think my keys are in the car!!

I am missing dd terribly another 2weeks till she is home, but she had a fab holiday, and is now enjoying herself with her dad.

I also need to speak to the new school.. not sure if dd is going to move schools yet as she is in her last year at juniors.. but if she doesnt move schools she wont meet the children on the estate.. I will trf ds1 though to the nursery on the new estate. Just need to get hold of them..

So much to do and sort out.

I Hope everyone is ok and coping with there new los.. On the crying rnt last week I cried at everything..sad or happy .
Take care *all, must go ds1 deciding to help me type at mo!!..

Antipeol cream is superduper for nappy rash - clears it up in no time.

twoplus one - we locked some friends in our old house once . Forgot they'd stayed over and locked the door as we left for work so they couldn't get out. I got a call asking me to go home and let them out! But as I was working a hospital clinic on my own that day they had to wait until lunchtime as I couldn't abondon the patients. Good job one of they didn't have to be anywhere until the afternoon

sniff The nicest thing just happened! My community midwife (who gave me SO much support to get BF started despite massively engorged boobs and serious blues) has just popped in to see how we're getting on and to give us a card and a pressie of some PJs for Tom! I'm sure she does it for everyone but it was so kind of her, honestly, these people are wonderful, all hail the NHS!