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.

That's really nice CSB.

We don't bath DS every day, just make sure he has a good wash otherwise, but try and keep it at the same time of day/same place so he knows its bedtime. He was very sweet in his bath seat yesterday, laughing and cooing- he really likes the sensation of the water. He is very spotty on his face and neck, probably a combination of heat and milk. And we too avoid all wipes as they irritate his bottom. Metanium cream works well, but takes a few days.

I am finding it hard this lunchtime. Its the first time I've had both LOs on my own as DH is now back at work. When DD was ready for her nap, DS who was dozy seemed to get his second wind. When I got him settled, DD woke needing a wee, when I put her back down, DS was grissling again and so on. And to make things worse, I was starving/thirsty (I should have had an early lunch!). So I tried feeding DS some more in the hope he'd fall asleep but didn't work. As they were never both up at the same time, it didn't make sense to give up and go for a walk instead, but I may do in future. Or I may feed DS to sleep and let him sleep on me rather than trying to settle him in his basket. I guess I'll learn from experience...Anyone with a toddler and baby got any good strategies?

pulapula - My LO has a very spotty face too, lots of whiteheads, the MW and HV say it's quite common, a type of baby acne to do with their hormones being haywire and adjusting to the outside world. They told me just to keep them clean and if any look like they might be infected then they could prescribe an antibiotic cream. They do seem to get worse if she's hot, or been crying, but most of them go within a day, then reappear on a different part of her face.

Twoplusone, Congratulations on the new house, even though it does mean so much work for you. I'll keep my fingers crossed for your Mum, hope it all works out okay.
I've locked DP in a 1 roomed bedsit before.
I didn't go to work though, no, I went to my parents house 70 miles away. He had to phone friends to come round and sit in the bedsit while he went out, then his Dad who had dropped me off at my parents enroute elsewhere had to come back on his way home that night and pick up the keys.
I'm more careful nowadays

TMI alert: I've been using Sudacrem on nappy rash... LO doesn't have any, but I got very sore from the stupid maternity pads I was wearing. Thankfully 3 weeks in and I've stopped bleeding so no more pads and I'm much comfier.

Have a good weekend all, I am off to the inlaws tomorrow for two nights. I will miss mn and this thread!

ps I put sudacream on ds bum whenever I change his nappy, haven't had nappy rash yet.

congrats to twoplusone on her house and as bilbilo said, good luck for your mum.

pulapula - baby and a toddler? It must be so hard! Whenever I am feeling tired I think about how easy I have it with just one. Mind you, I'd have another tomorrow if it was half way sensible. If I win the premium bonds I'll have five kids.

Twoplusone- great news about the house! And thinking of your mum xx Don't envy you having to juggle all the kids & moving though, especially when your DH is away...you are superwoman!

Pulapula- know what you mean about having a toddler & a baby to juggle... I have found DD always wants to feed when DS (2 yrs) is having his afternoon nap so any chance to tidy up/cook/sleep goes out the window. DS is getting better at waiting for meals if I'm feeding DD, but I do prioritise the toddler's needs as his routine is so important to keeping him happy & settled, so sometimes I have to let DD cry for a wee bit while doing bedtime for DS, or I have to cart her around in a sling while playing outside/cooking etc. I'm afraid while DS is awake I do the bare minimum with DD... I find getting out as much as possible helps DS settle and not be too manic at home so allowing me time to feed DD without climbing all over the furniture etc. Sometimes I have resorted to feeding DD while sitting in DS's toy box and frequently feed her while helping spoon food into DS at mealtimes! During long feeds I do employ the DVD player to keep DS settled/patient...as he will only play on his own for so long and DD will sometimes feed for 1.5 hrs at a go! I'm still learning tricks and luckily have an MIL who comes up one day a week to help entertain DS & allow me to rest a bit. And right now my Mum is over for 5 days so have lots more help- yey! DP couldn't take paternity leave & works long hours so the extra help is great. Anyone who has any more tips please let us know! I don't know how people cope with more than 2!! Respect!!

RE. nappy rash, I too believe wipes can cause probs as most wipes have alcohol in them, even the 'mild' ones. Cotton wool or small flannel squares that can be re-used & water seems to suit my little ones best. That and some nappy free time each day.

Right, she is demanding more milk!! better go!

feeling a bit overwhelmed today with my 3. V tired as DD woke at 4am for a wee drink and the thought she'd stay up for a while of my crack (as we say here! ) Ds (17months ) is at a demanding stage and also needs reassurance and DD1 cant be left out either.

Also, speaking of farty babies (DD definitely in that club) she was really windy today and everytime I put her down she became uncomfortable and needed lifted. Was trying to start my yogalates DVD ewxercise regime today - in fact it became quite important and necessary irrationally - and had to give up feeling quite desperate.

have to drive to a wedding in Donegal on Saturday (about 2 hours) and wetting myself about bringing DD on such a long journey. With stopping to settle/feed her, the journey will take at least 5!!

Sorry all moany today - feeling a bit crap. Lots of positive vibes to you all.

Am I the only one who is formula feeding lo? And using disposables.
Tried again tonight to latch on he did but only have a little milk .. he only latches occasionally (once every couple of days!!!) hoping it will start to come back the more he latches on. He isbecoming really sickly, prjectile voming nearly every feed.. not sure if it is because he is guzzling and wont part with his wind.. am using infocol.. but doesnt seem to help. Any ideas anyone. He is also very nocternal which will be a bummer next week when dh goes back to work!!

Hi Twoplusone! I am a fellow formula feeder and disposable user! I had terrible problems getting DD to latch on and was in tears for about 2 days then talked it over and am now comfortable that formula feeding isn't going to ruin her health! I am managing to express about 3 bottles of breat milk a day, but this is getting harder to do now that we are out and about more. I am the only one of our antenatal group formula feeding and I do feel bad about it, but it was the best thing for me.

Gotta dash as she's screaming he lungs out, but will be back on later to ask you how much your DS is taking each feed etc. and how often. It's my latest worry .

Off to Wisley this morning after weigh in at the clinic.

Morning all,
Twoplusone, my thoughts are with your Mum. I hope all goes well for her.

Well, I had a long chat with GP yesterday about nappy rash. He said its just the fact that the bare skin comes into contact with the contents of the nappy and is not a sign of a bad mother using strong wipes!
He said in his opinion it doesnt really matter which cream you use and that vaseline is a good alternative if you haven't got 'specialist' creams. He also suggested cleaning baby with cotton wool with cream on it. So your wiping the cream into the nappy rash.

Harley slept from 10 - 2 and then was so unsettled all night and has 'snacked' till dawn! He is finally asleep but due another feed very soon....anyone else feel like a milk machine?

Day 2 on my own and I'm planning a small walk later...baby steps!

Big hugs to all.

whomping willow - we had to take DS on a 1.5 hour journey that ended up being 3 hours due to bad traffic - we fed him first, winded and then put him in car seat and he slept all the way - am sure your LO will be fine too so don't fret and have a lovely time at the wedding.

Twosome - if your LO is projectile vomitting alot take to the Drs - my LO did too and has mild reflux, which is treatable with Infant Gaviscon or Zantac - it may help you out somewhat. Gaviscon is v easy to administer with formula as well as you just add it to the bottle. But def recommend visit to GP to ease your worries

Had to take my big boys (15 and 11) to the dentist yesterday (just a check up and need no work thankfully) and had to take dd (21 months) and new baby with me. Dentist said: "My goodness, you have got your hands full" and I wondered if she wondered whether I had just failed to grasp the rudiments of contraception or whether these 4 children could possibly have been planned (they were meticulously planned).
Oscar still waking every 2 hours at night but is such a pleasant little fellow that I really don't mind . My DD sort of pinches him and manhandles him a bit which makes me cross but I am trying to ignore it (as I think she does it to get some instant attention)... I keep him on top of the piano during the day in his cocoon so she can't get her grubby little mitts on him..... anyone got any good ideas about how to socialise a toddler and a new baby. She is normally a very gentle child.

Myfairone My lo did exactly what yours did re the snacking for 3 nights in a row I was exhausted. So last night I gave him a formula feed at 10 oclock he took 6 oz then he slept till 3.15 (yeah longest yet) then gave him another bottle of ebm at that time so I could see he had a decent amount he took 3oz. He then went straight back down till 6 ish. result!!!!

So im hoping it will work again tonight. I wanted to wait as long as poss to introduce formula but he is a very hungry baba, and its only one bottle at the mo.

We went to Chester zoo on Wed and were out from 10am till 6pm and it was fairly stress free!! There were other mums there with new babies asswell and they were breastfeeding too so I felt really proud!!

I went out on my own....can I have a round of applause please? Talk about stressed! I got myself so worked up but did it and now feel tons better.

I only walked to the local high street but felt good to be out...managed to crash into a few things with the pram but I'll get there! Everyone seemed to be nice to me so it felt like a good omen!

My LO is two weeks old and I am still really sore in my tummy...is that normal? Still have some blood loss but feel like I have some kind of muscle ache in my right hand side. I guess I just need to give it time.

Big hugs to all and hope your enjoying the sunshine.

Hurrah for myfairone!!

And yes, people are generally nice when you're out with a wee baby. In my experience they are anyway, I keep hearing people saying "ah, look at the tiny baby" etc and getting quite excited sometimes.

Not sure about the sore tummy - can't remember, but I was still losing some blood until about 3 weeks I think.

caroline - my ds is 17 months and he is also rough with the baby - he hugs and kisses her roughly and when he wants my attention he tries to pull or hit her.

He also pulls DD1's hair all the time REALLY hard and when I speak crossly to him he laughs!!! Poor DD! Im trying hard not to tell her to belt him back because she just takes it from him as she knows its very naughty to hit.

well done on all the expeditions. Im nervous about bringing the 3 out by myself for the first time.

During the day, how much do you nurse, carry around DB and how much do they sit/sleep by themselves?

Well done Myfairone.
It's so nice when you get to hear lots of people saying "ahh" as you walk past them. Even if the only people who've actually spoken to me though DD was a boy... I made sure she was wearing something pink on our next trip rather than all white.

Is anyone elses baby really clingy? We can only put DD down when she's awake for a couple of minutes before she starts crying. We're trying to get her used to the bouncy chair, by giving her attention when she's in it, but leaving her alone for a while too, but it doesn't take long before she's crying. She calms down as soon as she's picked up though. Any suggestions?

When we eventually got her to sleep last night she had a really good night, going 4 hours between feeds, but then from 6am till 3pm she's wanted feeding every hour. I was shattered. Blokey eventually got her to sleep, I went to sleep, then the neighbouring kids knocked on the door asking to see the baby and woke me up. Thankfully DD slept on.
I tried to be nice when telling the little girl not to keep knocking. I just hope she passes the message on to the other kids.

Bilblio - My LO is like that too. We put him in his bouncy chair and after a few minutes he gets hysterical...One of us picks him up and he stops! I have no idea. THe way I look at it, he is so used to being inside all nice and cosy and warm, he likes to be held. My father said he is spoilt! Whatever...he deserves a cuddle!

Jamantha - Thanks for telling me the blood loss was up to 3 weeks. Was starting to think it would never stop!

I am sooooo tired right now. Not much sleep last night and decided to do housework today rather than sleep! House smells better now even if i cant keep my eyes open!

Big hugs to all and hope we can all sleep tonight.

My DD is the same Bilblio and MFO - and yes it's because she's used to being warm and snug and hearing my heart all the time, so being held is the closest she can get to that now. Is slowly improving - first few times she'd only go in bouncy chair for a couple of mins, now will often happily bounce awy for 20-30 mins, as long as she's in the same room (but I can be doing other things), maybe 5-10 mins if left on her own. Now need to work on getting her to sleep more during the day - she's not good at sleeping by day unless held, though OK by night. But she does need naps - she didn't get one until about 3.30 today and was a right grumpy madam because of it! Wouldn't even feed properly, so once she'd had that nap she was ravenous.

Bilbao, mine's the same too, and DD1 was as well. Slowly the gaps between you putting them down get longer - first a couple of minutes and then five or ten, then I remember at 4 months being amazed that it could be half an hour. And now DD is nearly 2, I don't get to hold her enough. She's too busy bombing about causing chaos to want to cuddle up with mummy unless she's hurt or very very tired! I have to beg her to cuddle me now! Enjoy it while it lasts, however odd that sounds... Having said, my LO tonight has been howling unless DH or I pick her up, so I'm a fine one to talk...

my dd is exacty the same!! So reassuring to hear of other babies being "spoilt" (grrrr - thats what people say here too)

Also during the day only really sleeps when cuddled but ok at night (where she sleeps with me!)

Can I please tell someone about my night?

Harley woke up at 4 and was wet and hungry.
Fed him.
Wouldnt settle.
DH tried...no good.
I got up, trod in dog puke (sorry if TMI) then LO promptly projectile vomited into my face and the surrounding wall behind me....the shock on both our faces was a picture...

I do hope this doesn't set the tone for the whole day!

Why do they puke like that? He's never done it before?

Also one final question. My boobs are so sore again (LO is 17 days old) any ideas? Anyone else have this?

Hope you all slept better than me!

Well done on getting out and about Myfairone - it amazes me how many complete strangers want to stop and talk to us. I have an irrational fear of some random person asking to hold him, to which I'll have to respond "No way!" and run off screaming, of course! It's really lovely though - the other day LO was fretting in the pram so his Dad carried him for a bit - it's amazing how many people visibly melt when they see a big bloke with a teeny new baby snuggled in under his neck ... aaaaaaw!

I don't believe it's possible to 'spoil' a newborn baby by cuddling it, surely! We can't get LO to sleep at night unless he's fed to sleep in bed with me or on OH's chest (having a totally unsuitable novel read aloud to him). At 2.5wks old I'm not going to worry about it - highly unlikely I'll still be doing it in ten years' time!

My wee one has had a couple of projectile vomiting episodes but none for a few days now. The MW said it was likely that he had a bubble of wind and had taken a feed on top of it, hence the great force of vomit when the burp finally came. I think there are some rare abnormalities of the stomach which can cause persistent projectile vomiting though (my cousin had pyloric stenosis as a baby but a wee op sorted it permanently) so if it starts to happen all the time maybe get it checked.

As for the sore boobs, my ducts are still taking it in turns to block up. I massage all the sore lumpy bits down towards the nipple while I am feeding, it's much more effective than doing it between feeds. I always feel blissful relief after a feed if I've done this.

wrt projectile vomiting, we've had the same on a few occasions when I've failed to wind ds. It's a pita in the middle of the night, but when it's done he settles better. It's new to me though because I didn't have to ever wind dd. She possetted when I tried, so I ended up not bothering and she certainly didn't suffer. Think that's the difference between my delicate daughter and mygreedy little boy

Eew! I just lost (again) at "rump roulette". She only poos every 2nd or 3rd day, and when she does it's really messy, so it's a bit of a game to see which of us has to deal with it. She must be a Daddy's girl, becasue not content with having got me twice in the week, I drew the short straw again this morning, and it was very bad, even leaked out and got my 'jama bottoms wet! Just glad that I hadn't got round to getting dressed yet. Sorry, but felt I needed to share that with someone as DH just laughs at me and thinks it's a right hoot.

Jamantha, think yourself lucky! My 'darling little boy' seems to pee at every nappy change. He waits until the nappy is off and then just pees...in the night he did it to me twice....I really must go and get some more sleep suits!

Thanks for the projectile vomiting comments. Its the first time he has done it and came as a complete shock!

Chubbyscotsburd, my DH just looks like a giant next to LO and it makes me go all gooey every time he holds him. Theres something about a guy holding a baby isn't there!

Well we are having a very unsettled day. LO seems to want to scream constantly. Just managed to get him off by dancing around the kitchen singing 'the wheels on the bus'....have no idea what the words are but managed to think of some funny ones to amuse myself!

Amazing what you can think of when under pressure!

Hope your all doing okay.