June Babies 2019

[2countries1bump]

So it continues- welcome over from the antenatal thread and any new joiners. How's everyone getting on?

Yes I miss some of the time with my DS1. It's strange as was always just me and him during the day. But I think it'll be easier to juggle and share time when DS2 is older.

Yes naps, I really felt this a lot in the first few weeks, I would almost pine for my older son. I couldn’t pick him up for ages because of my c section which made it a lot worse (he’s only just 2). It’s much better now though as we’re finding out flow, 6 weeks in.

Yes @Napssavelives I feel like this too - I physically miss my DD who is 3 as I was usually putting her to bed and cuddling her a lot, and she liked me to pick her up and carry her up and down the stairs. It's a lot more difficult I know when you're alone and don't have the option of someone else taking over, but my DP almost never takes the baby unless I specifically ask him to so I don't get a chance to give DD the attention she is used to. Trying to remind myself it's all just a phase and a short one in the grand scheme of things but it isn't easy!

I'm exactly the same as everyone else. Massively missed DS in the first month or so but getting a better balance now entering week 7. It's hard with BF as I can't always put DS1 to bed anymore either. It'll pass tho!

@Kimbishop86 @toomanyflatwhites Hey guys- how's everyone going? We are making some progress! Finally some consistency of weight gain, discharged from midwife and health visitor said see you at 9 months- a big weight off my mind!

Breastfeeding still going with 1 expressed bottle every day and a formula bottle every so often. Hard work but I hope we are making it. Had some pain on one breast which might be blocked duct/bad latch but am trying to ease it. Also lots of crazy leaks. Have a crisis of confidence about once a week but persisting.

Most excitingly we have DD's passport and are traveling home in a week. Not looking forward to packing/flight but will be very excited to be home.

How's everyone else - any first smiles?

That sounds really positive 2countries1bump I'm glad feeding is going well and the weight gain is starting to be more consistent.
Keep an eye on the pain and make sure you use nipple cream if you're sore before it gets too bad. If it's a blocked duct I think massage in the shower is supposed to help, that and feeding! But I have very limited breastfeeding experience so am not the best person to listen to!

All good here, DS2 is now 7 weeks and a good weight! Lots of proper smiles which is lovely. He's a much "easier" baby compared to DS1 at this age but think it helps I've done it before so am a bit more clued up! Still getting the odd problem with his nappies - had constipation when he was a few weeks and now we seem to have the opposite problem some days and then no problem at all on other days! It's hard to keep up.

Hope everyone is doing ok x

That's great @2countries1bump! How long is the flight home?
We are ok but i do feel like I'm struggling quite a bit. With my DD who is 3 other friends who had babies at similar times marvelled at home well I was doing and that I was going here there and everywhere with her, and taking it all in my stride. I don't know if this is colouring my memory of everything, or if DS is actually more tricky than she was, or if it's the fact of having two children now, but I just keep feeling like o want to throw on the towel (not an option of course!) and wishing my life away to years ahead when things are easier. DP has been mega stressed and busy at work so that adds another layer plus we are going away to the in-laws in France in a week (which I always dread) then due to move house (buying and selling) shortly after we get back. And DD, having been at full time nursery all along is now off until September, just when she has turned into a little bugger....
I suppose it's little wonder I'm stressed when I write it all down like this!

@toomanyflatwhites wow that's a plateful! I'm getting a lot of those "you look great/are so brave/seem so calm" comments and I think they are meant well but just stress me out. Flight is 3.5hrs so longer side of short haul. I'm hoping she'll just feed/sleep. How are you getting to France? I empathize with sometimes wishing to fast forward to an easier stage and then I feel guilty for not relishing the early weeks as they are flying by.

@KoalasAteMyHomework thanks for the tips! Just has a go in the bath and the hard lump is gone so I think that's good news. I have a bunch of creams but the pain is in the breast itself while she feeds, the skin is holding up just fine. I'm going back to the breastfeeding group Tuesday to see what they suggest. So glad you are getting lots of smiles- I think we've had a few but not totally sure.

@2countries1bump great that you can get back to the breastfeeding group, it's definitely worth speaking to them for advice.

@toomanyflatwhites well I've been told boys can be much harder work lol, but I haven't had a girl so can't compare! But equally you have a hell of a lot going on so it's not surprising that you are feeling overwhelming especially with your partner stressed and not able to help much. My DS is 4 and on summer break til he starts school in Sep, so I understand how hard it is juggling two during the long 6 weeks!
Do try and look after yourself though, and I know that's easier said than done. Some of what you have said reminds me of how I felt with DS1 - I just wanted to fast forward to when it gets easier and fantasised about walking out the front door and getting a train somewhere random like Scotland (I'm in South East England). Turns out I had quite bad post natal depression. So I'm not saying that's what you have but please keep an eye and if it all feels too much then have a chat with your health visitor or GP.

@2countries1bump all going well here! We've had smiles and generally a very good little boy. His big brother loves him now And always wants to give him cuddles and kisses. Haven't had him weighed in ages but he's busting out of his clothes so I know he's getting bigger! Great news for you and going home! I'm sure the flight will be fine!

@2countries1bump all going well here! We've had smiles and generally a very good little boy. His big brother loves him now And always wants to give him cuddles and kisses. Haven't had him weighed in ages but he's busting out of his clothes so I know he's getting bigger! Great news for you and going home! I'm sure the flight will be fine!

@2countries1bump all going well here! We've had smiles and generally a very good little boy. His big brother loves him now And always wants to give him cuddles and kisses. Haven't had him weighed in ages but he's busting out of his clothes so I know he's getting bigger! Great news for you and going home! I'm sure the flight will be fine!

@Kimbishop86 Thanks! Nice to hear all is going well.

Can I ask advice on the 8 week vaccinations - did people give Calpol before or just after?

@2countries1bump we took it with us and gave it straight after

@2countries1bump DS2 hasn't had his yet. With DS1 I didn't give it before as then I wouldn't know if he actually got a fever or not. I had some ready for after but he didn't need it in the end, just slept a lot so didn't use it at all for the first lot of jabs.

@KoalasAteMyHomework @Blondcat Thanks!! Thursday for us. Fingers crossed she doesn't react too badly before flight Saturday.

@KoalasAteMyHomework @Blondcat She seems to have done fine so far but there have been lots of extra snuggles just in case. Thanks for the advice!

@2countries1bump glad she has been OK. We had lots of extra cuddles as she was very upset and clearly had pain in one leg at least bless her. It is so hard to see them suffering but the jabs are much better to deal with than the illnesses they prevent

Well I feel like I gave misinformation now so I'm really sorry. My DS1 had his jabs a few months before they introduced the meningitis B one. So when I took DS2 for his jabs they said you are supposed to give calpol straight after which I didn't know as DS1 didn't have the MenB one. So sorry I didn't know when I posted last. Not that I think it makes a difference. It just sounds like a fever is more common after that jab.
Ds2 couldn't get his done anyway as he had a temperature! It was only 38.5 and as he seemed well and didn't feel warm I didn't realise til we got there. So now I have to go back another day which is a total pain!

@KoalasAteMyHomework We gave DD a dose straight after and one a little later. She seemed totally fine.

We survived the flight and are now home at last...really delighted to be sat on my own sofa!

@2countries1bump glad you made it back ok, hope the flight went well!

@KoalasAteMyHomework Flight was great- she slept or fed nearly the whole way. No ear pressure problems even on descent where she wasn't feeding as she'd fallen asleep.

Now however she's fighting naps and bedtimes like crazy- anyone else struggling to get theirs to sleep?

Thought I’d check in, it’s been a while. How is everyone getting on?

@Kescilly Tough going here. DH rather stuck in his ways and finding the adjustment particularly hard.

Main challenge is not letting DD get overtired as she really fights every nap.

How are you doing?

It's a juggling act! Summer holidays have been particularly hard as my autistic son is really struggling being out of routine. But we are managing and baby is doing really well and thankfully is mostly quite chilled. Although I think he is teething already at only 10 weeks!