October 2007 - the golden piglets have landed

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I couldn't find a postnatal thread - not sure if I am just missing it with post-childbirth brain! Anyone else around??

OK really am off to bed now!

Hi all

Well done Inzi! Good for you.

Alice/Mrs F/Muppet, I ordered a sling too just now! We can compare notes eventually...

My inlaws came yesterday. I was sillily nervous but it was okay. They suddenly though announced they'd like to come up for a week the week after next and help me while DH is at work (this because I had a section). I was really non-plussed and didn't know what to say as I know I don't yet know how hard it'll be with just me but I can't imagine it working with them here car-less (they'd come on the train). So I had to babble a bit about waiting to see and how kind etc, and all the while thinking oh dear. My SIL was here too with her daughter and they kept on about what good sleepers her kids were and their fab routine. Rebecca is not a very good sleeper (like her mummy!) indeed can be a bit of a nuisance in the night refusing to go back in her basket after a feed and wanting cuddles all night. But she's only 10 days old!

Today we're going to visit my parents, that is if the midwife gets here before lunch - no sign of her so far - she is to weigh Rebecca and check my wound. I think Rebecca is putting weight on as I can see her legs getting chubbier (they were stick like when she was born!) but I'm a paranoid bfeeder so who knows (oh and I've not used the shields since Tuesday - result!).

I am loving having runny cheeses again... have eaten so much cheese since giving birth. And my psoriasis has vanished since Rebecca was born!

Off to rehydrate - am permanently thirsty!

Hey everyone, seems like it's hugabub's all around here! i've got a mamas and papa's carrier but have to wait until ds is 3.5kg before he can go in it, he's 3.2kg at the moment. You know i was saying the other day his poo's had changed since swiching to formula? well, now he hasn't poo'd at all for about 24hrs , plenty of wet nappies but no poo! You think i should be worried?
On a lighter note despite having sore nips and a 3rd degree tear, one thing that has actually gone well for me is my weight loss, i didn't really put much on whilst preggers (i did try but all the galaxy caramels didn't make much difference), anyway after 2 weeks i was back to my pre pregnancy weight of 1st 1lb! even got my old jeans back on, although they are stretchy ones, haven't been dieting, think i've just sweated it away in my sleep .
Anyway off to try and wash my hair whilst dh watches ds cause i look like a tramp. catch ya all later

Erm... just read that back... i'm not 1st 1lb, more like 11st 1lb

hurray! no need to worry about the poo, he just had a 'blow out' after his feed, guess he's not constipated then

Hello ladies!

Choc glad your pil visit wasn't as stressful as you imagined. Wait and see how you feel in the next couple of days about them coming up for a week. It might be a godsend but knowing the relationship you have with them they might just drive you mad! My mil is great and has made a big thing of demonstrating that she will always do exactly as I want with the boys and she is lovely with them plus we get on pretty well but I think she would drive me mad for a whole week without dh about... Make sure you do what YOU want and are not pressurised into anything or it might be more stressful than having to manage on your own. You will be able to do more than you think and there is no need to do anything other than look after Rebecca. All heavy stuff your dh can sort and food shopping can be done online. Plus as you don't drive anyway you will probably feel less restricted than most as this will be no different for you.

Inzi I had a baby bjorn with Sam - its one of the traditional ones and the back support is non existant. SOme of the newer ones are better at this. I do think its a pretty good sling but I'm much happier with the hugabub. It holds Adam much closer and really is handsfree so is much better with Sam to look after.

Anyway speaking of mil's mine is up for the weekend s off to socialise now! Will prob be back later....

Hi All!
So much for "I'll be back" !!!
DH decided that as friends/ work associates from South Africa were visiting their relatives nearby "we" ie. he and his best mate/work collegue plus their wives and children (best mate has a 9yr old and an 18 week old)should all meet up for a meal, and as we had two infants between us to tote around, in his infinate wisdom he decided that rather than have us all eat out, we (ie me!)would entertain them all so as well as having to teach in the afternoon he expected me get the house fit for entertaining, do the shopping and cooking for a 4 course meal for 7 at the same time as coping with Alex who was decidedly under the weather after his 1st jabs (running a slight temperature, suffering slightly more than his usual colic feeding sporadically and very very clingy)Needless to say that by the time he got home to babysit while I was teaching I was tired to the point of tears and when after teaching the 1st half hour lesson I announced that I was knackered he said "why? you've only worked for half an hour?" he nearly lost his life! Lesson learned; we are not entertaining again unless Dh is home to do at least half the preparations and baby sitting!

I like the idea of these hugabubs... yesterday it would have been a godsend..me thinks I'll have a close look at them.

I meant to say to Greedy the other day that though I second the "slap you round the face with a wet fish" comment I also understand how you feel...we have made the logical, sensible decision not to try have another child because of my age, all previous losses, the pregnancy complications I picked up and the risk of having a disabled child for Alex to be left to care for in later life... but emotionally, having spent 3 years trying for a child, it is a habit hard to break; it was quite addictive rolling an emotional rollercoater in a "will this be the one" sort of way, and I will admit that I was close to tears in Mothercare today looking at clothes for Alex and thinking 0-3 months would be too small soon and that I would never be looking for newborn or 0-3 clothes again.... but if I admit to coming off the progesterone only pill my gp has prescribed you may slap me round the face with the biggest wet fish you can find! Alex needs his Mum fit and healthy, not playing Russian roulette with her life trying for a sibling for him.
Right, I'm off to get a nap before we have to go out to a fancy dress party...we are going dressed a babies (mainly because they were the only outfits that fit!)with Alex in his most grown up outfit as the adult "in charge"

I was considering a hugabub but was worried about all that material. I am pretty small. Is that an issue for those who have one?

At the moment I am happy with my corrie though.

BF slowly improving - I actually have done feeds in different rooms in my house rather than just on the sofa in Dareh's room. Today I went with my mum to the feeding room in boots to try it out. It's still hurting but getting better bit by bit.

I am pretty small - 5' 1" and size 8 and my wrap sling is fine on me. I guess you end up with longer ends, but that would be the only difference. Joe asleep in the cot, dh has taken ds1 with him to drop off dsc and I can't summon any enthusiasm to go do the household shop or anything else productive. Intend to veg on sofa in front of tv for a bit...

Afternoon all ... dh went to the hospice where C has moved to this afternoon - it was incredibly traumatic for him - C has just days left - he can't eat as he has no control over his neck. Very sad situation. DH is being incredibly brave.

DS is staying with my parents tonight - he went to the model railway exhibition with my dad this afternoon at Pontypridd Museum - they had a ball ... he loves going on his adventures with Grandad!

I stayed home and made myself rest: Mairwen and I went to bed together and snoozed all afternoon ... the Gaviscon is definitely helping - she only had one feed in the night last night at 4am ... I feel dreadful today - I've obviously had too much sleep!

The bad side effect of the Gaviscon is the effect it's having on M's poo - from the runny bf baby poo, it's now the same orange colour - but the consistency of mushy peas! She really grunts and strains to get it out! Watch out that Adam doesn't get constipated, Alice!

I'm out tonight with the girls I met at antenatal class with ds - really don't feel like going ... but I'll enjoy myself when i'm there - dh is driving me so I can have a drink ... he obviously wants to have some (more) hot loving! It's official - it still all works down there - and it wasn't too painful
Right - off to feed the baby, and express to empty my boobs ... that way I can happily throw the later expressing down the sink ...

Stefka - am really glad that bf is getting better - hang on in there!

FT I am I couldn't imagine entertaining anyone, let alone teaching and entertaining in the one day. You should leave DH in charge of Alex for the day just so he understands how tiring it is

Stefka I have the opposite concern from you, I am very big and wasn't sure if the hugabub would work with my size.

You are all putting me to shame with the amount of things that you are doing, I can just about manage to look after Zoe, get dressed and feed myself every day!

Just out of interest does anyone fancy doing a pole about the type of birth they had? I had an emergency section under GA

Floria gobsmacked at you and the 4 course meal for 7!!! We have entertained since Adam was born but always strictly takeaway and don't expect the house to be tidy kind of way!!!

Ejt glad it all still works

Stefka delighted the bf is getting less painful

The hugabub would work for any size as becuase it is one long length of material it will fit anyone. Like mump I am pretty small (5ft and size 10) and it fits me fine. Plenty of material left over so it would fit bigger girls too....

Shattered today. But we have had a lovely dinner out with the boys and miul and she is settling Adam now.... Off to watch x factor results - didn't see the earlier show though.... Catch you later or tomorrow....

ejt seding you and your dh big hugs - the next few days will be very traumatic for you I guess. Hope you are both ok xxx

Hey everyone, managed to get out of te house before it was dark and do some christmas shopping, although only bought 2 presents and some chocolate for myself, we popped in to see the pil's too and now are back relaxing to i'm a celebrity so quite a productive day really, even managed to do the washing up! Stefka - so glad thinks are starting to improve with your bf, even if it's just a little bit it's a step in the right direction, so proud of you for carrying on through the pain, i couldn't do it myself, you're doing so well, hope it carries on improveing for you . catch ya all later

Well done Stefka, you keep going girl. I had a difficult time too at first with bf..left nip esp very,very sore ... but things have become easier gradually. Breast shells, lansinoh and expressing to give them a rest all helped and things are definately not so bad now; watching Alex gain 1 lb 2oz in a week and getting tons of admiration from the MWs was gratifying .
At the moment I'm waiting for Alex to re-awaken...he's still not quite himself after the jabs on Thursday, he didnt feed at all well during day yesterday but suddenly decided on long voracious feeds at 8pm ,9.30pm and 11.30pm;though the dinner party on Fri and the fact we were at a fancy dress party for friend last night have put out our routine which hasnt helped(the friend has terminal cancer and this was her "Christmas" party in case she doesnt make it to Dec 25th ; EJT you and your Dh have all my sympathy at this dreadful time, it is dreadful to watch someone you care for slipping away, I'm so sorry for C...for us,this is the second time we have had to go through it this year, having watched my Dad deteriorate last March and watching V do the same now I do understand what you and your Dh are going through)... anyway, back to feeding, Alex quenched his thirst on me at 3am, took 2oz of ebm at 5am and has just fed for just 2mins and gone determinedly back to sleep at 7am....either he is trying, in the most unsucessful way, to go through the night or he is trying to exhaust me..either way he is going to need a good feed shortly so it is a waste of time trying to get to sleep again...
mantra; "this will soon pass, this will soon pass"
Have a good Sunday everyone.

Hi everyone and big hugs to Ejt and your DH- I hope Mairwen and Rhydian can be some comfort but am thinking of you; these things are so hard to go through and not much really helps.

Floria, you sound a bit like Superwoman! Dinner parties and hungry babies, wow. I am sorry about your friend ; I hope you are doing okay.

Stefka, congrats! I was going to suggest you tried nipple shields temporarily - I used them for 4 days when Rebecca forgot how to latch on and the midwives were pretty supportive of that, then I kept trying her without them, usually halfway through a feed, and she remembered how to latch and we've been shield-free for five days now! The shields had no effect on my milk supply IMO as the little gannet has managed to put on a stonking 14 oz since she was born 12 days ago.
I haven't bf in front of anyone yet apart from DH and my mum though - my technique is less than discreet - I need practice!
Any bfeeding mums out there - when did your babies start to feed regularly/routinely? Rebecca sometimes goes four hours and sometimes one hour... difficult to plan... but am feeding on demand.

Rebecca was very good yesterday and overnight. We took her to her grandparents and lots of their friends turned up and feted her and even someone I'd never met who seemed to know all about me (this baby thing is weird!). Rebecca got lots more presents (cue me having to buy even more packs of thank you cards and write more letters - I'm not ungrateful but I can't keep up with it!) - still people want to celebrate a baby being born and that's nice. Today it's our first just us day (believe it or not - we have had people EVERY DAY since Rebecca was born) which will be a nice change.

As for weight you're all doing so well! I am still avoiding the scales... but my stomach does seem to be receding a bit...

Have a good Sunday all you yummy mummies!

Hiya all
Sorry I have been quiet on here for a while have been having a hard time with ds1 and even today am having one. I am at a loss as to what to do, yesterday he thought it was ok to kick me and then go to punch me. It took all i had not to kick him back, i simply poured cold water on him....stupid really as i had to then dry the floor lol. Because he has acted like a total baby i have no designated a bottle and a dummy to him and everytime he wants a drink i have put it in a bottle...maybe I am cruel????

Anyway I am going to find a huge glass of liquid valium and swallow it before murder occurs in my home.

Sorry for me me me post, i kept it short lol

Ejt thanks, i got book on friday. I have started reading it and am surprised at how much it relates to ds1...oddly enough it is also relating to his feelings towards my eldest nephew.....don't know why but i can see from reading that the reactions are the same....hopefully after i finish it i will have some solution to this all lol

thanks, shall return it as soon as i have finished reading it xxxxxx

Hello all

Floria hope Alex picks up soon...

LES so sorry to hear you are having such a rough time with ds1. No experience on how to deal with children his age but sending you big hugs...

Choc with Sam we had people we had never met (friends of dh's parents) sending us presents!! Totally bizarre....

Anyway off to chill while boys sleep - back later x

Hey everyone, hope you're all doing ok, les- sorry to hear you're having a hard time with ds1, hope it calms down soon, sure someone will have some good advice for you . choc- my ds seemed to go in to a routine of of feeding about once every 2 hours at 2 weeks old, switched to formula and still same routine, he always goes longer through the night though, 3/4 hours between then, of course that doesn't mean yours will feed every 2 hours but might settle in to a pattern soon?
Not done much today but managed to have a bit of a tidy round, ds is almost big enough for the mamas and papas sling thing we got him, tried him in it, he looked so cute . Pils popped round to see us which was nice, had a cup of tea whilst i fed ds. Mil mentioned we should be careful about not taking ds out too late in the evening when it's so cold, (they live just round the corner so sometimes stay there quite late then drive back home about the time of his last feed which is 11pm ish) i think she was just concerned he would catch a chill but we always wrap him up warm and bring him back in the car so it's not like he's outside for more than about 2 mins... anyway i think from the point of view of getting him in to a bedtime routine it might be best to be home eariler in the evening but we really have just been following the routine he's set at the moment and he's always awake earlier than that or only has short naps.
We got a webcam at aldi yesterday, it was only 11.99 and is 1.3mp, used it to chat to my brother on msn as he lives nearly a 5 hour drive away in kingswinford so it was great for him to see his nephew, gonna chat to my other brother on it too who lives about a 4 hour drive away in peterborough, it's a great way to keep in touch when you don't feel confident enough to make such a long journey yet, well worth the money! Anyway ds should be waking for a feed any minute so better go prepare it, catch ya all soon

Dal we have a webcam too - my sis lives in new zealand so agree its a great way to stay in touch!

About taking babies out in the evening - personally don't see what the problem is as long as they're well wrapped...

Just trying to settle Adam - he's totally shattered bless him - made them mistake of going out without the bloody hugabub this pm! Never mind...

I hear you on the BF choc - it will be a while before I can do it out and about. I am very clumsy at the moment and it takes me ages to get him on. I need it to stop hurting before I worry about that though.

He slept from 11-7 last night. I didn't - I woke up at half three thinking he must need fed and couldn't get back to sleep!

Hey stefka, wow 11 - 7, would be amazing if ds did that, although like you i'd probably wake up and wonder why he hadn't anyway