December 2007 - Santa's come early for some of us...

[Housemum]

Thought I'd start off the new thread as I've never started one before - congratulations to those of you who are on here now - hope I'll be joing you in the not-too-distant future!

Far too organised Buzzy, I can't get to expressing now after a feed, I find it too much, though I'm thankful that Bfing is portable and easy. Will eventually FF though, I think when she's on solids. I must admit I'm loving BFing, much more than I thought I would, I love looking at her as she's feeding and she looks so content, and that milk-drunk face afterwards is a picture.

Is 4 good nights a routine? If so, then I think we've cracked it. Feed at 9.30pm, down at 10pm, not a peep until 4am!! Feed, change, feed then down until she wakes at 8am when DH leaves for work, feed, change, wash and dress her, feed again, then down until 11am. (which is fab cos I get to shower and sort out the house, and mn, until she's up again) feed every 3hrs during the day, with a nappy change in between breasts, then bath anytime between 6-8 which she loves surprisingly, then into her sleepsuit ready for last feed at 9.30pm ish. It's been pretty spot on for the last 4 nights so I'm hoping it will continue as it works really well for us both.

She's still on the infacol though and I want her off it pretty soon, don't like giving baby drugs but am worried she'll have painful gas again.

Am a bit sad that she's out of her newborn clothes now, but have soooo much 0-3 that I really need to get her in them all before she grows out of them, (barely spent a penny on them too) Starting to ebay off her newborn stuff, don't want to be left with tons of old baby clothes, plus I could do with the money, feeling the pinch now with SMP, bought our flights this week for our summer hols before we can hardly afford anything else - and DH has been told that the company may be going under, hmmm great!

envious of your routine ambi- good work!

BT glad you had a better day

still swings and roundabouts here too. Millie better, but totally recovered from her nasty wind- but i am now back drinking much more water, eating live yoghurt etc and i ahve given her some gripe water a couple of times, though i don't know if it helps.

loucee- my mum was telling me about the weather- what a shocker! Dad is ok, thanks for asking. He is in hospital at teh moment and will be discharged into a nursing home as he is too heavy for mum. He is sooo much better as he is getting some good rehab in hairmyers. I am actually flying up monday week with millie and i can't wait to see his face when he sees her! He can't communicate verbally in a reliable way, so to see his face is the only way to go.

Night nanny is proving v unreliable. I know i shouldn't whinge on here when everyone else is managing without, but she has cancelled us 6 times at the last minute including last night and the night before. We are obviously doing ok, but it is DH's birthday this weekend and we were supposed to be going out for dinner with a load of friends tonight. I just don't know if she is coming- she always gets a relative to call. Och well, i will nbite the bullet and call the agency if she lets us down again. So annoying- i plan everything expecting her to be here.

Hello all.

Ambi, fantastic routine, lucky you. I'm not doing well on the routine front because DS can't get himself to sleep. It takes ages to get him to nap. I'm trying to leave him in a dark room in his cot - no joy just screaming for ages. These days he doesn't even fall asleep on me or DH. I take him out for a walk and he'll sleep a bit but wake up after 10 mins. Oh well, he sleeps fairly well at night so can't complain.

Yesterday was a bit of a red letter day. Midwife finally signed me off! DS has gained enough weight, after 7 1/2 weeks and bfing is going much better.

Ambi - am of your routine!!
Ds is still feeding every 1.5 - 2 hours.
Someone has said they think I might have thrush, but not so sure - no sign of white spots in ds's mouth, nipples look okay, pain in in the breast rather than the nipple. Don't think it is a problem with latch as I don't get very much pain when I'm feeding him, just after feeding my breasts ache.

wooo

i THINK i have DD finally in the calin blue sling correctly - she has conked out asleep almost immediately! i can feel the heat building up already though (fleece sling) so better not leave her in there for too long or she'll bake i think!

sling users - does your LO sit straight upright in them? she seems a bit slumped, head to one side, resting on my boob, is that ok?

Just quickly reading through while I have hands free!

well done ambi, great routine!! Don't worry about it lasting or not, just enjoy!

Thanks to all for bottle advice, it is a whole new world!

loucee and amani how are you feeling?

has anyone seen/heard from thelady? she was on our due in dec thread and i know she had a rough time when her lo was born, just wondering how she is doing?

i have just read the funniest thing in the calin blue instruction booklet - "do not leave your baby unattended in the carrier"....?!!

lol caz10 - I suppose they havw to write that just in case some silly bugger leaves their baby in it propped up against a wall or something!

lizzer - glad appt went as well as could be expected and that he slept through it, must be a long wait for the results though

amani - your poor thing, you have done so so well to getg this far and really hope ABs work for you this time

I am also stll having a nighmare with BF - have been ill all week and yesterday nipples were suddenly excrutiating during feeding again - went to doc who said it was unlikely to be thrush because last bout of treatment would have got rid of it so he is going to test some of my breast milk for other infections. I can;t believe I am STILL in pain 6 weeks in. Have thought about switching to formula for the first time although I really really don;t want to. Just don;t understand why it is still sore

am also very of all these impressive routines - 10pm to 4am ambi? That is ridiculously impressive! DS is now going three hours between night feeds and I was quite pleased with that!

clairey - you poor thing with your screaming DS - must be so depressing for you. Hopefully not much longer now until he settles down

oops time for another feed...

lol Caz, I must have missed that bit of the instructions!
DS has his head upright mostly (v strong neck) but when he goes to sleep it tends to loll to one side a bit. Doesn't look very comfortable but he will sleep for hours like that!

Insy did you get the gauze wrap? I'm not finding it as comfortable as the fleece but is definitely much cooler. Is meant to soften up after a few washes so hopefully that will do it.

Suey, that's really annoying for you. Must be really difficult never knowing if she is going to show up or not.

Guess what? DS slept pretty well last night and settled fairly easily after feeds but DD was awake for 2 hours in the middle of the night and just kept crying. It was when ds was asleep too which made it all the more annoying! Ah well, one day I'll get some sleep! We worked out I haven't had a full nights sleep since August 2005 (before I was pregnant with dd).

Oh Claireybee it's depressing isn't it (the lack of sleep). Good news on the ds sleepbut at dd. Sometimes I feel we need to start a new thread - baby and toddler at the same time(I am at my WITS END with dd1 and her tantrums - EVERYTHING, from getting dressed in the morning to getting her out of the car when we get home takes forever and some long, protracted negotiation which should stand me in good stead for a job at the UN one day....).

Skidaddle - yes, Pakistan is probably still on - a few other irons in the fire but that is still looking like the most likely outcome. Of course if things turn dodgy again and they decide it's not safe to go out there with children we won't go. But at the moment, we are hoping to go out about July/August time.... BTW very cute baby! I would put some pics up of my newly chunky baby but have yet to work out how....

Macdoodle - have just booked to go to Centreparcs (Longleat) in May so will be interested how you get on. Let me know when you get back if there was anything in particular you found useful for a baby.

Someone asked about c/section scars? I have been very lucky and had no trouble at all - was driving, doing the big supermarket shop etc at 3 weeks so recovery has been excellent. I have always had good stomach muscles though so perhaps this helped?

Ambi - that sounds like a good routine and I think 4 days counts! However as someone else said, enjoy it while you can as nothing lasts forever. I can't count the amount of times I have started to relax with dd1 only for teething or a cold or something else to muck things up again.

I think we are also starting to get into a routine - whatever time we feed her she seems to wake at 2 and 5am Hmmm. Need to try and pursuade her to stretch until 6am and I will be a lot happier (and less tired)...

Suey - maybe it's a bit of a luxury but at the end of the day you are relying on your night nanny - I would complain!! Do you have to pay for her on the nights she doesn't turn up? And I am that she doesn't even tell you herself! Reall hopes she sorts herself out for the weekend!
Caz - yep, I would put that along side such gems as "Caution:May contain nuts" on a packet of peanuts
Been feeling very lethagic and lazy all day.
Then I had a nap along with ds, we had an an hour and half before he woke up wanting a feed (he had one just before nap!), tried to make him wait a little longer but he wasn't having it. Do feel better for it though, in fact have just cleaned the kitchen!

I'm kind of shocked myself, but it just happened, and I'm definitely making the most of those solid hours of sleep, before it all goes to pot!

Been to 6 week check up, Doc: Is everything ok? Me: Yes, fine so far, Doc: ok then, just come back if there is a problem.[hmmm]

Caz, I spotted dumb advice today too on the milk we have, it says, allergy advice: contains milk! Seriously surely that's just a waste of ink!

Aww bless, she's dancing away here on the sofa next to me....[heart melting emoticon]

Well girls, I think a nice glass of red is calling me tonight to start the weekend, when I get a bit of time to myself whilst DH is babysitting. Wishing you all some decent zzz's for the weekend..

Skid - I know your pain, believe me. It is horrible. The only reason I have stuck with breastfeeding is because I got engorged when I missed a feed and my nips were so cracked it hurt more to use my pump. Thanks to antibiotics and diclofenac (sp?) anti inflamatory from the GP I think I have turned a corner. I had breast and nipple pain but they both seem to have got better, not 100% yet but much improved. I really hope it gets better for you too. It took 7 weeks for me to get here.

Have finished my antibiotics today, so tomorrow night I'm opening a bottle - perhaps some of the fizzy stuff that everyone's been giving us to celebrate DS's arrival. Who knows, DH may even be in for a bit of lovin' for the first time since DS's arrival (tmi? sorry, am in a good mood).

Hi everyone

sounds quite positive from most of us, although sorry to hear that Skid is still getting pain in boobs. How great that your Doc is going to test your breastmilk - do you think he could give you any more breakdown to your milk? I would be fascinated to find out what's in mine!

Wizz - did your AB's specifically say not to drink alcohol on them? do you mind me asking which ones they are? I am on my 2nd lot of ABs and have had the odd glass of wine whilst on them but that's without realising I shouldn't

Ambi fantastic that you have got a good routine and most impressed with your little one sleeping so well at night. Do you mind me asking to add if there's a pattern to how long your DD is awake for prior to those sleeping periods? I've been trying to keep DS awake for a good time before I put him down at night but sometimes he's started sleeping then waking for a feed then back to sleep at about 5pm!

Suey I can imagine how much you're looking forward to seeing your Dad's face when he sees Millie. Lovely that you are upto making the trip so early as well. Are you all sorted for getting from A to B?

Had a good day today, left the house at 10am and went to toddler group. DD was a star and wee DS got lots of attention and was brilliant. Then went straight to a friend's house where all our other friends and babies were meeting and spent the afternoon there til 5pm! Got home at 5.30 and DD/DS were still being lovely. Gave me confidence that I CAN do this.

On a not so positive note I am totally lacking confidence in my breastfeeding. I saw my friend BF her 5wks old today and he fed, fed, fed then came off boob of his own accord then was very content then slept and didn't root/suck his hands for another 3 hours. Us on the other hand, I fed DS, who kept falling asleep then rooted again then was awake for 15 mins then rooting/sucking hands etc getting upset. I just wish someone from a BF org would actually let me go to their house so they can witness him feeding over 4/5 hours - I appreciate this isn't always convenient etc but I am willing to pay someone if they can help and if there was a chance we could change this or work out if something was wrong/could be improved.

Loucee - I understand what you mean about struggling with bfing in that way, your ds sounds like mine. Is their a breastfeeding group you can go to? I'm going to one on Monday, hoping to get some advice there. A bit annoyed at my HV I was feeding Daniel when she was there, I was clearly struggling getting him latched on he was doing the hysterical head thrashing routine again and she didn't comment at all!
I think we had a better night last night, fed ds when I went to bed, put him down at around 11:30, he woke up at 1am for a feed, went down again at 1.30am. Then he woke again at I think at 2am, fed him again and DH changed his nappy, but he didn't settle. He woke again at 3am, but I gave him back his dummy and dozed off. He woke again and I was "Well you can;t be hungry I fed you less than an hour ago!!" so Dh tried to settle him, only I looked across and I was actually 5am!!! So felt horribly guilty and fed him again!! So I'm not that sure of times! I think I'm going to have to write them down so I know...

Well DD's latest trick is explosive poos!! First few weeks was getting a dirty nappy 4-6 times per day, last few days has gone over 24 hours with no poos then lets them loose all at once. Right up the front of her body suit one time, had to use about 20 baby wipes before I could even risk pulling it off over her head. Then out the side and all over my skirt when I was over having dinner with my neighbours tonight . Trying to work out whether its something I've been eating?

loucee call the Breast Feeding Network - first time someone came to my house to watch me feed, then I went to her house the next time. It's their job (well, volunteers but you know what I mean!) so don't feel bad like I did at first!
Also if there's a group near you they will watch you feed there too, and if it's like mine then toddlers etc all welcome too.

I am still crap at it mind you....!

But they've really helped.

bfn

Yep, ds has done the explosive poos, all over his vest, despite washing with loads of stain remover ended up binning it!

sorry that was v rushed, meant to say hi and hope everyone is doing ok!

explosive pooos - oh yes! my favourite was when she was on the changing table, i lifted her legs and she shot it out straight at me

buzzy hers have slowed down as well, 1-2 a day at most now, nothing yesterday so waiting for a giant one today! how old is your lo now, mine is almost 7 weeks, maybe it's just an age thing?

Loucee ? She?s usually awake from 6pm-9pm, ie when daddy is home and wants to play with her, although she did conk out after a 7pm feed and we could not wake her at all, but it didn?t seem to affect the night, I think I fed her a bit later, maybe 11pm when she?d woken up. She doesn?t tend sleep for long periods through the day, catnaps for an hour or two but doesn?t go off completely. I suppose there?s no real pattern, if she looks sleepy after a day feed I?ll put her back in the moses basket, or leave her out to play with me if not, but she always lets me know when 3hrs are up cos she?s hungry.

Explosive poos are awful, esp. when they?re so loose such a nightmare to clean up. DD does love to wee on her mummy though, I?m really shocked at the angle, I always though it was boys who managed to aim right at you.

I cannot believe the sun is out here, it feels like springtime in this conservatory.

Hello All, finally got some time to myself (well ds asleep across my knee but dd and dp are out doing errands so i have a peaceful house!) Thanks for all your lovely, lovely comments about ds's kidney scan.Its great being able to offload on here. I was bragging to my friend about my online ante/post natal gang of girlies - she was really impressed! Don't you think we're really lucky to be in a totally fab group?

Hmm, well my week was bizarre after ds's trip to children's ward on tues we were back there again with dd on thurs evening with dd covered in a rash that did not 'blanche' when our gp pressed it, she had sore throat, fever etc and they basically needed to rule out meningitis Thankfully it wasn't. But we all had to hang around whilst they did the revelant checks with dd visibly distressed by it all and me and dp trying to hold it all together after a bloody stressful week!!!(Ds was angel though - he seemed to know his sister came first that night!) Ah well its the weekend - I'm going to drink wine tonight - YAY!!

Ambi, your routine sounds great I remember dd getting herself into one but this lo has ideas of his own He's only whinging in the night when he's got wind though so might try some infacol as colief seems not to help with trapped wind.

Anyone using gripe water? What do you think of it?

sorry I didn't get back to everyone RE smiling. My ds still hasn't and he's 5 weeks today, fingers crossed it'll be soon am v of those who have had them for a while

Wizzska, so pleased you seem to be coming through it now but for you Skid, its a bloody long time to be in pain whilst feeding.I hope you get an answer soon and the right treatment. I finish my ab's today and am praying that the 2 weeks course has done the trick and I'm mastitis free from now on, here's hoping [fingers crossing]

Who was asking about ab's and alcohol? You can totally have a drink on most ab's unless it says specifically not to, a glass or 2 of wine/beer is fine...

BT, yeah why is that poo won't come out of vests?! I hate washing!!!!I hope ds's frequency calms down soon too, there's a little bit each nappy change, would prefer a big one or 2..

Loucee, my ds feeds like that too, don't worry I expect it'll calm down soon and go for longer gaps in between, getting more efficient at draining the boob. If you get any advice though then pls pass it on!! He usually has one nap a day when i can put him down for a while otherwise its a cycle of feed,snooze,stir,root,feed etc... I think just each baby is different, try not to get caught up with your friend's baby being 'better' or 'easier' They're all just wonderfully different

Caz10 - I was thinking about thelady too the other day! Hope she's ok and Lol at the sling instructions too

Must go and make it look like i'vedone something more than mning! Hope you're all having a nice weekend

Hi everyone

Ah feel great today, didnt get much sleep over night but had my legs waxed this morning and wow my legs feel a stone lighter!

Caz thanks for BFN link, I contacted then ages ago when bfing DD but the lady who answered was in Perth! so too far to visit. I'm near E Kilbride so hopefully there might be someone closer? Our local support group is crap

Bouncing I'll pass on any tips I get. Sorry your HV wasn't any help, I honestly don't think they get very good training and can only offer the basic advice.

Buzzy oh yes explosive poohs! I find Pampers and Huggies nappies are containing ours quite well but DS passes most of his wind through his bum so any time I change a nappy it's like a machine - legs up to lift nappy and out shoots the poo!

lol at Loucee - i've had my eyebrows done and I feel lighter too (yes, they were that bad!)

Suey2 - Did you try the Dill water?

Talking about pooing had a funny incident yesterday when both DD1 and DD2 both made 'poo-ing' noises at the same time and simulatenously (sp?) soiled thier nappies!

cross posted Lizzer thanks for info on ABs. hope your course has got rid of your mastitis. You're right about the babies all being different but I can't help but think it's something I am doing with the feeding that is making DS feed like that.

With the poo I find putting a bit of fairy liquid on the spot then rinsing out prior to washing usually gets the poo out.

Loucee - I have always been under the impression that if you drink during a course of ABs they don't work properly, but I might be wrong. Haven't really researched it. You're probably right Lizzer.

As for poo, DS does some spectacular ones. I find if I get the old rubber gloves on straight away and handwash the worst off, then when they're damp I put some vanish on and leave them in a bucket. Next day its in a bucket of Nappy Soak, then washing machine. Its a bit of a nightmare, but it is better than stains on all DS's clothes.

Lizzer, nightmare about your little one's rash. I'd have been beside myself. So glad its not meningitis.