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!

Oh Skid you poor thing . That sounds horrible? Do you think the mastitis is from where he couldn't latch on properly before? It might be worth phoning one of the bf helplines or even nhs direct about your antibiotics-I had to take some after dd was born and was told they'd make my milk taste funny so I asked nhs direct for the name of an alternative and demanded those from my gp instead. Even if not try not to worry about it too much-my cousin was also prescribed them without being told about the milk and took them and her dd didn't even notice.

Have you decided on Milo now? I like the idea of trying names out for size before making a final decision-that way you can see which one really fits!

Am glad we stopped you cleaning Ambi, I only know because I didn't listen to anyone last time around and suffered for it!

My dad took pity on me yesterday Clara, what with my cold I just wasn't feeling brave enough! Is dd's toddler group xmas party tomorrow so am thinking I might venture out to that-will be my first proper outing (you see just how easy I've been taking it this time!) with ds, am feeling quite scared which I think just shows I've been shut in the house too long!

DS has put on just over 6lbs! Is a mini hoover at the moment and is feeding loads and sucking HARD-it hurts!

Fifi My dh is doing my head in too-going on about how tired he is when I'm the one up all night feeding while he snores beside me-AND I'm the one who is ill too! Men!

Oh and Ambi when I got in the bath after having dd I thought there was still a maternity pad down there cos of the size of the lump, but no, it was just me! It was very scary to realise just how much I had swollen!

I agree about the DH/DP thing. Mine is already moaning about lack of sleep. He hasn't got a clue...

Good morning everyone who has made it this far today!

Just had a peek at the Dec antenatal board - it's all happening there! Contractions and babies popping all over the place. Hopefully we will be joined by a few more soon.

Skid - very sorry to hear about needing antibiotics, what a pain this early on. I don't know much about it but did they say you would be able to continue breastfeeding? I do know someone who got two bouts of mastitis early on with her baby and as far as I am aware took antibiotics and carried on with the feeding. It's just NOT what you need though, along with all the other struggles of a newborn.

Claireyb - well, if you are getting to toddlers with dd and ds, you are doing better than me (although I can't do too much due to having had a c/section). Good for you - you'll probably feel like supermum once you've done it! BTW I assume you mean ds has put on 6oz and not 6lbs - at least I hope so! 6lbs in less than 2 weeks would be fairly spectacular.....

Anyway I must do something about changing my name as not so massive anymore (look about 20 weeks pregnant now I reckon!) - will try and think of something.

morning all - thanks for all your sympathy - am feeling loads better today - mastitis is soo much better (no more screaming through feeds - me not him ) and he is still fine bf so other antibiotics not affecting my milk or else he doesn't care so all is good

ambi - that is fantastic that bf is going so well for you - def stop cleaning and just concentrate on that - she will prob feed more and more over the next few weeks and it is exhausting so your dh can do al the housework!

clairey - very impressed you are even considering going to a toddler group with both of them already - good luck! i'm still at the stage where i find going out a bit stressful unless i know there will be somewhere comfy to bf - still needing lots of cushions and propping atm

shells and fifi - think dhs will always be a bit annoying at this stage just because of the inequality in ther division of labour (do i sound like a communist?! ) - although my dh is being brilliant he still annoys me with comments about how tired he is when he's been up once to chnge ds's nappy and i've been up for 4 hours feeding

clara - trying to think of a good new name for you....

Where does time go when you've got a baby? Had a few more hours sleep last night so feel tons better compared to the last couple of days. Registered her birth this morning so it's all official, . My Porn Star boobs arrived yesterday, wow, when I fed in the night DH thought they looked like implants! Damn the (not-cheap) F cup maternity bras I own don't exactly hold them, bloody begrudge having to shell out on some more. Anyway must go, used up my 5 mins of spare time now

Well i finally snapped last night, i knew it was coming.
I took Ethan up to our room to get him settled and for some reason he has a unsettled period between 10-11 ish. So anyway i couldnt settle him and dp was downstairs watching tv so i shouted down and asked him to come and take him down stairs for a while so i could get some sleep.
He came up and said well im watching something, have you tried winding him, giving him water etc
So i said just leave him if your tv's more important, anyway we ended up having a go at each other so i put my clothes on and walked out. I was walking round the streets like a bloody idiot until i calmed down

He was full of sorry's and i love you's when i got back.

On a brighter note, Ethans doing really well, ds still loves him and is wanting to be cuddled from me again which is lovely

Yes Clara-I did mean 6oz . 6lbs in 10 days would really be something!

Went to the party today, fed ds just before leaving then snuggled him up in his sling so he went straight to sleep-slept through most of the party too which was good cos it meant I didn't have to worry about bf him while there(he still takes a while to latch on at the moment which leads to lots of nipple exposure!). Dh came too so I wasn't on my own with both of them-that can wait until after xmas!

DS has been very sleepy since we went to bed last night-was awake for over 3 hours in the evening and finally slept at 11-normally when he wakes in the night he is awake for a couple of hours but he woke twice and went straight back to sleep after a feed. He then fed again at 8ish and went back to sleep until 10.30. He was awake for about 30mins at lunchtime but thats been it so far-doesn't bode well for tonight! I did take some benylin in the night though (and only read the bottle and realised I shouldnt have this morning!) so am wondering if it is that which has made him sleepy-oops!

Glad the mastitis is getting better Skid, must be such a relief

Sorry to hear that Fifi-if it makes you feel any better my dh is exactly the same.

On Weds eve I was feeling really ill and had a high temp so tried to go to bed at 8pm-of course ds woke up as soon as I did. I then spent the next 2.5 hours trying to settle him (and trying not to faint) while dh sat downstairs on the laptop-even though I'd told him how ill I was feeling. I brought ds down to dh after I'd fed him and told him I couldn't settle him so dh patted him a few times then handed him back. I said can't you keep him for a while so I can rest and he said no he seems hungry again . I gave him back to dh and went upstairs but dh brought him up to me (quiet but not asleep) a few minutes later. Yesterday morning when dh was compalining about being tired I snapped at him and said he should have been the one to settle ds when I was ill and practically passing out-he said he didn't like to offer because I seemed "in a bad mood".

Still I can't really complain, he is being brilliant with dd, and you probably remember how a couple of months ago he was doing no childcare at all so he has come on huge leaps-it's just he doesn't stop and think that if I am ill I might need even more help than usual

Clairey - My dp has been brilliant with ds1, especially as i cant pick him up yet, so he's been looking after him, but its so annoying when he can have 10 hours sleep, and he doesnt wake up when im up through the night, and he still says he's tired.
{fangry]

Still, it could be worse i suppose

Can anyone give me some tips about getting wind up from the LOs? She feeds away quite happily and almost always dozes off and then I try and wind her but nothing comes up, so I put her down for a sleep and then inevitably 10 mins later she starts spluttering and wakes up with wind. And then its really hard to get her to go down again. So I end up carrying her round for ages and it hurts my back...

Shells I see on the Nov thread the suggestion is that this is reflux and to raise one end of her mattress?

Came home and planted a rose bush - anything to keep me kind of active! Now thinking about hanging some pictures - maybe reaching over my head will work where that long walk didn't! Rosie is so gorgeous, I want mine now!!!!!

Hello ladies! have only just found this thread, d'oh! lack of sleep is a bugger eh?!
DD is now 13 days old can't believe it. typing this with one hand while she feeds from my non-sore boob - the other one is AGONY! Called local bf support and she told me to check latch etc, I think it has been dodgy on the sore side and paying the price now! have been using lansinoh but will checj out that other stuff thanks for the tip!
someone asked re colocynth - we've been using it before night feeds with dd on the mw's recommendation after a couple of horrendously bad nights - i see an improvement but could also just be a coincidence - not stopping them just in case!

3littlebears - BOY 5 Oct (due 27 Dec)
Beachbunni - BOY end Oct (due early Dec)
Kerioke - Logan Vann 5 Nov, 5lb, 7oz (due 14 Dec)
Kitsilano GIRL, Lana 19 Nov (due 6/12) 7lb 11oz
thelady - Frances, 23 Nov (due 4/12)
Wizzska - Boy, Rory, born 2nd Dec, (due 2nd Dec)
Beanstermummy - Girl-Freya Elise, born 7 Dec (Due 30 Nov)
Caz10 - Ella - born 9th Dec (due 12th)
Claireybee - Boy - Douggie - 10th Dec (due 10th Dec)
Claraq - girl - Martha Erin - 11 Dec (due 1 Dec)
Shells - Girl - Roisin (Rosie) - 12th Dec (due 6th Dec)
Fifisworld - Boy - Ethan - 13th Dec ( due 17/12)
skiddadle boy - Milo - 14th Dec (due 11/12)

Aww Fifi, at least he knows how you feel now. I've stopped using the nipple creams except for in the morning after a shower, but would totally recommend the cabbage leaves. I use the white cabbage and only use enough to cover the areola, and straight from the fridge is HEAVEN!!!.
Shells, I'm having the same thing with the winding. I queried it with the midwife as Louise seemed to have hiccups after a feed which I tried to wind and it just upset her, MW said that hiccups don't bother them and they need a touch more milk to settle it, plus she usually falls asleep on the breast so she said to leave her to sleep instead of aggrevating her by winding. However, she must have a little bit of wind as she sometimes is a bit sick (only a tiny bit) in her bed, so now I'm not sure what to do? Oh well I'll trial and error and see how we go, on the whole she's a settled happy baby crying for a nappy change or a feed (Although she's only 5 days old - I hope things don't change!)
Also been told off for using babywipes as we noticed her bum getting red, so back to cotton wool and water, which isn't too bad now the meconium has gone, Has anyone else been advised to use olive oil on baby's dry skin? Sorry for babble, having some me-time whilst DH and baby are snoozing away upstairs and I think I'm a little over excited!

3littlebears - BOY 5 Oct (due 27 Dec)
Beachbunni - BOY end Oct (due early Dec)
Kerioke - Logan Vann 5 Nov, 5lb, 7oz (due 14 Dec)
Kitsilano GIRL, Lana 19 Nov (due 6/12) 7lb 11oz
thelady - Frances, 23 Nov (due 4/12)
JARM - Danial James 28 Nov (due 26/11)
Hailbop - Boy 2 Dec (due 1/12)
Wizzska - Boy, Rory, Due 2nd Dec, arrived 2nd Dec, 8 lb 5
Bimblin - Boy, Alexander, due 14/12, 4th Dec 8lb 2oz
RGPargy Ellie Rose 5 Dec Due (27/11) 8lb 6oz
Loopymumsy Orla, 5 Dec 30/11/07
CHOCOLATEPEANUT Joe 5/12 (due 01/12)
NBG - Ethan 6/12 (due 28/11)
SarahPT Boy 6/12 (due 2/12)
Beanstermummy Girl 6/12 (due 30/11)
VNMum - Caitlin Louise 8/12
Caz10 Ella 9/12 (Due 12/12)
Claireybee Douggie 10/12 (due 10/12)
Claraq Martha Erin 11/12 (Due 01/12)
Shells 12/12/07 - Roisin Eleanor (due 6/12)
Littleoldme 12/12 Thomas James 7lb 9oz Due 28/11)
Fifisworld Ethan 13/12 (Due 17/12)
Mellymooks - 13/12 Kaesha Ophelia (Due 7/12) 7lb3oz
Cazzybabs 14/12 Evelyn Mary (Due 30/11)
Skidaddle - 14/12 Milo (due 11/12) 8lb9oz
Insywinsyspider - 16/12 Toby Simon (due 11/12) 8lb5oz
bambino1andbump Charlie 16/12 Due 15/12
Ambi - Louise, 17/12 (Due 4/12) 6lb 4oz

Plaguarised from AN thread...

Oh well done Ambi!
Would second the cabbage leaves too! I have been putting them in after the 5am-ish feed, then having a quick shower while DH changes DD before the next feed as I'm scared she won't like the cabbage smell! Prob v silly!

shells and ambi, with ds when he falls asleep on the breast i gently transfer him to upright against my chest without waking him and leave him there for 10 mins or so. i don't actively wind him but it seems to stop him either being sick or waking later with wind. sorry for lack of caps etc, typing left handed while i feed ds

I did that last night Clairey and it seemed to help. This morning I gave her a 'lying down' feed coz was feeling lazy and that was a bad move as she spewed up loads of it. Trial and error isn't it.

Hello everyone have finally made it to pn thread!! Apologies for bad typing doing one handed while i cuddle kaesha!

Haven't had chance to read messages properly, have just scanned, but hope everyone getting on ok, i can't believe over a week has passed since she arrived already!!

She's very good and chilled so far basically sleeping and eating. bf is going really well, she is also very hicuppy but doesn't seem to bother her too much.

i just seem to spend hours just looking at her!!

Hope you all ok, lovely names.

i really must try to upload some photos....

She's stayed asleep so have managed to add a couple of pics of my little lady

Thanks claireybee, I?ve started to do that too, just rest upright(ish) afterwards. Shells I did a lie down feed a couple of nights back, don?t think it went so well here either. I gather that it?s bottle feeding which needs more winding as they cannot control breathing and drinking as the milk keeps coming through, whereas at the breast they can stop the flow and breathe. Melly, you sound like I feel,

Feeling full of the joys of spring this morning, really good sleep last night, just aching a little cos I went on our xmas do for a couple of hours (yes, only 5 days after giving birth), just sitting on a bad chair and wearing heels are playing their toll on my back and legs but I?m really glad to have gotten out of the house and a little dressed up to feel human again, even if by 9 I was falling asleep!

Hi all
Don't have time to write much as need to get another feed in before we go out.

claireybee I am like you - still don't like feeding in public as am having to expose too much breast while Martha faffs about trying to latch on so attempting to feed immediately before we go anywhere!.
BTW I rememeber you recommending a maternity bra but can't remember what it was - I think you said you could get it in John Lewis? Gotta buy some more but not too sure how long to leave it as not sure when my boobs will settle down...

ambi yes we have been advised to use olive oil on Martha's skin - she had very dry skin on her hands and feet in particular when she came out, probably because she was so overdue. I feel like I am basting her every time I do it!

Hope everyone is coping ok - I am finding breastfeeding still up and down but it's hard at the moment because martha has a cold, poor little mite, and is finding it hard to latch on for a full feed. Also still worried that I am not producing enough milk. Have been trying to express with a hand pump and nothing happening. Could be too early still but might try a battery-operated pump. Any suggestions anyone?

aaaww lovely pics mellymooks! was she a waterbirth? mine was and it was great...well not great but you know what i mean!!

re the olive oil - do you have to get special stuff from the chemist? or will my tescos extra virgin do the trick?!

does anyone know when the actual length of feeds will speed up? we take aaaagggges!

Hi Clara, it was the Emma Jane basic bra I recommended. I want to get a few more of them actually cos even though I have various others I seem to end up handwashing that one everyday so I can wear it again!

My cold has developed into a horrible chesty cough. Doesn't seem to disturb ds but everytime I cough dd says "sorry Douggie"

After two days of pretty much constant sleeping (think was his way of dealing with the cold germs) ds has barely even catnapped today. Have sent dh out with him in the sling and dd in the buggy to try and calm them both down-I haven't even been out alone with both of them yet! Would never have allowed that with dd-she wasn't allowed out of my sight for months! Cold hearted second time mum!

Anyone heard from Wizzska? Hope she is feeling better now...

Hi Caz10, we were hoping for water birth and did spend about 4 hours in pool but when my waters broke there was loads of meconium in them so we had to be transfered to hospital. My partner left the pool up and refilled it when we got home from hospital two days later and then Kaesha and him had a lovely swim and float about in the water which is when the photo was taken.

We've been out and about today, but I think we walked a little too far as I'm so tired now, my bits are not happy and I think I may have piles not sure as never had them before but feel very sore and tender down there sorry TMI!!!