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!

hi ladies

posting froom my phone so not able to catch up properly.

what a week we've had, came home christmas afternoon but then on 27th the MW asked us to go back to hosp to get Finlay checked as his breathing was fast, he had a temp and was starting to get a rash. they readmitted us asd have been in since then. they know he has an infection but not sure where or what. he's a lot better now but had had so many blood tests and a lumbar puncture etc that i feel so sorry for him, he's only a wk old today.
he's on 3 anti biotics which are helping him and he's feeding from me again not thru tube which is great.

DH is beig a star and looking after Dd (22mths) with my family down south and DH's family fallen out with us we're pretty much alone! friends are being fab tho.

Aww Loucee what a week you had, glad that Finlay is recovering, but sorry to hear about your fall out with the family - can sympathise as FIL has been major PITA - his hard cheese as he will not becoming up on Thurs to see ds along with DH's db & dsil & and my MIL. Even dh's db who normally defends FIL when he causes probs for DH is seriously pissed off with him.
Basically his back has gone on him so he let him down - however we're pretty sure he brought his back problem on himself. His GP is adamant he will have to have 2 weeks complete rest, so dbil will be telling him he cannot come to see ds as this means 3 hours in car, which will not do his back any good. Sounds like we're all being terribly unsympathetic but FIL is a complete hypochrondriac - he does have genuine health issues, he had polio as a child - but he tends to milk them and ignores his gp's advice and does himself harm then plays the martyr. As dbil put it, gps in his area are stretched due to a flu/pneumonia epidemic, and FIL wastes gp's time with a dicky back that he brought on himself when he should know better.
Curlygirl - congrats on the birth of Lois! So nurofen is ok to take? that's good to know, keep meaning to ask what i can and can't take for pain relief. Must remember tomorrow!
Ambi - oh dear, nips are sore! Shall give it a try anyway!

Realised I missed something out - FIL was supposed to be picking dss up and coming to visit when I was still pg and was supposed to take dss back to his mum's if i went into labour. Meant dh had to wait even longer to see dss

Sorry to hear that Loucee, hope he is fully recovered soon.

Re co sleeping, for me it's not something I've ever meant to do or something I'd be able to do full time (I like my own space too much)but I kind of fell into it with dd in the beginning when she wouldn't be put down EVER and have also found myself falling asleep with ds on my chest quite a few times after the night feeds-he was also in bed with us the first few nights as needed to be close to me to settle. I don't sleep properly though and constantly wake up checking temperature etc!

Douggie has been puking quite a lot recently, not sure if it is normal posseting or not, seems to be quite a lot to me but I wouldn't really know what is normal!

Bouncingturtle- not sure about nurofen if you are breast feeding. I'm giving Lois a bottle so am ok to take nurofen. BF my boys but can't remember what pain relief I took then.

Hi everyone. So excited finally coming over to join you - and still Dec too!!!

Birth story here if you're interested and will post photos of baby buzzy Bea tomorrow!

Thanks for the warning Curlygirl - I will look into it.
Had a better night with ds, he slept between us, we did try the Moses basket first but wouldn't settle - kept dropping his dummy and waking up. He's had a few good feeds during the night and DH and I had some periods of very restful and much needed sleep! When ds slept between us, he had his dummy, it fell out but to our relief he stayed sound a sleep.
Now waiting for the MW to visit, going to go and get dressed in a bit. Plan is to go local retail park - I need some nursing bras - wearing a maternity at mo as need the support as norks so very achy and sore. The ones I bought are too small!

congrat buzzy! gorgeous photo.
caz i have the medela swing pump which works well. Nothing to compare it with, but it does have 2 settings- the first to get the let down and then another to milk- just like baby's sucking. I am now only using it after the feed before and the feed after the one i miss IYKWIM. I used it when i was engorged and the ducts were blocked on one side- hot water bottle first, then massage to breast, then drained with pump. No probs with engorgement since. I figured that if i am missing one feed, it i expressed on the adjacent feeds my milk would not be too effected- and that seems to be working well for me. It is also useful for me to see how quickly the milk is flowing, as millie seems to be taking less time to feed and i wasn't convinced she was getting enough. However, for the last 24 hours she has fed every 3 hours, almost like clockwork- although i have had to distract her on a couple of occasions when i knew she hadn't taken enough but wanted to m ake sure she was really hungry for the next feed and took a full one- if she had her way, i would be feeding much more regularly, but getting her nice and cold and nappy changing her half way through keeps her awake enough to take a full feed. she is also quite windy so needs to belch quite regularly

Woohoo here I am - internet connection erratic so quick update....
The gorgeous Lily was born by planned section on Fri 28 Dec at 9:36am at a wopping 8lb12oz - she really is quite delicious will post some photos as soon as...the section went well- quite daunting but I think they specialed me being medical - had consultant anasesthetist, obs and paeds around and was quite calm and controlled really .....the post natal care on the other hand....
We came home Sunday afternoon - thank goodness - the ward was quite literally hell (9 beds with 9 screaming babes , poor nurse and midwives run off their feet)...
Quite shocked by how sore and incapable I am - othewise I feel good so struggling with the lack of mobility bending lifting etc...
My H is trying I think but situation is so awkward anyway - trying to concentrate on my 2 wonderful girls and getting back to normal so he can disappear again....
Lily is a great baby quite calm and placid doesn't really cry and other than feeding every 1-2 hours overnight she is a dream...hoping this will settle as my milk settles ....her big sis DD1 is being a star as well and very good and helpful ...
Am a happy mummy and looking forward to a good 2008

Just a quick post to wish everyone a happy new year

Havent had a chance to read through all messages but i hope everyone is managing ok.

Dp only has one more week off, he's been off 3 weeks already, but in a way i'll be glad when he's back to work so i can be on my own with my 2 ds's.

Ethan is such a good baby, he's just like what ds1 was like, and everyone told me you dont get two babies the same. he's feeding about every 4 hours, sometimes longer. He gets a bit unsettled at night in our room but after a quick cuddle settles right down

Hello all, I can't believe i haven't been on mn for a week! I'll tell you why though, he dreaded M word- mastitis. ARGH! I would rather be in labour than go through that pain again. It started on fri morning and luckily got some anti bio's the same day so the agony was nipped in the bud. It was horrible though, fever, shivering and breast pain unbelievable but dp was amazing looking after ds and only bringing him to me for feeds when desperate! I was a bad patient, crying and distraught that I coudn't look after him... I wouldn't wish it my worst enemy!

However, we battled through only resorting to a 3oz formula top up in the eves but b/feeding seems to be estblished enough for it not to have affected it too badly (though I'm paranoid I haven't enough for him as most women are!)

He's a sucky baby and would be at breast 24/7 if allowed. Nips are cracked and sore now... still, it won't be long til it beomes enjoyable, easy, simple and quick

To all you ladies with the 'unputdownables' can join your gang? I'm not as bothered about it this time round I have to say, dp (his 1st child) is worried ds will be a clingy child but ffs he's just a pooing and eating machine atm and anyway you can't overcuddle a child, simply impossible!

Caz10,just to share my experience, we are co-sleeping and its great but it took a while to get used to, once you feel confident and safe its great. From midnight ds wakes once for a feed 4ish then 7ish then we get up around 9.30-10 (on holiday time right now)Its great cos I don't have to get up and my brain stays in neutral for the whole night so I wake up refreshed. I'm not pushing it cos its not for everyone but i'm glad I tried it

Massive congratulations to mimicake,curlygirl, buzzybee (lovely pics and story!) and macdoodle fgrin]

Loucee,so sorry you're having an awful time, hopefully things are on the up from now..

Happy new year everybody
And wishing all the best for your nearest, dearest and weeniest in 2008!!

Hurrah, more babies. I think they really wanted to be on this Dec thread!! Congrats to Buzzy (great pic of beatrix), Macdoodle, Curlygirly,Ozzymoomoo & Chloemegjess (Great name choice - I wanted Eloise as baby's name but DH didn't so compromised on Louise)

Happy Noo Year, so who else will be fast asleep as the clock strikes 12 this year?

Hi Eveyone, finding it so hard to keep up, have just scanned the last couple of pages - congrats to all the new arrivals!!

Things going ok here though Im having some very tearful moments when i just feel like i can't do this, bf was going great at first but i now have one very over zealous breast which Kaesha finds really hard to feed off as the flow is so fast and she invariably ends up projectile vomiting because she's had to suck so hard and so quickly to keep up with the flow.
I phoned the local bf counsellor today who was amazing and came round to my house within the hour and talked me through positioning and various techniques.
Sleep deprivation is starting to take it's toll a bit now which i don't think is helping my over emotional state - thank god for my wonderful man who is being so supportive and encouraging.
Sorry to yabble on but I feel like i needed to write this down to help me see we are doing ok. She's so good and gorgeous and we've managed two weeks of bf so far.
I think i'm just really scared about my man going back to work in 2 weeks and me having to cope on my own. I think my Mum is going to come - but that's a double edged sword as she can be very critical.......
Anyway enough of my ramblings.
Happy New Year everyone

Hi all. First night at home wasn't toooo bad in the end. She woke about 10pm and was quite alert and then proceeded to want feeding continuously until about 3am when finally dozed off beside me in bed and we both slept through until about 7.30am.
Have managed to express about 20ml colustrum twice now so quite pleased with that.
No more major posseting since about 8pm last night - maybe her version of evening colic so will be more prepared tonight.
Luckily she doesn't seem to be too clingy and DD1 is being a real star helping out and being very kind and gentle. My Mum was also great, looking after DD1, bringing us home and cooking dinner etc.
Bea is lying in her bouncer now looking at the Xmas tree lights.
I feel not too bad - pain is subsiding a bit. My Mum is coming to get DD1 soon to take her to play at a friends house today so will try and get a nap later. MW due in an hour or so.

Thanks for all the congrats. It really feels very special - so nice to be at home in NZ this time with loads of friends and family around, even tho a lot are still out of town on holiday.

And HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone!!! It's New Year's Day already here and looks to be beautiful and sunny. Hope you all have good ones - and maybe we'll have a NY day baby to complement our Xmas day babies

hello all,

not been on for 2 weeks and completely behind with how everyones doing but happy new year to you all!

We're doing ok, I'm still really teary and dreading dh going back to work on Wed, worried about PND again - ds is being great, getting very windy, melly I can sympathise with the forceful let down for bf I had the same problem for ds1 and we've just started with the infacol for ds2 today as we've had 2 nights of him screaming and pulling his knees up - really upsetting, ds1 never did that, plus lack of sleep just makes me more emotional!
can't believe how diff my two boys are, everytime I take off ds2's nappy I get a projectile poo and a huge wee you'd think I could get it right after doing this before! they also look so different its amazing (not sure why but I kind of expected them to be the same )

plus can I just be completely honest (worried about reaction but I need to tell someone otherwise I'll never get over myself and I think 'talking' about it will help me straighten out how ridiculous this is) I'm disappointed I've got another ds - I wanted a dd - one of each and then no more... I really want a daughter, dh is happy as we are and keeps saying he's made up our family is complete - I know its early days and I never bonded with ds1 instantly, it'll take time - think I'm finding it hard because its going round my sleep deprived head and I need to put it down in black and white so I can move forward.... sorry its a stupid thing but hopefuly filing it away here will help

x

Insy, sorry to hear that. Sounds completely normal to me and you shouldn't apologise. In time I'm sure you'll come around to thinking he's the greatest and you wouldn't have it any other way but you should also acknowledge how how you feel now and take that forward with you for whatever may happen in the future.

I'm still on a high but I'm sure I won't be feeling quite so blissed out with few more nights of 3-4 hours sleep!

Happy New Year to you all!!! Still waiting here but hoping to join you all soon (even though LO will be January baby...is that cheating?)

Hey everyone, similar probs here, ds is days old now, last feed before one I've just done, I was crying because it hurt so much. However, used the Tommee Tippee pump to relieve the engorgement and instantly felt loads better.
Ds drank the EBM from a cup and then I fed him from the breast as well and it was much better.
I have to say that if bf is supposed to be painless, why are we all having problems!! I'm going to do as Melly has done and ask the BF counsellor to visit as I'm struggling with positions. I don't think there is anything wrong with ds's latch, I think the problem is how I'm holding him and bringing him to the breast. I've also started longing times and durations of feeds - I feel that need some reassurance that I am providing adequate nourishment.
He seems happy enough, apart from he hates having his nappy changed and getting dressed and undressed!
We've had him sleeping in the Moses basket today in our lounge, and seems ok. I've just fed him now and will put him down again. We are all determined to see the new year in together.
Insy - don't feel bad about your feelings about your ds. And if you can't open up here, where can you? I was quite up front about wanting a girl and I have to admit though I wouldn't swap Daniel for the world, I do feel a slight pang when I see girly baby things...
Lizzer - I have to admit, Daniel is a similar sucky baby, which is why I resorted to using a dummy.
Buzzy - your first night home sounds like mine!
Macdoodle - hope you feel less sore soon. At least H is helping you, but can understand why it must be awkward. Hope you get through it and that he can at least be a friend to you and a good daddy.
Breasts now feel prickly and sensitive. Have put bra back on. Was not able to get out to Mothercare to buy new bras, will be doing that tomorrow.

Anyway Happy New Year everyone!

Think this is the latest list of babies in Dec. Apologies if I've dropped some people off. I'm sure there are a few others who haven't made it back after having their beautiful bundles delivered either.

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
Louise76 - 13/12 (due 9/12) Ailsa 8lb 5.5oz
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
Suey2 Millicent Kate 21/12 (Due 10/12)8lb10oz
BunnyBaby - Michael Peter 21/12 (Due 28/11) 8lb 15oz
Amani 22/12 baby GIRL(Due 30/12)
Lizzer - 22/12 Dexter Robin 10lb4oz (Due 10/12)
FurryFox - 23/12 (Due 10/12) Imogen Holly 7lb 14oz
Lucy/Loucee 23/12 (due 17/12/07) Finlay 8lb 12oz
Thingamajig 25/12 (due 21/12) a girl! 6.45lb
Curlygirly 25/12 (due 24/12) Lois Maisy 7lb 14oz
Bouncingturtle 27/12 (due 23/12) Daniel Edward 6lb 6oz
Awen 27/12 (due 31/12) Samuel Owen 8lb 14oz (VBAC)
Macdoodle 28/12 (due 26/12) Lily (no middle name decided yet) 8lb120z planned section for breech
Chloemegjess - 29/12 (due 23/12) Elouise 6lb 6oz
Ozzymoomoo - 30/12 (due 30/12)Ruby Michelle 8lb
Buzzybee 30/12 (due 22/12) Beatrix Amelia, 7lb 11oz

Beckle of course we want you to join us!! Think of it as joining the Capricorns (well those from 22 Dec onwards anyway )

Bouncing, I'm not BF. Mixed feeding - at the moment a bit of colustrum plus several bottles of formula each day. She's finally getting the hang of sucking from a bottle. I guess even sucking has to be "learned" to a degree. Nips are a bit cracked already from expressing tho so will have to get some of that cream.

Beatrix is such a skinny little baby, even tho its summer here she shivers with just a single layer on so had to go out today (her first outing!) to buy a couple more long sleeved/legged suits as seem to only have summer stuff.

Not a good night... DH resorted to giving Daniel some formula as I had struggled to get him to latch on. I was also unable to express anything from either breast! DH took him off me, I fell asleep and when I woke up, DH told me about the formula.
Daniel took ages to settle, we had little sleep last night, but he is better this morning - he had a nice long feed, after I expressed a bit from the breast. After the feed, DH gave him the EBM in a cup, and he drank it all up! I think the poor little mite was very tired and hungry because I couldn't feed him very well yesterday.
I've left Dh upstairs asleep, as I did manage to get more than him and he will have dss to entertain when he gets up, and then he will take Daniel off me to let me get some more sleep!
I really do hope I'm not the only one experiencing nights like this...

Oh and happy new year!

bouncing you are DEF not the only one!!

sorry i am skim reading through this and typing with one hand so forgetting who said what, but basically...

dd is 3wks old and after being vg for about the 1st 10 days it's all gone t1ts up..or as someone said to me, she's turned into a real baby!!

we have a feeding marathon/no sleep 8pm-3am every night, i'm going insane. i am bf and haven't tried expressing yet, mainly due to being so knackered that i haven't even got the damm pump out it's box. i've got the TT one too, it was on special in tesco when we were pregnant

wasn't going to give her a dummy but have cracked and tried it the past few nights - she won't take it!! aaargh!! thought it was going to be my last resort/save the day thingie but she gags and bats it out the way and screams even harder!!

insy i have been teary too...DH had to do a couple of nightshifts last week and i had a total panic. felt like a total eedjit on his dayshifts too, hardly ate all day cos couldn't get a chance and then felt so pathetic!

bouncing i would TOTALLY recommend a BFC mine saved my life, had tears rollling down my face everytime i fed from one side, and was DREADING every feed from that side, starting to get panicky about it. She corrected my positioning and it has almost healed within 48hrs (i had "severe cracking" and nerve compression apparently). this was in comparison to the HV who said oh dear well make sure you always feed from that side first.

buzzy thanks for the list and wow to all these amazing names everyone has chosen, they are SO nice.

happy new year!! (zzzzzzzzzzzzz!)

oh ps who is doing their post natal exercises? ha ha ha

ps lizzer where exactly in the bed does your LO sleep? and with what covers? ta!