Babies due September 2021

[FTEngineerM]

WE HAVE ARRIVALS 🥳🥳
Since we’ve had babies arriving I thought we could have somewhere to carry on after the babies are born and we tackle our new mum lives

I hope I tag everyone but ones arrived so far:
@kat1112025
@kirky685
@sillysocks998
@jay3004

And everyone else when your bundles of joy arrive:

@Noodles4Me - 26th Aug 💙
@Scotti84 - 30th Aug 💖

@Sceptre86 - 1st 💖
@primhutch - 1st 💖
@RaeRae84 - 1st 💙
@KHR1 - 1st 💙
@CherylLW - 3rd 💙
@GWhiteley - 3rd 💖
@deedeebythesea - 3rd 💙
@Allicit - 3rd 💙
@Poppins2016 - 4th 💛
@2021mumma - 5th 💙
@Squibble84 - 6th 💛
@leftitlate37 - 7th 💙
@SillyBry - 7th 💛
@LouiseJayne23 -7th 💖
@bewitchingnight - 8th 💖
@SK28 - 8th 💛
@Taralweaver - 8th 💖
@AdventuresAwait - 9th 💖
@mumof23188 - 9th 💙
@Bubbles1st - 10th 💙
@Catkin7 - 10th 💖
@FTEngineerM - 12th 💙
@CobleCloud - 13th 💙
@Maybebaby29 - 14th 💙
@Taybz - 14th 💙
@Bigdreamer9 - 14th 💙
@Eppy123 - 14th 💛
@Newmum110 -14th 💛
@Hopefulmummie - 16th 💖
@Mamabearwhere - 17th 💙
@HollyMoore - 17th 💖
@aurora2021 - 18th 💖
@Bluespace - 18th 💙
@ErrolFinn - 19th 💖
@xsjrx - 19th 💛tbc
@unicornpower - 20th 💖
@Moominmiss - 20th 💙
@Sophieandtiger - 20th 💛
@bluemagicalsky - 21st 💙
@Clouless - 21st 💛
@Suma2021 - 21st 💙
@SP2Bx - 22nd 💛
@Geegee20 - 22nd 💙
@Holly91 - 22nd 💛
@Rach921 - 23rd 💙
@LittleCatDog - 23rd 💖
@SproutingSprout2021 - 24th 💛
@LittleAurora -24th 💙
@RadDarwazeh - 25th 💛
@crobo87 - 25th 💙
@d0nut - 25th 💖
@GummyBear91 - 25th 💖
@AdriannaP - 25th 💛
@MrsTD88 -27th 💖
@MrsBrett20 - 27th 💛
@marshmallowmode -27th 💙
@Mrssernalewis - 28th 💛
@ams92 - 30th 💖

@Bubbles1st thats a great idea, I might see if there's that option here. I love swimming but hate swimming cossies! I hate my bum and tops of my legs and that's exactly what you can't hide! Who invented them anyway!

We don't do much, but we go out for a walk once a day, sometimes more if the weather is good and I try and do lots of different things at home with her her lack of social contact does bother me a bit but she's going to a childminder when she's a year old that has two boys of her own and takes three children so she'll get baby contact there. We're having major issues with MIL atm too so avoiding going there too 🤦‍♀️

@Scotti84 I definitely would not be taking him to the public pool right now, which I know is sad but being a new mum doing new things is overwhelming enough without taking on a confidence crisis over mum thighs and bum!

Sorry girls I've been terrible at contributing. Been really having a hard time so been hiding away. My parents and brother had covid so lost my support network for 3 weeks. Going through my birth trauma therapy and it's awful. But I know I'll be better in the long run.

@bubbles1st I'm avoiding large gatherings with Alice as much as I can. We cancelled going to my bestie's little boys birthday gathering at the weekend as didn't want to risk it. I'm so scared she's going to get covid and be in hospital.

We've put Alice's highchair at the table and she loves sitting with us! I've got some hipp organic purees to try her on first see what she likes then plan to do my own. Hopefully starting a bit of food this weekend!

Do they need to be able to sit unaided to use high chair? Think it would be nice to have baby involved in dinner even if they aren't eating yet.
My little one loves the swimming group, I dreaded going & getting into a swimsuit but he gets so much out of it that its worth it. I got a swimsuit with little legs (like shorts) & just hold baby infront of me until I'm in the water!!!!!

Has anyone on here gone from breast feeding to bottle feeding? Alyssa started with both breast & bottle but a couple of months ago suddenly ddciddd she didn't like the bottle & refused it. So I e been exclusively breastfeeding & luckily I've been able to keep up with her demand.

I was going to start trying g to get her back on the bottle at the end of feb, but I'm a bit fed up of being used as a limbo g frame, scratched, pinched, head butted etc & the last couple of days I've just been miserable.

Can anyone give me any tips? The downside is she had to have special formula that is a faff to prepare

@Newmum110 whilst I don't think baby needs to sit up unaided before a high chair they door need good head control and you don't want them slouching unnaturally. We have padded out our high chair for the time being so he can sit upright even if he isn't there on his own yet. We are only popping him for a few minutes a day at the moment though to get him used to it.

@GWhiteley it's so difficult isn't when you get a rough time of breastfeeding. We have a bottle strike this end too and whilst I'm quite surprised and proud I've been able to breastfeed exclusively it can feel a bit overwhelming and not to forget painful on bad days and this is all before teeth appear.

What I've found helped me is to actually wait until he is hungry, I was going by the clock and what I thought was signals but now he is older he definitely doesn't always need a feed and I find when he is actually hungry he feeds so much more nicely. I've also seen people recommend a nursing necklace that baby focus on and touch to take the interest away from your skin! I haven't tried one myself as we do seem to be managing for now. As much as I would love to be able to bottle feed everyone and then we are only 6ish weeks away from weaning and I've already bought a cup to try and get him used to the idea of cup feeding and skipping out sippy cup stage. It's messing and we are practising with cooked boiled water (to try and help bowel movements) but reviews say that once they get better hand to mouth coordination you can actually see them drinking quite independently from a cup early on. We have the doidy training cup.

Sorry to hear you've had a hard time @Kirky658. Hope you can see your family again now. Let us know how Alice enjoys the food at the weekend!

@Bubbles1st @GWhiteley I've also been wondering about a nursing necklace. I've seen one I like online but then this week, she's not seem to need one so I've not ordered as yet!
I hadn't heard of the Doidy Cup so just looked it up and ordered one. Thanks for the recommendation, it looks good!

We got the high chair out yesterday! Going to try her in it soon just for a very short time a day to get her used to it. Might wait a little bit as I think she still needs to be a bit better at sitting but not sure how good at it she needs to be. Ours can tilt slightly so maybe we can use that just to get her used to it? Like you @Newmum110, I think it will be good to involve her at meal times pre weaning.
Can't believe it's only a few weeks until we'll be trying food!

We had got the highchair out but when I asked the dr he said she needs to be able to sit on her own because if she has to be in that position but cant hold it herself her muscles won't be able to hold it and it could cause her problems later. Put me off a bit did that, but I'll add a pic of what we have her in at the table, another English word i can't remember. It's highchair height but more leaned so she doesn't need to support herself.

I've never heard of a nursing necklace, will have to look into that, Lilly either rags my skin or my normal necklace. Thanks for the tip @Bubbles1st

Forgot the pic. Including posing baby 😅

@Kirky658 how are your family now? Hopefully all ok and you've got some support back. I cant imagine going through the therapy is very pleasant for you but in the long run it will help I hope. Hang in there x

Oh @Scotti84, milestones say sitting independently around 8 to 9 months! But weaning from 6 months? Did the doctor mean sitting with support? Like when they can hold their neck and back but supported by an adult or cushion as they'd fall to the side? Our highchair leans back so maybe that's ok (for getting used to the chair not for eating). I'm not sure I'll wait until 8 or 9 months to wean. I don't know!

Such a lovely photo by the way @Scotti84! How many weeks is Lilly now? Xx

@AdventuresAwait thank you! She was 20 weeks yesterday. He said sitting on our knees is fine, I think anywhere where she can move about a bit n her backs not held in the straight up position is ok. We've started weaning, I put her on my knee or in that chair thing but just give her little bits on the spoon (not like DH who filled the spoon and rammed it in her mouth poor thing) then i feed her milk after to wash it down. It's worked good so far.

Ok thanks @Scotti84. Oh yes I forgot our little ones were born on the same day! Still have a lot of physical development to master here though I think. Glad the feeding is going well xx

@AdventuresAwait thanks, were trying potato today, lets see how that goes!

I sometimes worry that Lilly doesnt do everything the Internet says she should, but most of her big developments come out of nowhere, like shes started screaming, not in pain, its finding her voice but that started randomly one morning and hasnt stopped since 😅

Opinions please, my MIL goes on about how she doesn't see Lilly enough and wants me to leave her with her for a few hours each week. My first thought is why would i do that? I love being with Lilly and the times going so fast, i dont need or want a break. Plus shes incredibly narcissistic and doesn't listen to our wishes, eg she always tries to put Lilly on her bed for a sleep when we go round and Lilly screams because she doesnt know the room and she doesnt sleep alone at home. Apparently im damaging her. Would you let her have her or am i being over protective?

@Scotti84, yes I used to worry but then she suddenly ended up doing the things so I'm sure she's doing just fine! Yes to the squealing here too! And I think she's getting ready for sitting more and more.

Re. Leaving Lilly with your MIL. We haven't left our little one with anyone yet. Just the two of us. I don't think it's necessary unless there's a need. Just spend time together? Then she'll get to know her. Especially if she doesn't follow your wishes. That would be a no from me until I knew she would respect our choices.

I enjoy spending time with family together so she gets to know them as I'm sure she'll stay with them at some point. I know it works for some now and that's wonderful but, for us, this is how we're doing it. Don't know if that helps! Xx

@Scotti84 quite simply ... nope!

Thanks guys @Bubbles1st @AdventuresAwait good to know its not just me. Shes off with us atm as last time we were there we didn't want to stay to eat at 6pm 🤦‍♀️ tried explaining Lilly starts her nights sleep at 8pm and it's it's late by the time we get her home and bathed, but she wouldn't hear it and kicked off. Its so difficult, I lost my mum two years ago so it's important that she has a relationship with the only grandma she will have but she wants it all on her terms and its so bloody hard.

@Scotti84 she sounds incredibly overbearing. I wouldn't be comfortable leaving baby with anyone who makes you wonder if they're doing things you don't want them to do. It won't be relaxing for you at all. How does your parent feel about it?

One relative has taken baby for a few hours a couple of times for me while DH has been at work but that's only because said relative will be looking after baby when I start my Keeping In Touch days soon. I trust this relative as she also looked after my eldest when I first went back to work. I'd happily never leave her but trying to be practical so she's used to being away from me. Separation anxiety will likely kick in soon so I'm trying to tackle that head on this time as I didn't with my eldest and she used to cry her heart out every time I left for work 😭

[quote MrsTD88]@Scotti84 she sounds incredibly overbearing. I wouldn't be comfortable leaving baby with anyone who makes you wonder if they're doing things you don't want them to do. It won't be relaxing for you at all. How does your parent feel about it?

One relative has taken baby for a few hours a couple of times for me while DH has been at work but that's only because said relative will be looking after baby when I start my Keeping In Touch days soon. I trust this relative as she also looked after my eldest when I first went back to work. I'd happily never leave her but trying to be practical so she's used to being away from me. Separation anxiety will likely kick in soon so I'm trying to tackle that head on this time as I didn't with my eldest and she used to cry her heart out every time I left for work 😭[/quote]
Ah not parent, sorry, PARTNER

@MrsTD88 OH is of the same mindset as me, he's the black sheep in his mother's eyes anyway, can't do anything right. We were supposed to be leaving Lilly with his mum when i go back to work next year but have opted for a childminder instead so she has contact with other children. Haven't broke that one yet, that will also cause an argument but it's what we think is best for Lilly and I don't know anyone with babies for her to mix with.

Any tips on separation anxiety? When does that kick in?

From quite early on my MIL has taken Alyssa out twice a week for a walk so they can bond & I can sleep as husband doesn't help at night & is at work all day obviously. My parents have also taken her out for walks so I can rest or do some housework. I love my time with her but when you're mostly doing everything yourself the break is both welcome & needed. But they're all very good at doing as I ask so feel for you @Scotti84

I think I'm going to wean her off breast milk first before trying her with solids else I'll just be too stressed at trying to do 2 things at once & she needs to be ok bottle feeding by the beginning of April when me & my husband are going away for a week & my parents are looking after her 😬

That's lovely @GWhiteley! Great that they do as you ask and that you get a break. My family aren't nearby but our little girl is getting to know my in laws so I'm sure they will be happy to take her on a walk at some point.

Good point @MrsTD88 about trying to help the upcoming separation anxiety. Maybe we'll try some short walks or something with in laws/ other family soon.

@Scotti84, I don't know much about separation anxiety but the Wonder Weeks app (see photo) says about them realising they can be left at around weeks 29 and 30 (from due date not birth date) so I'm guessing it could start then?

@Scotti84 we used a childminder one day a week with our eldest and it definitely helped her social skills, hoping to do that again this time. Separation anxiety can start from around 6 months but think it varies by baby. I don't have any tips as I didn't even think about it last time to be honest but I'm trying to just let her be away from me for a few hours a week and popping in and out of the room so she knows when I go away I come back. Hoping it helps but who knows, feel like a first time parent again 🤣

@AdventuresAwait it's a tricky one to tackle and I think some babies get more anxious than others. My eldest really struggled with the separation anxiety but she is also quite an anxious child in general so don't know if that maybe played a part. Seems to just be part of her personality. She's 6 in a few months and cried this morning because her dad left for work before she woke up and so she didn't get to say goodbye to him. We had to call him to calm her down.