March 2008 births

[MarchNowFebMum]

Welcome March Mums (and late Feb/early April Mums!) from the March 2008 threads.

hq, i did several days topping up with ff during the evening cluster for exactly same reason as you describe. got dp to do it, as he loves it, gg never took more than 3 ounces, usually just an ounce. now he's 4 weeks old he doesn't need it as i'm producing enough milk in the evenings too, even the evenings of days with no naps (no nap used to = no evening milk). don't worry about it, just cluster feed til you are ready to drop and you see no sign of milk satiety from your baby, then whip out the bottle and go and do something grown up instead. soon the day will come when you don't see the need to do it, and its magic to have the bottle in reserve in case...i am also slowly getting the hang of expressing in the mornings, and expect to have an evening out in the next few weeks.

but at present i'm saving the expressed milk to treAT gg's gunky sticky eye - it's really working!

month mayhem - am poster child for nipple sheilds. i started using them at week 2 bc of too quick let down which was choking lo. i saw famous lactation consultant - claire byam cook - and she says there is nothing wrong with them in her experience. if they keep you feeding and make the feed more enjoyable, what on earth could be wrong with that?!

they slow baby down at first but that gets better. i still use them at night feeds and lo goes back and forth bt sheild fine, sometimes in the same feed.

concur on ridiculous tone of baby whisperer, but i think the whole thing makes sense. seems to be the middle ground bt gina ford and letting baby dictate everything. i struggled with the A in the early days as after 2 mins, lo would get cranky but now that she has more attention span, it's going better and i am better at judging how much stimulation she can take before needing to wind down. her fav thing to do is lay on the couch and look out the window - so cute - she yells and kicks her legs it excites her so much.

Mama formerly known as glam - i think even baby whisperer would say if LO is crying to eat (check out the page on how to tell what the cries are) you could feed on a two hour schedule, especially during the day.

my issue these days is that at 7 weeks we are still have a really inconsistent pattern. every day is completely different, no matter what I do. two nights ago she slept like a dream - 6 hr stint and then two three hour ones. last night was a nightmare - slept 8-12, then up at 2, 4, and 5:30. almost wouldn't care what the schedule was (although i'll take tillie/mmh's anyday!) as long as i could be on a similar one each day. is this hoping for too much?

she's sleeping now so i better go lay down, am beat from the night time activities!

MNFM You're absolutely right regarding the feeding every 2 hours. The way I see it, if he cries in a hungry way and then demolishes, and I mean demolishes a bottle it means he's hungry, rather than anything else. He even puts his tiny baby hands on the bottle and then when he's had enough he bats it away with such vigour! I will continue to feed him when he wants but as we're nearing the six week mark (tomorrow I can see that it's going to be easier to plan our day, also following The baby Whisperer, the three yawns advice is particularly good.

We're off to baby massage shortly, hoping that may help in some way with the waking at night.

I have discovered that if I can get him to sleep in the morning and again in the afternoon, not too late, I can implement a bedtime of sorts. To date, the time has veered from 7 to 9 but I give that bottle in the bedroom. He's fantastic about going back down after his night feeds so I'm very lucky really. I'm going to get some blackout blinds for our room so that the summer bedtime feeds are also in darkness.

Better go, there's a complaining form the bouncy chair.

Take care all.

Oh and I used nipple shields with DD. They're fab!

Thanks merry - that's really reassuring! I figured one bottle in the midst of all that breast can't hurt him or my supply too much but just wanted some reassurance. He carried on in cluster feeding vein until 11.30pm and then only woke once during the night again. So the feeding marathon is really doing the trick but I think I'm still not quite making enough milk for him which causes the constant demand.

I think part of the problem for me is that because we are getting 2 decent chunks of sleep at night, I'm not resting enough during the day as I feel alright and I need to start being more disciplined about it. I have to get my head round the fact that my main role in life for the next few weeks will be just to rest and make milk! DH is back to work next week and he has been so brilliant with laundry and food and tidying and soothing squawking hungry baby, that I was worrying I wouldn't be able to do all that once he's back at work. I guess the answer is that I shouldn't even try!

On baby whisperer - i loathe the luvvy duck tone, but think that it was written for an American audience where i guess her quirky Yorkshire ways are a USP rather than just an irritant. As a Lancastrian I was always going to be predisposed to disliking her I suppose However I think her ideas make sense - as you say MNFM someway between Gina F and baby-led - and when DH goes back to work next week, I'm going to start trying to implement the EASY routine and see where we get to. No routine beyond feed when he wants it at the moment!

Who is the baby whisperer - sounds a bit of a marvel!
HQ i found i didn't have enough milk in the afternoon / evening so i express the spare in the am and use that as a top up later - has also imoroved my supply.

I think my dd is a bit weird - she's good at night (hardly dare say it!) but cries a lot in the day. she often cries for no apparent reason - is fed, clean nappy, done a burp etc. i think she probably just wants cuddles - but i can't do that all day! what does everyone else do? cruelly leave to cry or soothe and possible encourage more crying? She seems to alternate jolliness and crying! MIL seems to think babies shouldn't cry at all.

thanks piggy - i did think about expressing this morning as my breasts seemed very full even after he fed for 40 mins but i never quite got my act together / pump sorted before he wanted feeding again... i'll try that tomorrow morning now that the pump is actually unpackaged!

the book you want is "secrets of the baby whisperer" by tracy hogg.

my ds sounds like your dd. good at night, generally good in morning on his playmat but grizzly in afternoon if not being fed or cuddled. he just really loves cuddles and being on our chests. seems cruel to deny him while he is still only 9 days old and we are both at home but mummy will be getting tough next week!

MNFM I like your name for me better than my old new one. Gosh, I need some sleep.

HQ yeah it's a bngger the resting in the day thing, very much needed by me (and unobtainable 70% of the time, thanks to the child currently known in this house as the Toddler, capital T). My main thing in the evening wass to go as long on the boob as you are able, then add just 5 minutes extra, so supply was still stimulated, then the bottle makes no odds to having a full day's supply in a few weeks time. Anyway, ignore the laundry HQ, read about my Lancastrian Toddler instead!

MamaFKAGlam you are making my smile. I hope you enjoyed baby massage, mine used to howl at it then pee on me. Still we did both enjoy the company.

OK, have to go and deal with the Toddler who has been yelling NO NO NO for 22 minutes now. I have a good game set up, but the little sod angel is probably going to grump til bed time now.

Ooooh baby massage, I must find a class somewhere it sounds fab.

Went to Guildford for another long lunch today - loving this maternity leave mullarkey, it's like being on holiday(I know prob not for those of you with other children!). I just wish she would stay this small forever, she's so perfect and I'm so smitten.

I have the same problem re grizzling, from about 7pm-9pm she is just so miserable and just wants really close cuddles and she only tends to settle when one of us sings or plays some classical music! She is a music snob at three weeks old, am trying to wean her on to Justin Timberlake

I'm so tired that if I don't laugh I'll cry. Lucky I stumbled across this thread I dare you not to ring the number.

Baby massage is next week. Obviously my brain is on strike as I speak as much gobbledook as I type

there is free baby massage at st marys for those in the west end - am going to waddle over there soon-ish

sorry i started the sex convo! for the tmi update, we did not have the birthday shag but hopefully i can reort back. in week 2 i would have been like 'not anytime in this century but i amcstarting to get my head around it.

i think hq's 'rest and make milk' should be our new group chant! have had hectic day with builders, mil, etc. and need the reminder....

i rang it. i laughed, a lot. i explained to dp, who came over all superior. after he had also rang it.

don't think men want to know they sound like that

marchnowfebmum - keen to pick your brains on clairebyamcook - have her number and thinking of ringing. Am using nipple shields at most feeds - started because couldn't get latched on due to flat nipples but now using because I am lazy and they are easy. Baby putting on plenty of weight but I think i need reassuring that not a mistake to use them all the time. Did you see her - her book/dvd are great I think but a bit nervous of calling - was she v expensive to meet up with? sorry for list of questions!

ok, so i think i should join this thread even though my brain is so mushy i cant make much sense! had some real trouble for the first week with dd being jealous but she seems to be gradually accepting that ds is around to stay although i cant leave them alone together for a second, she can reach into moses basket, climb into the cot and would give him a good shake, sometimes in over zealous affection and other times as he is taking her limelight.

baby doing well has been weighed twice since birth and has put on weight not sure of figures but is going up, midwife just signed me off as it is day 9 and all is well.

am hoping to get out this afternoon but have a sinking feeling that dh has buggy in car boot and am not sure i can do baby in sling and toddler on reins....although baby in sling and toddler in buggy was a disaster the other day!

and mini rant as i want sympathy and have nobody to whinge too in rl, having a baby then having your dh back at work after two days SUCKS!! my mum has been great and taken a few afternoons off to come across and help with tea, bath and bed for dd as it is hard to do a bedtime routine and deal with cluster feeding baby at the same time!

Hello Marchmums from the straggler. Baby Matilda is 6 days old now and doing well. BF is taking a bit of getting used to - i'm just about to settle down to read this thread for any tips, I had no idea about the complexities of it and ended up with a very engorged breast. ouch.

Has anyone managed to find any half decent nursing tops? They seem so drab.

hello AFB, congratulations. Nursing tops are drab - I'm going for the shirt with buttons + cardigan look and a few plain white /black mother care tops for when i need to be more discrete!
Arg! Swore i wouldn't use a dummy but dd is soooo sucky and screams quite a bit. Started using dummy in the evening and now using one now! Soon it'll be all day long - but other than let her scream, i don't know what else to do! Has anyone any experience of osteopaths?

talking of slings littleducks, i have experimented to the nth degree with my karime, which i can tell is great for some, but just doesn't suit us as i'm such a chubster, my plump just shifts and it gets looser. what one has everyone else got, how's it going? anyone interested in trying it? its the colour the guy lurking over the bridge is wearing in the top pic. we will have to get another baby bjorn soon i think instead. gave our last one to our nanny at the time to help her get her newborn back to SA. somehow never thought we'd have another at the time

AFB. I;m pretty sure I said congrats on another thread, but if not: CONGRATULATIONS!

on the whole yes, bloody hideous aren't they. i have one proper BF top from ds1 time, but it actually suits me (black, gives illusion of wasp waist and neat hips) despite being as boring as Mrs Boring in Boringtown etc. over the last few years have been investing in loads of these longline pretty vests though the colours are a bit blergh this season which i wear under other stuff: i buy a size larger than me so they are forgiving, then i pull down the boob covering bit along with bra then raise the other top, and keep very discreet that way. or use my bump bands pulled up to bra strap height under tees to preserve some modesty.

its daft, but i'm happy enough to wap the baps out to feed all over town, but I am very very very very very unhappy to show my belly rolls and marks etc.

speaking of bellies, does anyone else have a numb belly button? the skin around the outside of mine is quite numb when i scratch it - wonder if that is permanent from being stretched over giganto baby?

ooh AND - how is one and all getting on with the real nappies? am thinking of using some alongside the nature nappies on days around the home. does anyone unreservedly love theirs?

oooh, apologies for the stream of consciousness above. haven't spoken to an adult since lunch and clearly have a head full of wittering to unload...

I have a couple of bfeeding tops from H&M which aren't bad but my boobs are so big (36K!) that most tops don't cover them. H&M ones tend to be the ones with the false vest bit you pull out of the way so you still end up with a fair amount of breast exposed but I don't mind that myself. I'm resigned to being completely indiscreet as I've never been too body conscious and I can't be bothered with the faff when baby needs feeding... Spent first week walking round house naked from waist up! A friend recommended www.mamaway.co.uk for bfeeding tops so that may be worth a look - not bought myself yet.

Merry - i haven't started on real nappies yet - giving us 3-4 weeks to settle down before I brave the laundry etc - but loving Moltex Oko disposables at the moment - no poo/wee disasters yet whereas have had each of those with pampers (in hosp), nature and bambo and they are at least super eco friendly in manufacturing, kind to baby and in theory biodegradable if not in practice (landfill).

BTW - I updated our dates thread and did a boy/girl tally. I think we are only waiting for news from Prisci of our regulars now.

Hello all you March ladies, you.

I have finally found the strength to pop by and see how everyone is getting on, and am glad to see you all seem to be well.

Thank you to those who have sent such kind wishes and thoughts my way and good luck to everyone and their little cherubs. Can't believe how many more boys than girls there are (unless everyone who hasn't reported back has had girls???)

Anyway, I just wanted to wish everyone the best of luck and send lots of hugs for you and yours.

xx

merry- i had been trying with a babasling which i was supposed to be able to breastfeed in as i have a baby bjorn, which i cant. But on my trial of toddler walking and baby in sling which was pleasant if somewhat slow it has crucified my back.

Think i shall have to buy a phil AND TEDS DOUBLE! (excuse caps am winding atm)

speaking of whichh who has windy babies?? dd was a little farter who never burped so i am finding all this boy belching stuff quite different, bought some dentinox colic drops which i have used if he has become distresssed as you give it after the feed unlike infacol which i didnt like the thought of giving unnecessarily.

Hello ladies

I've been avoiding posting cos things are really hard for me and you all seem to be having such lovely babymoons that I didn't want to bring anyone down.

First DD1 had a nightmare 2 weeks of constant tantrums and bad behaviour. She's back in nappies etc etc.... really hard work. She seems to be getting better and happier, but now baby has turned into a complete nightmare who won't stop crying. When I was bf-ing DD1, she would come off the breast with that drunken flop and look completely happy and satisfied. DD2 comes off the breast howling and just won't stop. The only time she ever does that happy drunk-on-milk look is when she's had a bottle, so I'm worried she's not getting enough from me. But a lot of it is colic. Poor thing is really suffering and there's not much we can do to help. Dentinox drops just get thrown up again with the milk. It makes me feel really inadequate that she's just not satisfied with my milk and is always unhappy. I've been contemplating giving up bf-ing but I really don't want to. I just wish she would stop crying all the time and be happy! Sometimes she'll stop for a little while and blink at me, so I'll think we're about to have a lovely gazing into each other's eyes bonding session, but within seconds her little face scrunches up and she's howling again. I seem to spend most of my day ramming a dummy into her mouth and then pushing her head into my chest to keep the dummy in place and jiggling her for all I'm worth. It's the only way to keep her quiet. She's OK in the sling, but I can't wear it all day every day!! Today I just left her crying in her moses basket/on DD1's bed etc for a few minutes at a time, cos she needs to learn she can't be jiggled or in a sling all day!

Anyway, this weekend we're going to do an experiment. We'll give baby bottles for a day, while I express, and see if that helps.

Sorry to just be on here complaining.... but it does feel better to get it off my chest.

PS - those of you wondering about slings, I've got a hug-a-bub which is fabulous.

And Merryberry, I unreservedly love my cloth nappies. Have done since DD1 was born 2.5 years ago and love them as much now as I ever did!