June 08 babies - I know there's a few of us about!

[isaidno]

Thought I'd start a thread inbetween breastfeeding, laundry and bossing DH about tyo do stuff!

Let's make a list of members!

ISAIDNO - baby girl; Poppy Elizabeth; born 18 / 6/ 08; 6lb 4oz

amberc you're a mind reader.. was thinking about monitors as not sure dh can take too many more nights with the amazing grunting baby ... also defo interested in night nanny details if you have them.

re sex .. is the advice any different re stitches..midwife didnt say anything to me when signed me off apart from using contraception and seem to be healing up ok.. would quite like to give it a go before 6 week check... so is there any reason why not if I follow Dr love rolfs excellent advice.

Very impressed with all of you having sex so early. I thought you weren't supposed to until you have stopped bleeding? anyway, have stitches and would like to check they've come out after TGF's story the other day!

Baby whisperer, the routine works on the idea that during the day, you go in lots of three hours - one hour feeding, one hour social time and then one hour sleeping. Of course, a lot of babies fall asleep after 1 hour 30, but the idea is to make sure they have enough, but not too much stimulation and enough, but not too much sleep. I find if Dorothy has been awake for too long, she feeds really badly.

We did Gina-lite last time - we had an extra couple of feeds during the day than G recommends, but kept to the nap times pretty religiously, so that DS was rested enough to feed. Again, that seemed to work, so we will see what Dorothy does this time.

Debs, how long have you been feeling the need to move? Is it since the baby or have you been feeling like that for a while? I totally empathise with not fitting in. I lived in Spain and Japan, and DH is American, so I also experience it from his perspective. How long have you been in Austria? There are some interesting studies on how long it takes people to acclimatise and the times when people get a sort of seven-year-itch about living abroad.

Fungle, I am pretty chilled about all things baby and I think that helps! I just go with the flow and remember that they are only babies so how much can go wrong?

It probably was the formula which helped your LO to sleep - I think a lot of crying in the evenings is due to hunger. I know mine used to cry all evening but since I started giving them a bottle of expressed milk at 6.30pm instead of BFing them they have been great. You could try that, or try resting more (not easy with another child) to preserve your milk supply.

I read that the sweating was due to your body geting rid of all the fluids from pregnancy. I don't get them anymore but they were bad at night in the first week or so.

greenfairy yes, reusables make winding difficult - not found a solution for that tho!

PP/BN Love the new name. Yes sex hurts! I thought my stitches had healed after four weeks and we tried it - ouch! I carried on though (couldn't bare to let DH down after all that time!) We waited about three weeks to try again and it was still painful. Then we got some KY Jelly and that really helps cos there's no friction on the scar tissue.

Our twins are in their own room now - what do you need a monitor for? I can hear them if they really need me and if they don't really need me I don't want to hear them! For when they are upstairs and I am down I have a BT digital baby monitor (£30 from Amazon). Absolutely brilliant and what a bargain! I know one person who had the movement sensing monitor and have liked it but isn't it more likely to give you loads of false alarsm? Will be interesting to see how you get on with them.

I am so glad the night nanny worked out for you Amber. I know how much I loved it when my mum was here doing that for me.

Well I really should go now and get a sleep - my twins may be angels now between 7pm and 10, but we still haven't cracked getting them to settle after their 10pm feed. Esther is very clingy which is understandable cos she is poorly with her hernia. Theo actually goes down well but when Esther is being so demanding it is pretty irrelevant.

poppy post your email address and i'll send you the night nanny details.

neenz the logical part of me agrees with you that have bog standard monitor plus edie will only be across hall but the paranoid part of me that remembers all various mishaps before had edie wants to have security of monitor. This is particularly as may move her into her own room before the 6 month window ... mainly as can see her outgrowing moses basket before then and cot won't fit in with us.

amber use [email protected]

neenz thanks for sharing..think stitches are fine (tbh had no problems with them) and have had the odd urge when dh at home in morning and had a not too bad night...also reckon longer you leave it more likely not to fancy it or use baby needs as excuse.

Hi everyone just had a quick scan over posts.

Had my 6 weeks check today, I burst into tears, for some weird reason I was really nervous. Plus the fact the doc haddnt read my notes prior. So I got Hows baby, hows the feeding sleeping etc(all cheery) as I was saying ok he was obviously scanning as his face sunk and said oh sorry your Olivias MUM.

On a bit of a happier note Olivia cried tonight, she was getting her massage and I was trying to roll her back over to her back and she let out a cry only a few secs, but when I made the movement again she repeated it...So she can cry you must think im bonkers but heyho!

OH and my mental husband is junping out a plane to raise funds for the wonderful NNU we were horrifed at the amount they relay on, and if it hadnt been for public funding they wouldnt have had one of the machines that helped Olivia get out of an Incubator.

DH is away back to work tomorrow so that will be heartbreaking for us all, very scary but needs must.

As for sex yep been along that road 1st go was fine which suprised me, the next I have to say was bloody dame fine

11.15pm here and I should be in bed as Ethan has been asleep since 9.30 but we're waiting for the family to arrive, their plane's landed so it should be anytime. The wedding ceremony is outside on Sunday and at the moment the forecast is rain - please let it be wrong.I won't be showing the bride the forecast!!

Josey- what great news about Olivia letting out a cry, you must be thrilled. Your dh is very brave, I hope he makes lots of money for the unit.I loved your "pretty damn fine" comment.

UDcake - been here nearly 3 years and really can't see us here long term. I'd like the boys settled back into the school system in the UK before ds1 starts secondary school.

Evening all

josey that's brilliant news re olivia's crying - am so pleased. And am sure you handled the six week check better than anyone could expect - god knows how many times I've cried to my MW/HV in the last month or two!

storm now settled after another long feed this evening. it was my fault - she fell asleep on my shoulder after her 4pm feed (which went on till 5.45...) and I thought 'sod it' and let her sleep. So instead of a sleepy baby after her 8pm feed we had a wide awake baby - DH is great at settling her when she's like this - after an hour and a half of on/off feeding I've run out of oomph!

Ok, must go and upload my pix to photobox - so paranoid about losing them. Night!

Ok, back from lecture, and will try to answer posts first!

Josey wonderful news about Olivia. I was updating DH - we've both been watching Olivia's progress! - and he asked whether your DH has a 'justgiving' page or something because we would like to donate.

Sex hahahaHAHAHAhaha ROFL. We did it in September and I remember that being quite good.

Monitor - no false alarms here. I have a mega paranoia - for no reason really - of babies stopping breathing. Love your no-nonsense approach, Neenz! There does seem to be rather a lot of unnecessary crying with babies...

Ok, so the lecture went really well! Lots of high profile people saying it was great and it was really wonderful to be 'normal' for an hour or so. I am now knackered though, and having had DH do night nannying last night I want it again... However, Iestyn has been pretty good all day, and DH has just given him an expressed bottle (it was defrosted, didn't want to bin it!) and it was so sweet watching him do it! It was just lovely seeing Iestyn and the little bottle (actually quite big - Tommee Tippee) and it's bedtime because I am knackered big time! Strange, because I slept well etc, but i think it's just the stress after all the preparation and worrying etc.

I now have an issue with boobs though (didn't leak, btw ). Last night, I fed Iestyn at midnight, and DH did the 4am feed with ebm. But I woke up with gigantic spurting boobs. Does anyone else have this problem (folks who express, obviously!) or is it just my good-for-triplets milk supply again? Will go on the scary bf board too...

Poppy I definitely agree the longer you leave sex the less likely you are to want it. I was desperate to get going again in the first few weeks but now I have to say I am not that bothered (can be convinced tho...) DH is more of a weekend shagger cos he has a demanding job and is too tired in the week so may get down to it again this weekend. Get you Josey! Respect! And glad things are looking up for Olivia. LOL Essie on sept shag!

Essie unfortunately that is your boobs filling up for the 4am feed - but as your dh is doing ut... you need to express then instead. Bummer i know but expressing for 5/10mins is quicker than feeding/settling baby - not so good for getting good night's sleep tho. It's no wonder people give up BFing... it is hard work.

Not a bad night for us - Esther slept in her vibrating recliner chair [bad mum emoticon]. She is in discomfort cos of her hernia and doesn't like to be lied flat. We have been co-sleeping but I just don't get enough rest that way. She seems comfy all day in her chair so thought I'd try her in that - it worked. I'm sure is OK until she has her op (hopefully next week). Needs must! Theo was an angel - slept from 11.30pm to 3am and then to 6.30am (when I woke him!). It makes all the difference when one twin is easy.

My word you ladies can talk! When do you have the time?

Can't believe DS1 finishes playschool today ready for big school in September. How the time flies. I am cherishing Luke's early days as I can't remember Sam being that small.
Luke was weighed again yesterday and in 9 days he has put on 1lb 2oz and now weighs 7lb 8ozs.
We also booked his christening last night. It's not until 7th December, but had to investigate early as they get booked up so quickly as our church only does christenings on the 1st Sunday of each month. Is going to make December and expensive month!
At least there will be some nice food in the shops to get for the party afterwards.

Right off to catch up........

Essie - glad the lecture went well and I'm very impressed with you! I can't even remember what my research is about these days (and am happy forget for the short term).

josey - great news about olivia!

We're thinking of trying sex this weekend so it's good to hear what everyone else has found. I've still got a raw skin tag from my tear, but I've had a peek and I think with careful positioning we can avoid it (wow - I'm sure that was TMI). I also want to see if it will get aggravated by sex before my post-natal check next week so that I can get a referral to a specialist if needed. Otherwise I'm afraid they'll think "ooh it's not too bad" and force me to wait for another couple months to see if it heals. One thing about sex though, rather than KY jelly, astroglide is a better lubricant. It's really popular in Vancouver (large gay community) but seems to be unheard of here. Maybe in London it's more common.

Fraser's turned a corner and is settling well at night so we're getting lots of sleep (relative to before, I'm still up twice a night so don't hate me). I was feeling so good yesterday that I went and did way too much, so I'm exhausted today - but I'm way more positive about coping with 2 than last week. Amazing how sleep is the most important thing ...

Great news about Olivia, Josey. Please let us know how we can support your DH.

PPP, how about PitterPatterTinyPenguin? It doesn't have the elegance of Pregnant or Popped Penguin, but I came up with it feeding last night!

Aberdeen, I don't live that far from Earls Court, so maybe I'll see if they have any in a specialist shop. When we lived there, there was a Clonezone opposite our road, what we missed!

I know what you mean about sleep making it all seem OK Aberdeen. I got a good sleep last night and am bouncing today thinking 'what can I do? where can I go?' must try not to do too much tho as like you say you are knackered next day (and you never know what's in store tonight, babies could cry all night!).

Just back from the health visitor - Fraser's only gained 5 oz in the past two weeks which is on the low side. I'm trying to look at it as a long term average though as he gained 10 oz in the two weeks before that. There is an extremely low breastfeeding rate in our area (working class) and the HV are used to formula-fed babies too so I'm nervous about what they'll say if Fraser doesn't put on a bunch in the next two weeks. I know I can ignore them, but I'd rather work with them...

And there was a mother there with a 8 week old complaining that he's still not sleeping through the night and is up (only) once for a feed. Apparently her first did at 4 weeks. I couldn't help myself, I laughed! 8 weeks is still so young... I'm amazed at how women expect their kids to just slot in to their lives instead of realizing how lucky they are.

Hi all

I am with you on the sweatiness (glad it is not just me) and they weight issue. I am planning to join weight watchers next week after my six weeks check because I am worried that if I leave it too long, it will be harder to shift. Unfortunately I am not one of these women for which breastfeeding seems to consume the fat out.

Had my interview yesterday. Let's just say that I didn't impress myself so I would be surrpised if I impressed them. But there so much you can do with three hours sleep and a brain that has turned into mush

Essie glad you lecture went well though

Josey so glad Olivia let a cry out, you must be so chuffed (and annoyed when we go on and on about our crying babies)

BDQ read your birth story on the other thread, you are so not a lightweight. I hope the stitch infection is better.

Very pissed off with DH today as not only does he work until 1pm or 2pm every night these days (can't remember who asked but you will deduce that no we haven't had sex yet funny enough). He has now said he would call the surgery to change my 6 weeks check because he has a conference call. Somehow I don't think so. I am so glad that his job again comes before my health and the fact that I had a baby!!

OH MY GOD!!! Just as I was reading and typing my previous post I didn't realise that I had an e-mail. Apparently they want to offer me the job (????? very surprised emoticon) and this means: a great new job, the end of the commute for me and DH and I will move to Greenfairy's neck of the woods. Bristol here I come!!!

I am soooooooooooooo chuffed (sorry for the self satisfaction but this will change all of our lives and now I can concentrate on enjoying SJ until I start my new job)

[leaping with joy emoticon]

yeah needahand! good for you!

Congratulations, needahand! That is such wonderful news!
Is it me or do we have a lucky group here? Things falling into place nicely? Needahand, my DH and his rather surprising new job (also means more time together for us, like you). Anyone else want some of this?
Aberdeen - I've heard of astroglide (how I don't know...). You can buy it online - try lovehoney.co.uk (I just googled it, in case folks think that my annual shag is exceptionally racy!)
My stitches seem ok down there, but I'm still leaking something (not really blood). However, I have a sore botty ! I'm wondering whether it's something to do with using sanitary towels. I put sudocrem on it last night and it's better now. Iestyn doesn't have nappy rash but I do!!

Neenz - do the breasts ever (!) calm down? I was all over the place yesterday what with attempting to feed Iestyn before the lecture, expressed bottle in the night and another at 11pm (because we'd defrosted some just in case, and didn't want to bin it). But you're right, pumping is easier than feeding and settling. I'm going to try to buy some medela bags which fit on the pump today.
Oh, and I also occasionally let Iestyn sleep in his bouncy chair (shhhh...). It's better than the car seat, and really I wouldn't worry - I assume Esther has head control now, which makes the difference (I was told).

Maybe I'll change my name to ZeppelinBreasts, and BulletNipples and I can attack together!

needahand congrats on the job! And sympathies on DH...sometimes they just don't get it. I'm with you on the weight thing - definitely not dropping off me and I'm bf exclusively. I've only lost 3lb since I left hospital.

ktpie sorry to hear you had a rough few days. Are things getting any better?

I had my first trip out with Alexander yesterday. Almost made it round the shops without him waking, then he woke up so went into changing room. He peed on me twice and all over his clothes, so changed him while he was screaming his head off (am sure the woman next to me was giving off about this but couldn't hear her properly!). Then started feeding him and he wouldn't let me go - we were stuck in there for another hour until he stopped. Then he screamed in the pram all the way home! Slightly puts me off venturing out again.

Have any of you started to go to any parent/baby groups yet, or baby yoga/massage? Not sure how soon I should be looking to do this

On the sex front, you must be joking! I'm with you essie!

needahand congrats re job

aberdeen great news re olivia.. am so pleased.

essie am with you on sore bottom bit..have thought about using teh sudocrem but not done it yet.

Went to GP today again re breast as not any worse but no better with second lot of antibiotics.. was bit scared as beign referred to breast clinic on emergency appt . Although know its probably nothing (most likely an abcess) it wasnt my nice logical GP but well meaning bloke who didnt speak english as first language so did kind of scare me esp as kept going on about breast cancer etc (I couldnt think straight at this point but given had no lump before and appeared day after milk came in its unlikely).. now hanging round waiting for phone to ring (whcih it won't) to get appt.

hi all,

Had agreat night's sleep with the night nanny looking after Luke (sorry not gloating) I feel like a person today and not a baby machine. We registered him today so he is official! Also had the second cranial Ostopath treatment (again very weird!). Luke had a plop halfway through - not sure if that was the desired effect though . He fast asleep now in his new favourite position on his side with the rolled up towels to support him (tip from nanny - I love her and want to marry her!!). Made a new friend with one of the other mums on the development where I lived I got 4 of us together but I liked her best because she said 'fuck' a lot! All not looking so bleak today but let's see how tomorrow is...

Party, party, party

needahand well done! That's brilliant! You will LOVE Bristol. Let me know when you're moving down and we can meet up if you like and I can show you around. Woo!

amber I like the sound of your new friend . Apart from someone I knew already I didn't really click with anyone at the BF support group I went to last week. Going to go to baby clinic on Monday (well, try to anyway) as Storm has not been officially weighed by the HV for a couple of weeks (HV on holiday) and if I'm not careful I'll be put on their bad mom list and get stalked...

re baby weight gain SIL gave up having her kids weighed by HV as they are half Asian and BF, and she discovered, after being told they weren't living up to their centiles or whatever, that the weight guidelines are based on caucasian FF babies! So, aberdeen I wouldn't worry as long as he seems well.

Ok, Storm asleep. Trying Gina Ford-lite today as she's been sleeping too much in the day and not feeding as much so, surprise, has been hungrier and wide awake in the night and hard to settle...
Seems to be working so far, after a grand total of six hours

By the way - has an anyone got any idea when your periods come back if you are not breastfeeding?