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

[spongebrainbigpants]

Hi guys, interested in the discussion of dummies - thick question, does it help with wind? Alex had such a bad night last night - not crying, but just grumping and groaning all night with wind, he's sleeping with us so I got no sleep (and I'm not exagerrating) from 1.30am onwards. I can't believe how tired I am .

Have tried a dummy a couple of times but with no success so far. Essie3, laughed so much when I read your post cos my MIL also has a thing about dummies and when she said "I'm so glad you're not using a dummy, I was almost tempted to rush upstairs and get one just to p*ss her off! Isn't it amazing how childish their behaviour makes us feel?!

On a happy note - got some pictures done by a friend of mine, put them on my profile if you want a look. Aren't they gorgeous? Have been looking at them alot today and reminding myself how lucky I am when I want to cry with tiredness!

[Essie3]

Oh, Amber - we bought two of those Burberry tops, and we're selling one on e-bay . So common...

Sponge - just realised it was your thread I'd posted on when we were shoving gripe water down Iestyn's throat last night! I do wonder about the dummy and wind - I had a suspicion it helped, but I'm not sure because we've had the biggest nightmare of a day today. I'm once again insane. (Bear with me folks - seesaw emotions here...).
After a whole day of crying apart from when he was sucking his dummy, I decided to nip to Blooming Marvellous to get a Grobag nightlight. Went on the bus, got off a stop early because he started screaming. Walked to BM, and decided to breastfeed him there and then. Noticed he was wet. Finished the feed, he immediately started crying again (this has been my day, folks!). Took some nursing bras into the changing room, with my screaming baby, and sneakily changed his nappy. But then couldn't try on the bras because he was crying too much. An assistant took him, and said he was hungry (er, no - just fed), but couldn't cope and asked me to not try on any more bras! Bought the nightlight and a bra, and had to walk home (maybe 2 miles?). Stopped in an open church on the way, and considered...leaving him there. [Total shame.] So, yeah, struggling.

Oh, btw, the bra doesn't fit very well, and the grobag nightlight doesn't fit out bulb fitting. A great success, then...

[Amberc]

I have had the same day - Luke was squirming and grunting all night long and I got no sleep at all. I fell asleep for 20 mins or so on the sofa with him on me which I know is dangerous. Luke's still going crazy b ut has just dropped off. Gave him amassage which didn't cause the relaxed reaction I had hoped. He's hungry all the time today but then just has a bit and wants more really quickly. Maybe this is a dreaded growth spurt (told DP that's what it was and he considers me an expert! Clearly I haven't actually got a scooby). Hope you get better nights tonight.

[katyjo]

Hi Guys

Both kids are in bed, so have a rare minute to post!

I really sympathise with you Aberdeen it has been three weeks since dh went back to work and it has been really hard. My ds is 2 and constantly wants me and Mia had been really unsettled, trying to do things with ds while jiggling baby is really hard, plus I was exhausted and with sore boobs made me feel really bad tempered and then I just felt like a failure. My Mum has been fab and coming down to help, if you have any help take it Fraser will settle down. Mia has become much more settled and predictable since she hit the magic 2 week mark and she settles to sleep (and stays that way) much more easily. Last night she slept from 10.30 to 5am!! It will get easier and you are a great Mum just srtuggling along like the rest of us!

I moved Mia into her own room a few weeks ago Paro I know alot of people wouldn't agree but it allows me to keep my sanity and we both sleep much better. Ds was in his own room from early on too.

Greenfairy sympathy re bf its bloody hard, love the way men always think they know best and love to tell you how baby is/isn't hungry all the bloody time. You must have a fab milk supply though Storm's weight gain has been cracking. Don't feel guilty about giving ff or whatever you choose, she is your baby, your decision and you know best.

Spongebrain that groaning is the reason ds was evicted from our room when he was about 3 weeks old, not crying but kept me awake. Never sure if it was worse when groaning, or when he stopped, because then I got up to check he was still breathing! Could your dh take him into another room one night and let you have a bit of unbroken sleep, it is amazing how much better things look if you can get 5/6hrs in a row.

[debinaustria]

Sponge - what gorgeous photos

Essie - what a day for you, hope the night improves

Amber - I hope you're sleeping soundly now

[spongebrainbigpants]

Essie, do you have a sympathetic HV you can talk to? Can't offer any advice but you sound like you need some support. Do you have any family/friends who can take him for a few hours and give you a break from the crying?

Amber, you have my every sympathy - we have just tried the gripe water so will let you know if we notice any difference tonight.

katyjo, it's good to know it's not just my little boy who's a groaner ! Problem is it's dh who really needs to sleep - his job is pretty full on with alot of driving and I'm really worried about him not getting enough sleep. My mum is coming up on Wednesday to help out for a couple of days and let me sleep during the day which will be wonderful.

Oh, and MIL has just phoned. Apparently the reason he had wind is cos we're letting him eat too fast . He takes about 45 mins to take 150 ml. Is that too fast? God, I wish she'd shut up!

[spongebrainbigpants]

deb, thank you - really pleased with them and splashing out on lots of prints now!

[Neenztwinz]

Sponge - gorgeous pics (PS I have some new ones on my profile too - check them out!)

Re sleeping in own room - since the DTs have been 7 weeks old they have been in nursery and me in my own bed. I am sleeping so much better... can't understand how me being in room reduces cot death risk anyway - they sleep in there on their own during the day.

Amber, I don't have a night nanny but I do have my mum who comes once a week. She used to do the night for me but as mine only wake once now anyway I don't need her, but when I was only getting 2-3 hours sleep a night it was a godsend to have her here and allow me five hours sleep! But I always felt really down the day after when she had to go home and I had to go back to being up all night!

My two were really unsettled in the evenings so I started giving them 3oz each of expressed milk (plus top up from breast if need be) at 7pm feed. It has really helped, they sleep now from 7 till 10, tho sometimes they wake but are happy, not screaming. I think it is difficult to rest enough to produce enough milk in the evenings (esp for twins!) - i would def recommend trying it if your LO is unsettled. At least you'll know it is hunger not wind/colic etc.

[Neenztwinz]

And you don't want to wait too long before giving your LO a bottle or they might not take it at all.

Look at me - 10 weeks experience and know it all

[Rolf]

Those pics are gorgeous, Sponge. Really lovely.

Does anyone know at what stage it's ok to introduce a bottle? And can anyone recommend a breast pump and bottles? I expressed for a while when I had Ds1 (so over 8 years ago). Didn't do it with the next 2 and I'm not really looking forward to doing it, tbh. I have an Avent pump which I am avoiding looking at. I don't even know if I have all the bits. Is there a window of opportunity for introducing a bfed baby to bottles of expressed milk? As you can see, I'm pretty clueless about it!

Neenz I almost emailed you the other day to see if you wanted to meet up as I was going to Formby. But then I couldn't find your e-mail address, then didn't get to Formby at all so probably worked out for the best that I couldn't contact you, I reckon

[Neenztwinz]

Hey Rolf, I gave mine bottles at 2 weeks, but I think HVs recommend waiting till 4 weeks. I think if they are strong feeders at the breast then they won't get nipple confusion - they will always prefer the breast.

I have used an Avent manual pump and a Medela elec pump - Medela wins hands down. It is so easy - I really recommend it. I express 3oz before each morning feed and sometimes the lunch feed too, it takes about 5mins to get 3oz.

I think I have added you as a friend on Facebook so you can contact me on that, or I will email you so you can email back!

[LauraT]

hi all have caught up on posts and ready to give a quick update, but now am being called for attention - so it's very quick -all well here so far!

[thegreenfairy]

amber sorry you're still having such a tough time. If Luke is hungry all day then that does indeed sound like the three/four week growth spurt (which was the worst one ime). It only lasts one or two days so hang in there!

rolf re introducing a bottle, my HV says to go for it once BF is 'established' (whatever that means). She says waiting six to eight weeks can be too long for some babies - you miss the window...

storm now settled after another mega two hour feed this evening . am beginning to wonder whether her poor latch is the reason for her sometimes lengthy feeds, but she is deffo in the last throes of a spurt, so it's hard to tell.

sponge those pix are fantastic. I'm really into photography and still haven't managed to get my proper camera out and get some pix of storm. everything i've taken has been done on our compact digital cam. i do hope i don't regret it too much - just don't have the time.

who was it had an embedded stitch from c section? I've had a hard patch on my c section scar and today took the tweezers to it - a two inch section of stitch hadn't dissolved and came out with a few tugs! (i had the same thing happen with my knee ops a few years ago). pulling it out was the right thing to do, but it's left me feeling sick all day. boooo

[Essie3]

Neenz you're ahead of the rest of us with birthdates, and you've got double the experience - so I trust your opinion!

Sponge - yeah, I'm lacking in support really. It's because I've come to London - but I'm back in Anglesey at the weekend. I have HV, MW, my Mum, my Sister, best friend - so a mega support group there. But here I think it's the loneliness that makes me weird. When I got up this morning I just knew I wouldn't get a grown up conversation...

Expressing - I second Neenz with the Medela pump. It's superb and has kept my mad cow supply at a manageable level. What I need to know is how much to give. I gave Iestyn 50ml last week which he happily took, but he wanted to bf afterwards. Neenz - if this isn't too personal does the expressing affect your supply at all? I've still got far too much. Iestyn over-ordered there a bit. I could wetnurse, if I wasn't scared of turning into Looney's friend...

[Essie3]

Sponge - those are amazing pictures - so jealous!
I think it's telling, though: I showed them to DH, and we both thought the b&w one was just heart melting. But DH said 'how did they get the baby to lie quietly like that?'. Says a lot about my (beautiful, perfect) son...

[Parofleurmapu]

Evening quick chance to catch up as DP is giving Fleur a bottle
And to those who ever worry bout giving formula Fleurs 10 o clock feed is nearly always 120ml of formula MW says its ok and she is growing well it gives me a break and also means i dont have to stress out if i havent expressed or taken some out the freezer.

I also recommend medela electric pump I wake up some days if i get up or have time at 8.30 just before fleurs 9/9.30 feed and have a cup of tea and read the paper while expressing, its that easy that i can drink and turn pages at same time, i do sometimes feel like a cow though!!!! and think i must look a picture tea in one hand expressing in other !!!!

Re introducing bottles i agree with neenz and would say that if they are feeding well and have a good latch then no problem i actually believe that with anything the earlier you introduce it the better.

Neenz, i never understood why being in the room had anything to do with it and also wondered about the daytime What if i put her in the garden do i have to stay there!!!!

Essie and amber big hugs andd hope you have good nights. It does all get better Fleur has never been a real problem baby and has never cried constantly but the constant feeding at night was hard as neenz said it does get easier and now Fleur is 7 weeks she is getting into a routine and only wakes once sometimes twice instead of 4 or 5 times.
I agree with the advice of talking to someone and maybe as well as or instead of a night nurse getting a home help I found the first few weeks having my mum and sis to help was wonderful, they did washing, cooking, tea making, dog walking and took Fleur from me when i didnt know what to do

On another note I had a friend tell me the other day oh well you know what your doing your not like the rest of us So i asked her why she thought that and she said well you are nneb qualified didnt you study babies uuuhhh yes i did but its not the same!!!

[Rolf]

Good morning everyone

Well, not a great night with Thea - not awful but she took longer than usual to settle back to sleep. So I really didn't appreciate being woken up by Dh at some ungodly hour when he asked if I'd get up and make him some coffee (I declined). Nor was I thrilled to be woken up again by DS1 saying that he'd wet the bed. I've no idea how he managed it but as well as his covers, his mattress is wet too despite him having a waterproof undersheet. The cleaner is coming today and I need to get upstairs straight so she can, ummm, clean it and it's a tip.

Hope the day improves.

[Neenztwinz]

Rolf, I had a cleaner for a few weeks after the DTs birth and it was a nightmare rushing round tidying up so she could clean! I sacked her in the end cos she left hair on the bathroom floor and then lied saying she'd vacced it when she obviously hadn't (and she eventually admitted she hadn't vacced it 'but I vacced everywhere else' )

Not a bad night for me althogh Esther still wants me to sleep with her. Theo went from 1am till 6.30am so at least that left me free for the demanding one! The expressed bottles last night worked well, Esther didn't want to feed as much as she had in previous nights, but she still wanted me with her. Theo took a bit of settling too and I fed him to sleep at about 1am, but then he slept through. Esther dropped off at about 3am so we slept till 6am. I only dozed with her before that - MIL is coming at 8.15am to take them out for 90 mins so I can go back to bed.

Essie, not sure what you mean about affecting my supply - if anything it leaves me a bit low if I express too much - but I do have two babies to feed. If I express at 6.30am and then feed at 6.45am they should go till 9.45 but if they start crying for food before then I know I expressed too much. I can usually get away with expressing 3/4oz at each session. I worry that expressing in the morning means that I probably don't make enough milk in the evenings, so if I ever had to BF them in the eve (eg. if we were away from home) it might be difficult but all the nights were difficult before! Some experts recommend expressing more than your baby needs every day so that when they go through a growth spurt you can stop expressing and immediately have enough milk for your baby (cos your body is already making more than your baby needs). But I never found that really to be the case when mine have gone through growth spurts - they just feed and feed!

[debinaustria]

Yawn - morning, bleary eyed here, Ethan only went 1.5 hours between feeds last night, please let it be a growth spurt!!! If this carries on I'll surely look a picture of radiance by the wedding on Sunday.

sil and family arrive tomorrow night, I still have to buy shoes, jacket/wrap to cover boobs when feeding, jewellery(sp?), nail varnish, bag etc etc...car to be serviced on Thursday, gynae check up on Friday, house to tidy today before estate agent comes ( yes thinking of moving back to UK)

OMG, the list is getting too long, all I can say is thank god that we only have sil and mil with us and everyone else in their own apartment, still going to be a hectic few days, there are 30 something Brits descending on the village for the wedding!! Can everyone keep their fingers crossed for fair weather on Sunday please.

Neenz - your dt are just gorgeous, I will add another pic(or 2) to my profile.

[debinaustria]

photos updated

[Lazylou]

Morning all!

Just back from deopping DD off at school. Received her first school report today and it is quite good. I think it describes her to a tee.

Daniel is sleeping at the moment after the long trek there and back, so I am going to take advantage of the rare quiet, take his buggy into the bathroom and soak myself for an hour before I need to go and collect DD again.

For those of you who are suffering with baby wind problems, (I'm really sorry, I can't remember everyone's names!) have you tried using Dr Brown's bottles? They are a PITA to clean and sterilise but they do help with the wind issue. I used them with DD, who had terrible reflux for the first eight months. She was under the hospital for all that time and on infant gaviscon, but the bottles did help. They are quite expensive, or they were 4 years ago, but really are worth a try.

Sounds like you have a busy few days then Deb. I managed to tidy the whole house (it is tiny) yesterday in between feeding Daniel and entertaining DD. It took all day and most of the night too, but it was worth it because all I have to do today is wash up the breakfast things. Having Daniel has totally changed me actually. I was a lazy bint before I had him (hence the name lol) and the house was always a state. I don't know why it didn't happen when I had DD, I think it is probably an age thing tbh, but since Daniel has been here, I am more domesticated and mumsy than I ever thought I would be. My friends and DH are taking bets on how long it will last though .

I also decided to bite the bullet and joined a parent committee at the local children's centre. It is held at the school DD will be attending from September and runs all sorts of activities and classes for children and parents. I'm really pleased I did it, because it got me out of the house and socialising with other parents, plus they run a free creche so I got to have 2 hours not worrying about the DC, although I did keep popping in and out to check on them. I would really reccomend visiting your local children's centre if you have one and getting involved. I have found it helps to have a reason to leave the house other than for the school run plus the 2 hours I get to myself once a month help to keep me sane!

I hope everyone is ok today, will check back later.

[pleasechange]

Hi there - just adding myself to the list!

Had a decent sleep last night but only because we co-slept after a really sleepless night on Sunday. Alexander is now happily asleep in his sling - I love this sling!!

Is anyone else having trouble finding clothes to wear? I'm still in my maternity jeans, although I bought a new pair of trousers so now I have a total of 2 pairs which fit. Only my maternity tops fit also. Can't believe I put on 4 stone when pregnant. Where is all the skin going to go? Does it ever go away?

NEENZTWINS - twins; Theo Isaac 6lb 2oz and Esther Elizabeth 4lb 8oz; born May 6
MAKECAKES - baby girl; Cecily Jean Olivia born 18/05/08 7lbs 1oz
GOINGFOR3 - Baby Boy; Harvey born 20/05/08 9lb 9oz
KATYJO - Baby Girl; Mia born 24/5/08 7lb 11oz
PAROFLEURMAPU - Baby Girl; Fleur born 30/05/08 6lb 7oz
GREENFAIRY - Baby Girl; Storm Josephine Frances, born 01/06/08 6lb 7oz
TJUICE - Baby Girl; Elodie Summer, born 03/06/08 7 lb
JOSEY - Baby Girl; Olivia Margaret born 4/06/08 8lb 15oz
ABERDEENHIKER - Baby Boy; Fraser Neil born 7/06/08 9lbs
LORETTAH - Baby Boy; Harry Joseph born 8/06/08
SYBILVIMES - Baby boy; James Dominic born 11/06/08,8lbs 2oz
SYSTEMSADDICT - baby girl; Caitlin Rose; born 11/06/08; 7 lbs 11 oz
DYLANSMUMPLUSONE - baby girl; Anwyn Crystal Anne born 14/6/08 7lbs 15oz
SPONGEBRAINBIGPANTS - boy, Alexander Peter John; born 15/06/08; 7lbs 3 ozs
ROLF - baby girl; Theodora; born 15/06/08; 8lb 9oz
ESSIE3 - baby boy; Iestyn Seiriol; born 16/06/08 6lb 1oz
DEBINAUSTRIA - baby boy; Ethan; born 17/06/08; 10lb 1oz
ISAIDNO - baby girl; Poppy Elizabeth; born 18 / 6/ 08; 6lb 4oz
JOSIE57 - baby girl; Emma Caitlin born 18/06/08 7lb 3oz
SOPHIEWD - baby boy; Sebastian Wilfrid Joseph; born 19/06/07; 8lb 5.5oz
LIBRALADY - baby boy; Luke Thomas Jacob; born 23/6/08; 6lb 4oz
HEDGEHOG1979 - baby boy; Isaac John; 24/06/08; 8lb
POPPY34- baby girl: Edith, born 26/6/08, 7lb 6oz
JIVEGIRL- baby girl; Charlotte, born 26/6/08, 7lb 14oz
UPSIDEDOWNCAKE - baby girl; Dorothy Wijnanda - 6 lbs 7 oz; 28/07/08
NEEDAHAND - baby boy, SJ, 11/06/08. 8lbs4
KTPIE - baby boy; Jonathan; born 02/07/08; 9lb 2.5oz
ALLNEW - baby boy; Alexander; born 02/07/08; 8lb 9oz
FUNGLE - baby girl Isla Rose born 2/7/08; 7lb 7oz
LAURAT - baby girl; Charlotte Helen; born 06/07/08; 8lb 0oz
HELLBELL- boy; Ned, 9lb 7oz, 07/07/08

[needahand]

Well at the moment I feel like SJ's human dummy as he has now realised it is nice falling asleep sucking mummy's nipple and screams/screech if I unlatch him. I think I will try a dummy today if it carries on, with DD I wasn't keen on trying but she never wanted it anyway as she sucks her thumb. With insight now, I would rather she had a dummy, you can get them to give up the dummy but you can't chop the thumb!!!

Essie I am so sorry you are having a tough time. Don't know what to say really. I know there is a charity called Crysis to support parents of crying babies. Perhaps they would have some useful suggestions? Also you probably could do with a break. Couldn't a friend or your DH babysit an afternoon so that you had time to have a nap and/or a trip outstide without baby?

[needahand]

Well at the moment I feel like SJ's human dummy as he has now realised it is nice falling asleep sucking mummy's nipple and screams/screech if I unlatch him. I think I will try a dummy today if it carries on, with DD I wasn't keen on trying but she never wanted it anyway as she sucks her thumb. With insight now, I would rather she had a dummy, you can get them to give up the dummy but you can't chop the thumb!!!

Essie I am so sorry you are having a tough time. Don't know what to say really. I know there is a charity called Crysis to support parents of crying babies. Perhaps they would have some useful suggestions? Also you probably could do with a break. Couldn't a friend or your DH babysit an afternoon so that you had time to have a nap and/or a trip outstide without baby?

[Neenztwinz]

Essie I was thinking about what you said about dunmmies and how to use them. IMO a baby either wants to suck or doesn't. If it does then a dummy will become your best friend! It looks like your baby does want to suck so give him the dummy all the time. You are lucky if he can keep it in his mouth! I wish my two would take them better.

You can't really keep dummies for 'emergencies' and why would you want to? It calms your baby so is good for him. You can work out how to take it off him at a later date (and there are plenty of ways to do that - sometimes you can just take it off them and they don't even realise cos the need to suck has gone).

Hope this helps - I'd hate to think of you struggling with a screaming baby when all he wants is a dummy . Keep us updated.