July 2008 - Now our babies are arriving let's have a thread to talk about them...

[minipinkscottish]

Hi ladies
I know there are many of us still to pop but thought it would be nice to start a thread that we can come to once the LO's are here

Abbie is 4 weeks and 3 days old today and my due date isn't here yet

Abbie is doing great - eating and sleeping and very content. The feeding was hard going at first as it is very frequent with her being early but I think you actually get used to being tired

Someone (sorry can't remember who) was talking about bottle and bf together and nipple confusion. Well all the times I have bf I have done so exclusively even when it was very difficult - I am stubborn As Abbie was early and lost a good bit of weight the mw advised topping her up with ebm through a syringe. This was tough as I was bf then trying to express only to bf 1 hour later - so I gave her formula to top up. Giving her the milk in a syringe became difficult as they tended to spurt the milk too quickly at times. So I gave her a bottle to top up( Tommee Tippee - closer to nature) and it was great!!

I bf her all day and then top up after bf at night to get a bit longer sleep - it's working - she is putting on weight and no nipple confusion

sorry for huge post - hope you will all come over and join me!!!!!

Disney/ mummy2bsoon
Agree the 3 week stage is hard.. L is nearly 5 wks and a pattern is slightly taken place but i just let her do her own thing.

Sweetkitty
Getting 3 out the door in the morning is hard!!! I did 3 days last week with DD2 in creche and OMG i just could'nt get the hang of it. All in good time i guess..

Off to cook dinner for DC...

disney - I've got 1 pop in nappy and I really like it; fits Poppy well, and is lovely and soft. A bit complicated to put together at first, and takes quite a while to dry as it is bamboo. Soaks up lots of wee though!

mummy2bsoon - SK is right, just feed and snooze - sod housework etc. I use my sling alot so Poppy can sleep on me while I do other stuff but if she was the only child I would be making the most of lying about on the sofa!! 3 - 4 weeks is a hard period; things get easier after about 6 - 8 weeks.

I have had 1 night away from the dc in 5 years. It doesn't bother me.

thanks for the swaddling backup. i just can't give it up yet - she slept from 7 until 10pm last night and then on to 4.30am! My boobs were actually sore. Her sleep pattern may be heading in the right direction but I daren't speak too soon . . .

was a bit upset after lame-ass expat mum's group yesterday when one women pointed out her flat head. i am aware of the issue and have a physio appointment booked next month so i wish she hadn't drawn attention to it. on the other hand, i know that i am a bit oversensitive.

mcchesers - I can kind of relate on the uncertainty about where you''re living. i had to get my head around the fact that we will be here for the medium term, then i started to feel more settled and actually make an effort in sorting my life out. you're doing a fantastic job and you have a great attitude! being knackered doesn't help with these things.

mummy2 - sorry that you're having a rough time. its so hard but its only for a short time.hope it eases up soon. i am obviously a swaddle advocate! also keeping them close during these feeding frenzies/fussy times.

mummy2b- i know exactly how you feel, 3 weeks with mine was identical, good news is once the growth spurt passes they sleeep and sleep. i would feed Aidan and then let him sleep on my belly. Keep water and snacks by the couch and watch movies.

He's 6 weeks now and I'm doing it all again, and it's grueling. Mine eats and eats and then pukes it all up again if he's been lying down too long. I don't want to wake him to wind him because he'll scream if he isn't lifted and walked. My back is killing me! I'm waiting for the sleep and sleep part

Disney- Yep Aidan was born on the 9th and he's very big for his age. He was born 9lbs 11oz, lost a lb and gained it all back in two weeks and then some. He never looked like a newborn and barely fits in his basinett.

got a terrible stomach ache the dreaded monthlies are back right on cue sam is 6 weeks old...........my dh is like oooh we will have to be carefull now ...im like dont even think about it.........

just tried out the close sling OMG how wonderfull is it sam loves it and its so soft and fits just right if i hadnt been on here and read about all yours i woudnt have known or got one

tjuice sorry if i missed why elodie is seeing a physio but can i ask why?
is it a flat head at the back shes got?and of course you are going to be sensitive
you want to see sams head its the strangest shape and his little face is so different when people stare at him i remind them hes a small baby please just look at him normally but thats when im in a good mood
shopping the other day one lady said oh can i have a look at your baby and when she did she was taken aback at his features and was stuttering oh oh what a head of hair,she was embarrassed and that makes me sad and extremely mad if you know what i mean

mcchesers sam weighs 9lb now i guess i missed aidens birth weight with them being born on the same day my head was all over the place then

Evening all, Just a quick one, will catch up later. HV just been, Sam now weighs 9lbs 8ozs at 6weeks, following the 9th centile, he's a timy dot

I also went to docs yesterday and have an Eptopic Heartbeat, nothing to worry about apparantly, going for ecg on Friday, but it's bought on by stress and over tiredness (who, me? Overtired and stressed? Never )

Huge me post coming up here too...

Very down and anxious here. DH gone into hospital today for hip resurfacing. He will be in hospital for a week, and then will have months of recovery. I am obviously worried about him, and feeling bad because I won't be able to visit him - he's gone to Birmingham. Worried about the next week by myself with R, who has no routine and who never sleeps more than 2 hours, but especially worried about when DH comes out of hospital - looking after him and trying to make sure he doesn't wreck things by doing too much, doing school runs etc, and looking after windy colicy baby.

I know it's great that he's having it done as it has affected our lives for so long - but timing not great! Never is I suppose. When he booked it we didn't know R would be 2 weeks late!

Other DC's have gon eon holiday with my parents - which is great for them and easier for me, but I miss them horribly - never been without them for so long!

I'm dreading the night...

EEC - oh sorry to hear your feeling down not surprised with your DH going in for an op and a newborn as well. I've not got that happening and I feel down too I think it's sheer hormones and tiredness.

Jodie - hope everything is OK with you too

disney - glad you like the Close sling I only got it due to the reviews on here as well. I'm not surprised you feel like that about Sam, it's our primitive instinct to protect our babies. Today I got asked again "if I wanted a boy" I mean what kind of question is that? If I did I didn't get one so should I be disappointed in this beautiful little person just because she doesn't have a willy? The when I say "no" I got "well as long as they are healthy" which winds me up as if she wasn't healthy would we not want her??!! People should think before they speak sometimes (see what I mean about hormones!!)

Minnie - I can get them all out for 9am got it sussed but it's not easy especially with a very wilful 2yo who if she doesn't want to do something will not do it and have a tantrum and scream. Poor little B is the easiest. I think you develop a system and stick to it.

Right better go B starting again, can't be food she's had a feed from both sides just grizzly.

Sorry to hear some of you are feeling down. It is hard when LO doesn't and when you are feeling on your own - I really feel for you all [big hugs to all} xxxxxxx

Abbie went down at 9.30pm last night and got up at 6am. I know......feeling guilty for saying it
Kids went back to school today - yipee!!! But they are off tomorrow due to industrial action by auxilliary staff However, my mum is coming to look after ds4 and dd1 for a wee while to let me go shopping.

Oh and got some good news today...ds1 has been shortlisted for Local Hero of the year in Fife in the sports category - very proud mummy here!!!! I think I said before but he is a potential swimmer for 2012 Paralympics. He was born with his right arm missing below the elbow. He is doing great and last week he won a gold medal in an able bodied competition.

Sorry for going on... take care all xx

minipink you have every reason to be a proud mummy also well done to your ds i love hearing good news

Right I'm going to try and remember who said what...

EEC Hope your hubby recovers well and you cope OK, just take everything in your stride and maybe the 2 older ones can help out a little (They are nearly teenagers right?) Forgive me if I'm wrong.

Minipink Wow, so your Sam is one to watch then, I bet you are all bursting at the seams with pride for him

disney You do sound abit chirpier these days, hope everything is going well, did you have that chat with DH?

SK Just been over to Facebook and spotted it's your birthday on Thursday.. I'll proably out of MN action tomorrow so Happy Birthday for Thursday

Sorry if I've forgotten anyone...

Off to wake Sam for his 'last' feed, and hope he sleeps past 2.30! (which he was doing, but he must be approaching his 6-8 week growth spurt)

I am sorry to hear a few of you are having challenging times. I think it is pretty normal...but that does not help relieve the tiredness and stress...
I can not believe how each child can be so different. My DD was an absolute angel as a tiny baby (Still is!). She slept, hardly cried and fed very well. I have to be honest and say I thought I was doing a great job, thought I knew a lot and my confidence was quite high. This time around it is so different. Rafferty's colic and reflux is so challenging. It has made me realise that being a good mum is not just about having an good baby! To all of you sleep deprived and finding things difficult please do not take it personally...it is not you! I just can not imagine how low I would feel now if Raff was my first. But despite his crying he really is such a beautiful little chap. He smiled at me today and I almost cried. Underneath the tears and cramps he is such a gentle little fella, I just can not wait for him to grow out of this.
I find getting out and about helps me get through the day, but this weather is not helping!
Where is the summer?

TJuice - getting around London is challenging! I find buses and trains the easiest! It helps to have someone to help with the pram, however I have never been stuck with stairs when on my own - amazingly someone always offers to help. The Jubilee Line is also good to use as it has lifts. I tend to pre-plan my route, and if I get off the beaten track, I hope in a black cab - you can wheel your pram straight in!

Off to France next week - Raff's passport came through. Sooo looking forward to a holiday.

Better go and feed Raff and then go to bed. Is it just me or has anyone else found they no longer need as much sleep? I think when I was pregnant and could not sleep I developed different sleeping patterns.

EEC im sorry things are a bit tough right now
how come you cant visit you dh?

cilc i totally agree i actually dont need as much sleep anymore i did in the first 2-3 weeks but now i dont i guess our bodies and minds have adjusted
how many weeks is raff now?

i am awake as sam due a feed and i like to get my cup of tea

he is totoally out of his swaddle its completely of and hes lying there with no blanket on time for me to try the sleeping bag

I am knackered this morning! I realise I have been spoilt with a good night time baby! Last night Poppy took about 20 minutes to settle after feeding (I know - not very long!) followed by ds1 peeing his bed. I only lost about 40 min sleep time - but I feel like a zombie.
Poppy asleep now in sling - will have to sneak her into the moses basket so I can have a refreshing shower.

Sympathies to all of you with night screamers xx

cilc - I agree getting out vastly improves how I feel; hopefully it will stay dry today.

isaidno - my dh and i have developed a night time code - if it's a 'level 1' night, i do the feeds as normal, he sleeps, 'level 1+' as above but if she doesn't settle (which often happens) then i'm allowed to wake him and he'll take over, as i can be up for up to 1.5 hours at a time - and level 2 is when i cease being rational / functional and he has to get up, help me get sorted to feed, do nappy change and if necesasry take her downstairs to pram to rock her back off! This doesn't happen often and usually around 5am!! Goodness knows what level 3 might entail...
I sound rather spoilt actually - I'm just really awful with being up lots on the night - I get pains all over my body and dizziness.
We do have a nice glider crib next to the bed now, which helps get her back off.
Weather looking ok hereat the mo - fingers crossed...

Thanbks for support everyone.

Minipink - wow - you must be so proud.

Happy bday Sweetkitty. Doing anything nice?

Couple of questions -

1. how many of you feed from both sides? R seems starving all the time and I always have to give him both, but am worried he is getting mostly fore milk. I do give him a good half hour on one side first though.

1. I am topping up once a day and wondering what is best teat for anti colic. Slow flow, or variable. I have tried tommee tippee closer to nature, and he absolutely guzzles air with these.

HV came and Rory has put on 1 1/2 lb so am feeling I must be doing something right!

sweetkitty it is my ds1 birthday today GOOD DAY !!! have a lovely day

well done to all the good sleepers

still in a fog here with all six at home- gcse results tomorrow yikes!

ahhhhhhhhhhh

i feed only one side? for about 30-40misn is thatw rong?

i hardly go to both sides...

oh advice, my nipple is really sore, got cracks, im using lansinoh, not helping, everytime she feeds, i have tears coming out my eyes...

mummy2bsoon - poor you - I have no advice, but know how painful it can be even without cracks. Can you perhaps get HV/mw to check the latch, or see a bf expert.
I think just one side is probably best, just can't seem to manage it myself. I guess there isn't a right or wrong, just wondered who did what, and whether most only do one side.

Hi All,

MINIE - Dublin will be fab - ages since I hve been too - Temple Bar here you come There is supposed to be an amazing spa hotel just outside of Dublin too - cannot remember what it is called though.

EEC - porr you - I do hope you Dh recovers quickly - sounds horrible why is he having that done? Has he got bony spurs?

My sympathies to all those of you feeling crap and blue It is bloody tough at times. Thankfully Calvin is sleeping a bit better at night - 3 hours stints now and again but I am taking him for a cranila osteopathy treatment to see if it helps his colick/wind/profuse vomiting/genreal bad temper!! I'll let you all know how it goes so you can maybe think about it too.

My head was bursting yesterday as he cried all day!!!!Finally fell asleep at 4.40 an d DD was grizzly too as she was still not 100% although happily skipped off to nursery today.

Finally got around to putting some stuff on ebay - got loads to sell.

MINIPINK - well done your ds1 WHAT A star!! PREEN AWAY

Calvin has started smiling now too -so nice - better than the greeting whinger he usually is!! He is 10lb 15ozs now.

Must go he is off again!!

happy Birthday for tomorrow SWEETKITTY - get that DH to spoil you.xx

Hi All,

MINIE - Dublin will be fab - ages since I hve been too - Temple Bar here you come There is supposed to be an amazing spa hotel just outside of Dublin too - cannot remember what it is called though.

EEC - porr you - I do hope you Dh recovers quickly - sounds horrible why is he having that done? Has he got bony spurs?

My sympathies to all those of you feeling crap and blue It is bloody tough at times. Thankfully Calvin is sleeping a bit better at night - 3 hours stints now and again but I am taking him for a cranila osteopathy treatment to see if it helps his colick/wind/profuse vomiting/genreal bad temper!! I'll let you all know how it goes so you can maybe think about it too.

My head was bursting yesterday as he cried all day!!!!Finally fell asleep at 4.40 an d DD was grizzly too as she was still not 100% although happily skipped off to nursery today.

Finally got around to putting some stuff on ebay - got loads to sell.

MINIPINK - well done your ds1 WHAT A star!! PREEN AWAY

Calvin has started smiling now too -so nice - better than the greeting whinger he usually is!! He is 10lb 15ozs now.

Must go he is off again!!

happy Birthday for tomorrow SWEETKITTY - get that DH to spoil you.xx

EEC - my nearly-four-week old has one side at a time - I feed over the course of an hour and she'll take between 15-30 minutes depending on time of day. If she's ravenous she gets offered the other side, but that's rare at the moment!
She's doing fine during the day, the evenings are the worst as she's hard to settle. It seems we either end up with a baby screaming till 9:30pm, who then sleeps through for five or six hours, or one who goes down at 7:30 who then then wakes up at 2 and 6:30 - still not too bad I suppose! Routine's working reasonably well, loosely on a three hour which we adjust as she dictates through the day - have yet to have much success getting her to bed without her already having fallen asleep on the feed, but it sounds like a bit of controlled crying when you KNOW you've fed/changed/winded may be the way to go...
Current challenge - expressing. Spent a fortune on the Avent Electric and find it's working far better when I put the manual handle on - GRRRR!

Afternoon ladies, best night ever last night 6 hours! From 9pm to 3am woke up with huge sore boobs though. I had expressed 3ozs of milk yesterday and gave her that with a top up BF at 9 and that was her. Straight back to sleep at 3am as well even though I changed her nappy she was fast asleep after feeding. It'll never last.

Went to visit a friend this morning who nannies for a very well off couple they have a huge playroom with wall to wall toys, DDs thought it was fab. This rain is horrendous when will it stop???

Jodie - thanks for noticing yes I am big 33 tomorrow, not up to anything special DP off work so might go out for lunch.

minipink - no you boast ahead well done to your DS.

EEC - I do one side until she falls off herself then I change her and offer her the other side which she may or may not take if she does it's for a few minutes then she drops off to sleep. Actually thinking about it thats rare most times she's happy with one side, I kind of take my cues from her. I am very lucky I have never had a colicky baby we are using the Tommee Tippee closer to nature too (well for the 2 bottles she has had so far). I've heard good things about teh Dr Browns anti colic bottles they have a valve or something.

mummy2bsoon - I do think maybe 30-40 mins is a wee bit too long although DD2 was like that a mammoth feeder but I thought a lot of it was comfort rather than hunger. Would definitely try and get ahold of a BFing counsellor to check your latch shouldn't be hurting after the first few days. Keep slapping on the Lansinoh too.