APRIL 2008 - The One Where We Step Away From The Psycho Pill and Try Not To Need Pregnancy Tests!!!

[VictorianSqualor]

Our Babies

07 March: Ashton, a fourth child for gemprincess, 5lb 13oz @ 34+6
09 March: Ted, a second DS for Daftmoo, 7lb 14oz @ 36+0
21 March: George William, a first baby for KnitterintheNW, 7lb 2.5oz @ 37+3
25 March: Olivia, a second baby for TheMaskedPoster, 7lb 2oz @ 38+4
28 March: Pablo, a third baby and first DS for vacaloca, 7lb 14oz @ 39+4
28 March: Matteo Alexander, a first baby for Gangle @ 38+0 (?)
30 March: A baby girl, a second child for PortAndLemon, 8lb 15oz @ 39+5
02 April: Jak, a baby boy for rainbowdays, 9lb @ 39+1
02 April: A baby boy, a second child for bunyanvillas, 6lb 14oz @ 37+5
02April: Struan, a baby boy for Donnabels, 6lbs 15oz
02 April: A baby boy for mummyofaprincess @39 weeks
03 April: A baby girl for PippiCalzelunghe @38+2weeks
03 April: Aeryn Daisy, a baby girl for Denny185, 9lb 8oz @ 39+3
03 April: Benjamin, a baby boy for Micegg, 8lb 3oz @ 39+4
03 April: Roelof Grové, a first DS for SalLikesCoffee, 7lb 5oz @ 38+5
03 April: A baby boy for siikibam, 6lb 8.5oz @39+1wks
04 April: Matilda, a baby girl for AprilsFoolsBaby 7lb @
05 April: Ellis, a baby girl for MadameOvary
06 April: Henry Peter, a baby boy for Sheds, 7lb 130z @ 40+4
07 April: Sebastian George, a fourth DS for Peachy, 8lb 4oz @ 41+1
07 April: Jack, a first baby for ThePFJ, 7lb 5.5oz @ 41+1
07 April: Lexie Bea, a fourth baby for babywhiting, 8lb 1oz @ 39+4
08 April: Alasdair, a second DS for bunnyrabbit, 8lb 5.5oz @ 40+3
08 April: James Samuel, a third baby for honeybee10, 6lb 7oz @ 37+2
09 April: Zara Mia Martin, a first baby for V1KK1M, 7lb 10oz @ 41+0
09 April: Jasmine, a baby gilr for Niceychops
11 April: Kyran for rdk, 7lb 13oz @ 38+3weeks
11 April: Sebastian James, a second baby for Fleecy, 10lb 2oz @ 40+4
11 April: A baby girl, a first baby for CeylonSapphire, 7lb 12oz @ 41+1
11th April: Florence, a baby girl for LouMoose
12 April: Maya Alice, a first baby for egyptianprincess, 8lb 15.5oz @ 40+3
12 April: Sophia Viviana, a second DD for AussieDivaonaBreak, 6lb 12oz @ 39+3
15 April: Alexander Oliver, a third baby for VictorianSqualor, 10lb 3oz @ 41+0
16 April: Ailish, a first baby for Mollyfloss, 6lb 11oz @ 40+3
16 April: A baby girl, a second baby for elfsmummy, 7lb 13oz @ 41+1
16 April: Zoe, a baby girl, a first baby for ToastAddict, 6lb 10oz @ 39+3
16 April: Jasmin, a baby girl, a first baby for Eggandketchup, 9lb 3oz @ 41+4
17 April: A baby boy for paranoidmumy, 8lb 9oz @ 41+4
17 April: A baby boy, a second son for lorisparkle, 7lb 12.5oz @ 41+6
17 April: Benedict, first baby for LadyBee 9 lb 3oz @ 41 +2
18 April: Millie, a baby girl for scorpio1 8lb 9oz @ 41+?
18 April: Cameron, a second baby for munchkinmum @ 39+5
19 April: Oliver Michael, first baby for bashboid, 7 lb 4 oz at 41 +3
20 April: Samuel, a first baby for Velbels. 8lb15oz at 41+1weeks.
20 April: Angharad Mai, 8lb 4oz, 40+6, first for 7monthsplus
20 April: Emilia, 7lb15oz, a first baby for SuzeM, 40+6
20 April: A baby girl for SushiMama
21 April: Eve, a second baby for OMaLittle, 8lb 4oz @ 39+3
21 April: A second DD for Monmoo
22 April: Sam, a second son for Soph73 @ 40+0
22 April: Molly, a first baby for EllieG, 8lb 8oz? @ 40+5
22 April: Daisy, second baby for AttilaTheHan @ 40 +3
22 April: Zoe Olivia, second daughter for Piccallilli2 7lb 1oz @42+1
22 April: A second DD for blinks.
23 April: Jessica Elizabeth, first baby for BabyBratt @ 40+1 7lb 12oz.
24 April: A baby girl, a second daughter for christmaspixie, 9lb 2oz @ 40+6/41+5
24 April: Miya Jade, baby girl for ShelleySare at 39+4
25 April: Amelie, a first baby for Dondons, 9lb, 41+3 (i think!)
25 April: Aisha, a second baby for Jaq39 7lb 14oz @ 41+4
26 April: Hope Olivia, a second dd for northeastmummy, 7lb 11oz at 41 .
26 April: Gabriel, a third child for Bainmarie @ 41+5
26 April: Eli Michael, a baby boy for LittleMissTurquoise, 7lb 15.5oz @ 40+5
27 April: a baby girl for Ayomi, 6lb 1oz @ 41+0
28 April: Jacob Andrew, a 2nd DS for Kaybeeand2boys, 8lb 4oz @ 41+5
29 April: Thomas Henry, a 2nd DS for TLSM, 7lb 8oz 40+3
30 April: Harry Samuel, a fourth ds for Chipmonkey, 9lb 5oz @ 39+2
30 April: Ellie, a baby girl for Annamama
30 April: A second DD for luckymummy74
01 May: Sophie May, a baby grl for Annieroo, 6lb 5oz @ 41+4
01 May: Euan George, a baby boy for Jenniejennie, 8lb @ 40+4
02 May: Robyn Olivia, a baby girl for soph28, 8lb 1oz @ 42+1
05 May: Nora Martina, a first baby for Eva07, 7lb 8oz @ 41+2
05 May: A baby boy for Beeper, 8lb 10oz @ 41+0
05 May: Gabriella Summer, a first baby for MommyHasAHeadache, 8lb 4oz @ 40+6
06 May: Wilf, 8lb 60z for bigbadmom @ 41+6
07 May: James Andrew, a second ds for Moominsmummy, 8lb 13oz @ 41+5
08 May: Ellie Isabella, a first baby for Carey87, 7 lb 8oz @ 42+1
08 May: Robin David, a 2nd baby for Woollymummy, 8lb 11 oz @ 41+3
09 May: 4 kittens for scorpio's cat!
10 May: Astrid Mary, a second dd for sagitta, 8lb 8oz @ 42+0

Ah not to worry VS, of course you can ask if you want. I also know it's because you care passionately about it, which is nice. I actually considered not mentioning it (well, didn't for 3 days) as I didn't want to start a fight / whatever. But then reconed we're all honest with eachother anyway, so I felt silly hiding something I knew was right.

In our case all the "signs" were actually there (and he can now sit upright in his high chair for at least half an hour - whether or not that is necessary), he didn't have the virgin gut anyway, and I checked with the paediatrician. (Pfb and all that .) I also didn't do it for longer sleep, as I don't think it will make a difference (well, we're not weaning seriously enough to know, but I doubt it will). I've got personal reasons for starting our extremely slow weaning at 22 weeks, but it is backed up with medical.

Ladybee u can get those insulated bags which keep milk cool for quite a while if taking straight from the fridge. If from the frezer would probably still be frozen after a few hours, as u say u could get some warm water to defrost and warm up.

Mum is looking after DD2 tomorrow pm while I take DS in 4 his first pm at pre-school. I'm hoping she will take a bottle again as havn't had a chance to try since the weekend, otherwise mum may have a fun few hours.

Just caught up with the rest of the thread (phew, busy day, I'm 3 pages behind!)...

PAL, thanks for that info. It's a relief (as I gave him some when he was ill earlier!)

Benedict!

And total at the comment, OMaL. People are just plain stupid sometimes (when in a good mood I prefer to think they just didn't think what they asked, but sometimes think, well...)

I went to town today to meet my friend (the one whose dh messed up, the idiot!), and she sounds a lot better. They both love eachother I think, I suspect he was just being a moron who liked the attention and thought it's innocent flirting. Uhhh, no. I think they'll be ok, which is a relief, she's a wonderful and strong woman.

Oooh, bought Roelof the coolest clothes at H&M in Regent Street! I hate going to Oxford and Regent Street, but this made it all worthwhile. I also got myself a couple of tops at Debenhams, so no risk of having to walk around naked anymore. Which is to the benefit of all around.

I'm glad you said all that VS - backed up what my HV said to me today. I for one will definately only wean from 6 months. I've had stomach issues most of my life which I am now convinced are from being given porriage at 6weeks. My sister is waiting to find out if she has Chrones Disease (also fed porriage at 6 weeks) and my brother has always suffered from digestion problems (also fed porriage at 6 weeks). The HV said with that sort of history in my family I should most def wait until 6 months.

That comment did make me laugh OMa! The things people think up when drunk! I bet it was just a case of trying to find something to say!

Sal - I also bough Gigi some cool clothing from H&M today - they have such cute stuff!

LadyBee - thanks for the web site link. Will have a little look! Poor you today with BabyBee! lol

MommyHasaH - I got all mushy at all the beautiful girly stuff, and considered a full-on attack of batting eyelids, swishy hips, dancing around the table... (ok, maybe going a bit far there) when dh got home Ah, those leather bootsies for older girls, did you see? It's gorgeous!!!
Also went into gap kids, and their organic newborn stuff didn't exactly help getting me out of the mood either...

I haven't been to H&M for baby clothes yet - but he's getting a bit tight in his 3-6 stuff now, so I do have an excuse to start looking for some things.

VS I've been quite curious about what's been going on in my RL postnatal group, although we do have babies born from Feb through to end April, there seems to be a general feeling that weaning can start anytime from now.
My baby is actually the heaviest and biggest (tallest) but is second youngest, and the other mums always seem to just expect me to start up with solids next, it doesn't even seem to be an expectation that we would aim for exclusively BF until 6 months. I wonder whether it's coming from HVs or even from reading the GF and Baby Whisperer books (which we all have as first timers) - I think they pay lip service to the 6 month guideline but have big ''but some babies need to be weaned earlier'' undercurrents, especially with the emphasis on sleeping through.
My HV, when I asked her, said that I shouldn't think about weaning until 6 months, but the reason she gave was because he seems to be thriving still on breastmilk alone. There was no mention of risks or reasons not to introduce solids at all.
Personally, although I'm sort of looking forward to doing a bit mushing and spooning as well as lots of playing with food, I also want to delay it til the six months and I think we'll be fine with that. So long as he gets to play with the odd lettuce leaf and grab at everything that passes him on the way to my mouth

Oh OMa, I express in the mornings. DS feeds around 7am, we're normally downstairs by 8 and DS has a play under the gym and I have breakfast and pump..but I'm not trying to express enough for a dreamfeed, I freeze everything I pump and normally do the DF myself if I do it at all. Not much help, huh

Our hv's said to wait until 6 months unless other factors (i.e. paediatrician, not thriving etc etc, and then only after having checked with health care provider), but I can't remember if they mentioned the reasons (I know anyway, but I mean in case someone didn't know). I remember they said that weight wasn't an indication, but maybe it's just because I had the chubbiest baby around They were available for questions, so I'm sure they would have said even if it wasnt on the "talk". I was impressed with the fact that they went to the trouble of arranging a class (albeit a laptop presentation) to ensure the relevant nutritional requirements, advice re added vitamins etc once weaning starts was known. Having heard some of the horror stories on here, I realise we're quite lucky with ours.

I wouldn't want their jobs tbh - you need to provide the information, but do it in a non-patronising way. And all children obviously aren't the same, so delicate situation where "official advice" needs to be given, but it doesn't necessarily apply to everyone 100%.

Meant to add - Ladybee, go to the H&M in Regent Street. I made the stupid mistake to go up all the way to Bond Street, working my way through the H&M store boards down to the last one in RS. You'd think I don't have access to the internet or something.

I get lots of George's clothes from H&M, and all my bf tops too. I love the baby clothes in there, they always have something a bit different.

TBH, I don't think a lot of health visitors actually know why weaning should wait, I may ask mine next week and see what they say, because mine are fab, very BLW orientated, know a lot about bfing and practically ignore the charts but go by the baby themselves.

Even the failing to thrive route shouldn't really be a reason for early weaning without first trying other things, a BF baby that is failing to thrive should first be given mroe breastfeeds, secondly more feeds but with formula, thirdly more milk but special formula with a high calorific content and lastly weaning (unless of course there is an intolerance like with Peachy and Bas, then it would be as Peachy did, cutting out dairy until feasibly possible and then starting weaning on the advice of a Paed) but sadly a lot of HVs did their training years ago when formula was all the rage and as such know nothing about breastfeeding or why the guidelines changed to six moths for weaning, I've heard of HVs that say it was changed so that 'early' weaning would stop at 2-3months and be considered as 4-6months instead

Sal you don't know how relieved I was to read that! I tried so hard to word what I wrote to have maximum impact without being too aggressive.

Ours. sadly, recommend from 17 weeks but I don't feel with Bas's history I am best palced to fight this partiocular battle.

The weight gan thing doesn't hold for most babies- a bowl of mushed carrot is what- carrot!. Hardly fattening! I actually suspect all mine have a slight metabolic issue with animal proteins which is why they gain so much on weaned, but I follow a very high healthy-calories weaning diet with plenty of avocado, olive oil, sweet potatoes, squash; very far removed from the Annabel karmel 'blend a melon' route! Am also lucky as had access to a private dietician with the ds1 / ds3 for a while who basically taught me loads. PArt of me wishes I ahd done dietetics tbh

VS.

Another thing that I found strange at the weaning session was how they didn't seem impressed with blw. Didn't even mention it until I asked questions about it, and even then said although the woman who started it was part of the WHO or something - according to them she doesn't represent it. I got the idea they thought it a bit hippyish, but later wondered whether it was only because it is kind of difficult trying to explain choking etc etc at a basic general introduction session.

I found this rather interesting, and then of course Aitch's site and forum on it. I however grew up with the idea of it anyway (wayyyy before it was common - apparently we all refused to eat Purity as babies, so my mom did slow weaning from between 5 and 6 months with softly cooked solids where possible and freshly pureed the rest, so roughly the same idea (mixing purees and pieces) as I have.

MommyHasaH - quick update re the First Aid course: I haven't heard back re dates, and no reply yet to chasing e-mail I sent yesterday. Will keep you updated.

blw is fab. I and many others have used a system based on it for years- with a few jars and mushes yes, but self-feeding is fab

God I need some adult company. Mol has gone down for a nap and I went outside, then realised I was talking to a plant.

Incidentally - I tried Molly with a spoonful of baby rice the other day. I don't think she swallowed much but enjoyed playing with it. Is not going to be a regular thing til she is 26 weeks and weaning begins properly.

There. Have 'fessed up now.

I kind of used BLW with DS1 without knowing what I was doing. He was teething, badly, in his buggy around town so I broke off the top of a baguette and handed him it (it was all I had that was hard) and he started chewing on it, he'd been having purees for about a week or so and when I saw he was perfectly capable of eating properly I started to give him finger foods.
DD always had my dinners pureed, but I stopped doing much to it after about a month and just mashing it so it was lumpy and then by 6months (Adjusted) she was eating finger foods too.
I have tons of pictures upstairs of DD eating spag bol and the like in her highchair, I should get the scanner working and put them on the pooter really.

My HV weaning session did spontaneously mention BLW, but just to say that she didn't know much about it personally but if we were interested there was a website about it.

Mine don't seem to know anything about it. But then they are rubbish and I avoid them like the plague.

Can I ask some advice please? Mol is still finding it difficult to get to sleep sometimes - she is not hungry or thirsty or in a dirty nappy but will grizzle and cry and it is really getting me down now. Last couple of days she also seems to have suddenly developed a only wanting to sleep on me thing - I cuddle her, put her down and she cries. Pick her up, stops crying immediately, nod off. Put down, cries. Pick up etc - repeat ad nauseum. DH says I should just leave her to cry but I don't like to as I think it will make her stressed and I read a Dr Sears sleep book that said if they cry to sleep will grow up psychologically damaged (am paraphrasing here obviously - not quite that dramatic but almost). I thought the whole stress hormone and crying damage was done only if you left them to cry for long periods of time. I am getting worn out and keep ending up crying with her, which is not exactly conducive to a calm sleep environment.
What do people think?

Hi Ellie, we've had a couple of episodes like that recently too, notably last night when he went off to sleep happily but woke up wailing like he was being murdered, tried feeding him more, lots of winding, lots of walking about and soothing back to sleep but putting him down just sparked him off again.
I find it really distressing too, I think because it's such hard crying, not a grizzle but a real wail, so mostly DP goes up to do the soothing. Yesterday I went up the second time and just brought him downstairs and let him sleep on me and then DP while we watch tv. It was quite interesting actually watching him sleep - and I feel that it's just a phase and will probably pass so am not that worried about setting up habits - he goes down fine for his naps for example, so it's not every sleep nor every day.
I read The Science of Parenting recently which talks a lot about brain chemistry and stress hormones etc, and it really emphasised how important our physical touch is for the baby to release the calming chemicals, so I'd much rather pick DS and hold him to calm him and if he feels he needs extra comfort during this stage (he is doing a lot of development with all that sitting/crawling practice and has teething and a cold to cope with), then it's not much bother to give it to him. DP enjoyed having a sleeping baby sprawled on him...was just like the old days

Ellie, I'd let her cry for a few minutes, but I am a mean mummy!

We thought about putting A in the en suite, but its just too small unfortunately. So we're still in the living room and she's in our room. But to be honest, its lovely - I am sleeping much better, as is A. And I can watch telly/ read in bed! Heaven...

Good debate there on weaning...
For the fist time I am starting to think i might keep BFing for longer than 6 months. But I have to go away for work for a week when A is 6 months - and I haven't been expressing. Is it too late to start now? And then do i have to pump and dump a few times a day while I'm away?
Should I just stop BFing, as by then she'll be starting solids anyway?

If you want to carry on sagitta it would be best to pump at least once/twice a day whilst away just to keep the supply stimulated, plus it'll be bloody painful if you don't!
When back you'd probably have a version of a growth spurt to bring it back up to speed but some people successfully breastfeed (mix feed)whilst working with no expressing needed.

If you want to carry on then there is a point, breast milk will always be beneficial to your baby, whether it be at one day old or one year old, it's just more beneficial at the beginning of their life.

WRT crying to sleep, is it teeth? DS2 would not go back to sleep at 5 this morning until I gave him calpol and then rocked him, once that kicked in he was fine but although tired, he was in pain so unable to sleep. I will leave him if he is grizzling/crying a bit but if he yells I go get him.

two things:

1. Yay! I have had an ebay success, finally...a coolbag for 99p!

1. I also got the ikea highchair, in red with white tray. DS loves it. I've posted a picture he just looks like he's wondering where his nosh is

Thanks, VS. I've never been keen on BFing really, but I feel really quite guilty - and have surprised myself at that - about starting a night formula feed when she was 3 months. Its only one a day, and she eats a lot at that feed, I think more than at her breast feeds. I thought she'd give that feed up, but it seems to have become a really key feed. But if its just guilt keeping me going with BFing after 6 months, is there really any tangible benefit to A?

LadyBee - cute pics! But blimey - babybee seems very grown up! Standing, sitting...we are so far off that!

Yes, there is, have a look here but it isn't as important as the first six months. If you want to stop, then stop. You've done great to get this far.