we did it, we did it, the babies are here, now come and join us and we will give you a cheer!!!!

[Dozymare]

Hope this works

thought i would start a thread for those of us already in the heady World of motherhood, so we can share the trials and tribulations of the early days....

I shall start with my birth story and hope other's follow and I haven't started a dud thread

As you know I was dreading a 3rd CS, almost to the point where I was having panic attacks - we went in on the Thursday and after waiting for an EMC we were taken to theatre where I was DELIGHTED to recognise the aneathatist (sp!!) who helped deliver DS2. Now, one of my major fears about a 3rd CS was the fact that having had a "perfect" excperience with DS2, it6 wouldn't be possible to experience the same thing again...I was wroing, it was better The whole thing was started at 1315 and Tallulah was born at 1344 weighing 7lbs 2oz. She has a shock of dark hair but seems so small compared to the boys who were 9 and 10lbs respectively. The care I recieved was absolutely 2nd to none - no complaints or gripes.........So far so good.........

HOWEVER.........my god, do you forget the pain of breastfeeding before the milk comes in - I am in absolute agony and have had to top up with aptamil as the poor wee thing is so, so hungry...I am literally BF for up to 2 hours (the point of pain in both udders ) and then topping up with Aptamil. She guzzles 30ml and then settles.......As for sleep - sleep is for wimps!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ooh HM2J, having a bath together is an interesting idea...never tried it with a teeny weeny...and since they're 4 weeks today and have only had 2 baths , I think a 'timesaver' is in order.

ChocO, sorry you are feeling down, but so good you are not in denial and that you are talking about it. Hope the posts about it being normal are helpful and I'm sure as hormones balance you will feel better. I THINK you are probably a routine type person so really hope the GF or the other book work out for you. I know it has worked wonders for my friend...(she is also a very organised person ). Have you tried a sling? I think some babies just really want to be close more than others, and I don't think it spoils them, they grow out of it. Also, don't worry to let him cry for a bit while you go to the loo or have a shower. With more than 1 kid, you have to let them have a bit of a cry, though it is hard to hear, but at least you can do some basic stuff. And last but not least: DO NOT WORRY ABOUT HOUSEWORK. Eat takeaway and ready meals, forget hoovering and mopping floors or cleaning bathrooms and just let things go for a bit while you focus on you and the baby.

2 quick questions:

• Don't think my 2 have colic as such as it is only really at night. Are there some drops which could help...tried Infacol with ds1 but didn't seem to help. However, I think maybe he was just a 'grouchy in the evening' baby for a period as he never had burps and farts like these 2!
• Ds2 has pimply things on his face. Is this normal? Is it an indication of eczema to come? (Ds1 had it and then got eczema).

i hate these hormones. coupled with lack of sleep means i just had a huge row with dh over a plate now the neighbours probably think we are nuts, and my girls are upset. they are now all watching kung fu panda and hopefully i havent f*cked them up for life.

Merry, I hope the pimply thing isn't an indication of eczema to come. DS2 had severe eczema and we had to wet wrap ect. Zack is quite rashy, gets what looks like hives quite alot but they don't last. I am naturally very nervous for him as ds2 had the pimples, then the eczema and then the multiple food allergies. I really don't want Zack to go through even a part of what ds2 went through.

As for the colic, I do think baby's can have a grouchy period without it being colic. Take me for example, I am often grumpy/grouchy in the morning as I am not a morning person, lol! Make sense?

X-post Misdee. I have no words of wisdom really, but wanted to send some big hugs and calming thoughts your way.

I am currently trying to find outfits for Zack & I for Christmas. I know we already had posts about breastfeeding dresses, but I'll be damned if I can find them, think it was on an antenatal thread a while ago.

thanks HM2J.

i have a question, do all babies peel from head to toe in the first two weeks after being born? or just my allergy-prone girls? sophie looks like a little lizard atm. i know i have some green people baby salve stuff here somewhere which i want to try. am wary of aquous cream as dd1 is allergic to it.

hI Ladies

Sorry about your argument misdee, me and DH argued yesterday blame hormones and sleep deprivation.

H2JM - I got a wrap style dress for my sisters wedding but my boobs are to big to get squeeze them out for feding so mum kindly got me a new outfit, nice wide leg trousers and a nice loose top from next, teamed with heels.

Can anyone help, Rebecca been really unsettled today, this afternoon we tried a dummy and she took to it straight the way but since her 4.30 feed not wanted it and took ages to settle. I am unsure if I have thrush not only on my nipples but down below is really tender again and sore. How do I know. Rebecca's tongue is whte at the back but when we saw the HV she said that was milk. If I had nipple thrush would this make her unsettled - she is still feeding fine. I fel like putting frozen peas on my fanjo - is this Thrush. Never had this before does it require a visit to the doctors (I hope not as need to go to next tomorrow for Jacket / cardigan to wear to wedding to keep warm in church)

Sorry for me post but feel shitty.

Lovelyname MM.

And Woohoo to the famous Vbab and Lacks! We were on the TV/news once with DD and in the paper as she had to be cut out of her cot by none other than the fire brigade!!!

Misdee, all of mine shed their skin. Ds2 started at about 4 weeks but wasn't late. Ds1 started immediately and Zack is skinning now.

Coolcat, I am really not sure about the thrush. I started with it down below 2 days before Zack was born and it was sore and itchy. I am worried that Zack may have picked it up on his way into the world, but can see no white on his tongue. However my nipples are really sore, especially the right one, it feels like it has been ripped to shreds although there are no sores and they aren't bleedng, just shooting pain, not hot or anything. I just keep telling myself his latch isn't great and this too shall pass.

Thanks Lacks - her poos have gone from green to brown and we are now on the yellow brown ones. I will try double feeding on same boob - she prefers the right - think its as the left had the most huge crack / sore and its only just getting better. Still hurts when she first goes on bit the pain is less than 10 secs !!!( can I have your autograph seeing as you are going to be on tv )
Misdee I use almond oil on dd she has a few peeling bits not as bad as dd1 was however-
Gotta go colic calls ...perfect timing its as if she has a clock !

Evening all

Thanks for your supportive comments - I feel so lucky to have you ladies!! Feeling pretty knackered today, we got up at 8.30 and Mack slept in my arms till about 10. He had a lovely nap from 11.30 - 2 and DH took him out in his pram from 3.30 - 4.45 and I tried to nap too but I was so on edge about everything that I couldn't really sleep but I have just managed to eat a good dinner (fresh mackerel cooked by my darling DH as he heard oily fish is good for you ) so thats an improvement!!

DM - I would love to meet up, although I am getting a bit confused about how that would work with the GF routine, perhaps you can let me know what you do when using it??

Big hugs to you all and your babies - sorry I am not personal posting - I don't have time and I feel rubbish for that but I am thinking of you all. .

peeling babies....all of mine have peeled soon after birth. DS2 has been the worst so far though, but I had put that down to him being a winter baby and in an artificially heated environment......my skin is always much drier in the winter.

pimples.....this is just baby acne isn't it? Again, all of mine have had it, DD the worst out of all three of them. DS1 had baby eczema, DD has baby eczema and DS2 fine so far. I hadn't thought of a connection though as I know babies that have had pretty bad baby acne, but their skin has been fine and no allergies.

colic.....again my older two had periods of being a bit colicky when they were brand new, but it passed by about three or four weeks. True colic, as far as I've heard kind if starts around the three week point and stays until around three months. time will tell whcih it is I suppose....and I'll keep you all posted on whether the Colief drops are working (it costs £10 for a tiny bottle and needs to be discarded after three weeks......but as DH pointed out £3.33 a week for a decent sleep is cheap at twice the price )

nipple thrush......nipples are characteristically pink and shiny with or without white patches. When DS2 had the thrush in his mouth, the whole of his tongue was coated and it looked very thick and weas very white.....whereas milky residue is off white. He also had white patches on his gums and the inside of his cheeks that didn't rub off.

foof thrush.....usually just makes me itchy, not sore (unless attempt to have sex) so not sure. But, if you have stitches or something, I'm not sure what effect this would have. I would go and see the doc just to rule out any stitch infection.

BFing dresses....don't remember which thread, but try Blooming Marvellous; they usually have one or two.

hormones and tiredness......DH and I have had a few moments as well; usually over one or other of us being a little too short tempered with the older two .

ChocO....don't let the GF routines stop you from living a life outside the house! Babies sleep whether in their cot, moses basket, pram or car seat!

PMA ladies......PMA

and sorry for rambling on.

Wow what a post Daisy.

Will check inside Rebecca's mouth.

OMG....Yorky' birth thread was amazing! What a star she is

lacks - what's this then I say I'm going in the local paper so you have to raise the stakes!!! Congrats. Let us know when it will be on C4.

monkey - Love the name Cecily Plum.

UPDATE - Alyssa so far today so good. Last night she didnt do the 11pm/12 until 3am awake thing . DH put her to bed same time I went at 10.30pm. Then I fed her and she went straight back to sleep at 1am and 4am. Then another feed when daddy fetched her down at 9am.

Unfortunately for me though after finishing Alyssa's feed and putting her to bed 4.30am ish I checked on DS. He nearly had his head inserted in his metal head board so I of course moved him in his bed. MISTAKE!!! Normally he would settle back down but NO his mental behaviour from bed time of screaming and shouting "downstairs" started. The only way I calmed him down was by in the end sleeping his bed (dont like doing it and only done it once before) with him until 7.30am when he woke up and then woke me up. At first I kept trying to get out of the bed but he kept moving his foot on me then kicked off when he felt me get out of the bed. So I realised I was trapped and just went to sleep.

After being up at 1am and 4am you can just imagine what a picture I looked at 7.30am!

TODAY & TONGIHT - DS has tried it on and been very naughty on occasion. He managed to look at the camera when being done for paper but not one of his amazing smiles.

At BEDTIME DS helped me bath Alyssa after his bath time with DH. Then I fed Alyssa whilst DS watched TV in between playing with DH. I then said "Alyssa going to bed give her a kiss". DS said "hold her". So I let him with me helping for a few mins and he was great. Then I took her off to bed upstairs and she still asleep. Then me and DS had 20 mins cuddling watching TV before I said bed time. he said "no" and tried it on but not nasty or really bad. DH took him to bed no problems at 7.30pm ish. So far so good ... fingers crossed ladies.

wow lacks, loads of good info...thanks.

re. baby acne...what should be put on it? do let me know how colief goes and i may invest too! definitely worth it if it works. in fact i'd pay 50quid if it was guaranteed to work on my babes.

vbab, gla mummy time helped ds. i put ds to bed too and sa with him for a bit while he settled down and he has stayed in his room for first time for a while...last week he's been staying up and then popping out of his room when i go to bed and coming to sleep with me (bless!). anyway, off to bed for me...

Ooh we have stars in our midst. Vbab can you link to your local paper would love to see the story. You too Daisy let us all know when you will be on TV

Interesting thoughts re the baby acne DS1 had it and also has exzema, DS2 has just started with the pimples so I shall watch this space! he is peeling too but only on his feet at the moment.

I have Another UTI and more antibiotics, I knew this would happen I feel like s*&t today

Hugs to everyone who is feeling a bit down.

PAPER - Will put link on if I can when the story on. As far as I know the story is in the paper this Friday so watch this space.

ladybuzz - hugs. hope the antibiotics do the trick and you feel better soon.

baby rash - Alyssa is currently peeling like mad everywhere and started with a slight rash on her face today. Just hope she doesnt end up with eczema like DS. Also her cord fell off on Sunday at 5 days old and seems to be healing nice.

Off to bed now. Night, night.

Sorry for this, but me post coming up.

Even though Zack isn't fussing tonight, I wanted a bath and Zack needed one, so off we went while dh & the boys were watching the 1st half of the match. While in the bath I noticed that Zack has a moob. His left breats is swollen or there is a lump, it is hard to the touch. Now I know that some swollen bits can be expected at birth as they have the mummys hormones in their system, but shouldn't it be gone by now (12 days)? Am I being neurotic?

heartmum, I would mention it to your HV. I know that both boys and girls can have boobs when they are born, but I would imagine the tissue to be soft, not hard to the touch. It's probably normal, but worth getting checked out. Is this both sides or just one?

sorry vbab , but I'm sure i won't rain on your parade as I will only be an "extra" in my doula's story and probably on screen for a nano-second, if they even use it!

DS2 seems more settled this evening with the Colief drops. They are a pig to give though as you have to mix them with a bit of warm BM and syringe it in prior to BFing....so I have to express a bit beforehand meanwhile he is getting more upset with me as it isn't coming fast enough!! We'll see what the night brings.

Wasn't Yorky's birth thread amazing? although where she was hiding all that baby I don't know. When I saw her mid October she looked like she was only about 6 months pregnant!!

hi all, have no great advice for anyone - just on to say through gritted teeth - here comes the night.......

Have uploaded a couple of pics of Greta - ahh!

Is it day tme now???????? Hope you all had a better night. at our end 1 x colic drops , covered about 10 miles in pacing the floor and now she is sound asleep .
Vbab - glad your ds had a better evening
Lady Buzz whata bummer with UTI - hope it clears up soon
Heartmun- I had heard about bumps on boobs for boys but agree just check with your HV . A friend found one on her girl at 12 mths it vanished at 18 .
Am going to try shopping but am betting dd will let me get 1/2 way and then demand food - not many friendly bf places here as the bars a re so small you can't fit behind a table !!!!
Lacks your posts are full of wonderful info - Thanks !
Have a good day everybody and sorry to those I have not nominated,

morning

better night sleep all round. sophie actually spent more of the night in her moses basket than in our bed so we slept better. just 3 night feeds as well compared to usual 5+. she had a mega feed when we got up and is now rooting for more.

new pics in profile.

Morning all

was going to write nice things about my son but his lungs have just opened to the heavens and I have to go.....

roca, didnt know u were in the same county as me. what a head of hair greta has. gorgeous pics!

Rosa and Misdee, your girls are so very very beautiful.
I have downloaded a new photo. I didn't like that bloated one , when they are first born.

Daisy, your wealth of info posts are inspirational.

We had bad night and I took ds2 into bed with me. AGAIN.

Was supposed to meet CarGirl for a coffee, but put her off till next week. Sleep comes first.
Went to Gp, for appointment, this morning.
I have been given the O.K. to drive HOORAH
I don't intend to. But its nice to have the o.k.