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 about contraception - I am looking into the implant and think I am going to get it. I know we are definitely not having any more babies but DH is not having the 'snip' for about 12 months and, having been on the pill for 17 years (apart from the 2 pg breaks) I really don't want to go back and feel with 2 children, I may not be that reliable in taking it and I do not want any accidents

Rutho I swear our DH's were seperated at birth - DH is also going on about when he is 'going to get it' again - fgs, Sam is only 11 days old and, yes, he came out the sunroof, but I am still bleeding etc and really too tired to be in the mood!!

ceebee, i think going from one to two is very hard. two to three has been a piece of cake in comparison!

It'll pass soon. DD has gone from trying to poke fins' eyes out and wailing and screaming at me or ignoring me to loving him and wanting to give him kisses and cuddles all the time. she tells me when he is crying and helps change him and was even delving in my top to undo my bra the other day. she still has her moments, but they are few and far between now.

You are a great mum you know. If you weren't you wouldn't care how this was affecting DS1.

lol rutho at your boobs; mine are no go at the minute as well! When mine ballooned from a B cup to an F cup with DS1, I wanted to go and see the doc and ask him to take away the pain but leave the swelling

and this might be tmi, but following on from Obs, earlier post about us multigravidas not telling it like it is......when you do eventually get back in the saddle, be aware that even if DH hasn't gone near your boobs, you can get a pretty forceful let down at the point of orgasm! It's never happened to me, but did my friend!

oh, and Bumba is a projectile pooer as well........right over the side of the changing table and across the floor. I used to stand at the end of the changing table; I have learnt my lesson the hard way

Ok.. so no-one wants to meet up with me then?..I will cry...seriously I need to book DH if I'm coming on the train to Sheffield to meet any of you. Monday would suit me as DH is homw until 2pm anyway.
ceebee you are a lovely mum.. DS will get back to his old self, it's just not nice having to watch them adjust.

Plus- I live in Manchetser if that's any use??

Pinky, Monday is fine for me

Evening all! I'm still around, just don't get much chance to post these days, I don't know where the time goes. I have been trying to keep up with things though. Thanks Obs and Daisy (or should I say Leaky ) for your concern and also Dozy for your message on FB. It's great just being able to read the thread and realise I'm not struggling wsith various issues alone.
Hope all the poorly babies are better and that we all get a better night's sleep tonight. To be fair Elise isn't too bad once she gets to sleep - she slept from midnight to 5am last night and usually sleeps 3-4 hours at a stretch, it's just getting her to sleep in the evening that is the problem! She definitely cluster feeds, swapping from one boob to the other from late afternoon onwards and getting very agitated as time goes on. She gets tired I guess although I do still wonder about my milk supply at that time of day. Obs would be interested in the technique you mentioned to stimulate supply. Having said that she's gaining weight well and HV is pleased with her progress. She's also out of her newborn clothes now
I also struggle to get her to sleep during the day - she'll fall asleep after a feed and I usually manage to put her in her crib without waking her but 10 minutes later she starts crying and I've tried ignoring her thinking she might settle but it doesn't work. Tonight I put her in the sling in desperation and she went straight off to sleep and fed a few times - I managed to cook and eat dinner and then catch up on emails but I really don't want to do the AP thing, not long term in any case. We're co-sleeping at night too because although she'll start off in her Amby nest (once I've got her to sleep) she won't go back in it after the 3, 4 or 5am feed. I suppose she's only 4 weeks old and I shouldn't expect too much. Each day seems to be different as well - yesterday she slept from 12-3pm but today she barely slept at all! When she's awake she's very alert and likes to spend time on her playmat and I sing to her and stuff but it would be nice if she slept occasionally!
On the subject of contraception, the mw suggested the Mirena coil to me - does anybody have any experience of this? Glad it's not just my DH who is keen to resume normal business!
A rather long post - will make more of an effort to keep up in future!

barbareebaa - Sorry to hear about your bad night. Hope tonight is better for you. I now realise that my 2-4am not going back down after feed then up at 6am is not that bad. At 3.30am I tried (for the 1st time) a dummy to try and settle Alyssa to sleep (in desperation). It failed badly due to keep having to put dummy back in. The really annoying thing was after my near 2 hours up with Alyssa that DH got out of bed and gave her a 2 minute cuddle and she then fell asleep! I didnt know whether to bed glad she had gone to sleep or upset that she went so quick for DH.

obs - i wore my dressing gown to bed after the bad 2-4am feed . Wearing the slippers hasnt happened yet but an excellent idea. Could put the next day's clothes on instead so all ready to go!

I also feel the same as you about routines.

leaky - Hope bumba better soon. Love the name.

hope you and DH had a good cuddle . Last thing on my mind. If I ever get some free time i would want to sleep. Also me and DH are continuing the arguing and crap from whilst I was pregnant (remember my posts?) now that the lovely emotions of Alyssa's birth has gone.

rosa - hope you have a better night.

lolabella - congrats on breastfeeding success.

chocorange - know how you feel .

rutho ds2 is also a dab hand at re-decorating the walls with his poo... the most memorable occasion happened in front of a childless friend. I will never forget the look of horror on her face as long as i live... it is a new one on me as this is a talent ds1 didn't have...

dozy am seriously impressed at your incredible organisational skills; all 3 in bed by 6.50pm - amazing! I can't seem to get one in bed much before 8pm, hard as i try. at your early night. Although admittedly i feel far less frigid uninterested in dh than after being mauled by a ventouse with ds1, i still can''t imagine feeling exactly 'amorous' for some time yet. Am just too darn tired. And the whole leaky nip thing is just so not conducive. Which is a shame as am normally an 'a' cup and am now decidedly buxom

ceebee, you are not alone on the ds1 thing...my ds1 was too good to be true for the first few weeks, followed by a horrendous week of moodiness, slight aggression/anger towards me (and actualy other adults) with alot of requests to send ds2 away/put him back in my tummy. Things have improved again although he was quite shocking again this pm. It is so upsetting, he used to have the sweetest, most non aggressive nature. But i keep having to remind myself what i truly believe which is that having a sibling is actually a great gift. I only hope that my relationship with him can be salvaged some day Hope things improve for you quickly.

pinkyminkee have posted you a cheque

Right, I can no longer see straight and not xsure i have made much cense , time for bed x

ooh goodness, at the amount of typos in the last line alone

ADVICE - DS is getting increasingly slap and kick happy with me and DH but especially me. Dont get me wrong me and DH have both wrestled with him (very roughly) for a long time now but never hit or kicked.

I have tried everything to stop this "weird" behaviour that comes from nowhere for no reason. It is making me really down and today I actually had enough of trying everything possible and did the last thing ... slapped him on his legs. It shocked DS but he continued with the behaviour but then realised I wasnt messing and started crying. I then gave DS the cold shoulder (in the car picking mum up from work) for 15 minutes. Feel like such a bad mummy.

I've tried talking to my mum but to be honest she isnt that supportive in that she doesnt understand because he has never done anything like this to her. At most DS is strong willed with mum but never lashed out. So I just feel that she thinks it is me and DH.

Sorry for going on just really getting to me.

That's great. lacks can anyone else meet up with us on monday??

zonedout that's cool

cricri sounds like youn are doing well. Can you lay her down in her crib for a bit in the evenings? Sometimes they like lying on their backs for a bit, esp. if a bit colicky, and having a tummy rub. I wouldn't worry about having her naps in the sling- it's a handy tool. People use walks in prams, swingy seats, all sorts.

vbab big hugs to you.xx SOunds like things are very stressful for you at the moment.

I can do Monday morning! Have baby massage at 1. Got to go, Saurus family need sleep.

Hah.

Love and hugs, Cricri, mine has been a right little tool darling today. Only settles for Daddy [grr]

How do you lot talk so late? I want to say we had a better night but I still feel like I've been hit by a bus. Between mum and DH ringing to see if I was OK and trying to feed DD as late as possible to get a longer sleep I didn't get to sleep till after 1030, then up again between 130 and 230, then she wanted feeding at 450 which disturbed DS so even after a bottle of milk and cuddle he didn't settle back, I tried bringing him into my bed but I am now in the zombie land which is cbeebies babysitting service - can't even have breakfast till the milkman has been!
Have a lovely time on Monday Pinky, Leaky, Saurus

Ceebee, meant to say I know how you feel with DS having a difficult time atm, mine has developed the habit of kicking off from the table and rocking his high chair backwards which is scary, I try not to shout as he shouts back but its hard to be calm when you think he's about to go backwards and crack his head.
He also likes to cuddle his baby sister very enthusiastically which scares me, and either scares her or squashes her, not sure what exactly makes her cry but don't want to tell him just to leave her alone as I like the fact he likes her - just can't wait till she can stand up for herself a bit!

lol at rutho having to avoid poo flying through the air.

Well James is on the mend. I had sleep from 9pm - 1130 and 2am - 4am which is a HUGE improvement - thank you Gina Ford!!

Off to bed now as he's falling asleep on the sofa - but at least I've managed breakfast . Oh, I had crumpets - lurrrvely!!

Morning,
I will have to bow out of the meet up next week, i'm really gutted as I would have loved to meet up with you but it is 3 hours drive for me and I don't think i'm quite up to that just yet, oh and it can take me an hour to leave the house at the moment too!
We could maybe do one in the new year hope ou all have a fab time

ceebee I second what everyone else has said it does get better DS has his moments but is improving. vbab you have my sympathies with your DS mine has started biting which he has NEVER done before and i'm at the end of my tether with it!

mummynic glad James is improving.

Hi everyone else

morning.

well its clinic day today, off to get little madam weighed and measured and a quick check on her jaundice.

anyones baby look like a spotty teenager? sohies skin has erupted over the last few days. she is still gorgeous to me, but i'd forgotton how spotty babies get.

Morning all

Thanks for the words of wisdom/reassurance about DS1's behaviour - I know it will get better in time but it is just having to deal with it in the meantime! Anyway, he is at nursery today so we have all got some breathing space!!

I will have to bow out of the meet-up next week aswell - I am still not driving and even if I start next week, I will not be up for a 90-minute drive Second Ladybuzz - can we do something in the New Year instead/aswell??

Mummynic glad James is improving - you can get on and enjoy your baby now

Vbab no advice on DS's behaviour as, although DS1 is misbehaving, it is not of a violent nature! Don't feel guilty about slapping his legs - tiredness, stress etc would have all combined to make you reach the end of your tether. Hopefully he will realise that you are serious and his behaviour will improve. Hope you and Rutho have a fab meet-up today

Another good night here - Sam seems to be in a routine - at nighttime anyway! He goes in his crib when I go to bed (usually 10ish), wakes at 2ish and again at 5ish for a feed but downs 2oz quickly and goes straight back to sleep Plus we all slept until the alarm went off at 6.45!!

MW due this morning although the weather is atrocious and all the cars are stuck on our road cos of snow so I am not sure if she will make it - Sam is going to be weighed to make sure he is putting weight on now and then I think we will be 'discharged'.

Sympathy to Vbab and Ceebee.
Ds1 has been a little shit recently. He kicked one of his friends in the 'balls' yesterday, and the little lad needed to be taken to the nurse !!!! And then he lied about it to me and dh, until dh pressed him, and he admitted everything.
We are going to his first 'nativity play/ carol concert' this afternoon. I will apologise to the mum, who is really nice, and I chat to her alot, profusley.
I have chronic toothache, and have an emergency appointment with dentist today.
Last night was pants. No change there then !!!

Ceebee & Vbab, you both have my sympathy, I remember vividly how ds1 was when ds2 arrived. I absolutely agree with Lacks that the jump from 1 to 2 is hard, 2 to 3 has been a doddle in comparison. Unfortunately I have no suggestions that are any different to those already made and it is easy to say that it gets better, but that doesn't help right now. Sending you both lots of love & hugs.

More hugs for Obs for a bad night, ds1 woes and chronic toothache. I get alot of toothache on and off as have been waiting on wisdom tooth removal for months. I had to cancel my appt when it came through as was 8 weeks pregnant at the time.

Misdee Zack is spotty on his cheeks but I think it is from where he dribbles milk out of his mouth in bed and then sleeps in the wet patch.

I also have a baby who is a projectile pooer but isn't as bad as ds2 was. I was changing his nappy on my lap at my friends house one day and her 3 year old son was watching when ds2's butt exploded and the only thing I could do to stop it from going all over my friends sofa was put my hand over his bum. My friends ds turned a vivid shade of green and started gagging, it was a pretty horrific experience

Last night was pretty good, I finally got Zack to go down in his moses basket for the first stint of the night last night...Woohoo!!! He was asleep in my arms for about 20 minutes, then we went up to bed at 11pm and he stayed in his basket until 2.45am. He fed at 2.45, was up again at 4.45 for a nappy change and another feed and then slept until almost 9am. At 7.45 he was grunting and fussing a little, so I moved him to my other side and offered him the boob, which he didn't use to nurse, but as a pillow and went back to sleep, lol.

AHHH! Just typed and lost 2 messages!

Will just say Hi all and Hugs for now, be back when connection more reliable!

Hi All

I am sitting here with a baby monitor and fingers crossed hoping DS goes down for a nap - cause I want one too!!

Isn't it funny how a lot of us have good nights and bad nights at the same time (sorry Obs that it doesn't seem to include you ) DS went down at 6.30 last night and slept till 10 when DH woke him for a feed then slept till 3.30. Although he was up from 3.30-5 again just whimpering not crying, which I am finding it really difficult to know what to do about?? I think he might be quite a windy baby as there was a lot of gas coming out of both ends last night!

HV came round today and he is now 8lb 6oz (was 8.2 at birth) so he's put on 7oz in a week which is very reassuring as I get a bit concerned with breastfeeding as I don't know whats going in him.

misdee DS is also quite spotty at the moment - I hope it clears up soon as he has visitors to impress!

Obs good luck at the dentist - I HATE them so I have lots of sympathy!

DS and I are going to try our first mother and baby group today as I have been getting quite lonely on the days I don't see anyone (until DH gets home). I think the poor HV wanted to leave this morning but I chewed her ear off for a good half hour!

Wishing you all good babies and good days! x

Am back from clinic. Sophie is now up to 9lb 4oz, so just over two weeks to regain birth weight and a little extra. was 8lb 10oz when weighed a week ago, so she has been guzzling milk.

i dont have a projective poo-er lol. But my boobs can squirt milk far. yesterday sophie decided the milk was gushing too quickly for her and pulled away from my nipple. as i was NAK at the time, i then had a spray of milk all over the monitor and keyboard! had to get dh to chuck me a cloth to put over my nipple till the gushing had stopped and sophie would go back to feeding.

afternoon. I'm not meant to be here (promised DH I would put some laundry away) but bugger him. He got some nooky yesterday and is being a right ole grump today! Mind you he was up with a very windy baby all night.

sorry for the continued bad nights and arsey DHs. Vbab, sorry to hear your woes about your DS; they always take it out more on those they love the most; not that that's any consolation at the minute. DD was being pretty aggressive towards the baby but that has passed now, mostly.

they will all settle soon, this too shall pass, it's just a phase, they are still so young, routine will come, their world is upside down, they are worried about losing the love of mum and dad........and other mad, sleep deprived and slightly psychotic platitiudes to one and all. If we say them enough they will start to become true

HV came over this morning. More tips on how to get a proper latch (but of course he latched on perfectly whilst she was here ), another prescription for fluconazole for the thrush, and a weighing in. My not well latched, but thriving regardless, baby is now 11lbs (5.02kgs) . That's over a pound a week weight gain and he's on the 75th centile, the little bloater!!

He isn't feeding at all well today though and has only had about three 10 minute bursts. He has plenty spare on him, obviously, so I'm trying not to worry about it!

flipping freezing here with snow! DD quite excited about the snow, but more excited about the skip wagon, mini digger and mini dumper over the road at our neighbours who are getting a new extension.

right, laundry or I shall be given the sack.

Hello all
Hugs and sympathies to all those who didn't sleep so well.

Dinky is definitely getting better and slept really well last night.

Went to a group thingumy today.
It was a bit of fun getting out of the house this morning.
I was sort of ready then the window cleaner turned up, followed by the roofer.

Then Dinky decided she'd have her hobbit second breakfast now, thankyou, then she did a big poo, pooed her vest as she's outgrown the last lot of newborn throw away nappies I am using up.

I changed her nappy and clothes, picked herr up and she threw up all over me (black top)so had to change me next. So I was a little late!

DD1 had a great timne though- it was at one of the city galleries, lots of sticking and gluing and cutting out. Great fun!