January 09 - 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4......and we're off

[fourlittlestockingedfeet]

Here's a brand new thread for the early party poppers!

Dog I feel for you too. Its awful that last 'waiting to deliver' phase and must be tenfold worse for you with all us wittering on about our little ones. Hope it all happens really soon for you.

Hope its ok for me to have a little witter though - am missing my MN fixes.

The combination (I think) of her taking a huge feed at 11.00 and being put in a growbag for the first time meant that DD slept 5 hrs straight then 3 hrs last night and it seems that was enough to finally give me my husband back (As opposed to the rude, cantankerous, crotchety etc etc etc creature that I have been living with for the past few days!)

HV came and did a weigh in today, she has gained and is now 7 lb 14 oz so they are happy with her.

Have discovered she loves the vibrate setting on the swing, although still not keen on it actually swinging. This is great as I can now answer the doorbell OR go to the toilet OR do the washing up OR put on a load of washing etc. Ah the little things that make you happy when you have a newborn in the house .

Boys seem to have settled down again now and are enjoying having some semblance of normal routine back with Mummy doing the school run, homework, tea etc (well I say normal routine, snow closures allowing anyway).

It was an absolute blizzard here this morning and the council decided to keep the schools open! This was made all the more strange by their insistence on closing them yesterday when the weather was much milder?! The snow in the playground this afternoon came up well past my ankles so must've been at least 5-6 cm and thats just the new fall from this morning. They are predicting heavy snow on Sunday now.

I am going to start expressing on Saturday as with both boys I was advised to get them to take a bottle between 6 and 8 weeks to avoid refusal later. It worked really well with both of them and both took a large expressed feed every night for their last feed of the evening so I could go to bed early and they slept for longer afterwards.

hey all. well after last moany post from me i then got a v & d bug yesterday. epic sickness that reminded me of pregnancy (poor dog still there!). mmmn thought of a third definitly put on hold for a while. luckily mum and dad bailed me out AGAIN and arrived on the doorstep at 11pm last night after a phone call from dh. paranoid about the boys getting it, especially as dh of to america for a week on sunday, so have not really been near them much today. mum even had stanley in with her last night which even though he was only downstairs made me cry. ds1 non plused though as he know granny and grandad are way more fun than mummy....
ray agree swaddling is ace. ds2 loves his blue swaddle blanket and only sleeps when in it at night. bit worried though as think you are supposed to stop at 6 weeks and he is now 7. can't remember why though? if his arms are out he flays them so much he wakes himself up. i too was spoilt with diamonds but i am having them set into my wedding ring. one for each of the boys as didnt get one last time. well deserved though i think!
lennied with you on the tantrums. so hard to cope with and don't know about you but just piles the guilt on too. anyone else's dc1 being slightly violent towards baby? ds1 starts gently but builds up to a smack given half the chance.
missj backache here too but think pretty much a given with new baby. recommend pilates as really helped me first time round to get my strength back in my core and take the pressure off my back. would like to take my own advice but don't have time at the moment!
missh mastitis is a shocker poor you. the guilt of giving up bf is horrid but i know i am a better mummy for not doing it. when you dread each feed and start shouting at dc (in my case ) its time to stop, well it was for me anyway. i know breast is best but sometimes its not. sorry not advice and please don't judge me for stopping everyone else, i just know how hard it is to decide what is right for you and your baby. does that make sense?
moose ds1 always had a growbag and i think they are fab. can't remember what age we started from though. he still has it now at 20mo and does a forward roll each night to get in it!
dog lack of post = labour? hope so.
can't eat and dh drinking wine. not fair!

Ooh yes, hope you are getting your home-birth dog...

MissH You really shouldn't feel bad about switching to formula - there are plenty of formula-fed babies out there, healthy and happy - much more important to have a happy and relaxed momma!

qumps you are right about pilates, I used to do classes in London but since being pregnant had stopped. Just a question of finding the time... and motivation! But if I don't do something soon my back is going to give out.

Anyway, precious moments while LO sleeps so must try to get some myself... an exciting Friday night!

Hi there - hope everyone is coping with the snow? Got a bit of cabin fever going here...

We Did go out to MW today though in the snow - but good news as they have now discharged DS as he is nearly back up to birth weight. Hooray!

I'm still combining bf and formula top-ups trying to get some more weight on him, but not sure how long supply/ morale will keep going. So frustating as everyone agrees latch is good and I really couldn't be feeding more than I am. at those getting good sleep! But glad bf is going well for others .

MissH I also feel very guilty about all of this which makes me very upset sometimes too, but the same thing happened with DS1 and when I look at how happy and healthy he is it makes me feel so much better.

Gtd - I have great faith in S&S good luck!

giveadogahomebirth have sex... that will get things going. something in the semen will set it off. i know it is probably uncomfortable to do anything right now, but it may be the ticket.

patthehammer expressing is sort of going well. DD just won't finish the bottle though right now... its as though she knows the real thing is there so why should she have boob milk in a bottle.

DD, like most little girls i'm sure, has daddy wrapped around her finger. i laid her down for late morning nap and jumped into the shower, instructing DH not to pick her up if she cries but pat her on the back and shh-ing. i got out of the shower and it was peaceful. i thought 'wow, she went down without the usual trips in to soothe her.' no. DH had her in the sling. she was sleeping in the sling but DH was going off to work so i had to wear while she napped. can't put her down twice. we made cookies though so all was good.

she is reaching out to grab her bumble bee on the sling and looking towards noises. little milestones but amazing. her smiles get bigger and better everyday. as for me, i'm becoming quite the one handed speed typer.

Bookmarking, hope to read these nearly 500 posts and catch up tomorrow (got home late afternoon)

dog, no need to say sorry AT ALL. you would be a bit odd if you weren't feeling miserable, imo... My advice is to pretend you're not pregnant at all, and that way when you give birth it will be a big surprise. What do you reckon?

thanks for your lovely messages - Rosie is better and we're home! so so so happy to be away from the hospital. They think it was a viral infection, probably got it from her brother. Her temp spiked for a bit longer than they were happy with, but when it eventually started to come down, it went back to normal pretty quickly. She was on the NG tube for most of her feeds so bfing is all over the shop, small feeds very often. hopefully they'll space out soon, or my nips will fall off. oweee

Spink so pleased for you, what a relief!

Dog I was same as you, hanging out at my Mum's being spoiled because I was feeling so fed up, and that's where I got my first contraction finally! Maybe something to do with being somewhere you feel safe...? Anyway, just remember the baby WILL COME OUT one of these days soon, and then you'll have all this nappy changing to look forward to...

I was on the loo today looking around my bathroom thinking how much it's changed - eg. bucket beside the loo full of pooey nappies and maternity pads!

I'm trying to be strict with 20 minute feeds rather than his preferred hour as nipples also agonising! And better night since we finally cracked and gave him a dummy...

Wow, it is a beautiful day here, off to visit some friends. Hope you are all enjoying the weekend.. and fingers crossed for you dog!

Spink great news. So glad little Rosie is better.

Elizabeth is in her first proper outfit today(other than sleepsuits I mean) as we are off to visit the ILs. She looks so grown up in it at 3 wks, makes me quite tearful.

Got the boys to help me choose the constituent parts of the outfit and they are now super proud big brothers!

Probably car hunting this weekend as well, as although I fit ok, I don't actually enjoy squishing between DS2 and DDs car seats in the back of our coupe. I hate car hunting but it has to be done.

qumps the packaging on the swaddle blanket i'm using says 0-14 weeks - so on that basis you have a while yet!!!!

hi all, just want to say that i am totally happy with the breast pump i hired from NCT. it is called Ameda. the one i hired is a double breast pump. saves so much time.

and it is quiet and efficient machine.

we were out at lunch today and i tried to breastfeed in public. we were in a secluded part of the restaurant. until some people came and sat next to us. i got too embarassed and i whipped out the bottle and DH feed the little one.

what is the etiquette for breastfeeding in public?

you can do it. that's it. i keep covered up but no one has batted an eye. get some nursing shirts for those days you may need to feed somewhere that's not too private. makes a huge difference. the more you do it the more at ease you'll be with it.

have the car today so DD and i are going visiting up island today... hope the weather stays reasonable.

saw the snow you are all getting in the UK on the news. that was us in december. makes it hard to get out with new babies. i suffered some cabin fever. hope everyone is hunkered down and warm.

Wonderful news Spink - glad you are all home and hope the feeding sorts itself out soon.

Am starting to struggle a bit here with things. DH thinks I'm depressed. Truth is I'm just finding it hard to cope with everything, and my mood really is in line with what's going on, don't feel depressed. DD is being hard work and although I love her to bits I am finding it very hard to be patient with her. DH is self-employed and economic situation means he's working til late at night most days so I'm getting no support at all during the day and then he's too tired to want to help out in the evenings or during the night. DS still feeding hourly during the day and wanting to comfort suck when he isn't feeding in the afternoons/evening. I have to work in the evenings on DH's admin/accounts so am simultaneously nursing and doing data entry most nights which is getting a bit knackering after a day looking after two babies. DS is sleeping 3hr (ish) stretches at night but I can't get him down until 10/11pm ish. DD is up at 6-7am so I'm only getting 4hrs sleep at most. Am worn out.

Am thinking of giving DS a dummy to relieve me a bit from the comfort sucking but am worried about confusing it with cluster feeding. He isn't feeding though, just sucking occasionally as he dozes. As soon as I unlatch him he wakes and complains. Think a dummy would give me a bit of restbite and would mean I could get all my work done more quickly so I could have some time to relax.

Oh heck, sorry to moan folks. Know we're all in pretty much the same boat. Just need to get it all off my chest.

i had a lovely day... DD and i went up island to a friends inn, the sun was shining, the ocean waves were perfect, the air was fresh, the company much needed and loved. popped DD into sling and went beachcombing.

giveadog hope your night was relaxing and you were blessed with a lie in

I've written a series of posts explaining just a little of the last few days on my first postnatal group (April 2007) and will post the link here for anyone who's interested. Basically, I'm fighting to establish breastfeeding at the moment, and it's up and down.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/postnatal_clubs/697421-April-2007-Hanging-out-the-Bunting-for-B IG-baby-Connor?msgid=14275002

Have not yet had a chance to read this thread since I got home. Hope to read and catch up with you all soon. Good luck to all with feeding, sleeping, coping, whatever.

morning all - everything is going well here, I haven't had time to catch up with everything yet, but have read bits.

Feeding is going well but he is a big lad and constantly hungry...

Dog - I bought a childbirth relaxation hypnotherepy mp3 and everything started to kick off while I was listening to it for the first time (had a show etc). I'll send you it if you want just e-mail me.

Also Rray if you don't find a decent eternity ring do email me....we'ver just done one for a customer similar to this one on the tiffany website - it looked stunning!

yippee1973 @ gmail . com

ps we called him James....

Still waiting:

Givethedogabone 30th january will be DC3, DD 4 in feb and DS 2

Babies!

Jokat - DD, 2lbs 15oz
Looweeza - DS 4th Dec, Kit, 7lbs 13oz
Chefswife - DD 9th Dec, Violet May, 6lbs 7oz
HeathersMummy - DS 17th Dec, Fraser, 7lbs 2oz
Qumps - DS 19th Dec, Stanley, 7lbs 12oz
Kittenpaws - DD 22nd Dec, Susanna, 7lbs
NatalieJane - DS 27th Dec, Mikey
Ginni - DD 26th Dec, No name yet, 6lbs 15oz
Scared - 29th Dec
Mel2005 - TWINS 29th December. Alice 6lb3oz, Oscar 5lb 5oz.
TallulahBelle - TWINS 31st Dec
mppaw - DS, 3rd Jan
spink - DD, 7th Jan 11:37am
lennied - DS 7th Jan, Dylan Jacob, 7lbs 14oz
newmomma - DS 7th Jan, Harry John
periwink - DD 10th Jan, Ariella, 6:49, 8lbs 10oz
buickmackane - DS 13th Jan, William Ben, 7lb 7oz
Nellybell - DD 13th Jan, Polly, 7lbs 3oz
witchandchips - DD 14th Jan baby girl, 8lb 6oz
moosemama - DD 15th Jan, Elizabeth Jane
MsSparkle - DS 15th Jan, Finley Stephen, 9lb 8oz
Shanster - DD 15th Jan, Mairi, 7lb 9oz
Largeginandtonic - DD 16th Jan, India Rose, 9lb 5oz
Blue Sapphire - DS 16th Jan, David Alexander
FourLittleFeet - DS 17th Jan, Hugo, 8lb 6oz
Stripeywoollenhat - DD 18th Jan, Catherine Eleanor, 7lb 13oz
Tink - DD 19th Jan, Bracken Hope Willow, 8lb 7oz
Ooggs - DS 20th Jan, Luke Daniel, 8lb 6oz
Hkz- DS 21st Jan, Jude Peter, 7lb 5oz
Treedelivery - DD 22nd Jan
MissHairspray - DS 22nd Jan, Oliver James 9lb 12oz
RRay - DD 23rd Jan, Esme Mae, 6lb 6oz
Booksgalore - DD 27th Jan
LooseyC - DS 27th Jan, Toby, 7lb 8oz
MissJackson - 29th Jan 8lb7
Eachpeachpearmum - 2nd Feb 8lb 10
elkiedee 3rd feb 10lb Conor
FYM - 4th feb 10lb 5oz James

Also had their babies but not sure of details:

Poorbuthappy - 14th Jan (1 dd born Sept 04)
Happyathome - 18th Jan (DC2. DD born June 02)

Heron re breastfeeding - I'd get the clip down vests, then wear normal tops over them. Practice feeding in tops at home and you'll have it down to pat in no time. People so often come over and stroke his head, chat to me, and its only after a bit they realise I'm feeding... then THEY get embarrassed for not noticing. Just takes a bit of practice, honest!

Lenni, so sorry its getting to you. I've been the same with the sleep situation, though luckily we've cut down on DD's nap time during the day and been very strict with the early wakings (not getting up with her or switching the lights on, so she gets bored and goes back to bed). I get DP to go and sleep in her room if she won't settle again, and usually they both crash out for an extra hour. It is sooo much work with two. Is there anyway you can fit in an hour's day time nap or do 20 mins of yoga whilst the toddler naps.. (this will help calm you and deepen your night sleep). I had a real dip this week, but its getting a little better now that H has switched to 3 hourly night feeds. Re the dummy; if you've got a sucky baby its a life saver - you need to get the one that looks like a butterfly as they are shaped more like mummy. Its worked wonders for quite a few newborns I know.

Elkie, hope you get the BF sorted soon. Have you got one of the councellors coming round to help you?

Dog... hope you had a fun evening .