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!

My DH's computer died last night so he's got my laptop in his office. Am going to go AWOL for a few days but will catch up with you all soon. Hope the weekend brings more sleep and the reflux and blocked ducts ease.

moose - am being ridiculously strict - decaff tea with soy milk, reading the packets etc. am also a big cheese eater but lactation consultant says goat and sheep okay, so am managing on that score. and thank you for the bf advice - i am a novice breast feeder. think the blockage is quite bad, so will be expressing later....

i think perhaps dd is heading into a growth spurt - very cranky, very hungry, six weeks on sunday...

Moose- divine chocolate is dairy free (dark, obv) G&B no longer is I believe... search for cantsleepwontsleeps threads maybe- she has 2 dc with dairy intolerance, both excl bf.

Really DONT worry about your bf hurting dd- bf is kinder on stomachs than ff, and for reflux babies, that easier digestion makes a huge difference, partic when they're on antacids.

I know some people say reflux is 'just' a laundry issue, but I know that many of them are in real pain. It is hard, but they will get over this, it just takes time. You are doing everything you can to keep them comfortable, and it's just a matter of waiting it out It DOES end though.

Books- re DH, I think we all have days like that! rant away

stripey- hope duct unblocks okay.

dog- wow! I am sitting next to a closet full of dd's clothes that I need to list and sell, but I just cannot get organised hope the bungalow is lovely!

DS had his tongue-tie cut today (at heartlands, moose!)
It was quite scary- they take the baby away to another room to do it- was really difficult to hand him over to 2 people I don't know, even for 2 minutes! It is because the procedure is upsetting for parents to witness... DS was fine though. fed straight away afterwards- they let us go after 20 mins. His feeding/latch has improved already- stronger sucking, less air going in... and tonight he fed at 8:30, then woke next at 3:30 SLEEP! so I'm guessing he is getting more milk.

It was very sad though, witnessing the other patients in there, and my heart goes out to parents with a lo with a serious or chronic condition It is so much to deal with, as as a parent you feel like such a failure when you can't protect them from harm

Hi all, haven't checked in here for ages!

How is everyone doing? There is so much to catch up on!

Finley is 12lb and he is only 6 weeks old. He is 60cm tall too!

His feeding has been doing my head in (ff.) I just don't know where i am with them.

Other than that, he is fine and contented.

eppm Glad the little operation went well and had such a quick result.

Hi Sparkle, sounds like the feeding must be going well if he's growing that much!

LO has been a nightmare all morning, endless crying stopped only by feeding - maybe it's a growth spurt (he is 4 weeks now)? He seems to be having a really hard time with bowel movements the last few days, really straining and going red in the face and looking like he's in genuine pain before he manages to poop -- then he looks massively relieved!

Got my first smile last night and again this morning !

glad that u have got monitor moos
eppm glad all well with op
miss s wow must be doing something right
bracken is nearly 10lbs
weighed 8lbs7 @ birth
is prob 60 cm tall was born @ 55cm
bracken has been feeding 2hrly 20zs today has managed some 3hrly feeds with 3ozs. she is 6 wks on mon

missjackson he was born at 9lb 8oz!

Hi mamas, this is the first time I have been on here for ages, just do not have the time these days. Still adjusting to the shock that is motherhood .... wow! Hope everyone is well.

periwink - it is a bit of a shock... good thing they're cute...

six week check today and the small one is correct in all of her particulars. 54.5cm (51 at birth) and 9lbs5. (7lb13 at birth). she has started giving us amazing big grins in the last few days. and duct seems to have unblocked itself, thankfully. so all good here. hope everyone else having a good day

We had our 4 week check today, and LO has put on 2 pounds exactly - from 8'7 to 10'7. Not surprised given the amount he likes to feed - my nipples and breasts feel like they have been pummeled!

Today was one of those days... he just wouldn't stop crying no matter what I did with him - unless he had my nipple in his mouth! I was worried that there was something wrong with him, but every time I gave in and fed him (must have been every hour or even less) he would suck contentedly and then fall asleep on my breast, so there can't have been anything that wrong... he wasn't even feeding that much.... then he would wake up again every time I tried to move him. Ahhh! Only respite was car journey to and from the health clinic. Would have driven around with him for longer just for peace and quiet, but had forgotton purse and car was nearly out of petrol!

Anyway, he is finally asleep now and OH has just got home; don't you find that's always the way when you have a hell day, OH gets back and it's all peace and quiet, and you try explaining what LO has been like, only to hear yourself sounding neurotic!

Only had time to read and wave to all but will stop in over weekend and catch up properly.

Not much time, just wanted to say MissJ it'll probably be the 4 week growth spurt, ravenous eating habits will probably be over within 48 hours. Not all babies have one at 4 weeks, but you certainly know about it if they do!

Other growth spurts are usually around 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months and 9 months.

Elizabeth is currently going through the 6 week spurt and feeding really frequently all day. Took me a while to cotton onto what was going on, as what with the reflux crying I kept assuming she was in pain rather than hungry. She has been a lot better today, now I've worked out that she is hungry! (3 kids and I still don't have a clue what I'm doing! Doh! )

hi all. not time to read and catch up properly. Hope all well.

London OK, as didn't have to brave tube, and train into london wasnt busy or rush hour. Met sister and had lunch. Must have been the only woman to ever be in the liverpool st area with a baby, all the men in suits seemed astonished to see a baby strapped to my front. All the women coo-ed at her of course! Sister loved seeing her.

Esme was weighed today, 9 lbs now!!! (6.6lb at birth) 5 weeks now, so doing really well.

Has settled herself into a nice routine now, feeding 4 hourly in the day time (apart from me giving her 1 hour gap between the feeds right before bed.) Not sleeping through the night every night. Waking most nights for 1 quick top up feed about 4am.

Bottom rash improving.............SLOWLY. But she doesn't seem too bothered about it.

Spent a small fortune at baby gap today Not ALL on Esme had to buy baby boy gift for OH's friend and present for Godaughter's birthday in March.

OH birthday next sat, decided to book disneyland trip for all 3 of us for the summer... went to book hotel/park tickets online and they only take Visa and Mastercard... HSBC cards are Maestro. How STUPID.... I guess i will try and CALL them tomorrow and see if they will Accept Maestro over the phone! Doh!

ps- Whoa.. nearly time for new thread! Title idea??!?!

esme is doing great rray
miss jackson doing great to

Morning everyone.

Well DD slept on her new cot wedge with her side sleep positioner last night and .... we would've got 6 hrs sleep except the breathing monitor gave us a heart attack half way through, because the inner layer on her wrap style body suit had worked its way between the sensor and her tummy!

She didn't choke or gag once and slept peacefully all night, even through the alarm and while we adjusted her clothing afterwards!

She actually seems a lot better in general and we haven't started the gaviscon yet as the GP wanted to discuss it with the HV first.

I am starting to wonder if the worst of it was all related to the growth spurt she has just been going through and/or something I have eaten (suspecting moroccan chickpea pate might be the culprit).

I'm probably clutching at straws and she'll be as bad as ever tonight but at the same time am still praying it was just a temporary problem.

All the same, am still going dairy free (starting this morning) and DH is doing it with me so that should hopefully make it a bit easier. Have had porridge made with a water, apple, pear and raisins topped with a squirt of honey and some fennel tea this morning and am having soya cheese spread rolls for lunch so am not feeling too hard done by yet.

I keep telling myself that the highest fat foods I eat are all dairy products, so dropping them from my diet should have weight loss and lower cholesterol benefits for me as well as helping DD.

Ray glad to hear Esme's rash is clearing up.

glad to hear all is well with you and your LOs.

hi ladies hope all well.

moose Glad Elizabeth slept better. Fingers crossed for more of the same tonight.

missj great weight gain for LO. Bless you, alot of babies like cars, Esme included. One of my friends has a little chair that vibrates ever so slightly just like a car does. i don't think it was even that expensive, but she says its a god send.

Was wanting to ask you ladies some advice. I know some people promote never waking a sleeping baby, and if they are sleepy, let them sleep- If thats you, i'm afraid you wont be very pro what i'm about to ask or be able to help. Esme is very sleepy late afternoon just before her bath (between about 4 and 6) But she has a morning and lunchtime nap, so i want to keep her awake for about an extra half an hour in the late afternoon, any tricks to (kindly) keep her awake... i don't want to do anything that will upset her, just something to gently stimulate her.

Talking of Stimulation.... Esme loves having baby TV on in the background when she kicking around in the morning. i've got a lovely sheepskin rug she loves to lay on, and kick, and the nursery rhymes and stuff on baby TV (on sky, i think maybe channel 260- don't quote me though!!!) It also has bright bold colours on the screen, so if she looks that way she is mezmorised (sp?) by it.

hey ray - you sound like you've got an amazing routine, go with your instincts and don't worry about what other people think - whatever you do as a parent, there are bound to be people who do the opposite! With Rosie, good things for stimulation seem to be her mobile (we've got one of the Tiny Love ones that moves and plays music). She loves looking at black and white patterns - got a soft book and some soft blocks which she'll stare at for ages. But the best stimulation seems to be (our) faces. mainly when we're gurning. having said that she is glued to the rugby on tv at the moment, propped up next to her pa on the sofa. if only she had a beer in her hand, the picture would be complete

moose you never know, the worst could be behind you!! I'll cross my fingers for you.

Apart from ds being seemingly hellbent on having as many accidents as possible, things are ok here at the moment. Rosie is a peach, so so smiley and ah-goo ing all the time. much more so than her brother did at her age. Long may it continue

I'm hungry. What is everyone doing for dinner tonight? need inspiration...

just back from a long day out, will catch up in the morning. how about this for a new title...

jan 09; dream feeds, sod mummy's needs, shes on her knees...the one where it all starts to get better (hopefully)!

not very cheerful sadly, just true

spink Lovely mental image of Roise and her pa watching the rugby! Esme watches sailing and rugby on tv with her grandpa and football with her daddy. For dinner we've just wolfed down Faitjas!!

FLF Love the thread title!

Hope everyone having a lovely weekend!

Thanks Spink but guess again! We've now both got thrush! AAAAAAAGGGGHHH!! Why does it all have to be so flippin hard!? I never had one single problem when breastfeeding either of the boys!

Noticed she had a white tongue yesterday, but thought it was just milky. Then poor old nips started to smart a bit. Checked her mouth and she has patches on the inside of her lips and on her tongue. Feeding has been getting increasingly painful as the day has gone on and am relieved we only have the night bottle left to do for tonight. Not looking forward to her middle of the night feed though.

GP closed till Monday and not exactly an emergency so not worth calling out of hours service as they probably won't see us anyway. Total PITA as it means 2 buses there and and 2 more back on Monday IF I can get an appointment. I'll be in agony by then. Fortunately DD doesn't seem to be in any discomfort, the only sign there is something up is all the bubble blowing and dribbling she's been doing.

DD is transfixed by her black and white soft book and her red and orange cow. She also seems to have a particular interest in the Wacky Races, Dastardly and Muttley and Tom and Jerry cartoons that both DSs are obsessed with at present! For some reason she chuckles when I blow lots of kisses at her and bizarrely (sp?) ever since she first started interacting she has spent a lot of time having conversations with and smiling at a blank patch of wall behind the sofa (Mum insists she's talking to her guardian angels, my sister thinks its my Dad coming for visits as this used to be his house and he adored his grandchildren).

Just posting to say hi, recovering from a very upsetting computer crash here. C is feeding constantly, I'm learning to multitask (eg using mumsnet) when he's feeding, but that made it even worse when we couldn't use the computer/couldn't get back on to our internet connection from Friday afternoon to Saturday.