March 09 - The spring babies have sprung

[jollyjoanne]

Thought I'd start us up a post-natal thread for the new mummies of March 09 (or thereabout!)

Meep Yes, I've heard of saline solution - is that the same thing? I think I'll drop by the chemist later and get some then. Thanks.

Lack of sleep definitely = tears!

3cute thank you honey It looks like DS1 is fine with emotional understanding and expression, but sees no value in communicating and has limited tolerance for certain sensory stimuli, so we've got something to work on.

Regarding the jabs, fevers can develop up to 5 days afterwards, our HV recommended baby Calpol.

Hi, can I join this thread? My DD was born 15 March 2009 and has a 2.5yo brother. Is really nice to read through some of your posts and remind myself that 6 weeks is still really early stages and that sleeping from 10 to 6, waking every 2.5 hours for feeding is not bad (although I fear last night may have been a one off). Most evenings are spent with her being unsettled until the very late evening , but know DS was the same - just wish we'd written down what we did, so I could remember how to do it all !

Hi All - welcome Starshine.

Sorry to hear about bad weeks and tiredness. Our sleep has totally gone to pot again - so definitely spoke too soon. I too get v. teary when knackered. OK at the moment so hopefully will hold out for the long weekend when I might get a lie in.

So docs have confirmed my open wound bit is infected. Has prescribed a gel though rather than antibiotics which is good. Going to see the minor surgery doc at the gp's tomorrow to see what they think about removing the grotty bit and sewing me back up.

Lara had her 6 week check (at almost 7 weeks !). Was a bit rushed as doctor was running 40 mins late and I was rushing to collect dd1. Anyway, all fine. She's teeny - about 2nd centile for weight and 25th for height but given I am v. short and DH is fairly short and DH weighs nothing I am not concerned and thankfully neither is the GP. Lara did manage to poo everywhere though (just about the time I was mentioning that I was a little concerned thats he'd started going a couple days without poo-ing !).

Haven't posted for ages either but have been reading all the posts. We're still having very unsettled evenings too Starshine. Am feeling a bit depressed about it because checked my diary for DD1 and she'd started to settled by now (DD2 is 6 weeks). It's all becoming a bit gruelling and DH is feeling the pressure as he's got loads of work on at the moment but I really need him to take the baby after 9 as I'm totally exhausted by then.

Horrible start to the week too as we had to spend a night in the hospital while DD2 was tested for sleep apnoea. Have never spent a night in a hospital ward and it was horrendous - so noisy that I didn't sleep ALL night. Luckily DD discharged the next day with the all clear and we're now waiting for a referral to ENT as they think it's probably her laryngomylacia that's causing her breathing issues.

Hey y'all.

3cute thanks for the sleepy vibes - have passed on to Fat Boab and hopefully he was paying attention...

Welcome Starshine!

Can I ask, does anyone else with two or more kids who have to do a lot of lifting have sore hands? My hands in the joints are really sore from the holding while feeding, lifting toddler, lifting both in and out of car seats/high chairs/cots, pushing the buttons simultaneously on the car seat handle, cleaning bottles, etc etc etc. I mean, they just plain HURT! Thank God I don't need to lift my 8 year old as well!! I dimly remember this with DD2 when she was a baby and then it got better, but I can't remember when. I mean, TBH, my whole body is sore, but hands are particularly noticable.

Anyone? Anyone...?

elsy I've been noticing pain in my back more than my hands, I'm sure DS1 has doubled in weight since Gabriel was born!

slick my hands hurt but it is from dry skin - too much bottle washing/baths/bottle washing. It gets so bad that some of my fingers bleed.

My soreness is my left arm/shoulder as that is the one I favour for carrying Roise and the ones she leans on when I feed her.

Elsy that sounds very scary about your dd2's breathing - you poor thing. I have spent a night on a hospital ward (falling a dramatic vomit inducing fall from a wheelybug by dd1) and it is incredibly noisy - especuially as we were at the nurses station due to dd1 needing hourly observations.

Well I am now on a mission to lose 2 sets of baby weight - I need to lose about 2.5 stone . So I went for an hour long walk yesterday with Rosie - loved it at the time but was soooooo stiff afterwards - ouch! But she rewarded me with a reasonable nights sleep - so can't complain.

I'm impresse by the weight of a lot of the babies - Rosie is just a wee thing and was only 8.5lbs last week. I just can't be bothered to go to the baby clinic this time round - luckily the HV is coming here to do a full check (and do the depression test) next week so I can check she is fattening out - though she's grown out of her smaller newborn sleepsuits so that is a good sign.

I'll be quite interested to see what my depression score is this time. Last time I socred really high - and the second time they did it even higher but the hv said "oh you're not depressed, you've just answered very honestly" - oh I think I actually was going by how different I feel this time round.

starshinetiger I wish we'd written down what we did with dd1 - I just can't remember at all. i'm just kind of winging it this time round - and Rosie does have to fit in with dd1's routines so it is impossible to try to gert her into a routine at this stage. That being said I have managed to get her settled each night for around 7pm which is wonderful, then I go to bed at 8pm so that I can actually function the next day - I hardly see my dh at all!

Goodness I'm rambling this morning!

Anybody else got a yo-yo sleeper? Mols was doing really well with her 4/5hr stretches of sleep at night but reverted to 2hr stretches again for the last few days!

Last night I gave up and got DP to give her some formula late in the evening and she slept for five hours afterwards. I don't think it is the formula that makes her sleep more IYSWIM, but more that she gets as much as she needs before she falls asleep so doesn't wake up two minutes after I have finished with her screaming again.

Do you think it's just a growth spurt?

She is very whiny in the evenings atm, but not inconsolably so (she'll happily sleep if you are holding her ) but just incompatibly with us sleeping so it is getting me down a bit.

I have to say I am with Meep on the dry hands they are awful - I'm allergic to something in certain soaps so it isn't that unusual for me - but i do seem to be going through lots of moisturiser, even more than normal.

Welcome starshine! Elsy sorry to hear about your little one - i hope it gets sorted by ENT.

Meep I'm also with you on the need to lose weight, I was over weight before getting pregnant so it is not a good starting point. And I got so sick of wearing maternity trousers I went out to buy some normal ones - they were size 18 - i nearly cried! Fortunately it was the kick start i needed so i have upped my walking hopefully i'll be getting back into my normal clothes before going back to work in Sept.

Law i imagine the 2 hour feeds are a
growth spurt becos that is what seems to happen with Mae as well - but it also seems to be accompanied by lots of stretching.

Hello !

Achey stiff hands here too - although not that bad because I hadn't noticed until I read about it here ! mind you, I am aching all over especially first thing in the moring - I assume because I did very little physically for a few weeks following c-sec and am now walking quite a bit.

I too need to lose some weight - I eventually got off my baby weight from dd1 just before getting pregnant with Lara and actually got my weight lower than it had been for a while before getting pregnant with dd1. I really want to get back to that weight but I got there with 6 months of running and my hospital said not to run for 5 months after having a baby. Am trying to do lots of walking though and might do one of those buggyfit classes soon (although they said 10 weeks post c-sec).

Meep - I cna't believe the HV said that last time. Its good you were ok in the end and also that you're feeling better this time. Rosie is a giant compared to Lara, if i've worked out the kg to lbs right (and I'm accountant by trade so probably not ) then she's only just 8 lbs and 7 weeks.

Talking of health professional fuckwittery - I went back tot he docs today about my wound/scar. This doctor, the minor surgery chap, took one look and said it was fine, would just take a bit longer to heal, nothing to worry about. Also that the bacteria they found is a bacteria that is normally found on the skin so nothing to worry about and I shouldn't use the gel prescribed by the other doctor. So, good news that I don't need anything further done but very cross with the other doctor.

law - a yoyo sleeper here too. Better than a consistently bad sleeper - although I seem to spend all my time trying to work out what factors differed when she sleeps well !

laweaslmys I was just about to post the same thing! Lydia slept from midnight to 5am two nights ago and last night she fed at midnight, 2am, 4.30am and then 7am! Must be a growth spurt I think. I'm shattered though. Doesn't help that DD1 was going 11pm to 6.30am at 7 weeks - I can't help comparing!

It will happen though. I do feel like I'm treading water until then though (in bed at 9pm, no evening's out, etc etc). I'm not a patient person at the best of times so I have to keep reminding myself how young she is....

Elsy That sounds awful! Hope your wee one is ok.

And yes I know what you mean about not having a settled baby by a certain stage as DD2 was sleeping through the night roughly between 8-10 weeks whereas Fat Boab is still on two feeds a night and he's over 7 weeks! I've told him, but he's just not listening. Having said that, DD1 didn't sleep through until 13 weeks and she was a guzzler too. BUT, I did call the HV today to ask about putting him on to the blue SMA (for hungrier babies) and she reckoned in Nicholas' case that would be a very good idea! So once I get through the next tub of Gold, it's the Blue for him! Hope it makes a difference. I know it did with my friend's wee boy. The only reason she said I would have to think twice about it was it can make some wee ones constipated if their not ready for it but she thought he would be ok.

Meep Re: losing weight, I am generally one of those really annoying people with a fast metabolism and my weight never fluctuates, and with the last two my weight has dropped off quickly, (still had saggy tits, mind) but I am noticing it is slower this time (because I stopped BFding at one month I reckon) and I have under a stone or thereby to lose. But I also remember this stage with DD2 complaining that I was too big for my regular clothes and too small for maternity so I think I am just being too impatient.

I'm hoping to get back in the pool and gym next week. Might help ease my aching body!

Aunty I am the same as you, I keep forgetting how early this stage is and keep expecting too much from all avenues of life.

I went to see my old work colleagues today which was lovely but a mammoth expedition into Edinburgh city centre - which is under seige with road/tram works (that nobody wants) and I parked at a certain NCP had to go all the way to the top only to discover that there was no bloody lift to get the kids and a double buggy down! So I had to go all the way back down again and then call for assistance to be let out! (Meep - that was St James by the way, although I remembered after that you can maybe park level 5 and walk through to the food court - if you ever need to! I however ended up at Greenside place - with lifts!)

Anyone else get really dizzy when coming out of a lift after recently having a baby? Had it with all three of mine in the first months. After 9 lifts today the ground was moving under me!!! Maybe it's the lack of sleep...

Sorry, facinating rant about parking, here endeth

God, I just saw the length of that post! Sorry

Hey everyone! Long time time no post (it's nice to be missed 3cute)! I have been reading everyone's news every day or two, but never really have the energy to post this late in the day. I'm sorry to hear about Bubbles, and the non-sleeping babies - and your recent diagnosis Laumiere.

Not much to report my end -- Penelope continues to be an "easy" baby. She sleeps well, doesn't really grumble unless she's hungry or windy and is gaining weight well. I love her to pieces! She's so laid back (she gets that from her father) and now I'm looking forward to her first smile .

Off to the in-laws tomorrow (oh joy). Nah - it won't be that bad - I just need to chill out around them more.

Am taking myself off to bed as DH is away overnight for the first time since Pen was born, and I'm looking forward to the extra lie in .

slick - I have been warned that the double buggy I inherited doesn't fit through the lift doors of the John Lewis carpark !

welcome back Boobz. Rosie is also being an easy baby at the moment - dh wakes her to feed at around 10.30/11pm, she wakes at around 3.30/4am then wakes againat around 7am when dd1 come shrieking down the stairs (bless!). So we're going through a nice stage and I get sleep. But I know that it will change - even if not soon, it will creep in months down the line just when I relax !

Next week when I can finally drive I plan to go swimming once both dd's are in bed. Keep reminding me that I said that as I know I'll be making excuses. Am also in the horrid stage of being too big for normal clothes and too small for maternity ones. I am still wearing my maternity jeans with an interesting bunched effect round my (big but not pregnant big) belly!

jolly I am also horrifed to say that I reckon I will be an 18 in normal clothes this time. I went up to a 16 last time round. I would be happy to be a loose fitting size 14 again - that I can manage!

Hi all

Can I join please? Emilia (Millie) born 6 March 2009. Great to read thread and reassuring that other people going through similar situations.

Have had a difficult time with breast feeding and after seeing infant feeding team, milk supply poor. Now breast feed and top up but ready to stop breast feeding as feel as if "pretend breast feeding".

Feel as if I have been stuck to couch until she was 6 weeks old and now beginning to get out and about. Also finally managed to spend longer than 10 minutes on laptop!

Has anybody tried a cradle swing and if so can you recommend one? Millie happy to sleep in arms but girny when in moses basket.

Hi and welcome jfa99

I have personally not tried a swing, but a friend of mine hand one and called it her life saver , they do seem quite pricey tho, maybe have a look on ebay and see there is any on locally. Have you tried swaddling? my DD2 would only sleep if she was wrapped quite tightly.

Have you posted over and the feeding board regarding the BFing? please dont feel your pretending, this really is so not the case!! even just a small amount of BM is better than none, why were you told to offer top ups? If you still want to Breast feed its not to late to increase your supply and drop the top ups, this is of corse if that what you want!! im a stronger believer in happy Mum happy baby.

As for us A has been really unsettled these last 2 days think it is probably the after effects of his jabs. I gave him a dose of calpol before bed last night and he settle so it was obvious that it was needed, cant believe i spent most of the day yesterday pacing around with him my arms, i never even thought to give him some calpol !! dumb ass or what LOL .

He is asleep at mo, but i fed him off the wrong bloody boob before i but him down, and now my left tit feels like its gonna explode!!!! aarrrhhhh !!!

slick i had sore hands and body when DD1 was a few weeks old, turned out to be flu and I'd kept on going thinking why am i getting arthritis? I couldn't even pick her up.

Now my hands are really dry and sore, from washing i think.

People hate me too slick as I lose baby weight quickly, I am always hungry. i shouldn't be surprised then when my three boys claim they are hungry, even after a full on roast or pasta for dinner!!!

All these unsettled babies, except for boobz's...my little one is also only really content when having a long nap or fastened to my boob. I hope things change as she grows and can sit up a bit and see what is going on. i genuinely think she is scared of the boisterous household!

hello to all the new mums...

Wow, some good news at last! G slept 6 hours, 5 hours and EIGHT hours for the last 3 nights!

DS1's 3rd birthday on Sun, see me try to bake a Night Garden cake....

I also Gokked my wardrobe and have seven bin bags of unwanted and unfitting clothes for the charity shop....

3 cute darlings Been to infant feeding team and we decided together to give formula after each feed. I have tried to increase my milk supply, expressing after each feed (felt like I was feeding her for 24 hours non stop), spending 2 days in bed with Millie and I naked for skin-to-skin contact, trying different ways of latching, on Domperidone (which didn't make any difference) and I finally accepted that I was never going to breastfeed exclusively.

I spend an hour feeding her, up to 30 minutes breastfeeding, then I sterilize a bottle, make up formula, cool the bottle down, feed, wind her and then start the process all over again in 2 hours time. Agreee with happy mum = happy baby therefore I have given it my best and now going to give forumula!

Hmm, can't work out how to bold a word