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!)

The bumbo tray is great - looks really cute ! We also tried L in the door bouncher and she loved it.

missmod - we've wondered if she's teething. She's just got over a cold/cough so hope its not another but she does display many characteristics of teething - drooling, hands constantly in mouth chewing, etc but I read they could be other things too. DD1 didn't get teeth until 6 months but I suppose it doesn't mean that L won't be earlier.

Sleep still elusive here - the most annoying thing is, L went to bed at 10.30, woke 1-2 5-6.30ish then slept until I woke her at 11 (she briefly woke whilst I dressed her and plonked her in the buggy to take dd1 to nursery). So would have done a good stretch of sleep from 6.30 this morning when I have to be up at 7.30 (except it was 8.10 today ) - grrrrrr. Although I did manage not to put her in bed with me this morning and that seemed to make her sleep better. So, tonight's mission is to put her to sleep once I've put dd1 to bed to try and shift her sleep pattern. I remember haivng to do the same with dd1 at 3 months except that she was then going to sleep at 10.30 and waking up at 10.30.

Bugger - Law you've reminded me fathers day is coming up... have sorted my dad's pressi. Must apply some thought to DH.

We've had raspberries today, is Gabriel reading this thread when I'm asleep?

Quick update on the weaning experiment: Gabriel slept through from 6.45 to 6 am last night for the first time ever. I of course had to get up at 4am to express my rock hard bazoomas. On the plus side I can stockpile some BM to add to cereals later on....

Bedtime routine is

If the dd's are having a bath at 6pm the Robert gets dunked. He tends to have his bottle at about 6.30pm and put into his cot either a sleep or half a sleep by 7pm. DD's are in bed by 6.30/7pm as well. I give him a dream feed about 11pm and then he sleeps to 6am rather then 5am.

Hey Y'all.

Still haven't had time to read all the posts, been really busy with one thing or another.

Loli That whole debacle had me thinking for days. FWIW and I did mean to get round to posting this on the other thread, but never got time, the fact that you have posted on this thread for over a year and your postings were pretty unremarkable (in a good way!) that was enough for me. That and I have a dim recolection of bump shots from your bedroom mirror! And I was pissed off at the accusations about your grammer and articulation - I started writing novels at 24 (yet to actually complete one ) and it is far more common for young women to be literate than men. S.E. Hinton for example wrote her first novel at 18. Anyway, my point is, I'm sorry you got such a hard time, and GOD KNOWS, I have had many occasion in my life where it's all gone 'a bit Eastenders' so not only do I sympathise, but think others should calm the fuck hell down.

No rasperberries for FB here, teething like mad tho, seems to have a bit of a reflux prob now and hadn't thought about the baby bouncer yet - I always end up using it too late, so will try it soon. Got him a Bumbo, he's ok in it for a while, but he does still look a bit slumped bless him. Mind you, that's when I can get DD2 out of the bloody thing! I think she thinks it's hers!

I went out dancing on Fri night for a friend's birthday - Got back at 2.45am Am amazed as was in the middle of first period back from hell. (The one a month ago came to nothing - this one made up for it!) And then last night I was out last night as DH was playing a gig. He was awesome. This has been almost like having a social life!!!

Sorry still not had a chance to read through everyone's posts. Will try to see how you all are tomorrow.

An image to leave you all with; Tonight was about to have a shower before Ashes to Ashes (love it, last one) so I was in the bathroom with top on and no bottoms, as it were, and DD1 comes in with a red t-shirt saying that as it's sports day tomorrow, could I write her team on the front of it in pen - so thinking bugger, not got much time, I rush to living room leaning on the table, doing the t-shirt, bum out and and DD1 and DH laughing thier arses off at mine!

I guess it's not what it used to be....

Still miserable, I'm starting to get a bit concerned that it's more than just being unhappy. I did have PN with DS1 from 6w onwards. I was sitting at home alone last night thinking about DS1's toilet training and Gabe's weaning and how I'd have to do it all by myself and it just feels insurmountable.

DH also had a huge strop with me yesterday because he came down at 3 for work in his dressing gown (no clothes or socks) and told me to put the heating on because it was cold. I replied that it wasn't cold, I and the boys were fine and that Gabe's little room temp sensor was reading 21 degrees half an hour ago and that if he was cold he'd be better putting some clothes on. He then went off, found the sensor (which I'd put in the bathroom to stop DS1 chewing it) and triumphantly said it read 19 degrees (not a surprise, it was sitting on a cold enamel bath). He then stropped on FaceBook and said he was sick of me constantly trying to prove him wrong. Men!

Waaahhhhh! Am about to indulge in sorry-for-myself-and-the-little-man post...

After a few days of relatively angelic (or at least livable/predictable) behaviour, yesterday, last night, today and tonight Rhys has pretty much lost the plot. Impossible to get him to sleep through more than a single sleep cycle (and 20 minutes is more like it), he's incredibly fussy at the breast and when he's not smiling/flirting, he's wailing inconsolably.

Then had our two-month-and-a-bit appt with his pediatrician today -- she wants him to try Gaviscon because she thinks the fussiness is silent reflux (well, at least I think it must be the silent part - she didn't even ask whether he's got a regurgitation problem as well ).

And then, worst bit, we have to do an ultrasound of his hips at the end of this month. She said the folds of skin/fat on the back of his legs weren't symmetrical, which could indicate congenital hip dysplasia.

I, of course, have Googled and scared myself silly I spent time this afternoon weeping at the thought of my poor little man in a harness. Interestingly, the condition seems linked to the kind of neck problem he's had. We'll do whatever we have to do, of course I just hate the thought of him being uncomfortable/suffering.

The neck, though, is the one bright spot -- his therapist today was REALLY impressed with how well he's doing and said she only needs to see him once more next week, and that we can just keep on with the exercises we're doing at home. It's so, so lovely to see him doing things (turning his head to the right, holding his head up during tummy time, trying to pull himself up when you hold onto his hands) that he couldn't manage a couple of weeks ago!

I am leaving DP with a bottle of EBM and retreating to the guest room for at least a couple hours' kip right now. Zzzzzzzzzzz.

laumiere, can I send Rhys to you for Sleep Boot Camp?

corgi Heh, I could set myself up as a sleep consultant. I'd get flamed on MN for being Evil!!!

On the bright side, if they can help Rhys in the long term, then short term discomfort is just a moment in time remember.

corgi - don't worry about the hip issue, both me and my sister had it and are totally fine. I have no idea what the treatment was but presumably it was reasonably short and painless or I'd've been told in depth many times.

corgi it is fine if they catch the hip thing early on - my goddaughter wasn't diagnosed until she was over 1yo and it took a lot longer to correct. But she is fine now.

FWIW I know at least 3 other babies who were referred to physio with possible hip problems (including my dd1 who had the same sort of neck thing as Rhys) and all of them did not need any further treatment.But best to get it checked out when they are still teeny.

Sorry you're having a sleep nightmare - I don't know anything about relux but it must be very draining for you and awful to see him unhappy.

After all the posts about Bumbo's I tried Rosie in it yesterday - she looked confused and also a bit slumped! Like your dd2 slick my dd1 decided that the Bumbo was hers.......until she got stuck in it and wailed!!

missmodular I am with you on the settling thing - Rosie is so much easier than dd1. She is left to cry a bit more (through only having one pair of hands) and prefers to be left alone to get to sleep. It is like a breath of fresh air as I found the whole sleep thing so so stressful with dd1.

I've been playing peek-a-boo with Rosie when I'm chaning her nappy - and she sort of giggles - I love it. She gets a wee fright when I say boo and wriggles her whole body and does a wee smiley giggle. Adorable!

Am having a quiet at home day with Rosie today - fingers crossed for long naps as I really have to sort out the moutains of paperwork that have been building up since she was born - ugh!

Hi ladies,

Feeling a bit more cheerful today (at last!). I've got a mountain of cakes to bake for DS1's fete on Sat but just popped on with some exciting news, I've been asked to sub-edit and be a contributor to a new magazine!

Link below (possibly not work-safe)
www.filamentmagazine.com/

Laumiere Sorry to hear you're still feeling miserable. I hope it doesn't develop into PND again. I have been feeling pretty down since DD's birth but I know it is related to lack of sleep and the anxiety I always get badly when things are out of my control. I am confident it will go away when DD2 settles into more of a pattern and I start getting some more sleep, but for the meantime it is a struggle to face each day with a positive attitude. I'm arguing with DH too as he's got a lot of work on at the moment and finds it a strain having to be home every evening to help me with DD's bedtime.

On a lighter note, we've tried the Bumbo too. DD2 looks very comical in it, but unfortunately it gives her the hiccups every time! She's very prone to them and that forward sitting position seems to bring them on. Haven't tried the bouncer yet - DD1 loved it but I think DD2's head support isn't quite strong enough yet. She has an enormous head and it wobbles around all over the place.

Laumiere I hope you're feeling better and hope it's not PND - It must be incredibly hard doing it all by yourself (as much as you do anyway) and I can totally understand how it must feel overwhelming on times as it feels like that for me and I still have DH around most evenings. Congrats on the job offer tho!

Corgi Sorry to hear about your LO hip problem - although I'm glad to hear that it does seem fixable. I know what you mean tho, you don't like the thought of them having to suffer anything.

Meep Ok, I am really getting spooked. You and I were def separated at birth - guess what I am doing today? Also spending the day at home and getting through the mountains of paperwork that have built up since FB was born. Just plain wierdness.

Elsy I just keep telling myself that this is the hardest bit and that it WILL get better. Hard to remember sometimes, but it will and this is most likely to be the time when arguments flare up so hopefully it will calm for you soon.

Yesterday I took DD2 to get new shoes and as usual, she went mental when getting measured and then tried her damndest NOT to have shoes on her feet, all the while she had a pooey nappy (defence mechanism my DH later said...)and FB threw up all over me, which got in my watch and bracelet and am trying to keep cool while people stare. "ho ho ho, yes, this is NOOOOO problem for me, this is NORMAL". As I go rouge about the dial... sigh.

Anyway, FB def got reflux now, so spend all day mopping up sick. Am going to monitor it and maybe get infant gaviscon - anyone recommend it and does it really help?

Still got the carpal tunnel/tendonitis prob but I found a thread on MN and googled it and apparently it is very common to have sore joints etc for a few months after pgy and a few reported improvements after 4 - 6 months - I really am hoping mine will too as it really is making a the lifting of LO's hard going. And they're not exactly, er, delicate.

Wheely & Missmod Meant to say, FB is def teething too, fist constantly in mouth, slavering away, flushed cheeks. I think that's why I wasn't too sure if he had reflux as I was putting the sick down to teething, but i think it's both. All of mine have started teething around 2 months, it can just take bloomin' ages for anything to come through. As they say up here re: teeth; They're a bugger to get, a bugger to keep and a bugger to lose!

PS - I think we're gonna need a new thread soon?

slick We tried infant gaviscon and it just made poor Gabe throw up gelatinous crap instead! We found burping regularly and holding him upright after feeds then putting him in a chair so he's not flat as much as possible also helped. He threw up formula less so maybe if the gaviscon doesn't work you can get some formula thickener for FB?

Weigh-in yesterday, Gabe is a bostin' 15 lb 5 (7.4 kg) now! No wonder my arm hurts carrying him....

laumiere I am so sorry - I totally forgot to say something about how you are feeling in my last post. I read your post yesterday but small people stopped me from replying - and I had a reply all composed in my head - but in the early hours of this morning I forgot. Hope you don't think I was ignoring you.

I was going to say that you need to talk to your dh about how you are feeling - especially since I'm sure his wee strops don't help things much. Is your HV or GP any good? Keep talking on here too - I really hope it is just things getting on top of you (which is bad enough) and not PND.

lol slick! If you were in the McArthur Glen Clarks shop alast week you would have seen a red faced mum carting her dd1 out the door who was howling "teddy, nooooooooooo, teddy" as my Mum had (stupidly) given her a teddy shaped bag from the shop to distract her while we tried to get sandals for her. The problem we now have is that she has a choice of shoes each morning [sigh]! But your poor wee dd filling her nappy. What a stressful life toddlers lead !

B*gger, I forgot to get Rosie weighed yesterday.

My hair is definitely falling out now - just hope I don't go bald at the temples like I did last time.

We do need a new thread - get your thinking caps on for s witty title.....

new thread

over here