July 09 - Sore ladybits and melons for tits! [grin]

[Quiltedrose]

Ok so there's only 2 of us so far but felt duty bound as the first July delivery to start the thread off!

'Pop' in when you're ready!!

LydIA Thats soooo cute!

Jetli we are also loving grobags here. I used them with the other 2 and they are fab. I am going to an NCT sale next weekend and hope to pick up a couple more. I got a 1 tog one last time and had so buy one at sainsburys the other day that it 2.5 tog and a bit warmer. I prefer the proper grobag brand though as they are so much easier to put on with 1 zip rather than poppers.

Sleep...we are getting there. He seems to have done quite a few nights of only waking once and I feel so much better for it. Its hard on the nights that he doesn't now as I seem so feel so crappy the next day! When you are used to getting no sleep its ok you just go with it, but when you have a glimmer of hope, reverting to bad nights is harder!!!

I am starting a postnatal group tomorrow which i am quite nervous about! its always hard till you get to know people.

Anyway hope you all ok xxxx

Oh forgot to say we have a baby bjorn and Max loves it, he falls asleep straight away and its great for the school run and quick dog walks!

lydia: we have baby anabelle bf here! and she's always on about sides. usually... "which side do i feed you on? i can't remember!!"

cold medicine: been on sudafed for 2 days now and dd2's sleep has gone to hell. not slept longer than half an hour in the day and started the day at 5am today could the pseudoephidrine be in my breastmilk?

Ahh bliss! Half an hours peace and quiet whilst Hetty "helps" Daddy cut the grass
Such cute BF dolly and glow worm stories lydia and alibobble
Glad to hear hunny is knocking around on FB - was a bit concerned as she'd seemed a bit low on some of her last posts.
Well done on the weight loss Gillyan and I really hope Summer's eczema clears up soon - I suffer a little bit and it's bloody awful. I'm using either plain water on Hetty and occasionally either some Neals Yard bubble bath we got as a present, or some Halo and Horns stuff I picked up in Morrisons which was developed by a mum whose baby had eczema, so in theory it has no nasties in it. Avoiding Johnsons (much to my Mum's disgust) because it makes my eczema flare up. So far so good.
Good luck at postnatal group patchybob - I'm doing a pram push on a Monday which is nice and starting Mum & Baby group this Thursday, but I already know one lady so it's less daunting.

BREAST FEEDING DOLLIES! Oh I could cry, that is so cute, Grace did it too but lydia the way u said about Esme not knowing you were watching...gorgeous!

growbags yes I use one too for bedtime, with a zip, really good, have got a 6-12 month one in to, our house is an old weavers cottage and gets really REALLY cold in winter. We have sash windowns that bang and no UPVC and 2 storeys with high ceilings!!!!!!!

patchy good luck with post natal group, you'll be fine!

Hi other girlies!

hunny I'm pretty sure I've seen posts on FB I get a bit confused cos is her real name Claire? There are a few Claires on there with kids, I'm going to look for her now on FB

lydia haha bf a gloworm lol
missp My kids are the same with alfie - I carry him a lot in the sling because I know he is safe in there! As for being a young mum I was just 23 when Cerys was born. I guess I was a litle unusual in that I was married at 21 and Cerys was planned. However I have a lot of sympathy for teen mums as I had some horrible comments off strangers. I got on fine though and actually think it's a great time to have a baby as you have a lot more energy. It also means I will still be in my 30's (just!) when she leaves school ... not that I am planning ahead or anything TBH I have friends who are mums aging from 16 -45 whom I see on a regular basis I don't think age matters so much as what you do. HTH
tummysleeping If it makes anyone feel better all my 3 have tummy slept I just smile sweetly when the HV comes round or talks about it!
excema yeah 1 use of Johnsons makes my kids skin flare up horribly
grobags TK Maxx sell the grobag brand much cheaper also asda had their own brand ones with zips reduced to £6 last week
Alfie had a nasty cough over the weekend so took him to the dr on mon and it turns out he has croup. You wouldnt really know he was ill bless him apart from the cough he is so laid back. He is also a little chunk weiged over 17lb today

Yeah she's on FB and has been updating her status regulary

tmi alert just been for IUS fitted and doc was like... do you have any sanitary pads? afterwards and I said... oh yes, think there are some in the change bag! Well there weren't! But it's amazing how versatile breast pads are!

nursery dd1 had her first day yesterday. Asked her after what she did "nothing... I can't remember!" that said she wizzed off in again today at top speed and was like "bye mummy" and off playing!

birthday Hurray it's mine today. Am officially 29. last of the 20s. Have already ordered my party for next year as otherwise i'll get the same as this year (dh rang yesterday to say should he come home on time or buy me a birthday card on the way home from work! - decided seeing as I have horrid cold to opt for the former so birthday is a none event. Espcially as my present is still in the lounge in the amazon box it arrived in last week so not even wrapped yet!)

Happy Birthday Alibobble 29....I turned 35 last week so very jealous that you are still in your 20's. I feel old!

Thanks for the info Queenfee re being a young mum. It is nice to know that you are friends w/other mummies no matter their age. I just want to reassure her she won't be alone iyswim. She is not a teen mum or an older mum so I didn't want her to feel 'lost'. Anyway, she'll have me.

Gillyan have you tried ageous cream (spelt wrong I reckon) you can get it on presc. I still use it for my older DC's when I see their skin getting dry.

BF my DD is doing the same with her dolly. DS did it too (with his stuffed dinosaur) Did not have the heart to tell him only girls can do it in realy life. I thought it was sweet.

Work when is everyone going back (who is due to go back?) DH's freelance work is really slowing down (he was made redundant last xmas) and I am getting the fear that I may need to do my bit again if it doesn't pick up. I'm finally getting bf sorted and now I may have to work soon (ish) even if just temping. I assume there is a way to continue bf and working. In the US mat leave is only 3 months and all my friends over there bf (and went back to work especially if their healthcare coverage was linked to their employer; they had no choice). Fingers x'd it won't come to that. Christmas will just have to be very lean...

Anyway DS seems to like school but never says much. Typical boy already.

Enjoy ur day everyone.

Happy Birthday alibobble My DD1 has been going to nursery for nearly 3 yrs and her standard answer when I ask her what she has done is 'I can't remember' or 'nothing' very annoying! Make sure you celenrate next yr for your birthday!

I turned 27 in June. Quite happy with that for now, DP is 36 and he' says he's feeling it now!

miss Hiya, Aqueous cream - I think E45 is an aqueous cream and I tried that first and her skin actually seemed to become a lot worse, wether it was just coinsidence or not I don't know, thats what made me go to the docs, withing 2 days of that it was really bad. Was researching on tinternet and bought some of that Oialitum Cream and Bath stuff, have only used the bath stuff twice and the cream evry day and it's started to go, again not sure if it's the stuff or just timing. Pleased though so will carry on with it.

We've all got fairly bad colds today, Summer is full of it, should of been having her 12 wk jabs today so left it.

Happy Birthday alibobble!
Hi activity - Hetty's passport application went off yesterday. DP took it to the Post Office for that 'check and send' service thingy - she said they were turning applications round in about 2 weeks at the moment, but to allow 6 weeks to be on the safe side. Once it comes back we're going to book a ferry to France
Work - doing the lottery lots here too. My provisional date is 30th June next year, and if I need to go back earlier I have to give 8 weeks notice. We're off to view a nursery which is a stones throw from the office. Sadly giving up work isnt an option - I don't think it is a real "choice" for very many women these days and when I go back I will be feeling the wrath of all the older generation women in our family. MIL will get a serious blog on (amongst others).
Nappy Off Time - what is everyone doing? We only get the tiniest bit of nappy rash from time to time, and Hetty has her nappy off for about 20 minutes before bath, but I don't know if it should be longer?
Tummy Time - is anyone doing this yet? No sign of flattening of her head but she is getting a wee bit of a bald patch at the back

gillyan my DS was screaming and crying a lot and I thought it was wind but it turns out he has eczma - poor boy. I was wondering if the milk getting on his face was stinging hence him stopping feeding and screaming (and why I thought it was wind). I have Aqueous cream from the Dr today and some oilatum cream from last week. His face seems a lot better after the oilatum has been slathered on thick.

My DD (2) was BF her dolly copying me the other week - it's great to see isn't it. We need to realign the stereotype from all these baby dolls with bottles.

alibobble I'm Sure you shouldn't be taking those cold remedies when BF. Please check with the pharmacist as the baby shouldn't be getting the pseudoephidrine. (although I'd have thought it would have made them sleepy rather than jumpy) Too late to take it back but I wouldn't have any more until you've checked. It should say on the patent information leaflet inside the box.

Scare here today as DD - the toddler - has had a cold but she started wheezing this morning. This is the second time in about 6 weeks. The Dr thinks she has asthma. What poor rotten children I have - one with eczma and one with Asthma. Mine and DH fault as we're both asthmatic too. Horrid to hear such a little thing wheeze though!

I found a Mamas and Papa's gift voucher languishing on the shelf and am now the proud owner of a new soft sling. Like the baby bjorn but softer for a new baby. He slept in it this afternoon - but that may have been because of his 8 week injections and the trauma

missp are you in the uk? (sorry I can't remember as there are laws here I believe to assist in returning to work and BF
olderkids&bf My DS (3) the other day when Alfie was crying pulled up his top and said Alfies crying I give him Milkies. Oh boy how handy would that be if the whole family could BF
I can't go back to work till they are all at school as I have no family here and childcare would cost more than I could earn. However I am considering doing an Avon round or something to supplement as we could do with the cash especially with christmas sneaking up on us...

he he, im glad im not the only ones whose dc are getting their boobies out to feed! its just so funny she's not eben 2 1/2 but her language skills (according to health visitor!) are way above the norm, so to hear her say 'that bobbies not right lets try the other' had me in stitches!
activity bill is the same. he's always been a bit sicky but now its constant, even between feeds. he's constantly got a bib round his neck to try and catch it. i may see the dr, as hv suggested maybe baby gaviscon??
sleep he's still waking up every 1 1/2 hours in the night and he's 10 weeks. is anyone else still getting very little sleep?? im so exhausted im finding im nodding off during a feed then waking up and its time for another! ive even been trying formula milk in a bottle at night to see if he'll go longer but he wont. im so exhausted especially with a very demanding dd who constantly wants to play shop keepers aaarrrgghh!
work my maternity funds dont run out til end of feb but i really need to return to work, but as my mums business is now closed i am going to have to find something else. having said that iive been day dreaming about openeing up a breast feeding/ children friendly cafe!! ahh well pipe line dreams!
oh and happy birthday alibobble!!

lydia and activity Max was very sicky and uncomfortable and my gp gave him gaviscon. It took a few days to work and if I am honest I thing 2 days of almost being worse and now he is hardly sick at all. Its amazing. Lydia you may find that if you try it with Bill he goes longer at night as it may be that he is uncomfortable and that is what is waking him up? I saw your facebook status, I hope you are feeling ok xx

Gillyan can't you get oilatum on prescription. We can but it may be that different health authorities do different ones. I think it is one of the more expensive ones so you may have to ask your gp for it by name.

I am going to have my hair cut and highlighted later on and taking Max with me. I am not sure whether that is daft or not, but its worth a shot!!! Very keen to look a little more glamerous!!

The baby group yesterday was good, some nice people so fingers crossed it will continue to be good. I am desperate to make some friends with babies as all of mine have older children and sometimes it would be good to meet up with others with babies. YOu virtual friends are fab and a lifeline, but some real life friends would be good too!!!

Jetli we do tummy time almost every day, not for very long as he doesn't last long, but for a few minutes. I saw a baby with a very flat head yesterday and it spured me into action again! I used to run a nursery and one of the childrens siblings had to wear a helmet thingy for ages to correct his head shape. His mum is a friend of mine and hated him having to wear it, but she was told that if you don't correct it it can lead to all sorts of problems, migranes etc in later life.

Lydia A lovely cafe is my dream too! lets keep dreaming !

moan alert Arg! Started the day at 3.45 today. dd had nursery so had to wake dd2 from her nap to take her and also to bring her back. this afternoon dd2 has cried ALL afternoon, drooling like a fiend and got a raised temp. DD1 started teething at 8 weeks and dd2 is 9wks now. Can't believe it! Thought I'd escape with this one but why I'm not sure. Was feeling guilty about dd1 so tried to do painting with her this afternoon. Way too adventurous and ended in the wall, table and suede chair covered in blue paint!

cold medicine stopped the remedies and consulted the pharmacist. Milk supply buggred by cold. Trying hard but exhusted.

mixed feeding Anyone successfully doing it?

hi, i went to the dr and he gave me a prescription for domperidone (sp) unfortunately my local chemist is out of it but should have it for tomorrow!he was weighed and after putting on nearly a lb a week since birth, he's only put on 3 oz in 3 weeks. im so tired i've decided to give him a 'proper' bottle tonight to see how things go, i put him on both boobs quickly to relieve the pressure then gave him the bottle but he still only took 2 1/2 oz. gp suggested i try to mix feed, boob day bottle at night then at least dp can help. he said hopefully with the medication and the bottle he may sleep longer and will hopefully be able to get to one bottle at night boob the rest of the time. have decided i need to stop being so stubborn and selfish, my tiredness is awful ive been so horrible to dd she keeps saying sorry to me all the time which i hate myself for as she hasnt done anything wrong! my big worry is he'll prefer the bottle and totally reject the boob!
alibobble we can share the joys of mixed feeding together!
patchy i had my hair done last week made me feel loads better but nearly nodded off having it washed!

Been too tired to post lately and I dont have much time to catch up on all the new posts... which is really sad since this is about the only adult conversation I get aside from DH!

I have been doing the mixed feeding thing since Marco was born. My milk supply is low, so my doc started me on Domperidone from 3 weeks PP. It works very well. Did the same with DC3. Even with the meds, I find my supply is low towards the evening on some days. Other days, its fine or even going to the extreme where I need to pump to relieve the fullness. Marco gets a 2oz top up on days when I am low, or a 4oz bottle when I am feeling really lazy tired. I had to take the meds the whole time I BF because the moment I stop, I dry up within a few days (which works well for weaning without the discomfort!).

My baby also spits up constantly and has to wear a bib all day. I cant tell you how many times I have been 'Christened'!

As for sleep... the most I am getting is 6 hours at a time, which is wonderful. Marco is 7 weeks old and has only now started these long stretches once per night. Before, he only slept 2-3 hours at a time which was very difficult.

Anyone having a lot of issues with their toddler?? Mine is being a little witch! She wont listen and is testing me on EVERYTHING!

activity the domperidone is instead of baby gaviscon, as you need to put baby gaviscon into bottles apparently?? although after reading blue post and some others since yesterday it looks like feeding mothers take for supply?? is that right blue or is my lack of sleep confusing me??!!
I also wanted to exclusively breastfeed but every 1 1/2 hours is killing me. after last nights botttle and boob he slept 9-12.30 i gave him a boob feed as i was still being stubborn, sure enough he work 1/2 hours later which i tried him on the boob again, dp came in from work and gave him a bottle. he only took 1oz but then slept til 6ish. may not sound long but it made no end of difference and dp really enjoyed cuddling up to him and giving him a feed.
blue my dd is being a little witchy too! she's throwing tantrums screaming at me and all sorts. saying that ive been in such a foul mood that ive probably not helped matters!

ooh hv i've only seen mine a couple of times because of our feeding problems, other than that you tend to only see them at the drop in weigh in clinics!

hv only seen at clinic

toddlers dd being a total pain and very tearful at moment. Ended up 2x yesterday with dd1 crying on my knee and dd2 crying on my shoulder! (and me nearly joining them)

mixed feeding not tried yet as worried about preferring bottle to bf like dd1 did. Plus supply recovering after cold. Need to think about it a bit more. Main reason for considering is to give me more time with dd1 rather than feeding all the time. That said dd2 goes well at night so can't complain there. only one wake up with a 10pm bottle EBM

teething am I the only one with a just 9 wk old who has started teething? dd 1 was 8 weeks when she started. Please tell me I'm not alone!

Lydia - yes, just assumed you ladies were talking about taking the domperidone for yourselves . Domperidone is for acid reflux, but one of the side effects is lactation. Here in Canada, its available for BF mothers, but can only 'technically' be prescribed for the acid reflux IYSWIM. Works very quickly and does a great job. Can you ladies get it in the UK for yourselves? Its banned in the US for some reason (can only get Reglan there which has horrendous side effects... go figure). I always joke with DH that I am gonna slip him some of my 'Titty Tablets' so that he can help with the BFing!!!!

Got some wonderful sleep last night. Marco went down after boob and 3oz bottle at 10pm and slept til 4:30am, BF, then down from 5am til 8am! Lovely! He even slept half the day yesterday.... must be growing!

alibobble - wow! Teething at 9 weeks! Poor you. Marco is only 7 weeks old, but none of the other 3 DCs started that early.

blue have started bill on the domperidone tonight, had no idea it could increase milk supply. what a strange side effect! would love to try it on dp to help me with night feeds!
as i dont want to completely mix feed ive decided on a new bedtime routine.
6pm bath massage
6.30pm few minutes on each boob to eleviate the pressure! then bottle
7pm bed
and its worked he's sparked out!
hopefully this way he'll start going longer and i'll just have to top him up with boobs during the night. that is my plan whether it works or not we shall see! i need him to start going to bed the same time as dd as he's almost out grown his moses bed so we'll need to put him in the cot in their room!
blue if he'd just sleep 6 hours i would be a very happy mummy!
ali im worried about him preferring the bottle too, but hoping that as i only plan on giving him one at the same time everyday it shouldnt confuse/frustrate him! no teething here but i do have a baby with massive bald spots amongst his dark hair!