March babies part II

[misdee]

Cristina - Sylvia sleeps a lot! Does she sleep well at night? is the doctor happy that she is sleeping so much?
HAve you managed to start on your PhD yet?

Niklas had his second round of injections today. Poor love, he has just got over his eye infection and today was completely knocked out by that! He slept most of the day and when not sleeping was wimpering! He's much happier now though!

Doctor was very happy with him, she said his development is very advanced and that we should be very proud :! He is almost on the 50% for both lenth and weight. He is 60.2cm and almost 7Kg.

Norash - I was trying to remember how long Kieran was when he was born, have I remembered correctly that he was 60cm??? If I have that's the same length as Niklas is now !

I've decided to try expressing milk again and feeding him ebm from a bottle. I know its 3 months before I go back to work, but I know feeding him from a bottle isn't going to get any easier! ...maybe I'll try tomorrow! !

Norash - i haven't taken any good photos for a while , i'll try to take some tomorrow.

Phase one of get tough mummy

Harry went to sleep tonight without feeding to sleep

I tried pick up put down and didnt need to do any picking up for about 10 mins - he just grinned and cooed...then he cried so we did about 10 PUPDs and he fell asleep the minute i picked him up so i put him down again

Also I have persuaded him to take a dummy today
Will see how this evening goes......

Got to get sleeping sorted!!!

Hi All

Had our carpets laid today - moving back into our house in a day or two - finally. Will miss having my Mum around to help out but DH will have to start doing his Daddy thing now that we are finally living in the same house. Lauren was 14 weeks today. Starting to grasp her toys and blankie nicely. Of course everything goes in the mouth. Is it too early for her to possibly be teething? She had a restless night last night and woke at 5:30, which she never does. Put her in bed with me and she promptly grabbed my finger and started gumming it quite hard in her mouth. She also has very red cheeks at the moment. Not sure what to think. Getting cold here now and we've had lots of rain so not many walks with the pram at the moment. We need the rain though, as we had a drought this last year.

Goodmorning all,

All is well in Norash land.

ZoeC it is nice to see you in here, sorry to hear you are not well.{{{{Get well soon}}}}}}}}}}}}} .

Leogaela, yes Kieran was 60cm at birth. I was shocked too .
Congratulations and Niklas by the way

Congratulations Popsy

Hey guys, does anyone know what happened to 3Mummy. Did she go away?

Popsycal - how did it go last night !

What are you doing about childcare when you go back to work for the 4 days this term?

Norash - i was thinking about 3mummy as well, I have a feeling that she wasn't going ot be around for a bit.
again at the 60cm! And a big for you! I am totally impressed with you! Are you tall? I can't imagine where 60cm of baby would fit!

Jambot - great that you are finally moving back into your house . I couldn't imagine being 14 weeks living wiht my mum and without dh at a normal time, couldn't even think about it with a new baby!

OH
MY
GOD

well well well

he fed at 6@30 last night then not agintil 11:15 then not again til 4:15

he woke afew times in the early evemning and i just gave him a cuddle
then he woke at 8am

he can do it

Hi everyone,

Sorry I have been a little radio silent, my dp has been complaining about the amount of time i spend on MN so he has been weaning me off - spoilsport!!

We are all doing okay, Leogaela I really am looking forward to every new trick and all developments our babies make, its very exciting!!

Ava finally has her first round of injections on Monday, I'm dreading it.

Well done Popsy and I bet it feels good being home together now Jambot

Hi Norash, I've increased Ava's bottle intake and shes very grateful!! Sleeping is back on track, Yay!!

Fantastic!!!!
Well done Popsycal! :!!!

well done harry really

Hi everyone, sooo sorry I've not been around for a while. My life is just so busy at the moment! We have Faiths Christening on Sunday and realised last week that I wasn't sure where I'd put the Christening gown - we've moved house since the last one and the gown was mine when I was a baby, my neices and my older 2DDs have all been Christened in it.......... I've only gone and lost it! DH and I have spent (literally) every spare minute looking for it - we've torn the house apart looking! So the panic is now off cos my Dad took me out on Tuesday afternoon to a beautiful little boutique type shop and bought Faith a new gown . It's very lovely, but I'm still gutted that I've lost the "family heirloom"! DH reckons we'll find it on Monday when we're looking for something else! Sodding typical!

Apart from that I've been planning said Christening and sending out invitations - and shopping for an outfit - Anyone else noticed how nowhere makes clothes for women who've just had babies and have "jiggly belly" to conceal? Will just have to make do with black (slimming) trousers and pretty top to show off big BF boobies! I love shopping for my older DDs though, got them a sweet little outfit each this morning.

Have also been attending meetings at school for when DD2 starts in sept. And DH is away all this week on a course so I'm left to do everything in the run up to the Christening! Ah well, it's my birthday on saturday and we are having a load of friends (with babies!!) over for a bbq and I'm really looking forward to it. DH took me shopping last sat to the jewellery quater in birmingham and bought me a diamond ring with 3 diamonds - signifying one for each daughter. He told me how I deserved it because of all I went through to give him 3 lovely girls! - A man who appreciates the pain of childbirth !!!! It really is beautiful, I feel so spoilt .

Faith had her injections (2nd lot) on Monday and was a little unsettled mon eve, but slept 10 hours that night - infact would've slept longer but I had to get her up for the school run!!

I'm sorry it's so long - didn't want you to think I'd dropped off the planet! But I have to be off now - Faith wants her lunch .

Hope you are all well xx

HI everyone - don't seem to have time to catch up or post these days!

Popsy - well done with Harry, sounds as though you've turned the corner at last - you must be so relieved. Long may it continue!

Leogaela - great to know that Niklas is doing so well.

Jambot - good news on the house, it'll be a great feeling to be back in your own home. Sounds as though Lauren could be teething - some babies are born with teeth so I guess it's never too early .

Tamula - good luck with Ava's injections on Monday. Grace has her 2nd lot next Wednesday which I'm not looking forward to at all. She was so distressed wih the first lot poor little love .

Shaalaa - sorry you're having a tough time . I can empathise with how you feel - I occasionally feel a bit overwhelmed with everything (although less so the last few weeks). It is so important to try to get some time to yourself - I left dh with the girls the other weekend and just went to the garden centre for an hour. I felt so much better when I got back.

Zoe - hope you feel better soon.

Good to see you again Sweeney - had been wondering where you'd got to! Popsy has set up a Photobucket account for the March babies - if you contact her she will give you the details. Would love to see some piccies of Cosmo.

Grace is now 12lb and is right on the 50th centile. She is on the 98th for height though, but I am 5'10" so it's no surprise that she's going to be tall! We had the best ever night one before last when she slept from 8pn to 6am . Wasn't repeated last night though - she went down at 8.30pm and woke at 4am . I had thought we'd got a good little routine going - she was going to bed at 7.30pm and waking at 5am for a feed before going back down for another 2 or 3 hours. It was great because it meant both girls were in bed by 7.30pm and we could eat dinner in peace and have the evening to ourselves. I was even thinking we might be able to get the odd night out! It's all gone to pot this week though - she now seems really tired by about 6.30pm but doesn't want to feed at that time so we have to let her sleep for a bit, then she wakes up and I feed her about 8-8.30pm before she goes down properly for the night. Isn't it always the way though? Just when you think you've got things sussed, it all changes again!

Off to a mums and babies group with a friend in about 1/2hr - don't really feel like going but promised I would so will brave the rain!

Hope everyone else is ok today.

3mummy - good luck with the christening. Hope it all goes well. at your lovely dh buying you the ring. What a nice surprise for you.

Oh yes, and I know exactly what you mean about the clothes for wobbly bellies! If anyone finds any please let me know .

Hello all! Feeling alot better, just a couple of days where I felt really tired. Well Caleb has started grabbing at Mr Winkle! Have a horrid feeling he's going to give a hard tug like he does on my hair! Can't believe how fast all our babies are growing, Caleb has started watching us when we eat so were going to start weaning him at 5 months, although I intend to breastfeed him once a day in the mornings if it's possible.

oops, guess I should point out that 'Mr Winkle' is his willy

Hi everyone, sorry its been a while, not too good at moment, feeling really down about weight, i was always trying to lose weight and lost about 2 stone straight after birth as i was poorly but still have another one and half to lose to get to pre preg weight (though that is still too much). manage to lose about 7lb then go off tracks, constantly hungry while b/f.
Also Dylan hasnt been gaining weight over the last 4 weeks and so health visitor advised adding another bottle of formula at midday in addition to evening bottle. Now i think he is prefering the bottle to me and i know it sounds silly but i feel like a failure
The formula has helped Dylans weight as this week he put on 10oz! and i know that it is him and his growth thats important but i wanted to b/f longer and really miss the closeness and feel rejected.
Tried to use pump to increase milk supply, dont understand why its diminished, it was so good at start. pump is useless.

Any help appreciated.

BABYD - sorry you're having such a bad time . Please don't feel guilty about the feeding - you have given Dylan a really good start so it won't be the end of the world if he goes on to formula now. I have to say that I have been completely unsuccessful with the breast pump (although used the same type when I had dd1 and it was fine!) so if I need to express I now do it by hand which I find much more productive. Popsy posted a good link to a site which gives a good technique for hand expressing. Sorry, I don't have the link handy but it was on the previous March thread if you do a search.

link to hand expressing

I really ought to get expressing. I handed in moy formal return to work letter today

Monday 18th July....just 4 days though then 6 weeks off then back properly in september

Very worried about going back - mainly to do with feeding. People keep saying oh you've done so well to get this far - he will be fine on formula. But I want to keep breastfeeding! By the time i go back properly in september, he will be started on solids and feeding less so it may be totally practical to continue feeding him if I can express once at work........hmmmmm. I also enjoy feeding him and dont want that to stop. he is getting better though. Reliably going three hours in the day now, which, for harry, is good going!! It is those 4 days in july that i am worried abotu though. He STILL wont take a bottle but I suppose I havent peristed very hard..

MUST get it sorted - mainly though as I am takin ds1 to see the wiggles in 2 weeks Can't miss that!!!

I feel all stressed thinking of work now! Grrr!

Goodmorning March Mummys ,

Leogaela, lets just say I have a lot of work to do, getting off the excess skin . I am only 5' 7".

Tamula, well done on the feeding and sleeping . They always know how much they need and will always let you know.

Hi bonym, hope you are ok.

Hi Popsy, hope all is well with you too.

Welcome back 3Mummy and at the christening gown. And all the best for the christening.

Shalaa, I am glad that you are feeling better. Kieran is only tagging on his hair, hope hhe does not start on his Willie .

BABYD, sorry you are having such a hard time. About the feeding, you are not on your own. Kieran does not take to the breast during the day and when he does he still wants a bottle after about 15-30 mins. So I usually give him the breast then the bottle when he wants more.
I also only breastfeed him when he wakes up in the night and this seems to work. There is alot more milk at night. Hope it works for you.

Now about the weight, sorry you are feeling low about it at the moment, why don't you try and eat stuff that is low in fat. More veg for example. You could also make bean stews and have that with rice. You eat enough for you but less calories. I hope I have helped even a little.

Thanks for posting that link again Popsycal - I've printed it off and as soon as Niklas goes to sleep I am going to have a go (that's instead of painting my toe nails so I can wear open shoes when we go out for dinner tonight )! He a has prefered breast and on one side is starting to get really fussy when he feeds and often hurts me, so I am going to express from that side only and feed from the other.

Babyd - sorry to hear that you are feeling down. If it is your weight that is bothering you I think you will find we are all suffering from the same thing ! Is anyone here happy with their wieght and post pregnancy body? I used to really like my body, but right now I hate it. dh is having some kind of osteopathy at the moment and was chatting to his osteopath about it, she says that there is now research that says the body stays soft, muscles don't rebuild and maintains weight for several months after the birth due to hormones and healing. And if you are bfeeding you need that extra weight. If you are having supply problems then you need to eat and make sure you drink plenty.

About the feeding thing - firstly I think its a real shame when people feel guilty or a failure because they can't bfeed. I think its very clear that we are all doing the best for our babies however we choose or are able to feed them. So enough of feeling a failure. Furthermore I really don't know so this is a suggestion - but is really too early to give him a little baby rice mixed with some breast milk rather than a bottle of formula. this way the bottle won't replace the breast, but the baby rice will supplement.
If that's not an option is it a good idea to always feed from the breast first and then to top up with a bottle??? How often are you feeding him - the last week or so I've been feeding Niklas every 2 hours again day, could feeding more often help?
Anyone else got any suggestions?

Popsycal - who is looking after Harry the four days you are at work? could the person not bring him into work for you to feed every 3 hours? You may find he goes longer without a feed when oyu are not around.

And the big question - how did he sleep last night ????

Hi BabyD,

I think the rapid weight lost due to your ill health was a little mis-leading for you. Losing 2 stones straight after giving birth is not probably the norm and you really shouldnt expect it to drop off like that! But perhaps this is why you are constantly hungry whilst b/f and why you are not losing weight as quickly as you may have hoped, your body is probably holding on to weight to maintain b/f. If you are dieting whilst b/f your body may be going into a natural state of preserving all supplies!!! Its best to just eat healthy, eat little and often. The weight loss will come in time. Sorry if I am assuming too much, I dont mean to sound like a bloody condenscending know-it-all

I think your supply may have started off badly due to your ill-health in the early days. I was told to keep baby at the breast practically all the time when newborn to establish a good supply, whereas your supply may have gotten of to a bad start but you are only seeing the results of this now. I know its disheartening sweety, but as long as Dylan is happy and gaining weight, you may have to succomb to this being best at this time.

I know you can try to re-establish a better supply but that will consist of lots of skin-to-skin contact, having Dylan at the breast practically constantly. It depends upon how bad you want to b/f. But please BabyD dont beat yourself up about it, its not worth it, its just a waste of energy, negative energy at that, thats no good for both of you. Could you not suffice with formula during the day and breast at bed and during the night? I know its not what you want but worth a shot?

Good Luck, babe, we're all rooting for you

btw I have never been so overweight in my life and my jelly belly really is quite a sight for sore eyes. I also wanted to exclusively b/f but Ava is such a hungry soul that i have had to mix feed, but its working out fantastic for us, she has 3 big bottles a day 7/8 am 1 pm and 6:40/7 If she wakes at night she has breast and she has breast at about 5/6am too depending on what time she gets up. Its not what i planned but it makes for a happy baby so suits me

Hello everyone else, I think this post will be long enough so i'll stop now!!!

Ciao Tam & Ava Xx

Leogaela,

I dont think babies bodies are physically developed enough until at least 5/6 months for any type of soild. This is why the W.H.O (World Health Organisation or something????!! now recommend that babies are weaned at 6 months. I know it didnt do me any harm and plenty of other babies having solids early but this is a new discovery in the land of baby development!!

Leogaela - interesting to hear that Niklas has a preference for one breast. Grace undoubtedly prefers my left breast and sometimes screams if I try to feed her from the right one. Not always though! I find she takes it better if we are lying down. I have noticed (on the odd occasion that I have expressed) that the flow seems to be better from the left one so I guess this could be the reason. Also wondering if it has anything to do with the lump in my right armpit (still waiting for a scan appointment). Someone I know has had blocked ducts a couple of times and was told that this can affect the taste of the milk.

We are both fine today although Grace woke at 4am again this morning - don't know what happened to the 6am waking! Oh well, shouldn't complain, I know that we pretty lucky with the sleeping even so.

hi
my mum is having harry for mon and tues and not finalised who for the wed and thurs

mum will bring him to me at lunch time for a feed but that isnt til 12:30...

i o have non-contact lessons too.....but cant remember when

also the head said he may be able to keep in the girl who is covering me for the last week which may mean i am not class-based....and may agree to mum popping in another time fingers crossed

last night with harry wasnbt as good but better than previiously

Also battling with the weight. I have the luxury of a personal trainer twice a week who specialises in pre and post natal exercise. She does a lot of work with the ' birthing ball'. Lots of great tummy exercises that are really paying off. Just have to get rid of that wobbly layer of fat that covers those muscles! Lost half a stone last month, but nothing so far this month, allthough must admit to being pretty bad. Too stressed with trying to get our house finished so that I can return to 'normal' family life. Was DH birthday today and have just finished off dinner with chocolate brownies and custard!! Oh Dear!
Know that it's supposed to be taboo these days, but think Lauren will be starting solids at 4 months. She is nearly 7kgs and very tall. She is already on the maximum amount of formula recommended in a 24 hour period.
My char (who is a black south african lady) was asking me after 2 weeks what food Lauren was eating!! Apparently they have their babies on maize cereal within the first month!
Know I must sound very spoilt what with personal trainers and chars etc, but everything is so much more affordable in SA, that most people can afford the help that people in the UK would give their eye teeth for! I am very thankful and grateful I promise.