june09 Weaning the babies and shifting the Mummy Tummy!!!

[Tee2072]

Here it is, Juners! New thread!!

sorry for the very rambling post feel free to ignore me!!

Hello all

Reallyt quick one as desperate for bed but just wanted to reply to MrsM before a proper catch up tomorrow...

I had my first period last month and am due one in the next week or so (and can sadly feel it getting ready to appear!).

I am still pretty much exclusively breastfeeding (we have a small pureed lunch every day, but this is only the last week or so)... and definitely was when it appeared.

At least it shows everything is back in working order but was hoping that the bf would hold it off for quite a while yet but what can you do...?

Waves to all lovely ladies - have been reading xxx

lynn if it makes you feel better some books say that it's ok to cuddle your baby to sleep and to worry about cc later on.
Sleepwise C. is really unsettled.
She used to self soothe (with dummy) but now she needs to be rocked again, sung to, sometimes even nothing else will do but put her in our bed for 3 minutes where she closes her eyes almost immediately and then we transfer her to her cot...(I know this is a bad habit).
What also works sometimes is to put her in her cot, cover her eyes with one hand and rubbing her tummy side to side with the other (while singing/humming/whistling). That also takes about 3 minutes. dh watches "snow white" on the laptop with her (which I also think is not a good thing to do but sometimes, what can you do?).
There was a funny sleep thread going on a couple of days ago but I can't find it anymore, sounds like everyone is having problem at some point or another :S

morning girls,
looks like crappy sleep is the norm at the moment. A currently asleep in my arms so excuse the one handed typing. He is full of cold and has been up 1-2.30, 3-4.30, 545. Similar pattern last 4 nights. Yawn.

Think we have gone in sympathy to everyone else who is lacking sleep. Feel cruddy and have friends coming for a roast lunch today.DH will sort that when he gets home from work.

As to periods- still no sign here. I wish I was exclusively BF but A has other ideas. Mixed feeding here although expressing about 2- 3 hrs a day (has been 6hrs at times). A crap at expressing despite all the practice. He had started really getting back to the boob and then this cold has stopped things again.

Routine- very surprisingly as I was such a control freak pre-A but we have v little routine except around the evening. Food and milk bout 6/630ish, bath somewhere before 730pm then story,cuddles, comfort boob and down in oot.Often unsettled for half an hour or so and ends up with a bit more boob/bottle which puts him to sleep. In the bad old days, rocked and patted on us for ages and ages until sound asleep and then put in cot (or slept on me quite a lot or co-sleep).

Has started to self settle sometimes in the last month. Before the last few horrid days, wakes at 12, then up at 5am ish (sometimes with a 2am thrown in). Was starting to get away with just patting and shushing at 12 rather than feed.There is no doubt he is an early riser like his parents!

What a ramble, right boy stirring.
Any tips for snotty babies? trying Olbas, steam him in the shower with me, tried some saline drops last night.

Happy sunday everyone. Hoping a better night's sleep for everyone tonight

Hi all!

Snow, no tips besides the steam from the shower unfortunately but hope A gets better soon. And hope your nights improve as well, you must be exhausted

June, your last post made me think of myself Lately it seems lots of things I/we do lead to a little voice in the head saying "tut tut, that's not OK" and the guilt!! Jeeeez, it's like it comes with motherhood When I have to work on transcriptions and leave M playing she "speaks" and I can't hear well enough so I put on some cartoons and of course she watches very contently... and the voice again, guilt guilt guilt! But sometimes, as you say, it's all that works so I guess I'll have to live with that guilt How's C today? Are her "nappies" better?

Skillbo, hope you're having a good time if you're still on hols

Llynn, so glad you're happy with DD's nursery. You're right, once you find one that you like and trust then you're golden!

Mrsmc, oh I so so so so so hope things improve soon. I think you're the one having the worst time with sleeping at the moment, as it's been going for a few weeks now, I think That thing you tried about feeding her a LOT before bed and then offering boob gave some good results so I hope it sticks! (((hug))) Hope you had a good time with your friends today.

Right, we went for a walk around the town centre after church today and bought myself the twilight book (I haven't seen any of the movies so I know veeeeeery little about it I know, I'm an alien) It's been like 6 months since I read my last book so I'm really looking forward to reading it

Hope you're having a nice and relaxed Sunday, Juners!

Waves!!!

I should also add to my last post that the three minutes I am talking about are after an hour of C being unsettled. It doesn't just take 3 minutes to get her to sleep!

naat Glad I'm not the only one who breaks the rules from time to time!
The nappies got worse today, (tmi alert) 7 poos, mainly just very small ones like she passed wind and cleaned her colon along the way...but very runny ones, watery even for the worst ones and look like we sneezed in them (which is typical of diarrhea from what I have read online) so I'm calling the GP tomorrow.
Baby looks happy though and has been drinking her bottles ok and we have carried on the solids (potato and banana), she also still does not have temperature or vomitting.
Is she contagious though? I'll have to clear this up with GP tomorrow.

Talking about guilt I couldn't help but feel a bit sad on friday.
I was finishing feeding C after baby rhyme time, people usually hang around after to feed/change/and get to know eachother; and I was going to join some other mums in their conversation when I realised they were bonding over their breastfeeding, talking about how hard it was and how it was because they were so determined that it worked out for them and how they were glad it had cause sterilising, preparing formula etc sounded like a lot of fuss.
I just couldn't face joining the conversation as breastfeeding didn't work out for me and it's taken a long time not to feel guilty about it anymore (and clearly I still have some issues here.)
What they were saying was just bonding and I can see how it does not mean anything against people who are formula feeding but at the time it felt like daggers, it made me feel like if they were saying that I really had wanted to I could have made it work and I must not have been determined enough.
Of course I know they were not talking to me or about me and it was pretty innocent chitchat. I would also have been proud if I had managed.

In other news bil had a serious car accident last night and is unbelievably lucky to be alive with only bruises so we're having bil and sil+dp for dinner tonight.

Hey ladies ? I meant to go back last night and look at all the links and new photos but forgot will do that at some point. I?ve added a few photos to my profile too.

June ? sorry to hear about your BIL?s accident but so glad he got away with bruises alone. The maternal guilt is a powerful thing, I have heard what you have said about not BF so many times from various friends, you did and are doing the best for you and for your baby, you can?t do any better than that.

Just a quick post as want to have a bath before the next feed. DH has offered to look after Aaliyah tonight after the next feed as we feel like it is a vicious circle me feeding her in the night, she is never hungry in the morning and so the cycle starts again. Am very nervous about not being in the room with her but am excited about the prospect of a good night?s sleep. Have a bottle of cooled boiled water on stand by in case he needs it

Hello all

Trying to catch up with all your lovely posts means I am bound to forget lots and lots but sounds like theres all sorts happeneing.

We are now home from Spain - got back late on Friday to a tip of a flat (plunber sorting out our shower but left the place covered in dust and all sorts - not happy!) as well as a broken front door. Love our flat

Brief catch up in the world of Jazzy - she cut her first tooth whilst we were on holiday. Dreadful time leading up to it (and was the week when DP was at home, of course) but she now cant stop playing with it. Slight accident on the plane when we were ocming into land. I have heard it recommended you feed your lo's as it means their ears don't pop etc, so bunged her on. Only for her to drag herself off with her little nasher drawing blood on the way... still have a very tender nip!!

However, being away seems to have cracked the sleeping. Sorry for those of you still struggling but somehow she got the message whilst away and now wakes when we head to bed about 11 or 12 ish and then sleeps through... managed to lie in until 9am today, unbelievable. We moved her into her own room today though (I had a good cry which felt stupid - what will I be like when she moves out!!!) so not sure whether it will last (fingers crossed!)

Daisy - woohoo for sitting. Still a total wobble bum here but am hoping that we will get there by Crimbo. Don't want to hurry her along at all though - she seems to be growing up so quickly!!

June - youve been posting heaps so sorry that I miss out lots. I would love it if we oculd find a gro-bag with sleeves. Apparently there are big sleepsuits that go over their babygros but we've only been able to find them from 18m+. I want to get a wooden xylophone too as think they are lovely and, as you say, she's going to be soo spoilt by everyone else.Had to at DH being in his post pregnancy jeans - DP has developed a muffin top (his words, by the way) and will no doubt get worse as he only has 2 weeks left at work before he becomes a SAHD . Had to giggle re men and babies as I know DP is a little worried - I am confident he will be fine but am expecting a few, slightly panicky calls in the first few weeks.

I have put my foot in it with regards bf and ff and it is such a sensitive subject. As MRsM says, you are doing the best thing for both of you and you shouldn't feel any guilt, whatsoever!! I hope it doesn't stop you hanging around at groups and stuff - I always feel sad that there isn't more mummy bonding at the ones I go to.

Jazzy seemed to watch an awful lot of cbeebies on holiday and, although not the same, the guilt will never go - it will just change, I guess!

I really hope your BIL is ok - lucky escape for him...

Bigcar - have heard the double birth weight thing before but am not beating us up over it. Having said that, weaning is going ok this time round so far - we're taking it nice and easy but hoping it might make a bit of difference. Bit worried as everyone else has been feeding her to get her started but it's back to me and her tomorrow so keeping everything crossed that she continues to lap it up! Congrats to your DD re her place - sounds like she'll get there!! Also, sorry to hear your news and glad that the funeral was ok.

MrsM - hope you get a good nights sleep tonight. As mentioned, Jazzy in her own room tonight which means, hopefully, she won't be as disturbed by us moving around. I am nervous about it even though she is literally about 6 feet away as the crow flies - but can't help it.

Snow - know what you mean about SAD and hope that you're feeling better. The only suggestion I can make re snuffly nose is if you are able, squirt a bit of breastmilk up there. Might clear it - worked for us.

Right - think that will do for tonight and hope you are all fabulous! Might have to go and check on the lo - the room we've moved her to seems really cold and I'm worried about her. According to the thermometer, its fine but I'm far from convinced so shall go and have a feel of her neck. I know little ones are hardier than we give them credit for and (from spending the last couple of weeks with my parents) know that I survived some 'interesting' things as a baby - apparently I used a drawer as a cot for a while!! - but still, pfb syndrome!!

Take it easy ladies and good sleeps xxx

just a quickie, snow, for stuffy noses have you tried raising the head end of the cot/mattress so A is sleeping on an incline and also rubbing Vicks (or baby friendly equivalent, boots do one) on the soles of his feet?

sorry to post and dash will hopefully be back later!

Waves!

Hi all!

Llynn, hi!

Skillbo, welcome back (from hols )! Yay on cracking the sleeping issue! Hope J had a good night now that she's sleeping on her own LOL at the drawer story I fell from a 1.8m "balcony" when I was a toddler My mum almost had a heart attack, she swore that had been it... I was soooooo hyperactive! Hope the feeding goes well today!

Mrsmc, glad DH offered to take over last night and let you get some rest, I hope you didn't worry too much and were able to catch up on some sleep. Let us know how it went.

June, ohhh lately I'm breaking rules ALL the time Oh well... I don't know if this helps but M's had some days like the ones you describe C had. Lots of pooey nappies, some solid, some mustardish... of course checking with the GP is always better but I guess as long as C was feeling OK, drinking ok, feeding OK and not showing any discomfort, she was fine I know what you mean about BF and FF... my translator friend couldn't BF her LO as she didn't have the suckling reflex (at all) so at first she expressed and fed her bottled but then it became sooo tiring having to depend on the machine to feed her and therefore having to organise her day around the expressing, etc, that she had to stop, for her own sanity. She felt awfully guilty, and nobody could do anything about that. We talked a lot about it and of course she knew she had done as much as she had been able to... her LO is thriving (like C) so that's the most important thing and that makes her happy of course. We frequently talked about it as every time we went out together she'd feed her before going out and then about 4hs later and I'd have to feed M every 1.5hs so she'd tell me "each has its advantages and disadvantages, I guess" She has also been sleeping through since day 1, yes, you read right. As Skillbo said, don't let this prevent you from joining in and bonding with mums. You're a devoted mum and C is thriving no matter what milk she's drinking

Hi to all Juners!!

Quiet day today, laundry, bathroom cleaning and tidying up to do so I'd better get going.

Waves to all!!!

I took C to the GP this morning as she had another 2 "bad" nappies (too early for tmi and was clearly unsettled yesterday.
She started crying while i was changing her, she's starting to get nappy rash and was screaming when i put cream on it, i ended up in tears too.
Anyway GP didn't sound too worried, said she probably picked up a virus and gave me some powder to avoid dehydration.
We are to try and cut down the milk for the next couple of days and she should be better within 3 to 4 days, he said to try and cut milk out completely today or give very diluted milk and give C some carbs (potato, banana, rice) instead.
I asked him if she was contagious and he said no but to make sure I wash our hands after changing the nappy as that's how it spreads.
I'm going to clean all the toys, changing table etc with antibacterial spray this morning.

We meet up with the other mums on wednesdays so she'll probably be better by then but do you think I maybe should not go? If I ask them they'll probably say it's ok to come but I know one of them especially does not come if her baby has a cold etc. (which I completely understand of course).
The doctor said it was fine but I guess I'll have to see how it goes. They don't share toys or anything I could just make sure she does not touch anything or anyone.
If she's still having watery nappies then I'll definitely not go.

right sorry i am going on a bit about this and it's not very pleasant in the am, i'd better get on with toy cleaning!

skillbo - us too. He would only sleep 4 hours continuously and after a week on holiday he was sleeping for 9 hours and in the cot, which he hated until we went on holiday. It was much warmer (south of spain) and the cot was much softer, but otherwise I had no idea why - but the holiday worked wonders for his sleeping at the time. Sadly, it reverted back a bit when we returned, but never as bad as before.

Sadly it didn?t work DH forgot to wake me up for a late feed and so Aaliyah woke at 1.30am and screamed the place down until I heard her and then went through, fed her and spent until 3.15am trying to settle her and then she slept until 6am. She seems to have had more milk today and has had more food so we will see what the night brings. She is asleep in bed early tonight as both she and DS were tired due to lots of playing and short naps.

Today is a holiday, well what?s called a ?Puente? (bridge) because 6th was Constitution Day and tomorrow is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. Lovely to have DH around for 4 days to help out. He?s gone to football tonight; think he was needing a break!

Anyone started using a cup? Was thinking of trying a doidy cup this time ? any experience anyone?

Skillbo ? welcome home! sorry to hear about your flat what happened to the door? I fed DS on a plane too and had blood blisters afterwards ? your poor nip! I do remember how it feels when they move to their own room, DS slept so well that first night and I didn?t sleep at all because I couldn?t hear his every breath hope it goes well, sure it will! Interesting about your DP becoming a SAHD, where we lived in Scotland there were loads and so they ran Dad to be classes and loads of Dad and baby groups (including ?disco dads?) DH went to everything he could he had flexible working back there so worked 9 day fortnights and so we made sure he got to go to things with DS too. Our bedroom is 14 degrees at the mo, freezing!

June ? re snuffly nose, they have these draconian saline drops and a suction thing here, severe but effective. Poor Calypso hope she is feeling much better now, traumatic for you all. My understanding of the etiquette of these things is that if they have been clear for 24 hours it?s ok to do what you usually do with other kids.

llynnnn ? interesting about rubbing the balm on the soles of the feet, must be linked to the circulation thing I read about cold feet.

Naat ? hope you enjoyed your quiet day.

Hi Daisy ? started meat yet?

mrsmcjnr - I just looked at the logic behind the routines, looked at our daily schedule (given nursery commitments, swimming etc). Basically looked at where he was at 5 months (what times he took big feeds and little feeds and sleeps) and looked at ideal drinks/feed routine (in UK loosely 7 - 7, with three main mealtimes and afternoon drink) and gradually increased the main feeds and slowly decreased the lesser feeds in a way that sort of headed towards our goal. It was a gradual process. There was no way he could go four hours without a feed so I used to have mini feeds within the big feeds but they were tiny snackettes and he doesn't need them any more. It has taken a month and the first few days I expressed almost everything so I could get an idea of how much he was drinking.

It's not for everyone (and it has been hard work, particularly the first four days) but he seems really happy now, and I certainly am. After they both came down ill and we were sick with worry about dh's job (as of a week ago he now has a new position within the same company), I just couldn't cope with the 'up in the nights' anymore, on top of everything else, especially when he was drinking so little in the daytime.

Last night he slept 9pm till 7am. He's got a cold and didn't settle well so I had to give him a bf top up at 9pm to get him to go to sleep and so couldn't face waking him up at 10.30 for milk he probably didn't want, so just left him to sleep not knowing when he might wake.....and he didn't wake until 7am....so that was lovely for me.

You just sound so very tired mrsmcjnr

cross post mrsmcjnr but then it took me 2 hours to finish my post!!

He's a keen eater - quinoa porridge, apple puree & mashed banana for breakfast, sweet potato and 2 veg for lunch and mashed avocado followed by rice pudding with pear puree for supper....I'm going to faithfully hold out until 15 December - the official 6 month date....and I think he should be ready for it - it's next week actually isn't it. He's kind of a large lad, and way more hungry than my daughter ever was. She wasn't eating nearly as much as he does.

Guess what, I got one of those sheepskin rugs for his beds (for putting under the sheet) and he spent the first week jamming himself up against the side of the cot or squishing himself into the bottom in order to NOT have to sleep on it.....2 weeks later and he loves it...but I thought it was going to have to go!!!

Hi naat and everyone else - hello snowwombat - how was your wedding the the travelling around (outback?).

Oh hello pollydianasmummy - can you tell me how to change your name on this? I can never work it out.

Hi Ladies,

Have been reading you all but just not posting. Still really struggling with slep here but although A wakes a couple of times she (mostly ) goes back down relatively easily. It's DD1 (4.4yrs) who's causing the problems she been night waking for a few months now and things are just getting worse as she's not self settling and wants attention(don't fear she always used to sleep through). Today's threat is nap time when she gets back from pre-school if she wakes us more than once we shall see!!

Anyway I have to go hook up to "Daisy" (sorry daisy) and express, definitely need to do it tonight as feeling a bit under the weather and hoping it's not mastitis.

Also having some Pre-christmas blues, as virtually everything I have for the girls for christmas is 2nd Hand (NCT or car boot sales) but don't get me wrong there's stuff to open it's just not spanking gleaming new..... I suppose I could argue the green points but still I may get them one thing each however they're not very demanding atm dd2 (2.5) wants a pink scarf and dd1 (4.4) wants a purple scarf (idea stoen from dd2!!)

Anyway have to Daisy

xxxx

doris nice to hear from you! Did you see the sleep thread? people sharing the crazy tips they know will get their children to sleep. (I cannot find it anymore otherwise I'd link it.)
Please try and not worry about your xmas presents, scarves is a completely adequate gift. Back in france we used to give men some boxers or a jumper (I'm getting my dad a fleece this year) and women scarves/gloves.
I absolutely despise the whole commercial turn xmas has taken. The presents should be symbolic in my opinion. Our little ones are definitely too little this year and I already don't know what to do with all the crap gifts mil and sil people bring C everytime they come over.
One of my friends has a rule whereby the presents in their family have to be a pound or two.

We cut out milk yesterday completely and finally had solid poos by the end of the day.
Changing nappies was the biggest challenge because her rash was (very little but) so painful. I ended up having to distract her by kissing her feet while putting sudocrem and adding talcum on top.
I am a bit worried that she'll start being unwell again as soon as I reintroduce the milk so I'm going to try and hold off this morning and reintroduce diluted milk this pm.

Oh god, its so daunting trying to catch up here at the moment, the thread seems to be steaming along!! Obviously lots better than a slow thread, but I keep reading, and meaning to post, but then think I can't because I will miss people out!!

June It must be hard, but don't feel guilty about the breastfeeding thing, I'm sure those ladies would be upset if they knew how they had made you feel. Calypso is thriving, and you obviously have a very strong bond with her, so I don't think there is a problem there!! I wont deny that if you have had a tough time breastfeeding, but it has started to work out for you, you feel desperate to tell everyone!!! And there is a sense of the minority sticking together also, as (around here especially) breastfeeding is really quite rare. Don't feel like you can't sit with them all, I'm sure the conversation quickly moved onto something else!! We went to baby rhyme and bounce last Friday... I had to take the little booklet home with me as I didnt know any of the words, so had to do some homework!!

MrsMc My periods haven't started again yet, although I keep getting pains as though they are about to, and then change their mind. I was given the mini-pill by the Dr, but haven't started taking it, as I read you can either have no periods while on it, or have one biiiig long period the whole time dont think I fancy that!! I know what you mean about Aaliyah being too nosy to feed during the day, Caelan is exactly the same. And he has taken quite a liking to the dog now, so if he can hear her walking up and down the floor, he would must rather watch her than feed!

Daisy woop for sitting!! Caelan is still a bit away from that I think, whenever he gets excited, he trhows himself back, and he gets excited about almost everything!!

Doris dont worry about the presents for Christmas, I'm sure the DC won't care one jot that the stuff isnt brand new! Bless em for wanting scarves for Christmas, how cute!! I hope you haven't got mastitis fingers crossed x

Naat Don't you just hate people telling you what your baby should and should not be doing?! Grr, I know it annoys me no end. Also, I just don't know how you are managing to fit in doing work at the moment, I just have no energy at all. I think my iron might still be low, and the lack of sleep probably isn't helping. I'm glad your graduation went well, have you got any pictures for us??

Skillbo I'm glad you had a nice break! I would love to go away somewhere, but even going out for the day is such an operation at the moment, I dont think I have the energy!!

DP is hope early today for the first time ever!! He is home at half 3, for the dentist, and then is home for the night, woohoo!!! Its so much better than when he usually gets home at half 7 He is out of the house pretty much 12 hours each day, and I hate the long hours on my own And bless him, he always come in to say goodbye to me in the morning, and pretty much always wakes up Caelan ( ) but I don't want to tell him to not come in and say bye!! He just doesn't do quiet very well!

I feel really rotten today... sorry to anyone I have not caught up with, its not intentional (sp?!) at all, I promise! I just can't really concentrate today, please excuse any typos in advance! I just cba previewing!! God knows how some of you are doing work!

Hi all!

June, glad to hear C is better. I had no idea that cutting her milk would make her nappies "more solid". I agree re.gifts, everyone who asks us what we're getting M is surprised when we say we're getting her some clothes, as she needs that. We might get her a tiny toy that she can play with that night after present-opening time, but I'm talking about a cheap tiny toy, nothing fancy. Hope C's rash is better or gone by now

Doris, sorry to hear DD1 is having sleeping issues... it seems to be in the air Hope you're being able to sleep a bit despite it... Don't feel bad about the gifts, as June said, they sound perfectly good pressies

Daisy, I have a good feeder here as well but your post and the link that Bigcar posted the other day made me ponder about her daily milk intake. Given that it's the only "heavy" or fatty thing she consumes during the day, it's very important that she drinks enough and maybe I haven't been paying too much attention. Today I started "organising" her meals better and putting lots of milk feeds in the middle. Let's see if that makes things better, these last two nights she's been waking 3 times and I can see a storm brewing Glad F is doing well LOL at F avoiding the rug and now loving it...

Mrsmc, sorry to hear that night didn't work HOpe last night was better... I didn't have a quiet day Right after I posted I got some more transcriptions and oh dear was I busy I was so tired I couldn't get up at 6, June I can see from your post it got quite cool over there now? How cold does it get where you are?

Skillbo, hope your nipple is better ((gentle hug))

Hi to all Juners!

As I mentioned before, I've been working and to be honest I still cannot balance it all quite well Even though I try to do as much as I can when M is asleep or at night or early in the morning I still have to do lots around the house and I look like an octopus trying to jugle everything I was sooo tired last night I just passed out at 11 DH helps a lot but, just as June was saying the other day about her DH, he asks me many things and is not sure about some others so I end up doing things WITH him. Bless him, he really wants to help, but he needs to learn some things, I guess? (and just get on with it as well )

Anyway, I should go back to work, hope you're all having a good day and I'll try to pop back later.

Waves!!

Worried, xpost!
Oh our LOs are sooo similar Sorry to hear nights are not too good over there either. Enjoy the time with dp today! (despite the early darkness )I'll try to upload some pics today

naat I really don't know how you are doing any work at all!! Maybe your DH just needs a bit of confidence?? I know that DP is a lot more capable than he thinks he is! He is always asking 'is this right?' or 'should he be doing that?', but when he is on his own, he just gets on with things and manages perfectly fine!!

I hate these dark nights!!

hello hello! hoping to write everything i want before A wakes up. Have just been out and bought the christmas cards (very late i know!) and he went off to sleep after screaming down boots and the charity shops. joy!

A huge thanks for all the tips for A's snot filled nose.He is up on an incline, breast milk up the nose and vicks on the feet. Now doing much better and only up for an hour, 2-3am, the last 2 nights.

june So glad C feeling better. How has the diluted milk gone? How is the nappy rash? A had a terrible time when in hospital for IV antibiotics- his bum had raw patches. They ended prescribing stoma paste and the other great thing was Penaten cream- I think it is French?

Doris at your daisy! I havne't named by pump but often feel like mooing for the hours i can spend attached. Not for much longer at the rate A is going with solids. He is losing interest in even trying to BF.
The scarves sound lovely and practical and i'm sure will get lots of use. We have got A some sheepskin lined shoes and mittens. I get really frustrated with the commercialism of christmas.

Daisy salivating at F's meals!Yum. Today we hv had apple puree, pear fingers, pineapple fingers, and carrot and parsnip smash.I made guacamole with avo, garlic, sweet chilli and coriander last week and A loved it.
The australian wedding was brilliant thankyou for asking- a bright, hot and sunny day. Reception v relaxed, by the sea and a great time had by all. Outback travels were somewhat curtailed as A spent most of his first 6 weeks in hospital. We did get a week away, swam, chilled and had some bonding time with just the three of us before the move back to the UK.

MrsMc the doidy is really fun (and messy as A determined to do by himself). Great your DH around for a few days, hoping this gives you another chance to get on top of the night

hi worriedamy it is so hard when your DH is out all day isn't it. Do you have friends/family nearby? I maintain some sanity by attending local playgroups, walks everyday. I don't have any friends/family nearby but go visiting when DH on nights or doing a run of 16hr days.

skillbo OUCH!!!!!!!!!!!glad you had a lovely holiday

naat i am sure you are doing a great job with everything. The more practice your DH has, the less you need to do with him I just leave mine to it or leave very specific instructions. We are sharing the housework much more evenly now which helps. He is also v good at looking after A while I cook up a big batch of meals for the freezer so we dont have to worry about cooking every night.

Right, A waking.Wishing sleep filled night to all

Oh I wanted to ask before... what are the breastfeeders doing 6+ months in terms of feeding?? Are you staying exclusively breastfeeding, or are you going to mix feed/ exclusively formula feed?? I already have people asking me what milk I am going to put Caelan on at 6 months, and I dont know what to do!!

Hi quick one for Amy, we'll continue on the breast untill A decides that she doesn't want it anymore or I find it too difficult, with dd1 that was 8ths (12 hrs shifts and bf made for a v tired mummy)and dd2 was 13mths (she self weaned).

The 6ths date is promoted by the formula companies as they can not actively market formula for babies younger than that (they can indirectly market with pens for mw etc but that's a whole other issue. I will stop there as I find this an incredabily emotive issue (I've asked dp for a copy of "the politics of bf" for christmas which I think will upset me even more ).

I way I see it is that on a cost basis it is considerably cheaper to bf, and as we a broke poor lacking in huge finacial resources £5 or what ever it is per tin is another £5 saved, and atm it's working and if it ain't broke don't try and fix it

Hello

Like Daisy, not really got time as I think someone will be stirring very soon and I have a work lunch this afternoon but will see how I go!

However, Amy, I am going to continue exclusive bf until I go back to work (Jazzy will be 7 months almost) and I have been trying to collect a bank of expressed milk in the freezer for when I am at work. I have asked work to sort me out with an area for when I'm there (apparently they have to legally give you somewhere thats not the toilet a couple of times a day to allow you to express) which will hopefully keep it up. I am not doing very well though and am hopeful that when I'm not feeding her at the same time, the amounts will increase.

MrsM - we are going to skip the bottle stage I think as Jazzy just screams when its in her mouth, and go straight to a cup. We have a few here but are also keen to try the Doidy one... DP finishes work in just over a week so will see how we get on then (he's going to do any non boob feeds so she gets used to taking them from him)

Daisy - sadly, think you're right as Jazzy seems to have reverted slightly to waking about 5ish again - not great but soooo much better. I guess lo's find holidays as relaxing as we do - shame it didn't last. Not helped by the temperature in her room either I don't think - it says its 18 in there so just right but it feels freezing! Oh well, add a couple of blankets and see how she goes!

I also haven't really started the Crimbo thing yet - wrote some cards today and started my shopping yesterday (only because I have a secret santa this afternoon which I'd forgotten about!)... I think your pressies sound ace and I am totally with you. They are too little to really care and you're getting them what they really want... give it a few years when they want a puppy or a playstation and you will look back on the scarves request with fondness!

Snow - check out all the food your boy eats! Thats amazing and you must be well chuffed. We are taking it really slow here as Jazzy still not quite 6mths and still only on one meal! Like the idea of guacamole though so might give it a go! Well done to A trying the chilli - what a star!

Back on the Lansinoh for my poor boob - feels funny after managing without for a few months, takes me back! Wonder stuff though!

June - hope your lo is much better, sounds like its been a bad bout. Nappy rash sucks as well (the 1st week of our holiday we had some dreadful nappies and it really affected her sunny nature!).

Anyways - sorry not caught up more but someone is awake and wants some attention (for a bit of a change!)

Take it easy Juners xx