NOV 09 - once the lights are out and the last baby has arrived safe and fine, see you here on cloud nine!

[Broodzilla]

I've just realized we're now under the "being a parent" header. I've got stage freight!

Erika, if it doesnt clear up soon go see gp as ds had a bad nappy rash that wudnt clear and was a fungal infection so needed canesten.

Katster you poor thing....sounds like reflux to me..you may need to thicken milk like i do which means pumping or giving Sam gaviscon mixed with water after the feed. Go and see the doc..In the mean time keep him as upright after a feed as you can..its a pain in the middle of the night but try. Gripe water works for Charlotte too as does Infacol..you ahve to use infacol for a few days to see it work wonders. Burping is essential for reflux babies. Feed a little and burp Sam. Put him on your lap sitting and gently bob your knee up and down, rubbing or patting his back..

Thanks scarlotti sometimes it feels like you're the only one doing this but reading your posts makes me feel like someone is here to listen...thanks folks

Katster, do you think it could be something you have eaten? Paula has very different evenings so I am wondering if it depends on my diet. I haven't found out yet. I should probably make a list of everything I eat. How long does it take for food to go into the milk? And for how long does the milk taste like it?
We had a strange last night as she fell asleep as usual at about 9pm but woke up at midnight already instead of 2 or 3 which she did as well. So there was just one more feed than usual. Lets hope it was a one night thing and not something new.

Sleepless poor you and everyone in your family. Getting a tummy bug right now would be my biggest fear. I can cope with colds, coughs, etc but I am the crappest person when it comes to stomach illnesses.

Ninja love the poem on the antenatal thread. Kind of weird to think we don't need that thread anymore. We're all here now

its soo unfair we have no snow!!

re. dream feed just put it it and they usually wolf it down! thought last nite it didn't have any effect as she work 3 hours later for a feed

thanks for all dummy tips, have got a few brands, will perserve with the mamm one

re. not liking formula could it be the temperature? think b/milk comes out quite warm!

nails i have a baby scissors which is great sa its hard to do much damage!

hurrah for xmas holidays

Weston we live in a boring county! It never snows here, or seems like it never does. Last year when the whole country was covered in snow we had about half an inch!

Yep - holidays start here. I might treat myself to a tia maria and orange juice later when everyone is in bed (don't knock it until you have tried it - it is seriously yummy).

fruitpastels yes it would be good to meet up after xmas etc. Maybe Katster too!

I managed to cut Isaac's nails but not before he'd given himself two more scratches. He's been really grouchy today and yesterday and he's scratched himself out of frustration of trying to get his hands in his mouth. He's also been dribbling loads and gets frustrated if I give him a dummy, but went to sleep instantly when I put my knuckle in his mouth (in a much gentler way than that sounds!). I've been trying to find possible causes and teething is one that fits the bill-BUT he's only 11 weeks old!! Surely he's too young to be teething?

We're planning to travel from South London to Middlesbrough tomorrow to visit my mum (and hopefully get Isaac some granny time so we can sleep!)/ It's a 6hr journey and it's going to snow. Help!

sleepless hope you feel better soon.

ninja I agree, lovely poem. How crazy that everyone's baby has arrived some maybe not as expected but all safely. Wow!

Thanks for all your comments - is reflux serious? I am so ignorant re baby things... I have tried to limit spicy food and cut out orange juice on the advice of the HV. Have got some Infacol and just ordered gripe water so will start Infacol-ing tonight I think. Thanks everyone - as usual MN is a saviour!! He just looks so peaceful at the minute and has been sleeping beautifully all afternoon, and no probs feeding in the day either. Grrrr. I really should try and nap in the day but instead I just race round trying to get things done.

BTW I just want to say I am in total AWE of all you mums with an older DC. I literally have no idea how you do it. Each day I think, how on earth will Sam ever have any brothers/sisters - I can't imagine dealing with a toddler and a newborn, which is the age gap we had hoped to have!!!

Usigurke I had wondered the same thing about diet/how long it takes to filter into the milk. I am having one coffee in the morning and am worried that is maybe getting into the milk by the evening, and is upsetting him? Maybe I should cut it out for a few days. Sam was v hiccuppy in my tummy as well, so not sure if it is linked... Will speak to the HV who is coming tomorrow.

Re nails - also having that problem. I bit them first, but they grow back so quickly!! Have got baby nail scissors, but today have gone for the 'sock on the hands' approach! My boobs (and my face!) are covered in scratches - in fact he was flailing his arms while screaming and trying to feed last night and gave me an almighty scratch on the nipple which really blo*dy hurt!

sleepless - poor you and your family. I hope you all recover well soon.

My child has been feeding constantly all day again. The balance of extra-boob activity for today is: shower - 1; thank you cards written out - 4. I'm really happy that she's making up for lost time before my milk came in but I hope she'll get enough soon so at least I'll be able to put the tree up...

Off to read ninja's poem.

lemontop ds got his teeth fairly early, not quite that early tho but not far off, so it could be.

BBL I used to drink that years ago. Like liquid terry's chocolate orange! yum yum.

katster, I think, Paula has a light reflux problem too. It seems to be enough to not overfeed her and it is very important for her to burp(her vomitting got much better, I suppose it's on a normal level now).
There are actually two positions that Paula likes when she is screaming in the evening: like an airplane, so face looking down, one of my hands comes through her legs on her tummy and the other one is holding her upper body. or over my shoulder and quite upright. In fact, sometimes I think she is hungry but she screams when she faces my breast and calmes down immediately when on my shoulder. and the airplane is in general good when their tummy is in pain as your hand keeps it warm.
And very often she stops when someone else holds her

skorpion, what's a shower?

Ninja I loved the poem. It made me want to cry . Didn't want to post it on that thread as it seemed like a nice way to leave it. We still haven't heard from Sassmonkey or Grace09 but hopefully they'll find their way over here when they have time.

I've just realised it is 1 week until Christmas. My head has been very much otherwise engaged (apart from making Christmassy things with DD on far too many days stuck indoors). I really need to go shopping tomorrow. Have I missed the last post in time for the 24th?

Since we miss out on all the Christmas parties this year, maybe we should have our own on here? Becky and Lemontop can make us tia maria cocktails and Ninjacat can bring Nigella's muffins. Where's Kyte? We would definitely need some of her cookies too.

Skorpion how is the feeding going? James is 2 weeks old today and I feel like we're having a bit of a breakthrough at last. It hurts every time he latches on, but the pain doesn't really last any more AND he's latching much more quickly. I think part of the problem before was it was taking up to 40 mins to get him on and he was nipping me every time he tried, so it was really sore before he even got on. Anyway, I hope there's some improvement at your end soon.

By the way, those with older siblings: how do you get showered etc in the morning? I know you're not supposed to leave the baby alone with the older child, but it seems impossible not to. DD is 3 and pretty sensible (but I suppose everyone thinks that).

Haven't read all the posts yet as just wanted to do a quick stairgate update!

Just wanted to say thanks for all the reassuring words, last night we had a bit of a breakthrough and I feel like a new women today! Ds finally went to sleep at 8.15pm and then woke at 12.30am. I sent dh in to put him back to bed and he got straight back up again but after 10 mins he had gone quiet and when we checked he had put himself back to bed, what a result! He stayed in bed until 6.45am and Millie woke for a feed at 4.30am so all in all a pretty goods night sleep for me! So pleased I stuck with it, you were all right about the 3 night rule!!

We have had loads of snow today and me and ds made a snowman and had a snowball fight, was so much fun!

Right, will read everyones posts now and report back!

laugs it feels a bit better, thanks. The shields have made a huge difference. I think the problem now is that they maybe make it more difficult for her to suck so she's constantly at it. This in turn means no time for them to recover and it will take a bit longer to heal. Or maybe this constant feeding is just a phase? She also seems to use the boob for comfort sucking and won't take anything else. Great to hear you and James have got it sorted now.

I like the idea of a party

scarlotti I think you have a babasling - did you use it from birth? Lucy is just under 3kg, 6lb 8-9oz and I'm a bit scared of trying it out. But on the other hand I would like to be able to leave the sofa...

laugs my bathroom is right next door to ds's bedroom, so i leave the door open so i can hear him and he can chatter away to me but have the stair-gate closed (so he's not wandering around or trying to pick up the baby) and bring the baby in her moses basket into the bathroom. or else if i want to bathe I usually have to wait til dh gets home to take over looking after the kids.

Helips the stairgate on ds's bedroom is a godsend, i dont know what i'd do without it.

*pokes her head around the door.

Hi everyone. Remember me? I'm here. In some shape or other. Decided to try to connect with the real virtual world. Let me launch right in to the heart of things - I can't believe what's happened to my life and to myself. This is some kind of (mostly) nightmare.

Our babe was born on 10 December at 5:35 am. It was a fairly good labour and a very traumatic ventouse delivery. I haven't yet dealt with it emotionally - haven't had time or energy. But he's a lovely baby boy - HUGE - 9lbs and 14ozs. No name as yet, we're hoping to have that nailed today.

So what the *&!$£ is this motherhood business about?!! I cry all the time, can't get any sleep, feel depressed because I am 'trapped' in this parenting thing, then the next minute I'm sad because one day he'll leave home. I have mastitis and infected stitches and my nipples are killing me. I don't know if we're latching properly, we can't get him to sleep in his own bed or to sleep very often.

HEEEEEELLLLLLLLLLLPPPPPPPPP!!!! Is there a life after this?

Anywya, that's my update. Sorry to be on such a downer. I hope everyone else is well and adjusting and loving their babes. I'm going to try to read over some of the old posts so I know what's going on. Thank you again, those of you who gave your support and encouragement during labour. xx

lemontop exactly!!! Remember I was craving Terry's chocolate orange while pregnant? Well the craving hasn't gone away.

Laugs - shower? I just smell! Just kidding what I do is when DS1 is at school and DS2 is at nursery and if Toby manages to have a nap in the am that is when I have a bath. Twice I've had to leap out and attend to him though!!! Or if they are at home I let them play in the bathroom with a few select toys while Toby naps in his basket and I have a bath. They are usually very good and I am within reach to make sure they don't wander off and cause chaos.

Katster you will be able to cope with more than one. It is hard work but rewarding. If I can do it then anyone can! I thought the same when I had DS1 but then DS2 was so much easier than DS1 and so far Toby is pretty adaptable. He has no choice. He has to be. He's asleep on my chest at the moment and I've managed to wash up from tea, and sweep up peas off the floor, and type this message!

I like the idea of our party

Sassmonkey firstly CONGRATULATIONS!!!! Secondly, totally, totally normal. If you read the earlier posts on this thread you will see that we're all going through / been through the same things. I cried every day for the first two weeks and was a zombie (still am on the odd day) through sleep depreviation. Having a baby is a huge, emotional, physical, mental, all body change to your life. It can be horrendous and fantastic at the same time There is life after this stage. Repeat after me: IT DOES NOT LAST FOREVER! Toby is five weeks now and I am starting to feel much more human and content. I only cry every other day now. Actually I did cry this morning. Ho hum. Perhaps once a day! But then I've had some beautiful moments looking into his big blue eyes, smelling his baby smell, and now listening to his cute little snores just below my chin

sass Oh, so good to hear from you. Congratulations!!
I'm told it does get better. Hormones playing up here, too, feel sorry for losing the old life and not having time for dh one minute and am in blissful heaven watching her the next. Hang in there, we can hold eaxh other's hand through this.

hiya sass sorry to hear the birth didnt go as well as you wanted, hopefully you wont feel as traumatised as the days go on.

I think thats three of us with babies that were 9 pounds 14 cos Annabelle was and think BBL's Toby was too.

as to the crying and sleeping and feeling depressed, it does get better, I promise.

Congratulations sass. It's very early days yet, your lo is still getting used to life in the outside world just as you are getting used with life with him . Things will settle down, it just takes time.
Make good use of ANY support that friends and family offer, now is not the time to go it alone and, as you'll see from previous posts, you can always come on here for a moan!

scarlotti Anya is almost 5 weeks old so hopefully this is the start of her going for that longer stretch in the night. Fingers crossed

Thank you Erika, it was actually my dh who chose the name. For both dcs I had names picked out then he sneaked in within weeks of the birth with names that I instantly fell in love with- very frustrating!

Laugs, you could bring baby in bathroom with you in bouncer. The sound of the shower used to soothe my ds.

Katser I wouold definitely reccomend Infacol, it works wonders for colic.

Ahhh tired today. Toby woke 12.30 instead of the usual 2am so we tried to soothe him back to sleep instead of just feeding him and he did settle for another hour but I was awake that whole time until 2.30am. Then he was restless again after 6am.

Naps are a problem. He just doesn't want to sleep despite being very tired and yawning. He did this yesterday and by 5pm was so exhausted he slept on my chest for two hours and didn't seem to mind me tidying, cleaning, watching TV, playing Christmas music etc, he just slept.

Ah well. It's all good fun really. He's five weeks today! He looks like he is about to smile at me. He stares at me for ages and just looks so lovely. I feel like a zombie today

We use infacol too - great stuff. It helps get the burps up.