Nov 09 and we're feeling fine, feeding, burping, not enough sleeping - that's us!

[BeckyBendyLegs]

Just thought I'd better create a new thread.

Raggie how about a trip to Burford?

BBL am so glad you feel better for speaking to the doctor. I think it helps just to get it off your chest, be told you're normal and then know someone is keeping an eye out for you.

Pav ha ha, my labour with DS1 was certainly not pain free he rushed through me like a steam train so there was no time for anything more than gas and air!

Funny thing this time though, as I'm not having anymore I'm finding it much easier to put labour worries/regrets away as that part of my life is now done. Am thinking of them (my 3 labours) as medals in my closet!

Hello issysmilkbottle I am having the same sleep problem as you! My little one does not want to sleep during the day at all...too interested in the world, which is lovely, but... She might nod off on my shoulder but Moses = wideawake time. Happening in the early hours of the morning too, so, so tired today.

So, thanks for the tips ursi and pav - found that the sling is the only thing that allows me to get anything done during the day too. Will try some of your suggestions for night time nd see how we go.

BBL glad the doctor was understanding - you sound so much more positive already. Good luck with turning the negative thoughts into positive ones and remember we are here for you!

By the way pav sorry to hear about poor little Reuben's chest infection

Sure you've thought of this but Rosa seemed to be a bit blocked up the other day and we put some eucalyptus essential oil (from Boots) on a bit of cotton wool which seemed to help cheer her up. Could put some in the hot water for steam too.

You guys are the bestand so supportive I feel quite emotional and big hug to you Ninja too for how you have been feeling too. We're all going through it to different degrees and I'm so glad we can offload here and support each other. It is bloody hard, isn't it? And soooo tirying but we'll get through it, I know. I don't know what I'd do without you guys some days.

PS Laugs I have that book but read it 4 years ago when had DS2. Will read it again I think.

Hi all,

bbl Sorry to hear you've been feeling down, hope it's helped for you to talk on here, we are all here for you! You've had lot's of really great advice and I think the most important thing is that you rest whenever you can and be kind to yourself. Re the breastfeeding, all our babies will be eating solids before we know it and we'll be trying to steer them away from macdonalds and chocolate! In the end they all end up big and strong no matter where there milk comes from. You gave all your dc's the best start with your colostrum so you should be pleased with yourself, not beating yourself up about it.

pav hope Reuben feels better soon, poor little mite.

I had an epidural when I had ds and then ended up with cs. This time I just had gas and air but my labour was quick (although most definately not pain free!) At the end of the day I have two health dc's and really in the grand scheme of things it doesn't matter how they arrived!

Day 1 of my new years diet and its not going too well. Just had some chocolate that was lurking in the cupboard and am eying up some digestives in the tin. Oh well, have eaten considerably less today than I have these past few weeks so thats a start!

helips good luck with the diet. I can't stop eating. Fruit doesn't hit the spot quite like a choc digestive... Or five.

Welcome issy! ninja hugs to you, too.

Can someone tell me how long the night sweats go for, please? I feel so disgusting.

I wanted to add my thanks to you all, too. This thread has been so supportive and helpful and I've learned so much. Thank you.

Oh dear, had a typo in my post about Reuben - he has 'No' chest infection not 'so chest infection' . And he feels much much better. I expressed this afternoon as I had a very full leaky boob, and he woke straight after so i fed it to him from the bottle - first time ever a baby of mine has taken a whole 2oz of milk! (that is all i could manage to express even though i am sure there is more there |).

laugs and other parents of older children. I know what you mean about not being able to immerse into the baby bubble. DH took DD to nursery today, only to find that they have not started back yet, and we were crestfallen. DH as he is the main carer for DD while I have alimpet attached to me permanently, and me as I wanted to just sit and stare at baby Reuben, wiggle his feet, coo and just be besotted. Then I felt terribly guilty and showered DD with cuddles and made a point of being very calm with her all day . Poor love she is definitely getting less mummy time (think that is the problem between her and DH, she is playing up for him because she misses her time with me

Teeth clenching - I do that too! My teeth really hurt by the morning I've been clenching them so much at night.

Skorpion mine lasted about 3 or 4 weeks. Know what you mean, had never had them before and just felt rank during the 3am feed - slightly soggy and cold!
On the plus side though the weight came off, must have sweated it out!

Am sat here with laptop at my side and holiday brochure for static caravan company on my lap contemplating a summer hol once DD finishes her GCSE's. Ioan is asleep in his little chair and DH is putting DS1 to bed. This snippet of life is good, peace is about to descend once DS1 goes to bed and DH is cooking tonight. These are the moments I cling to when DS1 is playing up, DS2 crying and DD having a hormonal moment when it's just me at home with them all

scarlotti I have to change pjs in the middle of the night, it's horrid.

You paint a nice picture of a lovely home. Lucy's been asleep for a couple of hours - first nap today. I should probably wake her up, but it's nice to be able to do a thing or two around the house for a change.

skorpion my night sweats and smelliness lasted intensely for a good 3-4wks and has now eased to a vague smelliness, although for some reason last night i was very hot and bothered and needed a shower today (which i still have not had, ergh! Bath after bedtime, loooooon soak if Reuben lets me)

I'm actually really relieved to find other teeth-clenchers. Thanks!

I'm getting really stressed here at the thought of having to get 2 DCs out of the house by 8.30am tomorrow - my first time. James is not in any kind of routine yet, so anything could happen!

The night sweats were horrid, weren't they? Gone now for me but I do seem to sweat more than I did when pregnant and can't remember how much I sweated before! Lovely.

Here's to a good night's sleep everyone we need it I think.

Oh laugs good luck for tomorrow! BBL I heard, but have no idea how true, that we stop sweating when we are pregnant? I am sure that is not true as I recall being a bit pongy when I was particularly unwell, but i do recall reading it/hearing it somewhere.

Will read everything in a minute, but if my mother makes another fucking dig of "Putting him on formula would be better for him, he'd sleep longer then. Its a bit silly to still be breast feeding, don't you think?", I am going to loose my rag entirely. AHHHH!!!! I knew it was a bad idea to keep living here...

oh erika how upsetting for you! I am guessing you have tried telling her to butt out? Is it possible to go have some time awayy from home? at DPs for a few days perhaps? some time away might give you, and mum some space, and maybe she can see how she is pushing you?

Sass congratulations on a name Sometimes they just wiggle from what I've seen myself and heard from others. He'd let you know if he was in any discomfort. Does he have a mobile? We've not set Bryn's up yet, but have dangled one of the pram toys (specifically Mr Banana ) over the side to give him something to play with / look at if he wakes up at night.

Becky have the biggest of big hugs from me. Make sure you have some support and more importantly some chocolate. I'm serious, though it doesn't have to be chocolate, just food that appeals to you, no matter how unhealthy it is. When you're feeling crappy its hard to find the motivation to do anything, but not eating equals more tired, equals feeling worse. You're doing so amazingly! I have panic attacks, so symapthise with how horrible the squirming, turning over feeling in your belly is. Have you tried rescue remedy? And remember - you can't just "pull yourself together", its not how these things work. Be easier on yourself. Oh, and the Diez. is fab - was given some in hospital once. Use it when you can feel yourself really building up for it, before it actually happens to get the best use from it.

Welcome issy and congrats on your little girl

Pavlov poor Reuben! I hope he gets better soon.

BBL your posts and others' advice is making me think that I had some form of PND with DD1. The lack of joy thing really rang true. I was also chronically tired. I'm so glad your GP has made things more positive. I just wish I'd had MN in those days.

erika have you explored the possibility that Bryn might have reflux? Frequent waking, arching and pulling off the breast are all signs. I was going nuts with DD1 as she wouldn't sleep, especially when flat, and was becoming a nightmare to feed with her obviously hungry but just headbutting the breast. They diagnosed reflux at her 6 week paed appointment and we got her onto antacid medication. Did you try dairy-free? Dairy intolerance is linked to reflux. I'm finding it really tough ATM despite having done it for a year last time. DH isn't helping, with comments such as 'you know you can't have that, so why bother thinking about it''don't dare eat that. I need to sleep' and 'I'm having a mince pie with brandy cream. what can I get you?'. I've had words - he has no idea how hard it is when your body is dying to pig out and indulge but there's nothing nice to eat! I'm liking roasted cashews ATM.

Well Isla had a catch-up day today. She woke at 8:30 and began her feed-sleep-burp-scream routine until I got fed up at 12 and took her out in the sling. She was asleep in minutes and didn't wake until 5 ! She fed, pooed, fed and slept again until 7. This is unprecedented! She's even been sitting contentedly for parts of this evening, in between snacking feeds and bouts of crying. Things are on the up, especially if she goes to sleep before 1am (we didn't manage it last night).

For those of you struggling with BF, a thought occurred to me today. I spent 13 months with DD1 stressing over my supply, and wondering what effect x would have on y, but when it came to stopping BF I could still produce milk if I squeezed my nipple for MONTHS and MONTHS after DD's last feed. Things don't stop immediately following a bad feeding day. With Isla sleeping so much today I was about to get worried, until I remembered this!

Morning all.

I am up with the children (oh it still sounds weird saying 'children', rather than child!) while DH is asleep in bed .

Reuben was sick in the night, he coughed very hard lots after feeding and sicked it all up, it was a bit mucousy so i am guessing he had swallowed some. He has had some medicine this morning as still choking/coughing and he has gone to sleep (although DD has woken him now by playing her wonderpets toy boat really loudly!).

Hope at least some of you got to sleep for a good stretch without disturbance.

Hi everyone, struggled to get to sleep again last night I need to sort my brain out of this sleep thing. Poor DH doesn't know what to do with me.

First day back at school today and DS1 and 2 are at school and nursery. Toby asleep in the hall in the pushchair. He's probably not happy not to be in his nice warm basket and he keeps waking up so I'm trying his dummy to soothe him back again.

Very tired need to sleep better at night. Before DS3 came along I was happily having 9 hour sleeps every night! Now I'm lucky if I get 4 or 5. I know we're all in the same boat right now.

Morning

pav sorry to hear Reuben is still poorly and that you are up with the dc's whilst your DH catches up on sleep have to say I'm glad mine is back at work so I no longer have to see him go back to bed before me.

BBL sorry to hear sleep is still evading you. Any chance you can nap this morning now whislt the boys are at school? Would Toby sleep if you took you both to your bed? Ioan will happily nod off in my bed in the morning if he's next to me. Whilst it might not be how you want things to be longer term, I think it would be fine for a week or two whilst you get your energy levels up.
You can leave the chores until after you do the school run.. or just leave them!

Had a good night here (sorry to those that are not) went to sleep at 11 after the last feed finished and my little star woke at 6:30 for the next feed! Had a murmur at his usual 5am but not enough to wake him or me properly. He then came back into bed with me around 7:30 as wasn't settling in his hammock and we both drifted off again until 9:30!!
Don't quite understand now though why I still feel tired, more almost then when I was getting up more before? Maybe my body is now realising sleep is on offer and demanding more? Anyway, am not complaining as we have his jabs next week so that's bound to upset things.

Anyone else who's gone through the 6 week growth spurt - did the feeding then seem to be a lot less often and the amount of time spent feeding much less? Ioan slept for ages then just seemed to feed for about 15 mins, and then again about 3.5 hours later and another 20 mins. Maybe it's just the contrast from my marathon feeding sessions on the sofa .... clinic tomorrow anyway so that will put my mind at rest hopefully.

Scarlotti your little man is a star! He'll be sleeping through (all that practically is sleeping through) before you know it.

I can have a nap over lunch as MIL is picking up DS2 today (from nursery).

WOW scarlotti well done that boy! I know what you mean about feeling more tired after more sleep, i think its that our body starts to realise how much we have missed and then says 'more please' where, when we get up after little sleep our bodies are using reserves so do not even register that more is on offer. Or something like that. But how great for you, i hope it is long lived and not a one off not in the slightest bit jealous !

How many weeks is he now Scarlotti? Toby is doing 8.30pm-4/5am at the moment which is brilliant (although he sometimes wakes earlier but can be easily soothed back to sleep - he's usually kicked off his blacket and 'unswaddled' himself). Even at 4/5am he's not starving - and when I feed him again in the morning before school he's not starving so I'm hoping he's not long off the magical 'sleeping through'. I wonder if it is these big babies that are better at sleeping through? DS2 was 8 weeks when he did it which I think is unusual!