November 09 babies are growing up quick, and mummy's getting used to getting covered in sick!

[PreggoK8]

Hope this has worked...

see this link here for info on reusing breastmilk and keeping it at room temp. It's backed up with scientific studies so you can decide for yourselves.
I would happily reuse ebm if he's left a fair bit behind. Might not bother if it's only an oz say but then I have no problem expressing. Also, all my dc's are quite sturdy in the stomach health department and I don't believe in keeping everything too sterile - I sterilise bottles obviously but I don't go mad cleaning all the sides down with bleach or anything, and I would give him a dummy that I've 'cleaned' in my mouth if it dropped on the floor.
It is a personal thing, but I am in the camp of you can't make antibodies if you're not exposed to small amounts of germs.

claire we went for a Citroen C4 grand picasso. It's a 7 seater although I rarely use the 2 in the boot, but wanted the boot space. The Xsara Picasso's didn't have enough boot space for my,liking. Got it from a car supermarket so saved a packet.

Christening outfits - I bought DS1 a little linen suit, beige trousers and waistcoat, with a little white shirt so I still have that option for DS2 if it's warm enough. I do like the idea though of a traditional gown that could then be passed down the generations, but wonder if that's now a bit daft as DD and DS1 wouldn't have used it?

Seems silly to keep my wedding dress sitting upstairs though so was trying to think of ways to use it, and thought this was one. DD wouldn't want it so any creative ideas would be very welcome!

Fruit will check out the link, thanks.

Re nursery vs childminder - I personally prefer a cm until about 18 months as I think a home from home setting is less stressful for little ones. Nurseries tend to be busier places and they have a larger 'allowance' of children to carers, so your little one might well have to wait to be comforted if they're busy or even worse, may just get left or ignored if they are good. I think a cm tends to develop a closer relationship with baby as they can only have 1 child under 1, and so then focuses more on baby when they need it. Ioan tends to be quite placid and it would break my heart to think that he'd suffer for that if the other babies in the room were more demanding as I suspect he'd be left alone as he wasn't crying iyswim.
DS1 went to a cm until 18 months and it suited him as he didn't like too much noise/people. Nursery was great then at 18 months as it developed his social skills.

DS2 is down on the nursery list but I will try and avoid it if I can. One thing they said recently which I thought was enlightening - I asked where the babies slept as they only have one room. They sleep in the room in the cots and one carer said they do tend not to sleep for the first week as they have to get used to sleeping with so much noise around. Broke my heart thinking he'd be getting so upset as he'd be overtired. I want someone who is able to let him have somewhere peaceful and quiet to sleep. He sleeps in his buggy in the hall here so it's not like I'm demanding the moon!!

Sorry, that turned into an epic post!

Thanks for the link Scarlotti! That's really good to know as I find it hard to express (can only do it by hand) and am only feeding from one breast at the moment. Kellymom is a godsend. I also found out from there that I am not a freak for being unable to use a breast pump, but just because I have large breasts which are not being pressured in the right place.

Claire I think it's best if you go and visit places and see how you feel. I agree with Scarlotti about nurseries being busier, but I can also see the con of childminders being that you really need to be confident in that one individual with whom your child is spending all their time. Basically, I'd probably be looking for a childminder who did everything my way, only far better! Whereas a nursery is a very different kettle of fish: you know that things have to be done to a schedule, that strict procedures are upheld etc - to me that's not necessarily preferable to a really good childminder who is very involved with the children, but you know what you're getting. They don't quite replace you in the same way... I am planning to look into both anyway. DD didn't start nursery until she was nearly 2 and I felt the nursery setting was right for her then.

This is all if I have a job of course!

weston how old is your fussy eater?

Pavlov I did sleep thanks, sorry you didn't. Let's keep our fingers crossed for tonight.

Phew... what is it about long posts today??

Wook I still cannot tell the difference between a tired cry and a hungry one. Why is it that outsiders can always tell these things? They sound exactly the same to me.

my ds tells me, he says "Mummy, sister is crying cos she is hungry." he is guessing of course, but is mostly right tho. also he wants to hold, feed, help me change the baby all the time. am cherishing how much he loves his sister at the moment as it probably wont be this way forever.

where in ireland u having your christening TOK, we are having ours in Dublin Easter Sat 9pm!!

Laugs she is 3 in March..mighty challenging!

baby sleep question...DD2 now seems to be following DD1 path of having a little few minute scream before nap time..was hoping to not have a screamer..she won't take a dummy..any advice? shsh pat doesn't work

In Derry weston, both DH and I are from there. Will yours be during the Easter Vigil then? How lovely!

Will catch up on everyones posts later, crying baby and toddler...

Weston A christening at 9pm??? Very unusual, but sounds nice! I like churches in the evening with the candles all lit, very atmospheric... would love that for our wedding in October but apparently you can't legally get married in the UK after 6pm or something??

I think we will go and visit some of the local nurseries when DP is off for Easter. If we plan around worst case scenario as you suggested Laugs, I can make my requests to reduce working hours and reduce nursery hours at a later date if DP is lucky enough to get a permanent position. I'm thinking nursery for Ethan, which is odd as I initially thought a Childminder until he is at an age to "join in" with play time etc at nursery... probably one of those things I'll change my mind about again though.

I've been googling Christening outfits this evening. I don't know what to go for. I think most of the gowns online look very girly but I'm really not impressed by most of the romper suits! I think I'll need to find a local shop and go and look at them myself.

Erika Is it tonight you're going out? If so, enjoy yourself! I was a bit teary the first time I left Ethan for a proper date with DP, not just an hour for a trip to the supermarket which we had done before... I thought about him constantly while we were out but it was great to have some time away from him and know that he can survive without you there every minute. Which reminds me, I suppose I should try to arrange another night out with DP as Ethan's almost 11 weeks old and we've only had one night out! Poor DP...

Carwise, I think we'll be going on Sunday to test drive a few. My Dad has the 7 seater VW Touran (bought 3 years ago when they had 5 grandkids and could fit them all in... they now have 8 and number 9 due in July! Maybe he needs a limo!) and it's a great car, doesn't feel too big to drive & has loads of space when the back 2 seats are down. Just need to see what we can stretch to financially.

I was reading through our list of babies earlier with my brother who is expecting his 3rd child in July to give him some ideas for names. Lots haven't posted recently on the postnatal thread... Sass, Katster, Belgianbun, Tabbykat, Kyte, Wizzy, Eeyore. Hope they're all doing well.

DS wore a lovely knitted outfit, and was in a beautiful pure white cotton snowsuit when he was christened. But he was only 4 weeks old, so hard to get anything to fit him. I wanted a sailor suit, DH was horrified ! I felt a bit at spending £50 for a full trousers and waistcoat affair for such a young baby, that would be worn for an hour at most!

Pav luckily I managed to get one for £30 but yes, still a bit

claire, weston, TOK, Erika (and anyone else!) you would be more than welcome to borrow the linen waistcoat suit I have if you like? It's beige and I have two shirts that go with it, one plain white and one with brown and beige stripes. They're all from the Debenhams designer range baby stuff. I'd only need it for the weekend of the 18th April so we could post it around the country!!

Oh, and it's 3-6 month size! Hoping it will fit Ioan actually as he'll be 5.5 months when he's christened and is a big boy - sods law says he'll have outgrown it!

Oh Scarlotti i love the debenhams designer ranges! I love Matthew Williamson for DD, i got one his lovely Butterfly dresses from ebay for £4, she has several outfits from him, and i also like Blue Zoo stuff and Junior J.

So, my husband left yesterday for his weekend in Vienna and so far it is quite ok. I guess it was even a bit easier at night to be on my own and work on the "Paula is falling asleep again on her own without leaving the cot".

We are going to have the christening on Easter Monday and it will be the same priest who got us married.
I haven't really thought about Paula's outfit yet (and what about mine?), just a nice dress I guess, either the white one my niece was wearing (just a normal dress) or a pink one we got from friends. In either case, the christening gown (hopefully the one my mum has already been wearing) will only be put on her at some point during the ceremony. Would that be a solution for the little boys on this thread? To just wear something nice, maybe rather light colours and not actually be wearing the gown but it would still be part of the ceremony?

pav me too, it's Junior J the outfit.

We're away this weekend so have a good one all, I'll have mn withdrawal!

Argh I'm stressed today. I'm still only feeding on one side - last night James had 12oz expressed milk and 2 breastfeeds between 6.30 and 11pm, then bed. He just eats and eats all evening. Today he's already had 4oz ebm this morning (I normally save it all for the evening) and I only have 2oz ready for this evening. I am 10oz short! Any magic way to get more milk out, quicker, by hand??

Aw laugs I wish i could help you, or send you some of mine . He is definitely loving his milk isn't he?

Thanks scarlotti but I think we will try to find a gown that all of our kids could use. Seems like a nice tradition to start.

Laugs hope you're doing ok. x

Laugs no magic advice for milking oneself, but I was getting a bit panicky as whenever I tried my medela pump I only got 2oz, whereas for ds I used to get tons of milk. But I tried in the morning instead of afternoon yesterday and got masses.But I'm sure you've tried doing different times of day already. I'm much more relaxed in the mornings as Hedy is asleep then. Thinking of ds when he was little sometimes weirdly gives me a let down reflex too! Are you expressing because of cracked nipples? Have you been to bfing group? That helped me so so much

Aw Pav sailor suits are soooo sweet.

Ursi good luck! I had H all to myself last weekend and it was brilliant, just so peaceful!

Raggie was it you going to see A Single Man? I am really cross as it is on this coming week here and it's half term so I can't go, boo! Have you read the book An Education? It was ok, very readable, made me want to see the film more. Taking ds to see Ponyo this weekend, and Princess and the Frog if it's rainy later in the week.

I keep trying to make Hedy laugh but she's very selective about what she thinks is funny and it does NOT include tickling or being roared at and munched on which are the two things ds used to find hysterical. So I had a comedy brainwave and put her tights on my head while I was changing her nappy yesterday. She just looked at me as if I was being completely stupid. Then I realised why- they were all pooey from where her nappy had leaked and I was so desperate to clown around I'd put them on my head without even noticing- argh!

wook omg! hope you had a shower after realising you had pooey tights on your head! She did not even laugh at that? ! oh dear! Reuben laughs at random things, he likes me practicing my face muscle exercises though!

Oh wook! Pooey tights on head and STILL not a giggle?! You poor thing. Making me laugh like no one's business though, imagining you!

Last week I was changing Rosa (always when she's at her smiliest) and I had my hair in a towel-turban thing bcause I'd just got out of the shower. She thought it was the funniest thing ever and was looking at me like - Erm, do you realise the upper half of your head has turned into a massive towelling mountain?!?!?!

Expressing newbie question - how long does it take you to express X amount of milk? I know everyone's different but as a guideline? Like you Laugs I've been hand expressing minimal amounts til now but got an electric pump this week thinking 'Now I'll be drowning in milk!' but it's still fairly slow coming. I've not had the pump on for too long as milk seems to stop coming out after about a minute, or come v slowly anyway. Is that the problem - I've got to pump through that stage? Or is it just slow coming initially and gets easier over the days and weeks? I pumped once on one boob while Roo was on the other and that worked much better but I'd rather not do that all the time.

Oh wook I'm going to look up An Education now. I am hopefully going to A Single Man next week yes. Will let you know if it's worth seeing if it comes back again.

DH and I are going on a 'date' week on monday (skint this monday coming) and we are going to the Big Scream cinema screening, have to go to another town as the big cinema here does nothing like it, nor the smaller ones, it is a Picturehouse one we are going to. We have no idea which film we will see, but we do not care, it will be nice to go to the cinema together, not been for years! DD will be at nursery so we will go up for lunch, then film, then pick her up on way home, i am very excited! (how sad is that?!) It will be our belated valentines celebration, although we are also having a nice bottle of Chablis on sunday, you know just so we can toast! .

Reuben is asleep on me. He is setting an evening routine now, i really should take note and put him to bed of an evening now at a set time, instead of letting him fall asleep on me. He is very deeply asleep and I think this is it for him for a few hours (i hope lots of hours but i expect 2am like last night, just so i don't get used to him sleeping through! )

raggie when i pump, it starts slowly, then stops, slows right down after a few minutes, then increases a little, i think it is the foremilk first, then the thicker hindmilk comes in so it changes how it comes in? I notice that often Reuben will drink and drink for a few minutes, have a small break then back on. I generally get about 2-3oz max per breast, but it took a while of pumping (couple of weeks or so) to build up to that amount. I have done as much as 5oz from one side, but often only get 1-2oz. I don't express every day though and would probably get more if i did.

Some tips i was told which seems to work - lean forward slightly, and stop after a few minutes (say 5/10), give boob a massage and then start again. I find as it slows down, if i give my boobs a bit of a squeeze i can get a bit more out. Someone in this thread posted some more advice (can't remember who, sorry) about massaging/kneading boobs before you start to get them prepared. I do this now too!

It was me who advised massaging boobs! I had to hand express for a few days in the hospital and the midwife showed me to make fists and quite firmly massage from the outside in towards your nipple all round your boobs before trying to pump or express.

I don't pump every day but try to make sure everything is sterilised so that, if I feel full & have a spare 5mins I can get around 3oz quite easily. If we miss a feed, which is unusual, I try to express 5-6oz but otherwise, a few ounces here and there quickly adds up and I've got a nice wee stock in the freezer.

I tried the elec pump in hospital and got hardly anything. At that time I def did better hand expressing but now use a tommee tippee hand pump which works well for me.

The big scream showings sound fab, might give it a go myself! Such a genius idea!

ursi I hope your 'home alone' weekend is going well.

Morning ladies. Having to do this on mobile, think laptop is on its way out! My mum is a dressmaker so she made the train from my wedding dress into a lovely christening gown. It is nice and plain. Ds wore it and i will glam it up with accessories for anya. I've already had both their names embroidered in the underskirt with their dates of birth and anyone else who uses it can do the same. ursi hope u r coping ok without dh!

I'll try to get a pic of the gown on facebook (there is probably one there if u go into my photos and look for the christening album) and if any of you would like to borrow it, it wouldn't be a problem.

Thanks to all for asking how I am. Actually so far, it is ok. Paula is waking up a lot at night since about a week and can't go back to sleep on her own. somehow I find it easier without dh to work on it.
I guess, today and tomorrow will be rather annoying/difficult as during the week he isn't around much anyway. But this would now be the time where I take my weekly bath (don't worry, I do take showers almost daily ).
Actually dh has already missed a couple of cute moments, for example she has just discovered what happens when she kicks her arms and legs during the bath.

Wook, poor you. At least you made everybody on this thread laugh. And I really hope you had time to take a shower.

Laugs, I hope you got enough milk somehow.