August 05 Babies!!!

[blossom2]

I thought i might be the first one ....

Name: Charlotte
Birth date: 7 July 2005 (@ 37.5wks)
Time: 4.41pm
Weight & length: 3.2kg, 47 cms
Where: Sainte Felicitie, Paris
Experience: Very quick labour, had epidural, no tearing or cutting, no stitches, baby and mother doing really well ...

can't wait to hear from everyone else ...

[sarahhal]

Hi all (hello Moschops, fellow September-er) Just peeking in here as now I have an August baby after a surprise 3 week early delivery! Have just realised I am far too tired to type so am off to sleep!

[Azure]

Hello mums and welcome to the September early birds. Day 11 here - was signed off by the midwife yesterday (baby had finally regained his birth weight) and we registered the birth on Friday. I seem to have got over the worst of the sore nipples, thankfully, and the main problem is lack of sleep at night. Between 1am and 4am seems to be the worst time - DS2 just doesn't seem to settle then. Of course he has been sleeping beautifully during the daytime. Tiredness and guilt over not being able to spend much time with DS1 has made me feel quite weepy at times, not helped by having to cancel DS1's 4th birthday party (we arranged it late for the bank holiday weekend and not surprisingly almost everyone was away). He took it well, but I feel awful about it. DH goes back to work tomorrow and I'm dreading it, to be honest.

[kate100]

Azure sorry you're having such a tough time. The guilt is a killer isn't it? I feel terrible that poor DS1 has a broken leg and I'm not giving him all the attention and TLC I feel that he should, sometimes he just has to wait as there's nothing that I can do. Maybe you can arrange a treat for DS1 with just you and dh for his birthday when things are a bit more settled. DH and I are taking DS1 to day out with Thomas to make up for his low key birthday, when his leg is better.

Welcome to sarahhal, let us know about you're DB when you're ready.

[moschops]

i too have a baby who doesn't settle in the early hours.......after his 2am feed he's wide awake, and is also going through a stage of only sleeping during the day if he is in my arms. have bought a maya sling so i can move about a bit easier but just can't get the hang of the bloomin thing............and then when i need an afternoon nap i can't because ds just howls if i put him down.

am absolutely worn out and have so much respect for those of you with other children to look after as well as coping with a newborn. having always said i would have my children close in age i've changed my mind!!!

hello sarahal!!!! hope you are getting on ok!

[colinandcaitlinsmommy]

Hi all. Thought I would finally post on this one. So strange to think that once Twiga gives birth the Ante-natal club for August will be all closed out.

Caitlin was up all night 2 nights ago. I think it had to do with all the company that held her and she slept all day. I felt bad, but I just wanted everyone to leave, and when they did, and she wasn't asleep all day she went to bed at 8 pm and only woke up at 11 and 3, and then after being up a bit over an hour at 3 went back to sleep. BFing going well, nipples sore, but got some lansinoh cream today, so hopefully that helps.

[Azure]

Sorry to hear I'm not the only one with an unsettled baby at night time. Last night DS2 decided he wanted feeding every two hours - one hour to feed, one hour's sleep, and then it started all over again. I've decamped to my parents for a few days to relieve the pressure of looking after DS2. Kate100, sorry to hear your DS1 has a broken leg - how awful for him.

[Dazie]

We had the health visitor visit yesterday, she said that there were lots of babies born this August and most of the ones she had visited were up all night feeding.

Azure you have the right idea I wish I could do the same, Im not sure my parents could cope with my two, they like to see us go home at the end of the day!!!

Max is feeding well and sleeping well(touch wood this wont change just yet) we have been getting out and about in this lovely weather and making the most of dh being home. Dh goes back to work in a weeks time, secretly I'm quite glad as he is driving me mad at times!!!

Looking forward to hearing from the last two on the antenatal thread hopefully they will be with us soon!!!!!

[kate100]

I'm posting as both ds's are sleeping peacefully, it's loevly and quiet in the house. DS1 went to nursery this morning, so ds2 and I braved the supermarket, not an outing I think we'll be repeating anytime soon. I could barely see over the top of his car seat when it was in the trolley, so I've almoest run over lots of people and he cried nearly the whole way around the shop!

He had his hearing check yeserday and everything is fine and he got weighed and now weighs 12lb, no wonder nothing fits, we had to go in the loft last night to get 3-6 sleepsuits as we couldn't pack him into the 0-3 anymore.

DS1 went the hospital for a check up yesterday and he has to keep the plaster on for another 3 weeks not the 2 that we'd hoped for. We have to hope that the good weather lasts as I don't think any of his long trousers will go on over his cast.

Hope everyone's OK and that the non-stop feeding eases up soon. DS2 is very unsettled in the evening and won't sleep until about 10, but then he only wakes at around 3 and then around 7, which is great. The only thing that would make it better would be if it didn;t take him 40 minutes to burp in the night!!! Any tips gratefully received.

[Miaou]

Hi everyone. Calum is now 1 montn old and we are starting to establish some sort of routine at last! Now he is more alert I am able to string his feeds out a bit more, and for the last two nights he has woken up just twice for feeds - yay! Dh and I are concentrating on spending quality time with our dds now - not that they've been neglected but it's been a big adjustment for them as they have been used to it being just the two of them for so long.

We have also had our first proper smiles - tickle him with a muslin square and he gives us a big grin!

Anyone else keep a feed and sleep diary? I've done this with all three and found it very useful. I note each feed, how long and on which side, also any sleeps over 1hr in length. Helps me see a pattern emerging and keep a track of which breast to offer first! (or maybe it's just me that's really anal...)

[josey]

hi everyone just thought i would nip in and catch up.

i have had a day of non stop crying the nice hormonal imbalance hit me during the night and i even sat up crying instead of sleeping. Im stuggling breast feeding, well thats not really fair things are going well but the first couple of days i was so tired and the hospital incoraged me to rugby ball feed to try and get sleep and they would life Rhianna back to her cot when be both fell asleep, BIG mistake i have major nipple damage, so much so i have nearly lost the end of my right nipple and during a feed last night i had a bad bleed and of course it started to come ou tof her mouth and she was sick with blood, i felt so bad for her as well as the toes curling pain. I have been managing to express some milk and she has been having little top ups any one have any tips for me so i have the will to carry on????? i gave up with DS due to suffering with 3rd degree tear dont want to be such wimp this time.
apart from being rather awash today im really enjoying my little girl and cant wait to go shopping to buy her something special and pink
My mum has taken DS today and is keeping him overnight so he at least has a fun weekend, he is loving being a Big Brother he thinks his sister has won him the lotto cause he keeps getting money and presents
anyway i must go and get to bed. at least DH can do a night feed tonight

[kate100]

Josey, what a terrible time you are having!! You aren't being a wimp at all, it sounds extremely painful, is there anyone you can ask for advice about how to sort it out, like a bf counsellor? I think you really need to ask for help as you must be in so much pain. The 'baby blues' are awful and it should pass soon, but if it doesn't make sure you let someone know how you feel. Thinking of you, lolxx

Miaou, I kept a diary last time, but mine also included details of puking, e.g when, how much, consistency etc, as ds1 had reflux, I haven't managed to find the time this time, but ds2 is such an easy baby in comparison I haven't needed to.

[josey]

we dont have BF counsellors etc, just our midwives who are helpful have given me a special gause to use and told me to carry on as i am, my problem is the damage was done early on when i was asleep and she seemed to have knawed straight through me, she is latching on really well and it was alot less painful after the first toes curling suck i just seem to have lost the confidence now. I managed go express again so DH did both night feeds and i got a really good sleep (i did keep a half open eye checking he was doing it right ) so feel alot better today, planning a wee outing today to the shops and think i will see about some nipple shields and see how that goes, its the guess work im not very good at.
I will keep eye out for the blues i had PND with first so im getting well looked after anyway

[Eulalia]

Hello - just thought I'd peek in. How you all doing? Things are quite hectic here but we do have the odd peaceful moments. ds2 is 5 weeks old and doing well (weighed last at 9lbs 9oz) although not much of a routine yet, although he will sleep between the hours of 11am-6am and up once/twice in the night so at least I am getitng some sleep. B/feeding going well and can feed him lying down at night.

Went swimming for the first time since the birth at the weekend at the outdoor pool. Although its still a bit early yet the bleeding had stopped and I am feeling fine.

Off on holiday to Spain next month! Just waiting for Paul's passport to come.

Was about to read the posts but ds1 is now demanding my attention so will sign off.

Just wanted to add that I have photos of all 3 children here -

Eulalia's family

[Dazie]

Josey just to let you know with my first I had a terrible time feeding and in the end my midwife suggested nipple sheilds as I was about to give up. I was also told to use ice on the nipple just before letting them latch on as it sort of freezes the area and makes that toe curling moment a little bit easier to bare.

[Azure]

Josey, sorry to hear you're going through such a painful time. I used nipple shields for a few days when I was at my sorest, but it wasn't as bad as you sound. Eulalia, we're off to Spain next month as well (well, flights not booked yet) and I'm going to the Post Office tomorrow with DS2's passport application. It seems silly that a photo of him at 2 weeks will last until he is 5. DS1 started school today - he looked so sweet in his new uniform - and so I can rather guiltily have a few moments of peace at last.

[blossom2]

HI everyone, DD2 is now 9 weeks old and we're all suriving well.

Does anyone else have/had a child that did not settle in the evenings?? DD2 is not sleeping from 7-11pm, today she has not slept since 6pm although we did have 30 mins break to eat dinner at 8.00pm. DH is with her now, trying to get her back to sleep. She has really bad wind and often wakes herself up with it but i also think its a comfort thing.... any experiences / advice would be great.

I hope the BF gets better Josey. Have you tried Lansinoh cream for nipples - its great and really worked for me. U don't need to wash off before a feed either. after 2 weeks of use, nipples stopped hurting and getting sore. still use it now!

[kate100]

blossom2, same thing here, although he is etting better. I just can't believe that he can stay awake for that long!! We try and keep things as like night time as possibole, turn the ligths off and keep the noise really low, seems to have some effect, but I think that it's a comfort thing as well. I'm desperate for my evenings back, it's come as a real shock having no evening with DH after so long, especially as bedtime is the only part of the day that's set in stone on our house, DS2 doesn't seem to have got the message yet!! Still it's early days yet and I have noticed he is starting to get into some pattern and is a bit more predictable. This has been the week that he's started to have some awake time. I always find it a bit unnerving as he's awake but there's nothing wrong, whereas before if he was awake he wanted something and was crying. It's nice though, he's starting to coo and smile which is lovely.

New mattress is coming today, now if ds2 will slepp all night I'll have a wonderful night's sleep!!

[josey]

things are starting to improve with the BF still struggling with the one side she seems to feed better off the left(least damaged side) in the rugby ball position!! im still having to give the odd bottle, more convenience as in a few days i will be on my own and there is no way i will manage to get my son to school etc my hat off to people that do manage eveything.
Blossom2 i have that cream and it is a god send there breast pads are really good as well there is no weave so no skin comes away.
Thanks for the ice tip as well im a bit scared at the thought of not feeling it though incase i get more damage - just taking one day at a time and baby is happy so thats the main thing

[kate100]

Had DS2 weighed yesterday, he weighs 12lb 11oz!! I can't believe how fast he's growing. We're going on our first weekend away tonight and may even go out on saturday evening, just dh and I.

Glad things are going better Josey, remember you have to be happy too, not just the baby.

Hope everyone's doing OK.

[Twiga]

Ok, so the baby's not arrived yet and I've no experience of bf so don't know if this would be helpful, but heard about the following new product at the baby show in Glasgow back in March - might be useful info to anyone having trouble with sore breasts/healing quickly mothers mates . I think at the time Boots were going to be exclusively stocking them but I can't find them on Boots website anymore so not sure if still available via Boots stores anymore. Like I say not sure if they're any good but dh says they're made of the same gel type stuff they use for wound healing at the hospital and so in theory would work/be good. Anyway thought I'd post the link - all the info is on the site. HTH and that you're all keeping well, lol x

[Azure]

Glad things are improving Josey. I'm going to try expressing some milk soon so DH can use a bottle and give me a bit of a break. My real incentive to do this is so my best friend and I can see the new Pride & Prejudice at the cinema in 2 weeks time. The previous week DH is away on business and I am dreading being on my own with my two boys, especially getting DS1 to school. I'm finding it very difficult balancing the needs of two children, particularly when I want to spend some time with DS1 after school and DS2 is having his unsettled time. I'm sure it will get easier - and much respect to those of you with more than two kids.

[Miaou]

Hello everyone, glad to see you're all doing well - we're all getting used to teh lack of sleep I think! Big shock to me - I haven't had to get up in the night for over six years !

I was going to ask the same thing as Blossom and Kate have mentioned, re settling at night - ds is often awake until 12 or 12.30 - when he does go to sleep he sleeps well, however, waking 3hourly for feeds (which I can cope with fine). However he is not so good at sleeping during the day. He will sleep at home in his basket for a good 3-4hours - but if we are out he will not sleep in his buggy unless it is constantly moving - stop to talk to someone and he immediately wakes up! I refuse to put my life on hold though - he will have to learn to be less nosy!

Josey, hope the bfing is continuing to improve for you - I found it much harder this time round than with the first two (re the pain) - I'm much more confident now, so I'm sure it will come . And remember, as Kate100 said, it's about you too, not just the baby, so if it becomes too much, congratulate yourself on having done it so long and move guiltlessly onto bottles. And come and moan at us more because we know what you are going through!

[Azure]

DS1 never slept well in the daytime, which was a complete nightmare. This baby is much better in that respect, but late afternoons / evenings are difficult. A bit of a lame question, but how does everyone amuse their babies when they are awake and not feeding / bathing / being changed??? DS2 will spend only seconds on the playmat before wanting to be picked up and not much longer on the swing. He spends most of his time grumbling in my arms.

My MIL visited on Saturday to see DS2 for the first time (she isn't very mobile and was dependent on my BIL & family to come up). Her very first comment to me on coming through the front door was "you've still got quite a bit of weight to lose then". Gee, thanks. She then kept on mentioning how good DH was for cooking the lunch and how tired he is (note: I am breastfeeding so do the night feeds and DH has been sleeping in the spare room as he has to work). She is sweet and means well, but grrrrr.

[Dazie]

Why is it that everyone takes pitty on dh's? Everyone weve seen has said oh you must be tired to the other half and he sleeps all night and has taken three weeks off to so say help me cope with all three children but ended up doing all the things that he likes doing plus his usual hobbies!!! I feel like Im going mad and its only my first day at home alone with all three and Im pulling my hair out all ready!!!!

Azure our baby seems to just cry and then I feed him then he goes to sleep then the same cycle again! It does get better I have to keep reminding myself!

[josey]

Thanks for the support guys things are still muddling along its alot more relaxed now the awful midwife i had isnt coming in anymore. DD got weighed today for the first time since left hosp she is now 8lb14 so must be doing something right. She has to go and get a swab done of her eyes today they have been so sticky since birth and I have been dismissed by MW glad HV saw sense.
Im afraid i have spent most of today crying though DH got phone call to go back to work had to take him tot the train a few hours ago, they have packed him off on his first job with this company to Brunei - it was all a bit heart breaking saying the goodbyes.
I really should be in bed so i can get sleep before life starts in the morning with just me to organise the 2 of them argh!!!
I dont seem to have the restless nights yet but its still early doors for me pretty much still at feed keep eyes open for half and hour feed again and sleep for 2 hours feed again