May 2010: All the babies have arrived, welcome to the other side!

[rachelfruitloop]

Here we are ladies, a new Postnatal thread! I wonder if we'll fill this one up as fast with one-handed typing?!

I have had a completely different boy today from the past few days, happy smiling away. He was terrible yesterday, high pitched screaming if he wasn't sleeping, he was burning up as well, I managed to get a syringe and get some Calpol into him which helped but by the time DP got in at 5pm I was in tears, the big two were non stop fighting as well. He was awake from 4 to 11pm last night. Just couldn't settle him. He's been a lovely boy today though.

We have a P&T as well and I have put it into 2 toddlers mode now with the back seat reclined back and the sleeping bag in it to make it nice and comfy. He hated lying flat in the cocoon and seems to prefer being more upright and seeing more.

Our rough bedtime routine is at about 7.45pm we call go upstairs, DP does the teeth and stories with the big 3, I lie down with Jacob and feed him until he falls asleep or stay with him until he nods off, sometimes like tonight he goes to sleep like a dream other nights I can lie with him for 1-2 hours. We don't bath every night, maybe 2-3 times a week, after DD2 got ezcema we stopped everynight bathing.

carikube - gloat away that is a fantastic night

anangelwithin - no wonder you are a bit upset with your MIL

rachel - I love my Maclaren Techno XT as well, I think I may have to get a nice blue one once DD3 is too old for the Vibe, I don't like the Vibe that much anyway so heavy and awkward to fold.

Routines - I am waiting for school to go back then I'll fit it round everything else we are doing. Will be strange not to drop everything at 11.20am for the nursery run to pick DD2 as she will be at school too [sob] just two wee ones during the day.

Rachel- Ive always found te souns crystal clear and never had any inteference at all. Has a good range too as I take it down the garden with me.

Angel- enjoy your week with DH off Hope the hip scan goes ok.

LuckyC- Our rough routine here also kinda works round DD1's. They both bath together, sometimes I get in too DD1 bath every night, Lucy as and when. Wash and teeth, Then DH gets DD out and ready for bed whilst i dress Lucy for bed. Then its storytime for DD1 and into bed. Lucy gets swaddled and fed then into bed.
As she gets older then i hope to do story with them both together before bed.
Asleep by about 8, a dream feed about 11 and through till either 5 or 6am.

Heffa- what are Library stickers? We go quite often to the library as DD1 loves books. We also go to the Rhyme times there.

Dancing- Enjoy your holiday Lucy is sleeping less at the mo too. Only short cat naps.

SK- Glad that Jacob has been better today.

Darted out this evening with just Lucy ( first time with just her!) to the supermarket for emergency nappies. Had Lucy in the sling and bumped into someone ive not seen for a few years. I was pregnant with DD1 then. Anyway whilst we were chatting Lucy decided to throw up all over my chest! All in the sling and over me... delightful!

Pigley - the stickers are for the summer reading challenge - six books (or three lots of two books) over the hols. There's a bookmark, stickers (some scratch and sniff), a poster, and a glow wristband. We're on the second level already - whoo hoo! It's space-themed this year.

Good to see posts from people who've been quiet lately. I keep wondering how everyone is doing.

Hollyoaks - hope scan went well?

Routines - haven't got one, although baby has got into the habit of having his longest sleep in the evening. We move him up to the bedside cot in our room when we go to bed and he doesn't mind at all. I don't feel bad about not having proper routine. One MW said that there's no point in trying really for the first three or four months. We're not even organised enough for a daily bath, but can rationalise that that's good for preventing eczema

wltk - i love your approach to dealing with rudeness and so-called helpful advice! Sounds like you're really battling it - good luck!

Heffa I don't wonder at all that you find it difficult having a MIL suddenly so close. Hope she's stopped letting herself in unannounced. The last thing I want is for anyone to take my baby off my hands. Grandparents or otherwise .

Good at least that your DH is on your side. Same for Angel - MIL's comments are not what you need. Esp if your kids can hear

Someone told me that being a parent is all about letting go. Just makes me think that's all the more reason to hold on while I can. Can't bear the thought of giving him a proper bed time to be honest. I like to keep him in sight I guess I'll have to get over it.

Love the idea of a dream feed btw.

I had more lumps or plugged ducts yesterday and I was practically force feeding baby trying to get rid of them. I was working on clearing one boob when the other developed much worse blockage. Thought i was in real trouble for a while - too painful to touch let alone massage. Baby tried for ages but got really frustrated (cue high pitched screaming). I tried to express out of the blocked breast and realised why - nothing at all was coming out. Thank god going to bed with a hot water bottle on it did the trick. It was gone as soon as the next feed started. I still don't really know what causes them. Everything is fine today. I need to go to a breast feeding group to discuss when to move from one boob to other but seems like the good ones have shut down for a summer break.

We had our first swimming lesson today - baby avoided eye-contact until it was over. I think he'd rather have been asleep poor thing.

oops - another long post

I'm so tired. Molly was up every 2 hours overnight and had cluster fed most of today. No doubt another growth spurt but it seems all growth spurt these days. She's been very grumpy and only had smiles for me this evening. Am not so sure I'm going to want another baby after all.

wouldliketoknow - am being stupid but what scars. If there are deep internal scars in your breasts which have caused milk duct damage then scarring could permanently impact on supply but it'd have to effect both sides to mean the supply could never pick up as breasts can produce enough for 2 or even 3 babies with enough stimulation. If it's nipple trauma then it'll heal, the latch will get better and the supply will likely get close to or all of what baby needs. I would guess the biggest issue will be the impact on your confidence to feed though. I know I have enough milk but days like today really test my confidence to the limit - it must be doubly hard for you even without unhelpful comments from hcps.

If I get some decent sleep (pleeeeassssee Molly) I'll post properly overnight.

I love long posts!

Did first mention a meet up many pages back??? I'd be up for it.

Schipo - we're going to start swimming lessons in September hopefully. Seeing as she hates having a bath, I'm a bit about how they'll go. We'll see!

WLTK and Pigley - glad to know awake daytimes are pretty normal then. Been thinking about it this evening - it's been so muggy the last couple of days as well, we're just not getting any fresh air through the flat. That won't help either. Will spend more time outside to see if it helps.

SK - Darcey has been just like that - awake from late afternoon and crying from tiredness. Glad Jacob's doing better today - there's hope for us yet!

SK - glad Jacob's doing better now.

Pigley - some libraries also run Book Crawl, which is like BookTrack but for younger ones. Every time you return books you get a sticker, after 4 stickers you get a certificate (there's a whole range of them). I need to go and get signed up for our summer promotion, haven't made it into the library for a while.

Dancing - Corin doesn't sleep as much in the day either anymore but sleeps well at night so I think it's OK.

morning

Virginias thanksgiving service went very well, she slept for all but the actual bit where she was needed up at the front and whilst being shown to each and every member of the congregation-then she had big eyes for everyone.

we seem to be going 3 hours between feeds at night now, but about 1 1/2 to 2 hours during the day, it is tiring but at least i am getting more sleep at night.

virginia likes to be cuddled whilst looking at books, her favourites are the amazing baby books, they are illustrated to capture tiny babies' attention. you can see her concentrating on them. she also likes having someone 'dance' her little rag doll in front of her and will smile when watching the mobile on her bouncy chair (she will only go in her chair for a few minutes though). other than that no toys.

we had our 6 week check on monday, all well, she is exactly 5k (11lb 1/2oz) now, which is what dd2 was at birth. and is 59.5cm long. i had a contraceptive chat too and am considering the cap, anyone got any experience? the coil was suggested but sounds too scary for me....cervical shock??? what is that? sounds awful!

as for routine, i see no point at the moment as dd1,2 and3 are off school and dh is taking 2 weeks off from next monday, also we are starting with a cleaner fortnightly from tomorrow as i am struggling, so, i probably wont start routines until september now although we do try for bath between 5 and 6 then feed and cuddles until 7.30 when we put her to bed. we have had a whole week of being able to eat dinner together since we decided on an 8pm meal time. we are looking forward to having Virginia at table with us when she can sit up and have already bought her a highchair (i fell in love with it when i saw it on kiddicare, video demonstrates it better) this is it here www.kiddicare.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/productdisplayA_131+406_10751_-1_14637_88811_10001_14637
hope that link works.

we have a room in our house which is a dedicated home gym, but is also used as a dumping place so have been trying to tidy it out. we have a rowing machine, an abs roller thing to help with sit ups and a multi gym with weights, thing is we bought them then were too busy to use them so never had a routine with them. i am now at a loss as to what i should be doing...how long on rower, how many sit ups, how many reps of weights etc, so whilst desperate to get going am a bit scared of the equipment lol. i have a lot of weight i want to lose (sensibly whilst bf, was thinking 1lb a week for a year or so) so need to get going. anyone got any advice?

hi all
bad night here, oscar has a cold, got it from me, so off to the doctors, just some drops to unblock the nose and the rest will sort out itself, asked her about the scars, and molly you're so right, there is no way i got scarring tissue, i am perfectly capable of feeding this baby, to an extent, and of course i will be able to feed other babies, she made a note of the service i used to complain to the department that their hv, at least this one, are scaring breast feeding mums and making medical diagnosis without a license.
hb, god, and i thought i had a long baby,... exercise, eaaasy, start little, just a few minute and a couple of pounds weight, increase very slowly and if anything feels weird, drop the lot. have you got anyone close who knows the equipment, please be careful, you can really hurt yourself with those things, but if you go slowly, keep a good posture and don't go mad with the weights, you should be fine, good luck

important facebook ladies, i saw that many have the wall and pictures and your details available to everyone, you might want to check the privacy setting...

Hi all, I'm rubbish at keeping up on here!

Just been to the baby clinic to have Chloe weighed. She is 11lb 10oz at 9 weeks, so she's still on the 50th centile which I'm happy with. But got really pissed off when I was there and thought I'd vent to you lot!...At our clinic, two babies get weighed at a time by 2 HVs, and the other mum and baby that we went in with I'd been chatting to in the waiting room - lovely lady with a LO also 9 weeks. So in we went, Chloe got weighed and everything was all smiles, then this other baby was weighed, I overheard 12.14oz and the HV said to the poor mum who was a little on the large side "well genetics has a lot to do with, big parents will mean a big baby". I was livid for her!! She was in tears redressing her baby at lightning speed. Only met her 10mins before but just had to give her a hug. How rude some people are!!

Anyway, it's out my system now!!

Routines: hmm getting there you could say. She hates sleeping in the day, so go for walks what feels like all the time, then at bedtime she'll have a bottle around 9.30/10 and will sleep til 5.30/6. Not too bad.

hbm4 I'm also interested to know about exercise, so thanks for bringing it up! I've lost the bulk of my weight got about 5lbs to go ideally, but I'm in real need of toning up. Hoping all the walking will tackle my thighs but my tummy is bleugghh!

Sorry for no personals, her majesty has woken up..

hi just got myself a "facebook" account. have no idea what to do with it though, suggestions welcome! how do i find any of you????????

first1 at hv how can they be so insensitive? meeting our hv this afternoon, virginia has her 6-8 week review, whatever that is.

will be doing bedtime alone tonight as DH is taking DD1,2 and3 to watch the A team at cinema, would like to go too but bfing means no for me. will persuade him to bring home pizza express afterwards, yes we are on orange mobile.

taught DDs how to change muslin nappy this morning, what have i let myself in for?

hb, give us your name and i'll find you, or you find me alle solla, most of my friends are ladies from here, i never used it before
first, lovely to read you, ... look like all hv, ok most, are vile people, how can we address this, shall we start a respect campaign in mn? thoughts, please.

wltk i am donna wood
live in hoylake

and magical medicine worked, and poor little angel is now asleep.

dancing I did mention a meetup yeah. Can I suggest starting a list of those who are up for it along with their location and a rough time of when available so we can try and find somewhere and sometime suitable?? I'll start!:

first1: SW London - September

the meet up list

first1: SW London - September
wouldliketoknow: brighton - second half of september

meet up yay!

first1: SW London - September
wouldliketoknow: brighton - second half of september
carikube : Southampton - September [also will be up in Chester from Aug8th for nearly 2 weeks so could almost join in a northern one if there was one going on]

aw meet ups I remember going to one in London when DD1 was about 6 weeks my first one, so nervous and everyone was so nice

I'm in Scotland so too far from most of you unless the Scottish girls want a meet up, I know there are a few of us.

We had a great night last night, he went down at 8.30pm, up a 12 quick feed and back to sleep until 6am!!! He woke up wet and I woke up with huge boobs. He had a good feed, smiled at me for about 45 mins then fell asleep again until 8am. he was up most of the morning but quite happy in his swing, being held or lying having a kick about, went to sleep about 12.45ish and is still asleep in his swing which he loves sleeping in. Boobs are getting a bit huge now should go pump but cannot be bothered.

He's like a different baby and is 12 weeks today - where did that go???

HB4 - yey you found me on FB, as I said you look far too young to have those grown up girls

first1 - that poor girl how rude of the HV glad Chloe is doing well too

wouldliketoknow - yuck on the cold I hate it when babies have the cold and cannot suck and get all frustrated

Exercise - I still need to lose a few pounds, really annoying though I am so pear shaped, my tummy is flat (could do with serious toning though) and the rest of me is not bad but all the excess weight is on my thighs and bum. Still have the SPD twinges if I do too much as well, really need to do pilates but trying to find the time.....

a magicla solution for my son's cold, please?, something that keep him settled more than 2 min? anyone?

Homebirth- Glad the thanksgiving went well
Highchair looks lovely. I totally agree with SK.. You look far too young to be on number 4!

Wouldliketoknow- Ive have heard that saline nose drops are good.

Re excerise- I too need to do abit of toning of the old tummy and lose the last few pounds.
Although i heard Dr Hilary on GMTV this morning say you shouldnt worry about dieting till at least 6mths after birth. Sounds a good excuse
Homebirth- I would start slowly, maybe doing 10 if each or something.

First- How awful for that mum I really wish people would think before they speak.

Meet up list :
first1: SW London - September
wouldliketoknow: brighton - second half of september
carikube : Southampton - September [also will be up in Chester from Aug8th for nearly 2 weeks so could almost join in a northern one if there was one going on]
Pigleychez: Crawley West Sussex- sept

SK- Well done Jacob, sounds like hes doing great sleeping.
Lucy had a good sleep too. Went down after a feed at 8.30, refused any of her dreamfeed bottle at 11. Was anticipating an early waking but she slept through till almost 7am!

Had a fab day at a friends house and our DD's played nicely together. She also has a 5mth old DS and him and Lucy had a little play on the playmat together

Just found out that DH has to go away for a week on a conference in a few weeks time.

Homebirthmummy - glad the thanksgiving went well

Wouldliketoknow - hope Oscar feels better soon

First1 - at that HV, how tactless! FWIW, DH and I are both reasonably large and we have small babies.

Re meet-up: I'd be interested in one but I live right down in the SW so am quite far away. We're doing various bits of travelling soon though so will keep an eye on plans in case we'd be able to join. Is there anyone else in the South West who might fancy meeting up down here?

Meet up list:
first1: SW London - September
wouldliketoknow: brighton - second half of september
carikube : Southampton - September [also will be up in Chester from Aug8th for nearly 2 weeks so could almost join in a northern one if there was one going on]
Pigleychez: Crawley West Sussex- sept
TwentiethCenturyHeffa - Devon - not sure about time.

i am interested-wirral-anytime

A good night for us too last night, dreamfeed at 10.30 a few little noises at 4 then 5 and then a wake up for a feed at 5.45. Good boy Harry, more of the same please!

I've just bought a postnatal exercise DVD by Erin O'Brien. It's a 15 mins gentle workout that you do everyday. I like it a lot, I am only 4 days in though Made me realise just how pregnancy and childbirth really does knacker your body. Hoping for some quick results as I have 2 weddings to go to later this summer and none of my dresses fit. 10lbs to lose to get to prepreg weight.

Meet up list :
first1: SW London - September
wouldliketoknow: brighton - second half of september
carikube : Southampton - September [also will be up in Chester from Aug8th for nearly 2 weeks so could almost join in a northern one if there was one going on]
Pigleychez: Crawley West Sussex- sept
millingtonsmummy - SW London - not the 3rd week in September

x posts on the meet up list ...

Meet up list :
first1: SW London - September
wouldliketoknow: brighton - second half of september
carikube : Southampton - September [also will be up in Chester from Aug8th for nearly 2 weeks so could almost join in a northern one if there was one going on]
Pigleychez: Crawley West Sussex- sept
TwentiethCenturyHeffa - Devon - not sure about time.
homebirthmummy4: wirral - anytime
millingtonsmummy: SW London - not the 3rd week in September

Ive dropped off the thread again!..busy,busy,busy at the moment!

Ive added my name to the meet up list with my location

Meet up list :
first1: SW London - September
wouldliketoknow: brighton - second half of september
carikube : Southampton - September [also will be up in Chester from Aug8th for nearly 2 weeks so could almost join in a northern one if there was one going on]
Pigleychez: Crawley West Sussex- sept
TwentiethCenturyHeffa - Devon - not sure about time.
homebirthmummy4: wirral - anytime
millingtonsmummy: SW London - not the 3rd week in September
Memorylapse; Chester, anytime

Olivia is 15 weeks now, but not sleeping through the night...sigh.. and hardly sleeping in the day, just snatched 5/10 mins here

working flat out at the moment, busiest time of the year for me at the moment..am doing some bridal henna tomorrow evening..very nervous!