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?!

first1 the one day period could have been a mid-cycle breakthrough bleed so the one after the 12 days would have been your normal af. Very common to have breakthrough bleeds; just the lining becoming so thick the top layer breaks off a little early. Haven't got my periods back yet myself so can't comment on what my body's doing!

molly that company sounds fab! Might have to look into that.

newmomma so sorry. Here's hoping it's a growth spurt...there is meant to be one around 10-12 weeks.

hi all,
pigley, hope your day in the seaside goes well

really of those going to france in a proper holiday, i am panicking with the logistics and i only going to my mums, in spain but still my mums, and i only have to plan for the journey, have most of the stuff needed there. and molly, you're cycling, how brave...

newmomma, hopefully is a growth spur, oscar also has days that i need to feed him every hour, it feels like ages since we were pregnant, but it's not that long really... be strong and come to have a moan if you need to...

first, good to hear from you, when is your op?, about periods i only had one, lasted ten days with very little bleeding at 7 weeks after birth, right after the gp put me in the pill so nothing to be expected after that. my dsil gave birth 8 months ago, breast fed with a bit of support of bottles, not many, and her periods are still all over the place, doc said that is all irregular for 6 months after bf stops, but i don't take it as gospel, he also told her to drink normal beer while breastfeeding as to build her supply, alledgely is a notorious doctor in pediatrics, but i can't help to wonder what he is notorious for...

oscar is a bit grumpy this last couple of days, i blame the jab, so not a happy mummy right now

Newmomma - so sorry for you It's probably just a growth spurt but must feel awful for you.

First1 - I haven't had any bleeding since lochia ended but I had a period about 6 weeks after DD was born. Sorry, not much help

Hmm, thinking I should change my name since a heifer is a cow that has only had none or one calves Can't decide what to change it to though, ho hum.

DD has been "helping" me on the WiiFit this morning.

Hi all,
Hopefully newmomma it's just a growth spurt as others have said. I have noticed that DD2 seems to be having a shorter time between daytime feeds at the moment (11 wks tomorrow) though it hasn't affected her nighttime sleeping (yet!)

first1 can't help much on the periods front; I haven't had one yet. Am still bf though am also on the mini-pill. I don't know if this means that I won't have one for as long as I'm on the pill as I forgot to actually ask the GP those questions

Just been out for a picnic which was lovely though I think I ate too much as I felt a bit queasy afterwards (though that might have been from spinning DD1 around). Now I need to start getting myself organised as we are on holiday as of tomorrow evening and I haven't started packing anything at all yet...

not had any period nor signs of it, not in a rush for it to come back either

need to sort the pill out really but only dtd once in 12 weeks and really dont feel bothered by it which is a bit sad.

Hi everyone

Just getting time to catch up as ds has dd1 but will be dropping her back in anytime soon. Enjoying the time with just Grace, been to the breastfeeding cafe and feel quite proud that I have been asked to train as a breastfeeding mentor

DD1's potty training is going really well, she's only had a few accidents, unfortunately one of those was on my knee a few days back, I was soaked to my knickers. No accidents yesterday and I didn't have to ask her once whether she needed to go so thought I would take her for a happy meal today at McDonalds. Unfortunately she must have been too distracted and had an accident all over the floor. She went bright red bless her, though I was a bit when they gave me some paper to clean it up with. Thought they may have come over to mop the floor.

Den - I hope the meeting with the neurosurgeon goes well, I would tell you to stop worrying but that's not going to happen. It's obvious from your pictures though that Rian is doing very well.

Pigley - do you ever stop! All of the activities you do put me to shame, where do you get your energy?

Pamelat - I love that poem, especially the last line, made me cry and realise that they're not tiny newborns any more

ML - has Olivia been in the cot and how did it go?

Millington - glad to hear that things are going better

Woollyjo - welcome to the thread, congratulations on your dd. Feel free to vent on here, we're quite an anxious lot ourselves but very supportive too

Heffa - I've used our double buggy once (it's side by side) and found it a nightmare in the shops as it was too wide to get in between the racks. Only useful for dh to use when I get my hair cut Hope bedtime goes smoothly.

Cupcake - I feel your pain, I was in tears last week after going to the loo, I had to ring dh at work as I was so upset. I dread going but it is definitely getting better slowly but surely.

Serotonin - welcome to the thread and congratulations

Newmomma - sorry it's getting tougher for you. Hope things calm down soon.

first1 - sorry I can't help with advice on periods as I haven't had one yet. A new job sounds very exciting, come back and tell us more when you can.

Carikube - good luck with the packing, it took me ages to pack for two dc. I would recommend you take washing tablets if not readily available where you are going, you can guarantee they will wreck to one thing you haven't packed more than one of.

Jabs were horrible Jude was all cwtched up to me just screaming as if to say 'how could you do this to me Mummy??' I cried which I wasn't expecting! But he's fine now and has gone to sleep...

WLTK we're going to see family in France; I wouldn't take J on a 'proper' abroad holiday with just me and dh, too stressful! But we'll have lots of help out there so will be nice and relaxing (I hope!)

re cycles post-breastfeeding- if charting you should be able to see that phase 1 and 2 alternate for a while so the body looks like it is gearing up to ovulate several times until it eventually does, then there is a very short luteal phase after which cycles go back to the simple phase 1,2,3, with the fertile phase (phase 2) getting shorter again and the luteal phase (phase 3) getting a bit longer. So over 6 months your cycles should get shorter until they are back to your normal pre-preg cycles.
Of course this is all theory from my various Natural Family Planning books- I've yet to put it into practice with my own body. Not that there is any chance of us dtd anytime soon anyway -
pamela don't be that it's only happened once in 12 weeks for you...I don't intend to have even done that by 12 weeks! J is 9 weeks on Sat and things still feel delicate down there. I want to get checked out by doc that there's no sign of prolapse etc first too.

holly glad your pain is easing too!! I was so excited last night that the first pain-free poo since giving birth had happened that I ran down the stairs to high-five dh I said I was so happy I felt like telling everyone and he said 'well I suggest you don't' so I replied 'ok then I'll just put it on mumsnet' haha!
Glad the potty training seems to be going well.

heff well what do they call a cow who's had more than one calf? (not that I am referring to you as a cow )

pamelat don't be - when I came back from the GP and told DH I'd got the mini-pill, he just looked at me and said 'why?' as we're hardly at it like rabbits...

holidays, a girl in my baby class has already gone on a proper holiday con ds, 13 weeks old now, two weeks tp malaga, but then i never saw her without proper makeup on, stylish clothes and even her nails done, fingers and toes,...she must have a nanny...

dtd, you must mean lots of cuddles

can't be bother to type more, hope everyone is ok, oscar has been crying lots today and only sleeps in my arms, someone make me a cup of tea....

virginias jabs went ok, she had sore legs all day and her bath and nappy free time went out the window, she was too unhappy, but it didnt change her bedtime, we have now improved to 2 hourly feeding, 24 hours a day.

the only positive thing that has come out of her lack of weight gain is that i am being referred to a community dietitian!

i feel quite glad as hopefully they will help me sort out the right things to eat whilst feeding, i am not doing the gourmet meals i used to, although yesterday bought another slow cooker so if i get organised i can hopefully produce something.other than that i am eating toast and not much else, getting totally peeed off with it as i desperately want to be a slim, glamorous , gorgeous young mummy of 4.....very tall order, i was overweight to begin with, am approaching 38 and glamorous on no sleep? WLTK doesnt it make you feel inferior, i have a glamourous mummy near me too!

i am feeling pretty ugly right now. going to hairdresser in morning hopefully that will help but anxious as not left baby yet and she will be staying home with dad.

the whole family are at home this week and are totally disturbing what little routine we already had.

periods....well, i have had a tiny amount of very very watery bleeding every other day for the past 3 weeks, baby is 8 weeks, i am another who has no idea what is normal, although

we have lift off in one area of 'normal' life though, mummy and daddy both went to sleep happy last night

homme, i think you and i are on the same wave right now, feeling fat and tired, can't be bother to eat properly... i think i need a good shape up, hopefully my mum and dsiss will give do just that when i go home in a few weeks... proper hairdressers, bit of shopping, beach with the kids, and one of my sis saying i know exactly what you mean,... mum cooking old fashion meals...

gotta go, gonna call my mum

Alex will be 12 weeks on Monday and suddenly feel that have found my footing. I have felt comfortable on the days with just him and I for a while, much easier baby than my daughter she was very hard work.

Today had my first "comfortable" day with both of them. Still a few panic moments, Alex crying for food and daughter needing to poo etc, difficult in public (for me)to deal with. However, suddenly I see them more as brother and sister and as my " 2 children" rather than just a baby and a toddler, had been finding my DD's beahaviour very difficult but she was a lot better today and even had an hours lunch nap, which worked perfectly as was during one of Alex' feeds so no whining about my feeding him.

Am dropping one of my breastfeeds to a formula one, for no other reason than to give myself a break. Know this is selfish but still feeding 2 hourly and feel very tired by it. I now rougly feed 7, 9, 11, 1, 3 (formula 5, 7, 10) 2 and (formula 5am) one hungry boy.

Mixed feelings, mainly relief but a bit sad too but it is what I want to do. Benefits my DD too as I can do bath and bedtime more easily with DS having a 5pm bottle.

Sorry to hear some are feeling down, think we all have down days, you watch tomorrow will be awful for me

Hi All

Pamelat - we weaned DS1 at 17 weeks using Annabel Karmel (will prob get flamed for that but hey ho!) and it went really well. I took DS to GP before because he was 91st percentile+ baby, and was draining 7 9oz bottles of formula per day and still wanting more, which I thought was too much. I asked GP about dangers of weaning, and he looked at me like I was odd and told me he had never heard of anyone having an allergy to a carrot . So, I think the advice is that if your baby needs the additional food to keep him/her settled, then start very slow on root vegetables and stop if they have any difficulties. I have to say DS1 is a brilliant eater, eats everything apart from peas (what is about children and peas?!), and has no allergies or intolerances whatsoever. He is a bundle of energy and so slim I can't find any trousers that stay up without a belt!I am intending to do Annabel K with DD as well, but am going to try to get as close to 26 weeks as I can. However, HV did say to me ages ago that if I got to 20 weeks exclusively BF then I would have done very well indeed, as she is also a 91st percentile+ baby. However, so far, so good...!

First, I haven't had a period yet but my lochia didn't stop until D was 8 weeks and she is now 12 weeks an still EBF so wouldn't expect anything yet. With DS, I started back on combined pill at 8 weeks because lochia wasn't stopping and was fed up of not being "in control" (DS FF from 6 weeks) and I got period during 7 day break as normal. Sorry that's probably not much help. Congrats on the new job, tell us more!

Newmomma - sorry about the waking up, hopefully it's just for a couple of nights (!) as a growth spurt. Have you had any success with any of the suggestions to try and reduce the crying?

WLTK - well done on the BFing! I was totally worried about going for a week's holiday in Northumberland, but it all went really well and was so nice to be out of the house and with other people - it has really perked me up. And me and DH DTD a few times because we were both so relaxed...we have booked another holiday for October!

Serotonin/Woollyjo - welcome!

HBM4 - we will all get to the glamorous mummy stage - we just need more sleep! Hope you hair appt goes well, and yours too Molly. Are either of you having anything drastic done? A girl at work had her waist length hair chopped into a shoulder length bob the first time she went to the hairdressers post-birth - quite a dramatic change, and she claims totally down to hormones!

Hope everyone else is OK. Whoever was talking about buggyboards - I have one for DS and I swear by it - such a fab idea!

Thank you, Alex 91% baby too takes some stocking up, hence switching to 2 or 3 formula feeds a day, just too tired to keep feeding him. Will still mean 6 or 7 breast feeds a day, often still taking up to an hour - normally 40 mins each time - like a full days work!!

Cupcakefairy - hmm, no idea! Probably just 'cow' but I'll look into it.

Hollyoaks - our double buggy isn't side by side and it doesn't look too huge but it's a lot bulkier and harder to push than my normal buggy. I took them both out again today with the pram and buggyboard and it went really well . I bribed ( - bad mummy) DD to stay on the board in shops and she seemed happy with that so hopefully that will be a viable option.

Pamelat - glad you had a better day with them both

WLTK - we're going on holiday in September to South Wales and I can't wait! The cottage looks fab and we could really do with a break. We drove to France last year with DD just before she turned 1 and it was a nightmare holiday - everything went wrong and we ended up moving from pillar to post to find somewhere to stay (it's a very long story and very confusing). Anyway, was very stressful but we survived and felt fantastic for getting through it.

Re weaning - glad I'm not the only one who weaned other DC early. I got scared off MN for a while after that because I was struggling with PND and there seemed to be a rash of people flaming anyone who weaned before 6 months.

those briving older sibblings, don't do it with food, and that includes treats, use toys or stickers or something they like instead, otherwise they'll just learn to use food to brive you, 'if you don't give me this, i won't eat' kind of stuff... apparently i did it well into my teens

i need to relax, so pizza today...

Both girls tucked up in bed so time to catch up with everyone...

Heffa-Hope bedtime went ok tonight. DH is away on a course all next week so I too will be juggling dinner, bed and bath with both the girls. Dont think of it as bribery, more gentle persuation!
Its a very handy tool with toddlers!

Newmomma- to hear that bedtime has become tricky. Hope it is just a growth spurt. How many weeks is she now?

First1- I was back to regular straight away with DD1 and seem to be the same this time too. My friend however had very irregular periods for about 2yrs after her DD. Understandable really as it all gets messed up in there.
Yay on the new job Tell us more.

Pamlet- Once... We havent even got that far yet!

Hollyoaks- Glad the potty training is going well.
Yay on becoming a mentor

Cupcake- The jabs are horrid arent they.. I remember holding back the tears on DD1's first ones. The last ones she had were funny as she had a little moan at the first one, then the second one she cried and gave the nurse the most filthiest look ever! It was hilarious!

WLTK- I just think the time the full made up mummies must take getting ready, is time they are missing with thier babies.

Homebirth- Hope the dietician appiontment helps

Pamlet- Glad you are finding your feet more. I too feel more relaxed now and feel I can judge lucy more with her routine and what she wants. DD1 has been lovely with Lucy lately and is always saying, I love Mummy and I love Lucy which is really sweet.

Been making the most of DH's days off this week so went to the seaside today. DD1 had her first go on the funfair rides and LOVED them! So cute on the carosel and little car ride.
Had a little stroll on the sand,collected shells had an ice cream. DD1 played with another girl making sandcastles and did me proud by happily sharing her toys Both girls were very well behaved and we all had a fab time.
Could of been abit sunnier but aleast it was dry.

Tomorrow we are planning to go Horse Racing.(weather permitting) We often go anway but our Local course has a family day with a funfair, face painting, games ect and a visit from Peppa pig! (dd1's alltime favoutrite!) Shes going to think all her xmas's have come at once tomorrow!

Majorly dropped off thread so quick post. Did a quick scan of last 5 pages to hear everyones news.

Sam was still waking every 2 hrs through the night. Finally caught up with me and caught a wee viral thing. DH took last 2 days off to let me get some rest. I'm so lucky to have him.

Spoke to bf advisor and we think he is falling asleep b4 good high calorie stuff or I am swapping him to other boob b4 he gets good stuff as he is fussing. Last two nights been bit better so fingers crossed that's it fixed. When he fusses i've to change position but give him same boob to trick him a bit that it is a new boob.

Will catch up better when feeling bit more normal. S x

Pigley - bedtime went great thanks I got DS off to sleep first, then DD. Surprisingly easy in fact, I keep expecting one of them to wake up I don't mind bribing really, I figure that making it clear that we can't go to the park unless she's going to behave herself (for example) is a good lesson. Since today's been OK, tomorrow will probably be a nightmare. Horse racing sounds fab! I haven't been to the races for ages but love it.

Sassles - glad to see you back, hope you're feeling better 2 hour waking must be really tough, hang in there

Is anyone elses hair falling out by the handful? Another postnatal joy. Good job these babies are cute!

hi all this thread dropped off my active convos how very dare it!!!

First our news then will try and catch up proper, Jacob's official 3 month birthday today (where has the last 3 months gone?) he's just lovely getting more interactive, smiling and chatting, he's batting at his toys now as well and trying to roll over and getting stuck. I'm not too bad have ups and downs, sometimes I just feel completely overwhelmed like it is all too much for one person, the DC and the house. Anxiety quite bad as well still but have been out every day this week taking girls to summerclub and having loads of visitors. Also trying to support my friend whose family member is dying of cancer (she has DC same age as mine horrific). Another week of school hols here then DD2 starts school.

pigley - glad you had a good day at the seaside, DD3 likes Peppa but goes beserk when Lau-Lau, Nok-nok, jojo and DeeeeLiii come on as she calls them come on. I ration her TV but have them on Sky Plus for desperate times.

Weaning - will wait until 6 months and do BLW again, did the whole AK puree thing with DD1 and what a nightmare, BLW is a lot easier IME. Agree with what the others have said that there is a change inside the babies' guts where the holes in their intestinal walls close over sometime between 4-6 months and you cannot tell hence the waiting until 6 months just to be sure, size of baby has nothing to do with it and it is a myth that bigger babies need weaned sooner, gram for gram there is no weaning food that has more calories than milk, the only thing solids might do is lie in their tummies longer making them feel fuller for longer. Oh and the nappies suddenly get a whole lot more interesting. Oh and also IME solids do nothing for their sleep

DTD - can I admit that we still haven't apart from the sheer tiredness, I have been so bothered with piles couldn't bear it just now, piles clearing up though, also terrified of getting pregnant again so need to sort out contraception.

periods - I have EBF them all but with DD1 they came back when she was about 8 weeks but she slept through at about 6 (I know!) if you go longer than 4 hours between feeds it can trigger ovulation, DD2 and 3 was nearer a year (can you tell they fed all night), DD3 had one period and was pregnant again too (that will not be happening this time though)

Glamourous Mummy - well today I have no make up on, hair needs washed, sick on my top and DD3 headbutted me and burst my nose so I have a bruised sore nose, have given up with glamour.

Sassles sorry to hear youve been poorly, glad you got some well earned rest

Pigley The seaside sounds lovely...weve had atrocious weather here..so far the kids paddling pool hasnt even come out of the box! Hope the weather is nice for the races

Homebirth..Olivia was unsettled for a day or two after her jabs too...its not easy to eat properly when running around after 4 kids..have you tried batch cooking meals and sticking them in the freezer?

newmomma..have you looked into cranial osteopathy? I know lots of people who have had great success with it and the babies have settled down

Angel Hope you are ok

Serotonin/Woollyjo welcome to the thread

I had a period about 4 weeks ago, my first one..really not sure when to expect any more..

We put Olivia in her cot last night nad lasted 2 hours before hysterical screaming caused us to quickly transfer her back to her moses basket..so tonight we will try basket inside the cot

oscar woke up at 6.30 this morning, guess how many bottles have we used today?

none!
and he is asleep

all those feeling blue, hope today is a better day...

newmomma, a friend of mine have the same, baby unconsolable, crying 24/7 unless held, cranial osteopathy was the answer, may be worth a try...

angel, hope you feel better and everything is sorted.

welcome to the new ones, just make yourselves at home... and please tell us what you are doing/thinking/suffering/insert what you may...

pigley, you do so much, what is your secret, i need some of your energy

milli, i am surprised i have any hair left, it is scary, isn't it?, my mum says that is the least of my problems right now, ?

Morning everyone. Just put Chloe back to sleep. She woke at 4.30 this morning, was a big surprise as she's been going to about 5.45 for almost two weeks now, hopefully she's not planning on sticking to this new routine

wouldliketoknow - yay for the lack of bottles you must be so pleased!

newmomma - hope you're feeling okay this morning, I really can only sympathise. I don't know a thing about osteopathy but have seen it mentioned a lot here so perhaps worth a go? I hope your DH gives you a break when he's home..

pigley - I'm also impressed by your energy!

cupcake - v interesting about postnatal cycles, thanks for that! Have been to my GP about it coz I'm so fed up with it! Now on day 3 of my third/fourth period (not sure which, coz two seemd to merge!), but he is going to wait til a month or two after my op before prescribing a new pill to try. The joys.

weaning - Think I'll wait til 6months but will see how it goes. She's having 5/6 bottles a day of 5oz and seems content.

eye colour - I know I dragged this up a few weeks back, but Chloe is 10 weeks today and her eyes are still as blue as the day she was born. HV doesn't think they'll change, I'm not so convinced.

Am feeling very smug today so do tell me to shut up, as stood on the scales and am back to pre-pregnancy weight

Thanks to all of you for the kind words about my new job. I don't want to leave Chloe too early but going through the divorce and upcoming op (2 weeks today sh1t), I felt I needed to do something for me to make me feel good and have a purpose, I hope that doesn't make me sound selfish.

Right, washing to hang out..

first, darling, selfish? you?, ....
good for the new job, glad you found a purpouse.
so envy at your prepreg weight, too much cake, i think, me, obviously not you... well done.
i am please, althouh, i gave him a bottle at 11, hopefylly, next aroung 5...