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?!

Afternoon all, will take the time to catch up with a bar of chocolate as both dd's are taking a nap.

First of all thanks for all the messages re Grace being discharged from the hospital. She's so far behaving herself and has put on 8oz this week taking her to 7lb 7oz and is sticking to the two night feeds which I can cope with.

The only downside is her scar has become slightly red and inflamed near her belly button , will probably take her to the gp if it still looks sore tomorrow. Just got back from bf group and I was the only on there so got some advice on expressing but not much more than I've read from SK on here.

BRB - your theory on the cord dropping off seems to make sense, dn who was born at 31 weeks held onto her cord for weeks, we thought it was because she was in the incubator for so long.

Homebirth - I seem to be the same as SK and tend to leak more at night. I've tried positioning muslins in various positions but still seem to leak at some point each day.

SK - when do the acne spots tend to clear up? Grace is covered in them bless her. HV said they were more common in the hot summer months. I also forgot to wash the conditioner off my hair yesterday, lovely!

Cupcake - is the medela symphony a double hospital style pump of a single electric one. I can buy a single one from my local surestart centre, if it's the same one it sounds like its worth the money.

alle - glad your feeling better about the feeding, it doesn't matter how he gets fed as long as he is healthy and happy.

mustbemad - poor you, my face was like this reading your carpark story. Nightmare!

Tomlin - how cute is your ds . I also feel quite broody despite when I was pg being adamant that I wasn't doing it again. When we in the hospital just after Grace was born dh said he would make an appointment for the snip but I told him it was too soon to make that decision. Now every time I think this could be my last day having a 30 day old etc.. it makes me quite .

ML - be strong, try to remember how hard your pg was if you start feeling broody again.

Pamelat - how scary it must be to have a meningitis scare. We don't have a bedtime here yet but she seems to doze off around 9-10pm. Still in moses basket next to the bed too, might introduce bedtime when she goes into her cot.

Pigley - its definitely the toddler which tires you out. The night feeds would be a piece of cake if I could go back to sleep after the 5-6am feed with dd2 but dd1 is usually up by that point. Have you tried a lifepack for dd1 if she wants to walk, they're great as they haven't got to hold your hand/buggy but they can't run away.

Dancing - I've found Grace is becoming fussy at some feeds too, sort of arching her back and shaking her head around frantically when she comes off. I've found it best to take her off and wind her and then try again.

Molly/Cupcake - sorry your feeling low, hope it improves and isn't pnd.

Carikube - enjoy your night out, very

ande - any name yet?

Moggmum - hope Dylan's feeding is better after his snip.

Heffa - sorry the pil's are being a pain, my mil has just flew off for two weeks in the sun and I'm very .

Quick question, stupidly I decided to bounce on dd1's trampoline that we have just bought and could feel what I would say was my uterus bouncing about and the feeling that it was coming out. I've had a look and it's not falling out but bleeding has increased again. Reassure me that I haven't damaged myself and it was just because my uterus hasn't shrunk back to its pre-pg state.

hollyoaks - the ones on Jacobs face have all but gone now but his back and arms are still quite bad, usually clear up in a week or two. We saw the HV and GP for Jacob's 6 weeks check today and the HV said he was quite bad with it and I said well I did ask the GP about it 2 weeks ago and he said there was nothing that can be done, just wash with plain water only once a day. She said oh he may prescribe you some cream, saw GP and of course he doesn't mention it this is what annoys me about HCPs, one tells you something, then another one tells you off about it but you say but no1 told me X and they look at you as if you are mad. Is it just me though?

Jacob fine though sitting on the 75th centile for weight and height, good time with the 3 of them in the GPs.

Oops better go natives getting restless.

hollyoaks, thanks for the reassurance, i do need to hear it a lot, or rather read it...
re your uterus, i wouldn't recommend bouncing around, but i was bleeding quite a lot until a coupke of weeks ago, now 7 weeks postbirth, depending on your activity you'll bleed more, so probably the bouncing increased the bleeding, check with your gp, if you are worried, just for peace of mind.
back to the crying....

Hi all

Ooh I'm posting on the laptop - yay!

Hi heffa - thought we'd decided that us busy mummies don't need to apologise for not posting or not managing as many personals we'd ideally like. After all we're all pretty busy these days.

SK - bag sounds divine - must not surf the internet looking at bags though despite you offering up such temptations...

mustbemad - excellent boob story. Have been wopping out my tits everywhere but have so far managed to maintain most of my dignity

pigley MDM and dancing (love the new name) - Molls is pretty unsettled in evenings too - the best thing about the World Cup is the fact that it gives me something to do when I pass her from one boob to the other for hours on end

SK - my Mum gave my oldest brother mashed carrot at 6 weeks. Like I said I have her under control this time but my Dad was suggesting carrots for my gannet daughter

ande any luck with the name, yet? When Molls was a week old DH announced he didn't think we'd made the right choice but he's changed his mind back - I might have killed him otherwise

carikube I hated the electric medela pump I had with dd1 but got on well with the avent manual - I expressed every morning and built up a great supply before returning to work. I've bought another avent manual (another blardy thing I shouldn't have thrown out...) I haven't tried yet. I was hoping to have a nice haircut next week but Molls is feeding so often and so unsettled that it might just be better to delay it for a few weeks. I look like crap anyway! Have decided to simply avoid mirrors.

pamelat we're continuing to suffer these nights with constantly hungry babies together. I'll remember you when I'm up all night again tonight. (bet that makes you feel better )

moggmum how is dylan now post tongue tie (not what I thought of when someone mentioned the "snip")

tomlin your ds sounds gorgeous - my older two are fab but are past that cute stage you're at - enjoy it

hollyoaks seriously well done to you and Grace - go to the GP if you've any concerns tomorrow and don't let anyone fob you off - possible skin infection in any little baby never mind one who has the start wee Grace had is urgent enough to need to be seen regardless of how busy they are. I always happily see wee ones.

cupcake - how are you?

hormonalmum please come back and don't worry about keeping up - just want to know how you are

first1 hope all is ok with you

Well, I'm ok actually. Less down although Molls isn't sleeping any better. Just feel better. Had a nice visit from old friend yesterday. Went into work for lunch and have started to attempt to face my financial stuff - being self employed is too much for me. Have a major, major tax headache pending in January. Ever since DH got sick and has been unable to work I have been struggling to get on top of things. Blardy credit crunch and lack of equity in house hasn't helped. I am so delighted with Molly but being off work isn't helping. Will be back sooner than I'd like and would love another baby but might totally bankrupt the family with another one!

hi all, just to let you know, debriefing went well yesterday and i am no longer feeling guilty about what happened, no decision i made could have possibly changed the outcome. i am still 'grieving' the loss of what i consider a normal delivery and 'newborn' experience though. maybe that is why i would like another baby already.i am consideering being a milk donor due to over abundant supply, any advice anyone?
will catch up with all later as virginia nearly demented at the moment. see you soon

Meant to ask. Work have had a whip round and want to buy me and Molls a gift and I want a sling to feed her in. Don't know which one to buy and too tired to make decisions - please help x

hollyoaks - I agree with Alle the more active you are the mroe you bleed I have found, better to stay off the trampoline for a few weeks yet. I have been back on ours, have to go to the toilet before I go on though, reminder - must do more pelvic floor exercises mine is on the floor.

mollycuddles - I researched slings for ages, asked MNers of course and the general consensus was a wrap sling, I chose a Moby wrap but the Kari-me is the same thing. I was like OMG what am I supposed to do with this huge sheet of material but it was really easy and what a godsend it has magical properties, crying baby goes in crying baby stops crying and falls asleep. I just decided to treat myself to a nice bag (it is huge though maybe should have got a smaller one) something for me. My hair is a disgrace right now, my roots are done but so need a haircut, am going to book myself in in DPs 2 week hols.

homebirthmum - glad you got some sort of closure from the debriefing

Broodiness - I was REALLY broody the minute DD1 was born I knew I wanted another, she got to 9 months and we thought we would start TTC as it may take a while and of course first time hence the 18 month gap. Would recommend it though, I love the small age gap hard work but they are so close and in some ways easier now they are older. I would say if you are broody go for it there was a woman on our last post natal thread had 13 months gap! Won't be me though DP is geting booked in for the snip.

I'm feeling a bit teary today, I heard this morning a really nice woman from toddlers is dying from cancer, she is about 3 years older than me and has 6 and 4yo DDs who dance with mine. Horrific. It's also MILs birthday today the last time we saw her last year she died the day before DP's birthday, 2 days before DD3's 1st birthday and a week before DD1's 5th. Plus DD2 is leaving nursery tomorrow. Sorry for being morose.

Hello everyone - I'm another apologetic poster, I don't seem to have time to think at the moment! I am really enjoying reading everyones posts though.

alle01 - Thomas is formula fed and to be honest we have had to completely ignore the instructions! He now has 4 bottles of 6oz in 24hours - the instructions say 5 bottles of 5oz. Also last night we gave him the Aptamil for hungrier babies as his last feed(all the other feeds are Aptamil First) He had this at 8.30 and slept till 6.30 this morning. This meant he cut out his usual 3am feed. This wasn't to make him sleep (although was an added bonus ) but because he seemed very hungry during the night, but couldn't cope with the volume of liquid and was really sick - I am hoping that this is our solution.

first1 - Hope you are okay, thinking about you.

homebirth - Glad that your debriefing went well and has helped.

hollyoaks - Really pleased that Grace has been discharged. Hope her scar starts to heal soon.

Sweetkitty - sorry you are feeling down. Feel very sad for your friend, and it is difficult to deal with sad memories, especially when they seem to coincide with happy occasions - why does that always happen? I love reading your posts, I guess because we both have 4 DC's of similar ages. I wish I was as good a mum as you!! The other day I really thought that I would rather be teaching my worst year11 class than being at home! - but then immedaitely felt guilty as I love my DC's so much, just sometimes it is hard work

ML - Completely with you on the broodiness! It's so difficult to deal with! My DH is waiting for his 'snip' appointment to come through and I know it's the best thing to do - but will be very sad all the same. Hope you are enjoying your new paints!

I still have my medela swing electric breast pump for sale if anyone is interested (used 3 times)

I'm sorry Iknow I have missed people out, but I hope everyone is okay and their lo's doing well.

I am feeling very sad about everything at the moment. I am very emotional and irrational, just when I could do with being organised and efficient. My poor DH - glad that I'm not married to me!

kateyjane, i am looking for an electric pump, not too happy with the manual, maybe we can talk price? let me know

oscar is having a bottle of 4 oz every three hours or so, except a night, last night he slept from 10 to 6, and all his feeds are for hungrier babies, if we give him the other he is histerical in 1 hour, have the 6 weeks check today, so will ask my long-suffering gp (i always have a lot of questions, he doesn't always understand why i need to know some things not being a student of medicine myself, must be my ocd)

has anybody heard from first1, kind of worried...

i am having one of those magical moments when you realiza there is silence, check, and the baby is asleep... i am going to lay down, surely won't last

Alle - if gp being twat you can ask on here (as one myself I'm quite good with the theory re babies - it's the practical that scares me and between SK and ML we have seasoned mums who have seen it all)

Mollycuddles - I have a sleepy wrap for Corin which is fantastic, really useful.

SK - very sad news about your friend and sad about your MIL. Hope you're OK.

I got DD's old playgym out for Corin who loves it, lies in it for ages looking at the toys. DD lies in there with him atm

Hi everyone
Well after one night sleeping through we were back to normal last night!

On a positive note we have started using reusable nappies this week - they are brilliant (Bumgenious V3 & Flip) wish I'd had them with my first!

alle01 - are you on facebook? My name is Cathy Devney. I am not sure how to personal message on here, but will try!

Hope everyone has a lovely and sunny weekend

Hello,
DH and I went out to see a band last night and it was the hottest, sweatiest venue I have ever been to - condensation dripping from the ceiling it was that bad (and I'm not a fan of having other people's sweat dripping on to my head ). Typically this meant that DD2 decided to wake twice last night instead of her usual once given that I went to bed later than I have done in ages so I'm now quite tired...

DD2 is now asleep and DD1 is being entertained by MIL (making the most of her before she heads home this afternoon ).

kateyjane DD1 is in the Bumgenius Flip and I love them. She had Bambino Mio wraps before but the velcro got quite ragged and looked as though it was digging in to her but the Flip ones are brilliant. DD2 is still in disposables as I have not yet been able to face putting her in reusables as well but I know I should get round to it. I have been waiting for her to fill out a bit so that there is less risk of leakage (at least that's the excuse I'm giving myself!). I'm running low on disposables though and have been too lazy to go and buy anymore so I think the decision might make itself soon.

Hope everyone has a good day - it's nice and sunny here so DD1 is just in her nappy and DD2 is in a vest. We will be going out in a bit though so I suppose I ought to put a sundress on DD1 or something as I'm not sure a naked baby will be appreciated everywhere!!

Hello all. Thought I would try and catch up a bit while I have a rare 5 minutes!!!

SK sorry to hear about your friend. Kind of shocks you when something happens to someone of a similar age. Sorry about your MIL too. Be kind to yourself today.

Kateyjane I love my washable nappies but impossible to use them at the moment as I am now entering my 3rd week with a broken washing machine and 7 of us in the house

alle hope you get your lie down!!

heffa thats a bit of a pain about your MIL visiting all the time. Hope you can find a midle ground for you both soon before you end up totally sick of the sight of her!! My inlaws were totally smothering in the last weeks of pregnancy and when I had just given birth but they don't seem so bad now. Probably the novelty has worn off a bit

Dancingthroughlife, a meet up would be lovely! I don't have many friends so would be nice to have a chat with someone.

Well little lady is 4 weeks old today. Where the heck has that gone?! She was weighed on Tuesday, 9lb 6oz. Still managing to breastfeed. Occasionally she will have one formula top up at night (still not tried expressing yet!!) But thats only every few days really, depending if she wakes up or not for DH to give it to her! She sleeps anywhere between 4 and 7 hours at night. She did 5 hours last night til 2am, but then was awake the rest of the night snuffling and grunting and rooting, latching on, falling asleep, falling off, waking up, snuffling.....you get the idea...

I need to go clothes shopping later. DH is taking me. None of my pre pregnancy clothes fit me, somehow I am a stone lighter than before I got pregnant

The dog is settling down well (good job otherwise DH would be having his bed moved to the shed with the dog!) He was so hyper and peeing everywhere when he first came, but in just over a week, he is going over night with no weeing, we have trained him to not bark when the door goes (whereas before he was trying to rip the post up, and bark at everyone walking in) He loves the kids and dd1 is besotted and I do think that altough its a chaotic time for taking in a dog, he has helped her start to overcome her grief after losing Lucy, our labrador 4 months ago. He is totally the opposite to Lucy, he is a chihuahua cross and very sweet.

Right, little lady is awake again grunting so better go see to her. Will try and get back here soon whenever there is a break in the chaos and I'm not doing washing in the bathub!!!

Morning ladies sun is back shining here after being AWOL for a few days which in some ways was nice.

Good night here, he went down at 10pm and slept until almost 4 hurrah! I felt him stirring so quickly changed sides and fed him and he went straight back to sleep, he got up about 6.45am so we had a nice feed in bed until the others got up. I always make sure everyone else is ready by 8.30am so Jacob gets a 15 min top up feed before school run time which we start getting ready for at 8.45am. This is how organised I have to be.

Have started buying 3-6 months clothes for him, he has got loads of presents but we need practical things like vests and sleepsuits as well. As we are totally stretched for space I have nowhere to store larger sizes.

Anyway another emotional day here as well, DD2's last day at nursery, I feel all I do right now is cry

kateyjane - nice to see you too, I know what you mean there aren't many of us crazy enough to have 4 kids so we kind of gel IYSWIM?

I am in awe of you and carikube in reusables, I do feel a pang and want to use them but am too lazy really

mollycuddles - never thought I would have been thought of as a seasoned Mum I still feel like a novice. There's always something that catches you out.

carikube - good you got a night out but eugh at the sweat.

just marking my place..time is scarce at the moment as have had to call an abrupt end to my maternity leabe and go back to work

Hello ladies

Just want to say hello mainly. I'm still reading this thread with interest and there's lots I want to comment on but don't see how I'll ever manage it. I was very happy to read that all the babies are out of scbu.

I'm finding that my baby wants to feed almost constantly too. He's quickly turning into a whopper. I'm having to find ways to feed him in a sling so i can do a few other things in the day. Molly, I still find the kari-me the most comfortable. With a very large scarf I can feed while out and about too - at least it stops the crying. In this hot weather the baba-sling is coming in to its own though, and it's just about possible to feed in it with a well placed hand or elbow.

Health visitor recommended I try a dummy. I bought one but haven't brought myself to try it yet. Not as if my nipples are bleeding or that i've got anything better to do really

My DM has just left after her first visit and first meeting with her first grandchild. It was really nice to see her holding the baby and I think she enjoyed it but she is pretty horrified by this feeding on demand business. Wierd isn't it! I guess we'll all be opposed to however our children try to bring up theirs. Still, we survived

I don't think LO has ever slept for more than three hours at a time, and he's pretty much awake from 4am. Sometimes it looks as if he may sleep longer in the day but I wake him up because i fear he won't sleep at all at night. This 4th trimester concept is very useful - esp when my DM kept pointing out how a bit of baby rice or some solid foods would let me sleep better.

Anyway he gave us the sweetest smile yesterday when we put him in his bath. It really does make up for a lot.

Ande - any developments with the name yet? Left to my own devices I'd be in the same position - still deciding. Unfortunately DH is v impulsive and decisive and had set his heart on a name before we even had the gender confirmed.

I won't ramble on anymore, he's fallen asleep so i'm going to try making myself a drink.

afternoon all.
we went to register virginia's birth this morning. she is finally official. the registrar called me 'miss' which made me a bit
. when i worked in a maternity unit many many years ago we had to call all mums mrs no matter what, i felt like i waited ages for a proposal from my dh and i am really proud of being a mrs! (i also liked being single when i was, have nothing against miss generally just happy to be mrs now).
after we got home dh had to leave for work straightaway which made me cry, again, this seems to have been the longest week, i am desperate for the weekend if only to get some company, dont suppose anyone here lives in north west and fancies a chat do they????
virginia has been in muslin nappies since last thursday, so all those in reusables, i totally agree with you, they are wonderful, and to those putting it off, its really not the effort you think and in this weather they are dry almost the minute they are hung out.
schipo, virginia has a dummy, i wasnt going to but in scbu i was being used as a comforter, especially post procedure, and neonatal nurses have told me that there is some evidence that breast fed babies are less at risk of s.i.d if they have a dummy, have not checked it out yet but apparently the research is somewhere on s.i.d website, so if you do go down that route dont feel bad, we even found a little box that holds 2 dummies that you can microwave sterilise them in.
ande, would you appreciate/resent help from us other mums re. name? we may have some fresh ideas, perhaps if we had your surname we could offer suggestions??
i have got to the point where i dread going to bed as i know i will get woken up about 3 times, for those of you getting a little more sleep now, at what age did it start?
also, on a slightly more personal note, how soon is too soon for 'resuming marital relationships' i think i am more keen than dh especially as we havent yet sorted out any contraception( i really dont mind if we have another right away, am i mad?), nothing seems to suit, i react very badly to progestogen type methods so they are out, only option seems to be the snip , dh is not overly keen ( who would be!) and i want another baby already! aagh i must be mad, isnt 4 enough? at least i am not the only one on here, wonder which of us broody mums will be first to go again?

Hey back again...

Sorry to all those feeling low, i have my moments and like homebirth am waiting for the weekends for some company. Atleast next week i'll be able to drive again.

Rian seems more into a routine now at night time. Trying to put him upstairs in moses basket between 10-11 - takes a while to settle him (getting some exercise running up & down stairs )He then sleeps til 2-3am, feeds, back down until 4-5am and them up again around 8

Had HV in today - he's 5 weeks now and is 10lb 13 - put on 2 lb in 2 weeks!! Not sure if i said but his head was a funny shape when born due to being breech and paediatrician slightly concerned that plates had fused already. HV been taking measurements but had different one today who seemed a bit concerned of a rapid growth of his head, she spoke with one of the GP's and says not to be too concerned and discuss with GP at 6 week check next week. I wasn't really concerned - put growth down to his head filling out but she seemed worried . Guess i'll just have to wait until next week.

Feel abit sad looking at pics of time in hospital, can't believe new born days going so fast

Sorry for lack of personals...

thank you molly, gp is really a cool guy, i really do a lot of questions, but i do ask here, mums know best.

katey i will look you in facebook, cheers!

angel, thanks for the support, it is just a bit worryimg that after 7 weeks my supply is so low, gp's advice: keep mix feeding, some breast milk is better that no breast milk, plus you also get the skin to skin time, helps with the weight loss, prevents ms and breast cancer, and expressing to make sure i get every drop, and most importantly, do not obsess about it, oscar is just fine...

sorry if i forgot someone,...i got no brain left, i need to start reviewing, i'm going back to uni soon

Hi ladies, quick one from me while dh cuddles baby...he's home from work early which is lovely

molly glad you're feeling a bit better. Did you try the bfing group again? I went to one on Tuesday and made myself talk to some other mums; I was really glad I did.

hollyoaks (I think it was you who asked) the medela symphony is the hospital-used pump; don't think you can buy it for personal use (it's £1000 anyway!!) but I believe the Swing uses the same technology so is probably just as good I have no idea why this one is so expensive!! (But it is brilliant)

J has just wanted to feedfeedfeed all day today, must be the heat...so I am exhausted! I am also still itchy ALL OVER which is slowly driving me insane. Midwives can't explain why so will prob go to a GP next week as I'm getting horrible red rash everywhere...not sure if it's a reaction to the aneasthetic but it's been almost 3 weeks now

So at all of you so broody!
hbmummy I think they recommend 6 weeks before 'resuming marital relations' but really I guess it's up to you whether you feel up to it! I know I won't for a good few months yet!! (At the moment feels like I will never be able to again!)
Dh has been lustfully looking at my huge boobs the last couple of days so may need to put him in his place

Afternoon all.

Angel Are you on facebook? You can find me through the group. Or CAT me. We'll work something out! It would be nice to get out and about next week if the weather stays like this! I'm really conscious of going out on my own in case Darcey needs feeding! I'm still not brave enough to do that on my own in public, sad really...

Nice to hear from you schipo Glad everything's going ok!

Den Me & DH were saying the same thing about the hospital days last night. The last 4 weeks have gone so quickly, and Darcey has changed so much. I'm sad that those days are gone already, but it's great when she does those accidental smiles just as you're talking to her, it feels like we're getting more out of her now. It won't be long before she gets control of them and smiles more!

Darcey slept through last night!!! She went down at 10.30 and woke up at 6am! I couldn't believe it. Although we had a big day yesterday - my Dad took us to Wales so I could introduce her to my Grandad. He was absolutely thrilled with her. Was lovely to see. But anyway, she had a huge screaming fit cry as we were getting home, so I think she wore herself out.

Have put a couple of pics of Jude on my profile. Will only leave them a few days as I'm paranoid about pics of my child on the internet! But they're there for now..

Hi all - trying to catch up but it's so hard! Hope you are all doing OK.

Who had the medela swing for sale? I would be interested - you can PM me or email me at angelapatriciamoore at yahoo dot co dot uk

Thanks.

My mum has been out from africa and left yesterday after a month, so cue much wailing from both Matilda and I. That extra pair of hands is so brilliant. I was very sad at Mum leaving - she was gorgeous with the baby and I really wish they could be more in each other's lives.

M and I are doing OK - she is feeding well, now we just have to crack the sleep thing. Can't believe she is nearly 11 weeks old...

Will be around more now mum's gone.

kateyjane are you still selling your breast pump?