Babies Born ~ February 2014

This thread is for parents whose baby was born February 2014. Congratulations!

Your moderators for this forum are as follows:

Astrolady ~ Administrator
OceanPrincess ~ Moderator
~Hestia~ ~ Moderator
~TT40~ ~ Moderator

There are many issues that you will encounter as a new parent. We have put together this list of useful articles and threads in order to assist you with some common questions or issues you may have, and to provide you with bit of extra support that we all need as new parents:

Feeding Support:

Helpful Articles
Breastfeeding FAQs
Is My Baby Hungry?
Is Feeding Your Baby Taking Too Much Time?
Feeding Your Baby
Lactose Intolerance
Starting Solids - When Is My Baby Ready?

Helpful Forums
Breastfeeding, Bottlefeeding and Solids


Please contact the Australian Breastfeeding Association (ABA) or a Lactation Consultant if you are concerned that you may have breastfeeding and/or supply problems, and before the introduction of solids.

Sleeping Support:

Helpful Articles
Babies & Sleep
Controlled Crying/Comforting/Sleep Training
The Con of Controlled Crying
The Crying Game
15 Ways To Help Your Baby Sleep

Helpful Forums
Comforted Sleeping & Sleep Issues Forum


Other Useful Information & Recommended Reading:

Helpful Articles
Baby Massage
Cuddle Me Mum
Recommended Reading List

Helpful Forums
Infant-led Feeding & Weaning
Baby Slings and Baby Wearing


Got questions?

Post your questions in the forums mentioned above, or in the following forums where you're sure to receive many friendly responses!

General Baby & Toddler Forum
Gentle Parenting Forum

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:baby: February 2014 Babies! :baby:
faye* - baby boy born 28th January 2014, baby #1
raffy - baby girl born 29th January 2014, baby #3
arcadia - baby boy born 30th January 2014, baby #3
lee_bee - baby girl born 3rd February 2014, baby #4
Rose_19 - Baby boy born 5th February, baby #1
baby14- Baby girl born 6th February, baby #4
Kimmi2332 - Baby girl born 13th February, baby #1
candy_maree - Baby boy born 20th February, baby #2
hoti - Baby girl born 23rd February 2014, baby #3
ticktoc - Baby girl born 26th February 2014, baby #2
starrysky - Baby boy born 27th February 2014, baby #2

Subscribing :)

Sorry Hotl, can you please change mine to the 5th Feb? He was just 30 minutes off the 4th :)

Subbing. I plan on getting here one day...... :)

Do I have to join the Jan group or am I allowed to stick with you ladies??

With us Faye! :)

Stay with us Faye :)

Had my second MW dom visit today. Went so much better than the last!!
Felix has put on 80 grams in 2 days! So is only 8% down on his birth weight which apparently is really good for day 5. So the other MW had me stressing for nothing!

This one is also a LC. She made me feel so much better about the BF, and said while everything is still new, just stick with the nipple shields, and when I'm feeling more confident to practice without them. She said my nipples might just need adjusting to the BF, and will probably change (larger and longer) as the days/weeks go by.

Tried out my sling today!! Still need a bit of practice, but loving it already! Currently reclined on the couch with him in it, about to have a nap because I know he can't fall out of it! Might get more than 4 hours sleep this 24 hours. Lol.

Faye, how are things with you and Brodie?

Was thinking today about how exhausted I am haha... Then realised that this bubba is the first of my four to not want a dummy at all, and besides DS1, she is the first to not have reflux. So technically, she's a pretty easy baby lol. I'm just ten years older than the first time I did this, and have three others needing love and attention too. Been trying to get a nap everyday, but it's so hard when I just want to hang out with the bigger kids!

Feeding is going well, as is surgery recovery. I just have a bad headache still from poor posture while feeding in hospital! Need to get a massage I think.

Lol. Lee I have no doubt you are exhausted with 3 kids and a newborn, I don't know how you do it! I'm not sure I could even handle 2! Lol.

Every day and night is getting easier and easier. I was expecting another night of never-ending cluster feeds, but it didn't happen. I put him in the sling at 12am after a feed, and he stayed asleep for 4 hours straight! Had to wake him for a feed so I could then give him to DH for 2-3 hours so I could sleep. He had a cuddle with him, then went in his cradle and slept there for nearly 3 hours.

Hoping he gets used to sleeping in there before DH goes back to work, because I would really like to be back in the bedroom instead of in the lounge at night.

Lee, how long is your DH home for? You know, I keep thinking about how you were up having a shower 4hrs after your surgery, you must be superwoman! I swear, I didn't even have all my sensation back at that point. I asked to get up that evening but they wanted me to wait til the next day which I did but I still really struggled for a few days, I'm pretty sure I couldn't face a 4th c-section!

Rose, nap whenever & wherever you can! I'm excited to try out a new sling that some friends sent me, DH sent me a photo of it & it looks really comfy.

DD (hehe, still can't believe I get to write that!) and I are going home today. I know hospital is not for everyone but I've really enjoyed the 5 days in here getting to know my baby girl. I know once we get home, it's going to be busy & an adjustment for everyone as we get used to having another little person in our family. I have thoroughly enjoyed not having to think about food or cooking/cleaning! All my meals have been delivered & taken away, my bed has been made & my bathroom cleaned & all I've had to do is cuddle my baby & rest and sleep :) The boys have been spoilt while I've been in here which means that the tears have been limited so it's been pretty guilt free as well. Being a 3rd time mum, the midwives have just been popping in asking if I need anything & then leaving me to it. I feel like I've built my strength back up ready to go home & enjoy my family :)

Baby14 I have never heard hospital sound so appealing :) Enjoy your home coming :)

So, today we were planning our first outing- just to see our financial advisor and do a bit of shopping, then visitors straight after- and DS decides to cluster feed. Rofl. I am on the couch feeding him with half a face of makeup on. Lol.

Oh well, better than the middle of the night I suppose!

Take it easy Rose. Things always take longer with a little one, and a recovering mama.

It would be so much easier to take it easy if there was no such thing as visitors! I can see why some people keep them away for the first week. Every day has been 4-6 hours straight, and during the day, which is my only time to sleep :(

We have been saying no to some, but it's so hard. Hopefully by this time next week everyone will be over it. Lol.

My mum has been around everyday, but she cleans, folds washing and does shopping for me, so it's a bit different to the people that come, want to hold my baby when he is hungry and I need to feed him, and stay for too long.

You need to get mum or your partner to start saying go away. Or break out the mama lion in you. You don't need to let anyone hold bub if you don't want to.

Rose - Brodie has been cluster feeding for the last 24 hours too. Geez it is so hard! I was a mess by the end of yesterday. 5.30am I finally got him down this morning and he still wouldn't settle. DH was getting up at that time to go to work and he said he would get him settled for me. Well he came back into the bedroom and 8.45am saying he couldn't hold him out for a feed any longer. DH had called in and said he couldn't come in today because I needed him home! It was so nice to get some sleep!! Still trying to settle him now but just using his dummy and hoping he goes to sleep.

We have an appointment at Maternal Child & Health this afternoon and just before that they are having Rhyme Time with a group of mums so I thought I might try to get there earlier and join in so I can meet some new people and get in on the mothers groups etc.

Is it just me or do you hate it when someone is holding bubs when they are hungry and they go for someone else's boobs?? I cringe every time he does it - c'mon Brodie I'm your mum - that's our thing!!

Baby14 - Will be nice for you to get home :)

Faye & Rose you both sound so busy! I don't know how you're doing it. I plan on disconnecting the door bell & putting a white board on the front door with "mum & baby resting, please leave a message" message. But I'm lucky in a way because nearly all our family & friends live at least an hour away so it's a bit easier to police visitors.

Try to rest up ladies, your sanity will thank you for it :D

Rofl Faye, yes! He did it to MIL yesterday (that smells like an ashtray) I just wanted to snatch him away!! Lol.

I've been lucky with Felix, he doesn't really cry and is so easy to settle and get to sleep. It's just the cluster feeding that's difficult at the minute. I've gone from a strict every 3 hours (plus whatever else he wants) to just feeding on demand. That way even though he might feed 5 times in 5 hours, it means he goes longer in between at other times (sleeps for 5)
The LC said it doesn't really matter how long is in between (max 6 hours) as long as they are getting enough for the whole day that's ok.

TT I love the idea of that sign! Might steal it :)

Eughh so tired I just ruined my lunch. Forgot about it and overlooked the pasta and burnt the sauce. Might nap after lunch I think... Lol

Baby 14, after c-section #2, I've been determined to get up as soon as sensation is back. #2 I was left in bed longer than I wanted (almost 24hrs!) and I was on pain meds for weeks. First three I had epidurals, this time I had a spinal block with morphine in the same spot. It was amazing how fast feeling came back and without the pain! The morphine made me vomit that first day though :/ yuck! But only twice lol. The rest of the time I felt great. I just desperately wanted to sleep in my own bed and be at home with everyone, I was just too sooky without them all haha.

Today is the first day I haven't had a headache since leaving hospital (and only having nurofen for pain relief). I'm so happy lol. I had been sleeping and feeding awkwardly in hospital, my muscles were so out of whack. After lots of massages. & hot showers they've gone. Yay!

TMI question, possibly? How different is the length of people's loss (lochia). My first bub I bled for 6 weeks, 2nd 4 weeks, 3rd three weeks and 4th only six days. Is that normal? I see my ob on Friday, but it just seems so short! My tummy feels fine, no cramping or anything and has gone down as per normal. I just keep thinking "surely this is too good to be true" lol.

How are we ladies?

We had our best night so far last night. Really starting to feel like we're getting into a routine (DS's routine of course. Lol)

Nappy, feed, burp, sleep, nappy, feed, burp, sleep. Not one bit of crying! Woohoo! He fed every 2-
2.5 hours, but I still managed a bit of sleep in between.

Have stopped looking at the clock when it comes to feeding, and just follow his cues, so the stress is gone.

Trying to get used to doing things by myself for when DH goes back to work. Yesterday managed a shower (put him in rocker in the bathroom) did makeup (put him in sling) and gave him a bath by myself. Getting more and more confident everyday :)

Lee I've had 2 days of nothing, then it went to the equivalent of maybe day 4 of a period. Had 2 quite large clots on day 3 (half the size of my fist) but apart from that, only day 1 and 2 were heavy. I also feel like it's too good to be true! But then I have nothing to compare it too. I was just expecting way worse.

Hope all is well x

Haha spoke too soon!

Bad, bad night. Grumpy gassy baby :(

Anyone know why he would have wind pain at night, but not during the day? Has happened most nights now, but never during the day.

Must learn to sleep during the day...

I don't know Rose but we had a grumpy night too!! I make myself have a sleep most days after his afternoon feed while he's sleeping! It does help... DS gets bad reflux, have to google & see if there's anything I can do to reduce it. We have worked out that he calms down if we gently stroke his chest :) I usually just put him back on the boob when he's crying but I don't need to anymore.

How can you tell it's reflux Faye? We got desperate last night and tried 'infants friend'. Didn't do anything though.

He sleeps if lying on our bed, or the couch, but doesn't last long in the cradle. Do you think it could be uncomfortable? I always thought the mattress was too thin.

I assume it's reflux, he vomits randomly for about an hour after every feed.

Not sure about the cradle being uncomfortable?? DS sleeps in the bassinet and that mattress is fairly thin too but he sleeps well.

Hmmm he has been sleeping in cradle for his naps today and no issues. Maybe it's something else. Reading a Dr Sears book and picking up some tips. Will wear him in sling during the day for all naps, and start bathing at night, and baby massage, amongst a few other things.

I also said no to visitors today, and he has been much more settled.

DH's parents have organised a 'meet baby' BBQ and drinks at our place tomorrow night for their side of the family. I'm really stressing about it because most of them (especially PIL) are heavy smokers and drinkers. I don't want my baby being passed around by walking ashtrays, or anyone that has had a few drinks. DH before pregnancy ensured me he would deal with his parents smoking around baby, and smoking before holding baby, but he hasn't. He has been really defensive and worried about upsetting them, which in turn has upset me quite a few times, and we have fought about it.

I just can't get it across to him how bad it is for baby. He thinks it's no big deal. So knowing he will not help me out tomorrow, I have decided I will keep bub in the sling- the whole time. I don't care if I upset people by not letting them hold him, they can be happy with looking, and if not, I will retreat to the calm of the bedroom with him. Keeping him happy and settled is more important to me, especially after so so many rough nights. The thought of intoxicated, smoke smelling people holding him is making me physically ill.

Sorry about the vent, had to get that out!

Have noticed something strange with DS's eyes. Sometimes his pupils are normal and other times they are huge. Has anyone come across this?? I have an appt tomorrow at Maternal & Child Health so I'll ask them too but it's just weird..

Hope you're all having a nice weekend :)

Just had my appointment with the Maternal Child & Health nurse - forgot to ask her about the eyes... Oh well will check next week.

DS has gained 290g this week which she was wrapped with - better than the 70g the previous week... Happy mummy here!!

Hmmm no idea about the eyes Faye.
Great job with the weight gain!
It feels so rewarding when you can see they are growing. Breast feeding is hard work :)

At last, I'm here!

Aleksander Magnus harry Lawrence.
8lb 10oz (ryan was 8lb 3oz)
35cm head
52cm long

Huge congratulations candy 😄😄😄

Congrats candy!

FAK (feeding at keys) sorry for brevity.

Callum is over 5 kg, that's 1.2kg in three weeks. What a gutz

Three week growth spurt here (or the first wonder week). I knew it was coming. He fed constantly for three hours between 5 and 8pm. Luckily dh did bed routine for other kids...although I bathed them while feeding :)

How are the other bubbas today?

Wow Arcadia, what an impressive weight gain!!

We are good here, Felix has been feeding non-stop the last three days. Last night was rough, he fed for 3.5 hours (changes and burping in between) then woke every hour and a half for more. He has been sleeping for 3 hours at a time today though. I really need to start napping during the day as I get no sleep at night, but I'm trying to get organised for when DH goes back to work next week. Prepping and cooking lots of meals and snacks as I rarely get time to feed myself!

Any tips for wind pain? I hate seeing him so uncomfortable :(

Seems all our bubba's just want to constantly feed ATM. We've got the same thing! We got our first non wind related smile today - made DH's day :)

It's the first wonder week for them! Yes I've had an early smile too!

Rose I put ds on his tummy under the noisy dryer. It worked for a while ;)

I find you need to try feeding off an empty boob when they're unsettled because they just want to suck but not eat itms?

Then I feed off the full boob when the feed time is due (ie after two hours of chomping an empty boob passes lol).

This bub is less fussed by wind though. He has ripper farts lol

425g gained this week :)
Makes me feel better about feeding every 2.5 hours- so exhausting!

After changing, feeding, burping, then getting him asleep so I can put him in the cradle it leaves me with an hour to sleep (if I'm lucky)

Except the last 2 nights when I had him in bed with me. I can feed him lying down which means I can sleep during that 20-30 minutes he feeds on the last side, and he just falls asleep on the boob, so 20 minutes saved there too!

DH is going to set up the spare bed in another bedroom so baby and I can have the king size to ourselves when needed :)

Good job Rose!! Only 250g for us this week. They were happy with that but in comparison to your numbers it's not great. DS doesn't feed as often though.

I'm sticking with expressing & bottle feeding for night feeds, it's so much quicker and he sleeps longer so I know he's getting a full feed and I'm getting more sleep. It's worked the last 2 nights. We just have to do what works to get us through...

Hi! I finally made it here! My little girl was born Sunday night at home into water. She has been pretty sleepy since birth, which i'm finding quite strange, but was a little more awake today. I'm not sure if she is feeding enough, or efficiently, but she has had quite a few poos. Not definite that she has wee ed, but there was probably one mixed in with a poo.

Faye that's a great gain, I think the MCHN said they look for about 100g a week, so that's still more than double the average!


Woohoo welcome Hotl!

rose is right, anything over 100g is great. and smaller weight gain weeks can be perfectly fine too.