Babies Born May 2007 #5

This thread is for parents who's baby was born in May 2007

Your moderators for this forum are as follows-
Christy - christy7@bellybelly.com.au ~ Senior Moderator
Sherie - sherie@bellybelly.com.au
Lea13 - lea13@bellybelly.com.au
Astrolady - astrolady@bellybelly.com.au ~ Administrator

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:

Breastfeeding General Chatter
Breastfeeding FAQ's
Is My Baby Hungry?
Bottlefeeding FAQ's and Useful Information
Is Feeding Your Baby Taking Too Much Time?
Bottlefeeding General Chatter
Feeding Your Baby
Lactose Intolerance
Starting Solids/Homemade Baby Food
Starting Solids - When Is My Baby Ready?
Starting Solids General Chatter

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:

Comforted Sleeping & Sleep Issues Forum
Comforting Tools to Aid Restful Sleep
Babies & Sleep
Controlled Crying/Comforting/Sleep Training
The Con of Controlled Crying
The Crying Game
15 Ways To Help Your Baby Sleep

Other Useful Information & Recommended Reading:

Baby Massage
Cuddle Me Mum
Infant-led Feeding & Weaning
Baby Wearing
Recommended Reading List

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
Breastfeeding, Bottlefeeding and Solids
Gentle Parenting Forum


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Catch up with your old thread here

Love

I'm first!

Sarah, I just wanted give you a cyber hug! You must be exhausted hun. My first though was the same as....someone elses LOL. Could the caffeine be bothering him? There's no way I could even drink one cup of coffee ATM, it just unsettles Nicky too much. It's worth a thought, if you haven't already that is. Good luck getting some sleep tonight.

Danni, hope you're okay hun :)

Today went okay, he's a bit unsettled tonight, but not too bad. Will only sleep in our arms. I hope he goes down alright at bed time, 12.30am! We're just hanging out at home tomorrow, resting up, I'll try to log on then if he's okay.

Nighty night!

Hi Everyone just a quick hello have to go back and catch up on what I have missed in the last thread but thought I would share this pic I took of Bella.

http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o...Signature2.jpg

Will catch up on persies tomorrow getting a headached so I better go and get some sleep

Love to you all xx

Sarah, I just wanted to say that if your doc says its ok, you may be able to start Noah on Farex. But, that being said, Blake had his first try at 9 weeks, and definitely wasn't interested nor ready, he was just trying to suck the whole time instead of swallow and eat the food. Luckily his eating issues have now sorted themselves due to thickened feeds, have you thought about pumping and adding some thickner to the EBM? Just a thought :)

Hi there strangers,
After a very long 10 days I can finally get on here and catch up with everyone and see how you and your bubby's are.

Kelly - sorry to hear that Luke is refusing your right BB at the moment. Is that the one that you had mastitis in? If it is that could be why he is refusing it. It has been known that mastitis can change the taste of your BB milk and that could be why he is refusing it. How's he going today? It would definetely be worth asking your MCHN about it.

Sarah - OH MY GOD!!! You must be exhausted. You need to ask someone about his feeding because he is feeding so often and you can't keep this up. You are going to run yourself into the ground. With settling it is really hard too (nothing is easy is it?). I was completely off base with Olivia so we went to the sleep school and they taught me the signs I needed to look for and to put her to bed awake and let her cry. They showed me it was alright for her to cry for a while in bed because it was giving her a chance to settle herself. The first time she cried for 35 mins and so did I and then each time after that she settled herself quicker. Now she has a tiny gizzle for about 1 - 2 minutes and she is out like a light. Is there a settling school near you? Most importantly please look after yourself so you can look after your gorgeous little man. Sending you a huge :hug:.

Danni - Hi there gorgeous. Sorry we couldn't co-ordinate our schedules when last week but we will definely catch up. How is your little man going? Is he settling for you better during the day?

Sez - Do you have personalised number plates? The reason I ask was when I was in Melb I kept seeing this car with SEZ? number plates and for some reason I thought it was you. My DH thought I was going mad until I explained about you. Typing that does seem to make me seem mad. Oh well. How's little Nicky going with his weight gain? Are you still having to top up with formula or has your milk supply picked up enough for you to do EBM top ups?

- That is great news that Tia is doing so well and won't need her surgery until she's 12 months. What is wrong with her heart? I know that you have probably told us a thousand times but my memory still has huge holes in it.

Mel - What an absolutely gorgeous photo of Bella. I would Olivia to smile like that for a photo but everything there is a camera or video camera near her she screws up her face and 9 times out of 10 starts crying. Little turd! Can't wait to hear how everything is going for you too.

Tan & Kirsten - It was fantastic catching up for lunch the other day. Olivia and I had a great time and can't wait to do it again. Thanks for coming in to meet us. Tan I hope Izzy fisula is clearing up for you.

Hi huge hello to all the other mums and bubs. I tried to remember from the last post but things aren't staying in my memory as well as they used to and my crappy internet won't run two pages. I miss my broadband so much and can't wait for it to come back.

Olivia is doing really well at the moment. She was so good when we were in Melbourne last week especially considering every single day we had something on either during the day or at night. She slept really well and was well behaved whenever we were out. Melbourne stocktake sales were great (not for Dave's wallet though :lol:). I bought some absolutely gorgeous little dresses for Olivia. Can't wait for summer.
At the moment Olivia is sleeping and eating really well. Sunday night was a big night in this household. Olivia slept in her cot in her bedroom for the first time and she loved it. She slept for 8 hours. Mummy on the other hand cried for about 2 hours and only slept for about 3 hours of broken sleep. I was secretly hoping that she would hate it and cry all night so I could go and get her and bring her back down to our room with us. Her room is at the other end of the house so I was worried I won't hear her even with our baby monitor and knowing that I can hear her loud and clear during the day. It was the first time since she was born that we hadn't slept in the same room. Last night was much better. I slept for about 7 hours straight and Olivia had her standard 8.
I am finally beginning to feel like I'm getting my head above water at the moment. I have free time during the day to do housework and even some baking. Shock horror!!
Anyway I had better go and have some breakfast before my angel wakes up for her next feed.
Have great day ladies and I'll catch up soon.
Luv Dan and Olivia

I will have to come back to the personals but I have a little happy man sitting next to me with big smiles wanting to play. I am a happy mother today too. I fed Noah at 10:30pm and he woke up at 4:30am for his next feed. Looks like coffee puts my boy to sleep :lol:
Can you believe for 7 out of the last 9 weeks I thought it was normal for babies to be up every hour or two in the night and want to feed so frequently in the day :lol:

Will be back when little man goes to sleep...

That is fantastic to hear that you and Noah are having a good day. It is these days and those smiles that make everything ok.

hey dan welcome back.

Sarah: yay on the big sleep but please be careful of the caffeine :hug:

Welcome back Dan! Glad the gorgeous Olivia was good for you while you were in town! Yay for the cot - well not for you - :hug:! We have had Izzy in her room since the second day home because Im such a light sleeper and was getting zero rest - although her room is right next to ours so I hear her easily anyway. Having said that I had ear plugs in this morning and Al had to wake me because I was in such a deep sleep -hence why I dont wear them when he isnt here! Its amazing how good you start to feel when you can sleep well at night isnt it!

Sarah - yay for Noah sleeping so well -I hope the book you ave helps - and I agree with Dan, is there a sleep school you can check out? Your MCHN may be able to suggest somehting. I used ideas from Save our Sleep but Im not as prescriptive because at the end of the day they are babies with their own moods etc. but it really helps now if she cries I kind of count how long since a nap/feed and can try to work out where she is at.
Hope you can get him into a good routine hun and give yourself a break!

Ash - how are you gorgeous Blake going??? Hope you are both doing well and he is being good for you!

Mel - your pic is gorgeous - is that a point and shoot camera or an SLR - it looks great!!!

Sez - glad Nicholas is ok hun - stay inside today - its awful weather isnt it! Rainy and windy and perfect for cuddles on the couch!

All other gorgeous mummies - HELLO!!

Well we are good! No blood in poo so far today - yay! but i have found this weird lump thing on Izzys head- its a small pea size just under the skin and kind of moves when you touch it! I think its probably a little fluidy cyst and I have an appointment for Friday for her poo but man just another thing to constantly worry about....

The weather in Melbourne today is atrocious so we are going to stay home and have cuddles on the couch all day! Hope you all have a lovely day!

WooHoo, my little cherub is sleeping!! I just can not believe he slept for 6 1/2 hours!!!!

Sez - I didn't really consider coffee as affecting him, I drank so much of it during my pregnancy, at the most I usually only drink 2 a day and never later than 2pm if I can help it but yesterday my eyes were hanging out of my head. I hope Nicky slept good for you last night in the end. Noah gets his shots today :cry:

Mel - What a great pic!!!

Ash - Is Gaviscon a thickener? I sometimes give it in ebm when he is doing the pulling off the breast and screaming trick, there were 2 episodes of that yesterday. Why can't they make stuff that doesn't have a taste. Talk about us feeling like we are poisoning our babies when we are just trying to help them. :lol:

Dan - Baking? Well done!!! Great to hear that life is heading back into normality. Housework is a big one. I so wish I could have been in Melbourne last week. I would have found a way had Noah and I not have been sick. I don't think there are sleep schools in Horsham but there are in Melbourne and I did consider it yesterday, if only I wasn't so bloody stubborn to try and work things out for myself. A lot of my problem is I can't bear to hear Noah cry, it makes me feel like a complete failure or that I have done something wrong, I really need to get rid of that mindset because babies will cry regardless of what we do sometimes and it doesn't make us bad people so I have heard hehe.

Danni - Can I please have a coffee :lol: What is going on with msn??? Now I can't send msgs to anyone. I hate it!!

I don't know how long my little booger is going to sleep so I better get a shower in. I am so nervous about his shots, Justin has to work too. Oh well, it is better than the alternative I guess. Hope everyone has a great day!!!
I didn't realize how nice life seems with a little sleep :dance:

Tan - The book that I got looks crap, Oh well it has charts for me to tell when he eats sleep and how long to settle so it has some use... Yay on the poo! Not so yay for the little cyst. Heres to Friday coming fast for you.

Ok shower time now... BB is just too addicting :lol:

nah gaviscon isnt really a thickener. Its called "karicare thickener" and it just thickens up the milk so it digests easier without coming up. i didnt want to use it as its artificial but see what your mchn or gp says.

mason is screaming...bbl after mothers group

Sarak - Pinky is going to be on live chat tonight - i knowit will be busy but might be worth popping on and asking some questions?? Also there are some sleep seminars with her coming up will see if i can find the link for you..

here it is! https://www.bellybelly.com.au/forums...ad.php?t=41760

Tan-Hey sweetie, we're doing well thank you for asking. Blake is eating like a normal bub now, only taking around 15-20 mins instead of an hour! He is on Goat's milk formula with added thickner so he isn't chucky (he doesn't have reflux, just a spewy bub). I'm sure the lil lump you found on Izzy's head is nothing to worry about, but you're right, there is always something to worry about nowadays lol I hope the blood in the poop is nothing!

Sarah-Nope I use Karicare food thickner, it is uncoloured and unflavoured, and is suitable for breastmilk, formula and even big people food. It's about $12 for a tin, and I think there is about 500g in it. You just mix it in and hey presto, it thickens it up. I hope everything goes well with Noah's shots, it's heartbreaking but has to be done!

Sorry, have to be quick today!!

Luke is getting even worse with the whole refusing my right bb - it's insane. I've tried so hard to get him to take it but he just screams!! Then, if I swap him over to the right boob or give him ebm in a bottle, he sucks away as though he's starving!!! What a little ratbag! He seems to be ok at night but mornings and during the day, it can be a real struggle. I even tried tricking him and laying him as if he was going to feed from the left and then putting him on the right. That worked the first time, so I'm not sure that it's tasting different (but yes, its the bb that I had mastitis in twice)!! Its not working as well now though. Its really frustrating and is making me quite upset. I guess I'll ask the health nurse at mothers group tomorrow. We're out and about today though and I'm sooo worried that he's going to make a big scene and I'll have milk spraying everywhere - how embarrassing. Oh well, can't be helped!!

Talk soon.

Kelly xxx

Oh and WTG Sarah and Noah on the great sleep!!!

Kelly - How frustrating for you, so Luke drinks it when it is expressed? Have you called the ABA for suggestions? Hope you get answers quick!

Ash - I might give it a go if he goes back to feeding frequently, it did seem like he was never getting enough. Thanks for the tip!

Tan - Oooo thanks for the info, I hope I get the chance to be on, maybe I can keep the window open and just see what she answers to everyone elses questions. I don't think I could make it to a seminar though :(

Well Noah was a very good boy for his shots and his mum was well behaved too :lol: It so happened that he was sleeping up until I had to leave for the appt so I saved his feed for while he got the shots. There was one where he really screamed though and the nurse said that it is meant to sting. :( I just didn't want to give him panadol in case he had a reaction to it and I thought it was the shots. Today he is a new boy with feeds, I am helping to distract him to stretch them out and he is going 2 1/2 - 3 hours between feeds at the moment. i would like to see him do a long sleep again tonight. It is great to be back in bed with Juz rather than on the sofa like I have been for the last 6 weeks. I might take advantage of Noah sleeping and have a nap myself. Be back later I hope!!!

Sarah - Yay on the 2-3 hour gaps hun !!and remember too the more they sleep the more they will want to sleep - hence why my miss has still up since 11 - i well and truly missed her window today she got over tired and screamed for 2 hours and is now lying on my knees chatting and blowing raspberries...haha Chat is from 9 -10 , Im gonna do the same and see what happens!

Sarah - google "baby whisperer". Its a woman who does not promote controlled crying/comforting but actualy encourages you to look at why your baby may not be sleeping, and to encourage real rituals etc so your baby knows what's going on - eg go into Noah's room with him in your arms, close the curtains, swaddle him and always use the same wording so he knows sleep is coming (to Izzy I say "time for bed sweetheart but I'll be here when you wake up" - a phrase she won't hear any other time except when going to bed). She says if your baby is crying anything other than that cry that is purely a half hearted grizzle then you comfort him. I like her way of doing things because I don't like the idea of leaving Izzy to cry for longer than a couple of minutes, and never if she is distressed (I really hope I'm not offending anyone here who does practice controlled crying/comforting. This is purely my view and I'm not judging anyone else in any way at all - its just not for me). Now that Izzy's reflux seems to be sorted (crossing fingers!), she is going down without any effort at all three times a day for sleeps and then for her night sleep.

Anyway, after all that waffle from me, have a look at her website. Wouldn't suggest you get her to come and visit you though - VERY expensive!!!

Hi Everyone

Just another quick one for me today as Bella has been very whingy and has been very unsettled. Just put her into bed so am really hoping that she will finally go to sleep.

Thanks for the comments on the pic. Tan it was taken with a digital SLR. I actually studied photography when I left school but back then when I was trying to find work in the industry nobody had any work available at that time and it got to the point where I had to look at other jobs as I had moved out of home when I was 17 and I had bills to pay and I never got back into looking at working in the industry again. But now that I have my little princess again I have remembered how much I love taking photos - I think it is the best way to capture those moments in life that you don't want to forget.
I have been thinking of starting my own business doing photography. It is a shame that we are so scattered around Oz as I would love to take pics of everyone's little angels.

Sarah good luck with extending the feeds I had a similar issue with Isobella and I eventually got it to 3hourly feeds but the last week has been hectic and have been feeding her when I have had the chance so her routine has been mucked up a bit so I am going to have to work on it again from tomorrow. Don't ever think that you are a failure as a mother. All our children are so different and we have to remember that. We can only try different techniques until we find the one that works for us.

Rae glad to hear that things are going well with Tia. BTW thanks for the photos just haven't had the chance to reply.

Dan wow baking! Great news about Olivia hopes she keeps this up for you.

Ash sounds like things are getting better with Blake and his feeding. Where did you get the thickener from. I am thinking of trying it with Bella for her night feeds as she has been wanting to feed constantly at night from about 7 then again at 8 goes to sleep about 9 and awake at 10 then wants to feed again till 11-11:30 so I am thinking that if I thicken the feed at 8 she might sleep that first bit of the night instead of waking to eat.

Kelly sorry to hear that you are having issues with feeding from the right side again. Have you got in contact with anyone about it yet to see why Luke might be refusing it. Keep us informed - I have to admit my little one doesn't like feeding from my left as much and if I am trying to settle her she has to be in my right arm.

Lulu I have tried using the same techniques too but half the problem is me as I am not used to routine and keep forgetting to do it. Atleast she isn't going to bed at 2am anymore slowly but surely we are getting there.

Actually once I get Bella to sleep at night she will probably wake at 2:30 (not always) for another feed and again at 5:30 where I then bring her into bed with me (cause DH gets up for work) and she will sleep till 10am then feed again and sleep till 12 so it is just a matter of getting her to go to sleep earlier in the night.

Geez so much for a quick post. Oh well glad I can type fast. Hello to everyone else that I missed.

Actually before I go who else uses msn messanger on here?? I would love to add you guys to my contacts so that we can chat at other times. Or you can add me to your list.
My details are : mel30803 at hotmail.com

Sweet dreams everyone xx

Mel-I just get my thickener from the chemist, I'm yet to find it in any supermarkets. It will cost anywhere from $11-$15 (I'd never pay $15 but some people think you will lol). It may help draw her out a little longer, no harm in trying. The photo of Bella was absolutely incredible, please come visit me and take some pics of my little sumo!

I'm happy to report Blake is feeding at about 7:30, going to bed in between 8 and 8:30 and is sleeping till 4 or 5am, then straight back down after his feed till 7am! I'm loving this little routine, we're still co-sleeping after the early morning feed, I just love to snuggle and play in bed befpre we get up for the day!

I've had some *****ty news, my nan is in ICU with pneumonia. She also has emphasema (sp?) and they think she probably won't be coming home :( Her lung capacity is only at 1L and the norm is about 4L...you know how in x-rays your lungs fill up most of your ribcage? Well nan's are about the size of an orange. I'm taking it pretty hard as I've never lost anyone in my family. Going t spend as much time up at the hospital today as possible, I'm sick though so I'll have to wear a mask, one tiny little germ could be fatal for her. I'm just so lucky she got to meet Blake.

Ugh. Crying :(

Oh Ash - I'm sooo sorry to hear about your Nan. My thoughts are with you and your family. It's such a difficult time. Please let us know how she goes. Take care and we're all here for you if you need us!

Mel - Sorry, I don't have msn messanger but should really look into it.

Lulu - I just love your little going to bed line for Izzy, how adorable. I might have to steal that one to use on Luke!!!

Sarah - So great to hear you're extending the feeds - well done!! I've got mother's group today, so I'm going to chat to the health nurse about my feeding issues - it's driving me mad!!! If I don't get answers though, I think I will call the ABA.

Tan - Hope you managed to get some good sleep again last night!

Well, I'm still having issues with the right boob. He seems to take it without a problem during the night and the first morning feed but then refuses it during the day!! I just fed him again and had to lie him as if I was going to feed on the left side and then chuck him onto the right boob. Funnily enough, it worked again and he did feed a bit better, so I'm really confused. He still pulls off it all the time though. Its not such an issue at home but I'm really worried about having to feed while out and about - he just goes crazy and screams so much!! I'm not good at being suck at home either, so it's really annoying and I don't really know what to do!

Anyway, will let you know if I have any progress.

Talk soon.

Kelly xxx

Oh gosh, it's been ages.

Hey girls, I've been around but reluctant to post in here because I haven't been on long enough to be able to catch up with you all and I feel selfish if I just post about myself as I am going to today mostly. I've also been dealing with some PND issues that have made it hard to do things like this.

It took a long while for us to recover from the flu, it was only 2 and a half weeks ago that Leo was in hospital. The mastitis I had got very bad and I was nearly hospitialized with it, but I basically refused. It did get better with the help of some strong ABs.

Then for the last 2 weeks I've had the kids on holidays which has been lovely, but busy to have fulltime care of 3 kids without school. They are a great help though. The weather was shocking and we were really unable to go anywhere outdoors either, that and also that I still dont' have my license because I am chicken. Trying to get the courage up to sit my Ls test. I felt like I let the older kids down this school hols as we did basically nothing, but I guess that's normal for first school hols with a new baby, plus the flu, etc.

Leo is FINALLY over the flu and he's really come out of his shell since, it must have knocked him for a sixer. He smiles, talks and even reaches out and pulls toys off his mobile play mat and puts them in his mouth already! He won't go in the pram if it's lying down, so I have to have this insert in and have him sitting up. He has to sit up all the time, hates not being able to see what's going on. If I hadn't had two reflux babies before, I would think he has it.

He is a dream baby, he really is easy. My mum says it's because my older kids were so bad as babies as they both had severe reflux and never stopped crying, so she reckons I'm used to that and that Leo is just normal. I am still amazed I can put him down and he will not cry, like on his play mat or in his swing, I could never do that with my other babies.

He's around 6kg now, not sure on exact weight but will have him weighed next week. He is in 00's and 0's now. Most people who see him think he is 4-6 months old due to his size and how he sits up and in the HAB how he just holds his head up the whole time like an older baby.

He is getting up heaps at night now though, he wants to be in our bed coz it's been so cold. So that's a bit annoying as my shoulders really get sore from lying on my side everynight squashed between a sprawled out Leo and DP.

Sarah, I just read this thread briefly and I'm assuming Noah is feeding very regularly? He was a big baby wasn't he? Leo (fully breastfed) feeds every hour during the day, and still every three hours during the night. It's normal for a big baby apparently according to the CHN. My DD was also like this as a baby so I am used to it, although it is exhausting and hard to have time out. The biggest problem I find is that DP can't take him for even a short time as he needs feeding so much, and I've gotten down a bit as I feel like I can't have a break at all. I know he needs it as he is not vommiting it up or anything as if I've fed him too much, he's obviously using it all to grow so large. There is a growth spurt too at 6-7 weeks, then 9 weeks then 3 months from memory. How often is Noah feeding? Is he acting like he's eating too much? Have you talked to your dr or CHN about it? Sorry if you've already answered this, I only just skimmed this thread. I just wanted to post about Leo so that you know feeding regularly is at least normal for one other person here lol.

Ash - how you going hun? Drop me an email sometime if you can, I'm sorry I haven't caught up with you for a while xo.

Lis - I haven't caught up with your posts for a while, I hope Elena is settling down? I must go and hunt out the old thread.

I'll endeavor to be around some more now that the kids are going back to school.

Oh, and we are moving in 2 weeks now, to a 4 bedroom house!! No more having a full nursery in our bedroom. So once that we settle in I'll be able to be back here some more.

Sending love to all of you, I'm very sorry to not have caught up properly but I'll try and drop in some more.

Hi All!

Hope everyone is well! We have finally killed the gasto bug that went through the WHOLE house! Even DH copped it this time, was a miserable week last week! I have spent the last few days disinfecting the whole house now!!

Tan, the lump you found is most likely a dermoid cyst. They thought Angus had one on his head and he had an ultra sound a few weeks ago, but his was actually calcified bone. They don't do anything for the dermoid cysts unless they are somewhere like eyebrows and that, they are actually a hair that has grown inwards. Just thought I would share cause I almost died when I found the lump on Angus's head!!

Angus went to his first movie yesterday!! I took the girls to see Harry Potter, and Angus was a perfect angel and slept through the whole movie!! Maybe we should go more often!

Anyway, just a quick hello, have to do another 50 loads of washing and get dinner organised while Mr is asleep!

Take care evryone!!

Michelle

Hey Tara, you posted while I was typing!! Just realised that Leo was born the same day as Angus and the same weight also!! How bizarre!! Angus was 9lb 1oz, or 4110gms, what was Leo in grams?? Glad to hear you are all better, nothing worse than having sick littlies, especially the flu like you had, and mastitis, yuk! Angus isn't sleeping much at night either, he is still up every 3 hours for a feed. But at least during the day he goes mostly 3 hours as well. Don't know how you and sarah get anything done or any rest feeding every hour!!

Anyway, betta go this time, c ya!

Michelle

where is everyone?!?1

Mel - Id love you to take photos - Im getting a GF to take some soon (Ive been saying that since she was born :rolleyes:) but she hasnt taken any for ages so we'll see how we go!! Hope Bella has been a bit more settled for you - arent these "routines" they get into funny - and I agree - they are all so different and you just have to find what works - happy baby =happy mummy =happy baby!etc!

Ash- you poor thing - Im sorry to hear about your nana. Hope she is doing ok at the moment... Als pa has only one lung working and cancer/emphasema(SP??) in the other and hes STILL smoking at 71... they told him over 18mths ago that he would only live for 10 months max.. so you never know hun.:hug: to you. I hope Blake is doing well for you - sounds like he is, what a great routine you've got going - whoo hoo!

Tara - glad to hear from you! Sounds like Leo is going great guns hun after his flu and sounds like you are on the up after your mastitis etc... Hugs to you and hope you feel you can vent here when you need to - Im sure nobody tracks personals etc!! I know I dont but I love to hear about how everyone is doing!!! :hugs:

Michelle- Im glad you are over the gastro and thanks for the advice about her lump! Thank god it was just a lymph node! Gave me a heart attack though - and after her blood in her poo... arrrrggh! Lucky you seeing Harry Potter - Im hanging out to see it! its my birthday on the 30th and Ive told DH to get me anything and everything HP!! heehee Ive read the books - but always borrowed them from a friend -I want my own!

Lulu - Huge hugs hun - I read your other post today. I hope you find some resolution about feeding and do not beat yourself up about whatever you decide. She sounds like she is thriving with what you are doing and you sound so much happier so I would take that into account before changing anything again... not sure that is much help hun but Im thinking of you.

Danni - HI!!! Hope you are feeling better today hun!

Sarah- hi again - good to see you today babe!! Isnt Chaddy the best!

To all of you other lovely ladies - big hugs kisses and hellos!!

Well we are good - had MG today - a bit boring coz we talked about immunisation the whole time - blah - and Izzy has her shots tomorrow:( Not looking forward to that.
Im getting my hair done in the arvo though - finally! Havent had it done since I was about 37 weeks - eeek!

Izzy is still in a good routine - feeding every 3 hours during the day or 4 if we are out, and going down for her naps every 1 1/2 hours up until 3pm! After that it varies - yesterday she fell asleep in her bouncer for an hour, the day before she slept for one hour between 11 and 7!!! OMG and then slept for 11 hours.....
Most nights its 6-8 hours though so thats great - i just need to go to bed earlier as she goes down from 7 til anywhere from 2 or 4 and I go to bed at around 11 most nights because of belly belly!

The lump on Izzys head is a swollen lymph gland - i got the HCN to check it !! Very normal apparantly and it may move to a different spot before it goes away. BIg relief plus her blood in poo sample came back all clear too! Phhhewww !

Well gotta go to bed and rest up before these needles in the morning!
Catch you all soon!:D

Hey Michelle, I actually noticed this when you first posted and have been meaning to ask you the same questions, but havne't had the chance :)

Baby Leo was born at 12:30pm and was 4112grms. My eldest is also 8 years old like yours and Leo is my third child just like you. It is bizzare! What time of day was Angus born? What gestation?

Welcome by the way :hug:

ETA: Hey Tan! Sounds like things are going great. Izzy will be fine, it's a bit of a sting but they forget about it easily, especially with a feed afterward. Glad to read Izzy's lump isn't anything to worry about too. lol I havent' had my hair done either since 37 weeks, my roots are just nasty. ARe you taking Izzy with you there? I'm trying to work out what to do when I go, if I take him I wonder if hairdresser's are okay with that these days and okay if you need to BF. Good luck for tomorrow!

Hey Tara! Im getting a mobile hairdresser to come to me! WIll let you know how I go- shes priced the same if not a bit cheaper than salons - can PM you if she does a good job!!

Hey everyone!

Tan, good to hear you got the all clear about lump on Izzy's head. They just like to make us worry don't they! Good idea with the mobile hairdresser! I am lucky, my sister is a hairdresser, so I only pay her for products like the colour and so it basically costs me nothing, and she does it whenever I need it!! I actually got it chem straightened about a month ago, that makes my hair so much easier to manage now!!

Tara, Angus was born at 38wks, was due the 6th June. I was induced because I was feeling c**p, had ms the whole preg and basically got to 38 wks and had had enough. Dr also had predicted a large baby and thought prob best to have induction also. He was born at 10.41am, after breaking waters at about 8am. Wt-4110gms, HC-34.5cm and L-52.5cm! He was such a big chubby bubba!

We have our immunisations next week. Lucky it is so quick and over and done with in a few minutes!! Might take my Mum with me and she can take him in, I am such a sook!!

Anyway, he has just woken up so betta go, take care!!

Michelle

Lulu - Is there a book in particular from the baby whisperer? I was at borders yesterday and there were a few titles, I ended up getting pinky mckays sleeping like a baby because I know she doesn't do the controlled crying bit either. It is not fun letting a baby cry but sometimes I think it gets done out of desperation when you don't know what else to do like I did at chadstone yesterday. That is excellent that Izzy is getting decent daytime sleeps as well as sleeping at night!

Mel - Photography would be a great 'home' business to do and you seem very talented at it. The spaced feeds didn't work for too long although I am trying to do it again. I suppose if they are crying for food they must be hungry. :rolleyes: We will get our sleep one day :lol:

Ash - Sorry to hear about your Nan. I hope that she proves the doctors wrong and gets better soon. :hugs:

Kelly - I hope your MCHN was able to give you answers, if only we were all the same so we could have a manual on how it all works and how to fix it if it doesn't. Trial and error is not a whole lot of fun.

Tara - Great to hear from you, you sound like you really had your hands full over the holidays. It is good to know that other women are in the same boat as me. It isn't fun and I don't wish it on anyone but it is still comforting to know I am not alone. Noah was 3790 grams when he was born, he was too big to come out of me anyway. He does get sick after some feeds prompting me to think he has overfed but not all the time. He is just a growing boy with a mother who wants her body back for a good portion of the day :lol:

Michelle - Great to hear from you again! I love the Harry Potter movies, I never got into reading the books but watching the movies suits me fine. Sorry to hear you and the
family had gastro. It seems to be going around a bit this year.

Tan - It was great to see you too! Chaddy is heaps of fun, we left at 6:30pm and we were there since 2:30, don't ask me how but we only saw a small section of the place, I didn't end up buying much more after either except Sleeping like a Baby and The Yummy Mummy's Ultimate Family Survival Guide. I hope Izzy's shots went as good as they could. Enjoy getting your hair done!!

Hello to everyone else!!!

Eeek It took me forever to do this post, I hope no one has posted while I wrote it hehe.
Good news on Noahs foot, the doctor said it is the best correction he has seen yet and we don't have to go back for a month for the next review :dance:
Just wondering if anyone has started thinking about work, such a terrible word isn't it. I have a feeling I am starting to get hints from Juz and his family but I have a feeling I would suffer from major separation anxiety, I can't even handle someone else pushing him in the pram next to me. I don't know how to brush off the hints...

A quick one here - Izzy was so brave she cried for about 5 seconds with each of the 3 shots - I cried the whole time.... pretty funny I had mum comforting me while I comforted Iz! Shes pretty unsettled this arvo and clearly a bit in pain and uncomfortable so have given her a bit of panadol so hopefully she will get a bit of rest.

Got my hair done today - so glad mum was with me all day to help out - and I feel like a new woman!

Sarah- I have to go back to work maybe at the end of the year - trying not to think about it really, although if I could do just one day a week of emergency teaching it would be good to get out to some adult company for a few hours.
Catch you all later.....

Hello!

Tan - I had my hair done last week too - isn't it incredible how great it makes you feel. I had the works done and am just loving my new colour!! How is Izzy today, I hope she settled down after her needles!!

Sarah - Oh god, the scary 'w' word hay!!! Nah, I haven't thought too much about work yet. I have taken 12 months maternity leave and am hoping that we can hold out for that long before I go back. Money is a bit tight but we'll see what happens. I'd like to think that I could either go back or find something that's only a couple of days a week though!!

Michelle - Yuck, gastro is just the worst but I'm glad to hear you're over it now!! Good luck with the immunisations next week. Luke wasn't affected by them at all and only screamed for a minute - it was great!!

Tara - Great to hear from you and please don't worry about personals, I very rarely do them either, we all understand that it's so hard to keep up. Its just great to hear how you're going!!

Hmm, thats about all I can get my head around for now!! It's crazy but I'm glad it hasn't been too busy in here lately!!

Well things are going pretty good with us. Luke is getting better in regards to feeding from the right side, so hopefully all will be ok!! I think he's been testing me out and just prefers the other side. Thankfully, I've been persistant (sp?), so we'll see how it goes. Its only during the day that he has a problem with it - at night he's fine, which again makes me think at night he just can't be bothered fighting me about it and kicking up a stink, he'd prefer just to get back to sleep!!!

I'm getting sooo over having a spewy baby though - the amount of washing we have is just amazing!!! Thank god for bibs, I think I need to get myself some more of them!!!

Bugger, must go, my little man has woken again!!

Take care.

Kelly xxx

Hi guys. Sorry I'm not around at the moment. Olivia is having a bad few days and I'm exhausted, again. Plus this stupid bloody dial up internet is so slow it drives me mad and I lose my posts half the time.
Hope everyone is having a good weekend and I'll be back soon (hopefully tomorrow) to do some personals and catch up. Fingers crossed all the babies are being good for their mummies and daddies.
Chat soon ladies,
Luv Dan.

Sarah - there is no book by the "Baby Whisperer" that I know of. I listened to a talk she did at the Baby Expo in Perth a few weeks ago and then saw on her website that she summarised her techniques there. I've bought a couple of sleep books and have basically taken little bits from everything I've read to find something that has worked for Isabelle.

Well, I've finally put Izzy onto a fully formula fed diet. She is so much happier on it and isn't spending her days contorted in pain. It has been a very hard decision to come to and to be honest, I've had a gutful of the medical profession that won't move away from the "breast is best" line that is so popular at the moment. Izzy's paediatrician actually said that effectively I should just sit back and allow her to be in pain for the next six months or so until she has hopefully grown out of the reflux, and that that's the price I pay for keeping her a breastfed baby!!

Anyway, my little girl is now happier so I'm sure we've made the right decision.

Hi Everyone!

Lulu, good on you! I always believe that mothers know best, and only you know what is best for Izzy. It sounds like you have made the best choice for you and Izzy and she sounds like she is happier!! I see the same situation all the time, I am a neonatal nurse and the pressure to breastfeed put on mothers by Dr's and midwives is unbelievable! It is something that has to work for mothers and babies, not one or the other. The pressure results in many mums and babies breaking down to tears cause they feel like a failure! As long as baby is being fed and is happy, who cares what they are having!!! So good on you Lulu for making the decision for yourself!!!

Anyway, my house looks like a bomb has gone off so I better attempt to clean!! I just can't bear to put my Harry Potter book down to actually do anything!

Take Care!

Michelle

A very quick one here!
Kelly - hope Luke is still going well on the right hand side for you - funny how they seem to test us -although really they are just funny little creatures with their own quirks hey!! Hard not to think that they do it deliberately! You are right I do feel so much better now that Ive had my hair done - especially as I feel so crap about my body right now - anyone else having issues with the fashion right now?? Doesnt suit a 5"1 chick who has just had a baby!! heeehee!

Lulu - Im so glad you have found a solution for Izzy. It just about breaks your heart to see these litle ones so miserable, and I know what you mean about the pressure out there- Im bf'ing but Ive noticed it too and would be pretty annoyed by all the "propaganda" that is meant to help - but actually doesnt. Yay for you and Izzy and for much happier times ahead. Hopefullly you can stop worrying about feeding issues (IYKWIM) and just enjoy your little girl!!

Michelle - Hear hear on Harry Potter - Ive been frantically doing housework this morning and afternoon and still havent done it all - could have something to do with the fact that every time i sit down i read a few pages!!

Hi everyone else!
We are good - another busy weekend, we had a family reunion yesterday with Izzy's great grandpa and all of his cousins(all 60+!!) and they loved seeing the newes member of the family!

Izzy has been doing super well- still sleeping well most of time during the day and really well at night (sorry ladies with bubs keeping them up) Her newest fascination is her hands! She has discovered that she can control them and stares at them for ages and you can tell by the way she moves them while looking at it that shes thinking - "this is my hand and i can move it and stick it in my mouth!!" Ha Ha - shes also found her mirror on her play mat and stares at herself - pretty funny to watch! I cant believe how much more I love her everyday and how she makes me feel- didnt really think it was possible to feel like this... Aww....

Anyway gotta go keep cleaning, take care all- hope you are all doing really well, and Vic chicks - hopefully will see you at the meetup on Saturday!! Whoo hooo cant wait to meet some new BB ladies!!

A quick one for me too girls, it has been a busy weekend and I had mothers group again today. Tan, you want to give some of Izzys sleep this way? :lol: Noah wasn't that bad, I had a few beers on Saturday night and he slept from 1am to 7am so I am really happy with that, I had 2 beers then fed him and had 3 more and gave him ebm after that. I'll give you all a tip... Do not have a hangover when you have children, I knew it but I did it anyway :doh: Noah only woke every 3 hours last night too 12am which is when I went to bed 3am and 6am which is when I got up. Thankfully I can sleep in tomorrow even though I have a long list of chores to get finished. Polar Express is about to start, hopefully I can stay awake long enough to watch it. Hope everyone enjoyed their weekend! Sorry about the lack of personals but I have no brain for it tonight.

Hello!!

Sorry, a quick one from me too!! It's been so crazy for me again lately - so much going on I barely have time to scratch myself. I really must learn to say no to things and take it easy but its so great getting out and about!!

Tan, I'm with you - I just love my little boy more and more every day, it's such an amazing and wonderful thing!!! So far beyond all my wildest expectatios!!

Luke is just so adorable and has also started figuring out that his hands are his hands. He actually grabbed a toy today and we're pretty sure he meant it. He grabbed it, and then pulled it towards his mouth and sucked on it. So cleaver!!! Its just the greatest. The 'talking' and smiling is getting so much better too - he chats to us ALL day long!!!

I had a whole heap of his photos printed today too and have just put them into an album, they are sooo gorgeous. I must update the website with some new ones and we've got some really good ones lately.

Better get going - have another big day tomorrow!! Oh and the feeding from the right side is improving - I think he's just being a fussy, stubborn (sp?) little boy!!

Talk soon.

Kelly xxxx

Olivia is asleep at the moment so I thought I'd pop on and catch up with everyone while I have a cuppa. I do love a cuppa and a chat.

Tan - I so agree with you about the fashions at the moment. I can't find anything to wear at the moment as it is all for the straight up and down girls and I am definetely not that. I'm the classic pear, now with a baby belly. I can't even find a nice pair of jean. It is so depressing :(. I'm completely with you on feeling crappy about my post baby body. I'm a bridesmaid for my sister soon so I have bought a pair of suck me in and shape me bike shorts. Fingers crossed they do something for me. Has Izzy fistula settled down? How's the lump on her head? All gone yet?

Kelly - Fantastic news that Luke is feeding better from the right side. He must have just been in a mood. Can't wait to see more photos of your gorgeous little man. Isn't it great being able to get out and about now. I'm so much more confident and even can breast feed when I'm out. I used to come home. But I'm like you and need to learn to say no or space it out because Olivia still gets exhausted and really really cranky if we are out a few days in a row. I try to have one day out one day home. She just doens't sleep well when we are out and about. How does Luke go with sleeping when you are out?

Sarah - That was a great sleep from your little man. How is Noah going with his feeds? Giving you a bit of a rest between feeds or still really consant? Did you get any helpful info from the Pinky talk about sleeping? Well I'm just full of questions today. Dave learnt about a hangover and having a baby too not long ago. Olivia must have known that daddy was under the weather and cried for the majority of the day. I thought it was funny.

Lulu - What a relief it must be for you and your DH now that your little angel is not in pain all day. And good on you for doing what you felt was right for your daughter. I completely agree that there is way too much pressure on breast feeding, it drives you absolutely crazy. I told my MCHN that I was only b/f until Olivia is 6 months and then weaning her so she was on a formula and solids diet before I have to go back to work and she made me feel so guilty that I would be depreving (sp?) Olivia. I nearly cried. Some people are so frustrating.

Mictam - How's the Harry Potter book coming? Get any house work done yesterday?

I know that I have missed a huge amount of personals but my memory is failing me at the moment. So a huge "HELLO" to all the mum's and bub's I missed. Hope you are all well and that your bubbies are letting you sleep and giving heaps of smiles and giggles.

I must admit that I completely agree with Tan and Kelly. Being a mum is so amazing that I never thought I could enjoy it so much. Olivia is chatting all day and loves to have a chat between boobs. Her latest trick is she will not sit we have to hold her while she stand. She give us the biggest grins and goo's at us and I swear she is saying "look how clever I am". The other day she grabbed the leg of the toy I was playing with her but I think it was an accident as she didn't pay any attention to that hand. She is also now in the big girl bath and is absolutely loving it. We hop in together and have a great time. We got the cutest pictures. The only thing that she still isn't keen on is tummy time, outside the bath that is. She will frown at me for a few seconds while tolerating it but then she cracks it big time.
The thing I am having trouble adjusting to is being a housewife. I thought that Dave would still help me with the housework and cleaning etc but he has gotten so bad that I'm starting to get run down. I know that he has been at work all day but I've been working all day too and I don't get to knock off at 5 like him. I knock off at around 11pm and start again at 6am every single day. He has never been overly helpful with the house work and it has always been a senitive issue in our home but now he is shocking. I think we need to have a chat about this. I always put it off though because 99.9% time it ends in a fight.
I'm quite excited today as we have our first mother's group. We are going to be the oldest baby there but they only run one at a time here and the last one started the tuesday after we moved and I was in no frame of mind to go and I didn't want to go after missing the first week, so we are off today. Hope it goes okay.

Quick question ladies. What are you doing during play time? Do you give your baby play time by themselves or do you play with them all the time? I try to play with Olivia all the time but now that she is awake more and sleep shorter periods I'm having trouble fitting everything in while she is asleep.

Okay that's enough babble from me. Hope everyone is having a great day and I'll pop back later and let you know all about how we went at mother's group.

Chat soon gorgeous mummies,

Luv Dan.

Hi everyone. So nice to finally be able to come in here and say how good life is. Izzy is happy all day, every day and is sleeping beautifully - I actually had to wake her twice from her day time sleeps yesterday because she was sleeping so long!! Like Izzy and Luke, she has definitely found her hands too, and lately her feet. DH "dances" with her in front of the mirror, moving her arms and legs while she sits there staring at herself with the cutest expressions on her face. She's so beautiful!

Dan - I play with her myself with a toy or just making movements with my hands etc, as well as reading and walking around talking to her about things in the house or outside. She then gets play time on her own either in her swing or on her mat. At the moment she is sitting in her swing clasping her hands together, letting go and then doing it all over again, all with one eye brow raised and a very serious little expression on her face! Izzy refuses to cooperate with tummy time too, which apparently is common for reflex babies.

Sarah - sounds like you had a good night out. I celebrated stopping breastfeeding by having a glass of red wine and really suffered for it. I never used to be such a cheap drunk!!

Tan - yay for Izzy sleeping so well. It makes such a difference to your life doesn't it. Since my Izzy has been on formula, she has been having three sleeps during the day (before she had none unless she managed to fall asleep on my shoulder) and its great being able to do stuff around the house or God forbid read a book!

Michelle (and Dan) - thanks so much for the support. Its nice when somebody in the medical profession can actually say that my baby being happy is more important than her being on breast milk. I'm still so angry with the paediatrician!

Lis - how are you going with the bm/formula mix, and your elimination diet efforts? I hope you're having some luck, and that Elena is doing much better.

Hi to everyone else.