OMG can you girls talk! Life has been busy so I haven't had time to come online. Best I find the time or I'll have to spend a whole day reading to catch up. I'll try and do my best.

Heather, We use Avent bottles. A gf bought a 'feeding set' with a range of bottles, teats, handles, spout attachments etc for my DD when she was born. I thought it was a weird 'birth' present as I wanted to bf but I'm so grateful she bought it cause it was handy to have when I needed a bottle. We kept everything (despite the 8 year difference in the kids ages) and I'm glad I did. I've given Blake EBM in the bottle and also formula in the bottle and he's taken it without a problem. Mind you he also took formula at 15 hours old in the Special Care Nursery at the hospital from a bottle with a 'regular' teat. Avent bottles are the shorter, squat bottles. They are wide with a wide teat which is supposed to be designed to mimic the breast. Good luck with the Tommee Tippee, but if continue to struggle, IMO Avent are worth a try; they're brilliant.

Hayseed, I so know what you mean by being lulled into a false sense of routine and security. Blake is the same, although the last night or two he doesn't seem to want to sleep between his feeds around 4/5pm and 7/8pm. Poor little mite is so tired but wont go down. Of couse this makes it difficult to spent quality time with DD, DH and cook/eat dinner. Fortunately I prepare food earlier in the day so it just needs reheating at dinner time. I know you mentioned dummies a couple of days ago, yes, he was using a Tommy Tippee 0-3month one but now I've bought a Nuk one which is more shaped and he seems to like it better. So for now, that's what we are using. Sorry to hear you're still having probs b/fing. Hopefully the m/w has correctly diagnosed the problems your having and that the treatment is helping. fingers crossed.

Gemma, I didn't have a c/s nor did we have to see a Paed. We had our 6wk check today with my GP who I think is great. Mind you, I was surprised that all he did for the 6wk check was to sit and talk to me about how I am, how Blake is, did I have any concerns, discussed contraception. The only physical thing he did was check Blake's pimples. (I had been to see Dr last week with DD and showed them to him then as there have been quite a lot of spots on Blake's face). He checked them today and commented they were going down. Other than this he didn't touch/check us. I would have thought he'd want to check my tear and make sure I've healed properly. I guess not. Not that I have any concerns about it, I just thought it was a little strange. What's happened at other peoples 6wk check?

Kate, Welcome to the thread! Kelsey is a big girl, and I think she's up there with Blake. He was 5.4kg at our 4 week check - which we had at 5 weeks, don't ask!! lol. He was 57 or 57.5cm long. He's still wearing 00 Wondersuits, and although there's enough room around the girth, the length could be more accomodating. I'll see how we go, but I've bought one size 0 and a couple of pairs of pyjamas which may be a better fit. We have the good ol' original Sesame Street activity gym. I feel like its such a basic one compared with the stuff around today, ditto our rocker/boucer and high chair. The one Shannon was talking about sounds great but I can't justify buying a new high chair when the one we bought when DD was a bub was top of the range in its time!

Shannon, Great news about Jessalyn from the neuroesurgeons. It's brilliant that it won't inhibit her development with crawling/walking either. Hope your trip to Brissy goes well. Is it just you and Jess going or the rest of the tribe too? So much fun choosing house colours etc - well I think so!

Angel, its great to hear that Kynan is sleeping so well. I wish Blake woudl sleep through. I do get him sleeping for around 6 hours max but it would be great if he gave me one nights full sleep. *sigh* Maybe I should feed Blake more in the afternoon/evenings to see if that helps. How do you find the 3 hourly feeds during the day? How often was he feeding beforehand?

Jo, sorry to hear Eryka had a tough time with her immunisations and you had a rough night because of it. Hope you caught up on your sleep today. I checked out your www and her hair pics. Her hair is awesome. I don't think I've seen that much hair on a baby ever! My DD had barely any hair for her first year! and DS isn't far behind her so far.

Brooke, How was your mothers group? I have to remember to ask my MCHN the details for our local one and make sure she'll let me join. Congrats on Maya's sleep.

Juliette, sorry to hear everyone's sick and that Tim's been made redundant. I hope it's not too difficult for you.

Lisa, sorry to hear about your mastitis. I haven't had it, but can imagine how painful it would be. Hope the antibiotics sort it out for you. If you need someone to talk to about your PND, I'm here, remember you're not alone.

Well the boy is starting to stir again - DH got him to sleep finally after beign awake for about 3 hours but now his tummy clock has gone off and he's awake cause he's hungry. Might give him some EBM after the feed to top him up and see how he sleeps!

Take care everyone. Hope you all have a good night. And if you're awake at 2-3am, remember so I am I'll be thinking of you too.

PS sorry about the marathon post. See what happens when one's away for a day or two!