Babies Born August 2007 #2

[Trillian]

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

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

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
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 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

Your Previous thread can be found HERE

[Turkish Delight]

Hi All,

Sorry that i haven't been in lately as i have had nothing to report. I just did some catch up reading on the past threads and boy, many bubs have gotten into the routine of having quite long night sleeps! I must admit, i am jealous! Ela goes down at about 9pm'ish till 1am has a feed, nappy change (she has gotten into the habit of poo-ing in the middle of the night) and i rock her to sleep at about 2am'ish, wakes up at about 5-5.30am for the same stuff and nods off again. Last night, she slept for 5 1/2 hours which i was impressed about.

My BM is feeding her better now than a few weeks back, we are relying less on formula, so my supply has definitely picked up.

I have Tinkerbell wall borders on her wall and she coos at them during nappy change, it is sooo cute. Her smiles just melt my heart and her baby smell is just heaven!

I have fantastic news from my boy, Devrim started prep this year and we had parent-teacher interviews last week. His teacher recommended that Devrim skip Grade 1 next year and go straight to Grade 2! He's amazing too and we are so proud!

Just wanted to share that with all you guys too. I hope to be in here more frequently!

Take care all

[alioops]

Wow! congrats Sehra! i hope devrim is proud of himself n gets along with the older kids!

I hope those who have good sleepers r enjoying it!

Emma has ditched the nipple shields!!!!! She still fusses sometimes but th@s usually coz i left her too long. i think she is about 2 have a spurt coz all she wants 2 do 2day is feed! im not getting enuf time 2 make more btwn feeds! oh well, she needs the extra weight n i need 2 lose it!

[kungfubecca]

Hi

Wow Sehra, what a clever little boy you must have. I'm sure your sleeps are just going to increase. How do you manage to get a bubs to sleep again in the middle of the night by just rocking. Xavier is hungry every time he wakes up. Thankfully he has been sleeping for long times during the night lately.

I am sure it is only a matter of time before all the bubs start doing some fantastic sleeps

[neuri]

Great news about Devrim, Sehra. Now there's a bright boy!

And yeah, babies smell soooo nice. I haven't gone and sniffed other bubs so I'm guessing maybe our own babies smell the best to us? Heh.

I'm still trying to work out if my Willa is a good sleeper or not. I suspect she is lol. When she sleeps, boy does she sleep. When she fusses, the whole apartment complex knows about it. I came into this knowing zilch about babies, so I learn about what other bubs are doing through you guys and from relos who have had them and CAN remember

As for smiles, we're seeing the bowel movement smiles and the sleep smiles, but no real heart-melters yet. Though I can see she's gearing up for one each time her daddy plays his 'nose attack' game with her. It's so adorable, I'm the one who starts giggling when he does it.

I really wanted to ask you ladies this question: what have you done exclusively FOR YOURSELF since you had your babies? I'm interested to know because yesterday I had an extra long shower and then after, I took the time to put on some products on and do some badly needed grooming. Helps now that I can see and reach my toes (among other bits) :P

I felt brilliant after! However, I kept feeling guilty because DH was looking after Willa and every minute extra I spent fussing over myself, was time I could have spent taking over so DH could resume his work. I've grown used to splash and dash showers while simultaneously peeking out the door to see if DD has stirred. Someone on a thread mentioned something about mums always eating the burnt toast. I totally see that now!

Have you guys had 'date nights' with your partners since bringing baby home? How do you manage time with your partners now? Any recommendations or suggestions?

Neuri

[alioops]

Hi Neuri!

DONT FEEL GUILTY!!!!! have u every heard the saying 'if mamma aint happy aint nobody happy' If we don't take time 4 ourselves we will end up burnt out. I reguarly book a hair appointment and/or nails n DH takes the girls 4 a few hours. he knows how crabby n stressed i get n has discovered that if he gives me sum me time i am more ready 2 do things n am easier 2 get along with. I had my 1st relax day since Emma was born on Saturday.
oh and dont stress about Willa waking up during ur shower. it wont hurt her 2 cry 4 a few minutes while u get clean n dry. i know it really pulls ur heartstrings.

[kungfubecca]

Hi,

Neuri, so don't feel guilty, I have found a wonderful babysitter called tv!! EG today, Xavier had decided it was day time and not the time for sleeping (well not in bed anyway) and so I plonked him in his rocker to watch 9am, while I went and had a shower and washed my hair properly and then did the whole moisturizing thing. and Now I'm sitting at the computer while he remains perfectly content snoozing in front of the telly.

Besides he doesn't often like to sit and play or chat yet (prefers to lay on his change table and watch his aero plane mobile.

I am currently planning to get my hair done, one day. I know my MIL is planning to come and steal Xavier at some point over the next 2 weeks while school holidays are on. we want to go see a movie soon (going to ditch him with my mum that day) and then it's our aniversary next month.

So I guess I'm saying I don't feel guilty, but I am going to miss him, and thats ok.

[Ilithyia]

Hi girls,

Neuri - Like all the other girls have said...Don't feel guilty hun! You do need some me time. Wether its an hour or 3 you need it. My time at the moment is on the computer while MIL takes Briley out in the yard for a couple of hours at the moment. With Briley it was enrolling in my Nursing course. Ofcourse she was a little older than our babies at the time. And that will be my main focus again shortly. As hard as it may be try to give yourself at least 10-15 mins a day otherwise you will burn yourself real quick. Then as you get more confindent with leaving Wila, get someone to watch her for an hour or 2 while you go and do some shopping or something. It does get easier.

Ali- Glad to hear you have been able to ditch the nipple shields.

Sehra - WOW! You must have yourself a clever little boy there. I would be very proud too.

Bec - I love feeling nice and refreshed after spending an hour in the shower shaving my legs, washing my hair, cleaning my teeth and all the rest. Makes you feel 100% when you get out! These days i have to do it with Briley in the shower with me!! She is the hardest to try and work around at the moment. She is ok though. She just plays with her toys in the bath.

Sorry if i missed anyone. Hi to you all.

Well we went and got the girls checked over at the CHN yesterday. Colby is now up too 5.6kg's, is 58 1/2cm. So she is growing nicely. Her weight gain must be slowing down cause she has only put on 400gm's in the last 3 weeks. I am not at all worried though. She is a healthy sized bubba. I thought 6cm's was a lot to grow in 6 weeks but apparently they grow 1cm a week.

Colby had a great nights sleep lastnight. She is gradually going to bed earlier in the night which is great. She went down at 8.30pm lastnight and slept through till 4.30am. Then we went back to sleep and she slept through till 9.30am i think. So things are running nice and smooth here. Touch wood!

Lots of smiles happening here. Not too much "cooing" at the moment but it will come soon. Colby's head control is getting a lot better too. As is her arms and legs control. I am sure she looked like she was reaching out to touch the pictures on the sides of her basinette. We also finally have full eye focus. Still the occasional cross eyes here and there!

As for me, well i have been doing the ring around today too UniSA and JCU to weigh up the pro's and con's of doing the direct Midwifery course through UniSA or just go back to JCU. The lady i spoke to at UniSA and apparently the only way i can get into the course through them is if i pass the STAT test. I have to get my stuff together though cause applications close on the 28th September!

Well i don't think there is much else to report.

Better go and start getting myself organised with uni then!

Hope you are all well...

[alioops]

Sara, My student mw went 2 unisa n a few of my friends r there now. The STAT test may be bcoz u didn't do ur hsc in adelaide n r going back 2 study so sa don't have a record of ur grades. SSABSA r 1 of the worst government agencies 4 paperwork! my mum is currently temping with them n has been going thru old exams n throwing them out (im talking more than a year old) n she has been almost buried! Unisa is a good uni n once u get in the lecturers r very unerstanding with family situations.

[Kirst11]

How good does it feel to be able to wash and shave and blow dry and just pamper yourself?!?!?! And Neuri, it's perfectly okay for DH to look after Willa. He is her father after all.

I remember when Ardyn was 8 weeks old, DH gave me a voucher for a day at the spa. On the day that I was booked in to go, I started writing out a list of what Ardyn does, and she she does it. When her feeds are, and when she sleeps.........then I realised that he's her father, and he'll work it out. I trust him.

If it was a babysitter, I'd leave the list, but her father???..........he NEEDS to know how to look after her.

I regularly pop out for a few hours here and there. Or on the weekends DH sends me away to have a sleep while he looks after the girls. You've gotta do it for your sanity.

[kungfubecca]

Afternoon

Sara, you sound like your all doing really well. I don't get Xav checked until next week. good luck on getting into the uni course.

Krist, I know what you mean about daddy should be able to work it out, and I agree but at the moment I think Nathan is still more thinking of himself (eg does whatever works and is most convenient at the time) rather than persevering with something that might take a few more minutes but will leave mummy much more sane later on. at the moment I feel like the extra hour of sleep I might get is undone by the baby who is out of whack later. Oh well.

[Turkish Delight]

Hi Girls,
Ela, for the past two nights has been incredibly difficult in getting to sleep at night. I have always wrapped her tightly in her bunny rug at sleep times but these past few nights she's struggling to get her arms loose and she cries and cries. Does anyone still wrap bubs tightly at sleep time?
We slept together lastnight as settling her again was quite difficult. We had a wonderful sleep pattern for 6 weeks and now she's getting more difficult.

The night before she had gas probs and she drove me insane with her crying and screaming. DH was on nightshift so i was home all alone trying to settle her and all. I didn't have any colic medication, so i rubbed her belly and gave her some panadol to ease the pain. I got Infants Friend (after reading all your recommendations) and gave her some last night. It says that bubs will like the taste, the smell is off putting enough! She didn't take it at first and spat it all out. I gave it to her again just as i put her to my breast, she swallowed it but let out an immense cry (obviously not expecting it!) but soon settled once i attached her to my breast.

Neuri - honestly... i have not had anytime for myself at all! I had a talk with DH the other day about him taking care of Ela ocassionally and letting me have some free time. He said that he found it difficult changing a "girls" nappy. I told him that i found it hard too, but he just has to get used to it, as it is his daughter. He's been doing a lot more with her in the last couple of days, thank god. He took care of her whilst i had an early night last night.

Ali- how long did it take you to get off the nipple shields? I am still feeding Ela with nipple shields. I have tried not putting it on but Ela refuses to take the nipple then. I would love to get her off it.

Take care all, Ela has woken up.

[kungfubecca]

HI all,

allisando, I wouldn't have a clue if we are having any reflux problems. sometimes I wonder 'cause he quite often does little chucks but then I have no problem getting him to sleep at night and everyone I know who has had reflux issues, does not get much sleep.

Sehra, Tell your hubby I find it difficult changing a boys nappy but I'm a mummy and I had to work through that lol I am forever saying to dh I don't know what it's like to have a penis, I don't know weather being squished into a nappy is uncomfy??? and I'm still not quick enough to not be peed on lol. I'm getting better at it though. Like a true little boy he likes to hang it in the breeze

Well it appears to be clingy day today, at least he sleeps when I wear him and I don't feel like I'm carrying a baby constantly, although it seems i type too loud.
hopefully he just needs a big sleep to revitalize himself.

Hope your all well

[Kirst11]

There must be something in the air....full moon maybe? Bailey has been a little bit unsettled going ot bed the last couple of nights. We kept trying to coax out burps and farts, and that seems to be doing the trick. But whereas she's been down and out at 7pm in the past, it's been at least 8:30pm. Oh well, the joys of a newborn I guess.

Sehra - I wrap Bailey, but she always manages to get her right arm out. So I now wrap her in what I call her 'toga'. left arm straight down, right arm out or up around her face. I'm not changing any time soon. At the moment she's learnt that wrapping indicates sleep time, and it works (most of the time).

With Ardyn my DH felt a bit funny in the first few months changing her really pooey nappies, as with girls you have to get in all the crevices to clean her, but now it's just something that HAS to be done. As for time for US, I told him the other day that I've booked a weekend away with a girlfriend at the end of November, so he's 'on duty'. He's got no problem with it. I mean, he's announced that he's out on Saturday with the boys to watch the footy....what's the difference. Just becasue I'm the mum doesn't mean that I don't deserve time out.

If you don't push the 'personal time' issue with your partners girls, I would. Eapecailly if it's your first. Dont get me wrong, I love my girls, but I need to have time to me to feel like an adult and to feel like a woman, and not a mum. It's SOOOOO important to keep your own identity and not be "mum" 24/7.

Well, off my soapbox now, I'm off to have some lunch.
Love and hugs to you all.

[Ilithyia]

Evening ladies,

Just poppin in to say a quick hi. I am totally wrecked and am about to go to bed. Colby refuses to go to bed before 8.30pm lately. I would've loved to have been in bed by 8.30 but here i am!

Nothing much new to report. We are all good. Off to the our 6 week check-up on friday. I am getting a Mirena inserted as a contraceptive. Has anyone else thought about what contraception they are going to use???

Well i am knackered.

Hope you are all well...

Ni night.

[Kirst11]

Sorry if this is TMI, but I thought that I'd share given Sara's question.
While pregnant I lost my libido completely. It went on a walkabout, but the good news is that recently it has decided to come home. Two weeks after giving birth, I was so ready to DTD, and given that I had no stitches I thought that it was a possibility. But DH is reluctant until after my 6 week check.

I CAN'T WAIT ANOTHER 2 WEEKS TO HAVE SEX!!!!!!!! I'VE WAITED LONG ENOUGH!!!!!!!

Well, I feel better after that outburst.
To answer your question, I have just bought a packet of condoms for the first time in YEARS. And DH is looking into getting a vasectomy in the next few months. No more Pill for me!! Yay!!!

[kungfubecca]

Hi,

Share away krist that's what we are here for. the funniest part is that Xavier is sitting beside me and to keep him quite I was reading the post out to him But he won't go blabbing.

Contraception. Never used anything except condoms and for the last I don't know how many years, while we weren't trying to get pg I really didn't care if I did, so we didn't use anything. I think we will just be using good timing and some condoms thrown in for good measure. I'll look into something more long term after I've finished having kiddies.

[sconeonamission]

HEY!
Sehra - Wow! 2nd grade! Thats fantastic! Congratulations!We don't wrap Jensen any more, it seems to be getting too warm up here to even wear wondersuits, but thats all he really has for bedtime. So he wears a wondersuit and a thin sleeping bag (from Target). He always hated having his arms wrapped- he loves them above his head! So he can't kick the sleeping bag off, so we're all happy. Jensen has been having colicky days, at one stage like a week straight. It'd start at 4pm and go thru til 9-9:30pm. He'd scream and scream and scream. Gets a bit much, and its terrible to hear him like that. He sounded like he was in pain and there was nothing I could do about it. We tried the Infants Friend before a feed so it could start working while he's feeding. I also found that when he was colicky or stressed out, I was never the one who could calm him. Apparently, it has something to do with that he can smell my milk and basically just associates me with food. *sigh* The last 3 nights have been fantastic! Fingers crossed it continues.

Rebecca - Jensen is the same with night feeds. Each time he wakes, which is like 2hr clockwork, he's hungry. I think thats the only reason he wakes most times. Most times, thats all wants, and he gets it and a gentle burp not to wake him and back to bed he goes! LOL @ the nappy changing! I don't have a penis so i don't know if I'm doing it right either! And I'm quick at the change - but sometimes just not quick enough! He gets it all over the change mat, but never on me! Normally he hates being undressed, even for a new nappy, but the last couple of days, he seems to be happy to air his area!

Neuri - I'm not sure when the smiling starts! Just before 4wks, Jensen started cooing coz he was happy and what I think was smiles for fun! But we're recording the official smile as at the 18/09/07 (conveniently 1mth to the day!). Shame he wasn't smiling at me tho. Me time? Whats that? Being on here is my me time. Anytime he's sleeping is me time. I have been walkin round the shops the last few days, so I guess thats me time. I did go to lunch with my mother and mil yesterday, but I had Jensen with me.

Sara - wow! 6cm in 6wks! Jensen's 4wks and he's grown 2cm When i weighed him Tuesday he was 4.8kg, 1kg up from birth. Good luck with your STAT. Which contraceptive? Means we'd have to be dtd.... lol No idea just yet. It was basically just timing and condoms before- or sadly, not dtd at all.

Kirst - Yes, the father should be able to figure out whats going on with the baby - but apparently Andrew wasn't programmed with that ability. He doesn't really know what to do. Basically when he comes home, he cuddles with Jensen, changes his nappy or bathes him - but all with my instruction. He's happy just to fall asleep together. Funnily enough the other morning I had Jensen in the bed with us, on a pillow between the pillows and went off to make Andrew lunch. Jensen cried and cried - LOUDLY - and even though Andrew had his arm around him, he slept right thru it and didn't notice til I came up and asked why he wasn't comforting him! I'm right up there with you with dtd. I was also up for it 2wks after, but Andrew wasnt too keen coz of the stitches. But today - well. Woo hoo. Least this way, if we had a problem we could tell the dr about it at the 6wk checkup! There wasn't really a problem, i think we just aggitated the stitches. We didn't use any protection, I have no idea when the fertile period starts again. AF hasn't arrived back yet & we're breastfeeding... what are the chances?!?

Ali - Jensen sometimes brings up thick milk - and sometimes a lot - but usually only after he's been a bit piggy. He seems to be ok.

Ok, now I've caught up with you....
On the 18th (1mth), we went to Twinkle Toes and got his hands and feet moulded and went to pixie foto. He's only this little once. How expensive is pixiefoto! I'm only going to get the free one that the voucher offered from the Bounty Bag. He did really well at pixie, coz he was nudie - and he hates that. Didn't cry much. Just fussed towards the end. Holding him for one of the photos, he happyily pooed thru the babywipe, thru my fingers and onto the satin prop. Fun. The Twinkle Toes gave me a voucher for a photo to go with the mould, so we did that yesterday. Another few nudie shots (they just seem to show how little they were better) and he was on his even better behaviour! It was fantastic! Oh! He's losing all his hair! He started going bald on his left side. He looks lopsed. Seems to be evening out with the right starting now. The big chunk at the back (which Andrew loving refers to as his mullet) doesn't seem to be going anywhere, which is good. I don't know if my milk is playing up. I can no longer just weigh them in my hands to find which has more, they're just floppy and baggy. He seems to feed ok, but I can't hear him swallow. Is anyone's babybrain still hanging about? I was wondering where Jensen's red towel was. He was given two from his Nana, the other was blue. I was so sure I put it in the basket to be washed. I was just out at the line now and realised... I know where it went... It wasn't red and blue towels, it was yellow and blue.
He's in the middle of a big nap now, 3hrs! Do I have a chance to go and put more washing on and hang some out before wakes? Maybe some more house work next nap. I'll quickly get it done now - coz he's waking up!

Thanks for hanging in there to get this far! I'll try not to have so much time between posts.