Hi everyone,

I've been a little bit slow to come and post in here myself. Emily is 4 weeks old tomorrow!

I'm like Kristy - a little jealous hearing about those who've had shorter labours - my waters broke and 32 hours later (with no sleep) I had to be augmented as labour was not progressing enough. Another 8 hours later and I still hadn't dilated past 3cm and it was in for the caesarean!

DanniiM - my hat's off to you for your attitude and determination to relactate. That's fantastic. I wish you all the best with it, and you have my support and an ear here too if you need it!

Kristy - really glad to hear Byron is going so well and the BFing is going well for you. He sounds so alert! It's lovely when there's longer stretches between feeds, isn't it? Emily can sometimes go 5-6 hours at night when we finally get her settled (which can take 3-6 hours some nights, up to 3am!) But she still has a tendency to cluster feed at least once during the day/evening (inclduing those 3-6 hour stretches in the middle of the night), so we can go only an hour or two between feeds immediately after a big 4+ hour stretch. It's hard not having a routine yet, but the longer stretches make me realise what we have to look forward to more often down the track!

Paula - Awesome to hear that April has put weight back on now plus more! I've realised now too that Emily was doing the whole sleepy thing due to the jaundice (which took over 2 weeks to clear up) - but now she seems to do the opposite - she's wide awake at the end of a feed very often (even at 4am - argh!) so I'm hoping little April will be more awake and alert during her feeds once the jaundice clears properly, so that will help you with the BFing more. You're doing really well, hun.

BW - sounds like Samuel is really doing brilliantly! I hope his feeds are continuing to go well and it's great to here he's putting on weight so well. How is the arthritis for you at the moment? I hope it's not giving you too much trouble and settling a little more. Do you think the flare could be related to the change in hormones after birth?

Lee - I hope everything is going well for you

Bec - how are you managing with DH back at work?

AFM - I'm up and down a lot at the moment with anxieties. We are BFing, and all is going so well with that - Emily is thriving - she was weighed today and she's now over 1kg heavier than birth, and has put on around 1.2kg since her initial weight loss (She was 3.45kg on day 3 and is now 4.62kg). Emily has a lot of wind (both ends) that makes her very uncomfortable and it's hard not to feel like it's something I'm doing as she is getting wind when she feeds, even though our attachment is great. I have tried lots of things and now just have to realise that I've done everything I can, and she will get better as she gets older and as her digestion matures. Trying not to think it's something I'm doing wrong, and I'm focusing on the fact that she is doing so well and thriving. She's not the best sleeper as she's often in discomfort, but we are managing day to day, as I know everyone here is, I'm sure!

Take care everyone. Hope you get some time to rest and relax.

Miss C