Babies Born January 16th ~ 31st 2009

Just a quick one to say that I uploaded some pro shots of Dash at 3 weeks in the members gallery....it was hard to choose because I got just over 300 different shots as my friend was practising. Anyway, they were taken just over 4 weeks ago. 2 days after the photos were taken he lost the hair from the top of his head and looked like an little old man lol. It is growing back now but am glad that he had his hair for his photos awwww.

Jo: I don't know what it feels like to not have your family close by but I'm sure it stinks. Hope you get to see them soon....at least Caleb and Maddison will be at the age where they will be able to 'interact' with each other when you do get there....that will be soooo sweet. You might even be feeling a little anxious and protective for the experience your sister had with failed inductions etc - and then not being able to comfort her???? Anyway, I get emotional when a baby is born into our family...it's just a natural response - moreso when you are a mother yourself.

AJC: Sam sounds like a gorgeous boy. We have our needles on Monday so will report back on how we go. Bet those smiles melt your heart!! If you don't mind me asking (nor does it really matter, just curious), is Sam hitting milestones at his birth age or corrected age??

GTG!

Just a quick update from me, we have had some challenging times over the past few days, Owen does not seem to be liking to sleep at the moment. He was up all day Sunday and yesterday only had two naps of 20 mins and 45 minutes. I've been naughty in terms of settling him to sleep and letting him fall asleep in my arms and putting him in the basinette once he's asleep. Up until yesterday that had been working, but yesterday every time I put him down he would wake up and start crying. I've been bf and bottle feeding due to issues with my supply and we've increased the amount of formula he's getting, so we'll see if that helps any. Once he went down last night woke him about 1.30am for a feed and thankfully he went to sleep again until 5.45am.

Runner - glad to hear Amara has been doing well since you've been home, sounds like you're starting to work things out with the reflux.

Jo- must be hard for you with your family so far away and the issues with Caleb's citzenship would make things worse. My family live over 200 kms away and I have little support here, so must be even harder for you. Do you have a webcam so at least you and your family can see one another?

Well, we're off to the Maternal Child Health Nurse today to check on his weight gain and how his development is going. DH has just told me Owen's woken, so off to feed him.

Shellsie - no we dont have a webcam, im trying to make a dvd for my family though of the footage we have of him so far.

guess what girls, this morning i put Caleb on his tummy and HE ROLLED OVER!!! so i put him back on his tummy againg and he did it AGAIN! I cant believe it, it was so cool and the best part was i was filming footage for my family when he did it! so i have it on video. Im not sure when they are supposed to roll over but it was just so cool to see.
and also last night he slept from 7.30pm - 7.15am only waking once for a feed at 4am, so far i have had a fantastic day!!!!!!!

hi girls,

It is lovely to hear some of you back on the forum. I look forward to reading how everyone is at least every other day if I can.

shellsie - don't feel back about the way you put your bub to sleep - at times when we are just so sleep deprived and cannot stand the crying anymore - we do anything that works.. i understand this!

Ren - I am so happy that the meds are working on Ava. I hope that your nipple heals well soon - it is very painful - I had this with my first born.

Jo - can i please ask - what do you do when your little one wakes up well before the next feed is due? I do try to resettle, but occassionally, it does not work and I want to give up!

Also, we were told by the nurse who came here that Amara needs to go back to bed/sleep straight away for her first sleep of the morning - so, i was told to wake her AT THE SAME TIME EVERY MORNING (between 5.30am and 6am) feed, then straight back to bed.......now we are finding in the last 3-4 days that she is unsettled and cries when put back to bed after this feed. Maybe the routine will just take some more time?

at least she is sleeping in her cot much more often now. Reflux is not too bad, she is having Mylanta on the advice of the nurse. but I have to be SO GENTLE after feeds with her so she does not chuck it all up!!

Orangefeather -t hanks for the advice - yes, we are doing all of that.

Has anyone had a spicy meal lately and found a reaction to bubs sleeping/unsettleness? Boy, did I ever!!! Amara cried and complained about that meal.

I wish I had time to figure out how to change my ticker......... Amara was 4 weeks yesterday...

Quick update from me pretty much just so I can brag - Max slept 6 hours last night!:) I fed him at 10.15 (after leaving him with MIL while we went out for dinner for a friend's birthday) and then I didn't get up again till 5.30!!!!! So it was a great night.

Runner - I just clicked on someone else's ticker, which took me to a website where I made myslef a new one, then pasted the code into my BB signature.

Shellsie - Max went through about a week where he wasn't sleeping as much too. I'm not sure whether he's better now or I'm just used to it:dunno: But since then we sometimes have to put him to sleep in our arms too. Didn't used to do that, but hey - whatever works, right?!

Good luck to all you girls dealing with reflux, colic, etc. I can't even imagine how difficult it must be at times. Max has become a bit fussy at the boob - often pulling and squirming. I'm not sure if there's something wrong or just him. He also seems to get lots of tummy pains anmd farts a lot, but rarely cries cos of it, so I figure it can't be too bad. Ah, might mention it at the health centre next visit...

I had my 6 week check up today - all good! So I'll be able to swim when we go away this weekend for the long weekend. My physio has recommended not water skiing yet though - apparently that might be a bit too much for the old pelvic floor muscles. Also, my pelvis is still playing up a bit, so I think I'll just stick to swimming.

Runner - im trying to msg you but it says your inbox is full, can you email me on justjo@iinet.net.au plse? I am having huge issues with the bellybelly website today, its taken me half an hour to get this message to you and some of the messages arent even appearing when i go to the forum....grrrrr

Shellsie - I've had issues with my milk supply too and are BF, expressing, feeding EBM & formula.... mainly formula at the moment because I can't quite express enough BM to feed DD. We are getting there..... I'm determined to be exclusively BFing again soon... very soon. So glad I've had the help of my Lactation Consultant. My R nipple is healing too as it was so badly cracked so haven't been feeding from this side until it heals. Waaaay too painful.... (I have a BF thread in the BF support section if you want to read about my problems LOL) and don't worry about settling him.... sometimes we put DD down once she's asleep and other times we put her down when she's dozing off but still awake.... we just do whatever works at the time!

I put Ava on her tummy this morning and she was happily lying there on her playmat on her tummy for 20mins!!! She would lift her head, hold it up for ages and then turn and look the other way then turn look the other way. It was soooo cute. Got some cute pics.
She's so very strong.

My DH has been so wonderful and supportive (always is!) the last few weeks I don't think I could have done it without him. Before he goes to work he gets my lunch for the day ready, makes me breakfast, folds the washing or puts washing on, gets my pump ready for me to express and makes sure i have a shower! He's been so awesome I am just so lucky to have his support. :D All i can focus on still is getting my BF'ing right and sleeping!!!

Anyway Ava is having a nap and I think will wake for a feed in about an hour (seeing as she threw up the last one!!! :lol: ) so better go lie down while I can. ;)

Ren, good work by your DH! I'm blessed with an awesome DH too, but unfortunately he can't help his work hours so I have wake up/breakfast and bedtime by myself which is a bit of a challenge at times.

Shellsie, I don't think I've ever put Jared down to self-settle in his bassinette! It just doesn't feel right to me, so I wouldn't feel guilty about cuddling your little one to sleep once or twice :lol: It's a common occurance here.

We've had a really good couple of days. Jared has been sleeping for at least five hours at a time at night and Ben is thankfully, still back to sleeping through too. Yesterday we managed a trip to the park, just the three of us. It was good actually because the England and West Indies Women's Twenty20 teams were playing down there so I got to see some of that - when I wasn't playing chasings with Ben :) I also did two loads of washing, the washing up and still managed a lie down for 20 mins in the arvo. Today my mum came over to give DH and I a few hours by ourselves which we haven't had since Jared was born. We were going to go to a golf driving range but it was too windy so we just went shopping and out to lunch. It was still lovely, although Ben hasn't had a sleep and is now being a grumblebum!

All in all though I am beginning to feel human again. I've been out every day this week and will meet up with friends tomorrow too. It makes such a difference to be out in the real world again :)

Dis - so good getting out and about again hey? We've been back in normal routine for about 4 weeks now. Very full on but kids need it. We have something on every morning - either kinder, playgroup or storytime or something and then stuff on most arvos too. IKWYM about dinner time being hard when it's just you - I dread those nights!

Ren - good luck with getting the supply up - you're doing an awesome job!

Gypsy - 6 hours - whoohooooo!!!

Jo - rolling over, what a clever bub :clap:

Runner - don't stress, routine will happen. Our bubs are still very new and sorting themselves out!

Sorry, i'll try and keep up with personals

H slept allnight in his cot last night instead of our bed - I missed him :redface: DH doesn't like him in our bed though, but i do!

Just back from the MCHN, she seems to think he's hungry and has advised me to increase the amount of formula he's getting to 90mls, up from 70mls and change the formula to Nan as he seems to be throwing up quite a bit. He doesn't seem to be crying in pain, so unlikely to be reflux, but we'll see. She also thinks that him being unsettled is related to him being hungry. You feel so bad as a Mum when they're hungry, even though it's not your fault, so we'll see how we go.
We're off to massage class tomorrow and new Mum's group in a couple of weeks, so hopefully I'll feel more human and less guilty!!

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Just back from the MCHN, she seems to think he's hungry and has advised me to increase the amount of formula he's getting to 90mls, up from 70mls and change the formula to Nan as he seems to be throwing up quite a bit. He doesn't seem to be crying in pain, so unlikely to be reflux, but we'll see. She also thinks that him being unsettled is related to him being hungry. You feel so bad as a Mum when they're hungry, even though it's not your fault, so we'll see how we go.
We're off to massage class tomorrow and new Mum's group in a couple of weeks, so hopefully I'll feel more human and less guilty!!

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Ohhhh Shellsie! I can totally relate..... DD has been starving for weeks and I had no idea!!! :( breaks my heart.... I had no idea she wasn't getting enough BM from me!! She seemed to be feeding well at the breast but turns out she wasn't sucking effectively!
What formula is he on? I've got DD on Karicare Goats Milk but thinking now we're going to change to Karicare HA (as advised by my Lactation consultant) because she seems to vomit up sometimes even when we feed her slowly in stages.....
You're doing well... it's not easy this baby business is it!! ;)

Ava hasn't slept since 9am!! She went down again at 10:30am but woke 30mins later and then at 2pm but woke 30mins later.... FINALLY she's asleep and has been for an hour YAY!!! :dance: hehe I have quickly run around the house putting stuff away, wiping things down (milk all over the couch hahaha) and the house is looking rather decent again!!!!!

Disgirl - it's wonderful when you leave the house and get out and about isn't it?? I have been doing that more the last 2 weeks, makes me feel more human! Even just going to the chemist to pick up something is a big trip out for us :lol: and I feel great afterwards.....with Ben you would definitely need to keep him on the move hey.... they get bored so easily little ones.

What a gorgeous day it is outside! If you're in Sydney (or have similar weather elsewhere), I recommend going for a walk or something. We just spent a lovely two hours at the park with the girls and bubs from Ben's mum's group and it was just lovely. The naughty girls spoilt Jared by getting him lots of lovely gifts - totally unexpected :D

There's another mum in that group who had a baby girl two days after Jared was born and she is the tiniest little thing!!! I can't believe that she is the same age as Jared :lol: None of the other mum's could believe it either :lol: My boy is definitely a chunk!

We've had such a good week here and I think the difference is that I've been out every day this week. Whether it was to the shops, doctors, park or whatever, it just makes a difference getting out and about. Most times it's been with the kids too, but I must be getting better at it, I don't get as stressed anymore and I'm definitely not dreading each outing like I did in the beginning. The weather is probably helping too - sunny but not too hot. Now if I could just get a nice 12 hours sleep.... :lol:

Dis - was a beautiful day! I even did some gardening. Sounds like you are all doing well :)

orange - no idea guess will just have to wait & see. All kids are different anyway, friends of ours whos Bub was 2 weeks overdue was really late walking (no stopping her once she got going tho) so I guess it can vary for lots of different reasons. Sounds like you had fun with the photographer, so fantastic to capture them when they are so small.

Had a great night last night, 2 x 5hr sleeps! Yay, we slept from 10.30pm - 3.30am, then from 4.30am - 9.30am. His sleeps during the day have been shorter and feeds are more frequent but if this is the routine continues to develop I will be more than happy.

Ren - wow, your DH sounds like an angel. Don't mean to be hard on my DH as he works 12 hr shifts but I would loooove him to help like that. Hope things are improving for you and little Ava. Nothing can quite prepare you for the lack of sleep and all that goes with it eh? And especially with the reflux problem on top of that. You are doing fabulously though.

Jo - how is your little rolley boy today? Wow - what a clever little button! So lovely that you got it on film so you can share with your family. Sounds like you have been enjoying the baby massage classes (think I read that on fb). Sam loves his massages, Mum bought us a lovely parcel of aromababy products and they're great. Sam loves his massages and is soooo relaxed afterwards.

runner - re: food and BF. The only thing I seem to get a reaction to with Sam is dark choc. Unfortunately! I make this savoury mince type stuff which has curry powder and a few other spices and he's fine with that. I ate heaps of spicy food when pg so not sure if that made a difference.

Big Hi & Hugs to all.....

Hey Girls,

Here is the link to my BIRTH STORY if anyone would like to read it.... you may need to grab yourself a cuppa, it's LONG!! ;)


https://www.bellybelly.com.au/forums...rival-ava.html

I got a new Avatar made today!!!! :cheer: I love it!!! It's so pretty hehe

BBL for personals.

Ren- your BA was wonderful, so well written and what a stellar job you did!! Congrats! :D

Thanku Gill! Have u posted yours up yet? Trying to remember if i've read it?
Your little girl is soooo cute!!! Don't ya just love little girls ;)

WOOOHOOO!!! Ava now weighs 4.11kg!!! She has put on so much weight since Monday. She was 3.78 then!! I'm back to breastfeeding again as my nipples are healing and not sore anymore, and i'm still expressing to top her up with incase she doesn't get enough from me as my milk supply still going up. I'm on Maxalon.
Well thats my update!

Everyone has been quiet in here last couple of days. Hope you're all going well and all bub's going well.... look forward to more updates from you all xx

Guess who...:p

Finally I have made it back to the bellybelly site. Obviosuly I don't have the internet at home, but even when I get to a computer I havn't been able to get onto the site. So frustrating!:doh:

I have tried catching up as much as I can with you all, but I have clearly missed a heck of alot.

So, overall I have been blessed with an extremely placid, non-crying playful baby who makes me smile every single day. In regards to BF, I only managed to BF for two weeks before having to switch to formula. Not only were my boobs bleeding for the whole two weeks but they became infected and I was crying everytime I got Caiden attached. The pain was indescriable. Give me labour pain anyday over that! I also didnt like the idea of him sucking on infected nipples! YUK! So I know two weeks doesnt seem all that long but it felt like forever so I had to make the switch. He is a very happy formula baby, feeding generally every four hours during the day and sleeping 7hrs at his longest which is fantastic! (In regards to the gals talking about formula, we have Caiden on S-26 Gold and havnt had any probs-althought I know every bub is different!)
He very very rarely cries and has only had 2 really big tantrums due to being overtired-too many visitors!! Although I do admit I dont give him much of a chance to, as soon as I hear those hungry noises or his sucking his fist a bottle goes in.
So I can't believe its been 7 weeks almost since he was born! His not a newborn anymore but practically a little boy sniff sniff! He is ALL smiles this week smiling everytime he wakes up and I go get him or after feeds he just smiles smiles smiles! He is also starting to make talking sounds which is a lot of fun! Sigh..I could talk all day about him hehe..couldnt we all!!

I really hate not sharing this journey with you guys and still intend on getting the net at home asap. I am at my parents this week as my dp has caught the nasty gastro bug that has hit sydney and we had to get Caiden away as it has already killed a few babies!:( But dp is much better now and Caiden and I both escaped the bug thank god!

I'll be on as much as I can until I head back home. I am just about to finish my birth story so I will post it a little later.

All your beautiful babies and so precious! Love all the photos!

Much love to all

xx

Havent had much time to get on here and everytime i do it crashes....grrrr

Well we are going good,slowly sorting nixon out and in a routine though tonight im copping it,he went to bed at 730pm,screamed til 8pm,went to sleep til 830pm woke up n screaming til now..we have done the nappy check,more food as he only 80ml at 645pm,burped him and now he just plain ovetired and wont settle.
I got the book secrets of a baby whisperer,its certainly informative and the bible,theres 2 books so im keen to get the other...apart from a rough one tonight we are going well..
My boys starting to smile and coo at me flat out and is attracted to my tv,lights and colors....Hes so inquisitive....and hes had a major growth spurt and is in 000 and reckon wont be long he be outta those...
Well dunno if i told you i was gonna sell my house as over the past few days dh and i bought a house and land package and anyway we got the land we wanted and the house,my house is not officially on the market and my clients took the 1st buyer through even though its not ready and it sold straight away for a way bigger price than i expected,wow sold in 1 day...
Now poor Nixon and us has to go live with our brothers for about 3 months til house ready,so 2 moves in 6 months,hope that dont upset him too much..But its a better quality of life for him and thats why we are doing it..i think my brother in laws cant wait for us to move in so they can bond with their nephew,lets hope they prepared for a few sleepless nights here n there on the odd occasion
Anyway we are hitting the 2and a half hour mark of not going to sleep and not settled so i better go see whats making him scream this bad...
Chat soon
bon