Babies Born January 1st ~15th 2009

We're going away for the weekend! I haven't got to see any of Australia yet so its fantastic! We leave tomorrow morning and come back on sunday, just going to Canberra but staying in a lovely hotel with a swimming pool. Do you know if theres any reason Larissa wouldn't be allowed in a pool? Or where we could get something for her to wear in it? She's been pretty good, we had one full nights sleep but last night she was up 3 times. Pretty irregular sleep patterns still. We bought her a wipedown mat so she can have some naked time after getting out of the bath or shower and she poos on it every single time!

I was wondering about foods that you shouldnt eat while bfing too? Some days she seems to have awful wind and some days she has none so is there anything we can do to stop that?

Amanda - you shouldn't let yourself get so worked up. I'm sure you're a fantastic mum, I'm sure that JD can sense your lack of confidence and maybe thats why he seems to be a handful for you at times.

LMS - How did you work out that you had an oversupply of milk? Did you just work it out yourself or did a midwife tell you?

Amanda sorry you are having a rough time of it. It sure takes time getting used to the demands of motherhood. Be kind to yourself.

Kim sorry you have PND again.

Brunette thats great you can get away! We have started doing no nappy and tummy time as well. Ruby enjoys and poos and wees every time nappy is off lol! Ive never put bubs in a pool before 4-5 months...more because of the chlorine issue, so I guess it depends on that. As for food affecting bubs, I think its a trial and error thing. I know chocolate is never good for me..damn! Cabbage is a windy one too.

Sarah certainly sounds tough for you right now. Hope offering the one breast does help to slow down production, it must be frustrating for little Xavier as well.

PLC thats so great! You are doing a wonderful job. You must feel on top of the world after having probs with feeding your son..wtg!

Weve been plodding along nicely here. I feel a tad guilty as Ruby is such a calm easy baby and seems to be putting on weight nicely without any drama. Darren goes back to work on Monday, same day as the kids for school so will be very strange just with me and the little two kids, im nervous but looking forward to it at the same time. Ive just converted the study into a playroom as Sammys room is upstairs with us and I have no room for toys for Ruby! Sammy is excited about it! Anyway have to finish school supply shopping for Jess today and do a grocery shop, its getting low!

Jo

Great question re the pool Brunette! I am curious of the answer too although I still have bleeding so I can't go in yet :( I worked out the oversupply myself, I did a process of elimination using infants friend and gaviscon to rule out reflux and colic, middy suggested lactose intolerance to which I looked at on the ABA site and it said that overload/ foremilk/hindmilk imbalace mimicked intolerance. I expressed some BM last night and got 150mls of just foremilk in 5 minutes and still had more foremilk coming out. Not to mention letdown feels like nails are being stabbed into my nipples :lol: I feel better knowing and at least I have too much and not enough so I should be thankfull really. As for wind, Infants Friend works well to get wind out but I don't know about food you eat causing it, I can't eliminate food I eat, I am too selfish for that :lol:

I am starting to feel a bit better. Am quiet annoyed at myself actually for being such a sook and mental case. When does the settling part get easier thats that part that gets me all churned up. I know its only been 3 weeks. I am too impatient and want to be good at things straight away. So I am my own worst enemy most of the time.

Has anyone been given the mini pill as contraception yet? My GP gave me a script for a mini pill called Microlut. Has anyone taken that and how did they go with it. When should you start taking the pill and how soon will it be effective? And are Mini pills really that effective?

I really want to be able to DTD with DH and not feel scared that I may fall pregnant again as that has happened to so many people before. I just wouldn't cope if that happened to me right now. We have DTD twice since JD's birth and attempted a 3rd time the other night but I have been having a stinging sensation when I pee for about a week now that I need to see the GP about and anyway it hurt too much so we stopped. I think it was because we used a condom before and they really irritate me in there. So the pill is something I need to get right.

Anyway would love to know your thoughts. Just another thing for me to worry about!

Amanda when you mean settling..do you mean after JD is fed and back to sleeping or? For us, Ruby will wake feed either fall straight asleep or need a bottom change where other breast is offered. In between these times are wakeful times where she is wanting to look around and watch intently. She is happy during these times and not unsettled at all. Im guessing poor little JD is feeling unsettled after his feeds and is not bringing up wind to be able to be calm is that right?

I was on microlut when breastfeeding Jess and fell pregnant with Emmy, so although its very very rare it can happen. Im not going on the pill at all, Darren is booking in to have a vasectomy again.

We dtd for the first time yesterday and it was a bit ouchy as well. It takes time to heal i guess, even not delivering vaginally. Id say maybe have an irritation/infection with the burning feeling you poor chookie. I had that for a couple of days but it cleared up on its own which im thankful for.

Dont be hard on yourself..im sure we all have sooky days..whilst we have superhuman powers being woman and making milk lol, we are human and its normal to feel emotional and overwhelmed..its a huge adjustment.

Jo

Soooooooooo HOT!!! I am hating this weather!

We have a two storey house and whilst down stairs stays pretty cool (at least livable) upstairs is like an oven. Our bedroom and Harrisons bedroom are upstairs - thankfully we have a small air con in our bedroom. I went into Harrisons room at about 5pm last night and checked the temp on his monitor - It was 48 degrees!!!! Needless to say he hasn't been sleeping in there.

I hope all the other SA & VIC ladies are coping with this ridiculous heat!

Amanda - :hug: hope you are feeling better. I don't think you can take the pill when you are breastfeeding? I would check with your GP.

Sarah - sounds like you are having a tough time. I'm sure things will get easier. I can't imagine what it must be like having to look after a newborn when you have other kiddies around!

Jo - I feel so lucky that Harrison has been such a good bub. I'm pleased things are going so well for you and Ruby also.

Steph - I hope you have a great time away! Just be careful with the pool thing - my doc told me you shouldn't swim for the first 6 weeks after birth. Maybe you should check with your GP first?

Seena - I'm pretty sure those pains are just your body contracting back. Sounds like we have all been having the same pains (me included)!

Kim, Paula, Deb - sounds like things are going along nicely for you all. Keep up the good work ladies.

Big hello to everyone else! Better go feed my gorgeous boy :D

DTD...not done it yet....2 weeks have passed and its odd for me not to have jumped back in the sack yet..LOL...i guess its cos i still have stitches...or i think i have them still??

Amanda i worry bout falling preg again so soon too....im way to fertile so it happens fast for me.

Sarah PND is on going....but so far ive not had it as bad as i did with the girls....im in control this time!! Xavier is a big boy WTG :)
Zach is still in 0000 and they swim on him...he is so tiny....i have him in a 000 suit today and its way to big. Craig works from home so he wont ever be back in an office...im very lucky.

BBL....im off to Centrelink for some stupid payment appointment

so is expressing milk fast a sign of having an oversupply, because mine comes out really fast too but I don't think quite as fast as yours does. Also how do you know the difference between fore and hind milk?? Haha regarding you being too selfish to elimintae food!! We've looked at the wetsite of the local baby place and they have swim nappys from 5kgs. Do you think this is cos they shouldnt be in the water before then or just that there isnt too much demand for it?

grrr I just lost a big post!! But Steph has already asked one of my questions and that was about fore and hind milk.

My other question is that I got some fenugreek today and on the bottle it says its to treat colds etc...nothing about increasing milk supply, this is still the stuff to take isn't it? The chemist lady knew thats what I wanted it for.
Also is 100ml from both breasts enough to be expressing at this stage? Is that how much milk Harley should be getting each feed from the bottle? I was happy to have him on the breast but he just never seemed to settle, and it is just hard for me to know how much he is getting so I'm just expressing most of his feeds now. Just hoping that 100ml a feed is good enough for him!
Also I don't know if he has reflux but he seems to be doing a lot of power spewing, it goes everywhere, and comes out his nose my poor lil thing. He does seem unsettled after a feed until he spews, so just don't know if its reflux or not. Maybe a trip to the doctor could be good...

I had a list of personals I had typed up so will do my best to say the same thing again...hate losing posts!

Kim: Ur so lucky that Craig works from home, some days I wish Rob did as well!!

Jo: So happy for u that Ruby is a good bub!

Victoria: Also happy that Harrison is going real well! U poor thing with the heat, all u southern girls are copping it bad, hope it cools down real soon!

Amanda: Big hugs hun, hope u are feeling real well soon and that JD starts to settle better for u!

Steph: Hope u have a great trip away, and with the pool, I wouldn't start till about 4months but thats just me...and by the looks of things, Harley won't get to the pool till next summer!

Sarah: Hope ur supply slows down for u! Yeh I had the question about fore and hind milk for u, how can u tell the difference? I have no idea!

Big hellos to everyone else and hope u are all well and same with ur beautiful bubbas! Hope the weather down south cools down real soon as well!

Take care girls
Deb :)

Deb i feed Zach 100ml of EBM (but it only lasts 2 hours in his tummy then he needs more)....or 100ml formula and lasts him 4 hours and a goooood long sleep :)

Deb 100ml is great for a feed at this age, and while it only lasts 2 hours like Kim has said, its because its much more easily digested so breast fed bubs will feed more frequently. WTG

Jo

what i refer to when I say settling is when he is crying or screaming for what ever reason. Wind, lonely, scared. I try everything, check his nap nap, give him a fed, burp and rock him, kiss him and talk to him and sing to him, give him tummy time. And sometimes he still cries and cries and it makes me feel so helpless and anxious. He looks like he is in so much pain or discomfort and nothing I do seems to comfort him. Yesterday morning it was an hour before he settled after a fed, that was ok I could handle that. But yesterday afternoon he took an hour and a half to settle and I was shaking and my chest was tight and I felt dizzy by the time he finally settled. Just out of the blue he stopped crying and his eyes were shut and I just broke down into tears. Thank God he did not wake up again till after DH had come home, we had had dinner and I was showered and into bed so I didn't hear his next fed. My DH did the late fed and the early morning fed today so that I could get a full night sleep. I feel so blessed to have him share the load with me. I was in bed by 10pm and did not wake up till 7am. Thats 9 hours sleep. I still feel a but scared about how I will cope if he plays up for as long as he does but after all that sleep I do feel a heap better.

JD is sometimes happy with 80-90ml then sometimes he wants up to 150ml, we just see how he goes and if he still hasn't hit that milk drunk phase and still looks for food, then we give him some more. This does mean that we may heat up a bottle for him and he only takes 20ml and leaves the rest and depending on the room temp we either throw the rest or leave it at room temp for next top up. I personally would rather throw it than risk the milk being too cold. but sometimes its only an hour or so before he is fidgeting again and we use that to re-settle him and cross fingers that it works.

P.S. I express once in the morning and once in the evening. Sometimes I miss the evening. I get about 100ml to 125ml from each expression (both breasts together). I think my milk supply is slowing because I am also feeding formula. It just seems he perfers the formula and we only give him the breast milk as a desert after a bottle of formula if he still seems hungry. Nurse says thats ok, and so I am not worried. I will also chuck him on the breast after a fed if he just needs comforting and that seems to work. I love breast feeding, it doesn't hurt and I find it quiet lovely actually. It just doesn't seem to be enough for him that all.

I know what you mean. I love breastfeeding as well...its so connected and beautiful.

Have you got a sling? Maybe JD just wants a cuddle. I love the sling for this reason, as I can have her with me but still be able to potter around a bit. As you can imagine with 5 chilluns sometimes I need my hands!

Jo

Well I went to the Dr yesterday to talk about my anxiety etc. Dr is going to try and get me on a Medicare Subsidised program so I can speak to a physchologist (SP) over a period of 6 weeks I think to help me learn some techniques on how to handle my self when I reach those moments. I am not ashamed of asking for help. I will do anything to avoid feeling like I do sometimes its so debilitating!

I know it will get easier and everyone goes through this the first time round. I just can't sit back and wait it out, I need to find a way to learn to cope better or I will go nuts and probably loose my DH in the process.

Also Dr mentioned trying JD on a Anti Colic formula, as it may be the reason he takes so long to settle after each fed. I bought the SR26 AR formula yesterday and we tried it last night. Its thicker and fills their tummy up faster and apparently it hardens in their tummy so that it doesn't come back up burning them. DH did the feeds last night and early morning again so when he wakes up I will ask him how he went. I pray this helps him settle after a fed. Cause other than that he is a wonderful baby and we just need to find a solution to his issues after he eats. The crying for cuddles or evening the crying cause he is tired is getting a lot easier to handle. Its the crying and screaming after he has eaten that causes me so much stress cause nothing we do seems to help him. It breaks my heart to see him cry so hard that he goes red, holds his breath and gets soaked in sweat! God I pray that we have found something that will help him. The only thing I am worried about is that it can cause constipation, so not sure what that means for babies. Does it means that their poo's become more solid or they poo less. He probably soils about 2 nappies a day and has tones of wet ones. But his poos at the moment are like yellow liquid that often leaks out the nappy so they are very runny.

Anyway, I am off to get my hair done today, I am in much need of a colour and trim. Feel like a bit of a feral at the moment. Then tomorrow my girl friend is having a 30th and I really want to take JD but he is just too unsettled to do that sort of thing now. But part of me wants to just throw him and myself in the deep end and go out and do things like that wether he is crying or not. I just feel scared people will look at me and frown at me if he is crying and screaming and I can't settle him. So the only time I like to take him anywhere is when he is calm and sleeping. But I guess that I can't just keep doing that. One day I am going to have to get myself and him out of the house crying or not and join the rest of the world.

Does anyone know what I mean?

P.S. Steph I hope you guys are having a wonderful weekend away and Larissa is being a good girl for you. Must be nice just having the 3 of you.

I just fed JD formula SR26 AR (anti reflux) and then let him settle on the left breast till he feel asleep. I burped him between the bottle and breast and he burped and farted a bit without too much crying. I have put him in his cot and I think I have wrapped him nice and tight although he usually wriggles out by the next feed time. Anyway It taken me about 30 minutes to fed and settle and thats a first. I will stay up till about 11.30 just to keep an eye on him. He didn't burp much and now I am worried that he may wake up screaming if he has more wind. The thing is how do you know they have more wind. they may not and perhaps you keeping them awake patting them on their back trying to get wind out is just frustrating them and thats why they are crying... oh I really don't know what I am doing, I guess its just a wait and see thing.

But I do pray to God that he stays settled and sleeps comfortably till his next feed which will hopefully be between 3 and 4am. Praise be to God if this happens cause I have been praying so much and I know my family and friends have been to that we get some better settling and sleeping from the little man.

Amanda big breath in hunny. Your doing a fab job with JD give yourself more credit. With wind i usually burp Zach at around 60mls (of a 100ml bottle) and then again at 30mls and again at the end. Generally he is pretty good and not much wind gets trapped. I found with Jasmine she used to get alot of wind, so i employed the same burping technique this time to make sure i get alot out.

I sit Zach on my lap, one hand behind his head, one under his chin, slowly tip up back and forwards a few times, it brings the wind up and then i gently pat his back. If that doesnt work i gently bouncing him on my knee, thats works well too.

I dont know how to tell if all the wind is out or not, but generally he is never unsettled after a feed so i assume im getting it all out?

Just about to do my last feed for the night, with all luck he'll sleep through again like last night. He went midnight til 10 am!!! No over night feeds, was fantastic. Normally i get him midnight-5am but recently he has been making it til 630/7am.....which is great for me and my sleep :)

ATM my MIL is down so she has been watching the girls and ive been catching up on all my zzzzz's....shame she goes back home on Monday.

hey chicks, typing 1 handed here!

Everyone - After a screamer in patrick, I got the baby crying dvd by Pricilla Dunstan. you can get it on her web site or buy it on Ebay, I sold mine on Ebay after Riley, which I am now a bit sad I did. I watched this about 3 times over and really got used to Riley's cries. It REALLY helped me a lot and will help with your anxiety Amanda. You will know what JD is crying for by the way he cries, once you understand the different noises they make. It's amazing.

You can also get Infacol from Safeway or the chemist. You give them a bit before each feed in their mouth, and this helps to collect the bubbles in their tummy and bring it up together, rather than having heaps of bubbles of wind, you will get a few big ones. This has really helped Judd out heaps.

I also burp him half way through his bottle. I have found that since I've been doing that he has been having much bigger bottles (not full on wind) and also not screaming as badly. He still has unsettled moments, and this usually happens up until they are 12 or so weeks old, (unless there's a medical reason) but it doesn't take us as long to settle him down.

Hope this helps.

Amanda - I'm really proud of you for going to the Dr about your anixety. The mental health assessment is really good. I had that done last year, and you get your psych counselling rebated by medicare, which is great, because it's usually over $100 a session. I didn't do anything about my issues when I had Patrick and ended up on medication when he was 14 months old, and am still on it today.

Weird thing happening to me - my right boob is STILL leaking! I didn't breatfeed, have used cabbage to dry up and it's come back mainly on the right. I can massage my boob and it drips out! I'm back on the cabbage leaves today. Will give that a good go and if not working will go to GP next week.

I have thrush, and found out when we DTD the other night. The pads really irritate my Vag as well, so I have go the 6 day pessories. Amanda, it sounds like you might have some thrush too. See what the Dr says and get the pessories and don't DTD until it's clear just in case.

Judd is doing well, 4 weeks tomorrow! DH back at work tomorrow too. Patrick starts kindy this week, and so from now on it's going to be really busy. Most days Judd and Riley seem to be sleeping at the same time, if that keeps up I'll be wrapped!!!!

Have had aircon in the heat wave, and didn't loose power, so we have been OK, but I can't say the same for my garden! It's all been scorched and I'm really upset about it as I've been working on it for over 12 months. Hopefully that's the worst of the heat wave.

Gotta go, good luck with things Amanda, and let us know if you need anything.

Speak to you all again soon.

Gone quiet in here again..everyone must be busy busy with little bubbas!

Amanda you have got some great info from Tash...im sorry ive never had a windy baby or one that doesnt settle so am not much help there, but good for you getting help for anxiety. Its definately better to get on top of it now.

Well I have hubby and the girls back at work/school tomorrow so its just me Sammy and Ruby which will be so weird. Am looking forward to it though, our routine has been a bit over the place and tonights been the first time in ages that Sammy has been in bed by 8!

Jo

Hey girls

Had my first real bad night, but maybe due to my fault...cos I formula feed Harley at night, I decided to try a different brand cos he kept chucking on the one I had him on, and well this new brand is a thicker formula, not a AR one but different to the Karicare one I've had him on, and I just don't think it agreed with him...It says it is meant to keep their tummies fuller for longer, so thought we might get more sleep out of him, but nope, for just over 2 hours I tried settling him... So looks like I wasted a tin of formula...so think I'll just stick to the Karicare one as he goes to sleep after it and settles well, maybe I just have a happy spew baby! Spewed all over daddy last night hehe. And he does it on breastmilk as well cos thats wat he was having when Rob copped it lol.

Finally have him off to sleep now, gave him some booby juice to put him to sleep...and hopefully I can get a couple of hours to get a few things done!

Hope u are all ok and going well with ur bubs... its very quiet in here! Not as busy as the old belly buddie group!

Take care girls
Deb :)

Our trip was fantastic, only short so we tried to pack as much into it as we could. Larissa was so good but I think thats more because we got into a routine, got up relatively early, went and looked at museums/zoo/aquarium during the day, had a swim then a bath and then put her to bed. I felt so rested! Last night we didn't get home till about 8 and then she was getting cuddled by everyone so it was like 9 by the time we started putting her in to bed and it so much effort compared to doing it at like 6 when we were away. On the plus side, she did sleep from about 10 until 5.30 this morning! It's much cooler now we're back home but the air con in the hotel was really good so you didnt even know it was stupidly hot outside! On the drive back I managed to get a burnt shoulder through the car window even though I was wearing protection!

I've seen a sling on the target website so I keep checking in to the stores when I see them as I was hoping to give it a try and if I was comfortable using it then probably buy one but none of the stores I've been in stock them. Its not as if they are small stores! I'll just have to keep trying I suppose!

We have DTD a few times this week, my bleeding had stopped way previously and the discharge was down to practically nothing but since doing things its come back. Did this happen for anybody else? I mean it could be due to DTD or maybe that I've been in the pool? We've been doing it without any protection as neither of us use condoms but I've got Larissa'a weigh in on thursday so I will ask about somethin then. When she came round to the house before she said she thinks something called Marina (?) sounded like it would be best for us seeing as we conceived while I was on the pill. I think its like the coil (thats what we call it in the UK, not sure about here) so has anyone heard of it and can give me some info?

As soon as we get her birth certificate we are going to start applying for her british passport and a visa for Tris so we can all go to the UK. Hopefully it won't take too long to come as I have only got 4 and a half months left on my visa!

I figured seeing as I don't get in here very often I should make my post a long one and I think i have succeeded :-)

Brunette glad you had a nice time away! Ive been the same with dtd...only having done it once, bleeding came back with vengance! Its quite normal for up to 6 weeks.

Deb sorry you had a horrible night and that your little guy is having a hard time with his formula.

Well big kids are back at school today and Darren back at work. Its so quiet here..we went to the park this morning after taking the kids to school, its such an ordeal in and out of the car in and out, in and out!! lol

Oops gotta go....little missy is calling me!

Jo

Tash can I ask you what medication are you on for your anxiety and how do you find it? The mental health nurse came to visit me this morning and she said that I have classic PND... and thinks it will be good for me to get on some antidepresants to help me get through.

so would love to know what you think.

Hi all I just wanted to quickly jump on and wish you all well as I doubt I will be on here much any more. I really don't have the time to play on the computer so won't be able to keep up with all of you.

Good luck to you all it's been FABULOUS having you all here to talk to.

Goodluck Serena...nice chatting with you:D

Jo

Went and saw my GP again yesterday to discuss my apparent PND. He has set me up with the medicare subsidised mental health plan where I see a Schycologist (sp) for 12 visits to help me learn to cope with my anxiety and depression. They are going to access if I should be on medication and if so which one is best for me. I am not that excited about being on medication but I need to get myself sorted out cause this is starting to put pressure on my marriage now. And I can't let that happen. I will see the Sych. this afternoon.

On another note, JD seems to be settling better over the last 3 days. Not so much screaming. This is his 6th day on SR-26 AR and I think he may be starting to get used to it. Although I am concerned about constipation. He seemed to be wanting to push something out yesterday morning, but nothing came out. Then last night while we went for our walk he started doing the pushing thing again, but nothing until we fed him and bathed him. It was still yellow but semi solid, like the consistancy of ice cream from one of those Wendy's machines or the ones from McDonalds. So not sure if that is classed as constipated or not. It just wasn't runny thats all. Can anyone help me with this one?

We have an appointment with the Pediatrician this Friday afternoon to check his ultra sound pic so I am going to ask him about this formula and if its the best one for him. Although I am fairly sure now that it was Reflux and wind that was causing his unsettled behaviour after a fed. I am still breast feeding but not as much as formula. I tend to feed him his formula and then if he seems to want more I finish him off on breast milk, that seems to be working. But not sure if thats the right thing to do or not. My milk has slowed down so I will try and express more often to try and keep it up. I know that the bobby milk is best for him, it just doesn't seem to be enough to settle him or help with his reflux.

At the Dr yesterday I saw a 8mth old boy smiling and happy. I wished I could skip this stage and go straight to that, and I feel bad about that... has anyone else felt that too or is just me and my madness?

Amanda glad the drs visit went well and I hope the Psych is helpful..good to get onto these things now and its so great you have. I cant help with the poo sorry as ive never used formula but no doubt someone else will be able to pop in and let you know, I guess if little JD isnt straining too much then that would be a good sign.

Hope the Paed visit goes well too. We have one in two weeks time as Ruby has a clicky hip, which both Sammy and Livvy had too.

Hello everyone else..hope you are all going well.

We are off to the mums and bubs movie today with my Sil and my nephew. Will keep Ruby in the sling so I think she will probably sleep through it. We have been getting smiles for the last few days, which has been exciting. The kids are all scrambling to get them now. We made a joke as when Livvy called her little fatty her face crumpled up, so I said she didnt like that so have to refer to her as 'well padded' lol.

Hope its a brilliant day and not too hot..how exciting about the stimulus package too!

Jo

Amanda sent u a txt. call 2 chat. Can help u with all of this :D

Whats the stimulus package about? How much will everyone be getting?

Amanda - Tris is back to work next thursday so if you feel like a couple of visitors after that just let me know!

Larissa has had awful wind since we got back from Canberra! I'm not sure if it was the baked beans I ate as I havent eaten them since I was first pregnant as they mad me feel awful! Its dying down now (thank god!)

jo - What sling do you have? I'm on the lookout for one and have posted a thread asking the same question. Would like to hear peoples opinions before I spend!

Woo Hoo!!! We got 4 hours straight sleep last night :dance: A vast improvement on the usual 2-3.

Looks like our beautiful babies are keeping everyone busy, it's pretty quiet in here.

Seena - Good Luck, I hope everything continues to go well for you :)

Amanda - Sorry you are doing it so tough. I can't offer any advise, but it sounds like you are doing all the right things to help you.

Jo - How cute Ruby is smiling. I think Harrison has given us a few, not sure if they are real ones, but I like to think they are ;) Hope you had a good time at the movies, what did you see?

Hey Kim, Tash, Deb, Steph - hope you're all doing well :D

Hey girls

Well after a few rough mornings and me feeling like I was heading down the PND path, I've decided to put Harley on straight formula. I'm already feeling a bit better, although had a rough night, but think I know why now!
I think I was just BF cos I was worried about what others would say instead of thinking of myself and Harley.

He is going really well, starting to fill out in his face but still has such skinny lil legs! I weighed him at my friends place yesterday as she has baby scales and with his clothes and nappy on, he was 4kg...I think thats about right, sure hope so! Gotta make an appointment to see the MCHN.

Hope u are all well...it certainly gets quiet in here but thats understandable! I'm sure once our bubs get a bit older we will get more talkative! I'm seriously thinking of putting Charlotte in day care at least one day a week, just means I'll need someone to pick her up, or its something that Rob drops her off and picks her up on his way home. That way I can have a day for cleaning etc and get a sleep when Harley sleeps...and it will be good for her as well!

Better get going as I gotta get ready to go out, catching up with my mum and aunty for coffee!

Take care girls
Deb :)

Brunette i have a bubbalugga sling. We use it alot and love it. I know the hugabubs are supposed to be good as well. The stimulus package is on hold until next week i think..its been blocked by the bloody libs right now!

Deb glad you found that formula is working better for you both.

Lilcosmo thats so great getting 4 hours YAY! We get our longest stretch of 3 hours straight after Princess Ruby has had her bath..its so weird it just seems to knock her out! The smiles are gorgeous arent they! We have the gassy smiles as well..i love them too lol, but the ones were they are interacting with you and looking deeply at you...just heartmelting!

Have been to the beach today. Ruby's first time..she slept through it lol. Its a quiet day and im feeling so darn tired so trying to keep busy to stay awake!

Jo

We'll just have to keep looking out for one that we both feel comfortable with. I mainly just want it for when I'm home on my own so that I can do the washing and stuff with both hands if she's still awake.

Last night Larissa and I had a bath in the Johnsons sleepeasy stuff (purple bottle) and I put her to bed after neighbours was on so at 7 and she slept until 3.30 this morning! I should really have got an early night too but used the time to catch up with rellies in the UK.

Had her weighed today and shes 4.36kg so had put on more than 600g than when she was weighed 2 weeks ago. yay! We're going to take her to the swimming pool across the road before she goes for bath! :)

Had our 4 week check up today.

Harrison has grown 2cm and put on 1085g in two weeks! The nurse weighed him twice and checked the scales to make sure it was right. Then she asked if I had been using any formula. Nope - he just loves his booby milk! All in all she was really happy with our progress. I felt very proud of myself and my darling little boy :D

wow! and i thought our gain was massive! well done!!! what does he weigh now?

We have a check up on Tuesday next week, Zach definately has gotten longer, but doesnt seem to have gained a real lot lately.

Deb im glad your happier now with FF. As i said on FB, you should be proud with how far you have come with Harley and he will love you no matter where his milk comes from *Hugs*

Victoria that weight gain is awesome...so good boobies you have there :p

Steph i used to have a HAB (Hug a Bub) sling when Jasmine was a NB but for the life of me i could never use it so sold it to another BB member, but so many love that sling! Larissa has great weightgain too!

How are you going Amanda? Glad you got some help and Tash has given you some great help too.

Paula Hows Miss April going?

Jo, Ruby sounds great to take out. I dont think i could manage a movie with Zach let alone the beach!

Seena great chatting with you, time is precious.

Kirsten hows Rlyeys sleeps going at night now?

Tash how are the boys going with their baby brother. Maybe we should catch up again one day!!

Umm...who have i missed.....if theres anyone..sorry!!!!

AFM: Zach has no decided 100ml isnt enough and we have up'd the milk to 150ml. He generally leaves around 30-40ml depending on his mood. He is also feedly 3 hourly now not 4 :wall:
Sleep is hit and miss now. Nights usually last feed around 11-12 and sleeps til 5am....gone are the days where i used to get him sleeping til 7-9am! I think its just while this growth spurt is on then he'll settle down. Day time he is staying awake alot longer, which then causes him to become over tired which is a PITA when you also have 2 very tired toddlers....the sounds of 3 kids crying a once is music to your ears LOL

Anyone STILL bleeding....id have thought by 3 weeks it would have stopped....but i was wrong. It only lasted 10-14 days with the girls....but not this time. Im so over it!!!!

Nurse came and weighed JD she is happy with his growth he put on more than the average again which is good. But I am far too sleepy to remember the actual figure sorry. Off to the Pedi this afternoon so have many questions for him. We pray that JD's kidneys are all ok. He pee's like a trooper though so I am sure they are fine. I started my PND medication yesterday so will pray that I see some results within the next month. TASH I asked mothersafe and they recommended Zoloft and so that is what the GP gave me. Its apparently the most common one in pregnancy and breast feeding. Thanks for your help I really appreciate it. Dont be surprised If I have more questions for you though as you are the only other person I know that has PND as well.

A great note the night before last we got from 2am till 8am between feeds, can I count that right? is that 6 hours!!!! I am sure that was because he wore himself out crying so much the day before though! But still thats great isn't it? We get about 3-4 hours between feeds usually. Thats counting AFTER he has fed and settled though. Are you supposed to count from the beginning of the fed, at the end or once you have finally got them to sleep? Thats always confuses me.

He is about to wake up so better go.

P.S. I settled him 3 times yesterday in his sling, thats a great achievement for me since I scared him so much the first time I tried it with him.

Puppies - 6 hours sleep! Thats awesome, well done Mummy. I'm not sure when you are meant to count from, but i count from the start of the last feed. So when I say 4 hours sleep, it's really only 3 and a bit I guess. Sounds like the sling is working well for you - keep up the good work :clap:

Kim, Bummer about Zach's sleeping. You're probably right though, once the growth spurt settles things should go back to normal. Good on you for getting through so many personals to :D

Steph - hehe, yes it was massive. He is now 5.1kg. Mind you he didn't gain much the first couple of weeks so I guess he had to catch up eventually. Sounds like you are doing a top job with Larissa!

Deb - I hope the FF works out for you. You shouldn't feel pressured by anyone. Harley is your gorgeous boy and you know what is best for him!! Would be great if you could get Charlotte into child care for a day. I'm sure it would come in very handy having a day to catch up on things.

Big hello to Jo, Tash, Paula and anyone else who may be lurking :D

We are just taking it easy here. Nothing exciting to report. I can't believe it's going to be over 40 again tomorrow! Sucky weather!! Stay cool everyone :)

Zach fed at 1030 last night and slept from 11pm til 6 am!! So 7 hours :)

I count sleep time from when he goes to sleep til he wakes.

ETA: HAs everyone got their birth certificates yet. We got ours over a week and a bit ago. Also got a commerative certificate. For those in Vic, the Fauna ones (as well as the Flora) are gorgeous. My girls have Flora and we got Zach the Fauna one and i love it :)

Also....has everyone enrolled bubs in Medicare? I did, and they never received my forms so Centrelink have been on to me about it. So went into the Medicare office on Thursday and enrolled him myself. Stupid government bodies LOL

U girls are all so lucky to have bub sleeping for so long! My bub's longest record is only 5 hrs at nite... still waiting for him to sleep longer but he is one punctual kiddo oft waking up like an alarm clock every 3 hrs.. but he sleeps veri well in the afternoon to early evening oft abt 4 hrs at a stretch.

Puppies - sorry to hear that u are having such a rough time with bub. If it's any consolation, i do have down days as well where i feel like crying for no reason at all...Hang in there and try to talk to someone when ever u feel low. Or write out how u feel.. i feel it helps for me!


Nothing much to update except that i'm possibly drowning with 2 kids and a bub.. even with MIL's help :<

everyone take care and rest well