Babies Born June 1st - 15th 2008

[MummyPig]

Hi Skye How are Cammi's little gums? I bet they're really sore. I keep reading that babies don't really get bothered by teething, that it's usually something else like a development milestone, at the same time that causes the probs. I just don't believe it! Freyja seems to have really sore gums and I'm going to take out shares in Hylands Teething Tablets!

Miranda - I'm not so concerned now. Last time it just disappeared completely (seriously, no milk and no let down, no chance to express ), but this time it seems to be okay (so far!). I felt sorry for Freyja tonight having no solids and decided I could stop worrying and give her some - she stuffed herself and ate a whole jar or sweet potato, then cried when I said it was done. I had to go and get another jar and gave her some fruit, thinking she'd only have a couple of spoons and be full, but she ate that all as well!!

I hadn't realised why Zeke was having surgery until you posted there. How do they know that his skull plates are fusing early? Just curious as Freyja has only ever had the tiniest little soft spot at the front and I was worried about her brain not having room to develop, but all the docs etc keep telling me it's fine.

Hey again Amyhunz - you're right about it being hard being a first time mum. I was completely lacking in confidence over my own judgement until I came on BellyBelly and now I'm a lot more secure as a mum. Still confused by all the contradictory advice for abolutely everything though!!

As for the wrapping thing, you will probably know when Grace doesn't want to be wrapped as she'll wriggle and complain loudly when you try it. You could always try putting her in a sleeping sack (gro bag) as an interim measure and see how that goes. Or like Leesha said, just wait and see! I stopped wrapping Freyja when we moved here (about 4 months) because she simply became too big for the sheet I had with me to use. She likes her sleep sack and it doesn't stop her from putting her legs in the air or rolling over

Gotta go - Pizza's here!!

[Mirandabelle]

Kerry - I know! They always say that babies aren't worried by teething but why do so many babies cry and then calm down when they're given a teething ring or some bonjela?

It sounds like Freyja was HUNGRY! Zeke already knows what 'last bite' means, and starts to get upset when I say it. He doesn't actually want more food, just that he really enjoys eating, and doesn't want that to finish.

We were clued into the fact Zeke's head wasn't growing right because he has a very large head circumfrence, and because they kept such a watchful eye on it, regular measurements, xrays etc, they were able to pick right away when the plates began to fuse. His head is also 'lopsided' as in, the left sticks out more at the back than the right, it's all a bit complicated, but thankfully because the nurses were so watchful, we're able to fix it quickly before he has any serious learning or health issues.

I'm trying to wean Zeke from wrapping too, he's beginning to wake himself up when he wants to move around but can't, but he still finds it very hard to sleep w/out a wrap. His sleeping sack was a miracle till he outgrew it. Amy - I suggest giving one a try!

[HotKim]

Hello all!

Haven't posted in a while but all is well. It's been great to read that all the mums and babes are growing nicely.

Nate started solids at around 4 months. I make all his food at home and he has about 175-200ml of veg a day. He doesn't mind Farex at all but was very keen on the pear and apple I tried him on last week. All that sucrose definitely hit the spot He is getting around on the floor by rolling and commando crawling. Just today Miss 12 realised that if you stand Nate on a hard surface he stamps his feet up and down alot. She had a great laugh making him 'run' up and down the dining table. If you stand him in one place he looks like a miniature Michael Flatley

He's still waking regularly for night feeds which is hard. My other three were sleeping thru by now. He no longer fits in the baby bath so showers with me. Never swaddled him, or the other children but probably for the best as they were/are all tummy sleepers.

We're still b/fing and I still enjoy it. I'll be sad when we stop.

Miranda - hope everything goes well for Zeke's op.

[Mirandabelle]

Wow.. Nate's eating well! Making your own food is great isn't it? Even though you can read the ingredients on jars and there's never any additives, you always know just what has gone into your own food... not to mention it's cheaper!

Zeke still wakes twice overnight too... he's not waking up properly for his 1am feed anymore, but he still wants it. I'm trying to shorten it as he mostly sleeps while he nurses to see if he can do w/out it, and eventually stop waking. Because he doesn't wake properly for it, I'm beginning to think waking at that time is just a pattern.

His surgery is not yet scheduled. We're waiting to have an MRI done, and they're massively booked out. (They're only 1 of 2 hossies in Vic that do infant MRI)

We're still BFing although we're supplementing (or comp feeding really, he gets a top up after each BF) and I don't see myself stopping anytime soon. I really want to keep BFing especially thru his surgery as he's likely to lose a lot of weight immediately after.

We went to storytime at our local library yesterday - he loved it! If there's one in your area, you shoudl check it out. Even if our LO's are too young to be really thrilled by the stories, it's great for us to get out of the house, especially those who are SAHMs!

[HotKim]

Yes he eats well and I'm happy to make his food at home, so much cheaper than buying and not that much hassle. I don't know why I stopped with the two older boys! Last night I made the decision to start giving him breaskfast as well as his usual dinnertime feed. He wasn't that interested this morning but I'll try again and see how he goes.

I've thought about trying to comfort Nate through his second 'wake up' but I'm usually so tired then I just get the 'cans' out and let him feed.

I have to admit, I've made a mess of meeting other mums since I had Nate. I've made dates for coffee or just meets but I never go. The MCHN sent me info for Mothers Groups which I promised I'd go to but didn't. I returned a psoitive test for the PND test they make you do at 2 months so fudged it a bit at 4 months to escape scrutiny. I know I'm suffering a bit from depression and a lot from loneliness but I can't make myself get out of the house. And I just can't bring myself to get out there and make nice. I've tried telling hubby but he really doesn't understand anxiety or depression.

And now I'm sitting here because as much as I tell myself it doesn't bother me that I have no friends here, it does. And I feel like a sook.

I'm sure it's just a phase....I'll get over it, right?

[Mirandabelle]

Kim - I'm sorry you're feeling like that. I know it's hard to want to get out sometimes with a new baby, you're tired, overworked and the last thing you want to do is have to appear presentable in public, but even getting out in the fresh air for a bit can really help with your situation... try and make a 1/2 hour each day for "garden play", and if you really feel weepy there are plenty of good support services out there too.

Not trying to bang on too much really, but if you get some help it will pass a lot sooner for you.

BIG HUGS Kim, I really hope that you can feel better soon.

[amyhunz]

Hi all,

Just wanted to pop in and offer some encouragment to you Kim. I too tested positive for PND and was prescribed AD. I haven't as yet filled the script because I want to pursue meetings with a psyc first. I'm booked to start those in early Dec. I can't imagine how hard it must be to get out of the house when you have other children to take care of as well. My PND has been related to the lack of support I've had since Gracie's birth. We were living in a very remote farming community miles from family and friends when I had her. Our local Dr was the Flying Doctors! We've just moved again to a slightly bigger, but still country town, so I'm going through the process of finding new friends/ support network again!

I was married, quit full time work, moved to the country, had a baby, moved again - all in less than 2 years. Anyway, just wanted to say I hope that you can talk to someone like a counsellor who can validate your feelings.

Lots of love!!!