Babies Born March 2007 #6

Well I think my breastfeeding days are coming to an end - fast! Now that TJ is teething she is biting me all the time! I just don't think I can take it anymore!

Happy birthday Rachel and Joshua!

xoxo

Nat, there are ways to get them to stop biting if you do want to keep BF, I'm not sure what they are though. Someone on BB would probably know. You do what you need or want to do though. I don't think I'd cope well with biting either!!

:happybirthday: Happy Birthday Joshua! I think I am going to have a look at that bumbo seat. I think Nic would love it too. He loves being in his high chair, I think he gets sick of laying down all the time too.

Well, not much going on here today. I took the kids to the nursery today to look at some plants for the girls fairey garden we are building. They have a cafe and a cool playground at the nursery so I had a coffee while the girls had a play. We stayed there for over 2 hours as Nic slept in the HAB and it was so relaxing! Keyt was trying to get some work done at home, so we just wandered around. My sister has to go into hospital tonight, and they will be monitoring her as she had another CTG today and they found the baby's heart rate was dipping and was not reactive enough. She has already been told her fluid levels are too low and her BP is really high, so they will induce her either tomorrow or Monday. So exciting to have another baby in the family! I am praying that everything goes ok though as this pregnancy has been difficult for her :pray:.

Wow, i go away for a few days and theres heaps of new posts!
Very chatty lot you girls!
well here is my boring update:

Just spent since Tuesday with the in-laws. I'm glad it was only a few days. I mean, theyre nice enough people, but I dont like people telling me how to be a mother and I felt thats what was happening for half the time, especially with regards to the fact that Claire wont take a dummy (apparently I should just try forcing a dummy into her mouth until she takes it, which I do not agree with and why would I start introducing a dummy at 4 months anyway), that I dont give Claire a bottle at night and I still feed her overnight, and that I feed Claire in my bed sometimes (although she told DH to tell me not to do that last one, why she couldnt just tell me, I do not know). I only feed her in bed when she is really feral as its the only way she'll settle and sleep. There were other things they said, but I cant be bothered typing out heaps of stuff that is just going to be boring to you all!

Went to the Big W Sale the other day and OMG it was CHAOS!! And that was in a country town so I dont even want to think about what it would be like at home. I got annoyed at all the people in the store (Why is that people do not understand the words 'excuse me please"!!!) and I went out to sit at the front of the store while I waited for the in-laws to hurry up and get out of there.

Claire is still slobbering on everything and putting stuff in her mouth, especially the front of her clothes. She got grumpy on the way home tonight and cried for a while on the freeway so we ended up rearranging the car and I sat in the back seat next to her and sang and talked to her and she stopped crying. Might have just been lonely in the back by herself.

Anyhow, noice to be back home and sleeping in my own bed.

Thanks for the birthday wishes for Joshua!!

Jo, Nic would LOVE a bumbo. They look kinda weird but man Oskar just loves it! I put him in it in the morning now so I can have my brekky and he just sits there playing with his hands and checking everything out. It's good too cos when I lay him on the floor the cat thinks he's there to play with and runs at his head (does it with Joshua too so I know it's not a jealous at Oskar thing) and jumps around. With him in the bumbo he's sniffing at him but not running at him and being a nutter!

Karina, it's great to get home huh! Now, I'm with you...why would you introduce a dummy for no reason anyway?? Oskar had one intermittently for a few weeks and the last time was at least 6 weeks ago!! If I needed one in a hurry I'd be in trouble cos I don't have one ready...lol. I BF Oskar in bed EVERY morning! We like it that way cos then I just pop him down next to me and he has a sleep when he's finished and I lay down and have a nap too. I don't give Oskar a bottle, he's never even seen one. I know it's hard to ignore what they say and you get sick of smiling and nodding and thinking... I'M DOING FINE THANKS!!! :hug: to you.

We went to the pregnancy, child and baby expo today. Wasn't too bad. Probably should've put Oskar in his HAB, but oh well too late once you're in there. You really could end up spending copious amounts of money if you weren't careful though! Some things just look so cool that you can very easily get caught up in the moment...lol. Nope, I didn't, very proud of myself!

Does anyone know if it's ok to have a filling or something like that done with your teeth if you're BF?? I have a tooth which has been giving me quite a bit of grief for the past few days and I need to have something done. I don't want to not feed Oskar in this time and don't know if I can feed or if I have to not feed for like 24 hours or something?? I really DON'T want to put him on a bottle even with EBM for any feeds yet. I'm not ready for that and I don't want him to like the bottle and not want me again cos I don't want to do the bottle thing! So, anyone have any idea??

Cass, thanks, I do exactly the same thing with feeding Claire in the morning. I just ignore the annoying advice people give me. I dont mind people giving advice when I ask, but when they give it to someone else to pass onto me when I am there anyway, it makes me feel like they think I am stupid and uneducated, kwim? MIL told my hubby I should also start Claire on solids now because she reckons she is ready and also because she is not sleeping through every night, though i am still keen to wait till 5-6 months before doing that. hmmm I am not too sure about the filling, I think you cant when pregnant but not sure about while breastfeeeding. I dont know that the anaesthetic would go through to your milk though?... youve reminded me that I should stop putting off going to the dentist. I've been so naughty and havent gone since Oct 2004 - oops! Ooooh I was going to go to the Pregnancy child and baby expo here but we had something else on that day. I can imagine it would be so crowded with people and lots of cool stuff. I would probably have trouble not buying lots of stuff!

Well i had a nice lazy day today and slept in till midday! omg Thats terrible I know! DH was home otherwise I would have been up a lot earlier. I just didnt sleep well at all last night after getting up to feed Claire at 2am - I couldnt get back to sleep.

Claire is 4 months now so due for her next set of immunisations.. I think I might take her this week to do that.

Hello ladies, hope everyone is having a great weekend. this is my second attempt at writing this as I lost the first one - stupid computer. Grace is 4 months old today and....she rolled for the first time this morning :clap:. Clever girl. Both DH and I didn't see it though, pmsl. I walked back into the room to find her lying on her tummy, happy as larry dribbling all over the place. She gave me a massive smile when I walked up to her like she knew that what she had done was a big deal. So proud. Other than that her legs are getting so strong. In the last week I have been standing her up on the floor in front of me and initially she could only hold herself up for a few seconds, now she can hold herself up for a few minutes. DH took the cutest photo of her when she was standing which I am hoping to get onto my photo's soon so I will let you know when I do. Well, we have given up the fight with getting Grace to sleep in her cot in the day. We put her in a sleeveless sleeping bag and she has been sleeping in her rocker. I am just happy that she is getting some sleep. Do not want another repeat of Thursday night. Who says she needs to sleep in her cot in the daytime anyway?

DH and I went to the movies and out for tea last night which was rather nice. It was rather weird though being at the movies, it felt like forever since we had last been. My parents didn't have too much trouble with Grace other than some crying on and off for 2 hours after we left! She missed us. She was happy once she had her bath though and then went to sleep immediately. Like Bec said, just got to go with what works.

Cass,I don't see why it should be a problem to have your teeth done, I would imagine that any effect from the anaesthetic would barely make it to the milk as it is a local thing. Check with the dentist though but it should be fine. Obviously you have to do what is comfortable for you but I would be suprised if Oskar wouldn't bf again after a bottle or 2. Grace has had a few bottles recently as we have been going out and we have no problem with the bf. Your bf is well established so nipple confusion shouldn't be a problem.

Karina, how annoying that your in-laws couldn't mind their own business. Glad you are happy to be back. We have avoided the shops since the toy sales started but we are venturing down tomorrow and may have to have a look.

Jo, good luck to your sister. Glad you had a nice day at the nursery. Happy birthday to Joshua.

Nat, I agree, if Grace started biting me I would be weening her quick smart!! You poor thing, I hope she stops doing that to you.

Bec, yay on the expressing. I find the more I do it the better I get - got 180mls out last night (mind you, had missed a feed as we were out). It'll get easier.

Little miss has just woken from another sleep - she has been sleeping wonderfully the last 2 days. Must be time for a feed, bath then to bed so we can have tea. Have a good night ladies.

Oooh....oops... Jo, I meant to keep everything crossed for your sister!! Nic is going to look huge next to a new little bubba!

Karina, it's all good :) I know EXACTLY what you mean. On the solids thing. Don't do it if you don't want to. I'm not even contemplating it until he's at least 6 months old unless I was told by my doc he needed it for some medical reason. WTG on sleeping in!! I wish! *sighs* lol. I can't believe 4 months already!! Do you get the vax done at 16 weeks or 4 calendar months??

Rachel, thanks :) I saw your reply in the BF thread. I told Andy and he said, makes sense it's only a local. I hate going but it's been hurting :( The other night I didn't get to sleep until after 1:30am and Oskar woke up at 6:30am so I was tired that day as my sleep wasn't very good anyway cos it hurt. I ended up getting up and popping a couple of panadol! I don't like to but I had to. I know it's ok, but I try to be as good as possible. So tomorrow morning I'm making a phone call to the dentist!! I'm hoping I can even get it done tomorrow if possible. Get it out of the way and also Joshua is with his grandma tonight and tomorrow, so that will make it easier. Just have to work around Andy so he can come and look after Oskar. Nothing is easy now huh...lol. I wouldn't change it for the world though!! WOOHOO Grace!! I bet she thought she was a clever little muffin too! Oskar hasn't rolled yet, but I'm fine with that until I get a bed rail to put up when he's in bed with me in the morning. I'm starting to feel a bit nervous about that at times even though there's a pillow next to him and me on the other side. As for the day sleeps... Oskar doesn't sleep in his cot or hammock but on the lounge. He sleeps better, so I just let him go for it. I figure sometimes there's no use fighting it and he's not harming anyone.

Better go and eat something and do the bath thing with my little possum. Man, it's damn cold here today!!

Rachel, I often let Claire sleep in her rocker or on the lounge during the day, especially if she is being a bit feral about the cot. If she is geting some sleep, no big deal right? How nice that Grace has rolled - Claire has rolled from her tummy to back but not from her back to tummy. How cute that she dribbles everywhere; Claire is such a dribbler too. How do you get her to stand? Do you just pick her up and then put her feet on the floor and hold her there (because thats what I do with Claire). just asking cos a particular in-law was grabbing Claires arms when she was lying down and pulling her up by her arms to a standing position - i thought she was going to pull her arms off but she seemed to think Claire liked it (you should have seen Claires face - she didnt like it one bit). Glad you had a nice time at the movies. I am hoping to go out and do that some time soon too! Its been a while since we went out, so i might get my parents to come over and baby sit one night!

Cass, The sort of good thing about the in-laws is that they dont live in Sydney so they cant just pop in whenever they want and give me 'advice' (omg i know that sounds bad doesnt it!) I am definately not starting solids just yet because of the risk of allergies this early and DH and I both have allergy type issues - he has asthma and I get nasty eczema which I think is related to certain foods but I havent been able to work out which ones, so the MHCN said to wait till 6 months if we can, so that is what I am going to do. The 4 months has gone so quickly! The vax thing in the back of the baby health book says 4 months, so I was just going to go at 4 calender months, cos to me a month is a month not 4 weeks and if I did it as a month being 4 weeks she would end up getting her 12 month ones at 11 months, if that makes sense?

Well we did a nice big cleanup at home today. It amazing how much rubbish we had lying around and I chucked out lots of stuff - we will definately have to work on that when Claire is more mobile! I can see her just getting into everything if we have too much stuff around. My lovely husband is going to build me a shelf - he is pretty handy with things like that. I want a new shelf for Claires room so I can put her stuff on it instead of piling it up on top of her chest of drawers.

Just a quickie. Cass, I had a filling when pregnant with Tate. Then dentist assured me there is no problem with this, just x-rays and major stuff are out, i.e. root canal. Ring the surgery, they will let you know.

Hi everyone, I have a new nephew! My brother in law rang and told me this morning! He was born at 2:07 (but Neil waited until about 7:45 to ring me, thank goodness). Unfortunately I had fallen asleep on the couch so I was half asleep and I didn't think of asking his name! But will probably go and visit this afternoon or this evening so will find out then. Sebastian and he are going to be so close in age, yay! Jo, hope your sister is doing OK and baby is well also. Where is she? My sister is in SJOG in Subi.

Karina we had a cleanup yesterday as well - we've been trying to get rid of a whole lot of junk because M's parents are coming in a couple of weeks and also we would like to move if we can so it's a good idea to get rid of what you can! I can't believe we have so much junk! I'm kind of looking forward to them coming but also not, iykwim! 10 days of in-laws... well, I'm sure you can empathise...

Cass, yay for Joshua's birthday, wow 14!! That's the age-group I teach - is he obnoxious?!! It's a funny age, because they are really starting to grow up, but sometimes they're still just little boys. I'll bet he was happy getting pizza for his birthday dinner.

Rachel, Sebastian rolled over when he was exactly 4 months too! And we missed it as well :rolleyes: He hasn't done it since, though, although he's trying. It's made me very wary of where he is when I put him down on his mat. Yay for the movie! Hopefully will be able to take advantage of the inlaws when they're here to babysit. What one did you see?

Well, the house is a bit of a mess today since we were getting rid of stuff and still have to put things in the bin - luckily it's bin day today. Sebastian is starting to make a habit of these long morning sleeps, which is great because I can get stuff done!

How is everyone's weight loss going? I've hit a plateau... I can't seem to budge 65 kg, in fact I think I was 66 last time I weighed myself (seem to have conveniently blocked that out!!). I'd like to be back at about 60, as I was about 58 when I got pregnant. Mind you I'm not doing that much exercise and perhaps the amount of chocolate I've been consuming recently might have something to do with it heh heh. DH is also looking a little portly so we're on a health kick until his parents get here (19th July). Unfortunately I made muffins on the weekend and couldn't let the last chocolate-chip one go to waste so I had it for morning tea! Anyway, had better go and do some washing up. Have a good week everyone!

Karina, lol I hear ya!! My in laws live in Toowoomba so near enough, but far enough. Mind you FIL is pretty good, MIL is a very ummmm she's a worrier. They're really nice and all, but sometimes it can be full on. I think that we're lucky in that Andy's brother had 2 bubs before we had Oskar so we probably won't get too much "advice". We have rung a couple of times to double check something so that might make them feel good anyway. The vax thing makes perfect sense... cos there are 4.2 weeks in a month!

Rachel, I meant to also ask you what movie you saw??

Jessica, thanks :)

Woohoo Auntie Bec (Sasha)!! OMG how did you know Joshua was obnoxious?? PMSL. He can be very much at times and yep still a little boy at other times. It really must be difficult cos they want to be treated as adults and yet still as mummy's little boy sometimes (when it suits...). OOoooh I LOVE choc chip muffins!! Now I'm going to have to make some! I've been pretty good and eating lots of vegies and experimenting with different recipes so I think that the fat content and preservatives and I'm eating has been cut back cos we're not eating ready made frozen stuff hardly at all now. I was too lazy half the time when working to cook properly and then when I was pg... well I just couldn't be bothered and didn't like so many things that it was hard!

We did a clean up outside on the weekend... must've been the week for it huh!! We cut down some more trees and Oskar went to sleep even with the chainsaw going!!

Rang the dentist this morning and what do you know... they had a cancellation for 11am... so off we went (Andy came home from work to help me - has gone back now). Had the choice of root canal or extraction... guess which option I took??? PULL THE BA$TARD OUT I said... lol. Downside?? I hate the taste of the blood... ugh!! Not so bad now cos it's been a while. Oskar was a good little possum... I fed him about an hour before we left, kept him awake so he went to sleep in the car and slept till we were going in...!! Anyway, he was happy and chatted away while I had the tooth out and grizzled on the way home cos it was 3 hours since feed!! Fed him and now he's playing on the floor next to me and I have no sore tooth... so EVERYONE is happy :D

Oh... how bizarre is this... the dentist - his wife is with the ABA!! So he knew all the answers about all of my questions.

Cass yay that your tooth is fixed with minimal pain!

Bec, congrats to your sister on the birth of her little baby. How nice that your two bubbas will be so close in age. I didnt put on weight when I was pregnant, except the weight of Claire but I did lose some extra weight. I am 4-5kg below my pre-pregnancy weight and I dont want to lose any more because then I will need to buy new clothes and who has time for that these days!! oh yum I am drooling now you've mentioned choc chip muffins. Hope the time with the in-laws will not be too painful for you.

Well I have continued with my cleanup today and rearranged Claires room a bit to make it easier to get to stuff. Claire has been a bit cranky today and not in the mood for playing. I've also been taking lots more photos of her because I just love her so much and think she is so beautiful!

Hi everyone! Just thought I'd pop in and say hello! Can't believe how many long new posts there are! LMAO!

better get reading....

Karina, good on you for cleaning up!! I need to get into Oskar's clothes again and work out what doesn't fit *sighs*. I try to rotate everything so that I can keep on top of it, but it's been so VERY cold and windy here lately that I've been rotating the same clothes cos they're warmer!! Oh well, we'll get there :D Claire is so beautiful, I know what you mean about photos! I just said to Andy the other day we need to backup the computer cos if something happens we lose ALL of our photos of Oskar and then I'd SERIOUSLY cry!!

Ok... Bec's fault.. I bought Muffin mix!! Half naughty and half good... I got a combined pack with banana and also choc chip. Next time I'll make them from scratch, couldn't be bothered this time...lol.

Cass, PMSL, I went shopping tonight and bought a muffin mix too! Double choc chip YUM!! I recently put all of Claires photos on CD. Definately do it, it wold be such a shame to lose them all if your hard drive died.

Caro, thanks , I am not starting Claire on solids just yet. I dont feel she needs to just and due to allergy issues in both families I would prefer to wait until 6 months to be on the safe side. I asked hubby tonight if his mum said anything else about it, but he said that she just said Claire is probably ready now. I still think its because thats what she did when she had her children (her youngest is 23 and alot has changed since then). She also USED TO BE a midwife so gives lots of advice, but really, women give birth to newborns not 4-month olds, iykwim, and I'd rather listen to current information (ie the WHO and Dept of Health and follow their advice).

oh little miss has woken again!

Just on the vacc/ no vacc debate, there is a three-part thing on Radio National at the moment - it was about 9:45 this morning and so I guess parts two and three will be about the same time tomorrow and Thurs. It's interesting because they're getting three families to record their feelings and thoughts, nice to hear that other people get confused with all the info too!

Nephew is called Christopher, was 3.4 kg at birth, which is bigger than Sebastian was, but OMG he's SO TINY! Sebastian is this giant baby, so it seems!! I can't believe how much he's grown, I guess it just happens before your eyes when you see them everyday and have nothing else to compare with.

I think Sebastian is a bit under the weather. I refuse to panic, even though he has a cough and three small children died last week in Perth from the flu plus complications - eek! It means so much more to me now when I hear of families losing a little child, now that we have one of our own... Anyway I'm just feeding him lots and keeping an eye on him. He's a little cranky but is still smiling and wanting cuddles so I figure he's good for now. If he starts going downhill I'm straight off to the doctor though!!

LOL thanks Caro.. actually isn't hurting at all now... just feels weird.

Karina, Joshua made the muffins last night... YUMBO!! The banana ones though are WAY better than the choc chip ones. I had one when I watching Flushed Away before... OMG it is funny!!

Anyway, better go, I have a colour in my hair (my hair grows so fast that I get major grey hair regrowth after about 6 weeks and I HAVE to do it then)... feels like I've always got a colour in my hair!! Lol... back later maybe if ya lucky!!! DO YA FEEL LUCKY PUNK????

Caro you inspired me to taste my breastmilk, lol, and it is quite sweet! No wonder Claire loves booby.

Bec, Congrats to your sis. I'm the same re the size of babies ! I look at Claire and I dont feel like she has grown because I've seen her everyday so its been a gradual change, but when I was flicking through her first photos I can see how massive she is now compared to when she was born! Hope Sebastian is ok. Are you still going back to work next term?

Cass, mmmmm muffins. I am going to make mine tonight if Claire is settled. She has been cranky all day.

I'm so tired! Claire has been very cranky today and I've had lots of stuff I was going to do but havent had the chance to even start, so Dh will be cranky when he comes home because the house looks like a mess! I just lugged our rug outside and put it on the clothes line because I washed it yesterday and it took me a good half hour to get it outside (wet carpet is heavy!) so now I am buggered. Ah well that'll teach him not to go to work when he has holidays and could be at home helping me with cranky child and lugging carpet outside. hehehe

Hello everyone, long time no post :-( The whole family got the flu (dam you brisbane) Xander, Ariya and DH are all on antibiotics and amazingly I am relatively fine. I think it's because everyone else is sick. I will probably fall in a heap when they are all well. Needless to say I am so unbearabley sleep deprivided and I'm trying to get ready for our stint at the markets this weekend + I've had 5 nappy demos booked this week, 4 on Monday - blah. Thanks for letting me have a vent.

Cass - OUCH on the tooth, hope it's healing up OK

Karina - hearing you on the in-laws grrrr If one more person asks why Ari isn't on solids I swear I'm going to scream. Oh and don't feel bad about the house that's what mine looks like everyday :-)

Bec - congrats on becoming an aunty!!!!

Natty - Hope you can persist with the BF the biting usually only lasts a week if that and it is so much easier than bottle-feeding.

OK I can't remember who was having the muffins but I have to find some!!!! While we are on the subject I don't even want to talk about weight. I am so disappointed in myself + I really dislike the photos of myself at Ari's christening because of it.

I'm off on a muffin hunt. BBS

Rachel – How exciting on grace rolling over! Nicholas is so close. He lifts his head up, then his legs and will topple over any time now! It is so cute! Nic can also stand for longer periods now, he is really strong. He likes it when I hold his hands and he sits himself up, then kind of pulls himself up to stand. So grown up!! Also, I would try not to let your MIL get to you. They always think they know better. My MIL is fantastic and never pushes, but my ex MIL was horrendous! Always telling me what to do and how to raise Jas. Thank god I don’t have to deal with that anymore!

Cass – I have been looking at Bumbo seats on Ebay…still thinking about it as he will probably be sitting up in another couple of months anyway. I just think it looks so cute! I am going to borrow my sisters Jolly Jumper this week as I think Nic would love being in that. He loves bouncing. Yucko – I HATE the dentist! I really need to go for a check up, but have been avoiding it since Nic was born.

Bec – Congrats Aunty! My sis is at Glengarry. We are trying to get a bit healthier here too. I am still carrying the last 5kg, and it is really hard to move! Not helping that it is winter, and I seem to have a really strong sugar craving. I have been doing a post-natal exercise class once a week, which is great, and I am trying to walk a lot more too.

Well – I have my beautiful sleeping baby back! For the last 2 nights, he has only woken once, happily talked to himself for a while, then went back to sleep after I popped his dummy back in, then slept til about 6.30am! I am hoping and :pray: he keeps this up.

My sister had a beautiful baby boy yesterday. His name is William Michael and he was 7lb 7oz…so cute! So tiny! I can’t believe Nicholas was ever this tiny(well, actually he wasn’t as he was 8lb 6!), but he is just gorgeous! I am so excited they will be so close. Other than that, just going through the school hols here, shopping with the girls and hanging out in our PJ’s till 11am!

Heylo All! Reading through all the post... Theres a lot of chatter going on!

We're finally back from our holidays! the plane was delayed for another hour! So we didn't end up getting in till 12.30am, and home untill 1.30-2.00ish! but izzy just slept the whole way! she has eben such a good girl!

I read somewhere up there - to start solids because baby wasn't sleeping throughh the night - that is a misconception that once you start solids they will sleep through! I'm just blessed i have a wonderful sleeper 8-10hours at night! And that was before solids!

And i know this is one of your pet hates Caro~ And i hate talking about it, coz i feel like your going to chop my head of everytime lolz! But izzy is doing fantastic on solids! She's fuller and happier! settling easier! is just amazing the difference it has made!!~!~

Can't believe 4 months is up already! We go for our immunisations on thursday :(


Might i say what lovely weather we are having in brisbane! COmming from taz, its just been gorgeous! there's been a few times where i have even had to put the aircon on in the car?!?!?!?

Well i really must go, gotta finish setting up the cot (my girl is getting to big for her bassinet) which means she's will be going into her own room :( I odn't know who's going to freak out more, her or me! lol

Catch ya later :)

Awww Sarah, you poor thing!! I guess in some ways it's better if they're all sick together huh! I hope you don't fall in a heap!!

Jo, I did look on ebay but they were all going for at least $50 or more (generally more... average approx. $65) so we figured we'd just buy new and Oskar just LOVES it!! It's good for feeding in as well once they are on solids.

Cass, welcome home!! Glad Izzy is doing well on her solids :D Will her cot fit in your room?? I know I'm soooo NOT ready for Oskar to leave my room yet. He's still in his hammock, so it's all good for now.

I think Oskar is coming out the other end of a growth spurt cos he's more settled again!! PHEW!! He's around 7kg now!! I can't believe my tiny little man is soooo big now!

Cass, wow Oskar sure is growing up. He was smaller than Claire at birth and now he is heaps bigger (she is only 5.5kg, puny little thing, but gaining weight every week anyway so no worry there).

Cassblob, Thats great Izzy is going well on solids. I know I also rambled on about how I am not going to start Claire till later, but I know you've made an informed decision and sought advice from health professionals, so good on you - just do whatever works for you hey! Oh, jealous of that Brissie warmness - Want to swap weather?? Its been craptasticly cold in Sydney and I'm sure I am adding to this global warming issue by chewing up power with having the heaters on all day hehe.

Jo, Congrats to your sister and congrats to yourself on becoming an aunty - how exciting!

I am in desperate need of new Maternity Bras. I have been meaning to go out for a little while now but havent got around to it (well I did because I went out the other week but didnt buy anything because the shop assistant was rude and made me feel like an idiot for asking her to fit me so I could get the right size). Hopefully there are some on sale in Myer. Might have a look!

DH Suggested to me to go out for a few hours to the shops and get myself something nice and I told him 'ok well I'll put some booby into bottles and freeze it..." only for him to say "oh but I want to go see a movie so you'll have to take Claire shopping with you" and there I was thinking he was going to look after her for a few hours while I went out!

I am taking Claire in for her vax on friday. I wasnt nervous for her first vax at 2 months, but I am nervous about these ones and I am worried that I am just going to cry, because I know she is going to cry and that is making me upset! I am such a sook! I also need a pap smear (yuk!) because I am overdue. Oh the joys of being a woman, eh?

Hope everyone is well.

Hello all, sorry haven’t been on. Have been very tired recently as Grace has been playing funny buggars overnight so we haven’t been getting the sleep we are used to…more on that later.

Karina – bummer about not being able to go out. Hope you get some new bras soon. Blah on the pap smear. We took Grace to get her vax yesterday and I made DH to come as I was sure that she would scream. She didn’t cry until the third one which was the big nasty one. We were so proud. To get Grace to stand I just hold her and she supports herself with her legs. I pull Grace by her hands to a sitting position, not sure I would do it to a standing position though.

Cass – we saw pirates of the carribean 3 – was really good. Long though. Yay on your tooth being fixed. I need to go to the dentist too (haven’t gone for 18months).

Bec – Congratulations on becoming an Aunty.

Can I just say regarding solids – that the current research suggests that starting solids before 6 months of age ‘may’ cause a problem, it doesn’t say that it will. I also think that every baby is different and you need to listen to your baby. If they are hungry and milk just isn’t doing it anymore then solids may be the way to go. It depends on the child. Not on what the books say. By the way, I am not trying to offend anyone I am just stating what I know regarding this issue.

Sarah – I hope everyone feels better soon. Hope you manage to avoid it. You are a busy woman.

Cass – I am glad that Izzy is doing so well. Obviously she was a girl that needed food, what can you do huh.

So, on Monday night Grace went down as per usual but then woke at 12midnight (very unusual) and wouldn't settle back into a good sleep. I ended up feeding her at 2.30 and managed to get back to bed at 3.20 and she woke again at 8am. Took her for her immunisations yesterday which she was a good little girl for. Was a bit grizzly during the day but went down to bed well. She woke at midnight again! She settled back down with her dummy until just before 1am when she woke again so I fed her and she eventually went back to sleep but then woke again at 5.30am. We took her into our bed and she eventually fell asleep again until 8.45am. We are finding this very rude seeing that she has slept through the night since 2 weeks old (we are lucky we know but because we aren't used to this we are finding it tough). Now, if she had always woken through the night we wouldn't be bothered and we'd put it down to she's just being a baby. BUT, she doesn't do this so we are thinking there has to be a reason that she has suddenly started to wake wanting what appears to be a feed before going back to sleep. So we have a plan to try and get her to sleep, and it involves the last feed. Tonight we are doing as per usual just to make sure that it's not really related to her immunisations. If she does the same thing tonight there will be no mucking about, i'll feed her and get back to bed. If this happends tonight, tomorrow night we will give EBM via a bottle for that last feed so that we can make sure she gets enough. If she still wakes through the night, the next night we will give breast feed then top up with a small amount of formula after bath. If this doesn't work then we may have to try solids. Yes Yes I know she is only 4 months...blah blah (lol)...see my comments above, I have spoken to the CHN about starting solids and she agrees that every baby is individual and you need to go with what they want. After describing Grace's behaviour to her (this was on monday before she started to wake through the night!) she said that it probably won't be too much longer before she is ready but just to wait and see. This is not a plan of action we are taking lightly and I have looked into it - so please no comments on how bad solids are before 6 months, please. Hopefully the other things that we are trying first will work, if not, then we will try this. We want the best for Grace. So fingers crossed my little girl starts sleeping better again.

She was weighed on Monday - 6.23kgs and 66cm long - she grew 4 cm in 1 month! She definitely gets that from her fathers side.

I have become a proxy aunty (!). My best friend was due to have her first on the 27th July but her little girl decided that she wasn't going to wait! Ashley was born yesterday morning after a speedy 6 hour labour at 37+4weeks gestation. She is so tiny at 2.6kgs (5lb13oz). We went and saw her today and Grace looked HUGE!

Cass - i noticed that Oskar was this size when he was born. Just wondering if you can tell me if this sounds normal to you. Because my friends girl is so small they don't want her to lose anymore weight so rather than pushing the breastfeeding (the midwives) they are cup feeding formula until my girlfriends milk comes in. Yesterday (day one) they didn't attempt to attach to breast as initially she wasn't interested. Today they are breastfeeding but still topping up with formula. Did this happen with you? Because of this my girlfriend didn't get up through the night for feeds as the midwives did it and baby stayed in the nursery as they had her in an isolette to keep her body temp up. She is also very sleepy - i don't remember Grace being so sleepy and i wondered if this was due to being so small. She also doesn't really make much noise, again is this because she is so small? Lots of questions i know but i just worry because it sounded a bit weird to me (the topping up with formula) instead of attempting breastfeeding. I understand why they don't want her to lose more weight but shouldn't they still be BF to cause that stimulation so her milk comes in? BF can be so hard anyway I suppose i worry that this may make it harder/ Just thought it would be nice to hear another story from someone else who had a smaller baby. Thanks.

By the way, Grace and I are going to the gold coast on the 18th August for a few days for my mums 50th birthday. my parents are paying for accomodation etc, i just had to buy my flights. So some nice weather would be good. DH is working so that is why he can't come. Anyway, just saw the time, should go to bed in case Grace doesn't sleep well again. Night everyone.

Hi everyone. Been a bit quiet as DS#1 has been 'testing the boundaries' a little more than usual.

Tate is going well, waking a little more at night but settles pretty well until feed ar about 4am.

As far as solids go, there is so much 'research' these days, finding so many different things, its quite ridiculous really! I think that if your baby is waking more, why not give it a go. Obviously you need to be careful, with choking etc, but I know anyone who is reading this is very careful and sensible with their bubba's. I top Tate up with a little bit of formula before bed every night and that for me, personally, helps. In my 'bible' (Baby Love) it states 'think about starting to try solids between 3 and 6 months if baby seems hungry, waking more, to help prevent reflux and vomiting', and more things I cant type with Tate sitting on my lap! My biggest mistake, which made me get upset with DS#1 a lot, was thinking there were strict 'rules' with babies. There are no rules, your instincts are your guidelines as far as I'm concerned! Rachel, Baby Love suggests solids instead of formula, so maybe try that first? Just thought I would let you know, considering that wise woman you mentioned in your email could be 'wrong' for Grace, IYKWIM?!

Wow I don't believe it - Ariya has just conked out on the floor by herself and has been there for about half and hour - wow I am stunned. She is still clutching one of her toys and I'm wondering if that is what is helping her to settle herself as she likes to hold your hand when she falls asleep????? She also slept about 6hr and 4hrs last night which was so good after waking every 1-2 for the past few days while she was sick. Have to go and pick up DS soon :-( Don't want to wake her.

Rachel - congrats on being an aunty. As for the formula pushing I can't agree or disagree but just wanted to say they were very strict when DS was born at 36wks. He was very sleepy and had no urge to suck, we had tube feeds and top ups with formula and supply lines and all sorts of stuff. In the end he did loose a lot of weight (but then so did Ari), had jaundice and my milk didn't come in until day 7-9 and OMG at the engorgment. My only tips would be to trust her instincts, be in with that bub as much as possible even if she is sitting in the special care (I wish someone had told me I could sit with DS in there) and express express express!

Oh spoke to soon someone awake

Hi Guys! Sorry I've been away for a little bit again! Well after trying to stop TJ's biting for about 2weeks I've come to the decision to stop breastfeeding her and have switched her to formula. It got to the point where I would dread every feed because my nipples were so sore and I could only express about 50ml every few hours! So my milk is almost dried up but my boobs still hurt. I weighed her this morning and she's gone up 200gms in a week - so its working well for her!

hope everyone is well!
xoxox

Sarah, we are finding that Claire sometimes needs a toy to settle and fall asleep. The one she likes for this is a cloth book. Sometimes she'll be screaming and I'll give her book and she'll play with it then fall asleep. WOW on 6 hours of sleep!! Hope you get that more often.

Went to my mothers group today at one of the ladys houses. I walked there and it was a nice walk to get there, but unfortunately Claire got really cranky and I could see she was tired but she wouldnt go to sleep or feed well - she kept playing with my nipple not sucking it! She is now asleep. I hope she is goingto have a nice long nap - she has been only having short naps in the day then waking and wanting to play for a couple of hours!

Karina, Oskar is an oofer now!! lol I can't believe how much weight he's put on and how fast!! lol @ you DH! I would've thought the same as you did. Mind you I'm not sure that I could actually leave Oskar for that long yet...I'd feel "naked". I hate vax time too :( It's awful how they cry. I haven't had my pap either. I HATE them. Why couldn't they just do it when I had my legs spread already!!! :cryinglaugh: PMSL.

Rachel, Oskar was full term (just over in fact) so maybe they weren't concerned as much? They did keep an eye on his temp as it wasn't stable. They put him in bed with me to keep his temp more stable ;) Nothing was mentioned about formula EVER! He didn't lose any weight at all, he had gained 50 gms when we left 2 1/2 days after he was born... so he was a freak!! Oskar wasn't sleepy I don't think?? He was vacuumed assisted so he was a bit upset and basically spent almost ALL his time attached to my boob!! I'm surprised that they seem to be pushing formula so badly. I would say to your friend to ask ask ask questions of why they are pushing what they are and why they want to do things... and let her know that it's ultimately her decision but to make an informed one and don't be afraid to say no if she doesn't agree or doesn't think they have a reasonable or strong enough argument for what they are suggesting. I would think that there could be more to it for them to be pushing it so hard though. Maybe she needs to ask more questions or if she is afraid to get you or her DH/DP or someone else to ask for her. Sorry I can't really help more. As for Grace, is she getting a bit cold? Oskar has woken when cold (well I think so) cos the next night I changed his blanket to a fleece one instead of cotton and he was heaps better. Apparently they have a bit of a developmental change at around 4 months and it can interfere with and change their sleeping habits. I've come to the conclusion if I can't settle Oskar by rocking him and it's not a dirty bum then I chuck him on the boob... works for him and sometimes he's hungry other times I think it's just comfort or maybe he wanted a real mummy hug ...lol. Pity you're not staying in Brissie!!! We could've caught up, we'll see what happens as it gets closer though. If you have msn messenger add me buggy131 @ hotmail dot com.

Sarah, isn't it funny how it's like OMG they fell asleep on their own!! Oskar likes holding onto a nappy or a toy when he's in his capsule or pram.. looks sooooo cute!

Nat, as long as you're happy that's all that matters. It sounds like you were getting stressed before feed time which wasn't helping how you felt already. I completely understand how that would be dreading feed time though, nipples are VERY sensitive!!

Oskar has really started to grab and hold his toys a lot more lately and well CHEW them. Everything is into his mouth now...kinda gross really! He hasn't rolled yet, but looks like he's working up to it. On his back he draws his legs up and can roll the bottom half but hasn't followed through yet. Do they usually roll from back to tummy first or tummy to back first???

Caro - I am well aware of what the current research states (as I also said in my post of which you quoted but obviously didn't realise and only saw the book comment which I admit was a poor choice of words on my part but it was late and tired.). I am not disputing what the current research says, I believe it to be very important, but I think it also needs to be said that not every baby will fit into the ideal. We are definitely not keen to start solids yet - firstly because of the current research but secondly why would I want to rush this, it is much more simple now compared to what it would be once she is on solids. Having said that, if she is a hungry girl and that is what she needs then I have to go with that. I think the important thing is to be informed (of which I am very informed - and due to having a medical background I do not do anything without researching it first) before making such decisions. As for saying that you won't argue about it because people will do and believe what they think, it is not about that, it is about believing and doing what is best for each and everyone's baby. For their health. Yes, their gut is immature and is better at 6 months, but that is not to say that they can't cope with some things at an early age. It is all about common sense. I think your comment is very condesending and I don't appreciate that at all. I am a very well educated person that is capable of making well informed appropriate decisions for my child. I apologise if I have taken your comment out of context but I have to say that I am rather offended - and I don't get offended very easily.

As for everyone else - hello and how are you? :redface:

Jessica - thankyou. Interesting what you wrote re solids instead of formula. I think we would still try formula first as we do want to hold off on the solids if we can.

Sarah - yay on Ari falling asleep on her own. Grace did that the other day. She has done it a few times but very few and far between. She was holding her teddy that she goes to sleep with always (I gave it to her out a moment of frustration when she kept pulling out her dummy and I thought it would giver her hands something else to do). Now she always sleeps with it. Thanks Sarah for the info on your experience with a small bubby. I'm sure she will do what is best for her and her baby and trust her gut instincts (as we all do).

Nat - I'm glad things are working out for you. I hope your boobs start to feel better soon. Now you can enjoy feed times again.

Karina - Grace does the same in the day - cat naps for 25 minutes then wants to play. Problem is she gets herself so tired by the evening. I hope you got that long nap you were after.

Cass - thanks for that! My friends baby is technically term at 37+4 weeks - I have to say that she does actually look prem though, especially seeing that she is so sleepy and quiet and not sucking that great. So who knows. As for Grace, she's not cold - we have a heater going in her room that keeps the room 21-23 degrees. She has a singlet, a wondersuit, a thick sleeping bag, a sheet and a blanket! She isn't too hot either, we checked! It's bizarre, we'll get there. One day at a time. It would have been great to catch up! I don't have MSN unfortunately. I know what you mean about eveything being in their mouth, I don't think we often see grace's face anymore without something hovering around her mouth. At least now I am happy that it is her hands or her toys. Wait till they are older and it becomes things off the ground - eewww!! lol.

So tonight we are trying the bottle of EBM as Grace woke again last night at 1am. I fed her but then she just wanted to play!! We eventually just put her to bed with her teddy and after about 40 minutes of talking and whinging she fell asleep and woke at 7.45am. Fingers crossed this works tonight.:pray:

Caro - I wasn't trying to make you feel like a horrible person. I didn't say you said I was a horrible mother, I said you had made me feel like a terrible mother - which after I posted it I had decided to remove it, even though I did feel like that at the time. I apologise that you saw that part of the post before I calmed down and removed it. Can we drop this now, obviously we have had a difference of opinion and lets no longer speak of it. ok?

Just saw something which brought up so many mixed emotions - a March 1st-15th bellbelly thread-for 2008:confused: I want another bubba:cry:

OMG Sarah I saw it too the other day and it was a wierd feeling. I kept wanting to go in there.

which has just reminded me - sarah you are still pregnant in your Avatar!! lol

HaHa, I had forgotten all about that, must be a sign :-)

hee hee i saw that thread too and felt srange! but i don't want to be pregnant again ... yet!

hehe, i saw it with another forum i'm in! I'm like awww i found out this time last year i was pregnant, even got an ultrasound around this time last year!!! Brings back alot of emotions... But me and Dp are waiting untill i finish uni !~!~

Such memories :)

Cass I'm the same! It was about now that I found out I was preggers - last year! Wow how time flies!!

Hello....Grace woke again last night but this time at about 2.30am. This I can cope with if she goes back to sleep till morning. Which she did after an hour and a half of crying! I'm going to try a dream feed tonight and see if that helps. Poor DH is getting quite stressed by it all - which is bizarre because normally it is me that stresses.

Finally contacted the university that I completed a postgrad course with a few years ago but which never received a certificate from them. I need the certificate if I want to apply for some casual work as a nurse. Turns out I was discontinued from the system instead of showing that I had completed the course! So I have to write a letter to someone who has to do this and that before they can change me so that I can be seen as complete and get my certificate! What a dibarcle (?Sp). Anyway, have written the letter and will get it in the post today (if I don't do these things straight away they take forever - that is why it has taken me 3 years to find out this happened!lol!).

Off to mother's group shortly - hope everyone else is well. Is everyone having crappy weather or just us! Speak soon.

Rachel, hope the dreamfeed helps Grace go back to sleep easier. lol about your course - some education places are so dumb arent they!

Took Claire to have her vax's today - poor thing got such a rude shock. One second we're cuddling, next thing she gets jabbed in the bum! But she is happy now and having a noice long feed. I was going to weigh her as well but the baby health centre was closed and the chemist took away the scales!