Hi all, so knackered after all the visitors and having to do touristy things with them plus had 8 people here for the last 4 days and only a 7 seater car so Ariya and *i have been bussing it which makes for a long day! Wonderful to have the visitiors though, Xander had a ball with all his aunty's and uncles.

Ariya is all out of wack after having so many people here and lots of cuddles and disruptions. she is very unsettled during her awake time and so hard to know whats wrong! She was awake for hours yesterday as we were down at the beach and there was just soooo much to look at (including her big brother who was so tired from running and swimming all day ran full pelt into a pole while playing football and has a huge egg on his head - very scary as the thump was that loud people came running from all over with ice and first aid kits!)

I am amazed at what she is doing at the moment pushing up on her elbows and rolling (although I have heard this is a reflex and will disappear???) also she is trying really hard to coordinate her arms and occasionally will try and reach for something. How weird is this - she actually giggled the other day. My sil is my witness, we were changing her nappy and this full on chortle came out of her mouth -actually a little spooky :-)

Rachel - with the smelling milk thing will the dummy work? I usually put Ariya over my shoulder to settle her so she isn't in the feeding position as she will start mouthing when tired too. If she is overtired though and we have been trying to settle for a while *i will usually offer another feed which settles her. I found with Xander that BF babies do get a lot more out of BF than just milk, it is a big comfort to them when they are unsettled, in pain etc. We do the same with the dummy, usually just through the day when she is unsettled.

Cass and Natt - hope your nipples are feeling better soon. Mine took a beating from Ariya and we are now using shields as I couldn't stand the pain and with my slightly flat nipples she just couldn't get enough in her mouth to stop the grazes and cracks. We've now partially weaned off the shields on the left side - woohoo. It is hard work and hard to learn too - you are doing a great job to keep going.

Karina - pleased your parents group was nice. Had the same thing with my boobs not feeling as full etc and was wondering the same as you. I remember around 6 wks they settled with Xander so maybe they are just settling early???? I have been keeping a good eye on wet nappies and weight gain just to make sure my supply is not dropping. Also Anyone else only get the letdown feeling on one side?

Hi Cass #2 - we had a 3 1/2 hour labour too! Too fast and furious for me would have liked a slightly slower labour *;-*0 Glad to hear you and your little man are doing well.

Jess - congrats on your little boy Tate!

OK can't remember anything else, off to find out more about this modern cloth as we are really enjoying using cloth. Anyone got any pros cons on different sorts?