Babies Born March 2007

Jessica, I can't believe you were refused visitors - that's rediculous. It obviously really depends on who is working at the time as to what sort of experience you have. Dissapointing you had to share a room. I have to say we were lucky that we got a single room. It is so busy there now it is unbelievable. I know what you mean about the midwives. We didn't see ours too much either, it was definitely if you wanted them you had to ask, this suited us, and when we did need them they were extremely good. We just got some chocolates and a card and we are going to take it to the hospital tomorrow to say thanks. I hope they fix that water temp soon, it is rather annoying. Well, I'm going to have a rest before we venture out for dinner tonight.

Jessica congrats on the birth of Tate. Wow at 125ml from one boob. I cant even manage 40ml lol! Hope your nipples heal and feel better soon.

Sasha hope you managed to get some rest. I too was wondering if what I am eating is making Claire have wind.

Rachel , no luckily lst night was not too bad. Claire woke about 1 am , 3am , 6am. Then I managed a nice long (4hrs) of sleep after that. I sleep more between 5 and 11am than at night! Claire doesnt like the bath either. She is ok for the first 30 seconds, then she starts screaming and goes red, and doesnt stop till the bath is over, but then she seems to be quite happy after the bath. Hope you can massage out the thingy in Graces foot. We got told Claire has a clicky hip and we have to get an ultrasound in a few weeks to get it checked. I hope its nothing bad.

Claire has been sleeping nearly all day, and only waking up about 3 - 4 hours to have a feed. I woke up this morning covered in milk. Lovely! Going to the parents group tomorrow - I hope theyre nice. DH has been home all day, playing movies - those ones where they spend the entire 2 hours killing each other. I am so over listening to it. I'd rather listen to Claire scream than his movie!

Anyone elses baby have a wonky head?

Well need to eat again. Just cant stop eating!

Oh my a lot of typing goes on here! too tired and have izzy in my arms to right a long reply... But wanted to ask you gals a question...

How much sleep are your bubs getting? like 2 hours at a time or 5 hours? whats normal? how long inbetween feeds are you letting them go for? and how much sleep is too much?

Hi Everyone!

Cass - I'm getting between 1-4hrs break between feeds...it really varies which makes it hard! Last night we were up every 1-2hrs but the night before it was every 4hrs!

Feeling very tired today but the homevisiting midwife is coming between 10.30-11.30am so I had to get up when she called at 9am to give me time to shower and tidy up a bit.

Mum left yesterday and I got really emotional! The afternoon went downhill from there with TJ crying most of the avo. She would feed, burb, nappy change and the repeat again! Made it really hard because I had to get to the shops by myself for the first time to get something for dinner. Got there in the end and I definately had the baby blues yesterday! Hoping today is better.

Wonder how Shell is going! Anyone heard anything?

xoxoxo

Cass, usually get between 3-4 hours with the occassional 2 hour feed in the afternoon and sometimes a longer period overnight (7hrs last night!). She has awake time usually in the morning. I feed her 3-4 hourly in the day, won't let her go more than 4 hours in the day, then she calls the shots overnight. I work on the theory she needs 6-8 feeds in a 24 hour period so if I can get most of them in the day then it's better. Also starts to establish a routine. Was advised to do this by a friend that was a midwife and it seems to work most days. I don't think there is such a thing as too much sleep at this age. I read that newborns sleep 16-20 hours a day! That's a lot of sleep. From what I understand there isn't a 'normal'. Every baby is different. Hope this helps.

Karina, I hope the clicky hip is ok. Did you have a good night last night? How was the parents group? Grace's neck muscles are so strong and she can hold her head up for a really long time, even the nurse was suprised at her neck control. It's so funny though, when she's hungry, she will move her head from side to side and make sucking noises.

Nat haven't heard from Shell either. Are you having a better day today? I hope you get some better sleep tonight. There's no explanation as to why they have off nights huh.

We had such a great night last night. Went out for dinner and Grace was so good. Asleep in the car all the way home and then woke once we got home. Fed her a bit early to settle down which didn't work, so DH took Grace out for a drive in the car at 12.45am as she loves the car. I went to bed. Grace asleep and in bed by 1.15 am, didn't wake again until just after 6am! We couldn't believe it. Fed then slept again until just after 10am. Not used to so much sleep! It was bliss! Just found out my father in law is paying us a visit for a couple of days from tomorrow (coming from Adelaide) to meet his granddaughter. Have some serious tidying to do today. DH is taking day off work as there is no way I could manage a trip to the airport yet. So that will be nice just unexpected. DH just got back with lunch, but before I go, a question. Does anyone else have this problem...I find when Grace gets over tired and I'm holding her, she really cracks it and it's as if she gets confused b/w wanting to sleep and feed as if she can smell the milk on me. She will only settle with DH. I don't know what to do about thid once DH goes back to work as he won't be here to settle her and it only happens at night. Any suggestions? DH suggested putting on one of his t'shirts but will grace still smell booby through that? ta.

Cass, with the sleep/feed thing, it varies from day to day with us. Today, Claire has been sleeping almost all day. I've fed her maybe every 4 hours, but they were only really short feeds. Last night she was unsettled from about 2am to about 5am. Sometimes she'll sleep for a good 4 hour block before needing a feed, other times she will wake every hour wanting a feed. Different every day for us! I am letting her decide when she wants to eat. I havent been waking her up when I think she needs it.

Natty, your day sounds like our first night home from hospital! Feed, burp, nappy change, repeat. I hope you are feeling better today. I was really teary and emotional when Claire was about 5-7 days old, when my milk came in.

Rachel, lol Claire does that sucky thing and moved her head like that when she wants a feed. Its so hard to get her to attach when she is doing that! Last night was a shocker. She was unsettled for like 3-4 hours. I was going crazy and emotional which probably made it worse because Claire was probably picking up on that and going crazy too. Poor DH too. I am hoping the clicky hip is nothing much - the Nurse at the baby health centre told me she couldnt feel the click. I might just go have the ultrasound the paed told me to get and see what they say. I am not too sure about your settling thing at night sorry. But i do think she will probably still smell booby. Claire can smell booby a mile away.

I went to the Parents Group today with Claire. It was quite nice actually and all the mums were very friendly. I wasnt too sure because its one of those suburbs where everyone has enourmous houses where I could park my whole house on their front verandah so i thought they might be snobby... but they were really lovely. tjhere were about 12 of us. About half of us had ourbaby at the same hospital as I did, and the other half had their baby across the road in the private hospital. At least one woman looked familiar, possibly from antenatal classes. I also weighed her today - 3.5kg, but that was with 2 layers of clothes and wrapped.. so probably a little less than that really.
Only bad thing was that on the way there, i realised my car is on the way out. I think the clutch is going as I cant get it into gear half the time. Not what I need right now!!!! Not paying in excess of $1000 to get a new clutch on a car worth $100! But these things happen. I just hope it doesnt die when I am driving with Claire in the car.

Anyone else still got that belly line? Mine is still really dark.

Anyone else feel like their milk has decresed? I am not really feeding mroe often than before, but I dont feel like my breasts are full, and when I feed Claire, it doesnt feel like I am feeding her much. Any one else?

Agh kewl thanks ladies...
I was getting worried because izzy is a great sleeper at night, will sleep 6-7 hours if i let her, and i wasnt too sure if that was a good thing or bad thing... during the day her feeds are 3-4 hours... but at night she does like her sleep~ she like her mummy :)

Cass you lucky duck....6-7 hours a night would be bliss. As long as Izzy is having regular wet nappies then whatever she wants is ok.

Karina, glad your parents group was good. I don't know when mine starts. Yep, I still have the belly line but I don't notice it as much now, probably because it isn't stretched out over a big belly anymore, lol! That's a buggar about your car, hope it holds out for you. Milk has definitely settled down which is apparently normal as it adjusts to their needs, not as full and sore as the initial days. I know by Graces weight gain that there is no problem with my supply and the other day when she slept for 7 hours between feeds I was bursting and in agony, so obviously she just takes exactly what she needs. I'm sure your supply is fine it is just fine tuned to Claire's needs.

I knew our night of 7 hours sleep was a once off. Last night we were up every hour from 3 am and she had 2 feeds at 2 hours apart. She has now been asleep for 2 and a half hours, hoping she makes it to the 3. Have a feeling it is because she only had 5 feeds from midnight to midnight yesterday as she slept through her 10.30 feed, I thought about waking her but thought she would wake soon then I fell asleep, she didn't wake until 12.45am. So theory is she was catching up her feeds, which makes sense and goes well with what I was told about sticking to 3-4 hour feeds in the day so that she doesn't need extra feeds at night. Hopefully better night tonight. DH has taken today off work as father in law is coming over and arrives at airport this afternoon right in peak time. Thought a trip to the airport would be a bit much at this stage as it will probably takin him an hour to get there, time to pick up luggage etc, and probably about 2 hours plus to get home due to traffic, especially on a friday. That would be hard to fit feeds in so thought I'd give that one a miss. This will be first meeting between grandpa and grace so very exciting. He leaves on Sunday night so they will have some nice time together. Lucky DH didn't go to work today with the night we had! lol!

Anyway, hope everyone else is well. Have a great weekend.

OMG.. a couple of days without logging on and i am way behind.

I am sooo tired girls.. Exhausted, been out everyday this week and havent been sleeping all that well so its all catching up with me, only going to out of the house two days next week the rest i am staying home and getting some rest.

I brought the Brauer Stomach Calm for Kaiden and is has worked ..YAY.. Although still not going down straight away during the night/morning, a very good boy during the day. Feed lastnight about 2hrly. Have done up a feed/sleep chart on Excel so hoping to keep track, at th emoment i try to remember what times but when i get up in the morning if orget, my memory has gone to mush..

I purchased the book Baby Love by Robin Barker.. Its my bible.. Really good information on everything a mum needs to know.

DH keeps taking Kaiden out of the basinett to settle him when he doesnt really need to be .. not happy about this because i want Kaiden to try and get to sleep on his own.. how do i tell DH this.. MIL & FIL are over so dont want to tell DH what to do infront of them.. Ahhhh

Well better go.. cant be on the computer all night when Inlaws are here.

Ciao for now.

OH still hvae my line down my tummy.

Health Nurse said Kaiden is one very very healthy boy. Now weighs 3.80kg.. YAY.. put 700grams on over the last two weeks.

I guess i pretty lucky! I havn't had one bad night with Izzy (yet) WE had a few tested afternoons... but most of the time as soon as i pick her up she fine... Loves cuddles with mum!

Izzy slept for 7hours last night... then woek up for fed/burb/change/cuddle and back to bed...

We went an saw the midwife, and Izzy is now 4.7kilo's! At 2 weeks old... She'z mummies gutzy girl!

And for anyone else with cracked nipples - my midwife said "pawpaw ointment is good" just put a think layer on and let to dry... So i'm trying that now... And hoping it works... This breastfeeding is a rewarding but painful job! lol!

Hi girls...hey Jessica, great to see you here!!

Just thought I'd pop in and say hi. I'm another Cass...rofl...which is funny considering I think I've only come across a few over the years.

A little about us - My little man Oskar decided he was ready to meet us on Monday just gone (26th) and took only 3 1/2 hours...he was in such a hurry he ended up in distress (HB dropping to approx 40 at the end of each contraction) as my waters were in his way and bulging but hadn't broken, my cervix was good to go and I'd felt like pushing for about an hour by then. When they ruptured the membranes there was meconium, so he was then vacuum assisted due to the toxin risk. I got 2nd degree tear but it's healing ok just uncomfortable. He was a little trooper though and is doing great!! I'm very proud of him. We've been home for a couple of days and he feeds like it's going out of fashion. Midwife did home visit yesterday and he's already put on 70 grams!!!! Today though I am feeling like a combination of a feeding machine or a huge dummy...lol. He just wants to be snuggled with mum today and really...I'm LOVING it anyway.

Anyway, will chat more soon...can't wait to share the journey together.

Cass blob, how lucky that Izzy is sleeping 6-7 hours! Interesting about the paw paw stuff, thanks for that tip. I'll be getting some if I get more pimply!

Ozzihoffy congrats on the birth of Oskar. What a cute name. Yay that youre doing really well.

Rachel, how exciting Grace got to meet her grandfather. Claire hasnt met my dad yet. Maybe one day she will. I agree, the trip to the airport would ahve been a bit much.

Sonia, ikwym about brain going to mush. I forget everything straight away! hope you manage to get mroe rest. I find I get the most rest in the mornings between 5 and 10am. Claire seems to have a decent sleep between this time. I am trying to sleep when she sleeps! Glad the Stomach Calm thind has worked. hmm not sure about telling your hubby not to pick up Kaiden all the time. Maybe you could try something like "i find he settles on his own if you leave him a few minutes" lol.

Some of you have mentioned feeding being painful... I cant say I found breastfeeding to be painful to begin with, but these last few days it has been a little painful. Like a stinging feeling. I have no idea why, but it makes it hard... I take her off when it hurts so I dont destroy my nipples, but then its is hard to get her to attach again as she fusses and pushes away. No idea what is going on.

We just got home from a nice long walk. We were given one of those Baby Bjorn things so we thought we would test it out. Its quite nice once you have it on, but I found it really confusing to put on and do up! I have to say though, its so much easier to walk around like that rather than pushing our huge pram around.

I am wondering about Catherine.. wehavent heard from her in a little while. Wonder if she has had her baby?

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?

oh Karina - keep an eye out for thrush, if you or claire have white on her tongue or your nipple, it can cause a burning or stabbing feeling in the nipple and makes their mouth itch so they don't feed well. You can grab something over the counter at the chemist for it.

Welcome Cass2 (Ozzihoffy), nice to meet you and happy to share this journery with you. 3 1/2 hour labour sounds a wee bit intense! Glad that you are both doing well. Cuddles must be the prescription for today!

Cass, make the most of the 6-7 hours sleep. Hopefully it lasts for you, but I know from Grace she slept great for the first 2 weeks and has had a few unsettled nights recently which the maternal and child health nurse said was normal and would probably get worse before it gets better! I hope it doesn't get worse that's for sure!

Karina I hope the stinging feeling goes away. SOunds like you are doing the right thing pulling her off, ashame she then fusses though. I occassionally get a stinging/burning feeling which is caused by poor attachment so I have to take her off too. She fusses for a while but then gets back on. Other times I pull her off and if I'm too slow she will try to reattach herself, which is not good as she only ever gets the nipple, owee! We are probably going to get a hug a bub, glad the baby bjorn worked for you. I'm wondering what Catherine had too!

Sarah you must be buggard having to bus it! I couldn't imagine it, I didn't catch the bus before having Grace, lol! We have Grace's grandfather staying with us this weekend, which is great as it is their first meeting, but she has been so unsettled yesterday and today, and I wonder if it is because things are slightly different and there is a 'strange' voice here all the time. Plus DH went back to work today so he wasn't here for the first time either. It is so tiring. I was up almost every 30 minutes last night, not needing to pick her up but it was as if she needed reassurance that we were still here. Today she barely slept and when she did sleep she would only do it if we were cuddling her. I think she has had 45 minutes in her cot today. I finally got her into her cot at 9.30 so fingers crossed that she has a good sleep as I am finding it very exhausting. I think it must be overstimulation, there's so much to see! we tell her that we won't let her miss out on anything if there is anything to see. Gosh, I hope Xander is ok. Lucky they have hard heads and move on pretty quickly, can you imagine if an adult did that, we would be feeling sorry for ourself for days! lol! The giggle would have been weird! but cute. Grace does the elbow thing too - she is getting so strong. Dummy doesn't work in this situation, she is over my shoulder not near my boobs. Sometimes we have tried the other feed and she falls asleep on the boob but then wakes screaming as soon as I try to move her. We'll figure it out. In regards to cloth, we've only used flanalette flats which have been great but we've had to go to disposable at night as she wets too much and the flannies don't last - she hates a wet nappy so she screams! We have 2 pea pods but we haven't used them yet as they are still a wee bit big. If you can keep up with the cloth nappies thread they seem to be in the know, I can't keep up though!!

As I said, father in law over which is nice but having an unsettled daughter makes it very tiring. She was awake for 4 hours straight this afternoon, even a feed didn't knock her out!! lol. Hopefully she will sleep well overnight as she is so tired. Hard to nap when she is awake all afternoon, luckily grandpa was happy to hold her and let her sleep (she didn't want her cot this afternoon, liking cuddles) so mummy could go sleep, felt 100% better afterwards. Got a bit teary this evening when she fed and then wouldn't go to sleep again, just frustrated as to why she wouldn't sleep as she is so exhausted. DH gave her a bath (which she still hates) but settled afterwards with a feed and is finally asleep. yay. DH went back to work today so last night was the first night where I did it all myself as I wanted DH to sleep for work and she had the worst night yet! It was weird not having DH here today. He said it was weird being away as well. I couldn't imagine going to work right now, I couldn't leave her! Hope everyone else is having good nights and days.

Rachel - just wanted to let you know someone else is going through the same thing at the moment! Ariya is overtired but will only sleep while being held. will be thinking of you as we pace the halls this evening. DH has been nursing her so I could have some timeout but my time is up. Had lots of fun looking at all the funky cloth nappies and online baby stores :-) Enjoy having grandad there, visitors are great, they never seem to tire of giving cuddles :-)

Sooo tired, two nights in a row that S has not slept well - night before last he woke at 2:45 for a feed and then wouldn't go back to sleep, eventually dropped off around 4 (ugh!) and then this morning woke at 4 and has been grumpy and grizzly ever since. I put him on the table on a playmat on his stomach and he finally dropped off to sleep - it's been half an hour, yay! But of course I can't leave him like that so looks like sleep is over for me for now :(

poo. he just woke up!! might give him a feed and see if that helps - be back later!

Hello girls!

Time just flies, I have been meaning to post but there always seems to be something to do around the house.

Tate had his first MCHN check-up and had put on 260grams in 5 days. No joke. Just like with DS#1, I have enough booby milk to feed an army and it seems to be laced with steroids! Although uncomfortable and sometimes difficult (fast flow means it is ticking his throat and pulls off at times), I refuse to complain, I remind myself we are VERY lucky.

Personally I find b/feeding a little painful every time and for me I just think it's one of those things. It def hurts at the start of a feed which I know is normal, but I think the constant sucking is 'uncomfortable' too, I figured its just something I have to put up with, because Tate is def getting lots of milk so it cant be an attachment thing, and I can rule all other things out because I have no symptoms. Sometimes I even have let-downs when Tate isn't attached, it can strike at any time (!) and is a def stinging feeling. I need to design a special bra that can catch all the excess milk!!!

Sleeping has been good so far, seems to be in a routine of lots of feeds during the day then a long stint (6hrs) at night. I am a bit worried though because today he has slept quite a bit this afternoon/evening. I hope he doesn't expect to be playing at 3am!!

hi brooke, how did your birth go? good to hear Lucas is being good for his mummy.

Jessica - I get a letdown at strange times too, and funnily enough my DH brought home exactly what you were describing. the chemist reccomm them when my nipples were all cracked at the beginning, they actually catch the milk and you can feed it to bub - very interesting invention :-)

Ariya has had a better day but still unsettled. Went and got some colic stuff today as she seemed to be really in pain. It has certainly helped her relax but now she is overtired and won't fall into a deep sleep.

Hope everyone else is having better days (and nights)

Hello, father in law left tonight. DH took him to the airport and I thought, ripper, first time for Grace and me to be alone together and I can get some sleep and some me time. HUH!!!! She had other ideas. She fed at 6pm and then wouldn't sleep unless being held and was still very light and would wake and grizzle at any movement. Changed nappy - still crying, more cuddles and walking walking -still crying, very overtired little girl, so went for the bath - she still hates the bath BUT fell asleep in my arms afterwards, put her in cot - wakes up! Try to settle her in cot with no succes so pick her up - now 8pm, trying to make dinner while holding her - she fell asleep, put her in cot and she has remained there since - yay! Poor little thing is exhausted. Was due for a feed at 9pm (3 hours) but hasn't woken. I'm not waking her, she had extra feeds this afternoon so I'm going to let her sleep.

Sarah, thanks, I know it's not unusual but golly gosh it is tiring. We are getting much better at trying to work out what is wrong.

Bec, you poor thing, I hope you have a better night tonight. It is so hard. I'm nervous about tomorrow night as DH is on night shift from 5pm to 7am so it will be just me. My mum would be over in a flash if I asked her but to be honest I really just want time for us - i'm a bit over family visitors at the moment - hope that doesn't sound harsh as it's not meant to be.


Hey Brooke, great to hear from you. Glad everything is going well. It definitely helps to get sleep overnight.

Hi Jessica, another fast growing baby. Good on you for keeping up with the breastfeeding even if it is uncomfortable. I know what you mean about the let down thing occurring at strange times. Still not a feeling I am used to.

Father in law purchased a hug a bub for us today, online, can't wait for it to arrive. Very kind of him to get that for us. Hopefully Grace will like it (once I figure out how to use it!). Hope everyone has a good night.

wats a hug a bub???????? unsure

well ive had to cATCH UP on everything well Taylen has been very unsettled lately he doesnt like being left unheld well thats wat i reckon he cries and if i pick him up he usually stops but last nite he screamed himself to sleep as i kept offereng bf but he kept getting really crnky with it, so i figured he wasnt hungry his on my lap now and has been having cries but i jusdt heard him snore and his little head flop so i better go put him down ...
gosh he didnthave big feeds last nite so my right boob was so hard and it ached in pain way to much milk so i was keen to feed him ,,,,,

i still get that milk let down pain ??
cass- izzy is still tiny my taylen is 5kgs now at 3 weeks and 5 days old his a piggy ....sounds like every one is doin really well
savina

Sarah, thats nice about having all those visitors. Bummer about having to catch a bus everywhere - how tiring. I hope there were some nice people who let you sit down or helped you get the pram onto the bus. That is something I'm not loooking forward to, but i know i'll ned to catch the bus sooner or later since my car is about to die. Is Xander is ok after that bump on the head? Thanks, yeah maybe my breasts are just settling down a bit and not making such a milk overload anymore. Gosh, i hope i dont have thrush. What a pain. I'll have to watch out for that.

Rachel, yay on getting a hugabub. People rave about them so they must be pretty good. I am pretty sure that sometimes Claire doesnt attach properly when feeding - like Grace, she just takes the end of my nipple and chomps on it. ouchie! Oh no, we had a similar night to you the other night. Last night Claire took a really long time to settle - she was wide awake but we could tell she was so tred for about 3 hours straight, then she was waking everying hour too, but she would be perfectly quiet while I was holding her but as soon as she was in her bed she wasnt happy. She eventually just fell aslep. I dont know what i did, she was probably just sooo tired.

....it sounds like a few of us are having looong sleepless nights! hopefully just a phase, hey.

Brooke, great to hear everything is good!

Jessica, yay that Tate is putting on plenty of weight! About getting let downs at random times, my mum told me she used to get them whenever she heard any baby cry (even a baby that wasnt hers). I still dont really know what let down is though hahah. I just noticed you have another son called Aidan - we were going to call Claire Aidan if she turned out to be a boy.

Savina, hugabub is a thing for carrying baby in - Like a pouch and baby goes in it and you wear it so you can go for a walk without having to push a pram and have your hands free to do stuff, etc. Very cool invention. I hope Taylen is getting a bit of sleep now.. give you the chance to have some time out too.

Can someone explain to me exactly what the letdown thing is? I'm probably having thisfeeling, but I just dont know that it has that name.

I am also going through the same thing, I cant settle Kaiden, I spend half my day/night settling him in my arms put him down and he wakes up, there is only so much milk he can have as he just brings it back up. I am exhausted. I just put him down now after two hours of trying to get him down..

Lets hope that we are all going through this for only a short time more and then things will settle down again...

Hi everyone - just thought I would check in. TJ had a bad night last night and I've only just managed to have some breakfast! I've caught up on all the news but don't have the energy at the moment to reply!
Hope you are all well!

Hi again girls,

Tate has been a good boy so far today, DH's first day back at work. It has helped that we have kept DS#1 in child care on Mondays. I have been able to do some ironing, vaccuuming, mopping, showering and eating!

I am doing with Tate what I did with DS#1 which is letting him sleep in a bouncer during the day, not in complete darkness. I think this has helped both of them distinguish day and night. It worked for Aidan and so far it is working for Tate, he fed at 10pm last night and woke again at 3:30am, and again at 7am. Day feeds are normally 3hourly, sometimes 2. And dont hate me but after the night feeds he falls straight back to sleep (after a nappy change and wrapping him tightly). It might be worth a try doing something similar? I dont know, but it has worked for us so far *touch wood*.

Not sure how many of you have children, but reading your posts I can so sympathise, it is by far the hardest job in the world, reading their signs, working out a routine etc etc etc but the good news is (if you plan on having more?!) I can say personally it is much easier 2nd time round. I wish I could share my knowledge but I think it is something that we all have to go through and each baby is so different IYKWIM?! I just think routine is REALLY important, my MCHN once told me, follow the 'feed, play, sleep' routine and I try to do that. So Tate wakes up, straight on the boob, then keep him awake or put him in front of some toys for awhile, then bounce/rock/cuddle him to sleep. Wake up, start all over again!

I am glad I am not the only one getting let-downs at random times. Rachel, I'll be sure to look out for the other person besides me at Fountain Gate suddenly clutching their boobs in pain!

Karina, I have always had my heart set on the name 'Aidan'!

Hello...well I am on my own tonight for the very first time. DH has gone back to work tonight so it's just myself and Grace, I am praying for a good night. Had a nap this afternoon just in case. I'm sure we will be fine but it will certainly be weird not having DH here as it has been over 5 weeks since his last night shift. Wish me luck!! lol!!

Savina hope you have a better night tonight. It is so much harder at night when they won't settle I reckon.

Karina hope you have a better night. Grace has moments like that too where she will sleep in my or DH arms but won't have a bar of her cot or any other thing that means I can put her down. I am praying she doesn't have one of those nights tonight being just me. Luckily they are few and far between. I do find that I can't put Grace down to sleep if she isn't already asleep. She won't fall asleep on her own. Does anyone know if we need to teach them to do this or will they learn on their own and if we have to teach them when do we start? I hope it's not now though, it would be so hard to leave her screaming in her cot for too long. But on the other hand we don't want her to get into a habit of having to fall asleep in someone's arms before going to bed especially as she gets older. I don't really know exactly what the let down thingy is but I know I randomly get a weird pain in my boobs, usually around the nipple region, almost a burning or tugging and I leak a bit of milk. Very bizarre feeling. I think let down has something to do with the release of milk when the baby is on, rather than it just dribbling out when they suck it squirts out - you can see it really clearly when you express. I THINK that is what it is...I may be completely wrong though.

Sonia, I hear you girl. Grace has moments like that. Sometimes i find a change of person to hold her helps other times I don't know what I do different but suddenly she will just sleep. I have to say the dummy has really helped with this, I suppose it's a comfort for her, and she has been known to fall asleep vigorously sucking on her dummy, then it falls out and I put her down and she stays. No rhyme or reason to it though. Hope you have a better one tonight.

Nat, you poor thing. Hope you have managed to get some rest (and some more food!). All I can say is I believe it will get better, especially as they get older and start to establish bit more of a routine - that is what I keep telling myself anyway, lol.

Jessica, lol at the booby grabbing in fountain gate! Glad to hear everything is going well. I hoped it was easier the second time around, at this stage I don't know how you would do it with another little toddler, I suppose it isn't a completely new experience if you have been there before and you are a bit cluey on what to expect next etc. The feed, play, sleep routine sounds good but I find with Grace when she has her 'awake' time, she won't generally fall asleep again until after her next feed, so then she gets cranky cause she is tired and we end up feeding earlier than planned. We do a similar thing to establish night and day, it is noisy and bright in the day (vacuumed under her cot when sleeping the other day, she didn't wake), then at night it is dark and quieter. It generally seems to be working, touch wood that it remains so.

Hope everyone is well and getting some sleep. Speak soon.

*sneaking in as I'm supposed to be studying*

Hope everyone is doing well, Sounds like we are all going through the same thing at the moment. I am loving my HAB at the moment although it is a pain to get on adn I need to have the aricon on as it very hot up here still, but at least I can get things done. I am also really naughty as I get Ariya settled on her belly and then flip her over once she is in a deep sleep. Both my kids seem to be big tummy timers. We always keep a close eye on her though.

Sonia - the best phrase anyone told me as a parent is "this too will pass" and it is so true. Just when you think you can't stand another unsettled day they will snap out of it. Hoping you have a better day tomorrow.

Karina - yeah Xander is good as new, he was back out on the field 5 min after didn't even want an ice pack. I would have still been lying down screaming :-) The letdown for me feels like my boobs are on a very fast elevator, like a dropping burning feeling. And yep I'm forever grabbing my boobs to stop the flow as i hardly ever remember to wear breast pads. Today I had a letdown when the phone rang - what the?

OK really have to go now, so wish there were more hours in the day. Absolutely buried under a mountian of washing at the moment, wishing everyone sleepy baby vibes

Xander is getting really clingy at the moment esp when I am BF Ariya, which is quite frustrating but trying so hard in my sleep deprevation to be patient. he is also really tired from having lots of visitors so fingers crossed it is just a stage.

Rachel - hope you and grace are having a nice night together. Just in my experience too don't worry about giving them too many cuddles, Xander lived in his sling for the first 9mths of his life just about as he hated being left alone and he is the most independant child around. Very self confident and adjusts really well to new situations. We do attachment parenting though which isn't everyones cup of tea (not like A Current Affair Attachemnt Parenting though :-)

Jess - we are doing the feed play sleep thing too, although we just sort of fell into it, it is working really well. Xander was the opposite he was a feed to sleeper - i guess each one is different hey. How is aidan coping with the new bubba

Back again :)

Well, today was AWFUL, S wouldn't sleep and was screaming his head off, I can honestly say that he has never been this bad at home. He has sometimes done that uncontrollable screaming in the car but never when I was there and able to comfort him. Not sure if he was windy or overtired, or maybe just having a cranky day, but he settled down around midday and has been a bit better this afternoon. Took him out in the pram and he fell asleep, and now after a huge feed he has settled down a bit and is starting to drop off to sleep. Finally!

Rachel, hope your first night without DH was OK.

Sarah I'm hopefully getting my hugabub this week, was going to buy it online but there's a place locally which sells them so I'll get it from them since they can then help me a bit to show me how to put it on! We're into attachment parenting too.

Sonia, hope Kaiden's tummy settles down a bit - Sebastian had a vomit yesterday morning (which I deftly caught in the laundry trough!) and has been sneezing a bit, so I wonder if he's had a bit of a cold? I put some saline water up his nose on Saturday as he was having trouble breathing. He hated it!! But it did the trick and made him sneeze and he breathed better after that.

My letdown feels a bit painful, kind of like a stinging. If S cries sometimes I get letdown, and sometimes for no apparent reason at all! And this afternoon a baby was crying outside and I got it too.

Hmm, did I say he was going to sleep for the night - spoke too soon! Hopefully a better day tomorrow.

hello ladies....well we made it through the night! lol. Have to say wasn't the best night we've had but could have been much worse. wouldn't sleep but 15 minutes in the evening unless she was being held. Made organising dinner interesting! Was wanting a feed every 1.5-2.5 hours which is unusual for her. Gave her a bath and she flaked it after her next feed. Good sleep then taking long time to settle after feeds overnight, up to 1.5 hours, then waking an hour later for another feed. Unusual for sure, maybe she was missing daddy. Plus one of our cats is at the vet (the vocal one) so it was very quiet here last night, maybe she picked up on that? Anyways, could have been worse for sure.

Sasha I hope Sebastian is having a better day. It is absolutely horrible when they scream and scream and you can't settle them. We've only had that happen once but it was horrid, plus Grace has cried real tears from birth which really tugs at my heart strings! lol. I'm waiting for my hab to arrive, hope it's soon, will make life a lot easier (once i work out how to put it on).

Sarah don't know how you find the time or energy to study and look after 2 children, just amazing. I don't really know anything about attachment parenting, should look it up.

Brooke, glad to hear lucas is going well. It's good charlotte has accepted him so well. Grace will give the appearance of a routine and then throw a spanner in the works! The only constant I can see is she likes to be awake and play in the morning and she is unsettled and demanding cuddles between 4pm and 8.30pm and seems to only sleep after a bath and feed. I know that a proper routine will come, just have to be patient. Hopefully she will learn to fall asleep on her own when she is older, for now cuddles it is! I agree that the dummy definitely works, Grace is the same as Lucas, not at night andcan spit it out when asleep and not be bothered. Lets hope it stays that way.

Have a good day.

Brooke, that's amazing that Lucas can roll over so early - Sebastian is starting to lift his legs up so I guess he'll get there soon. I'm looking forward to when he gets old enough to get interested in Easter, Charlotte will be at a great age to enjoy it this year!

Glad to hear your first night without DH went well, Rachel! I think they do pick up on stuff like people not being there - our youngest cat LOVES Sebastian! I have to watch her because she is very fluffy and I don't want her to smother him. Today when S was having tummy time on the bed she jumped up and licked him on the head :D Not too keen on her cleaning him really, but it was quite sweet. When he was screaming yesterday she came up and looked at us and miaowed at me, as if to say, "come on, do something!"

Thank goodness today is a better day. He finally dropped off to sleep properly around 8:45 and I tried to wake him to feed him around 10:45 so that he would sleep through but he wasn't interested. So I just changed him and he slept right through until 2:50!!! YAY!!! I couldn't believe I got a good four hours' sleep in, I felt so good.

We had a bit of a screaming session earlier, but managed to calm him down by putting him on his back on my knees and pumping his legs in towards his stomach, and it seemed to give him some relief. So something is upsetting his tummy... I'm thinking what I've eaten in the past days to upset him? Once he was calmer I put him on his tummy on the playmat and he went to sleep for about 1/2 hour, and he's much better now. He's doing some amazing farts LOL

Booked S and me into our six week check yesterday - it's next week!! Oh, and while we were playing a bit yesterday he was smiling loads, it was so cute!

I got the hug a bub!! Can't believe how quickly it came. Father in law ordered it on line Sunday afternoon. It was from a site that one of BB members runs, so very impressed with service. I think it will take a bit of practice to get the tieing of it right but between
DH and me we got there and Grace has been sound a sleep in it for and hour and a half and I have actually been able to do stuff!! I'm in love!! lol!! She had a small grizzle when she first went in, I gave a jiggle and a sway and she was out! Still moving around a bit stiff until I gain confidence in it, but one of the better things is is that I am typing with both hands and holding her!! Haven't done that since she was born. She seems very content, she is actually due for a feed but there is no sign of waking. Will wake her at 7pm if she doesn't wake before. We are going to use it in the daytime only, don't want her to think she doesn't have to go into the cot at all. We figure she is usually held in the day because she won't go down but has no probs at night in cot so this is no different except my hands are free. Got our medicare cards today with Graces name added - so cute, we are a real family. Also got her special birth certificate, very nice. So annoyed though, went to put her normal birth certificate with ours the other day and mine has gone AWOL. I'm a bit concerned as it can't just disappear of the face of the earth, but I always kept them together. I'll have to keep looking.

Bec, we have kept the cats away from Grace until she gets old enough to roll at least. I was paranoid about them hoping in the cot with her and smothering her. We have kept them from touching her because we figure if they don't realise that she is a warm thing they won't try to sleep with her, so far it has been ok. They usually sleep with us at night, especially as it is getting colder cause they seek the warmth, we don't want them using grace as a water bottle! One of our cats has just cost us a small fortune at the vets. He has idiopathic cystitis - basically inflammation of the bladder. He started to wee blood on Sunday night so a trip to the vet it was. He's not infective so they can't do anything but encourage fluid intake -so another $230 down the drain and no miracle cure to be had PLUS, he now has to go onto a differnt diet of prescription food which is 5 times the cost of his previous food. The things we do for our lovely animals! Hope he gets better soon poor chicken.I'm glad you had a better day. Makes such a difference doesn't it. Wow, 6 weeks next week. It's amazing how quickly the time goes. Grace will be 4 weeks on Thursday, can't believe it. Still feels like yesterday that she was born, but on the other hand it feels like she has always been here, iykwim.

So tired tonight, it will be an early one I think (or should I say I hope). Have a good one girls.

Well today was def a bull%**** day! Tate had a good night but has been awake since 7:30am wanting feeds every 2hrs. He will drop off to sleep and 5mins later he is awake again crying. He is finally asleep now and his last feed was at 4pm so I plan on waking him (if he doesnt himself) at 8pm for a last feed for the day, and hopefully he will sleep until around 2am-ish.....

Sasha, sounds like Sebastian has lots of gas or is constipated? I think Tate is going through the same thing, I'm sure their little bodies will work out what to do soon enough (lets hope sooner rather than later!)

Rachel, sounds like you did a great job through the night, and Grace too.

DS#1 made today even harder, we went for a lovely long walk and stopped at the park on the way home and he decided to be very sooky and ignored me when I asked him to come down off the equipment. Was not at all impressed, then Tate started crying, it was getting cold, and I was not a happy Mummy! He went straight to his room when we got home and I told him to come out when he was ready to stop sooking and be a big boy!

Brooke, give yourself some credit girl, those gorgeous, well behaved babies are all thanks to you, dont think any differently!

hi just a quick post, Ariya thinks I'm a walking milk machine today been exhausting, luckily DH was here to help out at kindy gym as she was just constantly on the boob !

Brooke - it is hard isn't it, I feel like one of them (or DH) is constantly missing out - serious mother guilt here. Have to get into the swing of putting drinks and snacks where xanny can get them himself as he always wants something while we are feeeding.
Ariya can roll too! I was told it was just part of the reflex thing at the hospital though but she is still doing it and pushing up on her elbows.

Rachel - hope tonight goes better for you

Sasha pleased you had a better day!!!!! let me know how you find the hug a bub! Sometimes it is annoying to try and tie so if they give you any tips *I'd love to hear them esp how to tie it for BF????

Just finished my nappy shopping, was so much fun. Can't wait to get them and try them out. Gotta run Dh at footy and dinner smells like it is burning - eek.

Morning Girls

Rachel: - WE got our medicare cards to with Kaidens name on it & his birth cert, we got the ones with the adult & baby hand on it.. So quick may i say. And we got the maternity money too.. within 1 week of filling in forms.

Jessica: - how did you go with Tate lastnight?? Did he swing out of his mood??

Bec: - I have used Saline drops on Kaiden in the ealry days his nose was so blocked and its blocked again, he has the tiniest little nostrels, I will put some more drops in today i think, he is really finding it hard to breathe. I tried putting some breast milk up there while feeding him cause apparently that is good, but i need to express and put it in a syringe to make it go up his nose better.

I am worried about Kaiden, every time i feed he is throwing up his milk, even 20 minutes/40 minutes later still throwing it up. The last two feeds have only been 10 minutes and most of that was thrown back up within 1 minute of holding him up right.

It doesnt affect the way he sleeps and he isnt crying in pain?????? Does anyone know how i might be able to stop this??? I heard 10ml of boiled water before each feed is good... Does anyone else have a vomiter?? its so messy, i am forever cleaning up milk and doing washing.

I am going to go and weigh him tomorrow morning? 1 week from his last weigh in to see if this vomiting is affecting his weight gain.

Also I am using a dummy sometimes!! I didnt want to use a dummy but its the only way I am getting some sleep in the mornings.. mainly the 3.30 feed..

Recommendation to get the book Baby Love, lots of good information in this book.

I am also getting sick I have the sorest throat, having a cuppa boiling water with honey and have been gargling warm salt water at each nappy change. I dont want to get sick.. I am going to Groove Armada & Sneaky SOund System concert tomorrow night... I didnt get sick through my whole pregnancy now look at me.. Im a wreck. Anyone else feeling sick??

Sonia, grace is a vomiter too - mainly small posits but always happens after a feed, even if she burps. I have taken to putting a bib on her and using a nappy just to save on washing. Little posits/vomits are normal as long as not affecting weight gain and wet nappies. They aren't projectile vomits are they? Some babies are just chucky babies, lucky it doesn't smell bad huh. I know I can't believe how quickly the maternity payment came.

Sarah, what nappies did you get? Interested to see what you think. We have 2 pea pods but haven't used them yet, Grace absolutely saturates the flanalette nappies now.

Jessica, hope you have a better day today.

We are going shopping today and we are going to use the hab instead of pram. Haven't really had a successful shop in pram due to overstimulation and we end up carrying her anyway. We'll have the pram in the car just in case. Wish us luck, have heaps to do so need a settled lady. DH will wear it as I'm going to buy a new outfit for a bbq on friday, bit hard to try on clothes with grace in the way!

Got cat back from vet and he seems fine but other cat has gone mad and keeps hissing and growling and swiping at him. Worse than children, lol. Have a good day.

Well Taia let me sleep for 4hrs last night without wanting her milk fix! It was heaven! Wish more nights were like that one! Anyone have any idea how long it takes them to start sleeping longer at night?

I test drove the baby carrier last night and she went to sleep in it which was good! Let me get a few things done around the house while she was attached to me!

Hope everyone else got a good nights sleep last night!

xoxox

Hi Rachel
It can be projectile at times but normally just alot comes out and dribbles down the side of his face sometimes, i try to keep him upright for a while thats when it seems to go flying a bit, i only have one cotton nappy that i use i must get some more so i can use them inside of so many little flannels. I have a bib on him too.

I really want it to stop though it scares me that he throws up all the time. Im hoping his stomach develops soon and can hold the milk, im presuming thats what it is.

Natty, Claire gave me 4 hours last night too! I was told *some* babies sleep through the night as early as 6 weeks, but for most it is more like 4-6 months before they sleep through the night. I'm hoping for 6 weeks personally!

Sonia, Claire also went through a vomitting stage too. It didnt affect her weight gain or anything like that. I was told my the nurse at the Baby health centre that it ight have just been that she was being a little piggy and took more than she could handle so it came back up. It lasted about a week for her. I was using a cloth nappy under her when I fed and burped her, then another nappy under her when i placed back in bed so she could spew on it rather than the sheets or me. I bought a big packet of them from Big W a few days before she was born. Great to use as towels as well. I hope you are feeling better soon and that you enjoy the concert tomorrow night.

Sarah, good luck with your cloth nappies! I saw some the other day, and I never reaslised you could get the colourful fancy ones. I always thought they were just the square terry towel ones.

Brooke, great to hear little Lukey is being such a good sleeper. Wow at rolling over already too!

Jessica i hope Tate settles down for you. It must be so hard with two little ones to give attention to.

Bec, yay on the long sleep! How gorgeous are the smiles! So beautiful. LOL @ the amazing farts. Claire does huge ones while I am feeding her. I dont even think she notices because she keeps going like nothing even happened! hmmm i must also remember to make that booking for our 6 week checkup.

oooh i got a beautiful smile from Claire the other day when we were playing. I dont think it was gas, i think it was a real smile. Sooo cute! She seems to enjoy sleeping on her side and I always see her trying to roll onto her side - she isnt quite there yet. She is alot stronger than I thought she would be at this stage, especially her legs.

I am definately getting that let down feeling you have all described to me. I am just a bit clueless and didnt know that was what it is called! I get it in both boobs when I am feeding and at other random times too. Sometimes I dont even notice it until my shirt is soaking. So ultra sexy especially when I am out. haha

We have got our new Medicare cards (my first card with my married name on it - i have been lazy) and birth certificate which is waiting up at the post office as it was snet registered post... but we still dont have our maternity payment. Its been just over 2 weeks since we filled in the form. DH wants to use the money to buy a new fridge, lol, because ours is not very good. I hope they hurry up.

Well the last couple nights Claire has been sleeping a bit longer between feed. I also gave her the longest feed so far last night, which was 40 minutes. Couldnt believe how much she wanted, she just kept going, then slept 4.5hours afterwards!

Well I am going to go for a little walk now with Claire. Starting to get a bit cabin feverish in this house!

Hi girls, just wanted to drop in and introduce myself and my new addition. Nicholas arrived in a hurry 3 days before his due date. My whole labour was 2 hours 45 mins, and we only arrived at the hospital about 40 mins before he was born. My Ob missed it as he had taken St Pat's day off, but I had a lovely midwife who managed to catch Nicholas (only just as I think he practically flew out in two pushes, and I was standing up!!). As he arrived so quickly, he was a bit bruised and still has two black eyes and broken capillaries in each eye, but they should be gone soon. I stayed in hospital for 4 days, until my milk had come in and I was comfortable with breastfeeding.

Since being home, b/f has had its challenges, and my nipples are still really sore. Yesterday I was dreading every time he woke up as I knew he would want to have a feed, but we managed to get through it. He definately feeds better during the day as at night he fusses around and finds it hard to attach. I don't know if anyone else has this problem, but I have large breasts (E cup at the moment) and fairly flat nipples, so when he first attaches, even if it is correct, it takes him a few sucks to really pull the nipple back into his mouth. I haven't contacted a lactation consultant, but I think I will next week. The child health nurse is coming this afternoon, so I will get her to see how he is attaching too. Luckily, I haven't had mastitis which I had 3 times with my daughter, and Nicholas feeds really well once he is on so I haven't been too engorged at all.

I have enjoyed reading all the posts in here so far, and it is really reassuring to know everyone else is going through the same things and that they are normal. It has been 6 1/2 years since my daughter Jasmyn was born and while I am a lot more relaxed with Nicholas and know what to expect, I have forgotten a lot of the little things.

Hi Jo! I was having issues when my milk came in and the midwife gave me a nipple shield - this really helped me with the pain as bubs so kindly gave me traumatised nipples thanks to her great sucking ability! They are now healed but I'm too scared not to use the shield anymore because I don't want that pain again! The last few days it has also been a fight to get her to attach at night - but we are getting there!

xoxoxoxo