Babies Born September 2007

hi all - finally i have found myself able to take afew mins and post here! it is kinda hard to know where to start now we are all talking about real life gorgeous bubs not the aliens growing in our tummies isnt it! I cant wait for the rest of the belly buddies to join too and share the journey with them. BTW has Renee been in here? I am worried for her, she has had a rough trot so I hope she and Rory are doing well and she is just too busy to write at the moment. I am also assuming Marydean has had a day or so in hospy, so hope the infection is clearing up.
All is going well here - took the little man out for a full 5 hrs today - a marathon trip to the GP and then shopping - am so proud he did so well - no real srying sessions and 2 big sleeps. i also did a feed in myer in the parents room feel quite proud of myself. DH and I managed to have a sushi lunch and also go for coffee at the end of the shopping... not bad for 6 days in I say! All is still going well here, he seems to feed quite a lot and I spoil him with so many cuddles and letting him sleep on my chest a lot... but wow it is all so wonderful and beautiful isnt it. I think he is a pretty good sleeper, but I am sure there are some tough times ahead and I dont want to declare him a dream child or I will jinx myself LOL! I get up a few times in the night, usually do feeds at about 8, then 11ish then 2 then 5 and then about 7.30 - does that sound similar to you guys? I have also had sore nipples, am using lanisoh and finding that quite good - I also like that I dont have to wash it off (I think with paw paw you do? let me know as I also have that already so if it is another good alternative I can try it as well). At the moment we have him sleeping in his moses basket in our room... I am learning to sleep through the grunts and snorts (and other adorable newborn noises) - I am not sure when we will move him to his own room, but for now this works for us. I feed in bed at 11.30 and also 7.30am and do the rest in the glider in the nursery so that DH can keepsleeping - no use us both being awake I say!
Jazmum - I think you asked about the head rest things for the capsules? At the hire place I asked this, she said their heads move around a lot in the capsule but it is nothing to worry about... and that they dont recommend any bumpers etc. She said if i was v concerned abt it they would recommed a rolled up cloth nappy on either side of head so maybe try that. Does anyone else find it hard to click the capsule in and out of the car? I am worried we are not doing it right.
Art - on the jelly belly front - I hear you, mine is v wobbly... it has come down a lot from the preg but it is still pretty big and wobbly. i figure i will give it 2 wks before I think about doingmuchabout it, i hope it goes down more and more and then i will work on the tone. i was told in hosp not to do sit ups etc for a while... i think there are exercises you can do to help bring the tummy muscles back tog to begin with. i will see if i can find some info on it and post for us all...
Hi to everyone else, better go I want to have some dinner before the prince wakes up again...
Looking fwd to sharing all these experiences with you all.

Pregpan - very impressed at you getting out and about. I haven't at all yet, but with the caesar am going to be a bit behind anyway. We struggled with the capsule getting home from hospital, but I think we worked it out in the end.

Our feeding times are pretty similar to yours I think, maybe a bit more spaced out. Today she has been snacking more, wanting a top up 15 minutes after putting her down. We gave her a bath tonight and she only fed from one side afterwards, there was no way she was going to wake up for the other. So I expressed the other side and depending on when she next wakes, DH will give it to her then, or we will save it for another day.

Bubs is sleeping in our room at the moment. I sleep with earplugs, but still manage to hear her when she gets unsettled, the earplugs just hide those little grunts. Haven't tried breastfeeding in bed yet. Do you do it lying down? I think I should practice. A friend gave me a Tommee Tippee pillow that has a night light in it that holds them on their side for feeding in bed - she swears by it.

I got to do a big ingrown inspection of my bikini line this afternoon - so good being able to see my bits again!!

I've lost 9 kgs of the 18 I gained. Belly is very jelly!! Exercise is off the agenda for quite some time (caesar) except for gentle walking so we'll see how we go with the rest of the weight loss. Haven't tried fitting into any normal clothes yet, have just been wearing tracksuit pants around the house.

Well I'm off to bed now. PIL are coming around to visit in the morning so hopefully we have an easy night and look semi decent when they come!! Must admit, it has been nice at home compared to the hospital, just having time to ourselves and not having visitors constantly popping in!

Morning Ladies,

Well its nice and peaceful in my house ATM. Boys are at daycare and DH at work. Dam sham I have to clean the house as it like a explosion has gone off in it.

Oh DD has started crying so I have to go talk to you all soon.

Have a great day.

morning ladies,

I have just put ds down, although I doubt he will stay that way.

It seems that everyone is doing really well, which is great to hear. GO us I say :D.

hi all - hope you are all having a great day with your little bundles.. I have the nurse coming to visit me today, looking fwd to her weighing and measuring him and knowing if he has put weight back on since the last weigh in at the hospy! had a lovely walk this morning with DH and Bub, it is so good to get out of the house and in the sunshine. He slept the whole time as I took him just after a big feed, so that worked well!
i have a majorly cracked nipple today - so so sore! I am not sure if I need to do something more for it, am using lansinoh. i guess i will ask the nurse today... i considered a nipple shield while it heals but do they cause attachment issues and i have no idea how to use them..
I am also thinking about starting to express some milk - so i need to call the ABA to see what equipment etc i need for that...
Hope you are all doing well today

*Marydean takes a deep breath then jumps in*

Hi everyone, I'm back from my second stay in hospy (!! getting IV ABs for a spitting toady monstrosity of a wound infection) and it wasn't nearly as bad as I imagined (they set us up in a single room so DH could stay again - I couldn't have done it by myself) and now am feeling a million times better (I was in denial about how painful it really was for a day or two there - couldn't even really walk around the house). So now feeling like I'm having my second home coming with Elisabeth who is feeding like a charm and delighting us by staying awake long enough to coo and chat in between feeds! I am sooo looking forwards to feeling better enough to get out and about - even just for a short little trip out for coffee (decaf of course ;))

Hi Cally, if you use the Lansinoh, make sure you only put it on the nipple and not all over the areola as you can block the little ducts otherwise. Re the feeding, I've been less inclined to let E comfort suck on the sore side, you can always top her up with the other bb if she needs to feed more. You want to make sure she's getting a good 15-20 min suck before you take her off if you can stand it... E is a good one for getting snoozy as she comfort sucks and then letting her attachment slip - very OUCHY!

Been wanting to ask all the C/S ladies - how much of your normal stuff are you doing?...I'm still mostly sitting on the couch while DH runs around doing *everything* but I suspect I'll really notice a difference once this infection clears up properly.

Jazmum, LOL at the poo story - the only time DD1 ever did that was at the drs - she let rip all over the examination table, stool, everything - which was rough justice since it was the nasty butcher of a GP who had delivered her...!

Arte - re the jelly belly - remember your tummy muscles have drifted apart and need time to rejoin and tighten up - most hospies run after birth exercise classes, worth going to if you can organise it. I've developed a nice floppy overhang over my CS "smilie" and am wondering how charming that's gonna look in 6 months time LOL!

Pregpan - that's nice of you not to get DH up, mine gets up to shoosh E as I very slowly heave myself out of bed and arrange myself in my dream of a recliner (in our room), he changes the nappy at half time and then he wraps and pats her afterwards...That's a very impressive trip out - love that you made sushi lunch a priority (I've had sushi three times in the last ten days LOL)!

Feeding times (give or take an hour) 11ish 1ish 3ish 6.30ish. Not complaining as E settles right back down afterwards.

Hi to all the other Sept mummies that I've missed, I'm overdue for my nap and E is snoozing so here's my big chance! :)

Hi everyone :)
hope you're having a great day.
Katie - re the paw paw - you don't have to wash the nipple before feeds.
Arte - i still have my jelly belly - i imagine it will be there for quite a while!!!
Pregpan - hi there!! Hannah's feeding times are about the same as your little prince. The sleepless nights are really starting to catch up with me now. I was so exhausted last night, i fell asleep in front of the telly at nearly each feed. ( i go out into the lounge room to feed)
Cally - i've tried the laying down feed a couple of times - but i'm always scared i'm going to fall asleep while she is there. It is a nice way to feed though.
Md - glad to see you in here. I'm so sorry that you had to go back into hospy. Your infection sounds sore and nasty. Hopefully you'll be getting around with Elisabeth and Mavis in tow really soon.

Hi Jazmum, DH put Mavis away in the shed, saying "You'll be using the pram soon"...but my HAB arrived in the mail earlier this week, hehe, I think I'll be cruising the markets with E in the HAB and Mavis towing my fruit and veg behind me!

Cally, it took me a few months to get the hang of feeding lying down last time, just because I have to be so vigilant about attachment (flat nipples)...it got easier as DD got older so I'm looking forwards to being able to do this with Elisabeth too...just not brave enough to try it yet!

Hi ladies,
Im a new September mum so I was wondering if I could join your group. Would be nice to talk to people that have a baby around the same age and all.

Welcome Little Sprocket.

MD - DH is doing most of the things around the house, eg cooking, washing, a bit of vacuuming. He's very good at helping with Katie too. Very glad your infection is starting to clear up. I've been lucky with mine, so sign of weeping or anything, am still taking panadol for occasional pain. Katie is sucking for a long time, eg 30 mins on the first side, nappy change, then another 20 on the other side. She does drop off a bit, but I find if I take her off too early, she doesn't settle back down in the bassinet. It would be so much easier if her cheeks were transparent and I could see how much milk was going in and check the attachment at the same time!!

Nipples are feeling a bit better today. Have been airing them off constantly for the last 2 days, Lansinoh after each feed, a bit of sun and lots of hind milk. DH is coping very well with me walking around the house flashing them off!! The most pain is in the initial attachment. Once she is on, it's fine.

Feeds last night went pretty well. She was pretty much spot on 4 hourly, 11:30, 3:30, 7:30. I should be in bed now though, catching up before the next feed! DH is sitting with her on the couch, she doesn't feel like bed yet.

Pregpan - how did the nurse visit go? Had DS gained much since leaving hospy? When you do the feed in bed, do you send DH out for the nappy change? I was tempted to do the 7:30 one in bed this morning, but it's almost easier to get up completely and sit in front of the heater on the couch.

Good Evening Ladies,

Welcome Little Sprocket Congratulations on the birth of Luke.
MD- I am so glad you are home and feeling better. In regards to doing normal stuff again. I am still not driving the car but managed today to some vacuming and picking up around the house. But still taking it easy and can not wait till everything gets back to normal though. My belly is still little sore.

Feeding times are around 3 to 4 hourly how ever on occasion she has slept for 5 hours which is what she is doing now and I am thinking I will have to wake her soon for fear she wont sleep very well tonight.

Hi Little Sprocket - Congratulations on Luke's birth! - how are you finding your CS recovery this time round - easier or harder than first time?

Cally, that first toe-curling pain that subsides as the feed wears on is a normal nipple sensitivity thing - it lasts for a few days/weeks but you will find it wears off (I still get it but it's shorter and shorter each feed) - it's tricky because you can't tell in those initial moments whether the attachment is right or not. I found I started to recognise the feeling of when her tongue was in the right place (it's sort of a deeper sensation) so now I try to find that feeling when she first goes on, if it's not there I take her off and try again. HTH. Good to hear you're getting by on some panadol, I think I was in much more pain than I realised at the time (couldn't really roll over in bed, go to toilet etc) - I've still got digesic for the next few days but am feeling so much better am thinking of weaning myself off them soon.

Leanne, I hear you on the waking up thing. You want Olivia to be sleeping 5 hours over night not during the day!! With DD1 I remember someone saying if you expose them to afternoon sunlight it helps reset their body clocks for sleeping at night (ie go for a walk in pram every arvo) - might be worth a try? Take it easy & don't do too much too early, ok & don't tell my husband you can vacuum three weeks after DD was born ALRIGHT!?

DH and DD1 have gone out to a working bee at school this morning - leaving me alone to make my own breakfast (!) and coordinate having a shower around E. I kid you not, these are all important signs of progress at my house and I'm feeling pretty positive about how good I'll be feeling when next weekend rolls around! :) However, they'll probably get home and I'll still be sitting on the couch staring at her, she gets these little windy smiles that are SOooooo gorgeous I just can't tear myself away to put her in the cradle! LOL

hi little sprocket and welcome - looking fwd to getting to know you!
in a bit of a rush so not much time to write... but wanted to check in and see how everyone is going...
I have a really sore and cracked (even some blood) right nipple.. i told the nurse about it yest and she gave me some more tips on attachment, but ouchie ouchie!!! I think i will buy some nipple shields just while it heals - what do you all think (esp you MD!) - I will call the ABA today too to see what they recommend and if it isnt clearing up by mon i can go to the community nurse on mon to get some more help. It isnt really so so bad, this all sounds dramatic but i do want to get it sorted and get my technique right as early as i can.
the good news is that when the nurse weighed and measured him yesterday he is already over his birth weight and has put on 120gm since we left hospital on tues!!! so i am happy with that and i figure it must mean he is getting enough milk and nourishment, which is a rewarding and comforting thought.
I think we have been doing a bit much with him, taking him out a lot etc. The last 2 nights he has been a lot harder to settle and has had a v awake and grizzly period around 9-11pm... so today is a rest day, so i can try to keep him calm and soothed. he is def 'waking up' - having a lot more active time rather than just eat and sleep, eat and sleep..

MD - how is DD finding having a new little sister? how long does DH have off work (I hope no more trips to far flung places planned). Am glad you are feeling a little better... I say stay away from the vacuum etc for as long as possible!

Jazmum and Leeann - how are you and your princesses today?

Hi to everyone else, getting a few grizzles from the moses basket so better go sort him out... am worried he hasnt been asleep at all since i fed him at 8 and i am sure he is going to want another go at the boob in the next hour or so..

Pregpan, best thing for attachment problems is to see a LC - apparently here the maternal & child health nurses can refer you, or otherwise there should be one at your hospital that you can see. It might honestly be a little thing (eg with me, I needed to keep holding my nipple for a few seconds after E attaches - it's a flat nipple thing - but only the LC pointed this out to me - the midwives didn't know). Not really sure about the nipple shields so see what the ABA cousnellor says. I do know you can restrict comfort sucking on the sore side and use a dab of lansinoh after feeds - don't be too alarmed that it's bleeding as they heal quickly, just be super super vigilant about washing your hands before feeding etc (keeps the mastitis nasties away)!

DD adores little Elisabeth and creeps into our room to peer into the cradle on any excuse! E is still very sleepy so we don't get a lot of interactive time, but DD likes holding her as she snoozes after a feed and watching for hte little windy smiles too! :) DH has two more weeks off work but is going to extend by at least a week as this infection has set me back a week or two. I need to be functioning independently before he goes to work again.

MD - I've got no idea where her tongue is, but presumably that will come.

Whoops - feed over, better go get her settled.

Anyone have a feeding pillow? What sort and how is it? I'm getting such a sore back and have tried a number of differrent chairs.

Cally, I am with you on the sore back. Not sure what to do about it - have tried using an assortment of pillows to lift him up when feeding so I am not slouching down, but it is still very sore.

I just can't believe how quickly he is changing. Today he is trying to focus on the toys that hang above him in his bouncy, and has been reaching out to touch them. I am so glad I get to be a stay at home mum, I don't want to miss anything and he is growing so fast he won't be little for very long.

I hope everyone is recovering well, Renee it sounds like you are having a rough run at the moment. I found I had no appetite for a few days when I got home, some days I would only eat half a sandwich for lunch and a few bites of dinner. MD, hope your wound isn't causing too much trouble and you are back full health soon. Ozstar, hope the mastitis clearing up.

Sore backs - prop yourself upright in chair with cushion or pillow behind you! Also, make sure when you are feeding (after that initial ouchiness subsides) to check that your shoulders and upper back are relaxed - it's easy to sit there all tensed up if you don't!! They say to roll your shoulders after a feed and do some neck stretches. I have a milk bar pillow - it's taken a few days to work out how to best use it but now I love it - it has a slight curve to it and one end is thicker than the other so depending on what chair you're sitting in you can use the thicker or the thinner end. Last time with DD1 I just had a v-shaped pillow but again always made sure I was sitting upright with cushion behind back. HTH

Wow Arte I can't believe William is reaching for things already...the only thing E reaches for is her own hands (to stuff them into her mouth LOL)!

Hi everyone
pregpan - Hannah is having a lot more awake time as well. After about 20mins she starts to get tired again though. I found the past 2 days that she likes the sound of the shower running and nods off straight away. When i put her in the HAB she goes to sleep soundly too.
well - i have been putting Hannah on her belly to sleep. I know it's a big no-no but she sleeps so much better. Dh put her on her belly last night and she was sleeping nicely. I turned her back over and she started with all the gurgling noises and arms flailing (doesn't like her arms in when wrapped) so i put her back on her bellly. Jess and Zoe were both tummy sleepers too. It means i'm checking on her every 5 minutes - but i tend to do that anyway.

Jazmum thanks for that I have soem paw paw and might try it out.

Marydean your DD's interaction with E sounds adorable.

Artechim my DS has started following things with his eyes but isnt reaching out yet. The mastitis is feeling much better we are off to the Dr tomorrow for a follow up so fingers crossed all is good.

Pregpan I have cracked nipples too, no blood though. It is just on the right bb though and I think it is from having to feed ds from the right side to start with at every feed. Sounds like your ds is doing well.

Cally my dh thinksit hillarious to come home and find me making a cuppa with no shirt or bra on while I air my nipples. Im with you and wish that ds had transparent cheeks.

I hope everyone is doing well and having a great weekend. We had Logans hands and feet cast today, he slpet through the whole thing.

Ok, there must be lots of very tired mummies out there today as it's midday and no posts!

Just wanted to pop in and wish Pregpan and DH all the best for their little boy's ceremony today - can't wait to hear about it and of course announcing his NAME! :)

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my dh thinksit hillarious to come home and find me making a cuppa with no shirt or bra on while I air my nipples

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LOL! I was sooo brazen in hospy too, esp for the first 24 hours while i was still hooked up in bed, I think I just lay there with my boobs out the entire time (morphine makes you not mind anything much LOL)! Think I might have given some of tea ladies/cleaners an eyeful later on too!

Hi again

MD- I think the 2nd c-section had been harder to get over this time. I feel a lot more ouchy this time but I did get my tubes tied this time so could have something to do with that or maybe the male nurse that had to jump all over me during c-section to try and get Luke out. Forceps were used too and I never dropped to Im a bit bruised. Unfortunately I dont have very much help from family at home cos my mum died in November last year and the rest of my family live in Sydney so I actually look after my family and my father. My husband tries but he was brought up pretty lazy so has to be told to do everything and will walk past things that obviously need doing without batting an eyelid so when I came home from hospital 3 days after op, I washed up, did 3 loads of washing, put one load on the line (couldnt do the rest) made dinner, washed up again, sterilised and made up bottles, washed 2 kids (I was bathing my daughter in hospital with me). Friday we had to go and do shopping, do the family assistance thing and go to the hospital to pick up some presents that had arrived after I left. Then yesterday we had a wedding to go to. I was very very sore this morning and I have over done it really badly. All of us have really so we are doing barely anything today cos we are all really tired. My husband is home for the next week so just aiming to get the house spick and span so I can handle 2 kids and clean at the same time.

Jodie - sounds like you have been overdoing it. Be careful.

Well DH came home from a quick trip to Coles to find me on the bed in tears and Katie screaming her head off. I thought we would try lying down to feed, but I couldn't work out how to get everything positioned properly. Plus I was exhausted, feel like a food machine and that I am never going to get out of the house. Feeling a bit better now after a sleep, but not looking forward to getting up again in the midle of the night. DH gave her a bath while I was asleep.

Home by myself tomorrow, DH has to go back to work this week but mum is coming down on Tuesday to stay with me which will be good. Midwife is coming around as is a schoolfriend for a short visit.

Nipples are feeling a bit better which is something, although might not be getting as much air time once mum comes down.

Pregpan - how did today go?

Jodie, take care hun! Maybe you need to cut a few corners by getting internet groceries or sending DH out with a very specific list (!) If you have a drier put all your clothes through it for a few weeks, and maybe use a laundry trolley if you have to carry things around the house (these were all things i did to get thru when DH was away and I was having spd problems). Also maybe try writing a list of things for him to check off every day so he gets the idea that these are thinks you need him to do every day because you can't. If any friends say "Just ask if there's anything I can do" - ASK!!! It might be popping in for a cuppa and hanging the laundry out, or it might be bringing a casserole - you really need all the help you can get right now.

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feel like a food machine and that I am never going to get out of the house.

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Wow sounds like a bit of a theme - i had a tantie yesterday over the same thing! Cally Rest as much as you can while your mum is down, you'll be feeling quite different in a week or so's time (that's what I keep telling myself anyway - another week and my real life will start again LOL). I'm going to try to get out for a really short really easy little trip either tomorrow or tues - just for a coffee and a change of scenery. Only needs to be an hour or so...

I had a nap this afternoon and slept so soundly I didn't even hear Elisabeth crying, woke up and thought it was time for the 3.00am feed!!!

Cally, I totally understand the "feeling like a food machine" I had a little breakdown on Friday (very tired and mastitis was killing me) and I said to dh I feel like cow, all I do all day is sit on the couch with my boobs out and a child attached. I am feeling heaps better now though and feeding has become so much easier. Im sure it will get easier for you too. I have just mastered the feeding while laying down today, I could do it in hospital but not when I came home. Hang in there and keep trying.

Jodie I agree with Marydean, if you have anyone offering to help then take them up on it. ALso try and relax and take it easy while you have your dh at home.

Things are going great at my end. My mastitis seems to have gone (touch wood) and Logan is feeding and sleeping well. I think I am slowly getting the hang of being a mum :D

hi all just popping on quickly, I am so exhausted it has been a big day... all went great today - we named him Noah Basil (Basil is after my father who passed away when I was 9). It is so good now we can tell everyone his name. was an extremely emotional and special day. Chat to you tomorrow - I need to jump in the shower and head to bed.

Pregpan - I love the name you have chosen for your little prince. I'm looking forward to hearing all about the special day too!
Katie - good news that the mastitis is settling down for you - and your enjoying being a mummy :)
Cally - hope you had a better night last night. I think we're on a bit of high for the first couple of weeks, and then the sleep deprivation starts to kick in. I had a night the other night where i seemed to be up all night, and i was incredibly cranky at my dh because he can't breastfeed!!!! I was getting cranky at Hannah because she kept putting her hands in the way when i was trying to feed her. I felt like such a cow afterwards. (literally lol)
we had one of our groups of friends (schoolmates) over for a bbq yesterday. I was so exhausted that i fell asleep on the couch with hannah on my chest. I'm glad i did because i was up quite alot during the night. (i think because hannah was sleeping so much yesterday and going 4-5 hours between feeds)
Hope you all have a fab day. I'm going to try to do the shopping with all 3 girls today. Will see how we go.

Hello all you yummy mummies! I have a wee bit of time since Alister is sleeping ATM, so I thought I'd pop in quickly and let you know how we've been getting on.

Firstly, Alister is doing so well - loves his tucker and sometimes I just can't get over how much he can have at once LOL. I think he will be a big eater like his big brother was as he came out of hospital at his birth weight. I am glad I didn't buy too many 000 as he is already fitting them quite comfortably and wont be long until he's in 00. he sleeps like a champion and usually goes 4-5hrs between feeds overnight. So I can feed him at 9 and he wakes up around 2-ish and then down again until about 7-8am. He is a lot like LIndsay was as a bub too. We had our first family day out together yesterday and Alister slept most of the time and only woke once for a feed and then back to sleep again. Bit of a logistics problem ATM cause the new car hasn't arrived yet so we took two cars.

Me - I am doing great considering the birth was pretty hard. I didn't have any stitches and only a small graze, which I am stoked about as I tore with the girls and had an epi with Lindsay. And the vuhjayjay is looking pretty good considering it's only been a week - not a turkey neck in sight LOL. The BF was over before it began as my milk never came in at all. I had about a day and a half of producing colostrum and they never filled up at all with milk. So I am using formula. This is my last baby and I didn't want to spend these first precious weeks in tears with an unsettled hungry baby and time-neglected older children trying to flog a dead horse kwim?

I am glad you are all loving being mummies - for the first time and again - and are doing so well, we're a pretty amazing bunch arent' we LOL. And welcome to Little Sprocket too and to all the mummies who decided to join us ;)

Morning Ladies,

LS- I think you need a rest.
Sherie- Hi and congratulations on Alister.
Prepan- I love the name Noah and I glad you had a wonderful special day.

Well DD has Thrush in her mouth and I rang the Dr and he told me to get some Daktarin oral for her so I went to the chemist and they gave me the third degree on how its on for 6mths on so I told the woman to ring my pediatrician as it was him who told me to get it she finally gave it to me. What a mission. Any hoo its already starting to clear up thank god. Nothing else really happening I hope you all have a wonderful day.

Hello to everyone.

Pregpan & DH - MAZAL TOV!!! :) I love the name you have chosen for your precious little man - Noah is lovely, and very special naming him for your dad! Glad it all went well, sounds like it was a HUGE day - you'll probably need a few days to recover now!

Katie, so glad the mastitis seems to have passed, although if you're like me you'll still be nervous about it in future!

Jazmum - wise words from a veteran, we are definitely still in the baby-sleeps-a-lot honeymoon phase, I keep warning DH it's gonna change and when it does we'll be in for a shock! Lucky for me though as I really need these days/weeks to rest and heal. Good luck with your shopping. I'm going to try to venture out today - nothing as major as groceries though!

Sherie - good to hear you're doing so well and got the feeding question settled without any grief! The family day out sounds great, I'm going a little stir crazy here (DD is nearly 2 weeks old, the only place I've been besides home is the HOSPITAL!!)

Leemar, glad DD's thrush is clearing up, it can be quite nasty. I'm pretty nervous about it myself as I'm on such a lot of ABs (and by the time I'm finished it will be 2weeks+ that I've been on them) but I'm hoping the thrush fairy will visit someone else's house (not mine).

OK, well I'm feeling a bit nervous this morning as I have *TMI* just started bleeding (really bleeding - and not the wound this time) AGAIN - *sigh* so hoping this doesn't mean YET ANOTHER trip to the hospy. I told the midwives about it a few times last week but they just kept saying "as long as there's no large clots it's ok" - does that sound right to you guys?

Marydean, I have had days of really heavy lochia too. It's settled now, but the afterbirth pains I had this time were shocking - nearly as bad as the birth. Are you having any more pain aside from the wound? I know you haven't been doing too much to make it worse, so that's all I can think of. I found too that after a week or so it would pick up again, like there was still just a little bit left in there.

Pregpan, I'm sorry I missed the announcement of Noah's name. I have always liked Noah, it makes me think of a peaceful happy child. And I think the tribute to your Dad is wonderful too.

MD- I had no bleeding in hospital but started about a week later. Not very heavy and no clots just light. Finally it stopped on Saturday. Now I am just wondering when I will get my first period.

Ahh, that's where you've all been hiding :) am a bit slow, but glad I found my bely buddies! been having separation anxiety hahaha

Leemar - hope the thrush clears up soon, Alex got it in hospy, so they gave us the Daktarin gel nad I had to treat his mouth AND my nipples after every feed for 7 days, what a nuisance! ahd thrush down below as well, so thinking it's the same stuff I tried treating it with the Daktarin - BAD IDEA, it was stinging like hell and midwife laughed at me - NOOO DEAR, you need to use Canested, otherwise it will sting - no kidding. Are you Finding it easy to put the gel into Olivia's mouth? Alex really fought it :P

OB took out my stitches last week as one got infected - ouch :( since then I've been having so much fresh bleeding I don't know whether that is lochia (it was light pink before) or is that from the stich site, but it's been a week...think I'll call him and ask, should I?

Cally - I have a super B/feeding pillow. I got is from Toys R Us, it cost $89 but man if was worth it. My back was in agony before and by wrists gone all limp, but ths pillow helped. It's called My Breast Friend, it's made from fairly hard foam and it has a back section, you basically clip it around you, so it becomes like a little table. I found stufffing around with pillows a nightmare, so this is permanently in my arms reach whenever I need to feed.

Does anyone's baby grunt and strain in their sleep? Alex does that a lot, it sounds like he's straining on a toiled, it's weird. Sometimes he strains and produces really loud wet farts hat sound like nasty explosions, poor dear... don't know what to do about it.

Sherie it is funny you should say that about Noah's name as in Hebrew it actually means comfort and restful... thanks to all for the well wishes.
Joasia (glad you found us!) - yep Noah does the same - lots of grunting in his sleep, he farts a lot too and i can always tell when he is pooing in his sleep as he stays asleep but face goes red and he scrunches it up and grunts. it's kinda cute...
MD - iwas told the same thing about the bleeding, to look out for clots but that it could get heavier and lighter at doff stages. mine was v light and watery to begin with and then got darker and heavier. I had 2 HUGE clots at the birth that they had to get rid of (I am talking cricket ball size) so I was really worried i would get clotting, they said there was no correlation.. and that i should look out for clots over the size of a 20 c coin and then gushing blood after a clot. if you are worried though, i would call up and ask - it cant hurt and def better to be safe and not to have the worry. HTH

Yay for Joasia finding us all hiding in our secret new thread...! LOL Definitely chat to OB about the bleeding, lucky I'm having a follow up appt with BossMan OB on Wed so will ask him about mine then (along with a long list of other questions, I'm sure LOL)!

Elisabeth doesn't grunt in her sleep but has earnt herself the name of little squeaking mouse on account of all the cute lil squeaky noises she makes...! :)

Well I had another little cry with the midwife today. She said it is like that at almost every house she visits, so that makes me feel better. And it's nice to know that some of you are having 'meltdowns' too.

DD has only put on 70g since leaving hospy 6 days ago. So now she is right on the 10% weight loss from birth. Midwife didn't seem too worried about it but she is going to weigh her again on Thursday. I don't think I can feed her anymore, she is so unresponsive when she is sleepy. I've been trying to express a little bit at the end of the feeds today, just to build up a supply so that DH can do the occasional night feed and really there isn't much left once she's finished with it, so she's obviously getting as much as she needs at the moment.

She's just done a huge poo too, that leaked over the pillow I was using to rest her on. Whoops.

Pregpan - Noah is a lovely name.

Sherie - glad the feeding is sorted.

Leemar - good luck with the thrush.

MD - I was told that the bleeding could pick up again, however unless it was solid clots (ie not stringy ones) it wasn't a problem.

My bleeding has pretty much stopped now. Have a lot of maternity pads to pass on to my sister as it was very light the whole time.

hi again
joasia - Hannah makes so many noises when she's asleep - we've nicknamed her 'Peppa' as in Peppa Pig.
When she is asleep on her tummy she doesn't seem to make the noises though.
I thought my bleeding had stopped - as hadn't seen any for a few days, but then it came back again. It seems to stop and start.

Cally I cried as well today. I am feeling trapped because I can not drive the car yet. I think I will have to drive next week. My belly is kind of sore today. I am not sure if it is suppose to be like that.

The boys are being very naughty today as well. I asked DH if he can come home early today. I think I am in need of some retail therapy.

Hi ladies!

I finally made it in here....been trying to get my butt in front of the computer for a few days, but haven't quite made it lol.

Great to have a place we can come in and chat with other's whose bubs are around the same age.

We started off a bit rocky, with some attachment problems, and crazy feeding routines, but things are evening out now and she's settling down nicely. Last night she slept from 9pm til 5am....8hrs!!!....i was so surprised....and felt quite refreshed this morning, even though my boobs were enormous and had leaked all through the bed during the night (i was so fast asleep i didn't even notice Ha!). I realise this was probably a one-off, but hey, it's nice when it happens!

It still amazes me how much they change within a few days. I was looking at the pics taken when she was only hours/days old and compared to what she looks like now, a week or so later, and it just blows me away. She's so gorgeous, i just beam at her when i see her little face staring up at me, waiting to be fed or changed or cuddled. I had a male friend "whinge" to me yesterday as his partner is 37wks preg and is starting to "moan and whine" about how she's feeling....his comment was "she knew what she was getting into, she should just get over it!"....apart from the urge to slap him in the forehead, i calmly reminded him that she didn't get into this predicament on her own. It's those moments of pure love, when ur heart is just bursting with joy, as your looking down at your little one that you realise...this is why we do it. I hope he gets the picture.

Hi 1127 (hope you dont mine me shortening your name Lol)
I agree with you SO much, I was just thinking how much Noah has grown up... already I want him to slow down!
had our toughest night yet last night... lots of waking in the night and he was so hard to settle even with a feed... pretty tired today! My BIL is in town today to meet Noah, so exciting - am sure it was hard for him to come down too, as he has a little one 11 days older than Noah - I cant wait for them to meet (I guess in a few wks when i can go to melb). So it should be a nice day (DH is getting him from airport now!).

Morning All,

Pregpan- I hope you have a lovley day with your BIL.
Ele_ven27- Welcome.

Well Finally I got some sort of sleep last night. Olivia didnt wake up till 2am this morning. Oh I hope she does it again tonight. The Thrush is all but gone now. I hope it doesnt come back.

I hope everyone has a lovley day.