Babies Born September 2007

hi katie - Hannah sleeps really well during the day, it seems at night she has belly aches. although in saying that, during the day she squirms and makes lots of noises and then goes back to sleep. At night she does the same thing - but i think because she is next to me in the bassinette i hear her and then pick her up. Dh thinks it maybe time for her to go to her own room. I on the other hand still want her close to me.
Cally - another good one is paw paw ointment. you can put that on anything. I put it on Hannah's bottom as well, and we use it for lip balm as well.

Well, we have made it out for a couple of trips into the real world. It is a bit hard though as DS seems very unsettled in new places and I have to feed him to settle him down again. We went yesterday to have the hand and foot casts done and today we had some photos taken to put in the frame with them.

Thankfully the last couple of nights have been a bit better with around 3 hours between wake-ups. I am still rather tired though.

So far we haven't had any projectile poo, but he does tend to go when his nappy is off. I got it all over my hand when I made the mistake of picking him up for a cuddle with no nappy.

Hope everyone is having a good day

Cally I use the Lansinoh cream and love it. Its a touch pricey but worth it.

Jazmum Logan is in a bassinette next to our bed too and keeps us up all night with his grunting. I guess I would rather him be awake in the day then at night so I wont complain :D. If you use paw paw on your nipples do you need to rinse it off before feeding bub?

Artechim we are having the hand and feet cast done on Saturday and having some photos taken the following Saturday.

Katie I am glad I got the hand and foot casts done. I am usually really slack at getting any sort of memento things done - still haven't printed out photos for our wedding album which was 1.5 years ago. But he won't stay little for very long. I saw a 7 week old baby the other day and she looked massive. They are a bit expensive but something that you can keep forever.

I just got projectile spewed on for the first time. William seemed amused.

Will is in his own room. I am a light sleeper and already sleep with a cat, a dog and a snoring DH. If DS was in the room I doubt I would get any sleep at all.

How is everyone going on the jelly belly front? Does it shrink on its own accord or should I be doing some sort of exercise to help it along? I had a minor meltdown this morning getting ready for the photos because none of my old clothes fit. I put on 14kg and have lost 9kg.

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.