Maranui / ShonaLouise - we haven't had to use the dummy yet, it's been out of the cupboard a few times when he's cranky, just in case, but neither of us have used it. I appreciate hearing how you guys are going as it's helping me try stay off it, cos i'm worried about him being a spitter too. That said, Shea's a real sucker and loves his fists so we just can't wrap his arms in or he won't sleep! but when settling him & he's cranky i find my little finger generally does the job and as he settles i'll gently ease it towards front of his mouth, if he's still awake he'll resuck but if he's getting dopey i can ease it out and he just stays asleep.. don't need it every time but generally when he's cranky / overtired. what's worked last couple of feeds has been staying in the bf chair and rocking and he just nods off then i pop him in hammock.. that's been much easier than the walking, sucking etc but hey, each time still seems different at mo!

Kirley - glad that the lactation consultant helped.. you've inspired me to try find somewhere i can go as my right boob is so sore.. missing a feed last night helped but i think i'm probably attaching him wrong as it does hurt on that side, no matter how i try. i tried taking him off whenever it hurt more but the more i attached him in one feed the worse it got THe left is fine, and i think that's common in right handed people.. Oh and i do get the pins & needles in boobs at random times.. apparently it's an oxytocin hit that causes it.. strangely i get it as much when talking about DH as Shea..

afm - wow, i'm human again!! i hit the wall last night after a week of dh on sofa to get sleep & working late and me on call for everything all night & day - with that window when DH got home and wanted cuddles and got shea overtired..sigh... after settling him at 9pm i slumped on sofa and all DH said was are you struggling? and i lost it.. it was the first time i felt i had nothing left to give & started crying.. first time DH seen me cry (usu manage to do it all in the day LOL! and it's usually more about missing out on the DH hugs etc than baby related..). So he told me he'd look after shea for the night so i could sleep - well that was all i needed - straight to bed & i didn't even hear him come & take hammock out with shea - the two of them spent the night in the lounge & used some milk i'd expressed and i got a 3 hr, 4 hr & 2 1/2 hr chunks of sleep!!! more than the past 3 nights combined i reckon.. i did one feed at 5am but that was it.. gonna try express more today and do another night like that I think i can manage the weeks if come friday / sat i can catch up - good thing is that it gives DH some bonding time without me over his shoulder which i think he really enjoys