Babies born~December 1st-15th 2009 #1

[Alison1973]

Thanks again Willow, will get me some and see how I go. I googled that fissure thingo, sounds like it might be that even....oh well, trust me to get one or the other, I avoided stretch marks, even constipation in pregnancy and as I didn't get my vaginal birth one positive of that was I avoided a perineal tear but noooooo that's not good enough, my bum wants to play silly buggars! ha ha

Off for a swim at my sisters today, first swim since aqua class before Amelia was born! Maybe the salt water will help it LOL.......best not take my board shorts off however! As it is I'll have to wear a shirt, I have this podgy little gut still.....when does that go away! I still have the line down my belly too ha ha.

[Tilda]

Alison - I really hope Amelia continues to settle at night OK. At least you can get some sleep that way. Its so hard to put them down when they're wanting cuddles isn't it!! I'd ditto the info Willow gave you about the umm, pain and bleeding down there. I reckon it could be a fissure. Even with a CS it takes awhile for your BMs to go back to normal and in the meantime little tears can happen when its being stretched a bit more than its used to (sorry for the graphic description).

Carmey - Sounds like you have a fabulous routine. I think I might just have to try something like that. I know its recommended to create bedtime rituals. I think I'll sit down with DH this evening before she wakes up and plan a ritual. And the stimulation thing is an issue now too I think. It didn't matter when she was really tiny, but I think she's alert now to be overstimulated by everything going on.

Willow - My bleeding is just drawing to a close after 4 weeks. The midwife pretty much said to me "anything up to 4 weeks". Maybe if you're still bleeding after 5 weeks it would be a good idea to mention it to a midwife or your doctor. But I'm sure everyone is just different. It sounds like Harry is still a bit unsettled too. I've been wondering about those cots too. But I'm not sure she'll like it any more than her bassinet. She really wants to be right up against us, even if its in our bed.

AFM - Well, it was great to hear from you all today - I needed to hear some empathetic voices! I don't know what I'd do without it to be honest. Its so good being able to have that contact with people going through the same things. Well I finally gave up around 6am this morning and took Matilda into bed and let her sl0eep on DH's chest. Unfortunately it didn't get any better during the day. I had to go to bed to sleep at about 4pm and got up at about 5:45 to see Matilda still asleep on DH's chest on the couch. Its lovely that he wants to cuddle her but I'm really worried that she's getting too much of a taste for it and that when he gets a job I just won't be able to keep it up. Anyway, she has now just been successfully put down for the first time in about 24hours. She's grizzling a bit in her sleep but it doesn't seem to be turning into wakeful crying. I think part of the problem is that she hates being wrapped and when we put her on her back all her limbs start flailing around which wakes her up and she gets ****ed off about being put down. Well I think I'll call the sleep consultant tomorrow for an appointment. She's probably going to give me variations of all the advice I've read about, but some advice tailored for our situation might be good.

[willow5]

Alison lol hope the salt water helped Maybe your bum's trying to compensate for you missing the vb lol nice of it NOT!
As for the belly, well after I had DS1&2 the belly was pretty much gone by now, this time however it's hanging around! I guess that's the difference between a much younger body verses a 36yr old one ...I still have the line too.

Tilda ok well I'm nearly at 4 weeks it's slowed down a lot and isn't really red any more so I'm hoping it's nearly done, I do have heavy and sometimes long periods so if that's anything to go on the post-partum could be the same.
I hope you can get Matilda settled soon, Harry's ok at night as long as he's close he doesn't seem to need the constant contact, Matilda sounds like what my DS1 was like he was happy as long as he was being held, he did grow out of it eventually, although he did sleep in my bed quite often until he was about 2. I think Harry's the same with being wrapped he fights to get his arms out but then when he startles in his sleep it wakes him I'm stuck on what to do there too. Harry's also started to be spewy, sometimes when he wakes he's had a chuck and that's woken him then he's hard if not impossible to settle again.

Carmey I'm jealous of your routine too! I'll have to get onto one as well, might have to check out the infants friend too.

[Tilda]

Hi gals, a quick one before bed. Matilda is asleep (on DHs chest as usual LOL). We're waving the white flag tonight and just going to take her in with us and see how that goes. Alison, my paunch is well and truly still around. I'm about a size bigger than pre-pregnancy between the paunch and huge boobs . And Willow sounds like your blood flow is pretty normal to me. And I hear you on the startle issue. I'm wondering how one of those baby hammocks would go. They wouldn't be flat on their backs. It would be more cocoon like and their limbs might not go all over the place. Has anyone had any experience or heard anything about the hammocks??

[Tilda]

Carmey - I forgot to ask what this nature's friend thing is?

Sleep well everyone.....

[Mummy-Lani]

Just a quick one as I am feeding Jett then off to bed.

We have had a better day with Jett today, but he was a little unsettled between 3.30am til about 9am.

We have a hammock n I highly recommend them. Jett only sleeps in it during the night as mostly during the day he Is down stairs with us in the bassinet, but they are great. When bubs awakes they can rock themselves back off as movement makes the hammock swing. We have the amby baby one n it is awesome. When we went away for nye we took it n it only takes 5min to pull down n set up n takes up less room in the boot than what a portacot would.

They are recommended for reflux or colic babies. It also mimics the womb for sleeping.

Well hope everyone is well n enjoying their babies.

Alison hope u sort out your bottom problems.

Also re bleeding I am almost 3wks post delivery n it is very light n not really red anymore.

Good night all xx

[Alison1973]

Hi Tilda - I have a clingy baby during the day at the mo, driving me nuts! But in saying that, she slept for 5 hours last night, I woke up wondering what was wrong and woke her, what an idiot I am ha ha! I hope she does it again tonight and if so, I will not wake her and see what happens. She's on my lap again, as soon as I go to put her in the pram she wakes up and cries, grrrrr. Hoping it's just a temporary thing. Think you're right re the fissure and my bum is going out in sympathy for my vagigi as my nephew calls it ha ha. Might have to go up to the chemist and ask for something for my bum, how embarrassing!

Hi Willow - yep, figured the tummy was to be blamed for age LOL. It's going down a bit more each day and to be honest I never had a flat one before but want it to be firm at least! I still have 6 kgs to go to get back to my pre pregnancy weight, when does the bf'ing thing kick in. Everyone said bfing drops the weight, waiting, waiting!

Swim yesterday was bliss, water was 30 degrees in my sisters pool. Bring it on! I even got DH to do a formula feed as Amelia woke up hungry and I decided to be selfish and have some me time in the pool. I have such sore shoulders and neck from holding her all the time I thought stuff it!

[Tilda]

Hi Alison - well I think my bum is going out in sympathy with yours now LOL! Oh well, I've had them before and they just tend to clear up on their own I find. The pool sounds heavenly. And I can just see you poking and prodding Amelia to make sure she was OK! I'd do the same thing.

Hi Lani - the hammock sounds great! Its going to be a line ball between that and one of those cots that open out onto your bed. Its great to get some one's first hand opinion on them. I've got a feeling Matilda would like the hammock.

Hi AndiE - Matilda's breathing is all over the place. Sometimes its quick and shallow, sometimes its slow and deep and sometimes its squeaky and gasping. I think they're just like that while their bodies get the hang of it (I hope...).

Willow - you're very very good to already be doing thank you cards. I have a big list to get through. I've ordered some online with Matilda's photo on it and they haven't arrived yet (that's my excuse anyway).

AFM - well we had a much better night last night with matilda being in with us. She didn't want a feed until 2:30 after her last evening one which was great. But she did wake up and want to rock for a couple of hours so I handed her to DH at about 4. Then she fed again at 6:30. I think I'm converted to co-sleeping!

[Carmey]

Tilda - sorry hun, I'm an idiot. I was supposed to write Infant's Friend!! It's in most chemists and is all natural. It's for wind and my new best friend! Jack loves it and gets excited (breathing faster) when he sees the bottle come out. It tastes like cinnamon (sp) and he sits there sticking his tongue out after tasting it. It really helps with his pain. Highly recommended, especially since it's all natural.

Let us know how the sleep consultant convo goes! x

Alison - sooooo jealous of your swim! My bleeding is still going. So annoying! And, don't worry about the weight. It's early days yet and you look fab. I'm not sure when the BF thing kicks in though, I was wondering the same thing. I also have 6kg to lose!

Oh, and I have the same problem with the scratchy thing. Oh, the glamour of it all! And, my midwife did tell me that she saw internal 'roids when I was pushing...

Andie - yep, Jack's breathing can get really rapid sometimes and it used to worry me. He does it a lot when he's sleeping. But I think it's pretty normal after googling it! Maybe ask your early childhood nurse about it?

Lani - a hammock sounds fab! I've been using our sling a fair bit cause I know he enjoys the hanging part, so a hammock may be a good idea. How long can you use them for?

Willow - Jack has started to spew a bit more too. I wonder when that settles down? I just know that every time I get dressed to go out he'll vomit all over me!

ATM - I had planned to see my mother's group today and even squeeeeezed into my skinny jeans (the zip wouldn't go up but I had on my trusty old belly belt from pregnancy days!) and was feeling really good. Got bub dressed in his new outfit and headed out the door. Turned on the car and nothing. Dead. Apparently the battery was dead. So...I decided to take the bus into the city. I strapped jack into his sling and headed into David Jones for a bit of retail therapy and then lunch. Jack slept the entire time. Was so easy and would do it again. The bus driver on the way home even gave me a free ride.

Back onto the exercise/weight loss topic, I always said I'd give myself six weeks off before getting back into it. I plan to start back slowly with swimming, walking and light weights. Then I'll go back to running when I feel ready for it. I can't wait for that! But I worry about my boobs and it hurting with them being so big and full!

Oh, and is anyone's little ones smiling yet? One of the girls in my mother's group has her little one smiling all the time and I'm wondering when Jack will...

xx

[Alison1973]

Hi Carmey - I have no idea where your 6 kilos is cause you look fabulous in your pics! Not sure you can count your boobs as weight to lose hee hee. I'm hanging to get a bit more toned again, it's one thing to have some extra kgs but for them to be floppy kgs sux huh! I'm hanging to enjoy a casual game of tennis again, I can't run at the moment as my tummy still hurts where the scar is and also my tummy flops up and down, so gross ha ha! Sorry for that visual peoples! As for skinny jeans, I couldn't wear them before let alone now so you go girl, belly belt or not! What sort of sling do you have? I got the Baby Bjorn out yesterday and it's still on the table in bits, I don't have time to go to university to figure out how to put it together! grrrrr. I need to try tonight as I have afternoon tea at the hospital tomorrow and I'm still not allowed to lift the pram in and out of the car so need to use it. Job for DH tonight I feel. As for smiling, Amelia started smiling last week, I think by accident but just today she has smiled heaps and when she's looking into your eyes while you're talking to her. DH popped in just earlier and she was in her swing and he said hello and she outright smiled at him, he was so excited. Some little sounds are starting to come out of her mouth too, can't wait till lots of gooing happens, will be so cute. The books say anywhere from 5 weeks they start to really smile and find their hands and feet but each bub is different.

Hi Tilda - oh dear......does that mean we can be true "bum chums"? LOL. If they go on their own I think I'll wait and see before I head to the chemist and embarrass myself ha ha. Whenever I go to a chemist I get some young spunk behind the counter, not a good look when asking for something for your fanny or bum ha ha! Was bad enough asking for nipple shields thanks!

Honestly though, as if we don't have enough crap when we're pregnant then we get it afterwards as well! You really can't prepare yourself for any of this can you ha ha. As rewarding as it is having a baby it's still hard work emotionally and physically. I have a friend due in 3.5 weeks and she's totally oblivious....should I tell her or let her find out for herself ha ha! She wouldn't listen to me anyway, she just cannot be told!

Gosh it's hot again in Perth today, I wish I had my own pool....my sister does live around the corner but it's too hard lugging Amelia around - which translates into, I can't be bothered lugging Amelia around today!

[Carmey]

OMG - look at my signature! I'm hopeless at this!!

[willow5]

HI everyone

Tilda We ordered our thank you cards on line too with Harry's photo they're pretty cute, we got ours through Snapfish but they didn't have a very big choice of designs,where did you order yours from?
LOL with being a convert to co sleeping, once you go with out sleep then finally get some it's very easy to become a fan of the co sleep.
Commiserations on the bottom problems, can completely sympathise!

AndiE I think the babies breathing gets rapid when they have a bit of wind too, they may not have a pain but if it's in there it can make them breathe quite quickly for a bit probably while it's moving through.

Lani The hammock does sound good I just don't know that we have the room for one at the moment but I'll check it out anyway.

Carmey Yes! I'm having the same thing with Harry, and it's not good when I have a limited amount of clothes appropriate for breast feeding!!! You run out of things to wear quickly
Harry's smiling a little now he has been since last week not a huge amount but over the next couple of weeks they really start to get going and interact more it's very cute

Alison It's a pain not being able to lift the pram and stuff yet very frustrating!

Gotta go Harry calls

[Tuesday's Child]

Had to stop midpost to feed Amelia and didn't expect so much activity while I was gone.

As rewarding as it is having a baby it's still hard work emotionally and physically. I have a friend due in 3.5 weeks and she's totally oblivious....should I tell her or let her find out for herself ha ha! She wouldn't listen to me anyway, she just cannot be told!

Alison - I seem to remember someone else (read you) who didn't want to be told how much hard work was involved with a baby LOL. But we all just want to enjoy those last few weeks of pregnancy. Good luck to your friend.

Tilda - Glad you and Matilda had a good night. Co-sleeping may not be good in theory, but in practice can be bliss.

Carmey - Infants' friend is now my new best friend too. I've noticed that Amelia is quite spewy since I've started using it. When do you use it? I've been giving it to her before a feed as its when she's most awake. Might have to try after and see if it makes a difference. Yay for getting into the skinny jeans! Amelia smiles a lot in her sleep and I've even heard the beginnings of a laugh while she's sleeping. Before wind became a problem she'd smile at us while we talked to her. Now smiles are reserved for bath time, but I'm hoping she'll smile more once her wind eases.

Love the siggy - jack is gorgeous!

[Tuesday's Child]

Alison - Sorry your bum is giving you trouble. Glad you enjoyed your swim yesterday. I still have my line too, but my tummy is almost as firm as it was pre-pregnancy.

Tilda - I read about the unsettled period in Babylove too. I could handle a couple of hours, but its on and off from around 8pm until 2am! Amelia loves to be cuddled asleep too. I used to have so much trouble wrapping her, but like Matilda, her arms flail about if I don't. I usually let her fall asleep on me or DH, then once her breathing is regular we'll wrap her and put her down. It doesn't always work, but its easier wrapping her while she's half asleep. How did it go with the sleep consultant?

Andie - Wow your boy is growing fast! Since he is putting on such good weight, I wouldn't worry about him sleeping through - just enjoy it! Rapid breathing is normal for newborns, but check with your doc if your concerned.

Lani - I haven't had to give formula top ups. Amelia only feeds from one side each time. As long as you are eating and drinking enough and getting plenty of rest, your body should make enough milk for Jett. There is something to sleeping when baby sleeps. I've noticed that my boobs feel heavier after a sleep than if I'd been awake for the same amount of time. But if you're struggling to keep up, it won't hurt him to give a top up with formula.

Carmey - Thats an excellent night time routine - glad it works! I'm trying to get into one, but my girl loves being up late. Have you got a routine for daytime? Perhaps your boy likes the structure he gets at night.

willow - After 5 weeks I'm still bleeding, although lightly. I was told it could last anywhere between 2-6 weeks. I also have long heavy periods so am just assuming my postpartum bleeding will be the same. I sympathise with Harry being unsettled. On a good day we'll have 30 mins of awake time when I get to play with her around lunch time, plus bath time in the evening. All other times she is either feeding, sleeping or crying.

AFM - I've had a revelation! A friend told me about baby talk (google dunstan baby language). An Australian woman has identified 5 different sounds babies make when they cry, each corresponding to a need. Using this, I was able to confirm that Amelia had wind which is why she was crying so much. I started using infants' friend yesterday as well as massaging her tummy at change times while she has her nappy off (like your DS1 Andie, she seems to be unhibited). Still had our episodes of hysterical crying last night, but it was much easier to settle her. We couldn't put her down as she wanted to be cuddled, but at least she slept! Fingers crossed things continue to improve.

[AndiE]

Hi all,

Am finally back to try and do a few personals - will attempt a few and see how I go. Jacob shouldn't want a feed for at least another hour or so, so here goes ...

Rose Red - good to see you in the thread ... sounds like you've had a difficult first few weeks, but glad to hear things are improving with Liam. Hope you've been able to get some rest!

Tilda - I can only offer a re: Matilda not sleeping. DS1 hated being wrapped, but Jacob is quite content when I wrap him in muslin cloth - albeit with his arms outside the wrap! We did/are using dummies with our boys too - both are "mega-suckers" and settle down almost instantly if they have something to suck. Good luck with things and hope the sleep consultant can help you out. A book I used initally with DS1 was the "Contented Little Baby Book" (by Gina Ford, I think). It's a book that seems to polarise opinions, and admittedly its routines were far too prescriptive and rigid for me to follow, but it had some decent commonsense advice about getting bub to sleep "better" or through the night. If only babies could read though, hey?

Carmey - DH and I don't worry about a routine at this stage, other than Jacob feeds approx 3-4 hourly (I always try and feed him around 6.30pm and 10-10.30pm-ish so I can get to bed at a reasonable hour) and he gets a bath around 4.30pm daily. Don't be too jealous of Jacob's long sleeps overnight I definitely think his all-nighter from a few days ago was a once-off! OMG re: Jack rolling under your coffee table - what a champ!

Alison - Gotta love haemorrhoids huh . I developed a beauty in the last couple of weeks of pregnancy, and giving birth vaginally did nothing to help it. Fortunately the cream I got from the chemist (over the counter only stuff) did its job and it didn't cause me much worry. This is the stuff most people don't tell you about where pregnancy is concerned!! It's great that you can BF laying down - it's not something I can do, it feels too awkward for me.

Willow - my bleeding has almost stopped. I recall in hospital the midwife said most women bleed "approx" six weeks, but she said it varied heaps - from three to eight weeks. Hope your next trip to the chiro helps with Harry's wind ... I feel very blessed that Jacob isn't suffering wind issues, as we had plenty with DS1, and I considered his wind "mild" as it certainly wasn't as bad as colic is supposed to be. DS1 used to get some relief from having his nappy off - he appeared to lose his inhibitions and therefore fart away quite happily, expelling some of his wind. Mind you, you've always got to be on guard for stray pee or unexpected poo explosions!

Hannah - it's good Amelia sleeps during the night, but I imagine evening can be a difficult time for you if she's really unsettled. If only each baby came with their own instruction booklet, huh? Would make life a damn site easier for the new parents!

Lani - Jett sounds like a dream if a live band doesn't even wake him As for FF, I'm apparently the missing link between cows and humans, so no need for formula here atm. But if it helps your bub to sleep/settle, then why not top him up with a FF. Like Jett, Jacob is downstairs in the portacot during the day, then in his cot and room at night. The hammock sounds great!

AFM, I have a question for you all. Do you feel your bub's breathing is rapid? I'm sure DS1 was the same, but I forget ... I know it's also normal for a baby to appear to be breathing rapidly, but sometimes Jacob REALLY seems to be breathing quickly . Anyone else experiencing this?

Andie

[BrusselsSprout]

Finally got a bit of time online and am finally writing from our apt!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (for those of you who don't know me yet, DH and I have been living at the in laws for a while while contruction was being done on our apt - which, of course, went wildly over schedule!!!)

Carmey, sounds like your little one is an athlete like you - Eva turns her head and kicks about her legs and rolls from tummy to the side but not a whole flip over yet! Way to go Jack! I'm going to try to find out if I can get the drops...because seriously the gas thing is awful...I am going to post what I found might be my problem though...I'll get to it after persies...Eva is smiling now too - this started about a week ago (serious smiling, not just little random smiles while feeding)...she reacts to voice and tickling but not a lot just when she is in her very alert periods...it's coming - get ready to fall more in love! The weight loss thing is freaking me out...I am getting back to training next week. I work with a trainer and am going to get my running shoes out to start my runs in the snow I have a pouch and can't get my old clothes on. I feel fatter now than when i was pregnant! I have not lost anything except for the weight from the birth. holidays didn't help either! - I thought you did the big signature on prupose - I love it! He is so cute - leave it big!

Willow - yay for the weight gain! I am glad he is gaining well! I bled until about Three and a half weeks but a week and a half out of the hospital I only needed panty liners and they did not usually get very stained...But I think every one is different...They told me at the hospital that is can go from three to six weeks, so it should be normal...Eva startles in her sleep too but I put her on her side now and she sleeps well. I also use a cocconababy which prevents that to a certaibn degree...

Andie, looking forward to getting to know you and your little one. Great to hear that he is growing and doing better than DS1...It is ok to compare, especially when the second is easier - I am slo a dummy user - I could not live without it - Eva is def a sucker...I tried to avoid it but once I saw how she settled down with it, I could not bring myself to deprive her - this is also what got her off of my boobs every waking minute at the beginning...the bretahing is normal and regulates later - Eva started being more settled with her breathing recently...but it can be stressful...she still sometimes inhales a mouth of milk and coughs during a feed...but she is getting better at mulittasking!

Alison, sucks losing the nipple shield...here they sell them in pharmacies (I am so american ),so I hope you find one - I got a pair when I was having pain at the beginning but never got around to using them...I would have brought them over if I was close by - I also find Eva to be less settled when we go visit people...I think it just nreaks the rythm of her day, so she suffers a bit at night trying to settle down for sleep...her being fussy might be a growth spurt - I read that it happens at 2, 3 and 6 weeks...so maybe that is it since she is nearing her 6th week? Be careful with your milk supply - maybe you should try pumping sometime during the day? the more you top up the less she'll eat so the less you'll produce, so you should try to pump to encourage milk if that is what you want - and drink your water naughty

Rose, my god, so that is why you have been sort of MIA for a bit. I am so sorry to hear you are having such a difficult time! I would guess the nausea is hormone related. I felt a droop in appetite right after giving birth but it came back full blast with breastfeeding (I am stressed for the weight loss now)....But I am glad to hear you both have the medication you need and hope you and your little man are going to be doing great soon! And luckily you found out so soon before it really got bad...I saw your new pics, Liam is such a cutie...

Tilda, isn't it great when people just let you sleep-My eva is the same and still spends some night in bed with us (when she is fussy and I am tired it is just easier...I think some babies need more holding, but I get you on the never being put down - with all the people visiting, I don't think she has fallen asleep on her own much (she is doing that now though since no one is home!)...I don't believe a newborn can be spoiled, maybe just have habits but those can be easily broken at this point, so I am trying things until I figure out what works best - hopefully, I'll get it right before she is a toddler! Hope the sleep consultant can help...I think it is normal though...I heard plently of friends' stroies where baby would be up to play all night long and sleep like a log all day. It passes...I agree with Carmey though...I find Eva sleeps really badly when I take her out of her comfort zone or do too much with her in the day. I am tyring to get her into a rythm...Try baths in the eve, I found that helped settle Eva for sleep better too. Bath then feeding and cuddle/singing/book then I leave her in bed. She has been able to do more and more nights like this lately..Hope it lasts. I was also changing Eva before after each feeding but now, like Carmey, just leave her until her 7am wakeup for a change (unless it's a big poo)...maybe try getting her to bed by feeding her laying down - the pediatrician told me that the laying down position is ideal because it encourages sleep for both mom and baby since you are releasing sleep hormones and are already in a sleeping position - just make sure DH checks on you in case you both nod off

And I have to admit, that I have put Eva to sleep on her belly a few times - only when I have her within my scope of vision and she sleeps so well, not a stir - I would never do it at night because I know she would sleep well but her reflexes would be slwer and I would be scared with the tiredness and slow reflexes that she would end up facedown in her cot...but I do put her on her belly sometimes in the afternoons in her playpen, no sheets no blankets and where I can see her.

Hannah, for gas I made an amazing discovery!!!! A Hot water bag! Tilda this might work for you too - DH fills it up and puts it in her bed while I do her nightime ritual and feed and then she just slides into her warm bed with no fuss...she used to wake as soon as she was in her bed and out of our arms...Maybe you can try that? She might like the body heat...I also lay her on it with her tummy down and knees on the bed and head on a little pillow when she has really bad cramps and gas and rub her back - it has saved our lives...My best friend had one and one night Eva was crying so bad with cramps that I asked her to bring it...she was still whimpering with pain but not screaming and it passed and she fell asleep on the bag (of course put a blanket or something so it is not too hot for her)...I even bought little hot water bags the size of the palm of a hand to put on her belly in bed if she is crampy...it is winter here so I try to keep her warm...You can try that even though it is summer there...maybe just warm not hot?

Lani, sounds like Jett knows his nights and days you lucky girl! Don't stress about your milk - I did the same and the pediatrician told me that not having enough milk is very very rare - just stay well hydrated and fed Have you tried going out for an afternoon drive or walk? Maybe he just needs some stimulation to tire him? Eva is up in the late afternoon and that's when I give her mat time which generally tires her out and then she dozes off on her belly and I put her to bed...Today she played in her playpen near my desk while I organize and she dozed off after playing and looking out the window for about an hour...you might need to change his location, position or give him some stimulation during the afternoon...It might settle him down. I had the same prob at the beginning with the constant fussiness unless she was on the boob, and I'll write after this to let you girls know what I figured out...I had a nurse tell me to keep her feeding longer by switching sides etc...but that was not the right this to do...I am with you on the avoiding formula...The ped told me that if the baby is growing there is no problem. So don't stress for that! Like Alison said, there is nothibng wrong with topping up if you need a break. It is tiring having a baby attached to you 24/7 - I did it twice too.

Now for me - so I ahve been sort of busy with lots of friends over for the new year. Man it is nice having a bunch of arms around - they help with dishes, carrying her around while I shower, playing with her, helping us move back in etc...

I told you guys Eva was being really fussy for a while...she was crying for hours on end froml midnight to 3 most nights and I could not take it anymore - she had constipation, pain and green smelly poo! I did not know what happened. DH and I were besides ourselves and no one could give us a good response...The pediatrician said it was colic but later in the night...I was no tbuying it. One night while she was crying, DH googled green smelly poo...and we found the problem! We read online that if the baby does not get enough hindmilk then they only get the foremilk which is higher in sugar and not fatty enough to satuisfy them and eventually give baby gas and green smelly frothy poo...I realized that the stupid lactatioon consultant gave me very bad advice by telling me to switch sides every time Eva started slwoing down too much - She was only getting foremilk from both boobs and started suffering for it. I started keeping her on one side and if she dozed off burping her or putting her down but then putting her back to the same boob and after 2 weeks of absolute HELL, her poo is getting yellow again and does not smell and she is sleeping again! The past few night she has slept from 11/12 and not woken up until arounf 6 or 7! I am so happy. Especially to see her more settled and happy. I can kill thatstupid lady and her bad advice! She was screaming and whimpering in pain during feeds and not pooing often...It was just awful. I hope it is going to pass and stay that way, but for now I have had three or four days of regular baby behavior and poo!

Eva is a darling, filling out her clothes now and starting to react and smile and play etc...She still sleeps most of the morning then needs some fun time in the afternoon and her evening routine and is pretty good settling down to bed now...she needs about an hour of feeding and cuddling to get to sleep.

I am going to start training to lose my weight starting next week since before that I did not feel ready to leave her at home, so I hope it stays this way. I still have a pooch - I feel so ugly. Some days I don't get a shower in and it is freezing and snowy here, so going out is a lot more complicated than it is for you summer girls - But when she does come out with me she sleeps the whole time, loves the car and is easy. I can't wait until it gets warmer to do that more often!

Otherwise, I took a long time with persies and she is stirring to wake now (fell asleep all by herself in her playpen!) so I'll go get some emails responded to before she gets up for food and try to be back on soon to update everyone!!!!

Parents are coming on the 13 and my brother on the 15th but by the end of january I shoul dhave a lot more downtime and more time to be online!!!

xoxoxoxox

miss you all you foxy mummies!

[Alison1973]

Hi Girls!

Hi BS - always good to read your little stories, sounds like you've got things down pat now! I have a bit of a tummy too and I'm 36 so harder to get rid of......skin is as it was in my 20's! I still have 8 kgs to go but I haven't been able to exercise because of the c-section...next week is the week! It must be harder being winter, not to mention motivating yourself to get out in the cold but I have the opposite here, it's too hot to go outside and exercise, it's been around 36-39 degrees here in Perth the last few days. Even at 8.00 pm last night it was really warm outside!

Hi Hannah - it's cool, I know you were teasing.

I had another great night, Amelia slept for nearly 6 hours! Although I daren't get too excited as it could all come crashing down on me at any time. ha ha. I have afternoon tea at the hospital today, although I'm dreading getting Amelia in and out of the car in this heat and I have to lift the pram which I'm not not supposed to do until next week, hope I'm ok!

[Tilda]

Hi Brusselsprout - that's terrible that the lactation consultant gave you such terrible advice. I wish I'd thought to mention something about letting them drain one side as much as possible before switching! The lactation consultant mentioned it to me at the hospital and explained that the hind milk was fattier and helps them settle. I didn't realise the foremilk could make them windy though. Maybe that was also why Eva wanted to be on the breast so much. I'm also trying to take the attitude that you can't spoil newborns and let go of the anxiety about bad habits forming. But DH and I are definitely trying to create more definite evening bedtime rituals. Sounds like you're really getting your bedtime routine sorted out even with all your visitors and moving house! I've tried the lying down to feed on my side but cant' get comfy because of my bad neck/shoulders. But I think when she's a bit bigger and can just "hop on" herself more easily it will be great. I can really imagine how much you're looking forward to spring and just be able to walk out the door without too much drama.

Hi Alison - 6 hours straight! ooohhh, I'm green. Mind you we didn't have too bad a night last night either. Hope your afternoon tea at the hospital went well.

Hi Hannah - its great to hear you had such a good evening after a difficult week. I think they all have their unsettled days and weeks. It seems that the only constant with babies is change!

Hi Willow - I used snapfish too. I couldn't find many other options on Australian websites. There are some fantastic american based ones but too expensive to ship over. One site wanted to charge $55 just for shipping

Hi Carmey - your siggy is hilarious LOL!! Keep it. It makes me giggle everytime I see it. And I am going to hunt down infant's friend. Do you think its quite safe?

Hi RoseRed - Sounds like things are really falling into place. And beautiful how much Liam is smiling. You must melt. Can't wait till Matilda starts to smile more.

Hello to everyone else!

AFM - had another pretty good night with Matilda in with us. She woke for a couple of feeds and went straight back to sleep. I'm starting to think she really doesn't like the bassinet in particular. This afternoon I tried her in it twice and both times she woke and squawked. Admittedly I think she was still a but hungry. But then I put her in her comfy rocker chair and she's been asleep for an hour now. I haven't called the sleep consultant yet. I thought we'd just try a few more obvious things so I can at least say I've tried. Had a really nice lunch out with Mum and Dad at a cafe up on Mt Nelson with beautiful views. Matilda was a gem. Just slept in her capsule (again OK as long as it wasn't the bassinet) and then woke for a feed towards the end. I'm hanging out for a few more smiles. We get the odd one which is gorgeous, but its not all that often. But at least she doesn't give me her golom face anymore. To begin with she'd just frown intensely at me like she was thinking "who the hell are you??" LOL. And for that matter she's probably thinking "who the hell am I??". Anyway, I can smell a nice dinner coming my way. Hope there are some more big sleeps out there tonight.