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.