Won't have time to do personals but just thought I'd pop in to say hi. Had Jacob weighed this morning and he's put on 400g in a week. Now 5.2kg and 59cm long. He's starting to stretch 000 clothes as he's so long. He's feeding well and sleeping well ( um, 7 1/2 hours last night) and seems happy enough.
I guess the beauty of being a second time mum is not stressing (as much) like you do with the first bub. OMG ... first time round, I used to get very anxious and stressed about breastfeeding - why was he "on and off" all the time, why did he take so long to feed, why doesn't he want to BF?? Second time round I'm much more relaxed cos I now know that sometimes bubs go through little phases when BFing, and it's just a matter of persisting (no matter how frustrating) because things tend to return to normal sooner or later. Currently Jacob is "on, off, on, off" the boob every second or third feed - and he gets quite crotchety when he pulls himself "off". While I find it frustrating, I figure it'll sort itself out eventually. Hopefully soon, cos it can be a total PITA. It's probably that my milk is flowing a bit too fast for him ... hmm, maybe he'll just have to learn to swallow a bit quicker yeah, just joking!
One quick personal ... hi to Kanda - your toddler is just a few days older than my DS1 (Cam). How is your household going? My DS1 just wants to smother "babe jay" with love and kisses ALL the time! Fortunately Jacob still sleeps a lot, so I can spend a bit of time with DS1 but trying to juggle an attention-seeking toddler when BFing is a challenge all in itself!
Anyway, I'll jump back in later all being well to do "proper" personals. Stay cool those of you sweltering and stay safe if you're in a catastrophic fire zone.
Had Liam's 6 week health nurse visit today. We had the nicest nurse this time - stark contrast with the horrid woman we had last time. Liam's just over 5kg now, which makes me happy. Everything else was okay with him, apart from the fact that he lies with his head turned the same way all the time, so his head is developing a flat spot. We just need to encourage him to turn the other way as much as possible now.
The only other thing we need to focus on is his sleeping, especially during the day. The CHN said that at his age, he shouldn't be awake for more than an hour at a time (including feeding time). He's been awake during the day for 2-3 hours consistently, and getting grumpy because of it. We're trying to change his napping routine to see if it helps - mostly putting him in a quiet, dark room (we've had his bassinet out with us in the living room most of the time, just so we can keep an eye on him). Fingers crossed that it works - if he naps better during the day, he'll sleep better at night. He's been up every hour the last two nights, which gets exhausting.
Hi Rose - glad Liam's appointment went well, sounds like he's coming along fantastically! Sounds like you are feeling much better too which is great. Amelia has days when she's awake for more than an hour during the day as well so was wondering about that. She has her 6 week check with the child health nurse tomorrow as well so might ask about that too. She generally sleeps at night now between 5 and 6 hours, last night was 4 but I visited work yesterday for a few hours so it was pretty full on, I think she got overstimulated!
I went to visit the girls as I said, the house we were at today was not airconditioned and it's 35 in Perth today - it's going to be 42 on Sunday! Anyway it was pretty uncomfy, the girl whos house it was has 10 week old twins, a boy and a girl and a 19 month old girl, she's such a trooper AND she wants another! A real natural, I don't know how she does it, one's enough for me at the moment ha ha. We took another pic of all the bubs like we did last time, only problem was Amelia was bawling so she's going to be the only one who wasn't looking nice and quiet in the pic, typical! Amelia's the youngest out of the group anyway but they keep commenting how little she is, I didn't think she was overly small, I think it's just that she's long and skinny ha ha! She looks big to me!
As I said, tomorrow is mothers group, I will go a little earlier as it's Amelia's 6 week check with the health nurse, got the paed next week. It's so hot in Perth this week. Tomorrow will be revolting as well as it's only a small room and it's also not properly airconditioned, it has one of those little wall aircons that you can only feel if you stand in front of it. We're doing baby massage tomorrow too, great in the heat, mmmmm! Caught up with my swimming friends and their bubs today, was nice as always but the house was unairconditioned so was horribly hot and sweaty!
Kanda - so good to hear from you! Loved your birth story, thanks for sharing!
Rose - Great news that everything went well with the nurse. Sounds like things are going along well. Good luck with the new nap routine.
Willow - re: Infants' Friend and the gulping - Jack does that too and it seems to help him. I've also found it helps him sleep at night. Have you tried it yet?
Alison - Don't you hate those poo explosions? Jack had one at a cafe the other day when I went to have brunch with a girlfriend. It was everywhere and in the end even my friend had it on her!
Andie - 7.5hours! That's just showing off! Honestly, that's awesome. You're very lucky indeed. Jack is still doing the exact same hours, which aren't too bad but even an extra hour here or there would be nice!
ATM - had mother's group today and spent ages with the girls at one of their houses. Came home with one overtired bub (he wouldn't sleep!) and he was restless for the rest of the day. Have him here now in our bed trying to get him to sleep. He's been crying on and off and I just know it's because he was too overstimulated today. It sucks because it was so great to get out and see the girls. We can't win them all, can we?
Anyway, hope you're all doing well and speak tomoz.
Carmey - going out is a double edged sword isn't it! It nust have been fun to get to mothers group and catch up with some girlfriends though. Worth it for your sanity even if there's a bit of payback in the short term.
Alison - Poo explosions. Yes. We had one ourselves today when I went to see the lactation consultant. All over their change table and her onesie (and I hadn't brought a spare). Luckily teh lactation consultant and myself were spared! And I'm rooting for a Perth move - wouldn't it be fun to get all the Perth girls together!
Kanda - great to hear from you. I really don't know how people cope with a newborn AND a toddler. It must be intense. Especially after such an intense delivery! Your birth story made me cry! I'm so glad everything worked out and Sienna arrived safely in the end!
Rose - let us know how your new sleeping regime goes! I'm very interested because Matilda likes to stay up way past her bedtime too. Its great to hear you sounding so well too.
AndiE - it was great to read your post. Matilda has been going through a phase this week of coming on and off too because she'd built my supply up rather too well and it was gushing poor thing. I felt much more relaxed after hearing you had similar issues and it usually resolves itself.
Willow - Matilda was straining when doing a poo for a few days too. And was very crotchety. But it seems to have righted itself now and she's happily exploding everywhere. I can only imagine the amount of laundry you're dealing with. I feel like I need two machines on rotation with just the three of us.
I hope everyone else is well and happy!
AFM - It seems like its been a really busy few days. Matilda is growing and growing and growing. She's basically been putting on about 300 grams every week. And she's grown 4.5cm in length. I took a trip to the lactation consultant today to go over a number of small issues. We weighed her again and again 300 grams. The LC said "oh, well that's why she's been cluster feeding, she's gone through a growth spurt". Well, she must be on a permanent growth spurt (pity my aching back). Matilda has been "cluster feeding" every afternoon/evening ffor the last week or so which means non-stop feeding. She has been so cranky too coming on and off because she keeps choking on the fast flow. I felt quite upset about it for a couple of days but it seemed to improve a lot yesterday. I also got a bit of additional advice on getting Matilda to attach properly on the left (still got a sore, cracked nipple). And also some advice about my thrush. I don't know if anyone else has had any issues, but I've had such bad thrush all over my breasts and now on my hands too. Yuk!!! I'm going to go and get some diflucan today because the creams are only doing so much. I have actually managed to make a cake today (only a packet one but a cake nonetheless). But the house is a pig sty so I'd better actually go and do something about it.
Hi Tilda - Matilda is doing so well, she's so adorable, I love seeing her piccies on FB, her little face brings such a smile to mine. I haven't had the pleasure of having thrush anywhere for that matter but I'd consider swapping it for my roids believe me!!! Go the Perth move!
AFM - Amelia's 6 week check with the child health nurse went really well. She passed with flying colours She is now 4.5 kgs - almost exactly a kilo heavier than her birth weight, so her weight and head circumference is right in the 50th percentile. She is 57.9 cms in length which puts her in the 90th percentile so definitely a tall girl! DH said, well at least she won't be a short a*se like you and I said yes and luckily her head is small like mine and not massive like yours LOL! He has a big head ha ha....polish genes! That shut him up.
Tomorrow I'm going to call and see if I can get into a mums and bubs aqua class, I miss my aqua class and I desperately want to get rid of some weight, I haven't shifted the last 8 kgs and am now starting to feel depressed. I can't fit into any of my pre pregnancy skirts if they have zips, I can't do them up and I have this gut that makes me look a little pregnant only floppy!!!!!! Who said BF'ing drops the kilos, doesn't for me, unless it's because I'm not producing enough to burn the calories, typical, just my luck!
Oops, Amelia's farting which probably means poo so I'd best go.
Today has been an "interesting" day. I've been trying to get Liam to settle down for more naps, without much luck so far - he's had a couple of catnaps, and nothing more. I think the heat's really unsettling him.
I don't remember if I mentioned that he's been having some feeding issues as well - especially on the right side, he's been choking and screaming a lot. I'm pretty certain that I have an overactive letdown on that side and oversupply in general. Spent most of today engorged because he wouldn't empty the breast, and ended up pumping instead for comfort. He ate happily after that, but he's still not sleeping. Poor little guy is really overtired but just won't settle down. Keeping an eye on his tired signs is hard - often he's giving tired signs only a few minutes after waking up (which indicates that he's chronically overtired). He's just too interested in the world and gets overstimulated. Oh well, I'll keep on trying with the napping, anyway, hopefully it'll work sometime.
Alison - Fear not, hun. I'm exactly the same as you re: the weight. Though, I think I've actually put on a bit again. My tummy was looking quite flat and now it is bigger again. I'd dropped 11 at the birth and then had around 7 to 8 to lose but the scales are now telling me 9. How rude! BF sure isn't helping me yet eitehr. One of my girlfriends told me that the weight only started coming off for her after six months, then it just melted off.
I am eating a lot and not really watching what I'm eating, I must admit. My skin is also breaking out, which is always a warning sign for me to back off on the junk. I reckon those aqua classes will be great. Do you know DH booked Jack into swim classes for him when we found out we were pregnant? I think the woman booking us thought he was mad. We're booked in for March because at our pool they have to be three months. As soon as Jack has his immunisation shots we'll put him in the pool here in our apartment. Will you take Amelia to your sister's pool?
Tilda - That doesn't sound fun re: the thrush on your poor boobs! What does it actually look like? Does it hurt? Does that mean that Miss Matilda has it in her mouth? One of the girls in our mother's group has that problem and her bubby had it in their mouth.
That's good you got the attachment sorted. There's nothing worse than a sore nipple when trying to feed when they're cluster feeding!! She really must be growing, little darling.
Everyone else - how are you all? Oh, and I have a question for you all:
During the night, do you wait til you hear bub cry for a feed, or do you get up when you hear them waking? I never actually get to hear Jack cry and simply get up when I hear him starting to stir. It gets me thinking, if I left him, would he sleep longer?
ATM - All going pretty well right now. Jack seems to have really settled and is a very happy bubba. As long as I keep him from being overstimulated (like yesterday!) he's great and doesn't cry and cry at "aresonic hour".
I took him to visit one of the magazines I used to work for today to see all the girls. Was so nice to see everyone and they all couldn't get over how big he is! My little buddha.
I've always patted or rocked him to sleep and I have read that from 6 to 8 weeks you should try and get them to put themselves to sleep sometimes so they don't get reliant on you and making it easier when they're older. So, I put that to the test today (not thinking it would work) and the little angel just shut his eyes after a few mintues. I'm sure it won't always work and I do enjoy the ritual of rocking, but it may work out to be a good thing.
Hi Alison - what a tall girl you have!! She'll be hitting the catwalk in no time with those looks and long legs! And we've all got a few kilos that decided to stick around so don't worry. I'm sure we'll need the reserves at some stage when they go through a crotchety phase and we're walking the floor for hours at a time. Hope those pesky roids clear up soon.
Hi Rose - I was having similar let down issues I think over the past week. When I called a midwife about it she suggested I pump a bit before putting Matilda on and that seemed to help and now it seems to have settled down anyway. I think eventually your supply and baby get back in sync. Its so hard with the sleeping isn't it. We haven't been at all good at getting Matilda to "self settle". We tend to cuddle her to sleep and do anything that works. But might start trying to get her to self settle more now that she's about to hit the six week milestone. Good luck!!
Sorry Rose, just saw your post. Poor little Liam. It can't be much fun being an overtired bub. I'm not sure if this works, but I've read that if you're flow is too fast at the letdown, hold back and let it spray into a towel, then put bub on. That may help?
I was at my mother's group yesterday and there were two there with the same problem as you, with their little ones not sleeping well, only napping. So, it's really common and thankfully it doesn't last long. Hope you get lots of sleep tonight. x
Hi Carmey - you must have been posting while I was posting The LC thought Matilda probably had thrush too which is why I'm probably having a hard time getting on top of it. Her tongue is a bit white and patchy so I started her on some treatment today. As for my boobs, they were red and rashy looking (but that's now improved) but my nipples are still quite red. I really, really hope we can get rid of it. I don't wait for Matilda to cry to get her up for a feed. When she's hungry during the night she'll make a lot of lip smacking and fist sucking noises and that's when I'll get her up. And that's only once during the night at the moment (unless I'm sleeping through the rest??). That's awesome that Jack will self settle. A little budda in more ways than one
Hi Carmey - I'm the same as Tilda with Amelia at night, she'll start making sucking noises and other little pre hunger noises. I was told not to wake them at night now as they are old enough to tell us when they're hungry. Amelia made the "pre hunger" noises for an hour the other day before she really gave me the "I'm hungry feed me now" vibes. Well, she's crying now so best go! I haven't even started dinner or had a shower yet! Grrr
I got 5 hours out of Amelia last night, when we woke at 3.00 am I BF'd her, then topped her up with expressed milk (3 days worth of 80mls that's how sad my milk is), I went to put her back in her bassinette and I put the dummy in her mouth (I bought Happy Baby ones yesterday so they're a bit bigger as someone told me they stay in better than the Nuk ones I was using) and I think I pushed it in when she wasn't ready and made her gag and she power spewed all her milk all over me and the floor. It even woke up DH as it hit the carpet ha ha. So, of course, then she was hungry so had to get some formula to fill her up again!!!! Talk about a waste of my expressed milk, that stuff is like friggin gold to me!!!!!!
Well, best go, she's fallen asleep in her swing.....might take the opportunity to actually eat breakfast now it's 9.00 am and might even have a shower, lucky me!!!
Hi Ladies,
I am having a pretty rough go of it at the moment. Little Sienna is very restless and DD1 is getting fed up with me not giving her enough attention. She is starting to muck up and just as I got Sienna to sleep this morning she made a loud bang and woke her up again, just got her to bed now again and DD1 is in her highchair watching foxtel. feeling really low. Just want hubby to come home now. I don't want sleep I just want to do nothing!.
aaahhh the joys of motherhood hey!
kanda - It must be so hard with more than one kid. I'm finding that the baby alone is a huge amount of work. I hope you can get a break, even if just for a short while.
Alison - aw, poor Amelia and you! Liam's done a few spectacular power spews the last few days (the joys of oversupply - he gulps down more milk than he wants/needs and then chucks it). He always manages to spew all over me, and never DH though! Same goes for poosplosions - they always end up on me!
Carmey - I've been doing exactly that (letting the letdown go into a towel and/or hand expressing some out) and it's been helping a little. Poor Liam's been squirted in the eye with milk a few times when he pulls off though!
AFM - Liam is actually napping right now. He was really restless all day yesterday, only managing a few short cat naps. By the time we put him down for the night, he was totally wired and overtired. He eventually fell asleep, and stayed asleep for almost five hours. Then, instead of waking every hour as usual, he stayed asleep for at least two hours at a time. I tell you what, my boobs were grateful every time he woke up though - I ended up massively engorged, since I'm so used to feeding him practically hourly. I almost got up to express at 3am, since I was so damn uncomfortable. Thankfully Liam's had a couple of decent feeds this morning, but I can feel myself getting engorged again as he naps.
I also finally got it together to try Liam in cloth nappies. I've been slack and have been using disposables all the time. The little bugger has already outgrown a lot of the size smalls I have. Just ordered some bigger sizes to try him in.
Hi girls, wow lots of posts since I was here last and it was only yesterday, maybe the day before?
Hi Kanda Hang in there you're doing great it is hard to find that balance, and even when you do it's going to be impossible to give equal time to both kids as there'll be days where one needs more than the other. Hope you get to veg a bit when DH comes home.
Hi Rose Good luck with the cloth nappies, we were doing cloth from day 1 and they look so cute with cloth bottoms Harry got a nappy rash last week so we've been putting him sposies until we got some stay dry liners for the cloth ones, I must say the convenience of the sposies was starting to be really appealing lol were getting back into the swing of the cloth now that we have the liners they keep his skin much drier and the barrier creams can effect the absorbency of the cloth so the liners protect them too.
Hi Alison Certainly sounds like you've got a catwalk model or maybe a basketballer, or volleyballer even Hope you got to eat your brekkie, if you miss the window you can end up without meals altogether!
Hi Carmey I wait until I Harry's doing the sucking signals then I feed him, so before he starts to cry. I have him in bed with us pretty much every night I don't bother with trying to settle him in his bed at night (I cherish the sleep too much!) when he starts sucking noises and trying to suck his hands I roll him over to me and feed him lying down he feeds and takes himself off when he's done so I can pretty much sleep through the feed when he comes off I'll check his nappy and change it while he's still half asleep then offer him the other boob and again he feeds and takes himself off when he's done. I feel much more rested this week doing the night feeds this way...hopefully it keeps up! I take nappies already folded ready to go and have the re usable wipes in a bowl of warm water ready to use and I bought little plastic bins with the swinging lids to chuck the nappies and wipes in after the change so I don't need to leave the bed (I'm very lazy) If he cries I find the feed and change takes longer as he's more awake and it's harder to settle him.
Hi Tilda I can sympathise about the thrush!!!! I haven't had dramas since Harry was born, but the whole time I was pg I had chronic vaginal thrush tried everything and couldn't shake it it was awful but after he was born it was gone amazing! I hope you can get yours sorted quickly, now that you're both being treated it should clear up.
Hi Andie Sounds like Jacobs doing great! It's good that you're more relaxed this time it makes a huge difference.
...Oh and yes you're another Biatch with an awesome sleeper! LOL just kidding good on you, but I do envy all you guys that get 5hrs plus at night.
Harry's having the biggest sleep he's ever had through the day. I keep going to check on him it's been a bit more than 2hrs! He usually only goes 20mins to 1hr, we did go out to a friends this morning for coffee so maybe that actually tired him out instead of overstimulating him for once
Sorry if I missed anyone catch you all later.
Hi Kanda - are you ok? I hope you have had a chance to relax tonight, I feel like that sometimes, a lot of the time (LOL) and I don't even have another child to contend with. Sounds like you need a massage and a stiff drink! Feel better soon. xx
Hi Rose - yay on the cloth nappies. Let us know how you get on. The disposables are expensive huh, we have one of those nappy bins and we're forever emptying it, it's quite amazing how many nappies you go through! Not sure I'd have the energy to be washing cloth ones however, I have enough clothes to wash!
Hi Willow - yay for Harry sleeping longer! There's a fine line between tiring them out visiting and over stimulating them huh, I'm trying to figure that one out too, I've been going out all week this week! Oh and I just love your ticker picture, he looks so funny and cute in that piccy.
AFM - went to my sister's today, she made me lunch (first time all week I've eaten a proper lunch!) and then we watched a movie, was so relaxing! Even at home I sit on the computer all day which is killing my shoulders and neck....darn BB, FB and Ebay LOL! It's going to be a stinker in Perth this weekend, 39 tomorrow and 41 on Sunday and Monday. Looks like we'll be hanging at home in the aircon or at my sister's in the pool!!!!
Hi Alison - being looked after by your sister must have been nice. Its so hard to prepare and eat food with a baby in the picture. I probably wouldn't be eating if it wasn't for my DH (might also explain why the weight isn't "falling off me ). Have you tried using a BF pillow to give your neck and shoulders a break? I've been using a Tetra one from Big W which only cost $30 - much cheaper than the other ones around. I have really bad neck and shoulders and I find the BF pillow takes all the strain away, I can even BF no hands with it.
Kanda - Sounds like a rough day yesterday. You're an absolute trooper to take on a toddler and a baby. I hope you got a bit of well deserved R & R at some stage yesterday.
Willow - Its great you can BF lying down during the night. It must really give you that bit of extra rest. How long do you think you'll have Harry sleep in with you? Im not sure whether I should really try getting Matilda into a cot now.
Rose - I hope the good day sleeping keeps up for you. Your new regime must be working.
AFm - I'm feeling a bit frustrated with this thrush. We tried treating Matilda for it yesterday and I'm not sure if its a coincidence or not, but she hardly slept during the day and seemed really wired. She pretty much looked bug eyed her esye were that wide open : I didn't give her another dose before bedtime tonight and she's been sleeoping well so far. Not sure what to do. Maybe I should try another day on it. Or just go straigt to another medication. Argh!!
um, 7 1/2 hours last night) and seems happy enough.
yeah, just joking!
Honestly, that's awesome. You're very lucky indeed. Jack is still doing the exact same hours, which aren't too bad but even an extra hour here or there would be nice! 
I haven't had the pleasure of having thrush anywhere for that matter but I'd consider swapping it for my roids believe me!!!
I'd dropped 11 at the birth and then had around 7 to 8 to lose but the scales are now telling me 9. How rude! BF sure isn't helping me yet eitehr. One of my girlfriends told me that the weight only started coming off for her after six months, then it just melted off. 
I don't wait for Matilda to cry to get her up for a feed. When she's hungry during the night she'll make a lot of lip smacking and fist sucking noises and that's when I'll get her up. And that's only once during the night at the moment (unless I'm sleeping through the rest??). That's awesome that Jack will self settle. A little budda in more ways than one 
Hang in there you're doing great it is hard to find that balance, and even when you do it's going to be impossible to give equal time to both kids as there'll be days where one needs more than the other. Hope you get to veg a bit when DH comes home.
tried everything and couldn't shake it it was awful but after he was born it was gone amazing! I hope you can get yours sorted quickly, now that you're both being treated it should clear up.
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