Babies Born~July 1st-15th 2009 #1

[Miss E]

for you Jess

Goodluck with the packing Jetta, a new house is always exciting!

Wow that is a full nights sleep Storm, I wish Ash would do that. Has Hayley done it again? Sorry to hear your fathers day was a bit disappointing.

Happy Birthday for Sat LF, sorry I'm a little bit late...

Don't beat yourself up about the breast feeding Jasp! You've done a great job with all the expressing and she has enjoyed every benefit she would have gotten if she was feeding from the breast. You can only do what you can do, and if it is time to put away the pump then it is time. But she has had a fabulous start with the bm and from what you've said it sounds like you've got enough there to keep her going for a little while yet even if you decide to stop.

I honestly can't believe how many bubs were unsettled on Sunday, I also have a couple of friends who also had difficult days - it must've been the full moon!

We took little Ash to have his shots last night. I was dreading it, I'm really bad with needles myself and then as a first time mum you can't help but worry. I made DH hold him (I didn't want him to think it was me doing it to him, aren't I terrible) and he did pretty well, only a cried for about a minute after wards...

Anyway he was fine last night, but this morning has a bit of a temperature. I've got one of those 'no touch' thermometers which is great in theory but I find that you don't consistently get the same reading so you never know exactly what their temperature is which worries me a bit. I did buy a cheaper under the arm one, but then that gives a different reading again... All I know is that we are consistently getting readings between 37 and 37.6 so I tried to give him some panadol this morning (it was the first time). I had him lying across my lap ready to feed and as soon as I gave it to him he did a massive vomit (real vomit) all over me. So we cleaned up and then tried again. I think he swallowed most of it, but I have just checked his temp now while he is sleeping and it is still saying 37.0 (mind you I only did it once so who knows what I would've got if I tried a couple more). I'm sure it is nothing to worry about, it's just hard being a first timer and especially because we've been lucky enough to avoid him getting sick so far so this is the first time he's ever had a temperature. But I'm pretty sure that I'm more distressed than he is so I've probably got nothing to worry about...

[Fleur]

Jess I really feel for you. Hope there is someone who is able to give you a hand for a bit?

MissE - Arlea has her needles next Friday & I am dreading it! I know in the past with the other kids they used to say a mild temp was normal, don't know if that is still the case these days. If he is otherwise ok I guess I wouldn't worry too much.

Jetta congrats on the self settling! That's awesome, hope he can make a habit of it

Storm, we are struggling with day sleeps here too, some days are better than others. Right now I am trying to get her down for her third sleep this morning, she won't stay asleep more than 20min atm. One thing I have found is that she likes sleeping on her tummy. I don't put her like that at night, but i do give her the odd tummy sleep during the day as I can keep an eye on her & it gives her a decent sleep.
Sorry to hear your Fathers day was crappy, if it's any consolation ours was too Dh ended up so stressed & cranky

LF Happy birthday for Saturday! lol - you ended up doing all the cooking & cleaning? not fair! Hope you had a good day anyway. Hopw did Oliver go with his needles?

Cate hope you are feeling better, Did you find anything you could take for your cold?

AFM... we had our 6 week check yesterday & Arlea has gained 600g in 2 weeks (although that is clothed so probably more like 450-500g). I knew she was getting heavier...we could feel it! Everything else is pretty good. I am getting sick of pumping. Tried a BF this morning with the shield, she was on for about 2 minutes & was wriggling & squirming. She is just so impatient I can't see how it is ever going to happen. I avoided the phonecall from the LC yesterday... will call her back today I guess & fess up on how I'm feeling atm

Hope everyone else is doing well

[ss_storm]

hugs jess...is there anypne who can give you a hand or look after the kids for a few hours while you get a decent sleep? if i lived any closer i'd be there in a flash!

miss e- nope hayley hasn't had another sleep like that! back to waking once or twice a night for a feed, but im getting used to it now so its not so bad. DF is a night owl so that helps, although it would be nice if he could feed her so i wouldnt have to get up! not like he cant do it either as she is FF. hoppe ash is feeling better soon. hayley got hers on tuesday and she was fine. cried so much for the first needle though, she was silent then opened her mouth really wide, scrunched up her face and let rip! poor little thing...i nearly started bawling myself!

Hayley rolled over onto her side yesterday!! i put her down on the floor on er back, turned around for a second and when i turned back she was lying on her side! took me a few seconds to realise what she had done, i was sure i put her down on her back! she's almost done it again a few more times too. i thought they weren't supposed to start rolling for a while yet? she must just love having no nappy on, squiggling around! thats about it from me, hayley has gone to sleep on my shoulder...she has been crying all morning and been a bit spewy too..i really need to go have a shower as my pj's smell like baby vomit but i dont want to wake her, which i know she will as soon as i put her down!

[lovelycate]

hey Jasp - isn't it funny how we end up feeling guilty when we talk to the LCs? I wish that you could get bottle teats that were as slow as the breast, because even those low-flow ones are still pretty damned fast in comparison - no wonder bubs can't be bothered with putting in the work to do it the old fashioned way!

MissE and Jasp - I've still got to get Zac's shots... the car has been in getting fixed for what feels like forever, so hopefully next week, if he doesn't catch this cold.

ss-storm - how exciting yet a bit scary that she can roll herself over!

Jess - it sounds like you're having a rough time at the moment, I hope things start coming together for you.

AFM - finally got through to the Royal Womens' Drug Information line... I've been using Otravine nasal spray and Claratyne. They've both worked magnificently to dry my nose and sinuses up, but the cold has moved to my chest so I now have a horrendous sounding cough even though I feel a heap better (I'm an asthmatic, so that's what usually happens...)

I weighed Zac at parents' group the other day and it looks like he has stacked on a fair bit of weight, although he had a singlet and nappy on... so then I got worried about over feeding him talked to the MCHN yesterday about it and she reassured me that as long as he's not vomiting after feeds then he obviously needs all that he's taking. He still looks quite slim, but long - must be at least 60cm now - and really long feet, but he's got the cutest little chubba cheeks :-) I remember my sister saying 'you start worrying about them as soon as they're born (if not before) and you never stop' - how right is she?! Once I've cleared one problem off my plate, I move on to the next one ;-)

[jesscook08]

thanks guys. kids dad is trying to help out a little bit more.
Anton is having his needles on wednesday his 4 yr old brother is also having needles done at the same time a mild temp is still fine after needles

[Tinsel]

Amelia had her needles on Tuesday and even though I've done them all with Miss M, it was still sad to see my little darling cry. She was over it pretty quickly though and hasn't had any reactions except for being a little warmer and sleepy. She is now 60cm and 5.6kg (90th percentile) so going along nicely. She fights the urge to sleep now so needs a bit of help getting her off to dreamland.

She is a bit unsettled today and is grizzly so we might go for a walk up to the shop.

Hope everyone is getting some rest.

[BekZ]

Hi Everyone,

I have been lurking but not posting, I simply can't keep up.

Jess - Hugs you have a really big job on your hands. I hope you get some help.

Jasp - you've done an amazing effort being so dedicated to expressing for Arlea.

Tinsel - I have been thinking about you!!! Sounds like Amelia is doing really well.

We are fine. I have had a few rough days with the kids but I won't complain!!! My Eva is doing well. She is all smiles and it looks like her sleeping between 8.30pm and 2/3am is the norm for now (which I love). Her day feeds are stretching out to 3 hourly but she still likes a couple of hours of cluster feeding in the evening. All in all we are doing well atm.

[MamaPan]

hi all
i have also been lurking...
Miss E - i wouldnt worry too much about that temp - it isnt too high... just watch him and keep taking it and see how you go. i know how it is, i am paranoid about the vaccines and reactions and i did end up taking DS1 to the hospital afrer his 2 month vacs as he spiked a v high temp (over 39) and they just brought it down with panadol and sent me on my way... I am taking J for his early Oct, i know it doesnt make much diff but i delayed by a month just so he would be that little bit bigger.
Jasp - you are doing such a good job, i dont know how you manage it - seriously. how did the call with the LC go?
It sounds like a few of us have unsettled babies on our hands today - me included... i have just given him a warm deep bath, massage and a lying down feed so hoping he will stay calmand maybe sleep before i have to go get DS1 from creche
My DH is away next week overseas - i am worried how i will cope with them both.
I have forgotten what i used to do with N - what kind of play/interaction are you doin with your bubs girls - he is a lot more awake now so think i better start playing more...

[ss_storm]

Preg - Hayley spends about 2 hours awake between sleeps (and then only sleeps for about an hour, unless I'm cuddling her!)..mostly I just put her on the floor on her sheepskin rug and take her nappy off. She is usually quite happy kicking and squiggling around on there until she gets tired again. I sometimes put a rattle in her hand for her to wave around, and roll her around onto each side and her tummy. At the moment she likes 'talking' and watching me, she was never really interested before... she likes watching tv too, so we watch Harry's Practice together which is on at about lunchtime! Lol
Most days I try to take the dog for a walk, so that's classed as play and sleep time, as she stays awake for about half the walk. Once she can support her head a bit better I'll sit her up in the pram so she can see the world, rather than staring at the pram which i'm sure will be more interesting!
We bought a play gym (the F&P rainforest lights and sounds one) which she also likes lying under and swiping at the toys. I don't put her under there much at the moment though because I think she was getting a bit overstimulated...there was just too much going on under there!
If the weather is nice I also take her outside in her bouncer to hang the washing out. We bought a picnic rug and I am waiting for a warm sunny day to lay it out on the grass in the yard so we can sit out there for a bit.

Don't know if that will help..but as I said mostly she just has nappy free time and we chat/smile at each other...waving those legs and arms everywhere seems to amuse her for a while and tire her out at the same time! I did start a thread about things to do, will see if I can find it for you, it had some good ideas.

[ss_storm]

Here it is - http://forums.bellybelly.com.au/foru...ning-baby.html

I was really struggling with play time, i felt like she was so bored and i didnt know what to do with her and the days were just dragging on forever. I felt really bad that I wished she would just sleep all the time, but the ideas in there really helped me and I actually enjoy spending time rolling around on the floor with her and watching her smile and 'talking'.

Some days I'm still a bit like oh man what should we do now...particularly on days where the weather is yuck and we can't go outside. bring on the nice sunny spring days, before it gets too stinking hot!

[jetta2022]

Wow lots of posts in the last few days!
Glad everyone's needles seem to have gone well!!
Preg--I am a first time mum and worried about that sort of stuff and making sure she was reaching milestones.. at present I think they just love exploring your face and small things. I agree with ss storm about over stimulating under the play mat, we have a rainforest one too and sometimes I think he gets tired too quickly. We focus on just being on the mat where he loves waving his hands and legs around, talking to him, he giggles and talks, tummy time, bouncer time where he watches stuff and I sometimes show him a book, and also trying to make him grab things. That is all I focus on at present. I just love listening to him giggle and make noises! He pushes his legs off a lot but he isn't grabbing anything yet. I am aso encouraging him to follow voices with his eyes as he does it sometimes but not all the time (we worried about that). Good luck with your husband away, mine was away for just a weekend and it was hard going!

Lovely Cate - i worried about over feeding, so was glad to read your post, it made me feel better. I try to make sure I get good feedings in during the day to make him go longer at night. I was scared of droping a feed during the day in case he woke up more in the night but I guess I just have to trial it. Then I worried about over feeding, but it is good to know that if he isn't vomiting it all up, then he probably does need it!!

Jasp - way to go with breast feeding and pumping, I never really had any problems but I can really appreciate and empathise with people who do. Pumping is so time consuming and I struggle with finding the time for pumping just for emergencies. The lactation consultants are going to try to encourage you to breast feed as that is their job, but so far you have done so well feeding him, even if it just a few months she has all that good stuff in her for a great start and you should be really proud of yourself. At the end of the day you have to do what is right for you as well. Must make sure you look after you too!!!

Miss excited- I think if you are concerned about his temp at all take him to the doctor or to your health clinic, just for peace of mind. I know I would be stressing about stuff like that. I bought an underarm thermometer and I know that some brands are meant to be better than others. The nurses in hospital told me that many of them vary like what you are saying so it is really hard but I would just keep an eye on him. If his temp was quite high I would presume he would be quite unsettled???

Jess - keep up the great work, I can't imagine having 4 kids. We just have 1 now! I hope you can get some help. Tresillian and other places offer day help, is there someone in Victoria that does stuff like that? A lady came into the doctor the other day for quads and she had someone free of charge helping her from the local clinic. Is that something you could do sometimes just to get a hand and a bit of a break?

Sam is doing well, going about 3 - 3 1/2 hours between feeds then from 10 - 4am at night. I then wake him at 6.30am for his first feed to try to get a consistant wake up time. I have to go back to work in about a month so need him getting up early! I hate waking him but I don't know how else to do it. He is talking a little but really only when he is on his back. I would love to give more free nappy time but it is still too cold I think in sydney!!! Our house is really cold too, so can't wait til the warmer weather to get him free!! DAy sleeps are getting better, he cried a little for about 5 minutes before settling for his nap this morning so seems to be getting better with settling to sleep, I am very proud of him. EVeryone seems to be doing so well and it is great all the sharing on here, I still haven't gotten to a mothers group and I really enjoy reading all the posts, it makes me feel better about where we are at!! Thanks guys!! Pity we can't all meet up at some stage!

[jesscook08]

hi everyone im doing ok kids r driving me nuts today but there dad will hopfully be here soon so i can go shopping.
jetta i can get in home respite for the kids and if i go to carers surport they may even pay for it. My youngest daughter was born if fluid on the brain where it is only mild it has caursed some hearing loss and n some sight proplems.

[Fleur]

Storm... Hayley rolled! I loooove those moments where you realise they are growing & developing literally right before your eyes. Too bad it goes so quickly but it is absolutely precious time & to be treasured Arlea also loves her nappy free time, she just does 360s atm : )

Cate - I have wondered the same thing, why can't they make teats as slow as the breast? I guess they must have tried?... I bet they would make a fortune if it could be done. Lol I said the exact same thing to my sister when she was PG.. the worry never really does stop, although the things you worry about change! DD1 is 14 now and boy does she give me a heap to worry about :P Sounds to me like Zac is doing great!

Tinsel, snap on the height & weight! (Well almost...) Arlea was 59cm & 5600g on Wednesday : ) Good to hear the needles went ok...can you believe I'm actually feeling a bit nervous about it?!

Bekz, good to hear from you, I had been wondering how you were. Glad to hear everything is going so well! Looks like lovely sleeping habits too : )

Pre - good luck next week, I will be thinking of you! As for playtime ... Arlea gets a lot of nappy free time, she is becoming more mobile now, not rolling but spinning. She loves it (still not keen on being on her tummy though). She just adores being talked to, I have gotten very good at babbling to her about absolutely nothing. I read to her sometimes but I think she prefers the babble for some reason! And the boys have started playing 'got your nose' lol - I think she is a bit young but really she just loves the attention I think that's what it's all about ; )

Jetta, you should be proud, sounds like things are going great for you! Nice to hear you are getting some good nighttime sleeps... and settling well through the day too... I think waking him at 6:30 is the best way to go, I can't see how else you would do it either, sounds right to me.
I am supposed to be back at work in about 6 weeks so will be keen to hear how you go, although this is my 4th child I never worked with the others. I am very nervous about going back to work - I haven't really organised any care for her yet so it may not even happen ... i think I've been putting it off ... what else are you doing to prepare?

Jess hope you get a bit of a break today to go shopping! Even a couple of hours can be a relief.

Well, we had our first big trip out with the pump yesterday, DD had heats for State selection (& got through : ) )
It was fine. I timed things so I pumped just before we left, then I pumped in the car when we were there (one minor hiccup - I didn't turn the engine on & came within a whisker of flattening the battery ) rinsed in hot hot water thanks to the new thermos :-D and then pumped again in the car on the way home. Easy (kind of)
oh & I even went through the drive-thru at Maccas with the pump hooked up lol (I had my shirt over it, but still...)

We arrived home at 11:30 but Arlea didn't go to sleep until almost 2 am. Given that I had only 4 hours the night before... I am a zombie this morning.

Had an appt with the LC this morning - kind of a last ditch effort to see what Arlea's doing - cancelled because I had forgotten about DS1 footy presentation this morning.
Skipped going back to bed for more sleep, instead got up, showered etc.
Pumped an hour early to get it in before we left when the team manger rang...to discuss details for the presentation...tomorrow

She had 2 minutes on the shield early this morning & went to sleep! She then woke up again immediately & went back on, wriggling & squirming, I guess she had decided to feed & it wasn't fast enough for her. Will now see the LC on Tues / Wd... we'll see what happens then...

[sloane]

another lurker here

jas - congrats on DD making it through! what sport does she play/do? is that for aths? i had a giggle about going through the maccas drive through with the pump attached - you're an expert now! seriously though, you're still doing an amazing job - i hope the appt with the LC finalises things, whichever way that may be. i hope you manage to catch up on some sleep as well!

jetta - sounds like sam is having some good sleeps at night - and at such a good time as well!! sam's playtime sounds very similar to the things we do as well and i agre - it would be great to all meet up one day!!

preg - i'm much the same as the others - lots of nappy free time, some tummy time, sitting in the bouncer, i read to corey or just chat...as i walk from his room to the lounge room i take him into the different rooms & tell him what they are. it's a bit warmer here today so i took him outside before and showed him some plants etc & chatted to him about them.

bek - great to hear from you & that you're going well. wtg miss e on those sleeps!

tinsel - snap on the fighting sleep! sounds like amelia is going along really well (cept for those nasty needles - i think i was way worse than corey though lol).

cate - i hear you on the worrying! i think i actually seek out things to worry about sometimes how was your parent's group?

ss_storm - wow on hayley rolling! what a clever bubba!

miss e - how is ash going? did the temp sort itself out?

jess - hope you managed to get a break & get the shopping done!

i can't believe how time is flying. i just realised the other day that almost all corey's wind problems have totally disappeared but i have no idea when it actually happened! the changes are amazing - no longer does he just eat, sleep & cry! he's trying so hard to roll off his tummy - he's not there yet but he's tilting to one side & giving lots of frustrated grunts when he can't manage it

we have our first parent's group meeting this week - i'm curious to see what it will be like!

[Fleur]

Have had a hello from Debbee on Facebook & she sends her "hi" to everyone. She & Annie are doing well

Sloane, DD1 does Physical Culture.. don't know if anyone here has heard of it?
I never had until I few years ago & most people I know have never heard of it... it's kind of a dance / sport... they do 6 routines, one lilke dance, one like ballet, one 'exercises' incorporates a bit of gymnastics-type stuff... hard to explain. She made it to the grand final at Nationals last year but isn't working at it as hard this year so we will see.

[jesscook08]

hi all well i still havent manage to do the much needed shopping i ended up taking the kids to their dads house last night just for a break got to have a little sleep in this morning only had to take care of anton who was in bed with me got coffee n breaky in bed which was nice

[jetta2022]

hi all well i still havent manage to do the much needed shopping i ended up taking the kids to their dads house last night just for a break got to have a little sleep in this morning only had to take care of anton who was in bed with me got coffee n breaky in bed which was nice

Good to hear you got coffee and breaky in bed jess, hey, not sure if this is any help but we have started doing our coles shopping online so it gets delivered to our door. It is so much help. You pay around $9 delivery but we figure it is worth it.. means we don't have to spend all that time shopping, we just go and buy fresh fruit and veg.... just a thought anyway..

[jesscook08]

thanks jetta unfortanly the nearest coles is 45 min away. i think ill just wait until monday or tuesday when i dont have all the kids ive got enough food to work with to last me a month or 2 i just need mlk but ill load the kids n the car when they wake n just get milk from the servo at least i can leave the kids in the car n run in n get it