SAK. You poor thing I've never had mastitis but I hear it can be super painful and you feel quite crook! I hope you are feeling on top of the world very soon. Must be horrible not being able to enjoy bubs because you're not well. The lumps and pain does settle I promise. I think it was about 5 days after my milk came in that it all settled down for me. Usually within 2 weeks though. You'll find that you don't feel full at all. The let down still hurts for me but it did with Ashton for a long time. And I totally hear you on the leaks. Google "Sustainable Hemp Products" and check out their bamboo velour breast pads Lovely and soft and nice and absorbent for the leaks.
Re: routine, I don't have a strict one. We have certain things that are done same time every day, but I spend a lot of time out of the house so it's got to be flexable. But I'll do a rough run down.

Mon - Fri I'm up at 7.30am at the latest for the school run. Kids usually wake up at around 6.30-7 and watch telly until I get up, I'll get Ash up at 7.30 when I get up. Breakfast, showers, dressed and leave by 8.30.
11-2 is Ashtons nap time if we're home. If we are out he'll sleep in the pram or carrier but not usually for as long, maybe an hour. I use the first half hour of home sleep to tidy, then I'll relax. This is MY time. No matter what I use this time to relax and sleep or watch telly.
2.30 head to the school for pick up. Usually get home about 3.30-4 after everyones had snuggles with Elijah haha
Dinner is at 5.30.
Then it's the 4 B's. Bath, Brush teeth, Book for calm and Bed. Kids are in bed by 6.30.
Then I wash up, put some washing on, sweep and mop the floors and tidy up any mess I can see.
Then it's MY time again. Telly, another shower some days to wind down.

Monday is our 'whatever day'. We have no set activities for this day, so it's always different. It's open clinic at the MCHN so i've been heading there most weeks. We might also take a wander to the beach or shops. Or it might be my stay home day. One thing that always happens is I catch up on housework and washing.
Tuesday we have 'Chat and Munch' which is just a playgroup where we cook something healthy every week for lunch. Ashton loves it and I love the adult conversation.
Wednesday is a big day. We have kinda gym at 9.30-10.30, snack for half hour, Reading Together at the library at 11-12. Then we go to the park for lunch. Playgroup at the school at 1pm-2.30. School pick up. Then Jaidan has soccer practice at 4.15 till 5.15.
Thursday is 'Rock and Rhythm' for the littlies. LOVE this!
Friday is playgroup at the boys school.
Saturday Jaidan has soccer in town.
Sunday is my NOTHING day LOL

So yeah busy busy. Keeping busy is what keeps me going actually. I love the playgroups, I am a very social person so I need the adult interaction and I love taking the boys to fun things and seeing them interacting with other kids and learning new things! I recommend everyone start in a playgroup as soon as you can!! Sometimes it takes a while to find one you like, I went to a lot in Hobart before finding one I loved.

Entreat, look at a carrier hun. If you go to my page and scroll down a bit you'll find a link for "Close Carriers" on ebay, they were half price. The BEST thing I did was get a carrier. Those days when Jack just doesn't want to be put down and seems unsettled, you'll find it a God sent. I wouldn't be without it and I never leave the house without it either! Even if I take him in the pram.

I juggle because I have to. I have no choice. I have 4 little men who rely on me for everything, and I have bad days just like you all will too

Flossie welcome I loved the 3 year age gap!! It was great because Chase was old enough to do a lot of things on his own, he was out of nappies, and quite independent, so it wasn't too much of a handful having Ashton come along

Sarah, your MCHN will talk to you about lots of things hun Safe sleeping, breastfeeding, what is normal and whats not. It's great if you can build a relationship with her, because she'll be in your life for the next 5 years until Archie goes to school. Helen is my MCHN and she is just wonderful!! In the past i've had moments where I've just wanted to go and talk to someone and get things off my chest, so I've booked an appointment with her, gone in and chatted about (Ashton at the time) behaviour, his dad being a jerk, and it's nice that she's listened and boosted me up when I needed it. I love stopping in to see her, I always leave feeling like I am doing a great job. She always says I am doing a wonderful job on my own and it's always what I need to hear from her.

From me, well I was having attachment issues with Elijah. I mean he was attaching and feeding but it was uncomfortable for me, and he was making this clicking noise and pulling off the nipple. So today I went to see Helen and she showed me some tips on feeding a newborn and getting the right position and the problem was solved!! So quick and such a small thing I was doing wrong. It's weird because I fed Ashton until he was almost 14 months but it's so different feeding a newborn compared to a toddler and I'd forgotten how!! She did say to me that Elijah is also learning so I need to teach him, which is so true! Problem solved though and today all his feeds have been pain free and clicking free Thank Goodness because I was thinking of getting nipple shields and didn't want to go down that path unless I had to! Oh and he is now 4.3kg!!

xo

(P.S. If you blog I'd love it if you popped by mine and left a link to yours I need more blogs to read!!)