Babies born~March 1st-15th 2010 #1

[queen bee]

Breesa- It has been 4 weeks since I stopped breastfeeding, but I had hardly stopped bleeding from the birth! I saw the GP (for the 6 wk check up)and she wasn't surprised but suggested going on the pill and not taking the sugar pills for a couple of months to give my body a break and get my iron levels up. I'm seriously considering it, I feel wiped out, worse than just not having slept.

BTW- Tobi had two poo explosions just now, had to give him a bath. So that will explain why he has been unsettled this morning however even though it is out of his system he still isn't sleeping. I hope there isn't more to come.

[Cass72]

My lovely mum sent me over a baby carrier. I've just finished vacuuming the floor and the little man slept through the entire thing in his new carrier. I can see I'm going to get loads of use out of it.

QB, it sucks that you got your period. There should be a law against it!! LOL

[CinderToriella]

I betta not get my period yet lol

We are getting a photo shoot done next week, omg the prices are so expensive but we have a voucher to get it done and one free pic which is good

Gotta love your mum Cass, u will use it all the time, i use mine , they just sleep through anything lol

[queen bee]

I tried the baby carrier yesterday out of desperation and it worked (whilst vaccuuming) but as soon as I put him down he woke up in 5 mins. It really does work, just wish my back was a bit stronger.

[Cass72]

I tried the baby carrier yesterday out of desperation and it worked (whilst vaccuuming) but as soon as I put him down he woke up in 5 mins. It really does work, just wish my back was a bit stronger.

We all can be that domestic goddess that lives within us!!!

[thrilled82]

Hi All,

I had my 6 week check up at the OB, all is healing well after the birth.
I looked for a returns desk at the hospital to drop Willow off to ... but couldn't find one? Ha Ha.

We have moved to being fully formula fed.
This has been so hard and disappointing for me as I am so pro-breastfeeding, but the formula appears to helping Will to settle and I am getting some sanity back in my life.
I cannot explain it. I've done several ABA courses, I've read all the BF books, watched the DVDs etc and have all the info on BF being 'the good stuff', but it just hasn't worked out that way for us.

Formula feels like it is giving me back a bit of my life and my time.
I know I am struggling at the moment, the OB did the post natal depression survey thing that they do to gauge how the new Mum is going ... I scored 15.
At the time I thought 15 was a good score.
This was until my OB said they accept a score of 13, however 6 is the average.
C'mon, it has to be the ONLY test where you hope you get a low score!!!

So yeah, DH and my Mum are keeping a close eye on me. My OB feels it's all situational though ... if I were magically transported to a beach in Fiji with a fruit ****tail in one hand and a good book in the other, well I would feel 100%. True depression is when no matter where you are, nothing changes your mood.
My OB reminded me that how I am feeling is to be expected - this is all new to me, it is stressful when you have a newborn let alone a very unsettled newborn, I am sleep deprived and I am learning 'on the job' everyday.
I am HUGELY confident that things will improve, Willow will slowly but surely get bigger and better at getting all the wind out and things will begin to settle.
My OB said that I should see a remarkable improvement in her beahviour from now (6 weeks) to 12 weeks.

It sounds dumb, but just the phrasing he used has helped - by saying "her behaviour". This is the first time it has been put to me like this. Up until now I instantly think 'Oh it's me' ... I'm not settling her correctly, I'm not feeding her well enough, I'm not feeding her for long enough, I'm not getting the burps out that she needs ... but by him terming it as "her behaviour" I've realised that it's not me at all. It is 'her' who is unsettled.
I am doing all that I can and it's 'her' behaviour that has to improve.

OK, well DH is off for four days now so am going to stop typing and go and enjoy some time with him while Will is napping.

Have a great long weekend everyone!

[Mum2Willie]

Hi Thrilled - You must have posted at the same time as me. It sounds like you have a very sensible OB who has given you fantastic advice.

With my son I had PND but was not medicated. I have a brilliant GP who worked with me. I scored 17 or 18 on my little test when I actually told the truth with my GP when my son was about 5 months old. I had been suffering in silence and eventually went to my GP in desperation. So good on you for being open and honest.

I found accepting the lack of control in my life helped and that time was going to be taken almost entirely by this new little being and that was okay helped me out! I also found getting out of the house (no matter how hard at the time) actually helped and so did exercise!

I had no support at all with my son - it sounds like you have a mum close by to give you a hand...that will really help!

Your OB is so right - after three months - you baby's behaviour is so different! In fact 4-6 months was one of my favourite ages with my son (who is now two). Keep the light at the end of the tunnel in mind - each day you are moving closer and closer to that light!

You are doing a fantastic job! Bubs behaviour will change and become easier each and every day! And you will sleep sometime soon!! I remember my son slept through at 8 weeks just all of a sudden..no hint beforehand...(here's hoping Soph will do the same but I have my doubts).

[Mum2Willie]

Hello - Been a chaotic week here. Sophie had her needles on Tuesday and the week was a shocker. She had terrible tummy aches, constantly farting and then massive poos late in the week that were putrid (tmi????) from the rotovirus liquid they have to drink. The health nurse said they do hear of it every now and then - so it was a week of screaming and little sleep but she was more settled on Friday and seems a bit better today. So back on the up and up!

She had her 8 week health check on Friday and weighed 5.14kg. The nurse said her fontanelle (spelling??) was very small at only 1cm so needs to be checked - need to keep measuring her head circumference to make sure it is growing okay - but she said should be no probs.

Soph is still very much a mummy's girl. Will only last in the hands of another for 15mins without crying for me - even with DH. My son loved wandering around with daddy - hopefully she lets go a bit soon.

We have been working up to 4 hour strectches overnight. Some nights Soph settles back into the cot (Thursday night was great) - but last night she just slept with me.

Baby bjorn a lifesaver as Soph will not settle down at all in the morning but is sleeping well in the afternoon.

Sophie flatly refuses to go to sleep at night until toddler is in bed - she forces her eyes open when they droop! Then she likes some one on one time for an hour or so - so generally she isn't going down to 9.30 (awake from 4 or 5 in arvie!).

Can't believe she is 8 weeks on Monday - where does the time go...

QB - Yeah for your 5 hour stretch at night!!! Sophie wakes up as soon as I take her out of the baby bjorn too!! Did it twice to me this morning! I just live in the bjorn in the mornings now!!!

Shell - So glad the infacol is working for you! I heard from a friend the side to side rocking is better too...good to know. Maybe I might hire one like Stacey did, since Soph will not go out of my arms!

Stacey - You are v lucky with Peppar. Good for you! Can't say I am not jealous though.

Cass - Baby Bliss by Jo Ryan is great. Check out her website as it has free routines to download and I found the best suited my son (I read heaps of different ones and they matched his development very well). They really helped me out with him as I had no idea what I was meant to be doing...I also love love love Pinky McKay's book and philosophy (can't remember the name of her book). Also Elizabeth Pantley's "No Cry Sleep Solution" is good. I read everything with my son - and these were my three favs!

Bree - Co-sleeping has been a life saver for me! Soph also needs the constant touch in the day...glad to hear I am not alone! Glad your first day went well...

Roxie - How are you feeling - shingles better??