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

Gosh, lots to catch up on.... here's my quick post for today. I'm going to go and make myself a cupppa then catch up and reply to some personals! Bub's is sleeping so fingers crossed I can fit all this in!!

Well we had our 6-8 week appointment with the CHN (bit late). Bubs is doing everything he should be doing and growing nicely - he's grown 7.5cm and put on 2202g since birth. I asked her about the length of time between feeds and she said because breast milk is digested quicker than formula to not let him go more than 3 hours between feeds during the day to build up his calorie intake so he can go longer at night. I told her that last night he fed at 11 then 130 and then didn't wake until just after 530. She said that because he went so long between the second and third feed that he's definately getting enough and that the wake up at 130 was probably due to the change in the temperature - with the cool setting in. I told her that DH had him swaddled up nice and tight (he put him back to bed after the 130 feed), she reckons go with that because he obviously likes it. Some babies prefer to be swaddled.

Because he's gaining on average 240g a week she told me not to worry about him not getting enough to eat (yes I still worry). Over the next couple of weeks my milk will change again to provide him with more "bulk" and he will also be able to drink more at each feed (because his tummy's growing) so the times between feeds should stretch out.

We got a showbag from the library - they give them out at the clinic visits. He got his first picture book as a gift. Tomorrow's mothers group meeting is at the library (and the last one).

More importantly, yesterday Robert had his MRI done at PMH. The hospital staff were wonderful.

They had to put a line in him incase he needed the dye put through for a better picture. This was just awful (who said their baby needed this and they couldn't get the vein??? I feel for you it was just horrid). The doctor couldn't get his vein and after a couple of tries gave up and called an anethetist who got it in first go (but today he's sporting bruises on his poor little chubby arm). After the line was in I gave him a feed and put him to sleep. I think he was worn out from all the screaming and fell asleep quite quickly.

I took him into the room for the MRI and put him on a "bean bag" on the table. You hold the bean bag around bubs then the air gets sucked out of it and it forms a nice solid cosy cocoon around their body so they don't move. First try and he was startled by the noise so we stopped and I gave him a top up and resettled him and he went back to sleep. I got to sit in the room and can't believe that he actually slept through 20 minutes of really really loud banging, whirring and other sort of vibrating noises. It was so loud that i had to wear earmuffs and i wasn't even in the machine. Oh, he had the cutest little earmuffs on, they were self adhesive and bright yellow - he looked like he was a little alien!

ANYWAY... the wonderful news is that the MRI came back all clear. The doctor was extremely relieved. He said that the flickering in his eyes looked very severe and showed all indications of a brain tumor.... WTF??!! He told me that's what he (and the paed) were concerned about. They almost had to wipe me off the floor from relief. This was something that was in the back of my mind but I figured that they didn't seem too concerned and were treating the test as a standard procedure. DH is gratefull that I didn't know because I would have gone through nearly two weeks of unecessary worry. Anyway it looks like it was infantile nystagmus (which basically means he has trouble focussing) and that he's growing out of it. We have a follow up in 4 months and that should be it!!

Now, I'm going to get that cuppa and re-read your posts!

Stacey I just added you as a friend on FB. I'm "Cassandra Stephenson" and have a pic of me and Robert at the beach as my profile picture.

Re "the snip" my DH has had the snip. We went through ICSI IVF so Lis/QB don't worry about your husband's next wife :rofl: that's so funny .... there are other ways around it. Um, just don't explain to him about the needle that goes into their manly bits to extract the semen to make the baby

Polly, welcome... wow :o your little one's not so little! Hope you like it here with us other mums! You're lucky you've joined a fantastic group here.

I keep hinting for a wii fit. DH said yesterday though that he's going to get me a 3 month membership at the new gym up the road. Monday - Friday they have a free creche between 8 and 11. I used to go with him after work but it's just not going to work so this is a great option. I'm having withdrawals, up until now I've just been happy to go for my daily walk. Now I'm wanting to get back into it. Oh and I'm 10kg lighter than my pre-pregnancy weight, must have been all that up-chucking for the first 4 months!!

Deedles you sound as bad as me. I'm sure DH must sometimes wonder if I'll ever shut up when he gets home. I'm like an annoying puppy (except I don't piddle everywhere ha-ha-ha).

Guys need your help.
Hannah has been very clingy the last two days, ill describe her, clingy cries when u put her down most times, likes to be held standing up,very wingy not like her at all, clamy but no temp, doesnt seemt o want to play on her mat or bouncer AS MUCH as normal.she also when we hold her she keeps pushing her head against us and sometimes real hard which she cries from

She just is not herself but is still alert feeding smiles etc just something is diff..am i over reating is she being nornal lol.. help

Shell - my first reaction was to wonder if she's over-tired? Doesn't really explain the clammy - unless she's tense and struggling a lot, but the rest sounds to me like signs of being over-tired.

Will be back later for a decent post!

Ok - it's been quite some time since I posted so I'm sure I won't be able to reply to everyone's news but I'm going to give it a crack!

Firstly, we've decided that DH will get the snip at some stage. I figure it's only fair as I've had both my tummy and my woohoo cut to get our lovely children here. He can have something cut to stop any more from arriving uninvited! I think I'll wait for a year or 2 though as I'm really enjoying Toby as a baby and can't quite bring myself to remove the option of another just yet. It's so nice to be enjoying him so much as I was so tired and stressed with DD that I wished away so much of her early days :shakehead: That said, looking at the big picture I can't see myself going through another pregnancy and birth! We'll probably use nasty ol' condoms until we decide as I'm not keen to go back on the pill and I'm too much of a wuss to get an IUD. Plus I already get very heavy periods and don't want to risk making them worse.

And Lou - I'm with you. Haven't DTD yet but I think it's probably in the pipeline! TBH our sex life is pretty pathetic at the best of times so no surprises it's not happening at the moment.

I'm trying to get myself motivated to lose the lard. I have the desire but lack the energy, which I know is a totally vicious cycle as if I exercise I'll have more energy :doh: It's just the getting started that I have a problem with... actually that's a lie, it's exercise in general :rofl: I'm about 4 kgs heavier than pre-pregnancy but I had a good 15 kgs to lose before I got pregnant so I have some work ahead of me. Cutting out the evil chocolate will be a good start but like many of you I'm struggling with a small addiction. DH has allocated some money for me to buy myself some new clothes so I'm thinking I'll just get a couple of things now (including some good walking shoes!) and use the thought of going on a big shopping spree to motivate me to lose the weight. I'll let you know how that goes. I wouldn't hold your breath :D

I'm feeling a little hopeless compared to all of you that have some sort of routine sorted. We just seem to be all over the place. Toby's a pretty chilled boy most of the time and we don't have many episodes of screaming but he doesn't really settle at any particular time each night, and definitely not during the day. Some days he just cat naps and others (like today) he'll sleep for a couple of hours in one hit. Over night he wakes about every 3 hours. Sometimes he'll do a 4 hour stretch but it's usually in the evening rather than over-night. I'm very jealous of you ladies that are getting a good few hours in a row over night :)

Cass - Wow, you must have felt so shocked and relieved at the same time when the dr mentioned a tumour. I'm with your DH - totally better that you didn't know. Imagine how awful the wait would have been :shakehead: So pleased that wee Robert is all okay. We swaddle Toby as he's super physical and will keep himself awake by hitting himself in the face (and then look around as if to say "Oi, who just smacked me?!") if we don't. Hope you're enjoying ;) having your DH home. I so feel for you ladies that have partners that work away.

Ok - going to post this and start another as it's getting rather long.

Can't remember who was chatting about where the babies sleep during the day but Toby sleeps on me (in Close Carrier), in his swing, in his pram (I have a bassinet attachment so it's like a little bed) or in the bouncinette. He won't sleep in his cradle during the day and I've given up trying as he'll be fast asleep until I put him in it when his eyes ping open and he's wide awake :doh: He sleeps in it for some of the night - usually the first stint - before he comes in with me. I love having him in my bed and intend to let him stay there for as long as it's working for us all. He's so snuggly and he sleeps so much better tucked up next to me. I feel like I need to make the most of it as this will probably be the last baby. I also know from experience with DD that it doesn't seem to matter how great their routine is it doesn't take much to throw it all out so I'm trying very hard not to worry too much about the sleep thing. I'm still jealous of you guys getting good sleep though!

Welcome Polly - this really is a great group. There's a nice mix of styles here ie. cloth/disposable, boobie/bottle, co-sleepers/cot sleepers/non-sleepers, natural/C- Section. And the awesome thing is that at the end of the day it doesn't seem to matter much as we're all just here to support each other what-ever's happening. Ok, time for a group hug since I've gone all gooey :grouphug:. Big ups to you for getting in to running. I would love to get in to running but since I can't even get my butt out for a walk at the moment it could be a very long way off... possibly never :D Do you run with a buggy? I always look at the fit mummies out running and think I should get in to it - they always look so hot!

I've definitely done my dash for tonight. Well done to anyone that made it to the end of my rambles :redface:

I'm going to try and post more often so I don't need to write such novels. I have been reading each day and love hearing how you all are.

What are you all hoping for for Mothers day? I've just asked DH to get me a massage as my back and neck are killing me from pregnancy and breast-feeding.

Ok, I'm going now.

p.s - My bad if these posts are a little disjointed (read 'all over the place'), I've been chatting to DH, settling DD and making cups of tea in between typing!

HI Ladies and Welcome to Polly!

Ciaran is 2 months old now, and has hit the 6kg mark (gained over 3.7kg and 11cm since his birth), so is clearly getting enough breastmilk!

Ive just started to think about contraception - I have used natural method successfully for many years. Does anyone know how long/soon it can be before you start ovulating/bleeding again when breast feeding?

DH plans on getting the snip (when we have had another baby), as it is at least reversible for him but not for us ladies.

I started on my quest for my pre-baby body a few wks ago - walking the dog and back at the gym once a week. Plan to go 3 times a week now, and also get back into my dancing. I lost 9kg post birth, but have 9 more to go... pity the stretch marks will stay permanently, but DH says I should be proud and treat them like battle scars, as a mark of the journey with my first child.

No plans yet for mothers day, will prob do lunch with the family - although I am hoping DH does something for me, but since he isnt so good at those things its best I dont have high hopes!

Have read all your posts but will get to personals next time.

Cheers, Bree

Hey girls,

Thanks for the welcomes, I have a lot of trouble getting onto this site and tried for over an hour to post a looong reply last night then accidentally copied something else so lost it :wall:
Does anyone else have problems getting on here? I only have success 1 out of 4 times about.
Anyway, re: running, we have a jogging stroller which doubles as a bike trailer but DS needs to have a bit more head control still. So we run at the moment in a Phil and Teds sport with Lucy sitting in the toddler seat on top, Works pretty well
I am very slow..especially now, in fact last week on our first post baby run a woman walking her dog passed us:redface:
I was never good at sport and I am a big girl, could stand to lose 35kg but I set my mind to it and it is an awesome feeling to realse I can do it. I carry my daughter over the finish lines at tris (She usually is in the stroller for fun runs) and I come usually about 3rd last but I really want her to know that you should just enjoy life and not worry if you;re good at things.
People don't sing because they're not good...but singing makes you feel happy, even if you wouldn't make Australian idol.
I have always had body image issues and desparately want to make sure my gorgeous girl feels beautiful no matter what size she is or how fast she can run.
If anyone wanted to run google a program called C25K It stands for couch to 5km and eases you into the distance.

Anyway, I'm running on 2 hours sleep last night. DD was up a couple of times and Daniel is just getting over bronchiolitis so feeding more often after 2 days feeding about 1/2 of normal. So my eyes are hanging out of my head today but I am so glad he's getting better. Also highly recommend the humidifiers you rent at the chemist, it really helped my chesty, snuffly little man breathe better and was only $1.50/day.

Due to my internet issues I can't read back and reply to individuals but I will get to know your names so I can do it from memory.

Happy days all,
Thanks agan for your warm welcome
Fingers crossed this post works
Polly

Breesa - Our DD was the result of natural family planning (trying NOT to conceive!) so I'm not too keen on using that method again. I got my period back at about 7 or 8 weeks after DD and I was fully breast-feeding. I felt totally ripped off as I know friends that didn't bleed for months. I think it was Queen Bee that said she had got her period back already?? So it could be anytime for you. Hopefully you'll be one of the lucky ones and not have to worry about it for a while yet.

Polly - I have problems getting on BB when we run out of broadband power. So frustrating when you've just spent ages typing a massive reply to lose it! I'm totally going to check out the website you recommended. I'm also really aware of not passing on body image issues to my beautiful DD. Girls have so much pressure to look a certain way I desperately hope I can instill a deep sense of self-love in my girl before she gets bombarded from the outside world.

Gotta run. Toby's having an awake day and is calling for me.

Breesa - We also used that method which worked fine for 3 years until we fell pregnant with Tobi, I said it must have been immaculate conception (you know, like Mary) or some super sperm, LOL. So I don't trust us anymore because we seem to be VERY fertile. Yes, I have already had my period, exactly 4 weeks after I stopped BF. With DD I was BF and it still came back after 6 weeks. I would only using BF as contraception if you are OK with it possibly not working.

Polly- Welcome, I find it inspiring that you are running and that you are not going to wait to have "perfect" body before attempting Triathalons. You go girl!

Breesa - We also used that method which worked fine for 3 years until we fell pregnant with Tobi, I said it must have been immaculate conception (you know, like Mary) or some super sperm, LOL. So I don't trust us anymore because we seem to be VERY fertile. Yes, I have already had my period, exactly 4 weeks after I stopped BF. With DD I was BF and it still came back after 6 weeks. I would only using BF as contraception if you are OK with it possibly not working.

Polly- Welcome, I find it inspiring that you are running and that you are not going to wait to have "perfect" body before attempting Triathalons. You go girl!

So to I take it that Breastfeeding is not a reliable form of contraception? Had heard it works quite well, but certainly am not taking any chances regardless!

I sure hope I get a few more months before my cycle returns... isnt that meant to be a perk of breastfeeding?

On another note, I had my first Night away from bubs tonight (have had short stints of an hour during the day and thats it so far) - went dancing for 3 hrs and DH had a bit of a tough time as he didn't want to sleep (as normal) in my absence. Anyway, I worried the whole car trip there and home that he was ok and well behaved... cant believe how much I worried - guess it will get easier? Here's hoping. :pray:

So I also keep trying to post and every time I do the page goes offline. There is nothing wrong with our broadband so I am not sure what is wrong. Fingers crossed this post works.

Well we had our check up on Tue and Lennox is 5.11 and was 3.37 at birth so he is doing great.
As for me, I am still so sore after she had to do a dreaded internal. She said that there is still some skin that needs to heal together so thats why it still stings alot, sorry (TMI).

Jandals, we will be using those horrid rubbers when we finally get to DTD, as I am still not healed it will be a while. I was thinking about getting that injection in your arm, though I am not sure.
When I was 7 wks preg I had a cyst on my right ovary the size of a navel orange and was caused by ovulating. So I am not keen to get any more of those nasty suckers. The pain was worse than childbirth I swear!

Cass, I am so glad that Robert is A OK! What a scare they must have given you. I am not sure I would have even wanted to know.

Polly, what a wonderful outlook on life. I bet your lil girl is so proud to have you as her mummy!
We also have the phil & Teds sports double. Its so much heavier than our old single pram that I am scared it will tip over as we have such big hills.

QB, wow immaculate conception he he he. I would'nt just rely on BF to not get pregnant either. Having 2 is great but we just couldn't handle or afford 3 right now.

Breesa, go Ciaran, 2 months already. Time flies!

Shell, How is lil Hannah feeling? Do you think it was that she was a bit over tired or under the weather? I hope she is back to her normal lil self!

Hope tonight is a better one, Lennox still wakes up quite a lot and spends most of the early hours of the morning in our bed.

I read some of you are having trouble with BB, I am too. It took ages for my last post to upload. In the last two day I have stop receiving email notifications and have to log in each time I post. And has anyone else lost the quick reply function? I loved that function.

BTW- I admire you ladies who write personals, you'll have to forgive me for not reciprocating, my goldfish brain can't remember your post long enough to post a reply...sorry.

Wow - just read all the posts and I have missed alot! Yes - another shocking week here...we seem to just be going from one sickness to another in this household. The past five weeks - Soph sick and hossy visit, then Will sick with cough, then Soph sick from needles, then Will sick with vomitting and last week the whole family sick with cough, cold and sore throat and tummy upset!! At this to sleep deprivation and I surprise myself with how well I am functioning...and DH asked when I was sending the Thank Yous for Soph!!!

Everyone still sick but improved so hopefully only a few more days of this! Think we have done our time on the illness front for a while.

With the illness - Soph's overnight sleeps have reverted back to four hourly...fingers crossed when she is better the longer stretches come back.

She is awake for 1.25-1.5hours in the day and then sleeps - anywhere from 30mins to 3 hours! No predicting it. She never sleeps in her cot in the day - will just wake the instant you put her in there. Sleeps in the sling, rocker and on the move!

Shell -Bubs does sound sick (if not overtired as suggested). Any better???

Jandals - Soph's day routine is not really a routine - just I know how long she will be awake for before she gets cranky and needs to go back to sleep.

Bree - Gr8 job on weight loss - and breastfeeding does not stop ovulation...my friend had her second 10 months after her first!!

Stacey - Diet Coke could def unsettle bubs...How restrictive are you breastfeeding mums with your diet? I am have no caff, no alcohol, no onion, garlic etc....but would love a drink!! Do you think 1 drink would be fine? What others have?

Deedles- I sympathise with having bubs and toddler in bed with you...One night this week, I slept sandwiched between the two in bed (with both waking at intervals)!!!

Cass - I took Soph out of the swaddle and she slept longer but she loves sucking her hands (trying to suck her thumb I think). Great news re Robert but the poor poor baby having to have the line inserted..they tried with my son when he was 10mths and it was horrible! Well done on losing 10KG on your pre-preg weight! Impressive!

Lou -Hope Sophie is feeling better. What swing do you have?

Sunny09-Go Harper with her sleeps!

PollyA - Welcome...hope bubs is feeling better! I have a just turned 2 boy - Will...so we will be able to relate!! What a challenge the two are! I agree with your sentiments re Belly Belly.

Lis - Yay for Lily's night sleeps! I ditched the dreamfeed too!

Well done to all doing so well with their BFRP! I have no idea what weight I am... the last time I was weighed I was 41weeks preg!!!

Although, I know I have lost weight as my pre-preg clothes are no loose on me! Don't have scales at home..maybe I should weigh myself...but I would love to lose more weight too! Was prob 10kg over my ideal when preg with Soph - I only put on 4 kgs with Soph...so I was hoping I would lose a fair bit after her birth (I was on a restricted diet due to Gestational Diabetes so lost weight as I grew bigger)...and I think explains why Soph was a skinny girl when born.

Looking into getting an electric swing for Soph and deciding on what double pram to get! Can't spend a fortune...

Wow - my house is now a war zone...toddler has been amusing himself happily whilst I typed this and manageed to pull just about every toy out!!!

Got two poos to change!!!

Happy Mother's Day to you all...

How do you all juggle your family with your mothers on the day?? MIL insists on being taken to lunch (has caused drama each year since son was born) and I never want to spend the day sitting and waiting with kids in a packed restaraunt...not my idea of relaxing...what are your thought??

M2W- If MIL insists on being taken out to lunch I say take her to Maccas so Will can play, he he.
Glad to hear that you are on the mend, I would have been going out of my mind, well done for surviving.

M2W alcohol goes through your milk the same rate it goes through your blood. Your body digests one standard drink per hour so I reckon one drink shouldnt hurt your milk either.
Just have it straight after a feed and it should be sweet by the next feed. :D
If your concerned you could always express the following feed off but I never worried about it and I didnt have any problems

Hi All,

Happy Mother's Day!!!

Must say, my first Mother's Day was lovely ... we had lunch out in the Hunter Valley with my parents, brother, sister-in-law, niece and my in laws. It was gorgeous to have everyone all together and enjoying each other's company. Little Willow was quite well behaved as well. Woo Hoo.
DH gave me a sleep in this morning while he handled the morning feed and play routine ... I would have accepted the extra 2 hours of sleep as my pressie, but was surprised with another gift.
I was concerned about what DH and Will might have picked for a pressie for my first Mother's Day ... Will's fave things at the moment are milk and boobies and well, DH LOVES one of those things as well. Ha Ha. I was very spoilt with a gorgeous diamond ring this morning, to celebrate my first Mother's Day ... I think too, DH was a little lost as I kept insisting that I DIDN'T want an eternity ring (I think he wanted to buy one on our wedding anniversary), so he used my first Mother's Day to spoil me with another ring.
Won't expect this every year!!!

We've had some hit and miss days this week with little Willow, but I must admit overall we are doing better.
Someone said to me today something about in their day (it was an elderly lady at the restaurant admiring Will) that they didn't leave the house till bubs was about 3 months, so she admired me for being so brave and taking her out and about with me. This made me think - instead of saying how unsettled Will is, I should probably praise her for being such a great baby, she does take it all in her stide the way I cart her around to the shops and people's places. I guess we do expect a bit of our bubs and our lifestyles these days compared to the house bound mothers of the past.

Someone else was prattling on the other day about all the activities we organise for our kids and how this is a new phenomeon in parenting - the gymbaroo, music appreciation, baby yoga type activites that are all the rage - how all these activities are meant to stimulate and enhance the development of the child. What happened to just letting the child develop without all the raz-a-ma-taz. Whoever it was that was giving this speil went on to say she thought it was the fact that women are now leaving careers to have children, and so child rearing is being treated as another 'project'.

Interesting thoughts I suppose.

Having said all that though, I think I'll take Willow to some of the activities mentioned above.
Hey, if they are available why not take advantage of them ... can't hurt?