Babies born~September 16th-30th 2010 #1

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thanks belfie, How long do I keep giving Blake the Zantec though? How do I know when his reflux is gone? Im hoping the zantec works. I have done al the behavioural stuff as you said e.g. prop up his bassinet, waiting half an hour after a feed before putting him down etc. Has Annika still got bad reflux or has it helped? also how long did it take?

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I was told to maybe try Annika on the Losec for about 6 weeks, then make a decision whether to reduce the dose gradually & see if she gets worse or not. I think that some bubs do stay refluxy for a while - basically until the valve at the top of the tummy matures & stops refluxing as much - maybe 6mths or a year? I'm not sure. I don't know if it's exactly the same with Zantac but I imagine it would be a similar process. The other thing to try is some chiro or osteo treatment - find someone who works with bubs. Anni has had 3 osteo treatments, and she said she was really tight in the back & gut area... and today she said she felt like a different baby. First treatment she screamed all the way through (and for hte next 8 hours). Second treatment, she slept mostly, screamed a bit (and then slept after). Today she slept through it all, and slept beautifully all day.

Also in a more general sense, I could tell she had improved because... well she was just happy! And she sleeps. And she smiles. Before that she was always grizzling (even in her sleep) especially in the daytime. She tended to sleep ok at night (apparently this is typical of reflux bubs) and I always figured she'd exhausted herself by screaming during the day. And she would do what I've seen described in a reflux book as the "pin in the foot" scream. I might have just popped her in the bassinet, she'd be sound asleep, and suddenly she'd yowl her head off - right out of the blue. Which kinda makes sense... there she is all comfy, sleepy and then she gets this horrible burning reflux. No wonder she was unhappy. NOW when I put her in the bassinet, she lies there happily beaming at the world. Occassionally she'll grizzle & say noooo I don't want to sleep now mummy, but she is just a million times more content. Before, even if I managed to get her asleep in the bassinet she would always been grizzling/groaning/squirming and just not sounding happy. So how do I know when it's gone? I don't. I'm going to try bringing stuff back into my diet (apparently dairy upsets a lot of reflux bubs - so I've been off it for 3-4 weeks now), and if she goes ok through all of that, then we'll try pulling the meds back - at this stage maybe mid Dec. I'm enjoying my happy baby too much to do it now!

Dory - thanks for your comment on my smiley girl, you are so observant! I'm still so pleased for you that your little hannah bear is now a happier bear! And I agree, it is a most wonderful feeling.

AFM, I'm feeling better today, I don't know what that fever was about yesterday but now I'm fine.

Re the question of giving panadol prior to shots, I was told lots of different things about that... and we were thinking of it, but then had some ppl tell me not too (lol, don't you love all that different advice!?!?). Anyway, with Xander we didn't ever do it, and I found he was really good with his, he was never fussed at all - had usually stopped crying before I'd even stood up! (It is possible he's just a freaky child and we were incredibly lucky lol!). So maybe I was just lucky but I prefer to hold off the panadol & see if they need it. And I think the best thing to try & do is to be a happy relaxed mummy & remember you're doing it for their own good. It's tough, but it's part of this whole parenting gig... it makes us tougher in soooo many ways!

Hope everyone has a good friday planned. I'm off to upload some more pics to FB of my princess... ah she just melts my heart. Xander's fave activity at the moment is coming up & stroking her hair... and saying "sof 'air, sof 'air" (soft hair), so cute! He sucks his thumb at the same time, I think he sees her as a teddybear substitute :lol:

Welcome Angie! And Congrats on your baby girl. I am also a first time mum

Belfie - glad you are feeling better and I love your pics!

Dory - I too am trialling Chloe in her cot during the day. I swear your posts weird me out sometimes. Its like you write mine for me! ha ha

Hi everybody else :)

Well I have to admit I had a hard day. I had 2 job interviews (both went well). But had to drag Chloe around with me and I had a few long car trips of crying and had to pull over and console her a few times. Plus it was 38 degrees. To top it off we just had the most horrible time trying to settle her for her sleep. I swear I put her down in her bed at 6:30 and next thing I know it is 8:30 pm and I am still trying to get her to sleep. DH is not as tolerant as me and had a massive rant that we are trying to put her to bed too early (aiming for 7pm). And I ended up in tears. Just because, well, I had a stressy day I think. And trying to get her to sleep tonight really took it out of me. Plus I read about others whose babies settle so well I am just wonder what the hell are we doing wrong?? *sigh* sorry for the rant. I am just exhausted. Tomorrow it is going to be 40 degrees and we have a wedding to go to. I am dreading it

Re. Panadol - I was told not to cos it's given them something they may not need. I didn't for ash and he never had any side effects or seemed in pain so glad I didn't. I definately would if he started something after. I think drugs these days are pretty hood and work fast enough to wait till after the shots.
Just make sure you breastfeed or have a bottle ready to go after there shots and they settle pretty quick.
I so hate going to them!

Fuzzy - goodluck at the wedding! I had many many screaming 'fits' when ash was in my car as a bub. I know it's very horrible and stressful. Big hugs xx

re: Panadol before shots..
It used to be advised by MCHN to give Panadol 15 minutes BEFORE immunisations but within the past year they now tell you not to bother as it doesn't do anything-There are also said reports that the immunisations won't completly absorb etc but that is just reading online reports of it. I spoke to the MCHn about it all the other day and she said now they advise notto give Panadol before but they do advise to buy a bottle and if your bub becomes grizzly or anything not long after their imms-to give it to them then...amazing how all these things change in the space of Jett being born to Harlow being born..Like being a new mum all over again with the changes!

I gave Chloe panadol after her shots but not before. It felt like she had a slight fever and she was very grizzly at night and I think the panadol did wonders for her

we just got back from the Dr.
As per the Dr's advice, I gave Lottie a dose of panadol 30min before our appointment. Get in there and tell him that and he then says "oh. I went to a conference on Tuesday. QLD Health have issued a new directive. You're not meant to give panadol AT ALL on the day of their immunisations. They say if you've given panadol to send you home and rebook. So, when do you want to rebook your appointment for?"

So we're going back on Monday afternoon. I asked him about the no Panadol at all thing. Apparently, it reduces the effectiveness if given (including if given afterwards!). They actually want the bubs to get a little bit of a temp because that means their immune system is kicking in and fighting. He said not to give Lottie any Panadol unless she gets a temp above 38.5.

So yeah, a little frustrated that they didn't call me and tell me that the advice had changed - but that said, I suppose I could have called to double check.

Anyways, hope all is well in Baby-land with everyone else!

Dory – Yes my cycle came back and gone already. I started last Monday and finished the Monday that just went by.

Belfie – thanks on the info. I just feel so sorry for Blake, as he eats and after an hour or 2 he will projectile vomit. He will scream for ages afterwards cause of the burning. I hope this medicine kicks in fast for him.

Had Blake’s shots today, DP had to take him in the room as I couldn’t watch. He was fine after a big cuddles from dad and mum though. I gave him panadol not long after as his poor little legs are so swollen and he keeps bumping them and screaming. The midwife said that he may be restless tonight, god I hope not.

Also had my first day at parents group yesterday and it was what I needed. Finally meet new mums and get ideas. It was so much fun. I did ask about giving Blake water as that’s what the midwife told me last time, and everyone including another midwife said its fine to give him warm water, no more than 30mls a day (spread out in a day of cause). They said for breastfeed babies, there is no reason for water but bottle feed babies they can have water as it doesn’t harm them and its good especially during hot days. They reckon water is good for their digestive system to flush everything down and it won’t harm giving a baby water. Hmmm I suppose each to their own.

Yay its finally Friday, im hoping DP doesn’t have to work tomorrow. Baby markets are on as well shopping here I come lol

Deana - I hadn't heard that about the water, sorry i only knew for breastfed assumed it was the same.
Glad your mothers group went well. If u get nice ladies it can be great fun :)

So looking forward to getting tomorrows conversation over. Fingers crossed positive things come from it! So nervous I won't be strong enough ahhhhh so hard.

Buz - you will be strong enough - but it's understandable you'd be nervous.... big hugs. I went off at some idiot who cut in front of me and then stopped suddenly in front of me. Don't mind the two lane major road. Anyway some words that I would hate Hannah to repeat came out. I am really going to have to get a handle on my tendency to mouth off in the car.... Hannah has her own version too - the screaming. Sounds like Ash?

Deana - poor Blake - I didn't realise the vomiting came so long after the feed. Glad he was a trouper with his shots. Are you and DP getting along better now? I remember you talking about a spot where you were having some differences. I had my first new parents group meeting too - it was good for me too - good to see other babies and the range of how "healthy thriving" babies can look. Good to start connecting with more new mums. I have kept in contact with the couples I met at the Baby PPP course, which has really helped. It's amazing how isolating it can be, parenting.

Wite - how is Harlow going? I made another pizza dough this arvo and it is rising as I type. Last week I bombed and used the rice cooker measuring cup ( 160ml) instead of a real cup (250ml) no wonder I kept having to add water to the dough and then it was a bit overworked. Still ok, but lesson learnt, those proportions are important! Oh seeing as you are such a foodie - any suggestions for finger food for Hannah's christening? We are going to self cater - so far - mini quiches, sandwiches ( the poosh ones in fingers and the crusts removed - but I am not sure of what fillings), cup cakes, and caramel tarts and mini pies ( will buy these) - but am intending to try and make most. What other sort of finger food is tasty and easy enough to make?

Apes - how is Isla going? Have you had to correct many people on how to pronounce her name?



Fuzzie - I have to admit that reading about babies who settled easily used to do my head in. Same as you - I used to think I was a failure and wondered what I was doing wrong. Maybe there were some things I could have been doing better, and there probably still are. I think some babies just need more help to settle. Hannah is one of them. Last night it took over 3 hours all up. I didn't mind as DH wasn't home yet so it wasn't like I had much else to do. But sometimes it is SO draining and some days I do mind.

I am sorry you and DP argued. It's so hard - you each have different ideas. Usually one is not better than the other, just different. But when you're tired and frustrated those bloody men and their man ideas can just bugger off. I almost had an argument with DH as when he got home from work and checked on her and she wasn't asleep he picked her up and brought her out into the living area. I almost said something, but then again, they need to spend time together and really she wasn't settled. And she gave him the biggest smile. Cheeky monkey. So I held my tongue and she probably went to sleep not long after.

Glad you job interviews went well - when do you find out? That is DAMN hot!

Pantha - how annoying about getting different info. I am going to look up the Q health web site and see what I can find out. Good luck on Monday.

Kirsten - how are you going? Hope all is well, is your baby Sam? I am having a really vague day.

Angie - how is Penny today.

Oh totally gross. There was a disgusting smell coming from Hannah's room. I thought it was the nappy bin - I hadn't emptied it and it was a bit hotter the past day or so. But the smell was still there after I emptied it.... eventually I decided to look under the makeshift bed - a pile of blankets and pillows on the floor - and there was a huge dead skink there. And when I exposed it to the air the smell became more putrid. I have been washing all the stuff and airing the room and spraying enzyme spray around. It is slowly going. Damn lizzard should have found a different place to die. It was really big too - poor thing. I wonder if the cats brought it in? They don't usually bring stuff in. The smell is soo revolting.

The MIL and FIL are coming down this weekend. I am thinking of getting them to watch Hannah and DH and I have some couple time - maybe see a movie? I am a Harry Potter fan so that would be a treat to see the new movie. MIL would jump at the chance to mind Hannah bear I reckon.

She is still putting on weight and weighs 5.5 kgs now and is mostly in 00's. Time flies. Have a good weekend everyone. Has anyone heard from Connie or Catherine? They haven't posted in a while.

Huh well I gave Chloe panadol after her shots. 3 doses over a day and a half as she was so grizzly and hot. It helped. You would think that if it really reduced the effectiveness of the immunisations that this would be known and accepted by all medical staff.

Dory - that sounds nice, going to see a movie.

Well we had another shocking night. It got to 40 degrees yesterday and then last night we had a wedding. I left at 9 pm as Chloe wouldnt stop crying *sigh*. Anyway, its a little cooler today (34) so hoping she is a little better. We have one of those old cottage houses that just heats up so much. I guess she needs to get used to it for Bali though! yipes.

Buzzie - You have gotten through child birth and are raising a beautiful baby girl - of course you are strong enough x

I'm so not looking forward to Isaacs shots.. glad I've still got 2 weeks to go.

fuzzy - wow thats hot. Do you have an air conditioner in your house? Good luck with the two jobs, are you planning on going back to work soon? I'm sure the bedtime thing will get better. About the settling at night, I don't have a bed 'time' for Isaac, I just let him wake for a feed around dinner time, feed him, bath and massage him, dress him, feed him again, get him to sleep (either by feeding, slow bouncing on fitball or just holding him watching tele) then after all that it could be anywhere between 7:30 and 9pm. I suppose just try different settling methods and see what works, but I guess you're doing that already. Maybe try to not be set on a time for sleeping, and try not to look at the clock? It won't help settling, but it might be less stressful. Sorry I'm not much help.

Belfie - I agree with Dory, Annika's smiley pic is gorgeous!

Pantha - what a pain about your appointment! hopefully the next one goes well.

Dory - I don't know if this is right, but I think your cycle won't come back while breastfeeding. Not sure. And yuck about the lizard! I hope the smell disappeared! Movie sounds great, did you go? If you did, was it weird being without Hannah Bear? And wow, Isaac is almost Hannahs weight, I think he's had some growth spurts!

Buzzie - hope today went well :hug:

Hi to everyone else :)

We are going to Perth for a week next Saturday, I can't wait but I'm a bit nervous about travelling with a bub. Ooh I got my Baby Beehinds yesterday! Isaac is wearing his second one this afternoon (he dirtied the first one pretty quickly), I love them! So soft, feels beautiful and looks so cute.

Bec - Yay you will have a great time over here i am sure! Just try to relax for tha plane. I keep telling myself that too - for Bali. Hope it cools down for you. Yep we have aircon - well in a few rooms at least! I want to get her to sleep by 7 but yes looking at the clock does not help! Whats a baby beehinds?

Yer cycle shouldnt come back until around the 6 month mark i think..

thanks fuzzy, I love WA! I haven't been there in ages, about a year ago when I came back to Aus for a holiday to see my family. We've rented a holiday house opposite the beach in Rockingham near my sisters place, and my other sister is coming down from Geraldton.. I can't wait for my nieces and nephews to meet Isaac! And to go for a swim at the beach!! So excited. People keep telling me to get Isaac sucking on something for the take off and landing to protect his ears from the pressure. I'll try but I don't know how without feeding him, I might take a bottle of EBM. Baby Beehinds are modern cloth nappies :) They are so nice, and almost just like using disposables except you wash them (no soaking)! So much easier than my old-fashioned white squares I'm using.

I thought you could BF on take-off and landing?

Dory- Omg @ the dead skink! Poor lil guy!!! Lucky you found i tbefore the days got even more hotter!!!
Big oops on using the wrong measuring cup last week with the dough! Hopefully the one you had rising last night worked out alot better! As for inger foods-I think you have got some really great ideas already! You could add little zucchini slices aswell maybe? (You could do them in a mini muffin pan or just in one big slab then cut into little bitesized bits), sausagerolls, chicken drummettes/wingettes, Scone with little bowl of jam & cream on the side, A couple of dips with warm turkish bread sliced, Spinach & Ricotta Patsitzies (sp?), chocolate coconut balls..There is just a couple of ideas you might like :)

hi guys, just a quick update, rob and i sorted out alot of stuff over a 4 hour conversation! yeh we had alot of crap going on and it was good to get everything out on both our sides. although i wont ever forgive him we are moving forward and hes told the girls he wants nothing to do with them so they said they will leave him alone too.
i dont think he was lying about anything like i knew he was the weekend i found out he was acting guilty as! but we are going to move out together and start acting more like a family but more importantly spending time with each other as we made it so much about the kids it just felt like we were 2 sperate ppl, if that makes sense.
thankyou SO much for everyones comments and letting me vent :)

hope all the bubbies are doing ok with there needles and those yet to come. Bellas is on the 7th i think, im making rob come too cos i hate it :(

Buz- Happy for you that things are on the mend. Bet you were exhausted afterwards!

Bec - love the new pic of Isaac. He has had a decent growth spurt! Enjoy WA. if not allowed to bf try ebm or at a last resort your clean finger to suck on. ask the airline/hosties what they recommend. didn't make it to the movies. but did go out by myself to the shops today ... yep was weird, but much faster, without Hannah

Wite - friday's effort at dough was much better too light even! Good ideas on the food too. We are going to have the post christening do at my aunts..she has a gucci house. We have a modest house on a postage stamp size yard, with 3 indoor cats. Just won't work with loads of guests .... can see the cats flipping out and escaping...

fuzzy - i am with Bec - don't watch the clock .. it just causes you stress.... maybe from 5/6 months a more time based routine will work most of the time? Hannah is all over the place based on the clock. But if you really want it persist with it... as persistence seems to work eventually. Depends if you need a clock based routine b/c of work or other kids or your sanity. Baby bee hinds are modern cloth nappies or MCN'S. I have cushy tushies just a different brand, and used my first one today - bright yellow and oh so soft!

toodles!

fuzzy - I don't know about BF on take-off and landing, I've only ever heard babies on planes, not seen them lol. oh except one flight the couple next to me had to have their baby in a bassinet thing on a shelf in front of them, they weren't even allowed to hold her when the seat belt lights were on. You probably can do it though, I just thought it'd be a bit awkward in those awful cramped seats.

Wite - nice food ideas, scones with jam and cream... yummm. I might have to drop some hints to my mum, hers are the best!

Buzzie - so happy for you things are looking up. And it must be pretty exciting to be planning on moving out together :)

Dory - thanks, I keep changing Isaacs pic, I love this one too, it was during a nappy change - he's always happiest with no nappy on! Yeah, I think he's having continuous growth spurts lol. I didn't get him weighed last Tuesday, but the one before that he had put on 1.1kg in 3 weeks, almost half a kilo of that was in one week, when he was 5 weeks old, so it looks like my milk is working! I just had a look at cushie tushies.. so cute! There is such a cute giraffe one, love it. A few of the mcn's I have are so soft too, I just can't help patting Isaacs bottom all the time when he has them on.. I can feel a nappy addiction coming on :)