baby pooing lots!!!

Is there any chance he could be teething? The baby of a friend of mine gets this every time a tooth is on its way.

Just a thought.

Dirty nappy question

Hi, saw this on the front page and thought I'd answer. When my lo was bf he'd only go once a week and did this quite regularly for a couple of months. His record was 9 days and then he decided to relieve himself in the bath... urgh it was horrid, but the look of satisfaction on his face was a picture!
If she looks uncomfortable you could try cycling her legs or rubbing in a circle on her belly (I think it's clockwise but you'd have to check) to get her system moving.

My story

Hi Flora-Bee

I think you're very brave putting this down in writing. I too had a traumatic labour/birth experience and am still too upset by it to put it in writing (ds is nearly 10 months old).

I have to agree with the others that it does get better with time, and that you begin to think about it less. I know how hollow it sounds to remind you of your wonderful little one, but you will start to focus on them and less on their birth. Rather than focussing on a "failure", think how well your body did to carry her for 32 weeks.

I still can't watch any birth related things on TV and have put aside all thoughts of having another child. I found the hospital to be very unsupportive when I wanted to talk to someone but my health visitor (and local nursery nurse) have been terrific.

I'm not sure what my point is, other than you're not alone. It does get better, stitches heal and having talked to friends etc. I'm not sure anyone gets the birth experience they truely wanted.

Crawling, shuffli, walking yet?

Hi, it's good to see that there are some people still here!

My little man started crawling just before Christmas. I think he was tempted by the presents and dangling decorations on the Christmas tree. He's always had strong legs and has been standing up against stuff for months. He now cruises around furniture or does lengths of the lounge behind his baby walker. He loves his standing!

It's great watching him get about and my coffee table's never been as clear of stuff as it is now. Changing him's a bit of a faff though and in the evening he just crawls off from his bedroom towards his bath.

What do you miss/wish you'd done?!

Holidays. I miss holidays to exotic places. Also, eating out in nice restaurants. Even if we got a baby sitter and went out, we couldn't afford to now.

And in no particular order; having time to go to the gym, cycling to work (doesn't fit with the nursery drop off), sitting reading a book, spending an afternoon pottering around in the garden, having a lie in, spontaneously seeing friends... or spontaneously going out/doing anything, and having time to finish my dissertation.

Oh, and I miss my (very impractical) sports car.

Reading that back, it sounds a bit miserable but the list of wonderful things I do now that I'm a mum is way longer!

Good luck x

Tell me about reusable nappies!

I use easypeasy nappies and find them great to use. The nursery finds them simple as well. I started off with a trial pack of 3 different newborn nappies at about 4 or 5 weeks old once I'd got the hang of nappies (first child!). The ones which felt the nicest took forever to dry so doing the trial was good. In the end went for 15 birth to potty nappies with 3 wraps and flushable liners. We have a bucket and two mesh bags. When I'm out I just put dirty ones in a normal plastic bag. I do a 60 degree wash with them every other day and throw in other stuff like towels so it works out well. I also have a tumble drier to help dry in the winter.
A few of my friends use different ones and actually they're all good.

Have fun!

Am I being unreasonable?

I don't think you're being unreasonable at all. You need to be happy that you're leaving your child in responsible hands.

My son goes to nursery from 8am to 5.30pm and is also in reusable nappies. They generally change him 3 or 4 times during the day and have specific nappy changing times unless they spot a poo in between. Are they familiar with the type of nappy he has? Maybe you just need to talk to them.

Regarding the food, do they give him breakfast? My LO has breakfast when he first gets to the nursery and then a bottle later. Sometimes my LO has a nap and sleeps through his bottle. Have you asked whether this is the case?

Actually, the solution to both these thing is communication. They really need to write all this stuff down for you. Do you know whether this is an Ofsted requirement? Maybe it's something you can look up.

Good luck. X

Still no period - getting worried

I wouldn't worry. My lo is 9 months old and I still have no sign of one. Apparently it isn't an issue unless you're trying to get pregnant and they don't investigate until at least a year after you've stopped bf.

child benefit

I agree with Sophie about the tax credits. Although they base it on your joint salaries, I was suprised how much more I got when it was adjusted down for SMP.

I think it's 12 weeks for CB... You can get a form online and it's really simple to fill in. You send the birth certificate but ours was back in a couple of days.

Loosing baby weight

Please don't hate me for this but I was 9 stone pre preg, was just over 10 and a half just before I gave birth and got back to 9 stone within a couple of months (wasn't really paying attention). It's taken me a while to get the tone back but I'm pretty much back to normal.

Just an illustration tha people are all so different. I've actually struggled to eat enough to keep my milk supply going. Not a problem I ever thought I'd have!!

Oh, and I don't have a nanny, personal trainer or chef unlike the celebs... just a hungry baby!

Really, really need sleep...

I think it's worked...!!!

Sooo pleased to see AF after a year

Newbie here - is there any hope? (update)