[erindiv]

How is everyone going today?

Is anyone else having totally irrational emotional moments? I had these with DD but my goodness, I'd forgotten just how irrational they could be, and just how hysterical I get! I cry at the drop of a hat,a few nights ago I wanted to vent so I went looking for a pen to write everything down, and when I couldn't find a pen I just collapsed on the floor and burst into tears! I can laugh now but I was seriously devastated. I've just had a text message from BF saying he can't come over tonight and I feel like crying again. So so silly and so embarrassing. I'm sure he thinks I'm crazy.

The worst part about the hysteria is that it is always, always followed by me becoming really ultra cranky and hating everything. So I get hysterical, sob for ten minutes, sometimes to the point of being sick, then I stop, feel blank for another ten minutes, and then get really moody and snarly.

Doesn't help that DD is going through a terrible 2s phase and is tantruming at everything lately. I'm exhausted!

[Taleah Rose]

Erindiv, gosh...you poor thing, I hope BF doesn't cause you too much stress!!! And if you feel like collapsing on the floor and sobbing, then go for it!! Sometimes it just makes you feel better I reckon!

Traditionalmum, wow, you are so organised! If you don't mind i am going to steal that list and use it And that is SUCH A GORGEOUS name for your little girl!!!!!

Cityreader, I hear oyu about the ravenous appetite! It never stops hey!! Although I felt a bit ashamed when a close friend of mine commented to me that my Facebook status are always talking about food...especially Maccas! ooops!

Natasha, hope you are enjoying Fiji....so jealous you are away from this horrible weather!

Also, just wondering what people are doing about maternity leave? Everyone is telling me different things about how long before the due date you should take etc. Any suggestions??

Oh no...now I am thinking about a Big Mac...YUMMMMMM!!!!!!!

[xant]

Oh Erin! Sorry to hear you're having such a rough time! I credit a well timed holiday with my current state of calm. Good to see you can atleast have a bit of a laugh at yourself

AnjG - as this is bub #1 i have no experience with slings, but i have picked one of the free+postage ones that was listed in the specials section of EB. I figure at that price if i dont like it i wont be too upset. Someone on here was planning to make one (sorry can't remember who, babybrain!) so im keen to hear about that too. I am determined to find a sling i like and use it successfully!

TraditionalMum - so organised, argh!! I got a lot of useful little samples (including a couple of sudocrem) in the twwo bounty bags the chemist gave me, so i have atleast technically made a start! And beautiful name you've chosen

Welcome to SpecialK75
Have fun natasha77!!

Taleah Rose - unfortunately i havnt been at my current job for a year to be entitled to maternity leave, so i'll be opting for baby bonus over paid leave. I've spoken to the president at work and theyre happy for me to play things by ear, i've told them i will keep working fulltime for as long as possible, and will then cut back to doing my 38hrs over a fortnight instead of a week, primarily on the officework days rather than the running around the bar days. I then aim to only have a few weeks off work over the time bub is due (not sure when this will start either, but as ill probably have a scheduled c-section atleast ill be prepared!), and go back on the fortnightly plan for a while.....
......which leads me to............

.....combined breast feeding, and expressing for bottlefeeds of breastmilk. Anyone have recommendations of breast pumps? I'm thinking ill probably splash out and get the Phillips Avent Electronic single pump. As i'll be going back to work so early and dont want to formula feed ill be using it a lot i imagine, so i'm happy to get a more well known and in theory reliable brand. What else do i need? What is the deal with all the different sized bottle openings? Is one of the microwave steriliser things a good idea? What about the bottle heater? I'm lost!

[mummygirl]

Hello ladies!

Have been reading and lurking around! Sorry I haven't replied till now!

Natasha - Have an absolute blast in Fiji! Live it up and relax! Be safe.

Taleah - Sorry, can't help with mat leave. I have been a SAHM since my eldest was born in 2000. I worked for 6 months when she was 3 but that's it really. No doubt someone else will be able to advise!

city*reader - My belly is now poking out the top of my jeans/pants and out the bottom of my tops lol. I had to keep pulling my shirt down and tucking it in last night. I have never invested in maternity clothes with my others, thinking I will have to with this one though! Probably just one pair of pants. Bring on spring/summer when I can wear my maxi dresses lol

Erin - Hope you are ok now! Emotional outbursts are normal in pregnancy (as you know) but you would particularly be emotional at the moment anyhow. I hope you are looking after yourself as much as possible!

Traditional Mum - I am excited about everyone elses baby too! I can't wait until later on when we can make birth announcements and show off our precious little bundles. Eva Alexandra is a beautiful name! Just gorgeous

AnjG - I had a sling for my eldest. Can't remember the brand but it wasn't particularly 'famous' brand anyhow. A friend has highly recommended a ring sling for this baby. It looks quite easy to make. I am a little concerned about how uncomfortable baby will be in it but she swears by it. Will wait and see I think.

Myfirstbubba - Yay on finally feeling baby move! Don't worry, movements will get stronger and stronger!

SpecialK - Welcome!

Hi to all I have missed!! Hope you are all well and putting your feet up as much as possible!

AFM - I am so sore! My hips are aching so bad! It used to be just at night but today they are so sore no matter what I do.
My back hurts mainly at night too. The pillow between the legs was working but not anymore either. I have a dr appointment next Friday (29th) so will mention it then and hopefully he can help. It matches the symptoms of PGP so I will see what can be done for that.
DH took an overtime tonight. He is in a very stressful job (been documented before that it is the most stressful job ever) and this is 7 days straight now. He is doing it for the money, which I don't mind but I just wanted him home for a movie night or something tonight. Just feeling sorry for myself really, sorry!
I get my eldest DD back on Saturday so I have that to look forward too!
DH and I went shopping last night and finally started getting stuff for the baby. We got a car seat and a new mattress for the cot (among a few other bits and pieces).
He completely changed our room around at my request on Tuesday. Cot looks lovely and fits in well in there. Just have to finish the edging on my little girls quilt and can make the cot up too. I will post pics once that is done!

Ok, enough about me Bit of a ramble and rant there! Sorry lol. <3 to all.

This post has been edited by mummygirl: 21/07/2011, 08:10 PM

[AnjG]

Hi ladies,

Work was a bit crazy today so only replying now when I'm about to head to bed! Thank you all for your responses about slings. I think I need to look around a bit more.

Firsly, Natasha: Enjoy your trip!! Have a fantastic time and hope you feel well rested when you're back!

AnjG - Thats ok lol yeah im an organized freak so dont mind me lol. Plus its my first bubba so im kinda SUPER excited

Traditional mum: I'm on my first too so I share the excitement! Just not as organised as you! I probably should be more organised but I keep hearing people telling me to wait and see what will work for bubs so I'm going along with that... mind you, that's probably also an excuse for me not being more organised!

AnjG - as this is bub #1 i have no experience with slings, but i have picked one of the free+postage ones that was listed in the specials section of EB. I figure at that price if i dont like it i wont be too upset. Someone on here was planning to make one (sorry can't remember who, babybrain!) so im keen to hear about that too. I am determined to find a sling i like and use it successfully!

Xant: Oooh, I didn't know about the specials in EB. Time for me to investigate! I really should look into second hand I think coz new ones can be so expensive... I have no idea about breast pumps, btw. Sorry! I find it very bewildering too!! I think I'm going to wait that one out as I'm planning on being home for a bit so hope can bf for a while.

TaleahRose: I think leave is so dependent on your circumstances. Have you been in your job long? What are your entitlements? I'll tell you my situation as an example; I've been in this job for 6 years so definitely have mat leave. I also haven't taken much annual leave and have accummulated quite a bit so my plan is to take annual leave from about 5 weeks prior to my due date. I am so looking forward to not having to go into work! And just relax and enjoy the last few weeks. My mat leave will then kick in and I'll look into the paid parental leave scheme as well as I'm hoping to have the full 12 months off. That's the plan anyway but I'll see how I go. I think if you can take leave early, go for it!

Mummygirl: Is a ring sling more uncomfortable? I read somewhere that they are supposed to be easier to put baby in and out of? Not sure if that's correct. Hope your back and hips feel better soon! Take care!

Erin: Pregnancy hormones are something else alright! Hope you're feeling better!

CityReader: Thanks for that website! The slings are gorgeous! I can't wait to get one soon! My appetite is really huge too! But I find I need to be careful coz my digestion isn't the best with pregnancy and need to be mindful of that...

SpecialK: Yep, I'm thinking a sling first too and maybe a bayby carrier when bubs is older.

Hi to everyone else!

I'd best get some sleep ladies!

Yay, it's nearly Friday!!

Anj

[natasha77]

Morning Girls,

Waaa my cold has turned nasty over night. I feel hideous. Chest that hurts to breath, revolting cough and my teeth hurt my sinuses are so sore! I never get sick, this is the worst timing!!! Nooooo. I'm off to the Dr today, I'm going to play it safe and take antibiotics with me in case I get worse and worse and would have to assume a chest infection!? I hope my Dr agrees. This is the pits. The thought of flying tonight and missing basically a nights sleep makes me want to cry.

Waa. Sorry to some in just to complain! I know we're lucky going, but this is not the plan!!!

xxxxx

ps Mummygirl, I slept with a pillow between my knees last night for the first time and have woken with sore hips too!! I think I'll ditch the pillow! I remember that happening with my first too. Weird, doesn't make any sense does it!

This post has been edited by natasha77: 22/07/2011, 08:32 AM

[TRADITIONALMUM]

Morning Everyone

Erendiv- Chin up sweety cry and pout as much as u like... and i hope your lil DD goes through her terrible 2 stage niice and quickly for you

Taleah Rose - I've been working with my company for exactly a year when i found out i was pregnant so i got lucky lol. They dont have their own "maternity leave procedure" (not many women in my company) so they are going by what the government law or fair work act law thing. I get 12 months maternity leave and at the end of that leave i can apply (and entitled to) another 12 months. And i still come back to the job i was doing. I also have the right to tell them if i want my work hours to change when i do come back from maternity leave. They have to (by law) negotiate until we are both satisfied. So i might only want to work 4 days and they say why not still work 5 but work from home 2 days? (which i would love) Ladies! please look into this stuff its very very very important to know your rights!

So on that note, i will be going on leave the 1st week of november and returning in may. I can't take a whole year off just for financial reasons. But at least ill have 3-4 weeks before my baby is due to rest, get food prepared, clean up and groom myself up a bit lol. Hope it helps.

Xant - I will be combining breast feeding and expressing as i think there alot of benefits.

- Good for the baby (having breast)
- Childcare will be able to feed the baby my milk when i go back to work
- the baby gets used to bottles (another pro for childcare) (although my childcare is right next door to my work hehehe)
- DP can bond with feeding the baby too

My friend is giving me her electric breast pump (because she could never express or have enough milk) i think she has used it twice so she told me that she is happy to pass it on to me. but im not sure of the brand, ill try find out for you
Bottle flow - i think as they grow they can eat more and they can swallow more milk as they gulp. (Im guessing FIRST TIME MUM HERE LOL ) ????
Microwave Sterilizer - im getting one, heard they are good and only take 2-3 mins of sterilization. And its easy for DP to help out with it too.
Bottle Heater - I think i might get one for the car when we are traveling but im not too sure about the home one as u can heat them up in the microwave these days. Anyone else have thoughts on this?

mummygirl - i know what you mean about the sore hips - mine are excruciating but kind of wear off a couple of minutes after getting up in the morning and walking around. Good that your getting it check out How exciting is all this shopping... im trying to restrain myself as much as possible lol

natasha77- Sorry i didn't see u were posting at the same time! Thats such terrible news!!!!!! i hope it doesn't last for the whole of your holiday....

Hi to everyone else hehehe

Just enjoying a toasted cheese and tomato sandwich with lots of pepper hehehe



Make a pregnancy ticker

This post has been edited by TRADITIONALMUM: 22/07/2011, 08:53 AM

[natasha77]

Me again

Just my 2 cents worth on some of the topics....

Pumps/bfeeding - the other pro of pumping, in the first days and weeks is you can push your boobs to really get working. The more milk that is taken out means that they're triggered to produce more - and the more the better, especially first time when your boobs are new to it all. I had an amazing Lactation Consultant for my first and she trained my boobs well. The other thing she encouraged was to put nothing else in the babies mouth until feeding was really well established. So when Henry couldn't latch on, I expressed and we syringe fed him until he and I worked it out. Putting anything else in their mouths before they're feeding like pros can throw things out entirely.

I'll be pumping (medala brand) in hospital and once home, not so much to have milk around (I'm always here but to get my boobs doing the best they can do for the the baby ASAP.

Sterilisation - I'm very anti mircowaves Is everyone probably aware of BPAs in plastic and the need to get BPA free bottles etc, there is more and more research coming out about this and its scary!! Our paed with Henry was totally against any form of sterilising other than hot, soapy water. It's what we have always done and most of our friends too. Things don't stay sterile anyway, so a hot, soapy clean and a good place to dry are all you need. I think all the things you can buy are a bit of a wrought really as they're just not needed, but they make you feel like they are.

I NEVER ever micrwave plastic of any sort for the boys. In fact, I don't microwave their food till they're one (no theory there other than it's the best I can do lol) and then it's always in a china dish.

Bottle heater - I have only ever BF and haven't needed one, but I'll admit to being a bit shocked when a friend stayed with her formula fed baby and I asked about warming it up on the go and she told me you don't want your formula baby to get used to warm milk, it's cold or room temp!! I admit, it made me feel a bit sad!! Finn has 2 bottles of formula still being allergic to milk and I always serve it warm from the kettle!

Anyway chicks, just my 2 cents worth, having been there and done that!

Okay, off to Dr!

xx

[city*reader]

Taleah - with DD1 I left at 37 weeks and that was just right for me. She came at 39+2, so that gave me a pleasant fortnight off. Any more I would have gotten bored I think. I returned to work when she was six months old part time and full time from 12 months. With DD2 I planned on going about that far (til 37 weeks or so) but left earlier (about 32 weeks) because I got hit with gastro, I was really sore with SPD and my GP suggested maybe it was my body's way of suggesting I needed rest. I planned on going back to work post-DD2 but had problems getting childcare affordable enough to make working worth it, so am not working anymore (uni student).

Traditionalmum - they don't recommend you sterilise baby bottles anymore, they don't think it's necessary and it's impossible to truly "sterilise" in a home environment anyways . The advice given to me after DD2 was just wash really well in hot soapy water. Also DD2 never liked her bottles heated up, so you could probably hold off on heating equipment until you find out what your baby likes.

[mum of 3 kids]

hi quick post

Slings- but found a website that have free slings! just pay for postage of $17US which works out cheaper as our money is buying at a great rate d website is sevenslings.com and promo code is WTE- sorry but have no idea when it expires so be quick for a super bargain! slings r worth $40US and look so trendy!

Hope every1 is doing well thoughout ther pregancies!

This post has been edited by no3dueNov11: 22/07/2011, 12:38 PM