Wow Vanessa - NICE going, Charli!  Ella's been a good sleeper too, last few night waking once for a big feed, then an early morning one, but last night I think she started getting her days and nights confused.  Might have to stop her having big sleeps during the days for a while.  I wonder if they can have a growth spurt this early on though?  She was overdue, so maybe this is her 2-week growth spurt already? 

I'm starting to heal well from the damage Ella did breastfeeding, thankfully - gotta say I'm soooo grateful for the little invention that is the nipple shield!  I can't imagine feeding 2, Emma!  I was pondering that as Ella fed this morning, thinking 'how on earth would Emma ever reach for her cup of tea while she's feeding those little bubbas'? 

I'm thinking this will be a MUCH slower thread than the preggo in October one... we're all too friggin busy and tired now!  Hope everyone is doing great, and enjoying the long weekend, crap weather and all.

Oh I can't get over how pretty the name Isla Mae is, Kellz!  She'll be eternally grateful for that one. 

Emma, I'm going to stop feeling sorry for myself after Ella's awake for 6 hours, feeding for over HALF of them (and grizzling for the rest) marathon that we've just had this avo... reading your post puts things in perspective!!  Hang in there - you grew and carried those babies like a star so I'll bet you'll do a smashing-great job with them now. 

So cute, Emma!  And I hope Sienna's scan brings good news - big hugs to you both.  And hey, I sooo understand everyone's excitement over the birth certificates! 

Little Ella is a real feeder!  She used to settle for a sleep brilliantly, but once this growth spurt hit, that was that and she needs to be fed to sleep... trouble is, she'd much rather feed than sleep!  Yesterday she had a nap in the morning, and that was it until she went down for the night at 8.30!  She did sleep for 5 1/2 hours after that, thankfully, because I was a zombie for her morning feed at 6am today even!  The thing is, she was somewhat underfed from the time her growth spurt started 'till I called my midwife for advice (oh thank God I did!), because to us, it looked like a sleeping problem or reflux or something... she spent so long feeding, we thought she'd definantly had enough and there was nothing left in those boobies to feed her - WRONG!  Ella needed extra time to suckle in order to bring my milk supply up.  So now I have a little baby who can feed, be burped, feed, burp, feed, burp... for 3 hours easily!  Yesterday she did a 5-hour marathon!!!  I've felt completely glued to the couch with a baby glued to my breast, and detest the crap that's on TV!  I'm glad we'll be seeing the midwife again today, so I can get some advice on whether or not Ella's started to snack-feed or is still needing this extra TLC to get her over the hurdle of not being fed extra when she needed it.  It's still such a relief that she's a happy bubba again - when she was too hungry for those couple of days (oh how neglectful!) she was miserable - she's back to herself now. 

Anyone else have a baby who only likes to sleep with their head on one side?  I'm swapping sides for Ella so she doesn't end up all mis-shapen, but she manages to turn her head back to her favourite side nearly every time!  I could swear I can see the difference already - oh dear! 

Thanks, Jess!  Come to think of it - I have one of those pregnancy pillow wedges - the little one that goes under your tummy when you're lying on your side (a normal pillow is much easier I thought, but heck, I was given it) - that would probably do the trick nicely! 

Oh Kellz, big hugs to you - Colic would be so tough on everyone.  Glad you've got some help from your family... take all the help you can get, I'd say!  Hope she grows out of it sooner rather than later. 

We do have a dummy, Aimee... tried it on Ella a couple of times but she soon twiggs there's no milk in it, spits it out and it's all over. 

I found the nipple shields a lifesaver too, Millie.  They've come right for me in the last couple of days - finally!  But it all blimmin hurts to start with, eh. 

It's going well here.  Just need to work on Ella's feeding/sleeping routines - on top of the evening cluster-feed (or in our case, constant feed of 3 - 5 hours!!) she's also taken to cluster-feeding in the morning too, allowing herself time for only one nap during the day (after all, her day is busy now, as it consists of 2 rediculously long cluster-feeds - it's mental!).  I'll have to look into changing this habit - amazing how quickly they form, eh!  Ella's starting to show a bit more of her personality - she's a nosey little social butterfly I think!  Doesn't like being handed around a lot (or maybe it's her mum that doesn't like her being handed about - I just don't let her be passed from person to person, a couple is enough!  Mean, eh!), but she finds it hard to concentrate on feeding when there's people talking away and exciting things happening - keeps straining her head to see (doesn't let go first... ouch!).  I'm enjoying her a little more each day.  I thought I loved her at first, but I've found I'm one of those women who takes time to fall in love with their baby - it's like I knew in my head I loved her from day 1, but it's hitting the heart more now, and that feels great. 

Hope you other ladies are doing well... as well as the sleep-deprived can do!!

Lurking..... I hated my in-laws coming over when Andrew was a newborn as they would talk at he tops of their voices just to wake Andrew up as they were there. Now she had children and knows that babies need their sleep. Would wake him up, he would be grumpy then they would leave 5 minutes later leaving us with a grumpy baby GRRRRR . This time around it is going to be no just turning up when you want to and talking loud as you will be kicked out. They know how angry I can get (FIL has expreienced it before) and I don't take nicely to lack of sleep when I haven't caused the problem - well I kinda did, but not extra lack of sleep.

Andie - I'll remember that when we are at Teresa's house then.

That's awesome, Shelley!  Long may the good times last. 

Ouch bout the thrush, Emma - have you got anything to treat it with? 

Little Ella's still having her one nap for the day before the evening feeding frenzy starts up... normally we'd be a couple of hours into it my now but are so behind today and I was just too tired to wake her from this sleep, so figured she'd be needing the sleep even more than I was!

He's gorgeous, Angel - and what a cutie of a big sis he's got too!  What are you eating to make such fantastic milk for him?!?  Our wee Ella as put on 300gms (which I'm stoked with as it all happened over the last week or so) & she's 3 weeks old.  700gms is amazing!  I've just started drinking Weleda Nursing Tea and taking Blessed Thistle supplements to get a bit more milk flowing.  We'll see. 

Hope that cream works well for you Emma - it all sounds pretty blimmin painful for now. 

That's so cool, Shelley - good stuff!

Hey I was wondering, since y'all have babies around Ella's age...  How long do they sleep for during the day?  I won't go into the drama that is Ella's feeding habits since I've bleated about it before, but I'm thinking of waking her during the day for feeds (if they're more frequent, they mightn't be marathon-feeds), as she usually has long sleeps - often 3 or 4 hours during the day.  I won't be waking my little angel during the nights though - I LOVE those decent sleeps and am glad she wakes once overnight most nights. 

Suzi and Emma - very cute pictures of your gorgeous bubbas!  Congrats, both of you,  Great to hear about your arrivals. 

Well, Ella has just had her 3rd feed in a row where I didn't feed (and feed and feed) her to sleep.  A pacifier got her off to the land of nod the first 2 times (after a decent cry), and this morning it only worked temporarily but when I got her up for a cuddle she calmed down and drifted off.  I've well and truely had enough of the 5-hour-long feeds and having absolutely no routine and not being able to even post the mail if I want, so I'm gritting my teeth and bearing it for the next few days while little Ella gets re-trained.  A healthier routine will give her more quality playtime too - I realised she's so busy feeding and too exhausted from staying awake so long she doesn't even get a decent play each day!  I've e-mailed Oh Baby's sleep expert too and can't wait to hear back from her.  I'm also keen to see how much she weighs tomorrow - she's outgrown a fair few clothes! 

Kellz, you have all my sympathies after a night like last night  - far out!  I was nervous about driving with Ella for the first time too.  Actually, I've only taken her out in the car by myself once so far!  Apart from that, any trips out have been to places within easy stroller-reach.  I really need some more bibs and flannels though so am hoping to get her out in the car again today. 

Man, am I glad I e-mailed Louise the sleep expert - lots of advice and it seems like pretty good stuff too!  I'd recommend it to anyone struggling with sleeping patterns.  Plunket were helpful today as well.  I'm quite excited about getting into a decent feed-play-sleep routine.  Seems like the other October mums are already there... how's it working for you all?