MSE Parents Club Part 16

sir_monster

Hi mirror I bf for about 10 months. I would bf one side for as long as baby wants too (don't take off after x mins) then can try the other side too but don't worry if doesn't take. I would then offer the other side as may help with leaking/getting to fatty side etc. If you have any queries please go to a baby cafe or bf support.

Re pumps I used the medela swing but I had to change it 3 times as suction stopped but was better when changed valves, however was quick. As your baby is just 2 weeks I wouldn't worry re expressing too much as they probably won't need it unless your planning in not being there also your DH could help doing nappies or baths?

Need to get to bed as t was fast asleep by 6:45 so expecting him up 5ish!

Becles

I'm back!

Had a good time away. The wigwams were surprisingly warm and comfy. It had a little heater in that we needed to put on for a quick blast when we were sitting on an evening. That soon warmed it up though and we stayed warm all night.

Went to Edlingham and Walkworth Castles on Sunday - both ruins but interesting.

Visited Alnwick Castle yesterday which was used a lot in the Harry Potter films. Bairns enjoyed that as various things were going on. Dumbledore and Hagrid were there and they were doing broom stick training in the spot where Harry learned to fly.

Been to Cragside today and really enjoyed it. Didn't realise the estate was so big - it's got 40 miles of footpaths! Looked at the main house and power house as the boys were really interested in how the hydro-electricity powered the house. Also did some walking and visited the labyrinth. Planning to go back in the summer when the weather is better as it rained heavy overnight so a lot of the paths were really muddy and we all came back filthy

Been a lovely relaxing break and we really enjoyed it

MERFE

sounds like good fun becles, mine love castles, was gonna go to leeds castle but its wet and the maze gets really puddley and I know they would want to do the maze.

What are peoples opinions on sparklers? Lucy and Shaun have never had them but Shauns just asked what they are, seeing them on the telly. What age do you think they'd be ok to have them from? I'm sure I had them when I was really small but they are only 5 and 6 I think not this year maybe next. We go to the school fireworks display which is brilliant, my mum is gonna watch Bob so we can go this year without frightening him.

Booked the kids to see santa for the 22nd dec, missed it last year when I was in and out of hospital and not doing panto this year because Bobs too young to take really and its so expensive.

Off to see some friends and their babies today for lunch. Worked mon and tues and doing overtime on fri so have missed most of half term with stupid work, tomorrow is a boring day as the kids have their eye tests in the afternoon, so a trip to town to get chores done and shopping probably. OH has taken them on many bike rides though so they are happy.

mirrorimage0

sir monster, thankyou for the advice. i let him feed for as long as he wants and if its a short while i offer the same breast again its just that he hasnt got a routine yet as he is only 16 days old so sometimes he goes longer in between feeds and thats when i leak, im not too bothered about expressing at the moment as i dont plan on leaving him just yet, but i have dentist appointment tomorrow so wanted something to leave OH so he can see to him. i have done 2 bottles of 2 ounces so tht should be fine for when im at the dentist.
thanks for the tips, there is a breast feeding club cafe thing at the local midwifes so when im up to going out and about on my own i will definatley be popping in there. x

glad you had a great time becles

merfe my kids loved splashing in the puddles and getting muddy (saying that they still do at 11 and 9 lol), just take a couple of towels and some spare clothes its great fun and you can get some great pics. x

i think they are fine at this age with sparklers, just explain to them before hand what they are and what they do, i make sure mine wear gloves and have a bucket with water or sand in to place the hot sparklers when they are done with .

i havent done much with my boys this half term either as ive just had samuel but hubby has taken them to the kids club pictures and a couple of bike rides too, i cant wait to go back out on the bike with them we love it. x i think we might take them pizza hut later for tea as a treat because they have been so good really. x

Becles

I've been to Leeds Castle before MERFE - long time ago though before I had children! The boys father is from a village near Maidstone and we visited when we were down their seeing his family.

Mine have had sparklers from a young age. I agree have a bucket of water handy and make sure they fully understand how hot it gets and they must only touch the handle end and throw it in the bucket as soon at they burn out. As long as you very carefully supervise, you'll be fine!

Bairns love sparklers and they seem to relish in being allowed to do something a bit dangerous. Mine also like the hiss as the hot stick goes in the bucket

I find it easier having a lit candle burning and light the sparklers in the candle. You can hold their hand and help guide the sparkler into the candle flame, and it's much easier than trying to light it with a lighter or a match. Obviously keep the candle well away from the sparkler packet though!

Sammy_Girl

Missymoo81 - My sister swore by 'The Miracle Blanket' for swaddling her baby. My DD didn;t take to swaddling at all - so no use to her.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Miracle-Blanket-blanket-Natural/dp/B00350O4PE/ref=sr_1_2?s=baby&ie=UTF8&qid=1319651632&sr=1-2

Also, I had the Tommee Tippee electric pump which was ok, but a bit slow. The Medela is supposed to be really good.

MERFE

thanks ok, might be best to try them this year as well when we can do it once Bob has gone to bed so one of us per child to keep an eye on them, whereas next year I'm not sure if Bob might be going to bed the same time as them and then we would need to keep him away.

Small world becles, you get year long tickets for leeds castle now so because we went at the beginning of the summer we can go whenever now so sometimes skip the castle part opps and just do mazes and playground, wanna take them to the jousting comps sometime.

completely worn out from meeting up with the other mums at lunch time and Bob only had a short 1 hour nap today so was in bed by 6:15 after falling asleep on his bottle bless him. I could easily go to bed now if it wasnt for these older ones needing looking after.

*BigBird*

Your time away sounds great Becles:) I'd love to visit the north east some time, particularly Lindisfarne as it looks beautiful.

I had some aden and anais swaddling sheets. They are essentially big muslin squares, but I found them the best thing for being able to wrap Joe up really snugly (which he liked). As I recall, they were quite dear for what they were, but I got plenty of use out of them and also used to fold one in half and lay it across the cot where Joe's head was (they were long enough to tuck in on either side), so if he was a bit sicky in the night I could just whip that off and didn't need to change the sheet. I also used them as a lightweight blanket and sun shade in the summer.

Got my sister coming down this weekend, making it 3 lots of visitors we've had this month. Luckily Joe doesn't take too long to get used to people he's not familiar with.

And its his party on Saturday, so I need to get making muffins and gingerbread for that. We're having a halloween theme and I can't wait to see all his little friends dressed up

missymoo81

thanks so much for the swaddle and breast pump advice lovelies, v much appreciated x

Becles

Morning

The year long tickets sound great MERFE. I'm in English Heritage and the National Trust and we go to local properties several times a year. Certainly get our moneys worth from them

North East does have some beautiful places. The Northumberland coastline is spectacular and I absolutely love Lindisfarne. There are some cracking beaches up there with masses of golden sands.

Durham is my favourite city. I love wandering round all the narrow streets and the Cathedral is just mind blowing.

Off to work today with another busy day ahead.

Charlotte was making cup cakes with my Mam yesterday, to take into my Mam's old workplace for them to sell as they are raising funds for breast cancer. Charlotte was curious and my Mam said that they were making the cakes to help poorly people with an illness called cancer. Charlotte asked "so are these magic cakes and if they eat one, will they get better?" If only it were so simple as that!

Have a good day all xx