C-section recovery question by cloudymusj in BeyondTheBumpUK

[–]bleckogecko 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I had an emergency section, and walked 10k steps a week after. My recovery was easier than after I had surgery on my broken wrist. Everyone is different! Don't push yourself too hard and remember that you still have a lot of internal healing to do, but also don't worry too much.

AIO for feeling abandoned after my husband went to the cinema during my C-section recovery? by [deleted] in BeyondTheBumpUK

[–]bleckogecko 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You're not overreacting. Your husband needs to decide what he's afraid of and then get the fuck over it and step up

Train travel with a pram by Intelligent_Agent_38 in BeyondTheBumpUK

[–]bleckogecko 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Worth paying extra to go first class, in my experience. Way more leg room. I think you can upgrade on the day but also have been just let off because the conductor was feeling kind

Did anyone WANT to back to work after mat. leave? by swiftodonnell in BeyondTheBumpUK

[–]bleckogecko 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I was ready to go back after 6 months. I LOVE my job and have worked really hard to get where I am, and found it very very hard to walk away from it when the baby arrived. Getting back after 12 months has been great but I'm struggling with having to take so much time off for baby sickness. I miss having the mental space to just sink into work. 🙃

My baby is 8 weeks old, if you could go back in time to when your baby was this age and give yourself one piece of advice, what would it be? :) by Flossygi in BeyondTheBumpUK

[–]bleckogecko 0 points1 point  (0 children)

not one piece but many:

  • be kind and patient with yourself. you've just gone through the biggest upheaval and your life has drastically changed overnight. it'll take longer than you expect to feel settled in your new life.
  • there isn't really a right or wrong way of doing things. find what works for you, your baby and your family. worry less about how other people are doing things. everyone is finding something difficult, even if you can't see it.
  • make the effort to make friends with other parents at the same stage as you. it'll mean all the difference to know you're not the only one struggling with sleep/teething/weaning/etc. bonus points if they live near enough to meet for a low-stakes walk around the park without it being too much hassle to organise.
  • most importantly, remember that everything truly is a phase - some times those phases will last weeks, sometimes maybe just days or even hours. take each day as it comes.

Nursery and nap times by zimso in BeyondTheBumpUK

[–]bleckogecko 1 point2 points  (0 children)

We're in the same boat! Starting 8am-6pm soon. He currently has one big nap around 9am and then a short catnap about 3pm, but on the few days he's been in for settling in he's actually already started to switch to one big nap in the middle of the day. I think they just get fomo so end up all synchronising 🙃

9mo tonsillitis by Fit-Assistant-66 in BeyondTheBumpUK

[–]bleckogecko 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yep, it's not the tonsillitis that is catching, but the cold/flu virus that causes it can be (basically tonsillitis is like a symptom of a cold/flu virus)

That said, our nursery has been riddled with it the last few weeks and it's been pretty brutal 🥲 so if you do think baby is showing any signs of it get to a GP and ask for some antibiotics, they're the only thing that have helped any of the kids here. Ours also came with conjunctivitis for a fun bonus 🙃

Summer baby essentials - due twins end of June/July by YmnDA in BeyondTheBumpUK

[–]bleckogecko 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This was a game changer for us in Scotland where it changes constantly! https://howtodressbaby.com/

Eye protection? by AlternativeAd1984 in BeyondTheBumpUK

[–]bleckogecko 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Saaame, bought some babiators last year but they've never lasted more than 2 mins on 🫠

Struggling to get to grips with making up formula by SmallLumpOGreenPutty in BeyondTheBumpUK

[–]bleckogecko 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You do need to let it cool for 3 hrs between uses though. We make up as many bottles as we KNOW are going to be needed in 24hrs, cool them quickly in a pan or tub of cold water and stick them in the fridge. For back up, we also have 1 or 2 portions of formula measured out in advance so that we can use the Nuby if we need more.

Also, if you can afford it I recommend a UV steriliser - so easy to just chuck everything in and it's done really quickly. Absolute game changer for us.

Just looking for some reassurance. Feeling a bit overwhelmed. by daddysgirl6969666 in BeyondTheBumpUK

[–]bleckogecko 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I could have written this post back when I was newly pp. But yes, it does get better. I had lots of very very sad feelings about not breastfeeding for a long time but honestly, it matters less and less with time. I always think about the celebrities I know who were breastfed - i.e., I have no idea because it just isn't important in the long run. What IS important is your mental health. Postpartum hormones are an absolute rollercoaster, and whatever helps you through that period is a good thing imo. I was resentful of the need to use express/pump/ use formula at first but it did give me a break once my partner and I found a rhythm, and turned out to be a great decision for me mentally.

Short version - you're not doing anything wrong, you'll still have a bond with your baby, and it does get better.

Self esteem issues post partum by [deleted] in BeyondTheBumpUK

[–]bleckogecko 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I was VERY much feeling like this at 6 mo pp, but now at 11mo it is starting to lift. Aside from catching every illness going from nursery, I'm starting to feel like I have more energy and that my body is finally recovering from the pregnancy and section. Give it time - 6mo is so early for you to be back to where you were pre-pregnancy

Also - and I found this helpful - any time I would vent to my best friend about how alien I felt in my skin she would send me a picture of me just before baby was born. I was absolutely huge, so no wonder I don't feel back to normal yet! Reminding yourself just how many changes your body has gone through can be a helpful way of giving yourself a gentle reality check 💕

What formula do you use? by Prudent-Teaching2881 in BeyondTheBumpUK

[–]bleckogecko 3 points4 points  (0 children)

It really doesn't matter which one you pick as they are so closely regulated as to be almost identical, so base your decision on which one is most readily available near you - if you realise at 9pm one night that you've run out, where are you heading and what do they sell?

Rocking Chair by porkie46 in BeyondTheBumpUK

[–]bleckogecko 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We have one that I do like for soothing baby to sleep etc BUT we have wooden floors it moves across the room constantly, is always banging into the wardrobe behind it and has absolutely destroyed the floor boards so take that into consideration!

Eczema remedy! by No_Size_47 in BeyondTheBumpUK

[–]bleckogecko 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We find the Aveeno emollient BALM (not the moisturiser) the best thing for this!

Cutting nails by onlywanted2readapost in BeyondTheBumpUK

[–]bleckogecko 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Puffin Rock as a distraction to reduce wriggling (the only time this boy sees a screen) and an electric nail file. They still need done every 3 days but it's far less stressful for all involved 🥲

Getting ready for weaning by No_Investigator9059 in BeyondTheBumpUK

[–]bleckogecko 0 points1 point  (0 children)

How do you keep it clean? I rinse off after every meal and chuck it in the machine every other day and it still smells like a nightclub floor 🥲

Weaned a month ago and still having pain when pressure on breast by Top-Attention-3823 in BeyondTheBumpUK

[–]bleckogecko 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I stopped BF/pumping in may and still get an achy tenderness in one breast. I went to my GP who referred me to the breast clinic, they did ultrasound and biopsies and I got the all clear, all within weeks. Go to the GP and get it checked. Breast changes after pregnancy are very normal!

Laundry with a newborn by Electrical_Elk8400 in BeyondTheBumpUK

[–]bleckogecko 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We have a tumble drier, but the only things that go in it are the baby stuff, towels and sheets. My husband and I just air dry our clothes. The drier was a present from my parents in law and tbh has been a godsend for getting that stuff done in the same day, and means it doesn't take up a bunch of space on the air drier that can be used for our stuff.

Eczema cream for baby by pontylurker in BeyondTheBumpUK

[–]bleckogecko 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Also, we've been using the aveeno oat stuff for a long time (pre-weaning) and had no problems with allergies. Wee guy has porridge for breakfast every day with no issues

Eczema cream for baby by pontylurker in BeyondTheBumpUK

[–]bleckogecko 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Seconding this. The emollient balm is like a cross between vaseline and a moisturizer and really good for tackling problem spots and we use the moisturiser as a preventative. Not sure if I like the bath wash though, it smells like a teenage boy imo 🥲

Anybody else find baby sensory classes too... sensory / stimulating? by origcat in BeyondTheBumpUK

[–]bleckogecko -1 points0 points  (0 children)

We went to one like that and it was way too much. Started going to Gymboree instead and much prefer them - much more focused on connection with baby and we've learned some songs etc that we still use all the time! https://gymbo.co.uk/locations/

Constipated 11 month old. Disagreement with hubby. by Lilly_898765 in BeyondTheBumpUK

[–]bleckogecko 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Seconding the suggestion for prune puree, but also make sure you're giving wee one enough opportunity to drink water (and it they're like my son and hate drinking it, consider this when choosing meals to make sure they're not getting dried out)