Our first child was born after about 15 hours labour, weighing 8lbs 14 oz. In the hospital, where I stayed for 10 days following the birth (standard procedure after a first baby in 1978), the staff had taken him off the breast to weigh him before and after feeding, often with no warning, which didn't help my state of mind. I had three doses of Pethidine during labour so both baby and me were doped to the eyeballs for days. When we left for home the baby was feeding regularly about every 3-4 hours. At four weeks he developed a rash of spots all over his face which lasted for about 2 weeks. By 5 weeks he weighed 9lbs 12 ozs but the following week he had lost an ounce. He regained that ounce at 7 weeks but had not put on any more weight. The Health Visitor told me to wake him for his 10pm feed as he was probably not getting enough food (I was breast feeding so always difficult to know how much milk the baby is taking). I noted that he appeared to have grown, and was contented so I assumed he had grown -- in height!
8 weeks 10lbs 2 ozs
After a week of waking baby for a 10pm feed he had gained 6 ozs (about average apparently).
" He was very reluctant to wake however but had a 'dream feed', went back to sleep and woke again between 6-7 a.m. Feeds then, wakeful for a while then usually sleeps in the pram until next feed time. "
Well, that's based on fact but my memory seems to be full of sleepless nights, pacing the floor with a crying baby, with extensive use of gripe water :))
Baby No 2 born after almost 12 hours labour (only 15 mins in 2nd stage!) Weight 8lbs 14 oz (exactly the same as Baby No.1) Only in hospital overnight as I had an 18 month old at home and my mum was at home to help out.
0-5 days Sleeps 4-5 hours between feeds. (Breast feeding again) Baby perfect during the day but takes 2 hours or so to settle in the middle of the night. Seems to like sucking- gets frantic if she can't find her thumb.
5-14 days More settled. Sleeps soundly between feeds. Have given her a dummy (we didn't give in till 8 months with Baby no 1) Still a sleepy feeder. Takes ages to get going and then often doses whilst feeding. Has a very loud yell.
14 days- 4 weeks Has one or two more wakeful periods during the day. Looks around with interest. Looks fixedly at faces, especially when talking.
4 weeks Is coming along well. More sociable, Had her weighed... 9lbs 14 oz so has put on exactly one pound since birth.
6 weeks to Clinic for 6 week check up. Weighed 10lbs 11, length 58cm head 39cm
But she objected strongly to being undressed and, by the time we went into the doctor, she was screaming loudly. So upset that she failed to do any of the tests. This means a return visit in 2 weeks. She has noticeably grown. Dark hair, very profuse but not as much as her brother had! Eyes blue- she now smiles a lot at my face when I am talking and smiling. Appetite spurt- back to feeding every 3 hours. Is good-natured and attached to her dummy. She can now lie awake for long periods and be quite contented. Still waking during the night. Now has a rash on her face. I remember Baby #1 had similar one which just disappeared on its own. She can hold up her head without much wobbling.
8 weeks Return to clinic for repeat of developmental check. Slow start but she did eventually perform. Just not that interested in the ball dangling above her head! Rash has almost gone. Feeding even more often and not at regular intervals- sometimes 2 hours only between feeds. But she can sleep long stretches e.g. 5.30pm through to 1.30am (8 hours!) It's a pity it's not midnight onwards. Generally, a good baby, alert and sociable.
Meanwhile our 'Baby #1) was 18 months +
I noted that he was "an active intelligent little boy" and we were constantly amazed by how much he understood. He had a vocabulary of about six words- favourites being 'car' and 'tractor'.
Has very blonde hair and is still quite chubby. Is still ready for bed about 6.30pm and has a long nap (up to 2 hours) before his lunch.
By the time baby #2 was 2 months old, Baby #1 was becoming more and more self-willed and consequently there were major tantrums. Going to the shops was a fraught business and he would not go on the pram seat (I had a 'proper' coach built pram (borrowed) with a small seat with harness that perched on top). He had reins on so that I could hold on to him in the supermarket. He also snatched the reins out of my hand and wouldn't hold my hand either. The main road (A6) was so busy that I had to hold on somehow. The consequence was that he had several tantrums at intervals along the road. The 'Cheese Shop' owner reckoned he knew when I was coming as I'd have a wailing baby and a screaming toddler in tow. In those days you had to leave the pram, with baby in it, outside shops (hard to believe in these more cautious times). of course, looking back, baby #1 had a lot to cope with, toddler tantrums and a new baby sister who impinged more and more on his life. He used to get in several jabs and pokes during the course of an average day. Look out, she'll fight back soon.
wonderful, Meg - brings back memories. Wow! especially the bit about leaving prams outside shops
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