June 11....

[Bogeyface]

Have I missed the thread or am I starting one?!

DD was born on 01.06.11 and I could do with some mates :)

[nomoreheels]

Hi Bogey, I don't think the June ladies have started one yet. I've not been on here in weeks as my little girl was born on 24.05 a week and a half early, so have had my hands very full!

I am going to stick around the June post-natal thread though as it's nice to keep talking to the same people.

How's it going? I am knackered. This is my first and so everything's a really steep learning curve. She's feeding every 2-3 hours if it's formula, with the 3 hour stretches at least happening in the night - but the rest of the night and daytimes are hard. I BF from around 4 AM - 8 PM and she does latch on well, but as she digests it faster, she gets hungry every 1.5 - 2 hours. On top of this she gets very windy, even with BF, and it makes it hard for her to settle and nap and she needs a lot of help from me to ease out burps etc. I'm using Infacol but I don't know that it's making much difference. She'd also much rather be cuddled and carried than snuggle down in her basket so it's hard to grab 5 minutes for anything if I'm on my own! Luckily DP works from home so he'll mind her so I can grab a shower etc.

My mum is visiting from abroad for 9 days and it's been a great help. She even took her for a few hours last night so we could go for a much needed meal out as a couple. Had a couple of cheeky cocktails - soooo nice.

[Henrathoon]

Hi guys,

Not posted much before but our Lo was born on the second and I'm fin
ding it tough so thought it might be nice to get involved in this thread.

I'm dreading my partner going back to work Monday :( just don't know how I'm going to do everything alone! It's been hard enough between the two of us! Wish I could feel a bit more positive like my normal self. Anyone else feeling this anxious?

X

[Bogeyface]

Henrathoon, I know exactly how you feel. DH is going back on Monday too and I am dreading it. I am sure it will be fine but I still cant help getting tearful when I think about it!

Nomoreheels, stick with the Infacol. Use it at every feed as the effect is cumulative and will make a bigger difference the longer you use it. DD is the same at the moment, very windy with colicky belly ache. If you havent got a sling then I recommend you get one, it does make things easier.

My main panic is that the summer holidays are around the corner and I am dreading it with a tiny one, 3 primary school agers, and a high schooler. My eldest (20) will be at work so I cant even rope him into help :o

[nomoreheels]

Thanks for the tip, I will persist with the infacol & make sure it's before every feed, think we're missing a couple. :)

Hats off to you for managing with so many DCs, wow! Time to call in all and any favours owed...?

[Bogeyface]

Nomorehells, I darent start mentioning favours owed for fear my friends and family might remember how many I owe them :o

We are doing fine, and actually after todays "disagreement" with DH about what constitutes helping I am quite looking forward to him going back to work :o

[Henrathoon]

Hey

So Bogey, has he gone? are you ok? I am cheeting slightly in that I have a friend with lots of baby experience coming over today! So now it's tomorrow I am really dreading!! LOL.
Got wrap on at the mo, getting used to it slowly so think that is going to help...
It sounds like you have your hands properly full, what I am going through sounds like a walk in the park compared to how much you're dealing with! I'll try to keep that in mind if i start to wobble!!!

Today feels like the first day of the rest of my life! Cheesy I know but it's a bit of a big realisation!! It's all different from here on in....

x

[belfast80]

Hello!
Can I join in please? My DS (and 1st LO), Rudy, was born on 3.6.11 (17 days early!) so I am just settling into motherhood. My DP had to start a new job on 6.6.11 but is off this week so we are enjoying that. My Mum was round each morning for 2 weeks making sure I got breakfast and dressed etc. and has been an amazing help. While I am loving motherhood and all that goes with it, it's damn hard work! Rudy is feeding every 3 or so hours and like nomoreheels's LO, is very windy so we have been trying the infacol before every feed from last night. I am in awe of anyone who copes with more than one LO - hope you're getting on OK bogey!

[Bogeyface]

Hi Belfast!

Wow, I dont envy you with your DH starting a new job 3 days post birth, you must have been the only pg lady hoping not to go into labour early!

It seems that Isabelle is a bit refluxy, but it isnt too bad, she has only brought up 3 feeds in the last 2 weeks but she is very windy at both ends and really does seem in rotten pain if we lie her down straight after a feed. But a combination of Infacol and keeping her more upright during and after feeds seems to be helping.

I am worried though, that my PND is rearing its ugly head. It started early with a couple of the others and I can feel the same symptoms starting again, panic attacks, crying fits etc. Am seeing the HV on Friday and hope to knock it on the head early, I cant go through that again. In fact the thought of having PND again upsets me in itself.

Ladies, if as a 6 time mum I can give you all any advice then its this..... please dont ignore any weepiness, sadness, lethargy, cant be arsed feelings or feeling that you are failing or useless. PND is perfectly treatable and there is no shame in it. Remember that it is caused by an imbalance in the brain that can be rectified with the right treatment including Anti-Ds and counselling, and there is nothing you will do or not do that will make you more likely to get it. If you do start to feel this way, please know that it isnt your fault, it is a direct result of what you have been through. I hate that I am feeling like this but am positive in one respect, that I know what it is and it can be treated. I know that caught early I recover well, unlike the first time I had it when it went on for over a year and almost destroyed me.

Please do talk to your HV if you start to feel down or that you arent copiing, or post on here for support.

Take care girls!

[nomoreheels]

Awww Bogey, sorry to hear that PND is rearing its ugly head but it's really good that you can spot the symptoms and know how to access help - that's half the battle. I was off for nearly all of my pregnancy with anxiety and work related stress so I know how important it is to look after yourself, to know when you need help and to spot all the signs. So far I think I'm ok - had terrible "baby blues" on day 3 (and 4, 5, 6, 7...) but once the hormones settled I started to feel better. I'm not returning to my nightmare job so knowing that, and with time, have managed to get past all the reactive anxiety I went through.

My midwife signed us off at our 28 day appointment yesterday - can't believe it's been that long! I talked to her about DD's wind issues and she suggested switching to Colief. It's drops available over the counter at the pharmacy and you either add it to a teaspoon of expressed BM or to warm (not hot) formula bottles. Downside - it's £12 compared to £3ish for Infacol, but so far it seems much more effective. I'm going to see if I can get it on PX from the GP for the next round, as each bottle only lasts 3 weeks. Remember to keep it in the fridge too!

[Bogeyface]

Ooh thats a good tip about the Colief, thanks NMH :)

Thank goodness you are feeling better now, must be nice to have that sense of relief!

[WiiUnfit]

Can I join? :)

I was VictoriaLouise90 on the ante-natal thread but decided I wanted a nn I really couldn't keep up with you all on the AN thread!!!

DS (Lucas) was born on 08.06.11 (19 days early) weighing 5lb 8oz after a rather traumatic pre-eclampsia / failed induction / emergency cs experience! We came home 2 days after & are settling in nicely. :) He had a little bit of jaundice but managed to kick it out of his system himself & now weighs 6lb 3oz. HV came yesterday & was pleased with his progress & CMW signed us off today.

[belfast80]

Yes, we had it all sorted that DP would be able to take this week off as I thought I was going to be induced on due date because of gestational diabetes but Rudy had other plans! I'm also in the middle of an online Open University collaboration that I have to do in order to pass this current module so I have been spending the last few nights with baby on knee and one-handed typing. But I am glad he came early - means I get 2 extra weeks with him before returning to work (only had 2 weeks of Mat leave though before he came!).

Bogey, it's good to hear you talk so openly about PND. I have a history of depression and my GP and HV are keeping a close eye on me. I got the 'baby blues' the weekend before last and it knocked me for 6. I thought I was losing my mind. Panic attacks and hysterical crying etc. I'm feeling better every day but am starting to plan trips out of the house so I make sure to see people and get fresh air during the day. It would be too easy to stay in the house with the curtains drawn. I hope you get it all sorted out and can enjoy this time.

I have a suggestion for those with colicky babies - we took Rudy to see a complementary therapist who practises the Bowen Technique yesterday and he has been a far happier baby since - no repeat of the pain he had been going through over the previous evenings. Might be worth a go for your wee ones? www.thebowentechnique.com/

Hope everyone has had a good day!

[ShazGJ]

Can I join too. Our son was born 23rd June, very unexpectedly as he is our first and everyone kept telling us that firsts are always late, he was 2 1/2 weeks early! Loving being a mum, trying to BF but constantly worried if be is getting enough milk etc. My milk has started to come in I think as my breasts feeling very achey and constantly leaking.

MW coming at some point today to weigh him, just wish she would give an approximate time as it's such a lovely day for a stroll out with him.

[belfast80]

What a lovely day it was today. I actually took Rudy out for the first time on my own. We walked to a local cafe about 2 miles away and met a friend for lunch. He is sleeping a wee bit better now so I am like a new woman - it's amazing how pathetically grateful for just 3 hours of unbroken sleep :-)
How is everyone else getting on?

[Bogeyface]

That sounds really nice Belfast, its a great feeling when you manage it on your own isnt it? :)

I have discovered the most appalling fact about Isabelle! She has wind and was in a right old grinchy mood this morning. So in desperation and to allow DH to have a lie in as he has been working all hours and still helping in the night, I put the TV on in the hopes it would distract her long enough for me to do the bottles.

The kids had left Nicktoons on and it was Spongebob. She was quiet straight away, literally in seconds, and is gazing at the screen in rapture! I have done an experiment and Ben 10 doesnt do it, neither does Phineas and Ferb, its got to be Spongebob :o

For those of you going "Spongewhat? Phineas and Who?" start studying the kids channels now, so in a couple of years you can steer your little ones towards the programs you can sit through. SAVE YOURSELVES from the pain that was my experience with the bloody Teletubbies....I really didnt see that coming :o Ime, Phineas and Ferb is far better than Spongebob btw, but is bearable!

[WiiUnfit]

Morning all,

Lucas seems to be starting with colic & has been incredibly clingy & restless the last couple of days. I'm seeing my GP later about a blocked milk duct so I'm going to ask her advice! Very tired today & hoping to grab an hour later while Lucas naps!

Hope everyone else is having a better day!

[79monica]

Hi all, just wanted to mark my place on this thread for when all of the other "Jue in June" ladies have got their babies and have moved over.

WiiUnfit - I also had pre-eclampsia and an emergency C section under GA, no time for any induction attempts, Ethan was born within 3 hours of my CMW testing my urine and BP at home at 37 weeks! He was 4lb 6 oz when he was born but has been eating masses since we got out of hospital and last week he weighed 6lb (at 4 weeks 1 day). He was born on 23 May but because he was due in June I'm going to stick with this group rather than the May one.

I was lucky to get a lot of help initially. We had to stay in hospital for 9 days so had loads of MW support and then we came home during half term (DH is a teacher so was off all week) and then DH had 2 weeks of paternity leave so Ethan and I weren't on our own until this week. It has gone much better than expected, although I am in still in my pyjamas and haven't managed to get in the shower yet!! I don't know how we are going to get out of the house in time for my 9.40am GP appointment tomorrow!!

I hope that everyone is surviving the lack of sleep and endless feeding!

[79monica]

Obviously it was the BP and urine that was tested at home, not the emergency C section which happened at home!! Our house is not equipped with an operating theatre!

[KeepOnSwimming]

Marking my place for when I have more energy /sleep! Baby Keepon was born monday morning and I am reeling from tiredness - can't seem to sleep even when she does as I am "listening out"!

[ShazGJ]

Hi guys it's good to hear that I'm not going mad and baby blues are normal, have been really teary day 4 and 6. Can't believe Kane is a week old already today. Had a better nights sleep last night he only woke for one feed, tried to wake him at 6am for another and he wasn't interested, had a lie in until 8:40, feeling loads better surprising what sleep can do.

Just a question for those if you who had stitches, I have had stitches for a tear in my labia, it is still really stingy when I wee or bend down, how long will this last???

[Bogeyface]

shaz, its 20 years since I had my stitches so I cant remember how long it took to heal but I do remember that weeing while pouring warm water over the area helped. It dilutes the wee and helps take away the stinging, its the one time you are allowed to pee in the shower!

[nomoreheels]

Shaz, I had 2nd degree tears and quite a few stitches - it's more than a month on and they are only just finally starting to feel better now, although they dissolved a while ago. I also had a graze without stitches which took much longer to heal. Patience is required - and lots of cocodamol! I was also on Diclofenac for a week, which I know is not recommended with breast feeding but the hospital said it was ok for short term, and it did help reduce the initial inflammation. (It's an NSAID like ibuprofen, and also works really well for back pain.)

I am still not back to normal "down there" though and there is no way DP is getting a shag anytime soon - I think the 6 week advice must be for ladies who were tear-free! :)

I am utterly exhausted. DD had a bit of a cold this week and has been really out of sorts with her sleeping and feeding. She's reverted back from 3-4 hours to 1.5-2 hours between night feeds, but not eating much at each feed and fussing. It's nearly killing me and I pray that she will start sleeping through a bit more soon. I've worked out that I get roughly an hour of sleep for every ounce she drinks at night. (I'm BFing in the day and switch to bottles at night for my own sanity!)

One thing I was not expecting was lower back pain and on/off RSI in both wrists from picking up/carrying DD - be careful ladies.

She was 5 weeks on Tuesday, where has the time gone?

[ShazGJ]

Thanks bogey and nomoreheels. It's hood to know what to expect and am reassured that it's normal. Dreading DH going back to work on Tuesday. I am feeling a little less sore where my stitches are but ache especially towards the end of the day where it feels like the world I'd trying to squeeze out (TMI).

Know what u mean about RSI, I am finding I get cramp in my thumb after bfing from where I'm supporting his neck. Thank god for his bfing pillow, I don't know how I would support his body weight through feeding without it.

[WiiUnfit]

Sounds like your LO is doing really well monica :) We weighed DS yesterday - he's now 7lb 10oz at 3w+2d Clearly, aside from my blocked duct, bf'ing is working fabulously for him! DP went back to work 2 weeks after we came home from hospital, I was very grateful of the two weeks but I'm getting used to being alone now IYSWIM? Are you still sore from your EMCS? My wound is perfect - no oozing, bleeding, redness .etc but sometimes the area to the left of my scar feels so tight & sore! :( Sneezing isn't fun either!

[KeepOnSwimming]

Can someone tell me when they start to sleep for 2 to 3 hour stretches? I'm getting 1 hour max sleeps at the minute between feeding - day and night!

Exhausted and starting to feel very "unreal" with it.