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March 2017 babies

978 replies

purpleviolet1 · 25/03/2017 00:22

So my 9 day old baby boy was delivered by emcs at 37+5 gestation due to presenting breech (waters broke and contractions started). First baby so lots to learn!

Currently giving him expressed milk and formula topup. We tried breastfeeding but there was latch issues, he got very frustrated as he wasn't getting satisfied and my nipple was cracked and bleeding within a couple of days. I then got blocked ducts and the whole thing was a disaster really. I feel like a bit of a failure and did get help from bf clinic for the latch but it was little too late. With the c section recovery I just feel too exhausted to have him on the boob constantly and least with formula he is getting some decent sleep (although I'm usually expressing during this time so don't get a proper rest).

Oh and his fussy time is between 10pm -2am. He tends to feed and need winded on repeat between this time. It's exhausting but tonight I had a nap from 7-10pm in anticipation.

Come and join me for some chat...

OP posts:
doleritedinosaur · 25/03/2017 01:30

Hi purple I'm glad to see your update & please don't feel like a failure, the endless Breast time is exhausting let alone when recovering from major surgery especially after everything you've been through.
I know the hormones especially in the early days don't help but you've definitely more than tried.

I'm just awake now after a feed & seeing if my 3 week old is going to go back off or need another one. He's had a sleepy day today after being on the move in the sling & settling in the swing.

That's good you're sleeping around his unsettled times, it will change around eventually.

Hope you manage to get some more rest tonight.

HughLauriesStubble · 25/03/2017 02:02

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

NameChange30 · 25/03/2017 04:39

Hi all, just checking in!

My DS was born on 10th March and he is scrumptious 😍 He was 9lb4 when he was born and he's now 9lb7 and too long for his newborn clothes! He's been fine health-wise but I got an infection after the birth and then mastitis, but it seems to be clearing up, touch wood. I'm exclusively breastfeeding at the moment and would also like to express so that DH can feed him sometimes, but as DS is feeding A LOT at the moment, I don't feel I have the time or energy to express just yet! The sleep deprivation is hard.

purple Sorry you had such a difficult time with breastfeeding, FWIW I think you made the right decision to switch to bottles and I'm impressed that you're expressing as well Smile

purpleviolet1 · 25/03/2017 08:20

Nice to see some replies! Well done to all 3 of you for breastfeeding.

Hugh what a shame that you went through labour and then c section too. I was only a few cms dilated when they took me for emcs. If you dont mind me asking was it an infection in the wound you had after?

I feel a bit better about the bf situation now. I hope I can continue to express for a few weeks at least but will see how I go.

So last night baby had his 10pm feed and went down at 11.50! Shocked! last few nights he has fussed and stayed up until after 2am. He woke up just after 4am. Meant we actually got some sleep although i still feel sleep deprived and in a total daze.

Dolerite what's your baby's routine like? Is there one now that he is 3 weeks or not really?

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NameChange30 · 25/03/2017 08:30

purple 4 hours sleep! I am insanely jealous very happy for you Grin

MyGreenSofa · 25/03/2017 08:55

Hi all!

My DS arrived 20th March weighing 6lbs 8oz at 36 weeks. I had hoped for a VBAC but unfortunately it was not meant to be. My waters broke and labour hadn't started naturally 24 hours later so I was induced but failed to dilate so had an EMCS. DS has been in the neonatal unit since he arrived as he's had breathing problems & needed antibiotics. He came out of his incubator in to a cot yesterday and no longer has any breathing help, so he's making lots of progress.

Carolann8584 · 25/03/2017 09:02

My DD Sophie Lauren was born Thursday struggling with BF but expressing a little and topping up with formula for now til we get the hang of it. Latching issues. Hoping to go home later today.

bobbis · 25/03/2017 09:30

Hello :)
DD was born 10th March 37 + 2, induced early. She was 5lb 6oz, 5lb 4oz on day 5 and is only now fitting into tiny baby clothes. I'm exclusively breastfeeding which is full on, especially every 2 hours at night but it seems to be working as she piled on 5oz in 6 days!
Sleep deprivation is making me a zombie, feeling sorry for my DS this morning who has bundles of energy

NameChange30 · 25/03/2017 09:35

Every 2 hours would be nice, at least you can get 1h30 or so sleep in between. DS goes through phases of feeding constantly - with only very short breaks - for HOURS. Usually but not exclusively at night. It's like a breastfeeding marathon and by the end I usually have a meltdown. Oh joy.

purpleviolet1 · 25/03/2017 09:59

My green sofa great to hear your wee boy doesn't need breathing help now, it must of been quite scary Sad any idea of when you are coming home?

Carolann - what a lovely name for your dd! All the best with the bf.

Bobbis - hat off to you as well, bf with an older child too! How old is your ds?

Name change - you are doing incredibly well - that's what I couldn't cope with , constantly being on the boob. I feel Exhausted enough as it is and with previous health issues it just isn't in my best interests to exhaust myself further.

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LottieL · 25/03/2017 09:59

Hello all! My little one was born 16th March by EMCS and reading all of your updates I am panicking for Monday's weigh in. This is in no way a stealth boast but she feeds every 2.5 - 3 hours in the day, and then sleeps for hours on end at night. Last feed at 10pm last night before she went in her basket, woke at 3:45am for a feed and then I woke her at 8:45am to feed her... Do I need to be waking her up three hourly through the night to make sure she's getting enough to gain?
First time mum here so I'm petrified I'm allowing her to starve herself!

purpleviolet1 · 25/03/2017 09:59

10 days old today and getting lots of smiles! Grin

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NameChange30 · 25/03/2017 10:04

Thank you purple that's just what I needed Smile

Lottie I'm a first timer as well but I don't think you need to wake her up to feed her, I'm sure if she was hungry she'd wake up and let you know! Although I think the midwives said that ideally they shouldn't go for more than 6 hours max between feeds.

purpleviolet1 · 25/03/2017 10:07

Hi Lottie, nice to see you here! I was told babies should be woken up every 3 hours and to worry if they hadn't fed every by 4.5 hours ish. This is so their blood sugar doesn't drop and they don't become lethargic.

Saying that though formula fed babies do sleep longer and my ds is taking 3oz-4oz total per feed (expressed and formula topup) so he can sometimes sleep upto 4 hours after he is settled (which can be an hour or two after the beginning of his feed)

You are ff right? I wouldn't imagine an issue with weight gain In ff babies.

Anyone else got any advice?

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bobbis · 25/03/2017 10:09

Name cluster feeding is draining, she was doing that for the first week and I was very teary. She's definitely in no routine with it as she's been glued to the boob most of the morning now.
You're doing amazing to be keeping at it, hopefully you can get some rest soon
Purple he will be 5 in 2 weeks. It's not been bad as he's at school full time but he breaks up for 2 weeks next week, just as my OH goes back to work Sad If DD had come on her due date we would have had Easter altogether but it didn't go to plan

purpleviolet1 · 25/03/2017 10:13

Oh that's ashame bobbis. Do you have family and friends around to give you a hand ? Maybe even taking ds out to the park or something over the holidays.

I don't know how I would manage with a child and newborn, hat off to you incredible mum's! It's all such a minefield at the moment each day is rolling into the next and I'm lucky if I manage to eat and shower.

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NameChange30 · 25/03/2017 10:34

Lottie
"‘The maximum your newborn should go without a night feed is five to six hours so that he’s getting enough nutrients and putting on weight ,’ says Arti. ‘However, babies who have weight issues do need to be woken up at regular intervals.’"
From www.motherandbaby.co.uk/baby-and-toddler/baby/baby-sleep-problems-solved/the-10-rules-of-night-feeds

NameChange30 · 25/03/2017 10:35

Thank you bobbis, I hope so too!

purpleviolet1 · 25/03/2017 10:45

Thanks name change!

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LottieL · 25/03/2017 11:29

Thank you all for advice and reassurance! I will be hyper aware overnight tonight to make sure she's getting what she needs 🙂 She's had two good bottles today already so I'm hoping she's getting enough through the day and is content for longer overnight, but I don't want to chance it. I'd rather wake myself and her up at intervals rather than run the risk of her not gaining weight and being poorly.

Well done to you all who have managed breastfeeding, I really struggled and eventually gave up. Little one is FF now. I do envy you ladies who have managed to keep going. It sounds like you are all doing wonderfully, and have lots of contented babies to show for it 🙂

NameChange30 · 25/03/2017 12:47

Lottie How much did your DD weigh when she was born and when she was weighed since then? Unless she'd lost more than 10% of her birth weight at 3 days and hasn't been gaining since then I don't think you have anything to worry about. Especially if you're FF. Flowers

LottieL · 25/03/2017 13:25

She was 9lbs2, and 8lbs11 after 5 days. They said this was a 4% loss. She's being weighed again on Monday. I will try and find a way to weigh her myself today to make sure she's alright!

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purpleviolet1 · 25/03/2017 15:08

Are all the babies feeding at regular intervals? Sometimes it takes us up to 1.5 to complete a feed, sometimes he takes 3oz and sometimes 4oz and then sometimes lasts 3 hours from beginning of last feed and sometimes 4 hours. Just wondering what the consensus is.

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purpleviolet1 · 25/03/2017 15:14

Example he started his last feed at 12 and finished at 2 (we stopped for burping and then thought he was done but he wanted more). It's only 3pm now and he seems as if he wants more. I would rather he lasted bit longer so that he could have a proper feed and settle rather than just a small top up now.

Am I thinking of this correctly or should we just go with whatever? My fear is that he won't have proper feed times that way

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doleritedinosaur · 25/03/2017 16:06

Hi purple we don't have a routine except following his big brother's one as he has groups & things throughout the week.
I basically feed when he wants milk which when not cluster feeding is every 2-3 hours so I follow his lead. I've learnt the difference between his over tired & milk cry but he gives me signs for when hes hungry.

He's had some awake periods but not really at night & has slept 4 hours several times but I just feel he's far too young for a routine.

It's how you want to do it though. I'm not sure with FF babies if you do a feeding routine.

Congratulations everyone, hope you're all enjoying your newborn's.

Just trying to get DS back off to sleep but his big brother is being typical toddler.

Lottie are you able to speak to a midwife to check about weight gain but I'm sure with only 4% loss you're doing great.

bobbis my OH has just gone back so I have the 2 year old. I was a bit terrified but I just organised ourselves so there's food in the house/freezer & get out to activities to occupy him but half the battle is getting out. Hope it goes well for you.

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