December 2011: Scratching, squeezing, hatching and latching...

[LittleMissHumbuggery]

...and those of us left are doing a fair bit of bitching:o

I wonder if we could get a [pompoms] going on? Do we have the energy for a campaign?

Right, come on! We're a third of the way through the month and Nickelbabe needs new recruits for her advent thread. Get squeezing:o

Hey everyone,

Neil & I are pleased to announce the birth of Sky Nicole Lily Terry.

She was born today @ 1:45pm after a 2.5hr labour. Will do a birth story soon but am shattered. Sky took to the breast very well even had 5.5ml from syringes!

Will catch up properly tomorrow x

Congratulations darcies! Speedy arrival in the end!

pully is she producing enough wet and dirty nappies? I'm asking because some babies do prefer to feed for a short time every hour (Miri does this in the daytime, DD1 did it round the clock!) and it isn't necessarily indicative of a feeding problem (depsite it being tiring, it doesn't last for long). Waking on being moved can also be normal for some babies and isn't necessarily anything to do with being hungry. If she is gaining weight and producing wet and dirty nappies regularly it could just be the kind of baby she is, which will change in time.

HOoray! Well done darcies and welcome to Snowball!

Pully exact exact same for me. She can latch fine but falls asleep after a few minutes. Is so frustrating. My milk has come in also, my boobs are like boulders and so sore :( It's hard work, isn't it? My plan for tonight is as soon as she falls asleep to break the latch, and put her down. She doesn't like that. Then she cries, I pick her up again and put her back on. I am hoping that eventually she will get the message and not fall asleep when latched. It's a pain as it's easier just to leave her there but she doesn't get anything that way. And she isn't producing enough wet nappies. And she had lost 8% weight since being born. Midwife said if she doesn't start putting on in next 2 days will have to go back in to hospital, that would mean being in on Christmas Day which I so don't want :(

Darcies congrats! finally! Yay!

Congrats sore lip and darcies :)

Thanks for your kind words everyone, afterca long day of thinking about things, I have taken your advise and trying to not let the Hollywood image get to me! I think He may have reflux rather than colic also, so may take him back to the gps, fingers crossed he gets better! Looking at buying a mattress incline thing to help him...

On a positive, after a massive puke, he has just self settled! And re pre pregnancy weight I'm now down to 10 stone... Another 1.5 to loose lol

mopsy so sorry to hear you're having the same problems as me, although it is reassuring to know that I'm not the only one in the world. I really hope you don't have to go back to hospital, will keep my fingers crossed for you.

Thanks again for the advice and reassurance mrsb we are so lucky to have you on this thread! I'm seeing MW tomorrow so will find out how much weight mini P has lost and if she can help. I guess it's just a question of keeping positive, just a bit difficult when you throw in no sleep and a mess of hormones!

Finally, congratulations Darcie! What a speedy labour! And a beautiful name for snowball. Well done you xxx

For pully and mopsy, a list of things to help with sleepy babies...

make sure your free hand is supporting your breast so the weight of the breast isn't on the baby's chin

switch breasts as soon as the baby begins to lose interest in active nursing, this may need to be done every 30 to 60 seconds at first (the first few times you do it).

Burp and change nappy. Burping should be done with the baby sitting supported upright on mom's knee or lap rather than over the shoulder because it's also less sleep-inducing.

nurse in clutch or "football" hold as opposed to cradle hold - it's a little less "cuddly" and sleep-inducing.

massage the baby's head (crown) in a circular motion while nursing. Also using a wet cold washcloth and wiping back against the grain of the hair growth can help.

Place baby on your lap with legs near your tummy and head on your knees.

Gently supporting baby, raise in sitting position, like doing a "sit- up". Do this two or three times, then do "side to side" a couple times.

You can also try breast compression.

It is worth remembering that these are rescue measures and that a couple of days of using these ideas to get as much milk into your babies as possible is all it will take to get them to be more awake.

Evening and many congrats on the new arrivals.
kir5ty - you are doing so well - I feel like I am still recovering from the birth and I had a very straightforward and quite easy birth.
tyel - I really hope your FIL comes round soon - seems so bizzarre to me - how on earth could that be more important than a new child.

Feeding going pretty well here, although very frequent at night. I am quite strict re the latch and will turf Freya off if it is not right. She also falls asleep on the breast very often and I am not sure what you can do - I try the tickling etc too. She is a very contented baby generally though, although a few tummy problems I think. Could do with more sleep but I think she is beginning to settle for longer periods so hopeful it will come.

Think someone mentioned sore stiches, I think i may have some sort of infection, though mw says not the stiches as they are healing fine and sadly (tmi alert) I think I have a slight prolapse of some sort. It is all very uncomfortable and think I must go to the drs tom, have been putting it off in the hope it would get better, but sadly it isnt. Rather scared that i might have permanently damaged that area.

msbI accidentally pressed the report button on your post. I'm on my phone. Didn't mean to! Pressed back button to try and stop it. Not sure if it worked- sorry!

Welcome to the world snowball-sky!! hurrah!

Sky has low blood sugars :( she's not getting enough milk from breast so having to top up with formula via syringe and she may need an NG Tube just until they get her sugar levels right and she can maintain it. So going to be a long night and Neil is being brilliant at feeding via syringe - wouldn't know what to do without him x

Congrats Sore Lip and Darcies ! Hope Sky is better soon Darcies. x

Baby boy Horse was born yesterday morning at 0725 after a 15hr labour, after going in on Sunday night with reducded movements (again!!) & geting induced. So knackered, have been home since 4pm-ish & DH has been doing everyhing but breast feeding! Will read up on thred tomrrow xx

Sky's been taken upto SCBU as she can't maintain her sugar levels.. She's been put on IV Anti-Biotics to prevent/fight any infection she may have due to my prolonged rupture of membranes. Can't stop crying as Neils up with her and i'm downstairs on the ward. Thank god Neil paid for a private room as I look like a gibbering wreck. Sky has to stay in for observation until Christmas day and will get discharged then if bloods show no infection and she's maintained her sugars & temp and everything else remains normal.

Feel overwhelmed and pants as feel I should of protected her from this.

Darcies please don't feel guilty, totally not your fault in any way. You've had a really tough few days, so please go easy on yourself, you've been amazing in a stressful situation. Hope sky feels better soon.

God morning all I can finally announce that baby figgy is here danny arrived yezterday at 5.34pm weighing 9lbs 4oz and he is a proper bruiser really alert with strong arms and legs. Was all over in 14hrs however am recovering from forceps delivery and the dreaded episiotomy will do a full report once home but think will be here until friday night at least I lost a lot of blood and hes being tested for temperature.

We are currently feeding in our 4 bed ward all to our selves still on the delivery suite due to the ongoing monitoring and just looking forward to daddy arriving back.in the morning.

LookingForward to catching up with all the progress and new baby reports.

Darcie congrats on the birth of Sky (great name), please dont feel bad, its not your fault and Sky is in the best place and is getting the help she needs to get better so she can be with her fab mum and dad at home. Sending posative vibs your way, stay strong and i hope Sky gets better real soon.

Congrats Figgy on the birth of Danny

Congrats Horse on the birth of your child

Yay, more babies! Many congratulations to Figgy and ARCH....

Reindeer, some babies just need a bit of extra help and that is what SCBU is for: nothing to do with anything you did AT ALL. Babies/children getting ill is one of the hardest things we have to deal with as parents especially as it feels unfair that we can't protect them from this. Just know that you have done brilliantly and have a beautiful baby who you will be with very soon (do ask whe you will get to see her as the staff should be able to take you to her even if its in chair/bed). Hopefully they will have a transition care ward where you can be with her as she gets better and this will be shortlived. Sky won't rember any of this when she's a chunky 5 year old bombing around the school playground!

((((((hug)))))

Ps watch out for the pesky 3 day baby blues as they will prob make you feel more tearful: if you know it's coming it's easier! Xxx

Oh darcies you have my sympathies. Isn't it awful when your little newborn bundle is poorly and taken away from you? It's very difficult to not blame yourself, but please don't. There's nothing you or Neil could have done in this situation. Sky is in the best place, receiving good care, and has two fabulous parents waiting to take on that care. She's a lucky little girl!
Congratulations to figgy and horse!!
pop pop pop!

Are the ladies-in-waiting going to take a break from the raspberry leaf tea for a couple of days? Or is someone planning a Christmas Day baby?
Have an amazing Christmas everyone! X

I'm looking at rental houses today. We've left it a bit late, but hopefully I'll find something and sign up today.

Hi all, sorry for being in hiding for so long. Just with the tough time I had, been spending a lot of time trying to recover! Baby aryaan is doing well, though going through a growth spurt so he wants to nurse 24/7 which is killing. Hopefully should've ease off in a day or so.

Congrats figgy darcies and sorelip

Conrgrats sorelip darcies ARCH and figgy

Darcies don't blame yourself. It's a horrible thing to go through (I had similar with DD) and you'll cry loads, but Sky is in the best place. She'll be fine in no time and she won't remember a thing about it. Hugs for you.

Aethel or anyone else, I'd appreciate some advice. DS's cord stump looks a bit gungy. Should I just clean with cooled boiled water or should I call MW or take him to GP?

Morning! Congratulations to arch and figgy!

darcies I hope Sky's blood sugars stabilise quickly, it is so hard not having them with you, rest as much as you can now so that you're feeling ok when she is well.

I have all three DDs on my own this morning for the first time [argh I have three children emoticon], somehow I feel like I should start being a proper grown up now. I'm sure it will wear off though! Miri is sleeping and nursing in the sling, I am helping DD2 decorate her scooter for Christmas (no idea why!) and DD1 is watching the Cbeebies panto...so it is fine so far!

DP is out helping my Mum with her Christmas food shopping for her and my Grandparents, I don't envy him!

Sorry darcies, just realised I tagged you as ARCH earlier. My brain is not working today as I'm full of cold. Hope things go OK today with Snowball xxx

And Kate, if it's just a little bit gungy then cooled boiled water several times today, and let it air dry (make sure nappy isnt covering it over, fold the front if necessary). It it looks red or swollen in the skin around it then get to a GP for a check. I'd usually say give it 24 hours but do bear in mind that it's Friday and then xmas eve/bank hols so your own GP will be around today but then not for 4 days. So if you're at all concerned then give GP a call. Out of hours drs will be there but bound to be stacked over xmas so best avoided!

Thanks aethel. It's just a bit gungy at the base, he doesn't have a fever, it isn't red or swollen and doesn't smell so I'll hold off on GP. Had been making sure nappy wasn't covering it, so will just increase the cleaning.

It's so useful having you and MsB on this thread! Hope the cold gets better soon.

Darcies I am sending you (((hugs))) and good health vibes. We are all cheering for you and Sky and i'm so glad your DH is being a rock for you and your family.

Now for the me me me part: Thanks for all the advice on the mad FIL situation. We finally ascertained that his problem was that we had gone for DHsurname-Mysurname and not the other way around (because we thought this was actually showing precedence to DH, and it sounded ok!) Apparently under some arcane rule of family history this proves I believe I am marrying down, look down on DH's family, wish to protect my inheritance, lots of shit about me being American and rejecting English traditions etc. So we said fine we will flip the names, all that matters is that both our names are in there - that was enough to get him to at least come meet his grandson.

However - the poison pen emails and calls are impossible to ignore and after much reading and thought DH has discovered that his father is a classic narcissistic personality. We have therefore decided to allow him to visit for only one hour to meet his grandson and then have only an arms-length relationship in future.

Poor DH - thank goodness the baby is sleeping brilliantly at night (cluster feeds from 10pm to midnight-ish, sleeps till 4am for a 30 min nurse, then sleeps till 7!) otherwise DH would be dealing with no sleep on top of his shit of a father. He really is grieving for the loss of what he thought would be a good relationship, and is slowly coming round to the fact that he needs to emotionally detach. I really should move this all over to the relationship board...