June 2013 - thread 5

[DontmindifIdo]

new thread! Jump on board!

In boots learnermummy - they were clearing the avent electric pumps, I snapped up the second-last one, and bizarrely the following week I was back in and they were full price.

It looked like the exact same pump, which was strange as mine had a clearance sticker on it. It's in perfect working order... Can only be pleased I managed to grab a bargain!

That's what the mw told me littlemiss - but in a very no nonsense way! :)

I used a pump in the early days with DS1 just to reduce the pressure to help him latch - otherwise it was like him trying to latch onto a fully pressurised balloon!
We then did as someone else has suggested - with DH giving a bottle of formula at bed time just for a break. Meant DH had chance to bond too. I thought about expressing for that feed but then I wouldn't have had a rest .
I liked my avent pump but preferred different bottles/teats so did the whole decanting thing, but used to store in breastmilk bags rather than bottles.

Well done on the bargain forget!

Now if we were like those witches on other parts of this website we would now all be judgmental about mixed feeding or expressing or whatever your personal choice is! Would have departed by now if so!

I would like to breastfeed though my motivations are more convenience, saving money and loosing weight:-) I read somewhere that the benefits aren't so clear cut as people who are more likely to breastfeed are normally the same people with better health outcomes generally, so its kind of a self selecting group. So you get 'breast feeding protects against childhood obesity' type stories, but people who breastfeed tend to also support toddlers with better diet, that sort of thing. But I'm certainly up for giving it a go, but will refuse to feel like failure if it doesn't quite work!

Anyone have elective section last time? How did that affect milk and feeding etc?

Anyone had iv fluids for dehydration that's looking good for me tomorrow as it doesn't seem to be picking up and my drinking water isnt making my wee and lighter sorry tmi

Sarah you are so right! It's lovely to be on such a friendly supportive thread rather than on some of the places where you feel judged at every turn!

Last time around I felt like such a bad mother as breast feeding didn't work and DS had to have formula as his blood sugars were right down and he was jittery from lack of food. One of my friends who works in stats sent me a piece of research she'd found along the lines of what you said.

Plan is that this time around we'll have steriliser and bottles ready ( as DH will be giving some feeds from early ish on whichever works out) and to have some emergency formula cartons. I'll be planning to breast feed and express but will probably hold off on the pump until I know that I'm able to this time. Maybe I'll have an order ready online for DH to action when I go into labour with the thought that if it doesn't get used it will still be in returns window! Will definitely be packing nipple shields in hospital bag this time too. I also think that dontmind and learner's tips on DH giving late night formula feed to give a small break seems like a good idea that I might well adopt!

I really need to get around to buying/ sorting stuff soon. I keep starting to panic but don't seem to have the time to do anything about it!!!

Cross post pink. Sorry to hear that but at least they're monitoring you and should get u sorted very soon. Hugs!

Pink - no experience (well not since I was 12 years old!), but I hope they sort you out tomorrow.

Re feeding - it's a different world - I'm planning to BF again this time, but the hospital have told me I need to start hand expressing colostrum in the next couple of weeks to build up stores pre-birth. This is so that if LO's blood sugar goes too low after he's born he can have expressed feed and not have to be cup fed formula. They run a special clinic I need to go to next week so I can pick up the syringes etc that I'll need.

We will mix feed after the first couple of weeks I expect, I'll express off one side first thing in the morning before BFing LO off the other, and express in the evening at dream feed time, so that DH can give the dream feed in a bottle. Has worked for us, really well with DD and fairly well with DS though he was on prescription formula rather than expressed feeds.

If BFing doesn't work (for whatever reason) then fine, I'll pump as much as I can and he can have formula too, I'd rather he was healthy and happy than held hostage to a desire to feed in any particular way.

Re pumps, I have this one which has the same kind of suction method as hospital grade ones - worked really well with DS, you can express one side or both depending on what suits you.

pinkapples I had Iv fluids when I was in hospital with my kidney issues and because of such bad morning sickness. worse part was the cannula being fitted coz I hate stuff like that!
Hopefully you'll start to feel tons better one it starts to feed in - I know I did. hadn't realised how bad I must of been.
good luck and hope you feel better soon x

Great tips rue thank you! How many weeks are you now? I had no idea we could be in a position to start expressing already!

I had my 28wk appt today and everything was fine. I was given a wristband from 'gracesgift' as a count the kicks type thing. I was also told that I need to start now to get the baby into a good position (ie do everything to avoid baby settling into back to back position). I'm obviously slightly in denial about how long ( or rather short) a time there is left as that seems so early. Really can't remember having to think about getting the exercise ball at the ready this early with DS! Aaargh!!!

I'm just over 31 weeks (already!) :) will start expressing around 34 or 35 weeks I think, although normal advice at my clinic is to wait till 36 weeks at least. But since I'll have a section no later than 38 weeks they're OK with me starting a bit early.

Well thanks for that- I had no idea! Maybe that'll improve my chances of it working out this time?

Oh pinkapples sounds awful. Have you had a sickness bug? Hope you get sorted soon.

Oh my goodness Rue you really don't have long to wait then!

Agree it's lovely to have a supportive group where people are trying different things, have added cartons of newborn formula to my list!

forgetmenots I know, and I'm so not ready... :o

My plan was to try a mixture of both if poss too. Am 29 weeks, and lactating already, is it worth me trying to express early if it is my first child? I was under the impression that I should wait until birth?
Def want to pump if I can- want DH to be able to feed him too, and have two sets of first time GPs who are keen to help out too. And it would be nice at some point to have a celebratory tipple if I can, so obv will be needing to express sometimes!

Picked up an avent microwave steamer from tk maxx for £15 and have a load of bottles that were donated new to us, so think I'm going to try an avent pump for ease.

Not going to freak out if I can't bf though, it's not like there isn't enough pressure on us as it is, without us piling it on ourselves!

Got lots of the 'fun' bits, but need to get the everyday items. Currently enjoying my 2 week Easter holiday so I'm gonna start getting some bits this week. It's nice to be able to do errands and make appointments (midwife/whooping cough/dentist/wax etc) without stressing about getting time off or fitting appointments around work. Once I go back I'll have a six week stint before maternity leave- I suspect I am going to be very envious of all of you ladies finishing earlier than me!

I've still got ages to maw so will be joining in the jealousy however have managed to not go to work yesterday or today well this morning at least as I have another doctors appointment.

No sickness bug don't know what's caused it learned the return of morning sickness I think feeling a little better now just going for a check this morning then the doctor will decide what to do with me

Woohoo I have done just enough to keep me out of hospital

Great news pinkapples. Are they giving you anything to help the hydration?

Morning all. Glad you've avoided hospital pinkapples, but take it easy, sounds horrid.

My arm is still really sore from the whooping cough jab yesterday and I've still a horrible tickly cough and it's getting harder not to wet myself during a coughing fit! Anyway moan over, must start some work!

Oh no sparkle fingers crossed for you!

No nothing I've got tablets to help the sickness which will help me eat and drink more but apart from that she said keep doing what im doing and to too it off finish work at 11.30 and whooping cough jab at 12.10 then labour workshop tonight hehe all the fun and games

Gosh - well done pinkapples and good luck sparkles! It's all go at the moment.....

I was planning on having my whooping cough jab a little later down the line but do you think I should have it earlier?

Took over 2hrs to get home from the office last night with shitty transport, I was utterly exhausted. Totally annihilated an easter egg for medicinal recovery purposes. Then caught sight of my arse in the mirror as I was changing for bed and resolved to never look in that mirror again for at least 6 months.

btw meant to say that boyfriend and I have agreed that from the very start he'll be doing some night feeds via bottle (whether formula or breastmilk, depending on how things go). My gran has always said to me, 'start as you mean to go on' and I am taking that advice to heart when it comes to the NewHuman!

Ha oli- I like the start as you mean to go on thing! It was like that with DH and ds- he's been amazing from day one and everything really is shared which is great!

Pink- so glad you managed to avoid hospital! I hope the tablets keep doing their job for you!

Sparkles I hope they get everything sorted/clarified for you!

I've been up all night with evil cough and its carried on all day grrr! I'm with you on the peeing problem too- every cough is a cross your legs challenge (sorry if tmi). Have been given antibiotics by locum doc but want to avoid them if I can so am holding off and od ing on honey and lemon warm drinks at the moment.