October 2013: Newborn snuggles and waddles to the finish line

[FeministInTraining]

Stats sheet here

New arrivals here

Key:
SC - still cooking (pre EDD)
SFW - still f*ing waiting (post EDD)
OWT - on way to theatre (CS)
IP - induction in progress
SWIL - somewhere in labour
LIT - lost in transition

Hello! I was in the thread in the early days and have meant to catch up time and time again, but hope it works out this time! Congrats to all of you with your babies. I had my dd at 39 weeks late Sept, her name is Lily, and she's lovely. That was coming up three weeks ago now and it's only in the last couple of days I feel like I'm stepping out of a fog.

My labour was short and sharp - woke sore at 2am, realised it was labour at 4, was in hospital by 5.45am and had her at 8.45, then got discharged at noon. It was good being home so soon although given i have a DS and he was really clingy and demanding when I came home with baby in retrospect I may have been better off staying away at least one night.

Does anyone else's baby have really bad wind? Lily is doing so much crying and her poor stomach is rock hard. Am trying to feed her less often today but it's hard as she keeps making the face she makes when she wants a feed and crying. I got some gripe water today but am worried about using it as the instructions say not to be used under 1 month. Hmm.

Shire you're a hero. if you ever feel guilty in the future you should read back through this thread and be reminded of how hard you've tried to bf, your will power is amazing. I gave up and probably could have done it fine. but I know I made the right decision for us as a family.

sephy interestingly I have always considered myself very maternal and my baby was/is so so wanted but I have found these first few weeks very difficult and didn't really have an immediate rush of love for him. at times it still feels like his real mum will turn come back for him. but it is growing over time. I'm just saying don't feel bad if it isn't what you're expecting, it hasn't been for me!!

penelope yes my ds, 12 days is the same! ! doesn't burp much but is so trumpy and gets very uncomfortable! mw is coming this morning and going to ask her about things I can give him, will let you know what she recommends!! how are you feediny your dd? im ff and I know this can make them windy!!

roo please try not to feel guilty or beat yourself up over this. You have tried your best, it was going to make you ill, so you made the best decision. When you become a mother there are so many people ready to judge you, you really need to be kind to yourself. Happy mummy, happy baby .

flyer I'm so please that the initial results have come back clear. Have fingers crossed that the in depth results say the same and little Alex is back with you soon. Has daddy bought her girly clothes then?

mrsh so glad things are looking up this morning

imp have fun!

shooting get we'll soon :(

orange how are you?

nat looking forward to your news.

Checking in to new thread. Seems lots has happened since i last caught up.
Congratulations to the new babies and mummies

Sorry so many seem to be having troubles. Flyer thinking of you and your little one, hope she is back with you soon. To echo the others - the recovery after c-section is better and better every day so i'm sure you'll be up and about quickly.

Nat hope its happening for you and you are LIT!!

Labour vibes to anyone that needs them!

Those with feeding troubles - newborns have lots of reserves for the first couple of days and often sleep loads and eat little, so as long as they are getting just a little then they should be fine.

Re the formula - so many people (me included) do/have done the adding powder to cooled boiled water that it really can't be that much of a problem if the feed is used straight away. If it was surely there would be loads of sickly babies out there?! Just my opinion.

T is 6 days old today but hasn't been weighed since birth - is that a bit strange? I have no idea if he has lost/regained weight. Fortunately i think he is feeding fine, but would be interested to know...

penelope congratulations on the birth of lily. My lil guy is very windy and not easy to burp at all which leads to a very noisy windy bottom. I've found lots of firm tummy rubs and downward strokes woth fingers tips really helps him and gets lots out at once. I do a little each time I change his nappy as find I get more results on the skin. I often rub with my knuckles in between changes too.
I think you can you infacol and colief from day 1 but you should look that up.

ps I keep meaning to say thankyou to whoever it was that mentioned the referred post-cs trapped wind pain in the shoulder/neck as I had that and would have been pretty scared by it if i hadn't known. Peppermint capsules sorted it

Shire I am really pleased there is nothing wrong with Al. I am so sorry you are feeling it is your fault though. I am sure you are doing absolutely everything you possibly can. At least you know he is ok and being fed giving your body time it get used to it and build your milk supply.

I'm good thanks Tarlia. You? Can't get comfy and really tight heavy tummy today, like long but mild Braxton hicks, hips clicking away and lower back pain on both sides now so I am hoping it means things are moving towards being ready rather than just pgp. These niggles are nothing to moan about really. Reading the art of breast feeding trying to prepare myself as much as possible. Getting worried that so many people are having such issues. I admire you all!

Congratulations Penelope!

appetley that would be me. I was terrified as it was such sudden agony. I'm so glad mentioning it helped someone.

orange glad you are in good spirits. Sounds like you are in lots of pain :( Hope you have your feet up. The first weeks of breast feeding can be difficult, but things get easier as the days pass. We actually have a very high percentage of the thread trying out breastfeeding, which is amazing but highlighting the possible problems even more I think.

clapham are you around? You are very quiet

Feet down Tarlia, stretched out legs on birth ball to relieve hips and stop my massive tummy crushing my thighs drinking a blueberry smoothie and eating crisps to balance out the healthiness. I am now reading a "positive breastfeeding stories" thread to bring hope!

thanks roofio, I'll remember that however I feel is probably a normal way to feel about a new baby. It just feels so unreal at the moment, I can hardly believe it's going to happen.

Helps hearing all the stories of you ladies though to remind me that there really will be a little one soon.

Going to make sure the peppermint capsules are packed after apperley's comment...

penelope mw recommended infacol. the theory is it turns all the little gas bubbles that make them trump into one big bubblr that is easier to burp up. you get it free through care in the community at the chemist! worth a try so will get some today.
H has put on 6.5oz since birth 12 days ago so everyone very pleased!!

Ladies ladies ladies, wow so many babies!! I'm managing to keep up reading (as I can do this one handed) but posting a little more difficult!

Congrats to all the new mummies! I hope your enjoying your first hours/days/weeks. Its hard work but when i take a step back i realise how lucky I am.

Hope things are progressing well for you Nat agreed with other posters, demand away!

Flyer Congratulations on baby Alexandra, what a beautiful name. So sorry shes in HD, I for one know how hard it is seeing your baby in an incubator. truly heartbreaking. I hope shes out of there soon.

shire so sorry to hear you and Al are back in hospital. So glad your getting it sorted and admire your commitment.

MrsHN sounds like feeding is improving on the feeding front.

Imp Hope the dancing causes some downward baby movemements for you!

Feedng is going OK here, not brill. Were still using the shields as Isaac just will not keep his latch without. He was being referred for posterior tongue tie but the BF lady just called and said the referrral system has changed and its going to be very difficult to get him sorted. shes also not 100% sure thats the problem and that its probably that hes just lazy as hes always used the shield and has never had a proper go at latching on. looking back I wish I would have refused the shield whilst he was in hosp as the nurse was very quick to offer it when he was fussing, but I just wanted him feeding to get him home I also feel like hes not satisfied when feeding from me yet with a bottle of EBM he will settle for 3-4 hours. Not sure if our BF journey will last much longer. Its exhausting :-( The BF lady has pointed me towards biological nurturing mind so going to give that a try and shes popping out to see me on friday to help me get him latched without the shield. Not sure if its all too late though as hes 3 weeks and 2 days old now. Its all so sad, Im trying not to get stressed about it but DH has mentioned a few times about just putting him on formula which will be ok once I know ive done everything I can first.

Glad I'm not the only one finding it very difficult though.

HV coming at 11:30 to weigh him. I'm not too concerned though as he has been having EBM and a few formula bottles whilst out and about and generally hes quite settled (except last night)

to those still cooking, the wait is almost over!

Wow... I haven't been here for little more than a day and so much has happened.

congrats to all the new mummies! So many babies announced since Sunday. And such different birth stories!

Caz you are a legend...

wicked glad you finally had your little girl. This one made you wait a bit :-)

soup sorry your induction didn't go to plan but glad it was all OK in the end

flyer so sorry to here about your little girl. She looked a picture of health on FB. Hope they are just extra cautious. Sorry you have to go through all this stress and good your DP is your rock and supportive. Xxx

shire so sorry you had to be readmitted with your little boy... Hope it's not for long. Thinking of you. Xxx

nat I'm also failing to see why CS would be a better option than drip for you... Definitely ask questions! Don't let them dismiss you!

And sorry so many of you are having problems with BFing, sleep depriviation, judgemental people around you etc... Hope this thread is helping you stay sane. Being a mum is the hardest thing in the world. But also the best.

tarlia thanks for asking about me. you really are so lovely... I'm still here and SC at 39+1 with no signs and no twinges... I've been a bit quiet because DP really upset me the other day, hitting one of my deepest insecurities, and I've been really depressed for the last two days. Plus I'm also really worried about DS's dad and his health so have been going to see him and batch cook some healthy meals for him for the next week or so. Not an amazing week. This thread really puts things in perspective though and reminds me u should focus on the baby first of all. And reminds me everyone has problems and tough moments.. Xxx

clapham so sorry things are tough at the moment for you. Its very lovely of you to do all that cooking for ds's dad. Very thoughtful.

Quick update, Isaac is now 7lb 15, so has put on another 6oz in a week. HV very pleased but as hes been having ebm and some formula I know its not all down to me. Pleased hes doing well though.

been up and dressed since 9am which is good going.....just realised I had my dress on backwards!!

Hi all, I've gone over to the dark side and joined Facebook. Would it be possible to be added to the group? I can't remember who is best to add me :)

congratulations to the newest mummies xx

Glad things looking better today Flyer xx

and also glad C's feeding is improving mrsHN

Shire please don't be so hard on yourself - you are doing a fabulous job of making sure your little man gets exactly what he needs, and you are in no way a failure xxxx

apperley Our LO was weighed on day 3, and will be again (day 6) tomorrow, and also heel prick

roofio dd2 had colic when she was tiny, and we used infacol - it worked, but did take a few days to kind of build up, iirc, so don't expect instant results and give up - this was nearly 14 years ago though so it
might be better now xx

clapham sorry you are feeling low

Hope things are going well for Nat now, and anyone else SWIL

Arrrgh my waters have gone! Big rush on the chair (caught mostly by dressing gown) more when I stood up and keeps on going. I was very excited. Called the hospital just to let them know and check I am not meant to do anything and they want me to come in... I am not having contractions I don't think and it was clear fluid except for some white bits so a bit surprised they want to see me. They give a day now until they augment my labour. I presume that means induce? I really don't want that I am going to wait until DH can get home to take me as I don't want to be in hospital on my own.

How exciting Orange!

Keep calm, and have something to eat while you wait for dh xxx wishing you lots of luck

oh and meant to say, we are still struggling to name our beautiful baby girl, and people asking constantly does she have a name yet is even more annoying than have you had it yet if you can believe that

anyway

dh really wants to call her Lucinda, which I like, only problem being that his brother has a LO (just over a year) called Lucy. They are not close and we probably only see them 2x a year.....

but I don't know if the rest of the family will think it's strange,

would it strike any of you as odd? We do have other options, but don't really want to compromise - want to call her something we love.....

I want Ellen, but he is not keen.....

other possibility atm is Isabella

Glad I have you lot to ask!

slippy have pmd you!!
orange how exciting!! hope contractions start soon!!
caz mw said it would take a few days to start working too so I'll be patient!!

good luck orange!! don't worry - you have many hours for your contractions to start and your waters were clear so they will be more relaxed. They probably want you to come in just to check there is no meconium there.

Caz I wouldn't worry at all about Lucinda being similar to Lucy. I think you should choose the name you both like - it's already hard enough. And it's not the same name anyway, just a bit similar. Plus, they are separate people and will end up living separate lives. Not sisters and not even very close as you say. I think Lucinda is lovely.

Some people are so weird about names. I told DP about mrsH and her little Conrad yesterday (as it's also the name we've chosen). And he said "of no, so now there is another Conrad..." I said - there is another Conrad in Devon... we are in London.... and we don't even know the people... Are you for real? do you expect him to be the only one in the UK?". Strange!

caz my cousin 10yo is called zak. We see them every couple of months or so and ds is Isaac. I think it would be fine.

Orange good luck. I had to go in when my waters went too, to assess and make a plan. Here they let you.go.up to 48 hours for contractions to start. However by the time I got in hospital my contractions were coming thick and fast and he was born 1 1/4 hours later!

Good luck Orange x

Caz don't worry about similar names, my little cousin was born in day before my 5th birthday and her mum gave her same first name as I gave and a very similar middle name. We thought it was quite cool growing up although we are still called big ... And little ...

Good luck orange, nat, and bree!

Congrats to taking, penelope, wicked, oddlife, and soupqueen!

Wow that's a lot of babies! Sorry to anyone I missed.

I'm taking a break today from all the crazy cooking I've been doing. A friend came over with her almost 2 year old twins and it made me quite broody. It also made me realise how un-childproof my house is!