December 2013 - let's get these babies out before Santa arrives :)

[Stom91]

Merry Christmas :)

Thanks for the well wishes! My euphoria has been dampened slightly by the fact that I haven't slept all night and Joshua wants to feed ALL the time. Anyone else have this? I even phoned the hospital in tears asking advice.y nipples are so sore, I'm falling asleep holding him and he just won't settle. I'm so tired and it's only the first night. I nearly topped up with formula but didn't in the end. DH is so tired we're both cranky with eachother and he made me feel guilty when I was going to use formula saying I'm giving up already. I wasn't going to give up, just top up so baby sleeps and my nipples can recover a bit.

i haven't posted in ages but am still checking in to read birth announcements.
mum re breast feeding, I had exactly the same experience and was in tears. its tough but once your milk comes in he'll be more satisfied and go longer between feeds. I also gave ds2 a dummy on day 3 to give my nipples a bit of a break. I know that's controversial but I.was sure ds wouldn't get nipple confusion and it meant I didn't give up breast feeding. ds2 is 4 weeks old today and still bf so it worked for me. Good luck to all still waiting and congrats everyone who has popped recently.

Thanks chilli I think that time in the early hours is the worst psychologically- I feel better this morning and managed to sleep a bit. Have read up on cluster feeding and sounds like it's fairly common and like you say when milk comes in hopefully he'll go a bit longer between feeds.

One thing I'm not sure about (which I'll ask the mw today) is how Do you know if baby is feeding when it looks like they're asleep- should I take him off the boob or let him suck? I only have 2 visits post birth from mw- day 5 and day 10- I think that's rubbish! Going to find a local bf clinic but not sure if any will be open before Jan??
I have dummies on standby- nothing wrong with that I don't think if it helps them soothe and keeps your sanity. Ds1 had a dummy, ds2 found his fingers at 10weeks and at nearly 3 still uses his fingers and a blankie to get to sleep, we'll see what this one decides to do!

mum I always find that when Lleyton is sleeping, that he's not feeding at all but using me as a dummy so I stroke his face or tickle his feet to wake him up.
Don't let anyone make you feel guilty about formula Hun. I top Lleyton up on a night with formula and I'm glad I do or I'd never sleep. I also find he's a lot more settled now that I do.

Lleyton had a dummy from birth, I took one to the hospital and wouldn't let anyone tell me not to give him one, it never caused nipple confusion and it settles him lovely sometimes. Xx

stom how you doing Hun?
better are you still waiting too?

Good luck to anyone still pregnant, hope you get some sure signs soon xx

mum congrats!! great news :)

When she falls asleep on my boob, i can feel the sucking stop so I tug her away and then she wakes up and realises and sucks it back in to continue feeding. when my milk came in she started feeding as often (although definitely not as often as joshua is) but for much less longer - ie a feed is 15-20 minutes which is more manageable than an hour on the boobs.

Congrats on your arrival rose I'm getting behind......beautiful name too Hun xx

Still here and still pregnant lol.
Lost loads of plug yesterday and lots more today - seriously how much is there lol. But nothing else has happened. Getting bored now. Really would like her to come this weekend so I haven't got to have another sweep on Monday or be induced - really don't want to be induced.

Mum gave me £25 Xmas money so cheered myself up and got a new charm for my pandora bracelet - the one I had doesn't look lonely now. An it was in the sale so only paid £19 instead of £40 :)

Just making dinner and then going to have a bounce but I d

Urgh stupid phone

But I don't think it'll make any different to be honest.
Beginning to think that I'm going to be pregnant forever.
Then I keep thinking I'm going to be a rubbish mum
So worried I'm going to get things wrong or feed her wrong etc. I'm already worrying about what I'll do when dp goes back to work xx

stom I worried about dp going back to work too but it actually turned out to bd a good thing, it allowed me and kids to get into our routine and I became much more confident at my mothering skills when he did.
You'll be a great mother Hun and I'm sure you're gonna do fine.
Xx

Congrats mum and rose!

Mum I feel for you on the endless feeding/ no sleep nights, exactly the same here. Last night my nipples hurt so much I swear it was worse than labour, then my 'good' nipple cracked and bled. I decided to give up bf, cried and got out the formula. Woke this morning (after a whole hour of sleep) to find milk had soaked through pads and was all over my top, sheets etc. called bf helpline and cried to a very nice woman about it all, seems crazy to give up when I have so much milk. She advised there must be something wrong with the latch even though midwife says it's fine, she runs a drop in session tomorrow on other side of London so going to drive over and see what she says. So expressing and ff for now, hope tomorrow there might be a break through.

In the meantime can I ask for advice on ff? Ds gulps it down then squirms it cleArly hurts his tummy. I break to wind frequently and use a newborn teat, any other advice? He also gets hiccups after most feeds.

hot on ff is seems you're doing everything fine Hun, I wind after every ounce and I also have tommee tipped bottles as the teat resembles a nipple and ds3 seems to prefer it xx

Congratulations rose and mum. Beautiful names too. We must have the best namrd babies on mn lol.

Mum seb was the same after the first night. It took me about 9 days to put him down to sleep lol. And at 15 days today has been rough too. He has been ravenous since about 11am. Had 2 30 min snoozes on my chest the rest of the time feeding. Poor nipples.

Lanisoh has been an absolute life saver. He has been a very enthusiastic feeder since day 1 and although nipples are sore I think it is more the let down than him.

And anyone who says bfing shouldn't be sore after a couple of days must not do feeding on demand including cluster feeding. Logic tells you that if you vigorously suck any part of your body for several hours its going to get sore. Never mind somewhere sensitive like your nipples.

I personally can't wait for dp to go back to work in the new year. I had an elcs on the Friday. He went to work on the Monday. Then moaned when he came home if he had to go to get mikk etc.

He has made all my lovely whites dingey by washing them with darks.

I caught him dusting with wet wipes. Twice.

He can only cook ready meals and processed crap.

And he makes more mess than what he tidies up.

Wanker lol.

I ought not to worry about housework and stuff but if things aren't done my way I get stressed.

And anyone else who had an elcs how have you been?

I am on day 15 and have started bleeding again today. Didn't have this last time.

Going to co sleep tonight I think. Dp pissed so relegated to sofa. Seb asleep on my chest so going to try and get him in the crib for a while.

hotcross sorry to hear you've been through it with the bf- sounds like a very familiar story- with both my other DC's that happened to me, lasted a week with bf then both nipples cracked and bleeding (despite mw also saying latch was fine) and I ended up a wreck and resorted to ff. I'm worried it's going to happen again and there's only so much I'll take then I'll get to the point where I'll think that much pain and misery isn't worth it and give up. Good on you for going to a support group, I hope it helps. I'm planning to go to one but don't think any are open till after NY.

I'm piling on the Lansinoh too and have breast shells that seem to help so my boobs can breathe and not get stuck to those breast pads.

So tired I can't focus on what I'm typing, I bet I'll put a sleeping Josh in his Moses basket and he'll kick off as soo as he realises he's not sleeping on me...

Congrats mum and rose!

Sorry to hear about those with feeding probs, it's so stressful. To have painful nips as well as feeling wounded wherever the baby exited your body, urgh. I was terrified the pain and mangled mess would prevent us from continuing with bf - each feed felt like my nipples had been ruined. But lashings of lansinoh before and after every feed, plus having this one adjustment (push breast in a littke with one hand, then with another pull baby 's chin down to help open mouth more so baby's lower lip points down) really helped. They are still sore but not bleeding. And DD is getting the hang of it more so feeds are generally less painful. The beginning still hurts like he'll but eases off when she gets in her stride. It 's a bummer that there are not many bf support groups open at this time of year as I think timing is obvs crucial and you really do need someone good to look at the latch and come up with a magic adjustment to help turn the corner.
Also I was using towelling washable breast pads which stuck to my cracked nipples taking causing even more pain. Have switched to disposable now.
For the last few nights DD has been waking and feeding constantly, only allowing the off 1 hour window for me to get done sleep. Last night was a little better though, we co slept and I gave her my finger to suck to resettle her lying meditation me rather than picking her up yet again to continue a half hearted feed. Maybe I should get her a dummy...

Good luck for those still waiting, having a show is a great sign. The last few days are maddening though - be kind to yourself. Pretty normal to feel hormonal, angry, scared, bored, impatient and apprehensive. You'll be through this stage really really soon, but while you're in it it really drags. Good luck x

yoga thanks for the latch tip- one of my nips is worse than the other so will try and open his mouth more for that one. Last night wasn't as bad- cluster fed from 10-2 then DH took him downstairs for 2 hours so I could sleep (he rarely settled in his Moses cot) then fed him again and put him next to us then slept for 3 hours. I never co slept before but was pretty desperate and he was so content- maybe my body heat makes all the difference? I'm really worried it's not safe tho, anyone have any tips to ensure it is if I resort to it again? Feel so good having had a decent stretch and he woke and just had 20 mins on one side- before it was 5 mins then fall asleep- my milk is coming in so I think it's making a difference..

Argghhhhh in getting so annoyed and fed up now 41+1
Nothing I'm so huge that nothing fits me. I look stupid. Checkered blue and white pj bottoms and a fed jumper I don't even like it all that's I've got
Left to wear today dp may have a mate coming over so I'm guna have to find something half decent. I can't even wear a bra cos it's just too uncomfortable if I do wear one I end up getting all frustrated and annoyed so I just don't bothered. I feel like such a skank.
Fed up of the anything happening questions. Although to be fair I haven't had many it's mainly my mum keeps asking and dps mates but they txt him so I don't really see any.
Everytime I say no to mum I feel like I'm letting her down she's so desperate to meet the lil one. But so am I. Just she's told everyone she really 'needs this baby'

I said to dp this morning I look stupid nothing for and he replies with you don't you look beautiful - I dont agree lol

Sorry for ranting yet again this seems the only place I can let it out. I swear I'm still going to be pregnant in 3 years lol.
I can't even imagine going into labour now or holding a baby.
I just want scream and cry
Going to make some Cakes and take My frustration put on the mixing bowl haha

Oh stom I felt exactly the same and I only went 5 days over so for you it's even worse. I felt started to feel like I was going to be pregnant for ever and couldn't imagine giving birth but it happened so don't worry you'll get there!! I was getting so fed up of my mum asking if I had any twinges at least twice a day!

She even had the cheek to say she felt sorry for me having 3 boys then said, actually I don't as it's your choice! Not sure she was joking but omygod! I think she wanted me to have a girl, she finds my boys so loud and boisterous. Grr, really fucked me off, I have a beautiful new baby boy can't she see that?? If she says it again I'm going to bite her head off!.

Thanks mum. Yeah I would be annoyed too. She's got a beautiful new grandson she should be grateful lol.
Yeah I would say something too. Doesn't matter if they are boys girls or aliens they are yours and you love them and that's all that matters.

My mum just gone crazy in the asda baby sales. Dd now has loads of new 3-6 months clothes which is good as she didn't have many lol so it's not all bad lol.

Hello everyone, sorry I haven't been around very much. Olivia is quite time consuming it seems!

oh gosh storm I feel so sorry for you, you must be so fed up. Having her early meant I didn't get the "any news" texts but I can imagine how annoying it must be. It's not like you would keep it a secret if you had given birth is it?!

mum ooooh pisses me right off when people say things like that. I would have slapped her.

Hope everyone else is okay. I have to scoot off again as madam is protesting about being in her moses basket so I shall go shove a dummy in her face cuddle her and calm her down. Those of you who are still pregnant I recommend you sleep all you can. It is a myth that babies sleep.

Hi all. Just checking in a week after birth. Those of you on the FB group will know I had 8lb 3oz Charlie on Sunday 22nd at 3:40am after a long sleepless latent phase, I hr 3/4 pushing and an emergency c section (baby's head was presenting the wrong way). He developed jaundice and we were finally discharged at 8pm Boxing Day.
We're just getting settled at home but desperate for bf help as he's never really latched and so I'm cup feeding him EBM.
Does anyone else feel like they're being judged by the MWs and HVs? It's driving me mad.

Snoz! Congrats on Charlie. Sorry you had to spend Xmas in hospital though, how was it? I just wanted to post quickly in case my bf experience with DD1 is of any help - I literally could not get a latch at all, and drive myself mad hand expressing, cup feeding, topping up with formula, desperately trying to give DD1 the opportunity to latch. The while cycle every 3 hours, I found it exhausting and miserable. Anyway, I was recommended nipple shields and wouldn't have been able to bf without them. They're a faff and we were using them for weeks and weeks, but if you haven 't tried them and want to keep on with the bf, i'dcreally recommend them. If it is making you miserable don't let anyone make you feel bad for using formula! Your sanity is the most important thing, and your baby getting fed! All the best x

Snoz - Congrats! I had this. It will be the jaundice making him sleepy. Mw gave me syringes to feed with as they suck your finger while drinking it and makes them think they're sucking it. I then used nipple shields which helped bit I'm now really struggling to get him to latch on to nipple and dhields make me sore for some reason. Not saying don't use them if you need to tho, I probably wouldn't have gotten this far without them.

Just spent 3 hrs at bf group he latched on ok on one side but then screamed at the other side. I know to fix this I have to give u the bottles and go for it, dreading the long sleepless night ahead already

Congrats Snoz!
Just wanted to say I also had to hand express/cup feed for a couple of days as baby just wasn't interested in latching as he was a little poorly for the first couple of days. It was a huge faff and I found it really hard, thinking I was doing something wrong. However, a couple of days later and baby us currently cluster feeding. He just needed a bit more time to learn, and still is! If your DS has jaundice he also maybe just needs a little longer. I don't have any advice other than try to stick with it if you feel you can, it does get easier. Ignore judging mw and hv although know this is hard. My DS screamed the place down if I put a boob in front of him to begin with which made me feel like there was something wrong with my food. Luckily my mw was lovely.

Well today is the first day my baby blues have passed (hopefully!) I have found the last few days so hard - never felt so anxious over everything in my life before! So overwhelming! Even though I knew to expect them it caught me by surprise.

Thanks Yoga, Hotcross and Wee. It's good to know others have hone through the same thing. He seems more alert now and he gained weight at his weigh in yesterday so that's given me peace of mind.
I try him at the breast before each cup feed and he does give a few sucks sometimes but can't see a swallow so think still not latched. Any suck to me though is something!
Last night we tried letting him wake us for a feed rather than setting an alarm and it seemed to work i.e. he settled down afterwards better cos we hadn't woken him. Plus I prefer a baby noise alarm to an iPhone equivalent! Still setting resetting an alarm after each feed just in case so he doesn't go longer then 3-4 hrs.

Fingers crossed for some help at Baby Bistro group tomorrow.

Been having contractions since around 4am so hopefully today is the day!