Late December - Early January Thread 2!

[Bella1985]

Hi! We're on to our 2nd thread for babies due at the end of December/Early January. 3rd trimester is in sight...!

Don't be hard on yourself Bella. You are doing much more than surviving. Although it may not feel like it,

Also, both Serial & I are on number 2 & I think that is a lot easier in some respects. The BF has been much easier. We have got the hang of it after a week this time whereas with DS it was a good month before we got there. Having said that, still not sure how im going to cope without DH. The thought of getting DS to nursery for 9.15 with DD in tow brings me out in a cold sweat! DH has decided to take this week of pat leave as well. Will just try & enjoy the next few days with him here.

The learning curve with #1 is terrifyingly steep!! No comparisons allowed. :)

Honestly I wish we could go a bit slower but needs must.

How's everyone doing? I do love all the cuddles you get with a newborn. Can't believe DH is back to work in 2 days . Then the hard work really starts!

Bella, how are you doing? You getting any sleep? I feel like I'm obsessed about sleep!

DS slept better than me last night; he's been producing green nappies lately so I'm trying to feed him on the same breast for several feeds in a row. All my reading suggests that I have a slight oversupply issue that is causing him to get too much foremilk and not enough fatty goodness. So last night I was feeling lopsided and a bit uncomfortable, but also trying to massage the fatty milk out as he was suckling. He has a posterior tongue tie which hasn't been causing me pain, but could be slightly impacting his ability to get the hindmilk efficiently. He does seem to get tired out after a while.

So anyway. I'm hoping these few tweaks will get his nappies to a more appropriate colour!!

I didn't dare respond yesterday as I was having a very bad day. DS was awake from 9pm until 9am on Tuesday night so yesterday was a very teary and low day. DH and I had a look online at PND symptoms and decided to keep an eye on my mood. My biggest problem is sleep which is contributing to my crying all the time so DH suggested that I was to have 'me' time - a bath, watch a show I like and sleep in bed alone all night and he would feed DS with expressed milk and formula and they would both stay up in the living room, and not bother me unless truly required. I stayed up with them until 2am before I headed to bed, I slept until 7.30am! It was very much needed! I fed DS just before heading up but he had a formula top up with DH as I went upstairs as he was still hungry, and then he slept until he had a bottle of expressed milk at 7am! It's the best night sleep he's had and didn't spend all night crying and routing for milk so I'm hoping that helps him. DH is rather tired and he won't be able to do this very often for us as he'll be back in work next week, but atleast I know that this is possible and I can have a rest every now and then when things get a little bit too much. My mood is considerably better today so hopefully it is just tiredness that's making me a bit emotional.

An HV came round today to do cpr training with us and she was really nice and supportive about mixed feeding for my sanity (better than my actual HV which told us not to mix feed or use a dummy and to take him off the boob after 40mins and leave the room for him to self settle at night). She also showed some handy massage moves to help with colic and wind.

We've started using infacol so hoping that will help poor DS over the next day or so, he has such painful wind poor thing, it's really sad to see his little face scrunched up in pain.

serial DH mentioned this morning that DSs poo is more normal colour now than the green tinge its been recently so it seems I may have had the same issue but DH forgot to mention it to me! Good luck and hope your attempts fix it.

emz good luck with DH back in work. I'm dreading mine going back next week. I'm hoping it will bring more structure into our days and as DS gets older and I get used to dealing with him on my own that things will get easier one can only hope

Hope everyone else is doing well

Oh Bella, it sounds like you have a very supportive DH which helps. I'm sure it's tiredness. On the second day DD was up all night rooting & wanting to be fed & I had nothing to give her. I was putting her on & off my boob & by 4am I was sore & sobbing. DH tried to help but I only got more upset. These little humans are such hard work & the lack of sleep makes it even harder. It does get easier as you grow in confidence & you get to know each other. You are doing an amazing job.

Serial, I had wondered how you would know if they were getting too much of the fore milk. That makes a lot of sense. I'll keep an eye out for that as its the fatty milk that fills them up isn't it? It's also the milk that tires them out for sleep?

Evening ladies. Just realised I haven't posted on here for aaages - I really don't know where the time goes! Had a quick read back as far as I could. So refreshing to know there are others in the same boat, sometimes feels like I'm the only person in the world awake at 4am!
Bella sorry to hear you had a tough day yesterday but feel free to rant away at us, we all completely understand!
As for me we seem to have settled in to some sort of normality (all be it a very different one!). Had to knock the BF on the head and switch to formula a few days ago. DS never took to the breast, he would latch but not suck. Started off expressing and topping up with formula but as soon as we started getting out and about the expressing became almost impossible, especially as my supply wasn't great. I was a little disappointed that we couldn't manage it but have come to terms with the fact that it just wasn't practical. Saw the HV for the first time yesterday and DS is 3oz above birth weight so all good. Also registered him today so he's now 100% official.
Took the plunge yesterday and booked a holiday to Spain for September. Half thinking I must be mad but need something to look forward to! Also I'm a teacher so it's pretty much the only chance I'll get to go away without paying extortionate prices!
Hope everyone is doing well and not suffering too much from sleeplessness 😴

Good to hear from you Happy, you have to do what's right for you & your baby. Sounds like you have a good thing going now.

Typical!! DH is back to work tomorrow & my lovely DD hasn't let me sleep yet! It's been. Merry go round of pooey explosions & feeding. Hoping she wants to sleep soon as Iv somehow got to get DS to nursery for 9.15!

How did you get on this morning emz?

Glad to hear things are going well happy. Time really does fly, we just realised DS will be 1 month old on Tuesday -where did that go?!

I'm very lucky to have such a fantastic DH. DS decided to sleep at 4am last night this morning which is a vast improvement, and he slept until 7.30, had a quick feed and went back to sleep until 10am! That's 2 good-ish days in a row... makes it all so much easier!

Well... She finally fell asleep at 2.30 but woke every time I tried to put her down. I eventually got her down at 3.15 only for her to wake at 5.30! DH took DS to nursery so that I could try & sleep but DD has just cried & fed all morning. Still in my pjs & hoping to have a bath (failing that at least a shower!) before I get DS in an hour. Wondering if it's a growth spurt or just her having a needy day.

Sounds like you finally getting a bit of sleep Bella, hopefully that will help make you feel better.

Have had a good chat with my lovely and knowledgeable LLL lady this morning (we've actually moved across the country since I met her but she is still my first resource for bf help!).

Ds's weight gain isn't great - not awful, but not great - and since his nappies are still green and I know he has posterior tongue tie, we've decided to stop the block feeding (if I do have oversupply I can adjust for that later, right now I want to encourage plenty of milk!) and I need to do breast compressions during each feed.

I think what's happening is that I currently have enough milk to satiate him for the short term, but he's not a terribly efficient feeder so gets tired out before he can reach the fatty milk. So he's filling up on the watery, easy milk but it is making him unsettled and he isn't gaining as much as he could.

It isn't a huge issue at this point, and I can probably turn it around over the next couple of weeks. I am hopeful, anyway!! We'll see what happens over the weekend (yellow nappies would be a great sign!) and fingers crossed he has regained his birth weight by his weigh-in next week.

These babies! Never a dull moment.

Good luck with the feeding serial. DSs nappies have started to look a little green again so I'll be getting some tips from my local breastfeeding support group on Tuesday. His weight gain has been good (16oz in 9 days) so not worrying too much about it yet.

We have been giving him a bottle of formula in the evening since Wednesday and it does stop his frantic rooting and he's actually slept a little during the 'night' over the last 3 nights (he went to sleep at 2am last night which is probably an hour he's been awake every single day of his life so far!) which is a vast improvement on his distressing marathon crying-feeding-rooting sessions (it lasted 12hrs on Tuesday night). I'm not going to say we've turned a corner yet, I'm just thankful for the 3 nights rest we've had, and he's slept much better so must be feeling better for it, and obviously hope for more! it's a dark art this breastfeeding business.

DS has started having more awake time after feeds - what sort of play toys are you using? I have no idea what is appropriate to give at this stage. So far I've been singing, making silly faces and playing with his hands and feet rather than giving him anything. He's sat in the swing chair for 5mins a couple of times but I can't tell if he enjoys it or not, he doesn't cry so I'm taking that as a good sign!

DS has put on 1lb in 9days. At first I thought our baby scale was broken so I used the adult scale we have and it showed the same thing. I'm gobsmacked at the rate he's gaining weight. He was 7lb at birth now 8lb10oz. At least that explains the increased feedings we've had / still having at night zzzzzzzz
We are also trying to get to some sort of optimal mix feeding. Expressing is such a faff, at the moment I'm expressing every time DS feeds including waking at 5am when DH is on the night shift. And I'm not sure how much to give DS as well in the bottle. He can quite easily polish off 4oz and still be crying for milk in less than 3h.
emz my in laws have been doing the preschool run and I'm hyperventilating at the thought of balancing it all myself when they leave in a week's time. Gahhh

Serial, sounds like you have a good point of contact there & an action plan. So hard worrying about everything plus their weight gain. Hope he puts on some pounds for you.

Bella, sounds like the formula is helping a lot. His weight gain is impressive! I hope he gives you more sleep soon. Sleep is so hard to cope without. I haven't thought about toys yet, I have already cleaned & put to one side DSs cast off baby toys. Basically brightly coloured toys, shakers & teethers. We are a way off that.

That is impressive Lucy. When I switched DS to formula at 16 weeks he put on 1.5lbs in a week. I remember feeling dumbfounded. I'm hoping I won't need to switch to formula for DD. Hopefully her reflux isn't as bad. We are solely BF at the moment, sometimes DD will sleep for 4 hours, sometimes she'll only go an hour or so before asking for more. Does depend on how sick she is in between. DH has said he will do the 2 nursery runs this week so that will help me massively. Just hoping my bleeding stops soon so I can do the swimming lessons. I'm also stressing slightly about contraception. Haven't had to think about that for a year & half.

Yellow nappies today! Yippee! I'm really chuffed and relieved. Hoping for some good weight gains next week. He's also not pooing as often (still a few times a day, just not 3x in 30 mins!) so I think the milk is sticking around his digestive tract a bit longer. All good signs.

We got our family photos back today and they are gorgeous. I wish I was more photogenic though. :( I thought I looked ok in the mirror!

Bella - no toys right now, but we sing to him, rock him, move his limbs around, stuff like that. He's only 2 weeks old and still goes a bit cross-eyed bless him, so I think toys are beyond his focusing ability still. :)

Lucy - that's an impressive weight gain! I expressed with my DD and it was hard work. I am hoping to avoid it this time... (coughlazycough)

Emz, my bleeding keeps coming and going. Such a nuisance. I went half a day with nothing and then leaked through a pad later on. Boo.

Great news Serial. Well done! We have also had family/newborn shots done. We didn't do it for DS as he was poorly from being prem. It was nice to do it this time. Got some really beautiful shots. I'm hoping the bleeding stops soon. It only lasted 2 weeks with DS. I need to start singing & interacting with DD. At the moment it feels like her interaction is having her nappy changed, being fed & having cuddles & kisses with us & DS. Going to look at some baby classes we can do once she's a bit older & now DS is otherwise entertained on Wednesdays & Fridays.

I thought the bleeding was tapering off last week but it's increased over the weekend. It would be nice if it stopped soon!

Glad to hear the nappies are yellow serial

That's impressive dedication lucy, getting up to express at 5am on your 'off' shift!

DH has gone to work today. DS has started the day well by sleeping a couple of hours between feeds last night (hurrah!) and being awake at just the right time this morning for DH to change him and play with him whilst I had breakfast, got dressed and relocated downstairs. So this morning has felt good!! Fingers crossed this lasts!

Hi everyone! Sorry not to have checked in for awhile but have been busy with various things!

Sounds like we're all progressing well with our various challenges. bella hurrah for sleep - and sleep at the right time for that matter!

serial yay for yellow nappies I never thought I would type that.

lucy am not surprised at the being hungry after a bottle thing - my night nurse says breast milk is generally digested in 60-90 minutes so a 4oz bottle will not last that long. Formula is heavier so it takes them longer. Fab news on the weight gain though!

emz my bleeding has only stopped in the last few days and I'm a full month post partum. Feels nice not to have to wear a horrible pad to bed at night anymore, my nether regions needed to breathe!

AFM, DS continues to be a generally contented little soul. I feel ridiculously lucky in terms of how he's doing. His reflux seems to be abating and we are slowly getting him through his witching hour from 7-10pm in a calmer fashion. He's started to "talk" and be much more communicative, and he can hold his head up and turn it from side to side. And he's slept 1030pm-5am 3 of the last 5 nights! Went to the baby clinic today and he now weighs 4.9kg which is exactly where he should be, which is great - and he's now 60cm long which is 99th centile, so he's grown LOADS. Am guessing the extra weight & larger stomach size is helping with the calmness and longer stretches of sleep - so hang in there everyone!

Am really starting to get itchy feet about wanting to exercise properly again. Cannot WAIT to get back into the pool and back onto the Pilates equipment. Am hoping they will clear me to exercise at my 6 week check next week even though I've read with caesarians you might have to wait 8-10 weeks?

Bella, I hope you survived today. Sounds like. Great start this morning. I surprised myself with how well we survived. Weigh in tomorrow & hoping DD has gone above birth weight. Feeling quite apprehensive but I think I'm just scarred from DS & how terrible & stressful his weekly weigh ins were.

Stealth, you give light at the end of the long bleeding & sleep tunnel. Sleep is getting better for us as DD is sleeping 4hrs ish between feeds. Then wakes ravenous!! Well done Baby Stealth on the growth & weight gain. Hope you get cleared for exercise, I'm still enjoying the haze of a newborn (& eating my body weight in chocolate most days )

We survived the first day alone! And the second day hasn't been so bad either!! I've gone out by myself today which I'm really pleased with. It was only for 2 hours to a breastfeeding support group but it meant getting us ready roughly on time, walking for 10mins to the cafe, and I took the long route home via a local shop, so I feel great! Getting everything ready and DS into his clothes was a task but once we were out it was lovely. I can't believe how anxious and aprehensive I am about such little things, I'm normally a go getter, but the responsibility of caring for another humanbeing has turned me into a right worrier. I'm sure I'll get better as time passes.

How did the weigh in go emz?

I'll be keen to hear what they tell you stealth about excersising post c section. I called my surgery to book my 6 week postnatal check with gp and they said they don't do them! I'll check with the HV when I see her next but not sure if this is just my surgery or an NHS Wales thing...

Evening ladies. Well done Bella on surviving the day and getting out of the house. It's much more of a mammoth task than it seems! I've only been for walks by myself to date but I'm going to try some groups/activities soon. Feeling a little anxious about it and I'm normally so confident! Re the 6 week check - I'm in Wales and have been told by both the hospital and HV that I need to get one and it says so in the booklet I was given when I left hospital. I've not actually tried to make the appointment yet, I'm just assuming they'll do it.
Glad to hear all is going well Stealth. We have a witching hour around the same time too. I can live with it though as DS is as good as gold the rest of the time. I'm keen to get back exercising too. Didn't realise it could be longer post section. Was fully expecting to be cleared at my 6 week check 😩. Will have to make do with walking for now.
With regards to the bleeding I thought mine had stopped last week as had nothing for over 24 hours. I optimistically downgraded to a pantyliner - then got caught out . It seems to be stopping and starting at the moment. Seem to have a bit of a gush that coincides with periods of activity I then get nothing for a day or so. Very annoying. Also very much looking forward to saying goodbye to the ultra thick pads and giant pants!!

Bella I've just seen your post on the other board from a few weeks ago re mucus. Just wondering how things are now and if you tried the saline drops? DS is very mucusy/sniffly - but only at night. They picked it up in hospital and said it was normal, especially in babies who've arrived via section. However I'm not sure how long to expect it to go on for as he's 3 weeks today and it's not getting any better. Some nights it's like there's a little piggy in the room with us!! I mentioned it to the HV and she didn't seem concerned but suggested raising one end of the mattress, which has helped slightly. I don't think it's a cold or an infection as it is only at night and stops as soon as I pick him up but there are times I get concerned as it sounds like he's struggling to breathe poor thing.

happylass what you describe sounds exactly like DS. He's still got it 4 weeks on, worse at night, very piggy when on his back. HV wasn't concerned so we took him to the gp, she listened to his chest and said it's not in his lungs so nothing to worry about! We've raised one end of the chicco cot as high as it will go. We haven't given him the saline drops, poor thing he's on thrush medication and infacol as it is. We're waiting it out. He's feeding well and gaining weight so until one of those gets affected, or we'll probably get to the 8 week baby clinic, before bringing it up again with the gp. It doesn't seem right, does it? But none of the professionals seem concerned...

Great news Bella. The thought is always worse. I wanted to take DS to a toddler group yesterday & DH thought I was trying to do too much. I stressed about it but when I got there it was fine & it worked well as DS got to play & burn off steam.

I was worrying about the weigh in (DS' weigh ins were very traumatic) but in a week DD has put on 12oz. No wonder I'm hungry all the time & feeding her a lot. She's pretty sicky too so really pleased. She's now a whopping 7lbs 14 at almost 3 weeks old. Plus we had a good night & slept pretty well for the first time in many months. She did 11-3 & then 3.30-7.

I thought a 6 week check us mandatory. Although with DS they didn't check stitches or anything, we mainly discussed contraception & how I was feeling. I feel so much better not being on the pill but there are limited options that non-hormonal. Maybe I'll just abstain

My MW said the bleeding can be on & off for up to 6 weeks!!! Hadn't been expecting that. I want to get back to DSs swimming lessons.

DD was very mucusy in the first few days which apparently is common in c sections & fast births as they don't hang around in the birth canal which normally pushes the mucus out. Our DS was very snuffly & it drove us nuts, when I looked on the internet there were a lot of parents talking about it. I think some babies are just more snuffly than others from what I could make out. DH constantly worried about DS but I was so knackered I mostly slept through it . Maybe mention it on his 8 week check Happy?