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...!

[happylass]

Thanks Bella. I'm not keen on giving him anything either. I've only raised the cot slightly but maybe I need to tilt it a little more. DS had a chest X-ray and 36 hours of obs when he was born due to his rapid breathing but they found nothing untoward. The snorting is only at night and when he's awake but lying in the cot. He's asleep downstairs in the Moses basket now and I can't hear him at all. I will definitely bring it up with GP at 6 week check if it's still going on then.

[Bella1985]

happy DS suffers from reflux/colic so we've raised the cot as far as we can otherwise he screams in pain and is sick. It helps with the mucous a little but not a lot.

Fantastic news on DDs weight gain emz It's worrying when they're sicky isn't it? DS is the same, it sometimes feels like he's bringing all of his feed back but clearly not. Your description of DD as 'whopping' 7lb14 at 3 weeks made me smile! DS started at 7lb15 and at 3 weeks he was 9lb...my arms are starting to really hurt when he feeds for a while so I'm guessing he's close to 10lb now...I need to hit the weights in the gym if I want to continue carrying him beyond 3months old!

Re contraception, I was on the combined pill for 11 years before trying for a baby (originally due to irregular and heavy periods) and I really don't want to get back to that horror but DH mentioned something about the hormones being passed through to DS and that made me worry. Not planning on having sex for a while yet so not too worried but need to start thinking about these things

[LucySB123]

Good news on the weight gain all round and that everyone is coping.

I am wondering about daytime feeds / routine? Strange question from a second time mum but DD was low birthweight and jaundiced so we had to wake her every 3h for a feed during the day. And we kept doing it until it became part of her routine. I've been doing that as well with DS but wondering what you ladies do? Do you wake them during the day or let them be?

[SerialReJoiner]

DS doesn't take long naps - about two hours max, and is ready for a feed as soon as he's up. I would only wake a baby if he/she is struggling to gain weight and mustn't miss a feed.

We had a weight check today, and DS has finally surpassed his birth weight. He is 3 weeks old tomorrow, and his weight gain is slower than it should be. He gained 6 Oz in 9 days. But, that doesn't take into consideration the change in managing his deeds over the weekend, so it could very well be a large jump in weight over the past few days. If only I'd weighed him on Friday! He is down for a tongue tie revision, as he's obviously struggling without me actively helping him at every feed. Whilst I'm glad I'm not in pain, I'm a bit out out that his tongue tie is causing a bother. I shouldn't complain, really, as I had it a lot harder with DD, who was losing lots of weight andy milk supply tanked. Hey ho.

I'm feeling ready to start exercising now... Except for the crushing tiredness! I think I'll just start doing gentle yoga.

[Emz32]

Bella, if you are breastfeeding you can't go on the combined, you can only take the mini pill (progesterone only). I've never asked why but I wonder if it's because it passes to baby. I did think about the coil but I'm not sure I can go through with it. DH did suggest the withdrawal, on the basis that if it failed it wouldn't be the worst thing (!). I had periods when I BF DS so I'm not sure I can rely on BF stopping ovulation which it does in some people. Sex feels a long way off at the moment!

Lucy, I was also told the same with DS. I woke him to feed him as he was losing weight & it was very stressful. I tried not to wake him too much during the night. DD is gaining ok so Iv been letting her sleep & feeding her when she wants it. Sleep is just as important for them I figure. She isn't exactly a whopper at 7lbs 14, she's more delicate but it feels like a hefty weight gain. She's certainly chubbing out. Sounds like you are getting there Serial, I'm sure his weigh gain will improve. DD & I had a good night lastnight. She did 11-3 & then 4-7. Hoping she likes her sleep like me!

[Bella1985]

That sounds like a brilliant night emz

lucy I'm not waking DS for feeds. He's gaining weight well and is a rubbish sleeper so if he's having a long nap, I'm pleased! Not sure if this will need to change later when establishing more of a routine...

Something weird has started happening with me. Contributing factors probable are- I've eased up on the paracetamol now that I'm 4 weeks post c section, and have started going for longer walks, am finally able to sleep on my side for long periods of time without discomfort and now my [ahem] undercarriage netherregions?! are feeling a bit sore...I haven't had any pain in the vagina area at all since birth, which was a surprise considering I did 3 hrs of pushing and had an attempt at a forceps delivery and turning by forceps, but weirdly it's only now I'm feeling it. I don't think exercise is on the cards for me for a few more weeks!

serial when do you have your next weigh in? Not too long hopefully so you can find out of your strategy is working and the gains are bigger.

[SerialReJoiner]

My LLL lady said he needs to be weighed weekly for now, just to keep an eye on things. Weighing that regularly can be crazy-making, so I'll only be doing it until we're no longer concerned. Maybe concerned is too strong a word, but you know.

Bella, that's a bit weird and sounds uncomfortable! I hope the bruising passes asap.

[Emz32]

Think I'm coming down with something. Just what I need. Feel rubbish & struggling with 3 week old & 3 year old. Oh Bella, that doesn't sound good. Is there someone you can ask? Have you got your check coming up? Will keep everything crossed for you Serial. Weekly weigh ins & the pressure sends you over the edge. I remember being in tears before & after every weigh in with DS.

[Bella1985]

Oh no emz - hope it passes really quickly for you.

GP Surgery said they don't 'do' 6 week post natal check but I'm going to book to see a gp anyway and will mention the soreness and get them to check the scar etc.

serial hopefully you won't have to do too many weekly weigh-ins and you'll see the benefits of your work immediately.

DS has refused to sleep today. He's fussed at the breast all day and just wouldn't sleep. I hope he's not ill, he sounds more mucusy than usual so I'm wondering if he has a cold.

[Emz32]

Feeling pretty rough which is hard going. Just hoping I don't pass it on. DD was exactly the same as your DS was Bella. She fussed all night & then all day yesterday. Then slept amazingly lastnight. Doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason to it. Wonder if it's a growth spurt maybe. Hard when she just wants to feed all the time. She made me quite sore yesterday & barely slept. Hard work with a horrible cold & DS. I used to look forward to bedtime, now I almost dread it in case I'm up all through the night. Oh well. It's only for a short time (hopefully).

[Bella1985]

I've been wondering about a growth spurt too emz. He'd been doing so well for a week and seemed to be settling in to a routine. My nipples are a little sore too, I need a short break for them to recover between feeds but this fussing stage isn't providing sufficient time! Ouch! Get well soon

I've just put on a pair of boots I haven't fit into since September - I'm so pleased my feet have gone back down in size! I have my skinny ankles back too! only skinny part of my body Now that I stop to think about it, I haven't had a chance yet to fully appreciate the things I can now do since I'm not pregnant. Am looking forward to having 20mins to paint my toenails now that I can reach them comfortably! I walked up a steep hill yesterday and I didn't have to stop for a break or immediately sit down at the top And sleeping on my back and rolling over easily in bed

What little pleasures are you enjoying?

[Emz32]

DD decided to be up most of the night. I think I managed 3 hours of sleep. DS is now full of cold too. Fun times ahead. I'm a bit sore too from all the feeding. Great news of the boots Bella.

Iv been appreciating the small things, I can now put my socks & shoes on! I can also pick DS up without worrying & sit with him on the floor more comfortably. I had got to the fed up stage of pregnancy this time.

[Emz32]

Turns out a 4 week old baby with a cold isn't much fun. We are all still suffering, DS is pretty rough but still full of energy. Every time I tried to put DD down she sounded like she was choking, would struggle with mucus & then projectile vomit so would need feeding again. I got 1 hours sleep 4.30-5.30. DH has just caught the lurgy & went to bed early sleeping from 10-6.30 & has gone to work feeling not too bad. It's perfectly acceptable to hate him right now isn't it . How's everyone else?

[Bella1985]

I frequently tell DH I hate him! Especially when he complains he's tired eventhough he slept 11-7 in the spare bedroom

I am fighting a cold now too. DS slept really well last night (12-3, 4.30-6.30, 7.45-9.30) so I slept well, but due to the cold, I still feel rough today. Those kind of hours would have normally had me bouncing all day with energy and happyness. But I let DS sleep on my chest this afternoon against all guidance whilst I slept on the sofa and we both had 3hrs which was very much needed. I'm hoping all this sleep is keeping the cold at bay rather than it developing to full blown lurgy. One can hope.

On the plus side DSs mucus seems to be bothering him a little bit less so that's good!

[Emz32]

Nothing worse than then complaining about sleep. Ha! Yesterday was quite painful & I was very short tempered with DS. Feel awful about that.

Bella, I had to do that the night before as DD couldn't breath once I laid her down. It scares me as my cousin ended up in A&E with his son (at a few months old) as he fell asleep with him on his chest & he rolled off & hit the floor. They were made to feel so bad but I think most parents have done it so I just went with it. DD is so comfy lying on my chest. It's so nice & snuggly.

[happylass]

Morning ladies. Hope those of you feeling ill make a speedy recovery. DH currently has a cold so I'm praying he doesn't pass it on to the baby, or me for that matter!
Nothing much to report here. All going fairly smoothly (touch wood!). DS seems to have settled in to waking every 3 hours through the night for feeds and then is straight back to sleep. I can live with that and am praying it continues (though I know I've probably jinxed it now!).
DH is away with work for the next 3 weekends so I'm dreading that. Not flown solo overnight as yet so not sure how that's going to go 😬
Has everyone started going to groups? I've been to baby massage but am still limited by not being able to drive. I've not got my 6 week check until the 16th but I think I may get back behind the wheel this week as I feel fine.
How's everyone else getting on?

[stealthbanana]

Hi all! Sorry to hear you're all suffering with colds. Hopefully they get better soon!

All good with our little munchkin. He is still clusterfeeding in the early evenings, but the trade off is that he's sleeping really well overnight - he does 10pm-4am and then 5am-730am. Fingers crossed it lasts! He had his 6 week check last week and all was well - he weighed in at 5.2kgs and head and length are both on 90th percentile. So he's a big boy!

I had my 6 week check and also everything was fine. My pelvic floor is still pretty weak but my stomach muscles didn't separate so swings and roundabouts! I've been cleared for exercise so went for a swim yesterday - took it very easy but it felt good!

happy I haven't started going to any groups yet. I'm not sure how much he really will get out of them at 6 weeks? I've just been meeting friends for lunch etc and we do go out every day but not to baby stuff yet.

[Emz32]

Great news Stealth & Happy. This gives me hope that we might get into a pattern at some point. Sleep is very hit & miss. DD finally went to sleep at 12.45 lastnight (having had a poo explosion, sicked all over me & peed all over my duvet). I was awake at 2 coughing so much I then woke her. She then woke again at 4 & then 7. This cold is driving us all mad. Iv started looking into groups to go to, mainly because I want to slot them into the 2 days that DS is at nursery. Haven't signed up to anything as yet. I couldn't have done with not driving, but I haven't had the long recovery from a c section. I'm still bleeding very slightly which is driving me nuts. Enough to have to wear something but not enough to wear a proper pad. We try & get out every day but sometimes it's just too much & we stay home.

[Bella1985]

DS is 6 weeks old tomorrow - can't believe it!

He came out of the growth spurt and was sleeping well (not as well as baby stealth and baby happy but well for baby bella standards so I was happy) and then yesterday reflux seems to have hit with a bang. He didn't sleep at all last night in the chicco next2me, everytime I put him on his back he would scream and squirm and arch his back and then vomit. He's had the odd bout of this in the past but its been 24hrs now and so far he's only slept on my chest and has vomited and cried everytime he's on his back We're stuck in a vicious cycle as he's hungry after vomiting and won't settle to sleep but once he feeds again there's more vomit. And he squeals in pain when trying to poo which also wakes him up. HV is coming tomorrow so will see what his weight will be and if she has any advice. I'm not hopeful for much sleep tonight. in a flask by the bed to keep me going...

Have only been attending breastfeeding support group. Thinking of going to a sing with your baby session when he's 8 weeks old as I will be back driving and he seems to be staying awake a little more now so by then he should appreciate the singing and new surroundings. At the moment he's enjoying taking in our home surroundings!

[Emz32]

How is your DS now Bella? Reflux is horrible. My DS was exactly the same as your DS. It was so draining trying to cope with it & the endless feeding.

Iv got a few options of classes but haven't got organised yet. DD is still sleeping a lot during the day. Nights are hit & miss. Feeling pretty rough with this cold still.

[Bella1985]

DS is ok emz - we've raised the bedside cot even further and I keep him asleep in my arms for about 30mins before I transfer him to the cot and sometimes he's fine and other times he's not. He's gaining weight along the curve as he should be so HV wasn't worried.

A lot of people are struggling to get rid of their colds, the one very bad thing abour winter. I'm loving cold wintry walks with DS though, and lovely cups of tea and cake in cafes along the way!

Hope everyone is settling in well with their babies.

[Emz32]

Bella, I always sit DD up after a feed for between 20-30 minutes before putting her down. It's force of habit as DS had severe reflux & never kept much down. It's so frustrating when you feed them & they bring quite a bit back up. You are never sure how much they have kept down.

Iv just expressed for the first time. Iv been avoiding it as I had to do it from the moment DS was born, the noise of the pump did bring back horrible memories of expressing for DS but I was intrigued how much would come out & I also want to see if DD will take a bottle. I'd like to have an emergency stash in case I can't feed for some reason. Plus it's my 30th in a few weeks & I'd like a glass or 2 of champers without feeling guilty. I obviously won't be getting drunk with the night shift looming!

Colds are still here in our house. DD is only waking up once at night generally but I'm waking coughing a lot so not seeing the benefit yet. Had a Drs app today as DD was really struggling with her breathing from this cold. Told to take her straight to A&E if it worsens at all. Poor thing. Horrible seeing her struggle.

I need to get out for walks more. Seem to just be chasing DSs routine of classes & when he's at nursery we enjoy some quiet time at home. We have ventured to the park which is nice.

[Emz32]

Still suffering with colds in this house. DD has decided she doesn't want to sleep tonight so I'm still up hoping she'll go down soon. Can barely keep my eyes open. She's suffering quite a bit. Today she did a poo that was mucusy & had dots of blood in. The next 2 poos were green. Not sure if she's got a bug, an allergy or not getting enough fatty milk. Hoping it rectifies itself.

How is everyone else? Presuming that we are all busy surviving the never-ending nappies, feeding & nights.

[Bella1985]

I'm surviving! There are good and bad days (bad days mostly linked to tiredness), thankfully DS has settled into a routine where he sleeps 3-4 hours around midnight and that is keeping me sane as it is the time of day when I desperately need sleep and to have that time in bed (like a normal person) is psychologically huge. I could never be a shift worker. I'm hoping that soon he will stretch it to sleep for 4-5 hours (I daren't dream of 6 hours straight yet).

Hope your DD is ok by now emz and everyone else and their babies are also doing well.

[Emz32]

Glad to hear you are ok Bella. We spent Valentine's Day in A&E with DD as her breathing was so bad she was struggling. She was also choking on mucus a lot so I couldn't lay her down. She screamed until 3am which was really unlike her. Drs were happy with her in the end & she perked up once there. She's through it now & is starting to cough it up. We were told she's got bronchiolitis. Now staying at home as much as possible to recover. Iv not had much sleep over the last few days. I'm solely breastfeeding, being poorly she's been feeding really often but small feeds. Very draining. Just got home from 6 week check. Just a chat with a dr really. (Didn't help I was late with both DD & DS with me!) contemplating the coil. Doesn't seem very important as the chance would be a good thing!