September 2019 #13

[Stroan]

Oops, we filled up the last thread. Hope everyone finds this one.

Thanks for the new thread #stroan

@Florencenotflo so gorgeous! 😍 hope you manage to get some rest today.

@horehound sorry to hear you’re struggling, that’s good that you’re managing to express though - hopefully he’ll perk up in a few days and this is just a rough patch. That’s so sweet of your DH! I would definitely go for the chocolate pop tart! 😃

@sugarsprinklesrainbowdrops wow September must be a busy month for babies! I guess counting back, it was the holiday season!

Thanks for the new thread stroan!

Congratulations florencenotflo, what a beautiful picture.

Day 8 post C section here. Most unpleasant part has been getting the number 2s started again lol.

Had horrible horrible pain day 6 and 7 until everything worked well enough to clear out the system but since I managed that yesterday I’ve felt a ton better. Even did some laundry and made a roast (DP took over half way through so I could sit down again but I did the first part)

Had to laugh about the blaming Christmas comment. Although I think 4.12.18 did for us 😂😂

DP is currently asleep with a baby kangaroo style on him. Taking the quiet time to shower and feel human again as the little chap fed ALL night!

Florence she’s gorgeous and love that hair!!!

@Horehound. Don’t feel disheartened. It is hard at first my nipples feel like they’ve been chewed and we have had the same with sleeping rather than eating. We annoy him by changing and playing with feet etc before trying to feed. Persevere and you will get there. Couple of weeks the hard part will feel like a distant memory

horehound yes to putting him in the daylight. Set the pram, or Moses basket whatever you are using next to a window/door with the natural light coming in and just let him lay there during the day. I've been doing the same with mine as Alex has just a slight bit of jaundice too and is becoming a lazy feeder.
It's so easy to worry about the feeding, have you got a pump to express a bit off? Not sure if you are in the Facebook group (too confusing with all the MN names too!) But I posted yesterday about having trouble latching Erin and showing no interest but within a few hours I had them tandem feeding! It can change just like that. So try not to panic and keep trying, it'll get easier for you.

That’s brilliant news boodles :)

Horehound it's so tough at the start - certainly was for me. I was expressing, feeding my EBM to DS with a syringe and trying him on the breast every 3 hours for the first couple of weeks. He was super sleepy too. I honestly felt quite insane... It does get easier though (I'm still feeding and he's 19 months now). Your nipples will get less sore and you'll get used to each other. Have you had a tongue tie check? My son had it and getting it snipped made a colossal difference to his ability to feed. Load up on the lanolin cream if you haven't already!

Officially OVER this hot weather! Basically nothing light and summery fits anymore . My wrap dresses haven't got any material left to 'wrap' as I'm so massive (much to my husband's amusement). Urgh!

Lanolin cream is a bloody life saver! That and someone recommended silver nipple shields which are also awesome. You can put them in the fridge for a bit then pop them on lol

I have a food hangover 

Have a lovely shower @RonaldWeasley

@Florencenotflo she's so beautiful!! Look at that little nose and that lovely hair!! Absolutely do whatever you want to re staying, my midwife said actually don't be worried about asking to stay in until you're ready to leave, especially if breastfeeding.

Argh @challengeyourreality that's exciting!! Anything else or just plug loss? I don't sleep particularly well either - wide awake at 4am. Finally went back off at about 6am. So frustrating.

@Horehound Bless you, don't be silly. I think one of the biggest myths about breastfeeding is that it's easy or "natural" and that's why lots of ladies give up. Get all the help you can get, and don't feel bad about it at all. Surely once he gets hungry enough he'll be less lethargic? Beautiful pic of the two of you!

Glad to hear you're getting on well @Karigan195 Can't wait for the newborn haze!

@boodles101 Tandem feeding - pro!!

@horehound this first week can be shit! On so little sleep AND giving birth(!) In the process new mums have a horrible time. Why would it come naturally to either of you, its learning something new your babies been tied to you for food forever. I hated the first week with DD, breastfeeding support I got (MW and HV team at a drop in) helped me through.

@horehound it's so difficult.
You had such a long and tough labour which must have exhausted baby too. You will get there.

We're in a similar position, waiting for the midwife to come and if he has lost any more weight today we'll be back in hospital.

He can latch, which is a huge improvement on DD but was just so sleepy for the first few days. Plus full of mucous. He would latch then promptly fall asleep. I resorted to nipple shields and small formula top ups in hospital. He's feeding using the shields every 2.5 hours, plus expressed top ups and some formula top ups through the night. Really can't figure out why he isn't gaining, other than a ridiculous number of poos over the last few days.

@sjp3 your story is exactly what I needed to read today, questioning whether persevering is the right thing.

SJP feel your pain - I’m in jeans because my dresses don’t fit. “Only” 36+2 but over 95th percentile so feeling enormous.

Re the breastfeeding, not at all pleased to hear about peoples’ discomfort but the NHS ante-natal class on infant feeding was adamant that it won’t hurt if you’re doing it right so it’s really useful to hear the real life stories.

I think the UK can be a tough place to get started breastfeeding, there's so much talk talked, but endless subtle things that just make it harder (including guilt!) and most of us just haven't grown up seeing it much, which makes a big difference. I'm one of the lucky ones to whom it does come easily (or rather, I've been lucky so far- different baby this time!) but even so I got some odd advice in hospital the first time that nearly scuppered me.
@Horehound you are doing brilliantly, and whatever you decide then more power to you! I'm sure you are doing all the waking-up-baby tricks I know already (skin to skin to feed, change nappy before with cold wipes, tickle feet...). My main tip you are doing already- retire to bed, snuggle with your boobs out and your partner waiting on you hand and foot with plenty of food and drink! And yes yes to daylight for jaundice! If you are not overlooked you can do your skin to skin by the window in this lovely weather. But the biggest thing is to give yourself a big hug- you made this amazing person! You are doing brilliant Mumming already! Quite how you feed this amazing person will work itself out, and be fine.

Ooops crossposted with everyone!
@stroan, isn't it a bit early to be gaining??? Or has he lost more that 10%? He was only one week old yesterday, right? (One week old!!!! Gorgeous boy!)
@Florencenotflo Oooh she's just lovely! I agree, if you are not ready to leave they are unlikely to kick you out yet. Specially if you say you need more support with feeding.
And I forgot to say to @Horehound - pics yay!!!! You don't look like you've only had 8 hours sleep in the last forever, amazing lady! That baby is such a cutie!

Congratulations @Florencenotflo! She's very cute!!
Thanks for the new thread @Stroan .

@florencenotflo she's lovely! I agree to stay in as long as you feel you need to. I was in a lot of pain the night after I had R but the next morning I announced I was going home and asked what had to happen before I went!

@dustydoorframes yeah, he has lost 11.8%. 12 is the cut off. I'm not worried and the midwives aren't concerned, they agree there is nothing else we could possibly be doing.

I agree with you about talking the talk. I had different advice from ever nursery nurse I saw in hospital. Then got home and called my local breastfeeding team to request a home visit. They have ONE person doing home visits for our entire region (population of 650k). We'll get a private lactation consultant next week if things haven't picked up.

@Stroan make sure you feed him just before they weigh him with margins that fine! But I'm sure he will be bouncing back very soon now. I bet he pooed just after his birth weight was taken- and remember how mucusy he was then, some of the "lost weight" is that!

My niece sent me these yesterday. They help a bit

@SJP3 I too feel your pain! My bump has outgrown my maternity tops so I have a constant strip of exposed belly but I’m not going out and buying anything else!

Seriously though, I’ve still got 4 weeks to go and feel like I couldn’t possibly get any bigger! Please tell me that bump growth levels out towards the end!

@RonaldWeasley enjoy your baby shower today! Hope you get very spoilt and eat lots of cake!

@Karigan195 ooh that picture is helpful - I’m definitely a visual learner!

Kudos to everyone currently getting through these first few days with their babies whether they’re BF and formula, it can be tough either way, especially when you’re body is still recovering from doing something as epic as childbirth! I think you’re all doing brilliantly!

@DustyDoorframes he pees on the scales every single time!

Funnily enough the tops that still fit me are none maternity long line vest tops from next bought a couple of sizes bigger than usual. Surviving mainly in these and leggings.

Just got back from my bi-weekly DAU appointment and my bloods are getting a little worse, so they want to bring my induction forward to Tuesday when I'll be 37+1. Not sure how to feel... Better safely out but feels so soon!