Due August 2021 - Welcome to the World!

[PurplePansy05]

Welcome to the chattiest birth club on MN! Newcomers always welcome 💐

14 gorgeous new babies have joined us already, welcome to the world 💖💙🥳

@Smurf123 - Welcome to the world, baby Sophia 💖
@wimbler - Welcome to the world, baby boy 💙
@Jessicapebbles - Welcome to the world, baby Ebony💖
@Inmypjsagain - Welcome to the world, baby boy💙
@PurplePansy05 - Welcome to the world, baby Leo Alexander 💙
@WinterBabyof89 - Welcome to the world, baby Rosie 💖
@Winecoffeeteamum - Welcome to the world, baby Emily 💖
@Ready2020 - Welcome to the world, baby Rowan 💖
@Magik01 - Welcome to the world, baby Isaac 💙
@Hoares3 - Welcome to the world, baby Ellis 💙
@Daffodil21 - Welcome to the world, baby Elliot James 💙
@sarah13xx - Welcome to the world, baby Freddie 💙
@Biscuitcat - Welcome to the world, baby Rowan 💙
@Whatshouldbemyusername - Welcome to the world, baby Arya-Nyah 💖

Counting down until we welcome 20+ new arrivals:

@MrsB2019x - Induction w/c 9 August, Girl 💖
@Dia12 - EDD 8 August, Girl 💖
@Aaaaa1519 - EDD 13 August, Girl 💖
@Angelesque - C-section 16 August, surprise 💛
@lucyrp - EDD 16 August, surprise 💛
@livingwithbees - EDD 16 August, surprise 💛
@BertieBotts - EDD 16 August, Boy 💙
@WolfMother - EDD 17 August, Boy 💙
@Caz1226 - EDD 17 August, Boy 💙
@Millymay13 - C-section 17 August, surprise 💛
@RandomCatGenerator - C-section 19 August, surprise 💛
@Smallbean27 - EDD 19 August, surprise 💛
@Sheisfee - EDD 19 August, Girl 💖
@Alittlexmasmagic - EDD 22 August, surprise 💛
@LottSE20 - EDD 22 August, surprise 💛 @notinthestarsigns - EDD 23 August (but likely to be brought forward induction/C-section), surprise 💛
@Fran919 - EDD 25 August, surprise💛
@Ava50x - EDD 25 August, Boy 💙
@ame88 - EDD 28 August, Girl 💖
@HopefulB - EDD 29 August, surprise 💛

It's officially THE month! Watch this space! xx

@Ava50x Maybe your hormones are bracing themselves for the birth, you might go from that to a total cleanse and we all know what happens soon after! Keeping everything crossed for you!

Gosh don't get me started on GPs. It's impossible to see one here, you need to call first thing in the morning to get a telephone appt (good luck with that...my record is 272 calls) and IF you're lucky to get it then in 99% of cases you won't be seen in person. DH and I haven't seen our GPs or dentists for coming up to 2 years now. It's ridiculous that midwives and HVs can come out and visit face to face, but somehow GPs cannot A senior midwife at my hospital said she had an argument with her GP friends over this, she said they use the pandemic as an excuse and unfortunately I must agree. Basic primary care is non-existent. Not to mention some receptionists are beyond rude and now they feel entitled because they're "Proud to work for the NHS" Wish they were as proud of their patient manner instead.

So I am on the verge of quitting BF completely. DS lost weight, 20g so maybe not the end of the world, but we're still over 5% under his birth weight and no one has any idea why. I feel utterly shit about not being able to feed him myself which is what I've always wanted. I just feel I failed despite trying so hard and just not in the place to continue because it seems that whatever I try to do is never enough 😔 xx

Hi all,
Sorry I’ve not been on, just caught up I think.
My little girl arrived on 21/08 after a dramatic induced labour was really quick.
We’ve hardly slept as she hates being in her bassinet, and feeding seems to be every minute she’s awake so pretty much relentless, we’ve had to work on the latch as it wasn’t Deep enough but now she’s fussed and moves quite a bit!

Any tips to help either? I’m hoping I can start to express soon so DH can do a bottle in the night.

Oh and somehow my CS wound got slightly infected and I'm waiting for DH to get home from work and then off to the hospital for antibiotics. A total nosedive 😔 xx

@PurplePansy05 you don't have to quit entirely but maybe the odd bottle of formula may help x

@PurplePansy05 you've also done incredibly well to have ebf this long! Not a nose dive at all! Hope your wound clears up soon

I don't know @Daffodil21, I got so upset that I really don't feel like continuing at all snd I'm guessing my oxytocin levels won't allow that soon either xx

@PurplePansy05 why wouldn't your oxytocin levels allow it? Sorry if that's a stupid question

Sorry to hear about GP woes - absolutely agreed that they seem to be one of the industries where covid is being used as an excuse for poor service.

@PurplePansy05 that sounds so difficult, and as Daff says, you've done amazingly so far! Are you able to see a lactation consultant? I was finding it so difficult and really on the verge of giving up - I had even begun talking to one and was about to cancel her appointment to come and visit the next day and just say I was going to formula feed, but saw her and it's honestly made the world of difference and I'm now EBF-ing. If you search on the IBCLC website you'll be able to find registered ones near you - I would say her time is easily the best money I've spent so far since having baby. I hope you're not feeling too poorly with the infection too, that sounds so rough - you're superwoman getting through it xxx

@Daffodil21 Because I feel really down and stressed atm so doubt I'd be producing much of the happy hormone and my milk supply will decrease consequently. xx

@PurplePansy05 I'm sorry you're feeling down. I'm by all means no expert but surely your supply won't decrease if your still feeding or pumping?

Absolutely nothing wrong with switching totally to formula or combi. He'll have had so much goodness from you already. You've got to do what makes both you and him happy x

@PurplePansy05 sorry to hear he’s still not at birth weight. As others have said you’ve done amazingly well to do this long but I’d say take time to process it. Can you take a bath with him so you get some relaxing in whilst also getting some nice skin to skin? Are there any breastfeeding clinics or cafes near you that you could go to? It must be so frustrating but know it’s nothing you’re doing wrong. Some babies just take longer to get back to birthweight.

I had a massive wobble last night about feeding too. I have to re latch him about 10 times a feed at the moment as my milk just floods out and he can’t keep up. He’s gulping in so much air then throws up periodically for the next few hours.

The gp has prescribed Gaviscon though so will start that tonight. He’s going to follow up with a call in a week to see how it’s helping so that’s good. Sorry so many of you are having gp issues. I think there is supposed to be some sort of rule that if the patient is an infant they’re supposed to be seen or assessed within 24 hours? Not sure if I made that up though

@PurplePansy05 if you do decide to use formula it's not quitting and you won't have failed. You would just be feeding your baby a different way. If you think to yourself how would you feel now if you got a bottle to feed baby rather than dealing with breast-feeding and if that feeling was relief then its the right thing to do.

Another thing we were talking about was the possibility that I've got raynaulds in my nipples. I think that's how you spell it! My nips sometimes go white. Not much to do about it apart from keeping my boobs warm or get tablets from the Dr's.

@PurplePansy05 oh sweetie what you’ve written reminds me so so much of my first son. I struggled so much to feed- I think I persevered for 4 weeks maybe and completely dreaded every feed. I like you felt like a failure but like others have said, there is absolutely no shame in combi or FF. At the end of the day little Leo has been fed for over three weeks by you, he’s gotten all the goodness of your milk and some babies just don’t put on weight as fast! Please don’t beat yourself up over it. Happy mum happy baby, and if yours really stressed and down it might be worth introductions formula just to get his weight up. Sending big hugs xxx

@Fran919 congrats!! It’s relentless isn’t it, but you’ll get there.

Well my gp phone call was pointless.. He said prime time for baby ache probably that on her face/chest and that belly Button would prob take a while longer to crust over with the antibiotic cream but we can revisit it again next week if still concerned as she is feeding well.
Her wee belly Button starts to crust over and then as she moves about sorting the day or just clothes etc it comes off again and looks so red raw in the middle. To be fair it doesn't really seem to be bothering her but I would have thought itd have dried out by now.
@PurplePansy05 I'm sorry your having a tough time, have you tried giving Leo a bottle of expressed milk? I know you have talked about expressing but can't remember if he has taken a bottle of it. Is he having plenty of wet nappies? My cousins wee one took a long time to grt back to birth weight they almost got sent back to hospital a few times though. She did end up changing to formula as that was what worked best for her as she was struggling to express to do weighted feeds. But a couple of weeks of formula and it was then discovered that wee one was dairy intolerant. Once they moved him to dairy free formula he started putting on weight but they were only able to figure that out after they moved to formula. He's now a Bright healthy active 4 year old. Fed is best and you have done so well to have the colostrum for him and to have breastfed him this long. You do what works best for you and Leo will be happy whichever you decide to do!
@Smallbean27 and @Fran919 congratulations both!

I think I'm struggling because we've overcome so many difficulties already when it comes to BF that I really wanted to continue and the fact he's not putting weight on is an unexpected blow. I don't think FF or combi is wrong at all, but it's not what I wanted. I also thought we were on the right track now with EBF and it would be better and better. I don't feel like 3.5 weeks of it is a massive achievement in the circumstances. In fact it feels nearly like grief to not be able to continue.

DH gives him the 60ml I can express daily in a jug. I can't think of any other options of expressing more other than those I've tried.

I never thought I'd get so upset about this, I'm surprised. I try to tell myself it's irrational, but it is what it is, it feels awful.

I've just looked up a consultant like you've recommended @biscuitcat. This will be my final shot. She's not available till Weds. Until then, I really don't know. I gave him formula this afternoon cause I really couldn't put myself back together. And then I leaked all over the place. xx

And also pretty sure that combi will eventually reduce my supply cause it's based on demand which will decrease, won't it? I just don't think this is a good idea if I wanted to return to EBF but that's the only advice thr NHS ever gives it seems 😔 Low glucose, low weight, formula is the answer. Whereas I think the reason should be found first. xx

@PurplePansy05 honestly I think it's amazing that you manage to get 60 ml expressing! Does Leo take it ok? Or is it slow going / does he fall asleep during feeds? I agree with you I think they should at least attempt to find a reason for it.
Yes supplementing with formula may decrease your supply over time but you should be ok for a few days especially if you are only doing the odd formula or one a day or whatever. Plus it might give you a much needed break. Hopefully the consultant can help maybe they can check Leos latch or offer a new position that might make all the difference!

I think your consultant should be able to help even if you have to wait until Wednesday. That's not long enough for supply to go tits up so don't worry.

If you want to see someone sooner try looking further out but ask if they do remote appointments? Lots are with the pandemic although the other problem is most are parents themselves and it is school holidays at the moment so may have reduced availability due to that. There are also breastfeeding helplines you can access any time. The national breastfeeding helpline, the NCT one and la leche League all have a helpline. I'm on mobile right now but you can Google them. LLL is open weekends but I don't know about the others.

In the meantime keep the baby fed, keep the milk flowing (so express or feed directly, but don't stress about amounts produced, it's just about stimulation) and keep the baby close, that will stimulate oxytocin which is nothing to do with how happy you are, and is also more of a bonus that stimulates let down, rather than being a predictor of supply overall. If you're worried about your mental health don't be afraid to talk to GP or health visitor or midwife as well. Sounds like a total nightmare trying to get hold of a GP at the moment, sorry :(

If you are wanting to do combo feeding the book by Lucy Ruddle us really good as well, mixed up. She even has a Facebook group to support mixed feeding off the back of the book launch. It's here:

www.facebook.com/groups/992032454537530/?ref=share

Those of you struggling to get an appointment with your GPs - can you call your maternity ward? I was told I could do this if I had any health concerns for him or me

@Daffodil21 I was told I could only call maternity ward for me in the days after I was sent home but if it was for baby I had to take her to children's a and E if we needed anything

@PurplePansy05 I second what @BertieBotts has said. (Also I was a tearful stressed mess with my first baby and it didn't affect supply.) La Leche League should have someone you can talk to even if it's just over the phone, might be worth trying while you're waiting for your appointment?

Thank you to everyone who has said lovely things about my girls. I’m so so proud of them as I’m sure all of you mummies are about your gorgeous babies!

@PurplePansy05 I haven’t read all of the comments etc but I just wanted to let you know my experiences..first baby, 100% wanted to BF but unfortunately (only unfortunate as it wasn’t the plan in my head) due to very low birth weight, tongue tie affecting latch and weight loss we ended up formula feeding. I really beat myself up about it and I think it really contributed to my PND when I had Darcy. This time with Ebony, again I really wanted to BF, and for the first 4 days I exclusively breastfed her (I just saw this alone as such an achievement) but Darcy was so confused by the whole concept of it and it was upsetting her so so much that I decided it was best to switch to FF (Darcy is quite sensitive to certain situations and gets quite overwhelmed if routines are changed etc). I didn’t let it get me down this time, I’m really really enjoying our feeding journey (and getting big sister involved!). So I just wanted to say to you, no matter what you choose, do what is best for you so that you can enjoy feeding your baby and please don’t beat yourself up. You’re an amazing mummy and he is extremely lucky to have you as we all know how wanted little Leo is. He will be happy no matter how you feed him. ❤️❤️

@PurplePansy05 my darling you are an amazing mum to Leo and he knows it too. From pregnancy to birth to feeding you've put him first. Whatever you decide will be the best for him.

I still agree with the others in saying that you can still go back to EBF in a few days. Just keep expressing using the pump as and when you can and give him too ups till Wednesday if that's what you feel is right. As @BertieBotts said the main aim is the baby is fed. End of the day nothing is worth your mental health my love. You need to be 100% to be able to look after Leo as amazingly as you have been.

I'm not sure if this has been discussed but maybe a good electric pump may give you more milk and that will increase supply too as you will be emptying breasts more. Try look at the one I'm using by Lola and Lykke. I have been able to express over 130 mls in half hour in the morning babe. Just once a day. That will also help increase supply whilst you do combined feeding in the meantime. It's your decision but end of the day you will make the right one. Dont worry. You're an amazing mumma and whatever you decide - you've got this 💕

Hi everyone
Just wanted to update you all that my baby boy Dougie arrived by way of emergency c section last night after a 70 hour labour!!!!
I went through a bloody rough time but he’s here safe and well now and that is all that matters! Xx