August 2021 Babies - Final evictions and the fourth trimester

[BertieBotts]

Time for a new thread! :)

29 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 💙
@MrsB2019x - Welcome to the world, baby Ella💖
@Biscuitcat - Welcome to the world, baby Rowan 💙
@Whatshouldbemyusername - Welcome to the world, baby Arya-Nyah 💖
@notinthestarsigns - Welcome to the world, baby Erin 💖
@Aaaaa1519 - Welcome to the world, baby Anum 💖
@Angelesque - Welcome to the world, baby Isaac 💙
@Millymay13 - Welcome to the world, baby Ethan Benjamin 💙
@WolfMother326 - Welcome to the world, baby Alasdair William 💙
@BertieBotts - Welcome to the world, baby Alexander 💙
@RandomCatGenerator - Welcome to the world, baby Solomon 💙
@lucyrp - Welcome to the world, baby Evelyn Rose 💖
@HopefulB - Welcome to the world, baby Chloé 💖
@Mmr224 - Welcome to the world, baby Alasdair 💙
@Smallbean27 - Welcome to the world, baby boy 💙
@Fran919 - Welcome to the world, baby girl 💖
@Caz1226 - Welcome to the world, baby Dougie 💙
@Ava50x - Welcome to the world, baby boy 💙
@dirtyfries - Welcome to the world, baby Frankie! 💖

Counting down until till they welcome their munchkins:

@Dia12 - EDD 8 August, Girl 💖
@livingwithbees - EDD 16 August, surprise 💛
@Sheisfee - EDD 19 August, Girl 💖
@Alittlexmasmagic - EDD 22 August, surprise 💛
@LottSE20 - EDD 22 August, surprise 💛
@ame88 - EDD 28 August, Girl 💖

@Ready2020 I was going to ask a similar question. Evie is 2 weeks today and I'm still getting pains in my stomach sometimes and it's still sore/stiff in general inbetween my legs when trying to get out of bed or up off the sofa etc

We're still not back up to birth weight 14 days after birth. Still at a 10% loss 🥴🥺 seen 7 different midwives now and a HV and all saying different things so at my 2am feed I reached out to a couple of lactation consultants to see if they can help. I feel like my supply is going downhill and we had to introduce bottles of formula as a top up and when I fed her this morning she wouldn't even latch to the shields properly it was like she was getting a bottle preference even though she projectile vomits the formula up 9 times out of 10. I keep getting told I'm doing everything right and there's nothing more I can do and she's a happy and healthy baby but I feel like a failure 😣

@Ready2020 we’ve just moved to the size 2s only because we were running out anyway so thought we should probably switch. They are huge in comparison! He’s 10lb 7 now though so I think he probably should be in size 2s

Freddie was only up once last night and almost made it to 7am this morning 👏🏼 When I have been (loosely) looking at the times from Gina Ford it says we should get up and start the day at 7/730am but we always go back for another hour or two at that point. It probably throws our whole day off and that’s why he’s awake til almost lunch time some days but I’m just too tired to get up at 7 every day 🙈

@Ready2020 I’m still sore, however I did have a episiotomy.

Has anybody had one or a bad tear? If so, what’s the healing like? I’m still tender and looks as though it’s gaped but has only been 17 days.

I did the full night shift last night as DH is back to work today, WFH but wanted to give him a full nights sleep. It went ok but I’m hoping I can have a nap some time today. What is with some of them noises babies make when they’re sleeping?!

@sarah13xx how is the GF book/routine? Theodora is too young for a routine but I feel she’s naturally getting into one, I.e feeds every 3/4 hours, bed time roughly 8.30 and awake at 6 with first feed at 7 though that’s a challenge so we have little cuddle on me to settle her which I love but I’m hoping as time goes on she might drop one of the night feeds as she’s EFF now.

Hi folks - not caught up on the thread, so marking place and reaching out to @lucyrp as we seem to be in/have been in a similar place.

10% seems to be the magic number for weight loss, triggering referrals, but if you’re borderline it feels like an absolute battle to get support.

I have found that locally all support is overwhelmed as area has staffing issues and are discharging earlier due to COVID.

I was being far too understanding about this, seeing it from an NHS worker perspective, and my OH thankfully snapped me into protective parent mode to do whatever I need to look after our little one’s interests even if that makes me seem pushy!

We are also having latching/suckling difficulties (to some bottles as well as me)- so the plan is:

1. Feed to demand, no more than 3hrs between feeds, aiming for 8-10 per day.
2. Feed whatever you need to boob/EBM/formula to get volume in - record EBM/formula volumes & time on boob. If not latching well aiming for intake ~800mls/24hrs from EBM/Formula.
3. Use pump (on hire from hospital, but looks like Medela will also hire hospital grade pumps by the month) to maintain/increase own supply - important for first couple of weeks - electric hospital double pump literally changed my life as I was only getting ~1ml/min from home Medela single pump, and now get 35-120mls in 15-20mins.
4. GP assessment for any health conditions that may be affecting metabolism.
5. breastfeeding support as and when available to help teach latch/sucking.

I won’t sugar coat it- it’s tough, I feel like a milk machine and it’s definitely not sustainable. I often only get 2x2.5hr sleeps in the ‘night’ and a 1-2hr nap in the day. However we got a good weight gain at last check - which meant we could stretch to a 4day check up rather than returning to the hospital every 48hours/being admitted.

Hope that gives some idea of support you may need/things to ask about. If you are really keen to BF then the most important thing at this stage seems to be to protect supply. That means pumping frequently and at least once in the ‘night’.

@HopefulB @lucyrp It's so stressful when they're not gaining. My firstborn was underweight and I had to do the whole breastfeed/top up/pump every 3 hours for the first 6 weeks and it was such a slog, it was the most stressful and tiring time. He started gaining though and I was so relieved when I didn't have to pump anymore. Luckily it paid off and I went on to breastfeed successfully for 2 years with no supply issues, but can totally understand those who switch to formula. I hope things turn around for you both soon, and I second the recommendation of an electric double pump -- makes such a difference.

@Ready2020 I'm 3 weeks postpartum and I'm not sore anymore, or at least I wasn't until I prolapsed today. 😭 I remember with my first birth it took a lot longer to recover though. I had an episiotomy that time which may have contributed.

Can I ask how often people are changing their baby's outfits? With DS1 he constantly had leaky nappies or spat up on himself so we'd go through several outfits in one day, whereas with DS2 we've had zero leaks and he hardly ever spits up. Feels weird to change him daily when the clothes are basically pristine.

My other two were like that, hardly ever needed a new outfit. I think I changed them if they had a bath or if it had been about 2 days in the same clothes. DS3 still gets a bit gunky with his cord so I check his vest and change that if it's got scabby bits stuck to it as I don't think that can be comfortable. I'm just doing sleepsuits day and night so there's no different clothes to change him into.

Defo still feel achy in my abdomen though not sore down below any more. I didn't have any tears or stitches. He'll be 3 weeks old tomorrow.

Who wants to get up at 7 when you've been up feeding in the night?! This is crazy talk :o

Still in size 1 here but nappies don't go off so no harm in getting a pack of size 2 to try. DS2 was chunkier with a big bum so he was always in the next nappy size earlier and I'm sure he was in that by this time last time. But I don't see us switching any time soon. The tabs are still meeting/crossing over in the middle.

@Fran919 a lot of what it says I don’t follow. It says he should be sleeping in his own room from day 1 and all naps should be in there in the dark. I’m planning to ignore those two rules and just follow the times etc. It’s aim is to have them sleeping through the night by 8 weeks, which is only 4 weeks away from now and seems quite ambitious! I’d be happy if he managed it by 12 weeks even 🙈

Just out of interest, when do babies tend to sleep through the night? I feel like life will be a lot easier with a full nights sleep!

Errr..... 🙊 No comment :o

@afictionado we change clothes at bed time every night so she has clean fresh pjs on even if her day clothes weren't necessarily dirty

Will reply to the other messages shortly. Just registering DD and me and OH have to go in separately to sign. How ridiculous

@Daffodil21 I know some people who’s baby still doesn’t at a year but my friends little one was 12 weeks. She was quite strict on a routine but she slept all night since then. My other friends little one was sleeping til 5/6am by 8 weeks. Freddie is always so hungry that I don’t see him lasting that long without milk 🙈

12 weeks is very unusual, so while it's definitely worth a try if you've got the determination to stick with the routine stuff, I wouldn't get too hung up on it as as milestone. I always feel it's about small gains so for example I'll be happy to get some stretches in the bedside cot so I can sleep in different positions. But sleep often isn't linear during the first year so it can go back and forth and get better or worse. Getting a good stretch of several hours in one go is also helpful even if it's not a full night as such.

@Fran919 yeah I had an episiotomy too plus had some other natural tears. I'm not sure if my pain is from them or just muscles. I feel it's more my pelvic floor muscles that are sore as my stitches have all dissolved. I'll get it checked out at my 6/8 week Dr appointment. Maybe I should try and take a look myself!

We change once in a 24 hour period if she's not soiled her clothes. We have a shit load of clothes though. A lot never fitted her from the start as she was too long.

I was wondering how you fully bottle fed ladies manage to sooth your babies if all else fails. As in if in doubt I just stick her in front of boob to calm her, even if she's not overly hungry. Do you just make up a bottle anyway?

@sarah13xx I’ve just ordered a 2nd hand copy, won’t do any harm in reading. I agree with regards to being alone, I wouldn’t do that though I’m going to try and get her down for a nap today in the bedroom and make it dark so I can sleep too, I’m hoping to do one of those a day otherwise she just cat naps if in the house, but in the car (lie flat car seat / pram) she’ll have a good couple of hours.

@Ready2020 I’m always checking mine out, it seems to be healing now, though I swear I have a prolapse of some sort, it definitely looks different down there now though not sure what’s normal or not. I’m doing my pelvic floor exercises and do get a bit tender / achey after them.

With regards to comforting, I’ve given her a dummy but I’m a bit mean and don’t give it straight away. If that fails then skin to skin cuddle, she loves just having cheek against my boob.

@Fran919 yeah definitely! I read it when I was pregnant but really need to read it again. It’s good though because you only need to read a couple of chapters then read the next chapter when they’re so many months old. I actually haven’t had a single nap since he was born. I’m not really someone who has naps anyway and I have been in bed by 8/9pm some nights and unable to watch anything on tv because I’ve been so tired 🙈 I think I’ve been keeping him up too long in the day because he’s awake and I should actually just put him down for a sleep while he’s awake to stop him getting over tired

@afictionado My son is the same as yours. When nappies didn't suit him and he was leaking, we'd go through 5 sets of clothes (vest and babygrow) a day. Since we found the right nappies for him, he pretty much never leaks. However, he now has reflux, 100%, like I suspected. Projectile vomiting has started, usually after a formula top up. So for us outfits that work best now are short sleeve vest + long sleeve vest, little leggins and socks. At least the bottoms stay dry and clean this way, so I only change the tops. I always change him for the night into a fresh vest and babygrow. Oh, and bibs - lifesaver!

Glad to be making use of all the little outfits he has, we've been given so much and he's making a good use out of all of them!

@lucyrp Bless you, this sounds so familiar. My DS was below birth weight until he was a month old and he's a slim baby, just tall. He feeds lots and gets top ups twice a day still and he's absolutely thriving. He's bright, alert and looks and acts more and more grown up every day. Obviously I know they won't let you live until she starts gaining weight steadily and this creates an enormous pressure when you're trying so hard and your baby is well. Definitely speak to a lactation consultant asap. She'll have tips to try out that will give you a breathe of fresh air.

Babies don't know the chart everyone else is looking at. I'm sure she'll put more on gradually soon if she's well otherwise, try not to get too stressed out (but I've been there myself and felt like hitting my head into a brick wall and kept saying I'd quit bf all the time, worrying formula wouldn't work either, and I felt that I can't even feed him and failed him etc). It's not a nice place to be, but it will get better soon

Also can't believe they've made both of you come to register her! That's a pain. I went on my own, mind we had to wait a month as there were no appointments and only now able to start claiming Child Benefit, will have to claim it back for August xx

Ds first slept through the night at 17months, Dd is now 6 weeks and past week (except last night) has slept from 11-4/5

I'm not doing a routine I don't believe they have one at this stage and I'm also not doing set times for naps, she sleeps when she is tired. It's personal choice, I believe she will sleep in the car or pram if we are out and about and tbh I also have a 3 year old so I really can't do the we must be home at x time for her to nap in a dark quiet room. But it also just works for us.
Worth bearing in mind that at this age sleeping through the night is considered to be a 6 hour stretch so not actually all night.

Also I think it is just luck of the draw whether or not your baby sleeps. We haven't done anything different with dd than we did with ds , well only thing was ds had to be woken for a feed every 3 hours whereas we don't have to do that this time around but during the day she usually feeds every 2 or 3 hours anyway. Past 2 days she has cluster fed all evening from about 5-11

By 17months we did do some sleep training gently but even now ds just doesn't need as much sleep as some kids. He goes to bed at 7 but often plays until 8/830 in his room and he wakes between 630 and 8 and he hasn't had a nap since just before he turned 2. If he naps he is awake from 3am

Found this video quite useful

That’s impressive @Smurf123
I think I might just focus on not keeping him awake more than 45 mins-2hrs at a time during the day so we don’t have the moaning and crying towards bedtime because he’s overtired. During the day I’ve usually just been letting him sleep if he falls asleep on me and I then put him in his Moses basket or if we’ve been a walk and falls asleep I’ll leave him in the pram. The one time I put him down fully awake is after his bath at 7pm when we want to have dinner. Going to try and do it throughout the day instead of waiting on him. During the night he goes back down awake and will fall asleep without any bother. Sorting the day time sleep to naps more often and at no set times will hopefully help him go a bit longer at night 🤞🏼

Hi everyone
I haven’t been on since Dougies arrival! Hope everyone is well, I can’t believe how fast the days are flying by, I just don’t want him to not be a newborn lol I’ve already told my other half to prepare for another in a couple of years- I think I’m obsessed now haha!
Xx

@Caz1226 this is totally me! Wasn’t even a baby person before but he’s almost a month old and the idea of taking his tiny clothes out his wardrobe fills me with dread 🤦🏼‍♀️ Already thinking when could I have another haha

First day just the two of us as DH is back to work today.

Going better than I thought, how on earth do people get out of the house though?! She's either feeding or asleep on me

Anyone else's BF baby not left the boob today? Wondering if it's to do with the heat🥴

Anyone else slightly appalled at the care they’ve had since leaving hospital? 🤔 Everything seems to be cancelled ‘due to covid’. I was meant to get a midwife visit every day for the first 10 days, I think she came twice and phoned me once instead of coming. The health visitor comes once per week and is lovely and very helpful. My insurance says I can’t drive unless I’ve had a doctors appointment to check I’m okay to drive at 6 weeks after the c-section. Since a few days after birth when the midwife looked at my incision because I asked her to, no one has checked it at all. My doctors surgery is notorious for not giving appointments, even before covid. I just phoned trying to book a 6 week appointment and was told no, they won’t be doing postnatal checks ‘due to covid’ 🙄 So you can have a major operation and no one looks near you again. Seems a bit ridiculous 🤦🏼‍♀️

To add to this.. I had to take the covering off the incision at 7 days myself because the midwife said they don’t get time to do them now and I was just to contact them if I thought it was infected. How am I trained to diagnose whether something is infected or not? 🙈