December 2008 Once you pop you can't stop

[Veggiemummy]

surely most of us will go on this one

Well, ok, have a little sympathy.

Ds is, I think/hope that ds is getting over flu. Has not been a good week. Tantrums of mega distruction are not good. Dh has it now (or has man flu anyway which as we all know is just as bad as actual flu and means lots of sitting on the sofa sighing and wimpering) and I am attempting to ignore the headache and the nagging in my throat. Think I shall cook this baby a little longer.

Katie sorry you had such a troubled night. Just to reassure you, there is no "normal" amount to get from expressing. Some people who b'f really well for 2 years can only manage an ounce at a time. Some people (I was never one)can produce loads at one go in next to no time. It all depends. Can't remember how old your babe is - but sometimes expressing doesn't work well to start with. Also - a lot depends on how relaxed you are - sometimes it works better if you have had a hot bath /shower, apply a warm flannel to the breast, have a picture of your baby (if they aren't with you) or think about her.

If you are worried about supply, fenugreek tablets or fresh tea really work (although you do end up smelling slightly curryish round the arm pits [frgrin])

Verso grrr at your Dh and Mum. It is hard not to seethe!

katie sounds like cluster feeding and overtiredness to me. A 'normal' amount can depend on time of day and how stressed you are (stress inhibits let-down). If you're getting 2oz per boob, especially if you're feeding a lot, then that's fine. If you express regularly (ie at the same time each day) you'll increase your supply and will be able to express more, but you also run the risk of engorgement so don't overdo it.

I think it sounds like you're doing brilliantly. The best judge of how much the baby is getting is plenty of wet nappies (colourless wee) and yellow poo-ey nappies. I can totally understand why you're thinking of formula, but any formula you give will reduce your milk at that feed. I have been SO tempted too but am resisting until 6 weeks.

www.kellymom.com has loads of useful articles and advice re breastfeeding.

Best of luck. (((hugs)))

PS I am SO with you on the face for DHs at the moment. You have my COMPLETE sympathy there!!! GRRRRRRRR

katie sorry you had a bad night as well. Oh the joys of newborns

trace another thing I've remembered helped with ds1 was sitting on my bf cushion to take the weight of the stitches. So if you can get something like an inflatable ring that might help heal the stitches as well.

sorry - didn't mean to imply that you need to get 2oz per boob, just if you're getting roughly that then that's plenty. (It doesn't look like much in the bottle!) Sorry can't write sensibly with this much lack of sleep!

Not been on for a few days as been nursing myself better (Grrrr UTI) and my DH who has man flu. Anitbiotics are kicking in now for me so am starting to feel a little better but still rather poorly.

Massive congratulations to Cat Jam Bird Jolly Hotmama and Orange

Hope you are doing ok Arit and that you are now on your way to meeting your bubba!

Spoke to a friend last night who told me (full of glee) that she thinks I will pop either on Christmas day or New years Eve.

I went out for dinner last night with my friend who is 11 weeks pg. We joked that it was our Christmas "do" - it was hilariously unlike most peoples - she picked me up in her car,one glass of wine each, home by 9.30! Perfect going out with someone else pg!!

She is hoping to have mars as her doula and was speaking to Mars the other day , and she said she was on her way back from the birth of the most AMAZING woman who had just given birth to 7lb plus twins and how she was SOO SOO proud of her....well we know who that was !!! Hope you don't mind me reporting back Notsobig Mars wasn't breaching confidentiality, and I didn't say to my friend that you are on MN or my birth thread or anything. But thought it was lovely of Mars to be so proud of you!!

Verso you are my hero for all your knowledge and practical advice on here. The HV has just been and Lily has put on 3oz in 2 days, so I can now stop worrying that she isn't getting enough. Had a little weep on her about lack of sleep and DH support and she says that if I am comfortable with giving her some formula at night then it might help make her go for a bit longer in between feeds and force encourage DH to help out a bit. Going to have a think about it today and decide what to do this afternoon.

That's great Katie. Just to warn you, some people swear by the formula at bedtime thing, some people find it doesn't make any difference at all and for some it makes sleep worse as baby not used to it/lack of the comfort factor from bf etc. If you are happy to try (and your being happy is the most important thing) then go for it but don't stress yourself out about it.

Turnip waht a great thing for Mars to say

Verso & katie I'm so on your behalf - you're both having such a rough time of it, and family not being there for you (despite them thinking they are) is just cr*p. You have my sympathy - if I was there, I'd come and cook you both some meals/do some laundry/put a laxative in your DHs' coffees as revenge... xxx

Huge congrats to hotmama with Harry and orange with Samuel! Can't wait to hear all about it.

LadyT I thought your "I make my own people" comment hilarious!! I too have been thinking about how amazing it is to grow a person inside you (and have been thinking about my mum in a whole new way for having done this with me), and yet at the same time it is such a completely normal biological thing that our bodies are made for, that women all around the world are doing all the time. So completely ordinary yet extraordinary.

trace breast milk is supposed to be good for clearing up eye infections (it has natural antibodies in it or summink) - do a google search for 'breast milk' and 'pink eye'. I was a skeptic until my 7mth niece had a funny eye which got better after her mum squirted a bit of da good white stuff in it

Well I'm a week overdue now, so I went shopping by myself today for a bit of retail therapy! Bought DH his prezzie, as well as a whole heap of other various bits & bobs so I finally feel there's nothing much left to do. Just as well DS didn't come on his due date or I'd be in a right flap! Also cleaned out the fridge and freezer and wrote lists of all the frozen meals we have been stockpiling so that it's going to be easier not having to think too much about meals. I've been making batches of fried rice/curries/casseroles/spag bol to freeze in individual portions which are quick to microwave for when we're hungry but can't be bothered making anything. If only we had M&S here - my freezer would be full of their stuff too! They don't do as good 'ready meal' type food here in Oz.

We also had some lovely fresh trout from the fish shop for dinner tonight, which I made a thai marinade for & grilled - it was soooo yum. I've also stewed some peaches for putting on my cereal in the mornings. If this ain't nesting, I don't know what is!

DH was so sweet today too, he's been singing and talking to the bump. It's so lovely it makes me really happy about thinking about him being with his son once he's here

I must be mad, but as I'm still feeling ok, tomorrow we have decided to travel to my DDad's christmas lunch 2hrs away. All of my siblings will be there with their kids, as will my grandparents, so I really want to go. I just hope it's not too uncomfortable in the car, and it will be a long day as we'll come back in the evening. And it may even help to get things going - which would be ok so as long as things don't progress to quickly & we don't get stuck with a breakdown or a traffic jam... so cross your fingers for me!

We need a new births list too already as there's even more bubbies to add...

The email list has also just had a message from Pingu that she's had a baby girl! Congrats

BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENTS

14/11/08 - MrsMattie - Baby Girl "Bella", 7lb, C/S (due 28/11)
18/11/08 - DonnyLass - Baby Boy, (due 03/12)
19/11/08 - Flumpybumpy - Baby Girl "Niamh Lily", 6lb 13oz, C/S (due 02/12)
20/11/08 - pixsix - Baby Boy, (due 01/12)
24/11/08 - daisydora - Baby Boy "Harry", 8lb 8oz (due 03/12)
24/11/08 - Amy123 Baby Boy "Robbie Lewis", 7lb 13.5oz (due 3/12)
25/11/08 - Verso - Baby Girl "Frieda Harriet", 8lbs 13oz, C/S (due 04/12)
25/11/08 - LadyThompson - Baby Girl "Octavia Poppy Alice", 6lb 9oz, C/S (due 03/12)
28/11/08 - theyoungvisiter - Baby Boy, 7lb 2oz, HB (due 09/12)
29/11/08 - lal07 - Baby Girl "Nancy Elizabeth", 6lb 11oz (due 08/12)
01/12/08 - ChutneyMary - Baby Boy "Matthew", 8lb 6oz, C/S (due 10/12)
01/12/08 - jumpjockey - Baby Girl "Sarah Kirstin", HB (due 08/12)
03/12/08 - mibbes - Baby Boy "Evan", 6lb 5oz, EmC/S (due 06/12)
03/12/08 - katie3677 - Baby Girl "Liliana (Lily) Alice Grace", 11lb 2oz, C/S (due 14/12)
04/12/08 - feb - Baby Boy "Thomas George", 6lb 11oz (due 28/12)
05/12/08 - penny99 - Baby Boy "Xavier Jake" (due 3/12)
05/12/08 - Alliebongo - Baby Boy, 7lb 11oz (due 12/12)
05/12/08 - modernlove - Baby Boy, 7lb 6oz (due 03/12)
06/12/08 - poisondwarf - Baby Girl "Nina Camille", 6lb 15oz (due 08/12)
06/12/08 - Beans33 - Baby Girl "Isabella Sarah", 6lb 13oz (due 07/12)
07/12/08 - snorris - Baby Girl "Lucy Grace", 10lb (due 18/12)
10/12/08 - rosmerta - Baby Boy "Sean James" 9lb 7oz (due 02/12)
10/12/08 - Kmp1 - Baby Boy "Benjamin", 7lb 12oz, C/S (due 17/12)
11/12/08 - traceface - Baby Girl "Phoebe Martha", 7lb 3oz (due 13/12)
11/12/08 - babblington - Baby Boy, 6lb 16oz (due 29/12)
11/12/08 - hiccymapops - Baby Boy "Luke Stephen Edward", 8lb 9oz (due 07/12)
12/12/08 - kayzisexpecting - Baby Boy "Dylan George", 10lb 5oz (due 12/12)
13/12/08 - Veggiemummy - Baby Boy, 8lb 1oz HB (due 15/12)
14/12/08 - GettingBiggerBird - Baby Twins "Hope Elizabeth" 7lb & "Victor George" 7lb 11oz (due 25/12)
15/12/08 - Jollybear - Baby Girl "Lucy", 6lb 13oz, C/S (due 26/12)
15/12/08 - hotmama - Baby Boy "Harry", 7lb 0.5oz, C/S (due 21/12)
15/12/08 - PinguRocks - Baby Girl "Matilda", 5lb 14oz (due 25/12)
16/12/08 - JamInMyWellies - Baby Boy "Lachlan", 9.5lb (due 09/12)
16/12/08 - OrangeCrush - Baby Boy "Samuel Joseph", 7lb 3oz (due 07/12)
17/12/08 - CatDean - Baby Boy (?), 7lb 8oz, HB (due 27/12)

Trace: was just abot to suggest squirting a bit of breastmilk into DD2's eye but see Bisou beat me to it! It really does work - did the trick for DS on any number of occasions. The last eye infection he got was when we were not longer bfing so had to get some drops, they took much longer to work.

Verso: the only outlets for rage I've founda re throwing things and walking furiously - maybe not entirely practical at the moment!

Finding it to hard to keep up at the moment - I'm either looking after DS or sleeping! Walking still v painful and no signs of imminent labour - DH is still instructing the babe to stay put until Xmas at least

Wonder how Artichokes is getting on?

I'm lying here having a snuggle with ds2 on the sofa he is starting to drift off after being awake all morning and very interactive so must be shattered now. Dh & ds1 are upstairs having a kip. Ds1 went to his last day at nursery today they had a little party. He was happy as he got to show photos of his baby brother. But I think he stlll not 100% well which means he'll prob have to miss football tomorrow and its the last session before Christmas.

Verso you could try taking an in breath to the count of 3 then breath out to the count of 6. Or you could get you DM & DH both by the ear pull them around til they face each other and then bang their heads together. Verso you are my hero how you cope with all you have to deal with I think your amazing. What are you going to spend you full bonus on?

I can't put my email on here as it has my RL name in it. I'm on the email list so will email everyone on there and you can reply from there or you can CAT me. He said he can't promise anything as it depends how she deleted but he happy to give it try.

Oh and I also think that is lovely what Mars said, and also true I am still in awe of Bird, what a women.

Oh and Bisou just for the next list Kayz had a HB too. Hopefully we will have a full name by the time you do the list next MIL was going to the fortune teller et al this morning their time so DH is going to ring her tonight to find out his middle/chinese name.

Hi everyone, had another disappointing appointment with the consultant today, having thought I?d be sent back to the midwives ? so this is a ?me? post as I wallow in disappointment for a bit. Will catch up with the news in a minute and hope to hear of a lovely new baby or two ? always guaranteed to cheer me up!

So after my scan on Tuesday, when the sonographer told me my baby was average and everything was fine, the consultant today said that the baby appears to be fine but I have low levels of amniotic fluid. Had I been leaking at all? No (unless you count the dribbles of wee when I sneeze ). And was the baby still moving? Was I sure the baby is still moving? (scary to have this question repeated). So I had to wait in the waiting room while he called up another consultant (must be important, as she has her own scanning machine) and then I had to go down to the midwife unit for half an hour of monitoring and have to have more monitoring on Monday before seeing the consultant (the one with her own scanner). The monitoring was fine, but again it was stressed several times that I should contact them if baby stops moving or I start leaking at all over the weekend. Everyone did say it all looks ok, but the constant reminding me to ring them at any hour has really worried me. And they mentioned something about not letting me go much beyond my due date if my waters are low, either though I feel baby is happy in there for a while (still only 2/5 engaged).

Does anyone have any experience of waters being low? I?m just right down in the dumps again, and was so sure I?d be given a clean bill today.

What also freaked me out a little bit, was the monitoring showing I had several BH?s, one lasting almost 5 minutes ? and I didn?t feel a thing! What if I don?t realise I?m having real contractions either and babyZJ just plops out on the floor? (that is probably just wishful thinking to be honest ?)

Oh well, as DH pointed out if there was a serious problem I?d be in an ambulance on my way to hospital, not back on the sofa with MN. Hope everyone else is ok and I will catch up in a minute xx

Oh ZJ that is difficult for you. Really the stress they are causing is worse for and babyZJ than the low fluid. The thing is has the consultant just read the sonographers reportbor did they put in some pictures showing the low fluid. You said at the time that the fluid was a little low but the sonographer said not to worry. I would go with that. It will be reassuring to have this other consultant look too but I'm sure it will be fine.

Oh and I never felt any BH first time but def felt contractions.

Am so sorry haven't posted for a while. We've had bit of week from hell as DS and DH have had this terrible bug. And now I've got mastitis. So crap anti-social post from me.

Have posted in feeding topic help. If any of you that have stopped BFding have insight I'd be grateful. I am sad but absolutely sure I have to stop. No way I'm putting my little family through more illness.

Congrats to all of you who've had babies this week. V good week to be born - think of the pre-Christmas parties they can have.

zj I had almost exactly this experience with DS (low fluid) they scanned me on the Tues and I went in for induction on Friday. DS was born on Sat eve and all was absolutely fine (apart from shit hospital but that's another story). So worrying for you - but DH is right - if they really thought there was a problem you'd be in hospital having the baby now. And if you do end up being induced it's honestly not that bad (IME). In fact I preferred second induction with drip. No grisly transition. Take care of yourself.xx

Hi again, I knew there would be some good birth news to cheer me up ? congratulations to orangecrush and pingurocks ? great news from both of you.

Trace ? at the arnica moment, I think I?d have done the same! And definitely try to see someone about your fanjo, the 29th is 10 whole days away and that?s too long to wait whilst in pain [ouch emoticon]

Verso ? I hope DD2 had calmed down by the time she got back last night and allowed you some sleep. And what a bummer about the night nanny, hope you get those references very quickly. And even worse about the photos of baby Frieda ? was it you who emailed some early pics of her around? Can you retrieve those from the email? I might still have them in my inbox (if it was you) and can email them back if you want?

Katie ? so sorry you had a bad night last night. I don?t know what is a normal amount to express, but just talking to a mw this week and she said that breast milk is equivalent to about half the amount of formula you?d feed, as it?s fuller of the fat or nutrients or whatever it?s full of, so if you formula feed 4oz, then you?d only need 2oz of breast milk. Does this make sense? I think I?m rambling ? but I?m trying to say you don?t need to express that much, I think ?

Bisou ? you sound so organised, yet so calm at the same time. You couldn?t be anymore ready for your LO to arrive now And have lots of fun tomorrow

I?ve got confused with the bases ? we have the isofix one, and the yellow guides are too wide for the isofix points in my car, I?m convinced of it ? think I?m going to have to go to Halfords for advice cause it still isn?t working on the third attempt. Grr.

And thanks to veggie and lal ? very reassuring words, ? especially about your induction experience lal. For some reason I?ve got it into my head that if I?m induced I?ll have an ultra violent birth with lots of pain, but clearly that isn?t the case which is good to know.

lal, I've posted on your other thread

bisou I am predicting a baby for you this weekend! (Mysticmeg emoticon) That sounds like full on nesting!

Veggie I am very jealous of you snuggling on the bed with your DS2. Glad DS1 got to nursery - it does take it out of them at this age, any amount of sickness. Hope he is fully recovered in time for Christmas.

Zoe sorry you are having more worries. I have never had low fluid, so can't advise there. But I do think it very very unlikely that full labour will start and you not know/ If anything, you would feel significant pressure!! But hope all works well for you and you don't go beyond next Wed!

indith I hope the sickness has totally left your house now.

lal hugs and have posted on yr thread.

DD finished school today for the hols at 2pm - so I collected her and we had a nice potter around on our own (nanny had DS at home, I can only seem to manage one child at a time out and about) went for coffee and bought some pussy willow. It was very nice - but I do feel like the most cumbersome whale. Would so love to have the baby this weekend, so send me labour vibes pleeeaase...

Hi

Only quick post as I am meant to be helping DS1 find the 2 pieces of jigsaw he has lost!!

Mw has been. DS2 has put on 1oz and I have to top him up with formula. She made DH go and get some formula so she could feed him.

I have to feed him for 30 minutes and no longer from the breast and then give him 2oz of formula. I am really upset and kinda feel like a failure.

I am not going to stop BF, not in a million years. I am going to give him his top ups of formula until he has put some more weight on.

MW reckons my milk still isn't in properly as he isn't getting any hind milk at all and my milk looks watery.

She is coming back tomorrow to see how we got on with the FF. She says he sucks the bottle like a Bfeeder. Whatever that means though!!

I am sorry for everything I have missed and I hope you are all feeling good and looking forward to Christmas.