Due April 2009 - Chapter 32: Shake your pom poms, Shake your pom poms, Shake your pom poms!!!

[BabyBolat]

Hope no one minds I gave Nutty the vote after her epic birth!

I know we agreed no woman left behind, but I am beginning to wonder if we should confine poat natal issues to a special post natal thread? If it's freaking you guys out????

I find the pinching thing a bit weird. DD2 came out like that, she was purple, not crying and a bit floppy. I was still allowed to hold her, but the midwife was with me trying to get her to cry, but I think mainly only because I kept asking why she wasn't crying. I am pretty sure babies have quite a long time till they even need to breath, let alone cry. I THINK it is about 7 mins they are absolutly fine with no breathing, which is why it is no problem for babies to be born in water etc. OBviously I am not saying that if a baby isn't breathing you should just leave them to it for 7 mins but I don't think not crying is a problem iyswim.

I am a bit confused about what happened when DD came out. DH thinks the cord was round her neck. My Mum (who actually caught the baby when she came out) said it was sort of very loosly over her, but they just took it straight off without needing to cut it etc and it wasn't stopping her breathing or effecting her in any way. The MW didn't mention anything and I didn't know anything about it till a conversation came up at home. I was sort of on all fours when I gave birth so didn't see anything.

Do you think it is OK to express some feeds? I am getting very fed up with BF already as I am so sore, so tired and DD2 wants to do nothing but feed. Milk seems to flow out easily so I don't think I would have trouble expressing. But I am worried about nipple confusion if I give bottles of EBM? I DON'T want to stop breastfeeding. I would ideally like to BF for at least 6 months which is why I am trying to avoid being fed up with it completly. I fed DD for 8 months and on;y really stopped because I was 2 months pregnant and my body was just too drained.
What does everybody think about the whole expressing and nipple confusion thing? If I was to express, do you know roughly how much a feed is?

Post-natal bf worry alert!

Think I have a blocked duct . Very tender bruised feeling quite a long way back on the fleshy part of boob. Quite some way back from the nipple. Have tried different positioning (rugby ball), but the affected part is almost at armpit level, so difficult to get him into a position where his chin points at it. Has anyone any experience with the over-the-shoulder feeding position? What else can I do to stop it progressing - lots of heat and massage I presume?

no dont leave us - i know we are complaining - but we are mostly just that you all have your babies.

dont go or we will never catch up with the post natal stuff and really feel left behind.

Soon2be, I think the mw said to me that they have as long as something like 30 minutes if the cord and placenta are intact and the cord pulsating. That's apparently why it's useful to keep it uncut for as long as possible. To get babies to breathe, rubbing their backs and tummies is probably more use than pinching, I reckon. That's what you do with farm animals, rub them with straw. Can't see why babies would be any different. Straw might be a bit messy though.

Regarding cords, very many babies are born with cords around their necks or (as in Felix's case) a knot in it. It's not a big deal, I am told.

Regarding expressing, this is fine, nipple confusion is IMO something of a myth in this context. Don't worry about it at all. I express all the time, FWIW, to have a break from all the chomping. A feed for Felix is 3oz approx.

Juwes, I had a blocked duct last week and I sorted it out by warm baths, massages, and feeding him while he was on the changing mat, trying different angles until suddenly I could feel it start to drain. The over the shoulder position is a new one to me so I don't know anything about it, but anything is probably worth trying.

Hi Everyone - haven't been on here for ages, lots of reasons really. Just wanted to let you know that I had my baby girl on the 15th April so you can update your baby list. We have called her Emilia Rose and birth weight was 7lb 6oz.

She has two very proud and excited older sisters who think she is a moving talking doll!!! At the moment peace reigns in our house but that won't last, I'm sure.

Congratulations to all of you who have had your babies and good luck to those of you who are still waiting.

Conker and Frekkles - how about I encourage everyone to offer up some of their nicest post natal experiences on the thread to provide a bit of motivation for those who haven't popped yet?

I'll kick off with today's FOUR smiles. If I lift up Felix after he's had a feed and a bit of a burp, and hold him up in front of my face, and say 'Hello!' while smiling myself, he gives me a big beaming grin and it's clear he has recognised me. Really fab, that.

Congrats fatandfedup. How are you? I love the name Emilia. And how wonderful that her sisters are enjoying her so much.

Hi everyone just checking in as well. Started having mild infrequent contractions early this morning, then had abit of a show and have been trickling waters most of the day!! However it seems to be going no where and keeps stoping and starting .

I'm seeing a consultant at the hospital tommorow anyway so I'll see what she has to say. Fingers crossed baby comes on his due date (tommorrow) now that would be nice

Updated for fatandfedup..

12 Feb: Skiingone: MARIANNA 4lb 4oz
20 Feb: Glaskham: RUBY MARIE 4lb 3oz
04 Mar: Barbarella: ESTELLA, ROSANNA, OTIS
05 Mar: Kazkiss: ISABELLE FLORENCE 4lb 6oz & OLIVER THOMAS 3lb 7oz
15 Mar: Babypringle: OSCAR WILLIAM 7lb 2oz
28 Mar: Claireykitten: VIOLET ROSE 7lb 9oz
29 Mar: WhatFreshHell: FELIX DEVLIN ALEXANDER 10lb 5.5oz
31 Mar: Mumblemum: ORSON XERXES
02 Apr: Oddeyes: ELEANOR 9lb 8oz
03 Apr: Bleuravin: MEGAN LILLIAN CONSTANCE
03 Apr: Bumpalump: JACOB 8lb
04 Apr: BabyBolat: KARAHAN 6lb 5oz
05 Apr: Mrsfossil: ISLA LILIAN 7lb 10oz
06 Apr: BoffinMum: FELIX DAVID GORDON 7lb 9oz
11 Apr: SpringySunshine: GEORGE NATHAN 8lb 15oz
11 Apr: RachelinScotland: CLEMENT JAMES 8lb 14oz
11 Apr: Lou031205: ISLA SOPHIA 7lb 9oz
11 Apr: Electra: ISABELLA CAROLINE 6lb 3oz
11 Apr: AuldAlliance: ALEXANDRE 7lb 6oz
12 Apr: Phdlife: Name TBA 9lb 3oz
13 Apr: MathsMummy27: AMELIA CHARLOTTE
14 Apr: Purlease: ADAM 9lb 2oz
15 Apr: Juwesm: HUGO GEORGE 9lb 2oz
15 Apr: Bronze: ISAAC JOHN
15 Apr: FatandFedup: EMILIA ROSE 7lb 6oz
15 Apr: Kalikaroo: Name TBA BOY 8lb
15 Apr: Minush: ZAFIRAH ROSA 7lb 12oz
16 Apr: PuzzleRocks: HOLLY ELIZABETH 8lb
16 Apr: Brettgirl: HANNAH GRACE 6lb 15oz
16 Apr: ReallyTired: Name TBA GIRL
18 Apr: Staryeyed: Name TBA BOY 7lb 11oz
20 Apr: LuLuBai: SEBASTIAN 9lb
20 Apr: Swaliswan: BETH 7lb 9oz
21 Apr: Kittycatisgettingfat: GABRIELLA AUDREY BIANCA
21 Apr: Schulte: HAZEL LOIS 7lb 9 oz
21 Apr: B52s: SAM MARTIN 7lb 9oz
23 Apr: Tristaleejac: LEWIN 8lb 4oz
23 Apr: NuttyTaff: TIAHNA SKYE 8lb 8oz
23 Apr: Purplemonkeydishwasher: ISLA ELIZABETH 8lb 14oz
24 Apr: Soon2befamilyof4: TALIA 7lb 6oz
26 Apr: Carameli: Name TBA BOY 7lb 6oz
26 Apr: Surprisenumber3: EVIE ANNE 8lb 2oz

Still yet to hatch...

06 Apr: Pintofstella
10 Apr: Hopeful1
13 Apr: Dungungirl
18 Apr: Gingersarah
18 Apr: Lauren61
18 Apr: Salbysea
20 Apr: MegBusset
24 Apr: Conkertree
24 Apr: Frekkles
25 Apr: TarteTatin
27 Apr: Bicnod
27 Apr: Ilovesummer
28 Apr: Satheresitting

Good luck Satheresitting

Goodnight ladies.

Got sidetracked by another thread. Am doing ok. Life is just one big juggling game at the moment with 3 kids.

DH goes back to work on Wed so we will see how it goes with just me at home. It will probably resemble a war zone by the evening and DH may well find me drowning in a bottle of gin!!!

just marking the thread so can find it again.
Phone revived itself after drying all day - hurray, so pleased looking at phones earlier and couldn't afford anything decent! Anyways am back on Conker buddy duty. Conker glad you are ok - was getting worried but sorry you still waiting ((hugs)).
BB - pants re bathroom, hope can be sorted quickly and easily.
Nutty - hurrah for consultant getting things sorted on appointment front, so sorry that thigs haven't improved for you though.
Boff - jealous of your smiling boy, can't wait for smiles.
I recommend Ria Blom's book: Crying and Restlessness in Babies: A Parent's Guide to Natural Sleeping for dealing with restless babies, half of it is about swaddling but the other half is about routine and teaching babies to fall asleep, has worked really well with both of ours, but know different parents and babies like differnt things. Is not a 'you know who' regime but a demand lead flexable routine.
Speaking of which I must go sleep now too, as all else sleeping - Eleanor asleep in her big cot in her big brother's room tonight

Just marking this thread too, so I can try to catch up soon! Hope everyone is OK. Me just very busy! xx

Hello all just a quick post while I feed LO! Congratulatiosf &fu!

Frekkles and conker - yes it's hard but that hard scary part is such a tiny proportion of all the good stuff-Boff is right we just don't talk about it enough so here's my gush....

The smiles melt ur heart! In fact all the facial gestures - the weird gurning (sp?) before and after burps and farts! If I take karahan off the boob before he's ready pushed himself up with his hands and looks at me as if to say 'mummy what on EARTH do you think ur doing!'

I don't think I am ever more content than when my little boy is led on my chest snoring away and snuggled into me like I'm the most comfy bed ever (he's doing this now and I know I should put him down but I don't want to!)

The snuggles are amazing the feel of ur babies skin as they nestle into ur neck and hold on to u- they have this warmth and smell like no other! If I'm upset and kara is sleeping I will go pick him up and give him a long cuddle

The love u see in other people - dh/dp's, nanny and grandad who worship these lo's already!

The tiredness is hard but when I'm really tired and having the need for comfort which before now was my sofa pjs and dh is now dh and kara. When today went wrong his cuddles put it all in perspective!

I didn't have a gush of love for karahan I'm not going to lie it took a while for the realisation that he was mine to sink on but he is now so far ingrained in my life that no other love compares and I would do anything to protect him!

I think this motherhood thing is the hardest thing I've ever done and ur right to be scared - i'd be worried if u weren't - sure even the 2nd: 3rd timers were too but it's the best thing I ever did - that and marrying dh! U will be wonderful mummies

And the hard stuff is what mn is for!! Night night ladies!

still in Epsom. will write more later.

message from Lauren on 27.04.09 Born 6.05 this mrnin 7lb7 oliver stephen, bf-in nw then gt to av stitches 2nd degree tear, x

CONGRATULATIONS LAUREN!!!

welcome little oliver!

morning all sorry to me post again but kara has a stinking cold - anything i can do for him - its mainly snotty!

Good morning! Lauren, 'bf-in nw then gt to av'? Can anyone translate? My brain is a bit slow...

BB hmm no idea sorry, I'd speak to a pharmacist. Is he still feeding okay? Can be difficult with a blocked nose.

So does anyone else's baby choke a lot? Hazel keeps choking on my milk and coughing and last night she went a bit blue again and I panicked - please tell me it's not that unusual?

Congratulations to fatandfedup and Lauren!

yay well done lauren and fatandfedup - wonder how gingersarah is - she would normally be quite a frequent poster. Hope she is curled up with her baby now.

Thanks to bb and boffin for reminding us that we probably do want these babies after all - I was being a bit silly the last few days and starting to doubt it cause it felt like such an anticlimax when my mum went home and no baby had arrived - but I know the excitement will kick off again when this lo does arrive.

BB - as far as I remember from ds, there is nothing you can actually give Kara just now for a cold- dont know if you can use steam or anything to help him breathe if he has a blocked nose - oh one thing is to tip his cot/basket at the head end so that his head is a little bit higher than his feet, and that helps the snot etc run down and not get so blocked.

Schultes 'breast feeding now then got to have' is the translation! and yes Kara chokes a fair bit - the greedy guzzler takes so much he can't swallow it all properly!

Thanks Conker - that makes sense as he sleeps fine on me but as soon as I have been putting him down he wakes up grizzling have just tried with elevating the moses basket so fingers crossed!

Right must dash and try and get some sort of order in this house before everyone arrives to take the rest of the ceiling down and clean the carpet!