Em needs to rest. She needs to babymoon. Better that she was only in the hospital for 3 days. That can really dent a new mum's confidence. Then she just needs feeding up (nice healthy stuff) and to join a postnatal group or mums and babies. She should look for a baby massage class. Great way to meet others without having to look them in the eye too much.
Welcome MrsBG! 5 months! Congrats!
Now to answer those questions:
- Going back to work when he or she is 5 months (no choice honest), how does one carry on feeding/expressing while sat in an office.
They have to provide somewhere for you to express and a fridge to keep the milk in. Begin expressing (after 6 weeks) and freezing to get yourself ahead.
- Getting sleep in the early weeks to allow me to be human and on form for the boys as I won't be able to sleep in the day when baby sleeps.
Sleep when the boys are out. Ignore the house. Get people to bring you food. Visitors come to work before they get a cuddle with the baby. Your DH needs to protect your resting space and take the boys out.
- Dh being able to help, he has already expressed concern as he wanted to do nights for me to start with to allow me to sleep so I had enough energy to face the day with boys and baby.
Don't express before 6 weeks. Allow your supply to regulate itself. Once the baby has been fed DH should wind and settle baby. Enjoy CBeebies. TV really comes into its own at this time. Have a box of goodies (toys, books etc) that only come out when you're breastfeeding. The goodies don't have to be new, but they do have to be put away once feeding is over.
- Clingy baby when I do go back to work as he or she will be used to being close to me all day everyday (boys didn't have this as I never spent a lot of time cuddling them for fear of one feeling left out and they were bottle fed).
Fret not. You will be leaving a secure baby because of all the cuddling etc. Time to put your guilt about the boys to bed my lovely. You can email me and pour it all out if you like.
I think thats it - oh and plus i have a big fear of the PND coming back if I am over tired and unable to pass baby onto anyone for any period of time as he/she will need feeding every few hours
See above for resting tips. TV, breastfeeding box. DH to do all the settling. Trust me... after the DTs one is a breeze! Ignore the house. DH can take charge of that for now (or even forever).
Oh and leaky boobs at work.
Breastpads. If using disposable change every few hours. They have plastic backing and I don't want you incubating thrush. If using washables just chuck them in the wash each night.
My lady had a lovely birth last night. I was visiting her today and so have been really busy. Am at a breastfeeding conference all day tomorrow so you won't see me about. It starts incredibly early so I should've gone to bed a couple of hours ago, but you know me.
Love to you all. Pixi you have text! Momma you're working too hard (pot...kettle...). Trips FG.. well done on the counselling. Tigs... You go girl! Wishing you love, joy and total happiness.
TK,ag, Merly, Pazza, Lydle, Ooogs, millie1. where's Shazza? etc... and to those my tired brain has missed... I miss you all. Will try to be less busy. So good to see you all though.
And so to bed!