August Babies

[Katherine]

Wills, Marina, Musica etc I miss us all chatting together. Time to pass on the mum2be moving on thread - so shall we start up again, and anyone else of course.

Still in cloud9 after last night. Poor DH had to spend the morning getting the holiday cottage ready and then I had to go and help him!!!!! But its OK because I feel great. Not even a little bit sore down there. Just these dratted afterpains to contend with - always think this bit is so unfair! You go through all that and get the reward of a lovely baby but the afterpains don't really give you anything do they. Oh well mustn't complain. MW said I'm back to a third already so thats why it hurts so much.

Wills how are those stitches doing? Hope you are not too uncomfy.

Well just changed 3 merconium nappies so no problems with Bea's bowels at all! And the cloth nappies are doing great - just ordered some more girly ones. Even my cloth sanpro is bearing up - much admired by the MWs.

Oh well better go and get the tea ready. Packed DH off to the park with the kids for half and hour for some peace and quiet so just been wallowing in a lovely bath. Time to return to domesticity now

Woke up this morning with one boob really engorged and painful. DD2 fed 3 times and it still felt tender and bruised. Don't know if its the way I slept or just because she only fed the once again last night (can't beleive this, hope it lasts )

And get this - went swimming today. Well thats a bit of an exageration really. Sat by the pool would be better as DD2 kept stirring so had to keep getting out to cuddle her. She wouldn't feed though - think she could taste the chlorine. Spent the rest of the time sitting on the steps trying to coax DD1 in - feel really bad as she was happy in there last year but we've hardly been since. Was a bit worried that keeping latching DD2 on would make me bleed again but no embarrassing moments thank goodness.

My first two were delivered onto my tummy and it was lovely but this time I was kneeling down and the MW just passed her through my legs to me so I could cuddle her. It was just as magic

Wills it sounds like you are doing really well. If its hurting you then no womder it feels hard but at least you are still going. You could try different positions for feeding to see if that helps. When I had DS they tucked me up with him in bed as he was feeding every hour (once released from the 3hr regime) so I could get some sleep. I fed him lying down on my side and it was wonderful as I barely had to wake up. I'm trying it now at night but haven't quite got the knack yet but it did help.

I seem to remember reading somewhere once that BM is made of thinner foremilk at first and richer hindmilk once they get going. It seemed logical to me then that if DS was having lots of short feeds then he never quite got to the rich stuff so was hungry again an hour later. I started putting him back onto the first boob for the next feed and then moving over, if that makes sense. Don't know if I was right in my reasoning but he then switched to 2hr feeds thereafter.

Anyway I think if you can get the pain sorted then it will fall into place for you. Sounds like you are pretty much there - just needs to become more enjoyable for you.

DS certainly used me for comfort - could never get him to sleep any other way. Just becomes a problem is they are always on there. You could try steeling yourself to just give cuddles or try to get DH to have a go - it may just be that she smells your milk. But its early days on this one. DD2 is DEFINITLY a comforter

Hello, everyone - I seem to have missed this thread on my last few flying visits, how nice to catch up with the August babes and find out that dd is not the only nipper who is much more competent on one side than the other. She put on 6oz this week which I am ecstatic about as we got our hospital snaps back yesterday and all I could think of was how much thinner her little face looks now she's at home But she is now back over birthweight and considering she got nothing from me for two days while in SCBU (not even a cuddle ) doing fine I think. Good to hear other second-timers are finding it a bit painful to begin with - and that about 10-15 mins is OK for babies this age. I was beginning to get paranoid that she had preferred the Aptamil she was given in SCBU.
Any natural remedy tips for colic, though? DD is settled but a bit windy during the day but cried off and on (and very loudly too) from 9pm until 1am this morning. As I have my parents staying I wonder if the stress levels have affected her digestion, but don't want to use Infacol if something simpler might work. All ideas accepted...
The other superb thing that happened to us this week is that we went back to the hospital to have her ultrasound exam for her dimple at the base of her spine. I knew they were checking for possible spina bifida and was somewhat anxious but she got the all clear in a matter of seconds from a rather exasperated Registrar (I was the fourth "false alarm" he had seen that morning and all the mothers cried on him, apparently - but it's better to check these things out).
Better go, the evening cryathon has started and my mother (allegedly here to help) has just been putting me right about the unsatisfactory nature of our spare room.

Marina

try a little fennel tea

a little cool boiled water worked wonders for ds. bkx.

OOOH Marina bossy dms should be banned. Can't help with the natural remedies but will read with interest as about to start using infacol myself. She's not tearful because I normally cave in and put her back on the breast resulting in marathon long sessions . Good luck. Glad to hear dd is back over her birthweight. My dd2 has put another ounze on so I know she's getting the milk! Took the mw's suggestion of expressing off the foremilk today but all it did was make my nipples bleed which is why I've been so reluctant to express in the first place - ah well best go a certain part of my body is required by dd2 .

Hi all. Wills I never got on with expressing either. Baffles me as I can squirt for England. In fact when I took my bra of yesterday two powerjet style squirts exploded! Oh and co-incidence but I think we've got thrush now too. I forgot to say but the other sign to look for in baby is what looks like white curds in her mouth. Was thinking about it last night - When DS got thrush I got some calendula which cleared it up. With DD started using calendula from the start for sore nipples - no thrush. This time it was a bank holiday so by the time I bought the calendula my boobs where healing so didn't bother with it. Thrush again. Co-incidence? Anyway I'm slapping it on again now so will let you know how effective it is.

Also looking through the green baby catalogue last night noticed they do a herbal remedy for colic. Think it was called Colief or something like that. Might be worth a look.

Marina lovely to have you back and glad your DD is doing well. Welcome Hug.

Hey where is everyone. Thought I'd have missed loads over the weekend. We were very busy. Went to a local history day on Sat. and then Chatsworth Show in Sunday. Feel like I need to sleep for a week now. DH took yesterday off work to help me get the kids ready for school - and spent the day shifting our old car and then moving a shed. He's so helpful!!!!

Anyway also survived the visit from the HV. Can't stand her but discovered she is retiring (Yes!)at Christmas. She looked really put out when I said I didn't see the need to weigh baby until the 6wk check-up though.

Made it to school this morning just on the bell. Not too manic either. I suppose it can only get easier. All the mums descended on me and then the head took Bea on a tour of the school which was quite funny. The ogre has a heart after all

Need to get some work done this morning then I get a whole 2.5 hrs just me and bea this afternoon while DD1 is at nursery

Hi Katherine and everyone - glad to hear the school run went well! Enjoy your Bea time this afternoon - I've noticed that dd never gets any cuddle time until ds is well gone to bed - he's accepted her really well, but as soon as I feed her he wants me to draw teletubbies (which I have mastered even lefthanded!), so she tends to get fed then put down.

Our hv was really sweet when she came over - she's quite mad, but nice, which I think can make up for a lot!

I'm trying to get ds out of the habit of junk food and Cbeebies which we seemed to slip into just after dd was born - he is not very impressed with it all! The look he gave the pasta and tuna I gave him, when all he wanted was tomato sauce!

Wills - try hand expressing. Your pump should not make your nipples bleed - something wrong there.

Marina - colicynth granules are excellent for colic (homeopathic). You pop them on the babies tongue every 5 mins (if I remember correctly) until colic is gone - very effective.

Wills, forgot to say Lansinoh or Purelan (Mothercare has it) is recommended for sore nipples.

Marina - Junior Magazine has an article on colic this month. Said there is no evidence that any drug treatments work at all and they are not even convinced now that colic actually relates to gastric pain. Quite a good article though not very inspiring if you are trying to treat it!

BTW - just started a thread on itchy boobs under breastfeeding. Anyone got any suggestions as mine are driving me nuts. Could it be thrush?

Just popped in to say hello all! I love reading about how you are getting on ... hope you don't mind me lurking ... I miss you on our thread!
My mum had a good tip for cracked nips that I used with DS ... after each feed dab some distilled witch hazel on the nipple with cotton wool. It will a)clean it and b)close the cracks. My cracked nipples cleared up straight away.
Oh and Marina ... LOL at the advice for natural remedies ... couldn't work out if they were for your dd or you dm!!!

Hi all, good to see we were all so busy over the past few days that I have not missed too much - I really pine for getting on to Mumsnet whenever I feel like it these days . My parents have gone now and having felt like garrotting my mother for much of the week I miss them, of course. At 73 and 78 they take it easier these days but they were very willing to sit holding Miss Shouty while I did self-indulgent stuff like sew in name tapes and run the washing machine.
Wills, it's great for building up your supply that dd is suckling for a good length of time - I'm just sorry it's still so painful. I'd be interested to hear how you get on with Infacol as our bottle remains unopened. No-one I know has yet found it effective, I have to say (as more or less implied in that Junior article - interesting reading, wasn't it Katherine? I clung to the bit that says that "colicky" babies tend to thrive as they get a lot of milk offered in the hope they will pipe down).
I am about to book an appointment with our homoeopath GP as Mears is not the only person to have recommended Colicynth, many thanks for that Mears. We are not getting crying marathons every single night but we're getting plenty of them. Last night midnight found dh sitting with dd on his shoulder and his back to the running dishwasher and after three hours' squawking she went off JUST LIKE THAT. I told her next time she's going IN the dishwasher.
Has anyone else's dd had neonatal jaundice? Either dd is genuinely olive-skinned or she still has the vestiges, which as she is a month tomorrow I'm a bit concerned about. Her eyes are clear now, so is her tongue, but in white or pink she looks as though she has overdone the St Tropez. Still, we're getting plenty of head bobbing, punching mummy in the face, leg waving etc, so I'd say she was "lively".
Ds is very affectionate with dd if a bit over-exuberant and he starts school on Thursday so I too will hopefully have some dd (and Mumsnet) time during the day then, like Katherine. Meantime, I remain awestruck and envious of people who can schlep round the Chatsworth Show of all things with a tiny baby in tow. I took dd to Blackheath the other day and she yowled so loudly in her pushchair she caused heads to turn even above loud traffic noise.

Marina - how can you call sewing and loading the washing SELF-INDULGENT!

Haven't got long so I'll make this a quick one. Anyone else finding that offered help comes at a price? My dm came today, well actually she descended is closer to the truth. Her form of help is to play with dd1 or cuddle dd2 whilst I tidy/iron/clean.. Marina reading your mail struck many cords! Meanwhile dh comes home from work and "holds the baby" because of course I must have held her all day, leaving me to clear up the dinner he lovingly made (but trashed the kitchen in the process). Meanwhile dm is absolutely horrified that I'm planning outings with both my daughters (because its great to get out). She's of the opinion that I should be sitting still needing to be rescued etc by her. I made an attempt to ask her when she was planning on coming over next and blimey she simply ranted that I was doing too much and that I should get a grip and relax. Get the impression she wants to take over and honestly the thought leaves me quivering with dread.

Why can't offers of help involve the dishwasher????? grrrr

Musica - glad to see that my dd1 is not the only child to have descended into the TV. Had a very similar fight with her over Nick Jnr - good luck.

Oh dear, Musica, Wills - ds is downstairs watching the very educational Scooby-Doo and the Alien Invaders AGAIN. His "what I did on my hols" scrapbook that he is meant to take off to his new school tomorrow is economical with the truth to say the least. (No mention of I sat on the sofa all day watching Neighbours and Diagnosis Murder with grandma...)
Wills, we need mother swaps. Mine was haranguing me about long daily bracing walks in the park. I made a vow before this birth that if it was a C-section I would take it easy until after the 6-week check and despite her contempt I am sticking to it. I am sorry yours is being similarly unhelpful but how ironic that whatever us daughters do it is always WRONG.
Permit a very swift rant about SIL. She has been hinting about coming to see dd since I got home from hospital and a bit meanly I put her off as long as poss because she is always bone idle and just generates washing-up and mess when she visits. We eventually engineered a meet-up while all shopping in Bromley and ds, the little Judas, invited her home for lunch. Which she hoovered up after sitting watching dh and I unpack all the shopping and make it. Then she sat drinking tea for two hours (fresh mug each time of course, mustn't lower standards), helped ds upend a huge toybox in his bedroom and then went home without repacking it. The piece de resistance is that she spent a lot of time droning on about how she has taken a week off work to "help" a neighbour whose very prem baby has finally come home from SCBU after weeks and weeks. That poor woman! I hope she knows that it will be just like having two helpless babes to take care of. My SIL is a menace to society and a very tactless one at that. Rant over.

oooh can I join in? My mum is elderly, disabled and 3 hrs away so I can't expect much from her but she's already been laying on the guilt because we haven't been to see her which means a camping trip this weekend! Just what I need. Actually it should be fun IF the weather is good!

SIL1 came over 2 days after the birth. DH told her to bring lunch. She walked in, put the bags on the table and said "I'm ready for my lunch, I'll go and park my bum" leaving us to make it.Her idea of helping out is playing with the kids while we run round after her. Her star trick was watching DS pull a large piece of broken glass from the river which he added to his "treasure". She was concerned enough to mention it to us 3 hrs later, but to idle to remove it from the kids and put it in the bin. I was furious!

And as for DH - well he means well but his idea of hleping out involves mowing the communal lawn, fixing his car and shifting a shed leaving me with the houswork. And how come this morning when he was home to help we actually ended up being late for school when I managed to be on time yesterday! He's now gone of to Scotland for a couple of days (work) leaving me to cope on my own, with a governors meeting tonight (baby is coming too, got to find a baby sitter now for the others) and a sick dog. Love 'em.

Well boobs are still itching and I've a pile of work to do so better crack on.......moan over.

Oh and yes we do the TV thing too. Such a relief that DS is back at school now and DD has nursery in the afternoons. At least that is a few hours when they are not watching telly. But we shouldn't be too hard on them. I mean its quite tough juggling a new baby - it won't always be like that. If you get sky you can always try to get them to watch Animal Planet channel or something on National Geographic. Keeps mine entertained and I like to THINK its a bit more educational

Well we've had a good couple of days - Cbeebies have done me a big favour by changing the schedule, so I don't know what's on when...means I'm much less likely to say "Oh well it's Balamory time". We even managed a trip out to Mothercare!

How is the feeding now Wills? Hope it's feeling less painful.

Got some lavender gel from Boots yesterday. Put it on at 4pm and by 7pm - No itchy nipples. I'm in heaven, what a releif. Not sure if the itching was caused by thrush or by the calendula ointment but whatever it was switching to lavender gel did the triack. Really ecommend it. Hope things have improved wills - if not try the lavender gel in the botanics range

Wish me luck - camping tomorrow night. Weather forecast good for tomorrow then rain on Sunday. Looks like we'll be packing away a wet tent then!

DD2 weighed this morning and is now 6lb 9oz - so gained 1/2 pound in last week. MW discharged me as well so I'm on my own now!

Can someone please tell me WHY WHY WHY they have to wait till you've changed them then have a massive explosion? Especially at 4 in the morning

Hope you asll have a peaceful weekend with lots of sleep

PS when DH phoned last night I tried to answer the TV remote!!!!

Good luck Katherine. Hoping you're still around because I need to pick your brains. I'm having big big problems finding any of the advised creams for my nipples! No one appears to have heard of lansinoh or calendula this includes Boots the chemist, Tesco's pharmacy and my local chemist. In the end I found some calendula cream for rough feet - hmm not sure that's appropriate for an area my daughter is going to stick in her mouth ! Oh and round this way most of the mothercare's have closed down !

Things are not brilliant on the bf front (everything else is great) and its getting me down a little. I've rapidly gone from not sore on either side (just not satisfying on the rhs) back to screamingly sore on both. The HV came round and spent quite a long time with me and like me she couldn't get dd2 to latch on properly either. No matter how much nipple gets shoved in dd2 seems to spit it back out and then purse her lips. The bottom lip is still curled but the top lip is not exactly wide open! It is getting me down because I so want this to work. There's no way a cow can make better milk than I but at this rate its not going to be long before I'm extremely blue (and red iyswim ). I'm also getting confusing advice from my hv so I'd like some opinions on the following issues:

1. dd2 has a needy time in the late afternoon where all she wants to do is hang off my breasts. Sometimes this is a sign that we're going to have a tough night with colic sometimes not. The hv has told me to use a dummy and not to allow her onto the breast. dd1 had a dummy until she was 2.9 and to us it bought as many problems as it resolved. Firstly they can't keep it in their mouths and dd1 ALWAYs awoke when it fell out, secondly I couldn't see my baby's face so am loathe to go down this route again. Any suggestions...
2. Sometimes (especially during the night) a feed can take up to 1.5 hours to complete. When completed dd2 comes off the breast of her own accord and doesn't seek to go straight back on. The hv is very anti this (cos of my sore nipples) and has stated that 10-15 minutes is the maximum she needs and to take her off after this. I'm not keen on this because firstly dd2 is normally actively gulping for the first 20 minutes on lhs and on the rhs she's much slower anyway. Secondly if I take her off whilst she's still hungry she cries - I'm not keen for a newborn to cry for too long. What do you all think?
3. Night feeing is where I do the most damage to my nipples because I can't get comfortable whilst still in bed. I've contemplated putting the nursing chair in another room and moving to that. HV is against this because she feels I need to stay in bed so as to keep the distruption to dd2 to a minimum to encourage her to sleep through the night. This is a no win situation!!!!

I'm considering a glass of wine tonight as I'm rather wound up! dd1 is desperate for attention but can't get dd2 off the breast which is why I've not been posting. Can't find anything on how much if any alcohol you can have whilst bf - does anyone know?

Thanks

Hope you're all well - sorry I've not been posting much

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